dracisk

1 hour ago, Pat said:

Pasta rags with roasted butternut squash, Gruyere and Parmesan

That sounds amazing and I never thought to do that with broken lasagna pieces -- what a great idea.

I gained 4 pounds over Thanksgiving (not all in one day -- I took a 4-day trip to visit family). Worth it! I'd lost 4 pounds before Thanksgiving. I weighed myself this morning and my scale told me I lost 5 pounds since last Friday? This seems odd, but maybe last Friday I was still carrying water weight from all the salt I ate during my debauchery. So since I started WW on November 1st I'm down one pound. At this time of year I'll take it!

11 minutes ago, curiouskitkatt said:

at the bargain price of $35,000

And that doesn't include any champagne!

I started WW on November 1st and basically took every weekend off in November between visitors, two Thanksgivings, and other events. I lost 4 pounds before this past weekend's debauchery. I usually weigh myself on Fridays so will hope I didn't erase my loss when I weigh myself this week. I figure at this time of year if I manage to lose anything that's a bonus -- I'm just looking not to gain too much. I'm thinking January will be a more realistic time to see some sustained loss.

I dined at the Linthicum location once or twice. I think I learned of it on Chowhound (before I discovered this website). It definitely seemed like stepping into the past. All I really remember is prime rib (which I love) and complementary cheese and crackers. I didn't realize they moved to Glen Burnie.

I also just joined! I lost 30 pounds on Weight Watchers when I was 30 and have slowly gained a lot of that back over the last 16 years despite religiously jogging 3 days a week for most of that time. 😭I blame pregnancy and my already lame metabolism taking a nosedive when I turned 40. ANYWAY, I started on November 1st and took the weekend off (which I don't plan to do regularly) so today is only my second day tracking. I'm amazed by all the zero point foods! I'm hoping that I can drop some weight with just a few tweaks of my already (I think) reasonable diet along with more discipline about tracking (which I've definitely been slacking on -- I used to at least track calories even though I wasn't doing WW). Good luck to us!

"To perfection," as in "The steak was cooked to perfection." Often seen in Yelp reviews. What does it even mean?!

Looks like there's not a separate thread, but the original Woodside Deli location in Silver Spring is closing after 72 years, per The Moco Show.

@deangold I love your posts!!

40 minutes ago, DaveO said:

The comments over the last few days from @Andrew Shapiro, Dino's BarKeep, on FB were quite heartwarming.  Nice to see.

He was barely keeping it together behind the bar Saturday night (emotionally). It was very sweet. Hoping our paths cross with his again, too.

2 hours ago, deangold said:

After more than 14 years at two locations, it is time to move on.

Nice to chat with you at the bar Saturday night! Thanks for all the delicious food and drinks over the years. My husband was sad to drink his last Ric Flair, but I just followed you on Twitter, so I'm sure our paths with cross again. Enjoy your well-deserved time off!

We like Chuy’s queso.

On 7/22/2016 at 10:44 AM, DonRocks said:

Note that this is the same ownership as Golden Star Buffet in Gaithersburg and Blue Pearl Buffet in Silver Spring. If anyone finds out the name of the common owner, please let me know.

Has anyone been to Blue Pearl Buffet in Silver Spring? The thought of it used to turn my stomach, but this thread is making me intrigued.

Happened to see on their website that they're now also open in Adams Morgan at 1787 Columbia Road.

Some Costcos sell packer cuts and some don’t, so you may want to check around. My husband has bought packer cuts of brisket at the DC and Columbia, MD, Costcos recently (within the last few weeks — so I suppose something could have very recently changed). Our closest Costco (Wheaton, MD) doesn’t sell packer cuts.

3 hours ago, Marty L. said:

Definitely use an Uber/Lyft/cab from Dulles, *especially* if you're planning to eat dinner downtown and/or the kids will be tired.

Agree about Uber/Lyft/cab from Dulles, but check the estimated fares for each. A cab to BWI from my house is about $80-90, whereas an Uber or Lyft is about $40-50.

23 hours ago, DonRocks said:

May 22, 2019 - "Pacci's Pizzeria Lease Sold to Kaldi's Social House Owner" by Charlie Wright on bethesdamagazine.com

Wow, I hadn't thought about this maelstrom in years.

This is about the Pacci's Pizzeria in downtown Silver Spring, not the trattoria in Forest Glen. There's another thread that combines both restaurants.

Smoked shrimp, cucumber salad (cukes from our garden!), baguette, smoked cheese, potato chips (too many!), Sauvignon blanc. All smoking done by my husband.

My mom was in town last weekend. Friday after picking her up at BWI we went to Vin 909* in Annapolis for lunch. Saturday after my daughter's swim lesson in North Bethesda (a/k/a Rockville) we went to K Pot for KBBQ. Too full for dinner. Sunday we had crabs (with various other fishies and sides) at Harris Crab House on Kent Island. Too full for dinner. Monday we had breakfast at Parkway Deli.

*I'd been to Vin 909 for lunch one other time a couple of years ago. I enjoyed myself, but I don't remember a lot of details. This time I thought it was fine, but I didn't really get the hype or the long waits at dinner. (Lunch is the time to go if you don't want to wait!) Our pizza was supposed to have crab on it, and there was very little crab. Also a weird squiggle of aioli -- not sure how I feel about aioli on pizza (the menu said there would be aioli, but I don't think I really processed that before we ordered). Luscious heirloom tomatoes, though. The much hyped butterscotch pudding was meh -- not as rich and flavorful as I would have expected. $5 glasses of wine at lunch!

On 8/15/2018 at 8:13 PM, dracisk said:

I noticed today that Macdara's Grille appeared to be open, and from Yelp reviews it looks like it's been open since at least early July.

Macdara's Grille, which was in the Squire's Rock Creek Chophouse space after Squire's closed, appears to have closed in February.

I noticed today signage on the space for Hakuna Matata Grill, which bills itself on its Facebook page as authentic East African cuisine (but judging by the page not necessarily or not only Ethiopian). I didn't notice if they were open, but also judging from the Facebook page it looks like not quite yet. Their website is still under construction.

1 hour ago, deangold said:

I saw you three at the bar.  The Softshells this year are pretty amazing and so far they are keeping in fairly good supply {literally only 2 times when I have tried to order have hey been out of stock}  While most folk think of them as a spring item, crab molt 6 or 7 times a season.  So far this year, no signs of lethargy or leathery skins in the softies {for me, much more lethargy}

We’ll likely be back this Sunday with my visiting mom in tow!

3 hours ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

For whatever reason, I feel compelled to provide input on the Springfield portion of the Dining Guide, but with the exception that "Multiple Locations" restaurants will be included in my list, because after all, they are in Springfield, and if you look at the Dining Guide for places in Springfield, the Multiple Locations restaurants need to appear in Springfield. Also, to the best of my knowledge, I included restaurants that are not in the Dining Guide (yet), and I rank-ordered the restaurants based on the Kibbee Nayee body of knowledge and experience.

(CURRENT) DINING GUIDE LIST:

Afghan Bistro - website - Twitter - Instagram - map - The best Afghan food I've ever eaten, extremely friendly and professional service, family-owned, open for lunch again as of Mar 1, 2018 with the original staff 
Cervantes Coffee Roasters - website - Instagram - map - Roaster-Owner Marialy Justiniano's single-origin coffees, fresh-roasted daily, a coffee gem in a warehouse setting
Osteria Marzano - website - Twitter - Instagram - map - Chef Carmine Marzano used to head the kitchen at Luigino's downtown
Marib - website - map - One of only 2-3 Yemeni restaurants in the DC area, open 10 AM 7 Days a week, I haven't yet been but reports are good
Thai Ghang Waan - website - map
Eleni's Greek Taverna - website - map
*Flame Kabob - website 
Mike's American - website - @MikesAmerican - map
9 Pad Thai - website - map
Le Bledo (Formerly Le Bledo Dalat) - Facebook - map
Yindee Thai - website - Instagram - map
Kana Sushi - website - map
Kang Chon (formerly Oh Bok Jung) - website - map
Yard House - website - Twitter - Instagram - map 
Hunan Taste - website - map
Jacalito Rotisserie Chicken and Tex-Mex Grill - website - map
Saigon Quan - Facebook - map
Rivera's (703) 451-5344
Taiko Japanese Restaurant - website
El Sabor Boliviano (703) 913-0617
Pho Hong Anh (703) 569-6060
Village Chicken - website
Coco Rico (703) 822-0124
Sugar Palm Thai - website
Kanjana Thai - website
Saigon City - website
Pho Saigon Quan - website
Thai Cafe - website
VN Cafe (703) 922-6228
RAWR Sushi - website
Golden Hong Kong - website
Asian Grill (703) 569-4800
Malek's Pizza Palace - website
Karahi Kabob House - website - map
Dining in Springfield
see also: The Swiss Bakery

(PROPOSED) KIBBEE NAYEE LIST:

Afghan Bistro -- It deserves to be #1 by a good margin.

Cervantes Coffee -- Best coffee around, but I'm not sure it's an apples-to-oranges comparison for this list. Coffee and a few pasties only, but oh, that coffee.

Thai Ghang Waan -- Underrated Thai, and best Thai in Springfield by a lot. (Sugar Palm Thai should be moved to Alexandria.)

9 Pad Thai -- I've heard good things but haven't tried it yet.

Eleni's Greek Taverna -- What suburban Greek food is meant to be, with outstanding service.

Bozzelli's Flagship -- Best pizza in Springfield, Momma Bozzelli's specialties (since 1978!), large wine and beer assortment. Multiple locations, but this is the flagship.

Marib -- I consider any place that doesn't serve alcohol to be carry-out only.

Osteria Marzano -- I would move this restaurant under Franconia. I haven't been impressed by my visits here.

Izumi Sushi -- Where Osaka Sushi used to be (behind Springfield Mall), and a bit better. Best sushi in Springfield, although that's faint praise.

Della J's Delectables -- For some reason not in the Dining Guide. A mostly American menu, but the sides are all Southern, and the African-American draw to this place is noteworthy.

Chef Feliciano -- Missing from the Dining Guide. Only open for lunch, but one of the best lunches in Springfield, and the best Cuban sandwich in Springfield. Outstanding catering menu.

Bob and Edith's Diner -- Multiple Locations, but the best breakfast in Springfield. Ham 'n Eggs with Hash Browns is the way to start (or finish) any day.

Le Bledo -- Consistent quality Vietnamese, with excellent phở and the best bánh mi in Springfield.

Hai Duong -- Missing from the Dining Guide. New-ish Vietnamese sit-down restaurant in Brookfield Plaza with very good entrees.

Pho Hong Anh -- Probably the best phở in Springfield since Phở 495 closed.

Saigon City -- Le Bledo, Hai Duong, Phở Hong Anh , and Saigon City are a dead heat for me. It depends on mood and what you want on any given day. Saigon City has the best chả giò.

Rivera's -- Nice little Latin American restaurant across from JW's.

Mike's -- I guess I would stick Mike's somewhere about here, but you have to like mediocre and unimaginative fare accompanied by ear-shattering noise.

JW's and Friends -- Missing from the Dining Guide, good American fare, lively bar for locals.

Jacalito Rotisserie -- Tied with Village Chicken for the best rotisserie chicken in Springfield, but don't miss the taco salad and the seafood soup.

Village Chicken -- Succulent chicken with a wide variety of sides, including pita with hummus.

Coco Rico -- Basically Jacalito or Village Chicken, but with Middle Eastern sides.

Moe's Peyton Place -- Missing from the Dining Guide. Over 48 years of standard diner fare, kind of a dive, with the second-best breakfast in Springfield, served all day.

Dos Amigos -- Missing from the Dining Guide. Lively bar and actually good Tex-Mex, next to Costco.

Karahi Kabob House -- Any place that doesn't serve alcohol is take-out only for the Kibbee Nayee's of the world. Good food, bad service, bad vibe.

Asian Grill -- Suburban Americanized Chinese, better than most others, and well above average. Darren and Maggie are very gracious hosts. Maggie has worked for Darren for 28 years, starting at Ho's Dynasty in Burke. They are not married.

Afghan Kabob -- Missing from the Dining Guide, with surprisingly good kabob platters.

El Sabor Boliviano -- Sprinfield's best salteña, or maybe Springfield's only salteñas!

Golden Hong Kong -- Good Chinese food, somewhat Americanized, next to Trader Joe's.

Kang Chon -- Springfield's best Korean restaurant, although Annandale is only a few miles north, so go to Annandale.

Saratoga Family Restaurant -- Missing from the Dining Guide, recently renovated, solid neighborhood Greek-Italian fare with not-bad pizza and very good salads and subs.

Malek's -- See Delia's. Average pizza. subs, and salads with a Greek-ish leaning menu.

Delia's -- See Malek's. Average pizza, subs, and salads with a Greek-ish leaning menu.

Rolling Cooking -- Above average suburban Americanized Chinese food on Rolling Road.

Des Pardes -- Missing from Dining Guide. New Pakistani restaurant where Aabshaar used to be. I haven't tried it yet.

Kanjana Thai -- Recent visits have been regrettable.

Hunan Taste -- See Kanjana Thai, but supposedly under new management.

Desi Bethak -- New restaurant in the old Uncle Charlie's Pizzeria place, missing from the Dining Guide. Not yet visited.

All of the Springfield Mall chains -- Not interesting enough to venture to the Mall, but the hot chicken livers at Nando's Peri Peri and the tabbouli at Mezeh are not offensive.

All the rest -- Saigon Quan is closed. Listed separately in the Dining Guide is Pho Saigon Quan or Phở Sài Gòn Ơi, at the same address, which may or may not be closed. RAWR sushi and Taiko Sushi are so-so. So is Sarku Teriyaki and Sushi in Brookfield Plaza.

 

Dera is also missing from the Dining Guide. It's one of very few places I've patronized in Springfield, the other that I can think of off the top of my head being Afghan Bistro ... mmmmm.

Closing at the end of August.

1 hour ago, deangold said:

Just so it is official, we are ending the restaurant owning phase of my life. The Grotto will close before the autumnal equinox. I know so many here and have great memories of dinners and people saying “I’m so-and so from the board.” The board with no need to say more.  I hope those of you with fond memories will come in before we’re done. 

I've been meaning to post that we were there Sunday -- my husband, me, and my 5-year-old daughter sitting at the bar around 6:30pm. Dean, you passed through a couple times but we didn't flag you down. Next time we will. We'll be back at least a couple of times before you close. Very sad to see you go!

The soft shells were amazing (@Genevieve, I think you're the soft shell lover, so please take note)!! My husband loved the fra diavolo, and my daughter enjoyed her spaghetti and meatballs and the $10 mussel pot we split. I so appreciate the quality kid's menu, not to mention the generous wine pours!

Dino's Grotto but there was recent news it may be closing soon so make sure it's still open!