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funkyfood

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Posts posted by funkyfood

  1. Didn't see a thread on this place.  They produce fantastic (mostly bitter) Italian liquers from their facility in upper Northeast DC. The best thing they do is a free tasting and tour each Saturday, where they let you taste all of their 12 products and talk about them.  Pretty close to 3 Stars if you want to make a day out of it.

    The Sirene Amaro and Rhubarbo are my current favorite but they're honestly all delicious and so complex. 

    They're opening a new much bigger facility (and bar!) In Ivy City later this year. 

    • Thanks 1
  2. 15 hours ago, Ericandblueboy said:

    All this talk has me interested in checking out Bistro Aracosia - what are some menu highlights?   I’m tryling to maintain a low carb diet.

    I'm not really sure what qualifies as low carb, but I enjoyed my meal there, even if the food is a bit heavy.  The service is exceptionally friendly and the menu is so big it's almost overwhelming.  if you're looking for meat without bread or anything, I think they may be able to satisfy your needs but I'm not sure if many of their delicious stews would.

  3. Had a great dinner at Kogiya a few weeks ago.  The $23 all you can eat is quite the deal.  The wait staff was incredibly attentive--making sure everything was well-cooked and bringing us whatever we needed.  I'd say my favorite part of the meal was the unlimited bonchon side dishes (spicy kimchi, veggies, etc.)--I could have likely skipped the meat altogether, though it was good too.  The place gets packed though, so call in the early afternoon to get your name on the list.  Also, wear clothes you don't mind getting stained/smelling.

  4. On 6/16/2018 at 1:00 PM, DonRocks said:

    Morris is one of the absolute best bars in the city. The night we went, it was positively empty (despite its handsome, Delft blue interior, and world-beating cocktails); Unconventional Diner, on the other hand, was a fustercluck, with drinkers standing 6-people deep at the bar, and the noise so loud you needed to scream. And the food? A lesser version of what Family Meal used to be when it first opened (I haven't returned since they contracted back to just one, Frederick location).

    Drink at Morris, eat at Corduroy (or Baby Wale) - that's my strategy in that area.

    Don, surprised you didn't suggest Kinship, across the street from Morris. Que paso?

  5. Five friends and I needed a last minute dinner reservation and this was one of the only decent options available same-day.  I had been here a few times before, but not since the chef de cuisine had left.  Our meal was pretty disappointing.  Our service wasn't attentive even though the place was not crowded.  The food was still pretty good but definitely lacked pop, was expensive, and the portions were small.  Our drinks took forever (as they, weirdly, have every single time I've been there), though I really enjoyed mine (it had sherry and brandy and rye I think). 

    Overall, this was never the best value proposition, but right now I would just avoid it.

    • Like 1
  6. 7 hours ago, FranklinDubya said:

    Went here last night and would definitely say it lived up to the hype - I don't think I've heard one bad thing between here, friends, Instagram, reviewers which is pretty rare.  My favorite city restaurant (excluding tasting menu spots) is Tail Up Goat which this reminded me quite a bit of with the friendly but snappy service, bread program and overall high level of cooking however it's even more neighborhood-y and definitely cheaper.  

    My dining companion and I got the tuna crudo, spicy farm apples, spring tartine, kimchi toast, clam spaetzle, and hot duck with biscuit plus the famous goat cheese cheesecake for dessert.  Pretty consistently killer across the board although the spring tartine and the apples really blew me away (both felt like perfect light, fresh, but still flavorful and balanced spring things).  Got a loaf of country bread to take home as well.  Will edit later with pictures.

    I was there Thursday and ordered almost the exact same dishes and thought similarly highly of them.  My only complaint was that the backroom was a bit cold and REALLY loud, even though it wasn't full and no individual table was particularly rowdy.

  7. We walked in at 630 yesterday and were told (politely) that we could eat at the bar now or at a table at 10 pm.  We chose the bar and we waited attentively on by the knowledgeable bartender, who said he moved from Philly where he had worked at Vedge.

    First, I personally was impressed by the cocktails, which were well contemplated and balanced, with a lean toward the bitter side.

    As for the food, I was really not blown away.  Nothing really even impressed me, though none of it was bad. With the exception of the dandan noodles and maybe the stuffed avocado, everything seemed to lack an extra punch of flavor, especially the mushrooms.  

    I note the dessert pudding we had was tasty and the coffee was some of the best restaurant coffee I've had in a while.  Still not likely to head back soon..

    And btw, I'm hardly someone who poopoos plant based food.  I'm a massive Shouk fan, for instance.

    • Like 1
  8. On 5/5/2018 at 7:43 PM, DaRiv18 said:

    I've been to the Morris three times, always alone, and I can expect a decent cocktail there each time.  They got the classics down, it is a cheerful locale, and I would rather meet a friend there and catch up than geek out alone on the drinks.  Their experiments there, that I have witnessed, are pretty remedial and are more recipe-chasing than it is exploring a certain style or developing a process.  My impression.  It is also on a challenging block where all neighbors are having a hard time driving traffic their way, so hopefully that gets taken care of sooner than later.  Once the Apply flagship arrives, and that office across the street gets filled, maybe they will be cooking with gas.  But, for now, they are a bit too expensive on the happy hour side and not really distinctive enough for the exclusive set.  They should aim for the latter.

    I don't disagree with anything you say here

  9. I go there about once a week, for a few reasons.  First, full disclosure, I've become friendly with the owner and staff there.  But the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating; they can make you any cocktail for $12.  The space is usually busy but you can almost always get a table, and the music is not too loud to preclude conversation.  The menu changes every month too, so it's fun to see what they come up with each month.  Finally, their patio is shaded and dog friendly, which I love.

    They don't do anything experimental or groundbreaking ala Columbia Room, but you're also paying much less than you do for a drink at Columbia Room, and there's none of the pretense.  

    I'd highly recommend going and let me know what you think.

    • Like 2
  10. This place is what Zaytinya and Kapnos wishes they were.  Had a great meal there ordering the majority of the large menu with friends.  They originally put us at a very small and uncomfortable table in the corner downstairs, but happily accommodated our request to move tables.  All the dips, spreads and "condiments" were great; the only thing that disappointed was the whole chicken and the breads, neither of which were bad, but neither of which lived up to standards set at other places.  I particularly liked the tangy eggplant.  Apparently their $100 lamb shoulder is outstanding, but they had sold out of it by the time we requested it.  Next time...

  11. On 4/30/2018 at 9:52 AM, DonRocks said:

    What I don't understand is why people - on either side (this is not a partisan post) - haven't produced ex-Zaytinya employees: José Andrés was most likely never there, and if there are any problems, they probably would have also existed at Zaytinya; if there aren't, then Zaytinya would probably have witnesses for the defense.

    Perhaps because much of these allegations seem to be that Isabella ran an organization that had a culture of sexual harrassment.  If Isabella wasn't a partner/owner at Zaytinya, it's a bit less relevant. 

  12. I went about a month ago.  I brought my dog and sat on the patio.  The staff was EXCEPTIONALLY friendly to my pup, bringing him water and treats and pets, and the food was good.  The drinks menu leaned more toward beer and mixed drinks than cocktails.  My only gripe is that there really isn't a single even half-healthy item on the menu; it's almost entirely fried chicken and burgers. Makes it difficult to come by often.

    • Thanks 1
  13. On 3/14/2018 at 9:35 AM, DonRocks said:

    Convivial prepares fish - especially Mediterranean fish - really well. I'm in a minority of one when it comes to their Fried Chicken Coq au Vin - I think it's gimmicky, and I don't like it, but wouldn't you know it's their best seller.

    Even though that picture is blurry, the daurade up above was the dish of the night

    Definitely revel in the free fougasse you get at the beginning of the meal.

    They've eliminated the free bread unfortunately

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