Kanishka

It has to be said: mxyzptlk's definition screams "chain". Morimoto's name seems like it is window dressing. The M'Moto in Philly is great... this sounds like the TGIFridays version of such. (BTW, this is not based just on Mxyzplk's review) K

Thank you to Danny for making a special occasion even more special. [Edited by request of Rocks to add:] Today I received my official commission from the U.S. government. I was sworn in by Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick and am now an official U.S. foreign service officer. I am moving to Islamabad in late January. It was a big deal -- VIPs, and the parents/friends/siblings/partners/children of 96 of us, the latest round of U.S. diplomats. Mom, Dad, and I had reason to raise a glass, and chose Notti Bianche as the venue. I was very keen on the half portions of pasta since Dad has restrictions on starch intake. This was the perfect choice. We started with the eggplant panini and the bruschetta trio. I didn't have a chance to sample the pate bruschetta as my folks gobbled it up, but everything else was great. My personal fave was the eggplant bruschetta, which was not too salty or garlicky, just right for the occasion. After our proseccos and apps, we ordered a bottle of "The Grappler," a Napa valley blend of Zin, Syrah, and Cab that is predominantly Zin. What a great wine! It looked intriguing and Danny was very complimentary of it, so we had to try. And it was worth it. The one extremely noteworthy aspect was the temperature -- not room temp, but a perfect 55ish degrees. The wine was big but not overwhelming, great with our entrees.... Dad had a half of Tagliatelle, Mom had the Garganelli, and I had the Hanger Steak. We all loved our dishes so much that there was no sharing, but lets just say my parents are high maintenance (as am I, frankly) and they LOVED their food. All caps people. The hanger steak was just at medium rare and very tender; the red wine reduction reduced me to grabbing for spare bread to mop it up. The frisee (I think it was frisee!) had bits of delicious pancetta as accents. There were no uncleaned plates returned to the back. I made a run to the WC at some point and noticed Tony Chittum having a cig at the bar. I wanted to get up and give him a hug because today was one of the more important days of my life and this lunch at Notti Bianche is guaranteed to be a memory that lasts forever, intrinsically tied to the road I will be travelling. But I held back -- can't interrupt a man and his smoke. But I wanted to, folks. Very much. K

There are Indian Chinese AKA Hakka Chinese places in the DC area? I knew there were some in NYC, but have never heard of DC spots. Please tell -- that's a craving that's particularly hard to scratch.

That limoncello was redonkulous. It needs to be bottled and sold to anyone with prejudices against tequila. And that fig dessert was so good that I wish I had been more sober to enjoy it. Thanks to everyone -- LoganCircle's right, being a newbie was never more comfortable -- but most of all to HV, Rocks, and the Eve Crew. Todd, your shirt was particularly snazzy thursday evening. Kanishka

Okay a change in plans and an amended request... is anyone driving from Capitol Hill, or is there someone that can pick me up/drop me off at the Ballston metro station (or whatever Blue or Orange line station that is most convenient? It really would be appreciated -- please PM me. Thank you very much! Kanishka

I'm going to be in the general Ballston area (NFATC at 4000 Arlington Blvd)... is this near anyone else so I can snag a ride? Please PM me if this is possible so we can trade numbers. My access to DR.com is limited during the day, but I'll be on the old computer for some time on Thursday wasting away one of my few open days at "work". Also, a return ride -- either to a blue/orange line metro or if fates be kind, The Hill, would really be appreciated. Looking forward to meeting and eating!

Oh don't you worry. After last night family has ceded all Baltimore restaurant selection to me -- my last two picks, Pazo and the Helmand, were both winners. Charleston is definitely next.

I assume that when Crackers said "mature" service, he meant service oriented towards geriatrics that take a little over a full lunar cycle to chew their meat. What a night. What a waste of my dad's $270. We walked into Aldo's and viewed a space that was similar to the pictures on the webpage, in the way a rectangle is similar to a square. Yeah, it's kinda like that -- but not exactly. Darker, more claustrophobic, lit like a seventies rumpus room. But no matter. If I judged restaurants by lighting and decor I would never go to Sodere. We were seated quickly and handed wine menus to look over. And then we sat. And sat. And sat. While waiting, I decided to evaluate the by the bottle options on the wine menu for overall quality. I think the following string sums it up well and shall not add anything to it: "Ruffino Chianti, $55" After about, I dunno, the full duration of Bolero, a sanctimonious prick of a waiter came over to ask our choice in water (Loch Raven Reservoir's finest). He then disappeared into whatever hole he was born out of for the next ten minutes, returning with our water, asking for our wine selections, and disappearing again. This pattern repeated itself throughout the evening, though I noticed the two moderately attractive blond women (who were also clearly enjoying a romantic evening together) received about 1000% better service from the same waiter. My personal highlight of the evening service wise was when dude tried to pronounce "pappardelle" like he was Pope John XXIII and failed utterly. Oh, and when he literally sprinted back to our table to settle the check. Food. Okay. As noted earlier, my folks and my sister are closer to the food as fuel camp. But at around $27 an entree (in Baltimore) I wanted this food to be good. And it wasn't. The antipasto plate I had really had no balance. Flavorless mozzarella was the worst offender, and the parmesan crisp was nothing to write home about -- almost gummy. I enjoyed the rectangular solids of asiago cheese, especially the last time I had them from Safeway. And I was tempted to ask for a hard roll and some lettuce to dress my "Prosciutto" and soppresata. Word from the rest of the family was that the asparagus soup was quite good. My question: asparagus soup in August, and at $11 a bowl? EFF YOU. Entrees. Well, apparently the lobster bolognese my sister had was good enough that she cleaned her plate (she's 4'11" and a wisp of a thing). Dad's got restrictions so couldn't eat much of his plate, though the lamb chops appeared perfectly cooked. The bass special my mom had was tasty, as well it should have been at $35. My entree, amish chicken breast ironed paper thin, grilled, and covered in salt, was just that. Oh wait, I completely forgot the restaurant's description. Not that it matters. It was served with a side of "Peruvian Potato Salad" which was purple and white taters, boiled, chilled, and then soaked in vinegar. Does that sound tasty? Well then you eat it because I'm not. Also on the side were some roasted veggies which, with salt, were okay. I mean, I think so; there was no salt shaker on the table. And none offered (attractive couple at the table near us got a couple turns of pepper offered to them on their entrees; we were not so fortunate). As detailed in another thread, I got a grappa to finish. Because, parents be damned, I wanted to be drunk. But after seeing the price tag on the mediocre grappa upsold to me I sobered up completely (am drinking now at childhood home to compensate). Dad waited 8 minutes (I watched the clock) for a refill on his coffee. Bill was as if the four of us had eaten three courses at Palena each and shared a bottle of decent wine between the three legal ones. Unfortunately, it was roughly the quality of the Olive Garden. Remember that big, tough guy in high school who was built like he'd be the world's greatest quarterback -- but when he trieD out for the team, he sucked to high heaven and didn't even make it? That's this restaurant. It looks pretty(ish). It acts pretty (or do I mean pretentious?) But you're better off getting some cheap Italian elsewhere in Little Italy, with chianti in a straw wrapped bottle. It will be a hell of a lot healthier for both your soul and your wallet. Phew. How was your night?

On the theme of being scammed on after dinner drinks... Tonight at Aldo's in Baltimore, after a thoroughly mediocre, horribly overpriced, clusterfuckingly serviced meal, I decided what I really needed was a nice grappa. I asked the waiter about the grappa selections available at their "fine" restaurant, basically asking for tasting notes off of the menu he had given me. He mentioned a "wonderful chamomile infused grappa that doesn't appear on the menu"... and I bit. Like a chump. Bill came, and my drink was $20. Not that bad, but folks this is Baltimore. And the most expensive grappa on the menu was $18.50. And the grappa was meh -- I could have had a Macallan 18 for less. (Mom, not a hard liquor fan but a fan of tasting what everyone else has, commented "This tastes like the stuff we use to kill rats back in the old country") In conclusion, waiter, eff you for overcharging me and making an already sad dinner even sadder. (more Aldo's reviewing in the thread I started earlier)

Also posted on the Acadiana thread: http://www.dcist.com/archives/2005/09/01/a...ns_refugees.php (didn't mean to scoop you Amanda)

As predicted by Metrocurean and I'm sure hoped for by many, Acadiana is having a benefit for the victims of the Hurricane. And not just any benefit -- this looks fricking' awesome. What they are doing is a huge statement about the giving and collegial nature of the DC Chef community. Thank you Chef Tunks et al. http://www.dcist.com/archives/2005/09/01/a...ns_refugees.php

I heart Trusty's. Cheap beer, decent internet jukebox, a hot bartender on Thursday and Friday nights, and the flat top behind the bar giving the place a pleasant eau-de-cheeseburger. As for the location being a gamble: no. It's cool. There's an occasional crazy homeless person that wanders in, but they are quickly dispatched with. Of the Englert bars it's becoming my favorite, but that's probably more because of location.

Odd, just got a press release about a grand re-opening. Maybe they're just taking a break.

Idli, definitely with sambar daal. I adore sambar. Mulligatawney soup, and Rasam as well for that matter. Well made utthapam, preferrably with chilis. Masala Dosa To prevent this from skewing hopelessly South Indian (FWIW I'm not a southie) Lamb Vindaloo Palak Paneer Aloo Gobi Agreed with Joe H on Chicken Tikka Masala Spicy as hell papadams with just the right amount of mango pickle And to finish, like a good Bengali, rossomalai.

Thanks to all for input. I'm not expecting to be blown away, but I'm the family foodie and she's not, and we're celebrating for her (oh and I ain't paying). I will report back on Aldo's; since I'm dining with diminished expectations, it could be a good time.

(am searching in vain for a hyperlink to Joel Achenbach's Rough Draft from Sunday's Post Mag (8.28), which coincidentally also covers the topic of "Girlfood" (with no space for him) and has a different view of the subject. Or is it the same? Unfortunately, the Post's webmasters are not kind....)

Has anyone ever been to Aldo's in Baltimore's Little Italy? My sister has (predictably) picked a fancy pants Italian spot for a celebratory dinner, and I suspect the menu online is a bit out of date. Reports from the field would be appreciated. (this place has DC prices... which kind of scares me)

The WDSU website is providing some good running coverage about what's going down in NOLA. This is some scariness... K

It's one thing to stiff the server if they, I dunno, drop your gnocchi on your five year old. But stiffing the server because you couldn't use your expired gift certificate has to be the utter pinnacle of assholitude. People like that make me want to cry; if they publicly decry said restaurant in any forum they should have their taste buds seared off. Logical criticism is cool, but yeesh... (for a better story about tipping, the latest Waiter Rant is golden)

Needless to say, my friend is not big on food. He is big on catching bits of steak thrown at him in his mouth though. I offered to just do that in my kitchen and he declined. No my friend is not a Labrador.

Is Makoto the only non-Benihana spot to enjoy teppanyaki style Japanese in DC/NoVa? I have a friend who's craving, and we're looking for options.

A voice of semi-dissent: Though I've never had anything else at Chef Geoff's, the $5 burger and half price wine deal on the last Monday of the month is really quite good. The burger has two kinds of cheese and bacon, and though not the pinnacle of burgerhood, it's pretty darn tasty. And they serve nice and huge beers if you're not in the mood for wine with your burger. But I think given comments here I'll stay away from everything else on the menu.

Thanks so much for starting this thread. I'm always curious about this spot, and not just because of the rather unique decor. Something about it screams greasy goodness, and every time it comes up in one of Sietsema's chats (I remember at least three occasions) he's always said "You know, I really should try the place" What's on an Ollie burger? Anything else there of note? I might pop in Saturday night to check the spot out myself... seems like a spot you can only find in DC that goes unmentioned. Edited to add: Okay, maybe not only in DC -- but it still looks good dammit.

More photos for some vivid imagery on how bad the fire actually was. I'm really going to miss the make your own Bloody bar. Sure there are others in town -- but none I could walk to easily.

I thoroughly heart the transfatterific curly fries at Arby's so I should not throw stones. Edited to add: thread split from the Sietsema Chat thread, wherein Mr. Sietsema stated that Popeye's is is favorite national chain.