dracisk

On 8/21/2015 at 3:43 PM, dracisk said:

I can't access the image or link that jdc posted, so maybe I'm repeating what he or she already reported, but there's a new ice cream place called Yummy in My Tummy in Wheaton that serves ice cream made by the daughter and grandson of the owners of Tropical Ice Cream, which did indeed close, at least for awhile. (Apparently the now retired owner of Tropical Ice Cream also helps with Yummy in My Tummy's ice cream from time to time.) I live between Tropical Ice Cream and Yummy in My Tummy, and there's been a lot of discussion on my neighborhood listserv about both places. One neighbor recently reported seeing a "Reopening Soon" sign in the window at Tropical Ice Cream, but I haven't seen that myself. Every time I've been to Yummy in My Tummy this summer it's been empty -- they need more customers! I'm pretty sure I've seen Jamaican food there as well.

I meant to start a thread for Yummy in My Tummy and I never did -- sorry! The store was related to Tropical Ice Cream, which is why I'd mentioned it a couple of times previously in this thread. At any rate, I tried to go to Yummy in My Tummy yesterday and they were closed with a for lease sign in the window. But Tropical Ice Cream was open!

I'm going to be back in Charleston at the end of September for a weekend. I was there 2 years ago for less than 24 hours (quick work trip) and ate at Husk and Hominy Grill. I enjoyed both but don't necessarily feel the need to return to either with so many other places to try. This time I'll have Friday evening, all day Saturday, and most of the day Sunday (but probably not dinner). Does anyone have any thoughts on a good eating itinerary? I don't really feel constrained with spending, but the friend I'll be with is a bit more frugal. The only place I have in mind to try at this point is FIG, but I haven't refreshed my memory on the best places (which also may have changed in the last 2 years).

Also, last time I rented a car and stayed by the airport (and my worksite), but this time I'm considering staying in the historic district and not renting a car. I figure we should be able to walk or take short Ubers/Lyfts to most places we want to go. Does that make sense?

Closing Monday, August 6th, for renovations, according to their website. Doesn't say when they might reopen.

I've been to Paris a bunch of times, but I haven't done any high end dining or even much dining in well known places (even if they aren't high end), so I can't speak to most of the article, but I do think the "say bonjour" piece of advice is accurate. I can understand a little French and can read a lot from years of Spanish, but I can't speak much French. I've found that saying bonjour when I walk into an establishment really helps with my interactions even if I have to fumble through my horrible French or ask if the proprietor or attendant speaks English (which most people do and in my experience they're very nice about it).

Oh, and I've rarely made reservations anywhere, but maybe that's bad form or not necessary in the kinds of places I've dined (mostly unknown cafes and bistros).

I applied for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Sunday night, was approved instantly, and just received the card (Tuesday afternoon). I like this card already!

(When I was approved, I think the website said I'd receive the card in 7-10 days. I read elsewhere that you can call and ask Chase to express the card free of charge, but I hadn't done that.)

On 7/23/2018 at 12:27 PM, Ericandblueboy said:

The prices on the Chase website are the same as elsewhere.

I was reading the comments on a post at The Points Guy, and people were complaining about jacked up prices on the Chase portal. You haven't found that? People were also complaining about horrible customer service from Chase on their travel bookings.

4 hours ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Yardhouse

I went to Yard House in Boston in the spring, having never heard of it before, then, when I got back to this area, I saw one in downtown DC. It was great for day drinking on a patio in gorgeous weather, but the food was meh at best (pretty much what you'd expect from a chain sports bar). I just looked at their website and they have about 50 locations, most in California -- wow!

Thank you both! I'm going to think more about Chase Sapphire Reserve. I don't think I'd get a ton of use out of the Southwest Companion Pass, which seems to be the ultimate goal of the Southwest card.

Does the CSR allow authorized users? My husband is an authorized user on both my current cards, which I'd probably keep because I've had them a long time and they don't have annual fees, but I'd rather him be able to charge on the CSR.

If I were to get Priority Pass lounge access with the CSR and I was traveling with my husband and/or daughter, would only I as the cardholder be allowed into the lounge, or would all three of us be allowed in?

Does anyone have any thoughts about this card:

https://points.theinventory.com/southwests-newest-credit-card-is-almost-definitely-the-1827754210

The Chase Sapphire Reserve, etc., came out around the time I had my daughter and I stopped traveling as much as I used to (which was a lot), so I'm not up on all the benefits of all the various travel-oriented cards. We're just starting to travel more now that my daughter is 4, but I don't think we're traveling enough (or enough internationally) to justify the Sapphire Reserve and its ilk (specifically the high annual fees) (but I wouldn't mind being proven wrong).

We (my husband, my daughter, and I) fly Southwest at least twice a year, so I feel like this Southwest card might be a good way to dip my toe into the world of travel rewards cards. I've never had a credit card with an annual fee and have kind of a mental block about paying an annual fee for a credit card, but the fee for this card is $149, which I'd almost certainly earn back even with our limited travel.

I realize this card doesn't have nearly as many benefits as some of the other cards out there, but does it seem good for what it is?

A rainy morning and a bunch of overripe bananas means chocolate chip banana bread. We're out of butter (!), so I substituted unsweetened applesauce.

On 7/17/2018 at 5:58 PM, Kibbee Nayee said:

Then, it was in the space currently occupied by the forgettable Piola?

Just a few doors down from Cafe Asia, which was bustling at lunchtime, and has now been closed for going on 2 years....

No, it was down the hill from there, I think, possibly in the building with the Target now. That Target wasn't there when I worked in Rosslyn. We used to go to Cafe Asia for lunch and happy hour. I actually just went to Piola for the first time recently when I met some former coworkers there. I think I left that job right before Piola opened. I agree it was meh.

I was in Rosslyn during the day for a work thing a few months ago and there were so many more quick lunch options than when I worked there in 2005-06!

---

Piola (hopsing)
Pho 75 (DaveO)
The Great Eatery (BookGuy)

2 hours ago, DonRocks said:

Uncle Julio's (formerly known as Rio Grande Cafe) used to have pretty good fajitas

In my many recent visits to Mi Rancho in Silver Spring with my now preschooler I've found that fajitas are often the best bet at crappy "Mexican" places.

1 hour ago, u-bet! said:

Don't forget about Santa Fe Cafe.

Yes! I worked in Rosslyn for a year basically across the street from Santa Fe Cafe (above Safeway) and used to enjoy lunch there.

32 minutes ago, weezy said:

FYI, Amazon Prime day has the 6 quart Instapot for $59 (usually $99).  And, yes, I took advantage of the deal.

I’m about to take advantage, too! I also planned to post the deal here.

I was there a couple of months ago and really enjoyed myself, as did everyone in my party of six. I appreciated that the whole table didn't have to order the same number of courses. I ordered five courses with wine pairings, and others ordered four courses. We sat near the open kitchen, which was interesting. This place runs like a well-oiled machine. The service was impeccable. Cindy Wolf made the rounds in the dining room and chatted with our table for a minute, which impressed me on a busy Saturday night. I wish I remembered more details of what I ate. I do remember I ended up with a lot of seafood including the shrimp and grits and a lobster bisque. I wish I'd had room for the cheese cart, which looked amazing and I looooove cheese.

12 hours ago, Kev29 said:

Price

Good point! Maybe they treat themselves to Breadline once a week.

3 hours ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Most of the millennials in our firm head right across the street and grab Jimmy Johns for lunch.

That's truly appalling with Breadline right there!!

Speaking of restaurants that have locations in OC and elsewhere, has anyone been to Abbey Burger Bistro in either Baltimore or OC? The Baltimore location at least seems to be very popular, and the OC location is very close to where we stayed last year and where we're staying this year.

I'm no expert on Springfield or Springfield dining, but Marib, which is Yemeni, is on my agenda for a future Springfield visit. Unfortunately I rarely get down that way.

The Pacci’s in Forest Glen may have a bar-type structure, but there’s no bar scene to speak of. I’m not even sure they have a bartender or seats at the bar.

42 minutes ago, DaveO said:

Just to put this in price perspective.  Bar Hill is a little less expensive than Tanqueray #10.  With a standard size bottle of fever tree from Costco or Target and a healthy 1.5 oz pour of gin your cost at home is about $2.60 - $2.80.  No tax or tip.  (doesn’t include the cost of infusing the gin with other ingredients)

You are responsible for placing used glasses in the dishwasher.

I'd say infusing the gin is a barrier for the average person (or maybe it's just me). I've been meaning to infuse tequila with charred jalapenos using my Porthole and just can't seem to get around to it. Also, as I recall, these were pretty generously sized (served in a goblet-type glass). Still, your point is very well taken!

As discussed elsewhere, Del Mar has a few interesting gin and tonics mixed with Tanqueray N.10 and Fever Tree tonic water for $14 (plus one for $35 that serves two):

BAILANDO ~ Juniper Berries & Cucumber

DIA LIBRE ~ Earl Grey, Rosemary, Lemon

TE QUIERO ~ Lemongrass, Rosemary, Grapefruit, Homemade Tonic

HABLE DE TI ~ Gin Mare, House-Made Tonic, Lime, Cava, Brine Foam, Bay Leaf $35 (serves two)

I rarely order a gin and tonic in a restaurant (I enjoy them more or less but don't get too excited about them in general), but I was intrigued enough to order the Te Quiero a few months ago and enjoyed it.

In a similar vein is "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," which even takes place mostly in our backyard (Baltimore).

3 hours ago, Jonathan said:

pre-made, mass produced junk food/stoner food

That sounds about right to me. I had crack pie for the first time recently (in DC if that matters) and I really didn't get it. Maybe if it had been served freshly made or warm (or even at room temperature) it would have been tastier, but all I got out of it was coldness and sweetness. I'm not a huge fan of pecan pie and it kind of reminded me of pecan pie without the pecans, so maybe I'm not the best judge (although I don't appear to be the only one who feels this way).

5 minutes ago, DaveO said:

The actions of this administration are at the extreme including stripping people of their citizenship as another option. 

Denaturalization is nothing new. It looks like what's new is a systematic effort to find people who committed fraud that led to their naturalization and to seek to denaturalize them. (Denaturalization efforts have previously focused on war criminals including Nazis.)

I'm pro-immigrant and pro-immigration, and I'm not sure I have a problem with this. (I couldn't read the linked New Yorker article, but I read this AP article.)