DIShGo

On 4/6/2020 at 3:42 PM, FranklinDubya said:

I had both the spicy vodka pizza and the white pizza with ramps this weekend... I wouldn't consider myself a pizza aficionado but both were the best pizzas I've had in memory.  The only pizzas that I would compare them too would be ones I've had in Italy.  Not sure how to describe the style - they were very thin but perfectly sturdy with a light crisp on the bottom. 

I agree with you. I had the white pizza with asparagus and ramps for lunch today, and it was the best pizza I have had in a looooooooooong time. The crust was perfect, thin and lightly crisp with the perfect amount of salt. The Jersey mozzarella was fantastic.

Tonight I cooked dinner, but afterward I enjoyed Happy Gyro's Devil's Foods Cake. It is described on the menu as "super chocolatey," and it is, with a rich, olive-oil and chocolate frosting and crunchy cocoa. Comfort food at it's finest.

7 hours ago, DonRocks said:

I'd also like to put a plug in for the jambalaya at Kinship (which isn't being served this week, I just checked the menu), having had both the chicken and the jambalaya for take-out. The jambalaya kept really well overnight in the fridge (and it's really something of a seafood paella when you reheat it in the oven). The chicken isn't what you'd get while dining inside (you get a whole, uncut chicken, and the leg meat isn't mixed into a salad, although you get (strangely good) iceburg lettuce with world-class dressing (it has sweetness from preserved orange). Eric helped bring my food out the other night - damn he can cook (he's apparently changing part of the menu each week!), but I can tell he has been shaken by this situation. Also, the $40 white wine is great, and the $40 red wine was too (and I don't say that often about California reds). I'll tell you what though: The breast meat of that chicken (which you'll need to carve off), with the lemon-garlic panade underneath the skin, is just as good as what you get in the restaurant, and the pommes rissolées are also (you may need to reheat both in the oven). 

I LOVED the jambalaya. I will go back for it when its on the menu again!

On 3/18/2020 at 12:54 PM, ktmoomau said:

I will likely post this on my Facebook and Insta too- I have lived a lot of my life trying really hard not to waste food.  I am pretty good with looking at odd ingredients and making up fun meals.  My family all would place bets on me for Chopped, and likes to challenge me sometimes.  I am also really good at looking at a fridge, freezer and pantry pictures and knowing what you should eat when.  So, my gift to anyone who went to the store and has an odd assortment of stuff- if you need ideas-  Tell me what you got, I will tell you what to make.  Or post a picture of your fridge/freezer/pantry and I will help you out with ideas.

I feel like people on this sight might not need this as much as my friends/family, but still.  Here is your topic to post in!  And anyone else who wants to help out with ideas- the more the merrier!

This is a great idea! I must admit, I have always like cobbling together meals from random items and leftovers, too. Creative cooking without running to the store is my favorite part of social distancing!

I am sad to hear this. I never met him in person, but he was kind and engaging online. I will miss his posts.

On 3/1/2020 at 8:04 PM, DonRocks said:

Here's a small order of Chikin ($14) at Anju. (One piece, with a lot of sauce, had already been removed from the top - that one piece (two bites of it, anyway) was the difference between what was delivered, and what was discarded.) 

This is the first time in my life I passed on a fried chicken dish without even trying it. It looked as unappetizing as you say it tasted.

To Mayor Pete.

We took a similar trip last fall, using Nice as our home base and exploring the surrounding area. If you plan to stroll Nice's Promenade des Anglais, look for Chez Felix's sandwich stand and grab a delicious Pan Bagnat. I loved the Chagall and Matisse museums there.

In Monaco, we had a delightful lunch at Cafe de Paris, next to the Monte Carlo casino. It is the perfect spot for people (and car!) watching, and I enjoyed my French onion soup.  After lunch, we drove to Hotel Napoleon in Menton. The exquisite Exotic Botanical Garden of Val Rahmeh is around the corner from the hotel, and there are a couple of Jean Cocteau museums nearby. Port Garavan offered fresh local fish in an outdoor dining room. Mirazur is a fine-dining option nearby, with sweeping views of the sea.

In Cannes, Hotel Martinez is a stunning spot. La Palme D'Or is their three-star restaurant, with a lovely open-air dining room facing the sea. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch there. After lunch we drove to La Bastide Saint-Antoine, an exquisite inn owned by chef Jacques Chibois, in Grasse. If you don't dine or stay there, it is worth a trip to buy a bottle of his olive oil, available in the hotel's boutique.

Our next destination was the spectacular Canyon du Verdon, which I highly recommend seeing. In Moustiers Sainte-Marie, we stumbled upon a wonderful mom-and-pop place to dine, Le Relais. The grilled lamb chops, ratatouille and dorade were outstanding.

The drive from Moustiers to Marseilles was long, but lovely. We drove through miles and miles of lavender fields and happened upon Couleurs Paysannes, a co-op grocery store where we bought picnic supplies for the car. Our adventure ended in Marseilles. I highly recommend Restaurant Michel for bouillabaisse when you are there. Le Petit Nice in Marseilles is a beautiful inn by the sea, where you can enjoy fine-dining at its best. If you are going to treat yourself to one high-end meal, this is the place to go. The octopus dish I enjoyed there was one of the best things I have ever eaten.

I recently tried the Chef’s Choice at Nina May and it was a lovely meal. The service was good, and the decor is charming. I am looking forward to trying their brunch sometime.

10 hours ago, DonRocks said:

because #1 on your priority list should be the single-best thing I've had in DC in ... months? Beet-Cured Gravlax and Egg Salad ($12), yes, I said that, and you can thank me after you get them both.

The beet-cured gravlax is hands-down the best thing I have eaten in 2020. That picture makes me want to go back tomorrow.

"DeMatha Catholic Legend Morgan Wooten Now in Home Hospice Care" by Chip Brierre on wjla.com

4 hours ago, ktmoomau said:

Thanks to you and DishGo for the recs.  Have any winery recs?  Likely only have time to visit 1-2.  I don't mind trying to reserve something, and don't mind paying a good bit for a tasting.  Noted on Swan Oyster, I might be able to do that when I go back in May!

There are some lovely wineries in St. Helena, and it is a charming town to visit. I found this map online that lists the wineries by town, which might help you limit your choices. I asked a good friend who lives in the Napa Valley and visits a lot of wineries there, and she recommended going to Hall and Duckhorn up north in St. Helena, and stopping at a smaller winery, like Sequoia Grove or Pina, which is on the Silverado Trail.

I like visiting Domaine Carneros. I’m not sure when you are going, but there is a cool contemporary art installation, Di Rosa, very near the winery. It’s closed now, but reopening the end of this month.

For food in the area, you can’t go wrong with Ciccio or Oenotri for Italian, or Boon Fly Cafe for fried chicken. If you’re going to Ad Hoc, however, fried chicken may not be on your radar. 

On 12/5/2019 at 8:34 AM, Steve R. said:

My wife went to see "Parasite" with a friend (she liked the first part and then thought "the movie became a mess" & "missed the target") so I haven't gone.  Had I known that his previous film was "Snowpiercer", I wouldn't have gone twice.  Boy, did I hate that movie.  If a discussion develops here, I'll think back & try to remember specifics; otherwise, I'd just as soon let the bad overall memory lie in peace.

I had the same impression of "Parasite" as your wife. But I liked it more than I liked "Snowpiercer." 

On 12/5/2019 at 11:04 AM, DonRocks said:

See "Shoplifters," trust me - it's one of the best films I've ever seen in my life.

"Shoplifters" is a wonderful film. It would be among my top ten favorite movies.

What a fun afternoon. Thank you, weezy, for hosting!

On 10/28/2019 at 4:29 PM, captcourt said:

Having been underwhelmed by both Sushi-Zen and Endo Sushi, and having perused the boards but not finding any moderately priced, non-fancy sushi, but nonetheless wanting takeout sushi tonight, I figured I'd post and give it a shot.  Any suggestions?  Takeshi seems to be stronger on the ramen front than the sushi front.

Sorry for the late reply. My go-to for inexpensive, no-frills takeout sushi in Arlington is Takohachi. It is conveniently located in South Arlington near me, has ample parking, and offers decent nigiri for a buck a piece.

Crust-less leek quiche and roasted carrots. My car is in the shop and there were six things in my fridge. Six-and-a-half if you count a half bottle of Sauvignon Blanc to wash it down.

If you go out for a cocktail between now and October 31, consider one of these restaurants. Kudos to Jill at Tail Up Goat for organizing #dcdrinksforbahamas to raise funds for Bahamas hurricane relief.

I was looking for a Chile con Queso recipe online tonight that doesn't include Velveeta. I stumbled across this article by a Texan about making the dish without processed cheese. In it, the author says the way to avoid the oiliness and clumps usually associated with real-cheese queso is to make a bechamel sauce and then slowly fold in the shredded cheese. I am going to give her recipe a try.

I went to Pioneer Pit Beef a couple of weeks ago. Thank you for the recommendation, Kat. I loved it. The sandwich and fries were delicious. I prefer it to Canopy.

On 8/2/2019 at 9:24 AM, curiouskitkatt said:

I am not sure why Chap's Pit Beef is the go to for pit beef. I have tried to like it, but I just find it void of flavor. I still stand by my recommendation of Pioneer, again not sure if its solely worth the drive from DC, but if you live in the nearby area, 100%. And if you don't like it, you would have only spent less than $10. You can grab a pitbeef and a 45 next door at the liquor store and make it a lively picnic. 

I am with you, Kat. I had a pit beef sandwich and fries from Pioneer on my last visit to Baltimore, and both were fantastic. I liked it better than Canopy. I haven't tried Chap's.

On 4/18/2019 at 3:44 PM, DonRocks said:

This is currently an Ethiopian restaurant called Lalibella. I've driven past it many, many times, and have never seen anyone in it - I guess it has been abandoned now for quite awhile. Pupatella will be *more* than welcome here, and will do a brisk business in restaurant-starved South Arlington, both for carryout and dine-in.

Seen on my walk today...

23 hours ago, Keithstg said:

ETA: what an impressive young woman. Really appreciated her signing autographs, engaging with fans etc. after the match.

Yes, I enjoyed her interaction with the fans after the match. Impressive young woman, indeed.

Craving fish tacos, but too lazy to drive to Whole Foods, and San Diego is just too far away... A 7pm run to Giant produced some pretty tasty perch fish tacos that satisfied my yearning.

On 6/9/2019 at 9:47 PM, jca76 said:

second the rave for happy gyro!  i've never been to chicago diner or fare well, but to me it's basically vegetarian greek little serow.  (if johnny and anne want to open this concept as a third restaurant, i am so there for it.)  

as washingtony notes, the mini black walnut taco is playing on some serious childhood nostalgia vibes.  think ground beef texture -- how do they do that with walnut?! -- shredded iceberg lettuce, crunchy shells, old el paso seasoning.  the souvlaki was two bites of excellent umami, layers of crispy-edged mushroom with a bit of chew in the center.  the beet "morcilla'" was probably my least favorite dish of the night -- which is still a pretty decent floor -- because while i loved the sweet corn puree accompanying it, i found the crunchy, fried beet fritter to be a bit dry.  greek salad (tomato, cucumber, onion, caper) was elevated by a delicious whipped feta.  two outstanding cold salads came at the same time:  the first a mix of white and green asparagus, baby potatoes, and dried olive bits that were almost bacon bits-y in their salty umami.  in the second, roasted summer squash and really crispy halloumi were dressed in a lovely herby green sauce.  both had excellent acidity.  mini belgian waffles topped with tzatziki, radish, and tiny purple allium flowers was as beautiful as it was tasty -- a balance of carby crunch, creaminess, brightness, acidity, and something sweet.  the tofu gyro was fantastic; they manage to get an amazing texture out of the thinly sliced tofu (compressed?  tofu skin?  not sure), and of course anyone who has done the normal menu knows how great the tzatziki and especially the pillowly komi pita are.  but the chicory cheese steak was a sleeper hit for me; i'm not usually a bitter vegetable fan, but the bitterness was mellowed by cooking and balanced by the gooey cheesiness, while still having a nice char.  strawberry ice cream had vivid berry flavor, and the sweet-salty-crunchy polenta topping provided a great contrast.    

an excellent meal and really great value, especially for the quantity of food.  i'm definitely going to return before the end of the month!  

All I can say is ditto--this post pretty much sums up my impression of Happy Gyro. The only thing I would add is that the wine parings are fabulous, too. Get a reservation, if you can. You won't be sorry.

To my dad, who would have been 93 today. He has been gone for just over and a year and a half, and I miss him terribly and think of him often. I was extremely lucky to have been raised by him. He was a St. Louis sports fan all of his life. I hope the Blues pull out a win for him tonight. Love you, Dad. Cheers.