Antonio Burrell

Is anyone bringing a fryer???? I was considering bringing some chicken to fry and some mac and cheese since we seem to be lacking in sides....any objections? if no fryer would be available, i could fry it at the restaurant and then bring it. Also will have my boys in tow as well as my lovely wife.

Just to let you guys know, I wouldn't just do this for Daniel and the folks I know from here. Anyone can call and note that they'd like a tasting and I'll get back to you for specifics. And you don't have to let me know you're from the board if you don't wanna ;-)

What he said. Also, knowing that the server will be so grateful for my constructive criticism that s/he won't even think of messing with my food really seals the deal.

I'm sorry, but if anyone avoid making comments to the waiter or management for poor food because you are scared someone will so "something" to it, you are eating in the wrong restaurants. (I tried to multiquote but am to stooopid to figure it out so this isn't just in relation to the above post, but others with the same thinking) Sure, we've all seen movies where a cook spits in your food or drops it on the floor, or your server doing something disgusting to it, but seriously, do you really think it happens? I've been working in kitchens for 16 years now and have never, I repeat, NEVER, seen anything like that happen. I've worked at Applebee's in college and all the way up to Aquavit and Vidalia and on every level, it's always about making the customer happy. Sure there maybe some underthebreath grumblings from the kitchen, but that's what happens when you are busy, but in the end the food always gets remade whether we agree that it was wrong or not. Point is that most restaurants don't get a chance to make things better for the customer and only find out that anyone had issues in forums like this and Tom's chat.

Not wanting to travel far due to car being in the shop, the wife and I stopped in to Shanghai Teahouse, mere steps from out apartment and found a new fav. I'm not going to say it's the best Chinese I've ever had, but after this first visit I rank it right up there with my favorites, Joe's and A and J. We ordered alot for two people as I usually do, but the leftovers made a nice midnight snack

We had:

Edamame

Mini shrimp springrolls: fantastic, seemed like a whole shrimp in each roll, very crisp and wonderful in every way.

Scallion Pancake: somewhat of a litmus test for me: this one was better than any i've had. Other versions are thick and can be very greasy and more so when cool. This version was thinner, crispy and well pan fried in that it absorbed very little extra oil and after 30 mins was still crisp and delish.

Beef and Celery dumplings, pan fried and steamed lamb dumplings: mixed bag here. wrappers were house made and soft and wonderful when steamed but the dumplings lost their juicyness when panfried, so def not worth the extra dollar for pan searing. Also, while the steamed lamb dumplings were lucious with the right amount of juice and fat and had a great lamb flavor, over all they were bland. Both lacked the depth that great dumplings have.

The pork steam buns: steamed pork soup dumplings: best rendition i've had in DC proper. Perfecty juicy having not lost any from poor handling while steaming, very well done.

Shrimp Wonton Soup: had scallions and wakame with a good amount of sesame oil in it. I loved this soup. I love sesame oil so for my taste it was perfect, some might think the sesame to much.

Lions Head Meatballs: four pool ball sized meatballs with dried (rehydrated) shitakes, baby bok choy and carrots, slivered ginger in a star anise flavored broth. Very rich and delish, meatballs made with ham and other pork bits, very light and had mushrooms and cabbage mixed in. First time I've had these anywhere but would be interested in how they compare to those that used to be served at Bob's. (Hint Hint: Dean, let me know. )

My largest complaint is that they use portion controled sauces ie: hot mustard, plum sauce. I would like to see better sauces to go with these things but it's a small thing compared to the quality of what we ate. Total damage for two was $88 after tax and tip and included two bubble teas (don't bother) and we were STUFFED. Could have probably cashed in at $35-$45 and had a great meal. It makes me very happy to have found this place. They do a lunch special for >$7 iirc. The entire time we were there (7pm-8:30pm) we were the only dine in customers, one guy came in for take out and one other for a bubble tea. I thinks it's a much better alternative to other Chinese choices in DC proper but unfortunately they do not deliver. It seemed to be a young man (server, cashier etc) and his mom (cook). Highly recommended.

Awesome news!!!! I have to work now cause two of my cooks didn't show up today!! So unfortunately I won't be able to attend. If anyone lives near Masa and wouldn't mind picking up the food on their way to the picnic, give me a call. It would be ready by 1pm since that's when I was planning on going. Sorry to miss what I knownis going to be alot of fun >:/

Tomorrow! Sunday, May 23rd, 2010. Noon to 6 p.m.

Fort Hunt Park

, Alexandria, VA. Site C-002

.

Ladies and gentlemen,

let's picnic!

Menu

Appetizers

• haggis

Everything sounds sooooo good but I have to say, Scott, Antonio minus haggis equals Scott minus chicken

I would just caution everyone from being so quick to judge. Getting use to a new kitchen, new crew, laying down the law and changing the way things have been done in the past is hard enough under the best of circumstances let alone walking into what is probably a very difficult situation having become the third chef in the past year to come in. The chef has only been in the space for just over, what, a month an a half? Please give her a chance to get settled in and then I'm sure you'll see what she is fully capable of. I'm sure some of you will say, well if you're charging we should be able to say what we think. I agree. by all means have your say, but please take it with a grain of salt and know it will only get better, at least foodwise. Also just realize that I'm not upset in any way and am not trying to be preachy, I just know that quick criticism can sting alot, especially when you're excited about the new oppurtunity, trying to show your new boss they made the right choice and busting you're hump for ungodly hours trying to get it "right". It's tough guys, real tough.

bacon something or other.............maybe bacon crusted fried chicken????

. I would hake to see them flounder on this part of the menu. As Ahnold would say.... "Eel be Bach!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA great pun lol

I hope I can make it and if I do I think I'm going to do something different, maybe ribs and smoked brisket

What's particularly frustrating about this is that they are counting spaces that have closed in the last year as part of that number, which makes absolutely no sense. The other thing that is frustrating is that the district that is under consideration, 1B02, extends from 14th street down U St., so it's not only 14th street frontage space that is being counted....

I never said people shouldn't vent. Read my posts. I agree with everything you say, sir. Go ahead and vent. Does everyone have to agree with you? Because if you can't take a little back-and-forth with the people here (or some lady WHO WANTED A THIRD BUNNY) then you might be incredibly thin-skinned and not cut out for retail. 'sall I'm sayin'. (By the way, I did notice that the OP went to the 'negative' poster on Yelp and contacted her (as I suggested on the Yelp thread), and she re-posted a positive review. Instead of lashing out at her here, perhaps contacting her first would have saved a lot of stress and heartache for the OP.) I guess I'm just slightly annoyed at entitled business owners who trash their customers (many of whom, I would guess, lurk here often, and rarely or never post-perhaps even the 'bunny lady'.). Works both ways.

I never said anyone had to agree with me. I was simply contributing to the conversation. If I were addressing your post specifically I would have called you out by name since I don't hide behind some clever psydenoym. But since I seem to have hit a nerve with you on this, lets discuss the difference between relaying an experience that happened and asking a trusted resource for their opinions and lashing out. Lashing out would probably fall along the lines of calling someone an asshole or a bitch for wanting something, which is not the case here. There is a line between giving an opinion on this board and being overly aggressive with everyone who doesn't agree with your point of view. Given your previous history of tirades versus various things that don't suit you, I must respectfully bow out of this conversation lest I hit another nerve of yours and become your next target. Respectfully yours,

Given that a good amount of people who post here or read here either work in, around the fringes or used to work in the restaurant business, I find it perfectly acceptable for Jason to vent alittle. Most of us could relate thousands of like stories from the super entitled customers we meet on a daily basis. I'm all for starting a site to review people who review restaurants. I would love to go to the offices of some of the know nothing asses that post on yelp or urban spoon or even here and critique what it is they do for a living. But I won't....know why, cause I know nothing about office work and wouldn't presume to know more about what it is they do just because I watched a show on lawyers or read a book about performing brain surgery.

Quick dinner at 2 Amys tonight. Had the best rendition of eggplant Parmesean I have ever eaten. Soft, melting eggplant with basil, tomato sauce and a crisp layer of broiled Parmesan. Best Eva!

Hear ye, Hear ye!!! Masa will be open tonight serving you hungry neighborhood folks who are antsy and tired of being couped up. Come join us and have a good time.

BRUNCH!!!! Now open Sat and Sun from 11-3pm. Come and get yer chow on

Chorizo tacos with pico and cabbage as I prepare my plan for the seige of the Tower Brunch....

I can assure all of you that the Kobe beef that we serve here is not american wagyu beef but does in fact get imported by my supplier from Ashiya, Japan. Hope that helps some of you rest easy at night to know that I don't just go throwing labels around.

We are getting close. As things get nearer to completion I'll update but as it stands now, it would be slightly amateurish to guesstimate on an opening date. As you all are aware, I'm sure, the final inspections and last minute things always push things longer than you anticipate.

JUCY LUCY!!!!

Not sure if I'm gonna make it now ....people and their emergency's at work. c'est la vie. wont find out if someone can cover till noon or one....finger's crossed

nevermind....i is coming

Not sure if I'm gonna make it now ....people and their emergency's at work. c'est la vie. wont find out if someone can cover till noon or one....finger's crossed

Just to let you guys in on a little secret, we are running a Memorial Day Picnic special. $14 dollars a person gets you a choice of the aformentioned fried chicken or bbq pork shoulder, plus potato salad, green bean salad, grilled corn and a piece of blueberry rhubarb pie. Special is running tonight and all day tomorrow. Bring yourself, bring a friend, hell bring lots of friends. And if you wanna watch the Champions League Final, we'll be showing the match and will have drink and food specials to indulge in while you waste your afternoon watching footie and drinking beer.

I think I'll bring chicken, that sound good? LOL. I would love the help of anyone with a large bunsen burner type thingy like a turkey fryer burner stand. I will bring around 35# of chicken unless you guys think it warrants more, let me know. I'll be bringing the wife and a friend. We will have to leave the picnic early owing to the fact that we have to go to some awards ceremony thing....

I had a carryout combination Banh Mi today. The meats were tasty and the veggies good (although I wouldn't mind a bit more hot pepper). The dressing/mayo was on the light side which only served to accentuate the fact that the bread was not as fresh as one would hope.

This will not stop me from returning. I'm sure it was just bad timing on my part.

Price = $4.35 including tax.

cool, I didn't realize they were serving sandwiches only. When I glanced at the menu I saw Bahn Mi Platters and was wondering what I would want on a platter with my bahn mi except another bahn mi. Going to go tomorrow for my thursday coffee fix and try the pho again.