LaShanta

There is really not much good food around those parts, but here's a few standouts. I like White Tiger, the Indian restaurant on Mass. Ave. If you like Asian food, the East Street Market on the 2nd floor of Union Station is pretty good. Not much in the way of atmosphere, but easily the bext place INSIDE the actual station. And you may be able to swing dinner at Bistro Bis for under $40 is you're very careful about what you order. check out their menu on their website, I'm pretty sure that they have prices on it. B. Smith's is a good option too. Their catfish platter with macaroni & cheese is fabulous!

As an African American, I do understand the complaints about the atmosphere of 1789. I mean, a restaurant that is named for "a significant year in Washington's history", that offers "the ambiance of a stately home" with “19th century caricatures” and "early American relics" is not exactly what I would personally consider nostalgic. It is very old money type of place and a subtle reminder of time periods that weren't exactly "the best of times" for people who look like me. I don't know if DLB is also an African American, but either way, I can certainly understand people not exactly feeling comfortable and relaxed in such a priggish & formal atmosphere. HOWEVER.............. The food is absolutely phenomenal!!!!!! I went there on Monday night for the summer deal. We could only get a 9pm reservation. And waiting that long to eat dinner increased my expectations exponentially. Not too many things are good enough to just ify such a a late eating time—on a school night even! But, 1789 did NOT disappoint! My boyfriend had the tuna starter, the duck break main course (served with figs and some other stuff) and the lemon cheesecake with raspberries for dessert. I had the escargot starter, the lamb main course (with mashed potatoes and lightly creamed spinach) and the chocolate & vanilla bread pudding (an edible symbol of the racial harmony that is conspicuously missing from the broader restaurant theme and ambiance…..? maybe? ) for dessert. Everything was absolutely amazing!!!! The tuna was incredibly fresh and bursting with flavor. The escargot was perfectly seasoned and the pastry crust was just sturdy and flaky enough to hold the juices and add a nice crunch to the dish. I genuinely could not decide which main course was better. The duck was excellently seasoned and the lamb sliced like butter. The creamed spinach was just creamed enough to offer some depth but did not overwhelm the spinach flavor. And the mashed potatoes were perfect and had obviously been whipped just before they made their dining room entrance. The dessert was great, but it didn’t knock my socks off. Nothing was wrong per se, it was just that their bread pudding version was a bit to custardy for my tastes. It’s better described as a thick custard in a bowl with small blocks of bread throughout. The service was absolutely wonderful!! Very attentive but not obtrusive. And since I tend to be a slow eater, I REALLY appreciate this quality. We mentioned that I was tired, so we wanted the check with dessert. So our waiter even offered to have our car brought around while we were finishing dessert so it would be right outside as soon as we walked out the door. All in all, the dinner was a extraordinary gastronomic experience. I think TS was right on the mark with his 3 star review. So much so that I would even happily wait for a 10:00 reservation if need be!!

I've heard good things about their hambugers. Since I'm going for lunch (which is the only time they offer the hamburger) should I get that or should I go for the prime rib. Decisions, decisions........

I'm going to the Bombay Club for the first time tonight for dinner and I want to know what dishes I should make sure not to miss. I'm surprised that there is not already a thread for this restaurant. Does that mean that it is not worth my time? It seems to get good, solid reviews, but there is an absence of fervor about it. Any idea why? I really, really want to like it.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/14/foie.gras.ap/index.html I was totally alarmed when I heard about this! Is the process really THAT harmful to the animals??? I do think that this may be a "slippery slope".... what next?? And do you think it is much ado about nothing that is resulting only in making Chicago look silly? I am especially interested in what the Rockwellian chefs think.

I'm going here on Sunday before the Corrine Bailey Rae concert at the irchmere. Other than the frickles and the crab & artichoke dip, is there any dish that I must try?

I notice on the menu that the crab & artichoke dip has bacon in it. That's a surprise. I don't think I've ever seen that before. The bacon didn't overpower the rest of the flavors?

How indeed. I wish I could explain it. I can't stand Lauriol Plaza!!! I mean, a rooftop dining room only gets you but so far. But so many of my 20-something friends can't get enough of it. Maybe their tastes will mature over time. Thankfully, I snagged a Saturday, 8:30 (yes, PM!) RW reservation at Corduroy about 2 months ago. I'm introducing 2 of my friends to the gastronomic delights of Mr. Power. And boy am I glad I did! I can't wait!!

Good Morning All! Has anyone had any experience with those Restaurant.com certificates? Granted, the vast majority of the restaurants on their list are obscure and random, but I did notice Gerard's Place and Marcel's on there. But just like that stupid and almost worthless Entertainment Rewards program, I am leery of these "discount restaurant" programs. But I am willing to be corrected if I have the wrong impression about them.

I second that emotion. Restaurant Week for me is actually a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with friends that I haven't seen in a while or haven't made the time to re-connect with. The food is totally secondary. It's just a matter of multi-tasking. However, a dinner at Komi or CityZen or Vidalia on a Saturday evening is absolutely about gastronomic epiphanies. No doubt about it.

Wait, so the ONLY custard flavors they offer on a daily basis are vanilla and chocolate??? And though the list of flavors above seems impressive, if I'm understanding correctly, then they do not offer ALL of these sorbets every day, right? I just cannot imagine that having such limited flavor choices (especially for custard, which is supposed to be their specialty) is worth the trip across the river. But of course, I'm willing to be corrected if I've missated the facts.

Went here for dinner last night. Appetizers – Mushroom ’n Ginger dumplings and the Shrimp ’n crab gyoza Entrée – vegetarian pad thai Dessert – sticky rice with fresh mango Beverages – singer-lemon iced tea (NO alcohol) ATMOSPHERE – Wonderful, very fun, beautiful, plush surroundings. A bit too loud for my tastes, but good fun. SERVICE – Also wonderful. Attentive but not obtrusive. She was paying close attention to how much we were eating and she did not come to clear the plates until we were actually done. Water glasses never got past half full. I was very very happy with the service. They let us post up there for a full 3 hours without rushing or worrying us. FOOD – the dumplings were really good, if a bit overpriced for what they were. I would actually recommend a full meal of a variety of the dumplings and rolls instead of a full entrée. My pad thai was just OK. Not earth shattering. By any stretch. It was actually a bit bland and did not have the complexity of flavors that normally characterize Thai food. But buyer beware, the portions are HUGE. Waaaayyyyy bigger than any person should consume. I had to look around and make sure I hadn’t mistakenly wandered into the Cheesecake Factory. However, the standout last night was the dessert. The mangoes were incredibly fresh and the sticky rice was nice and not too sweet. It was a light, refreshing, finish to a satisfying meal. PRICE – We didn’t have any alcohol at all. Total was $61 (not including tax & tip) OVERALL – I would go back to try some more dishes, but it’s more because I love Asian food and I like those random, fruit-based sauces like “sweet chili dip” and “spicy basil-mango dip”. Good for a fun night out with friends, but the food should not be the main attraction. just something to keep you occupied while you re-connect and relax. manage your expectations. Peace & Blessings, LaShanta

The Gallery is a brand new bar on the corner of Georgia and East-West Highway. It is very cute inside. It may be just what you're looking for..... http://www.gallerysilverspring.com/ LaShanta

Thunder Grill does an a la carte brunch that doesn't look half bad. So does America Cafe. Also, there is always the famous B. Smith's brunch (which I actually like much more than the much-touted Georgia Brown's). They will even do omlettes and waffles to order for you if you ask nicely.

My office used to be on 5th & E and when we moved over here, almost everyone I know bemoaned the loss of interesting food options. If I had to choose between anything near Union Station and Chinatown, I would trek to Chinatown, no questions asked!! so for the record, no, you're not missing anything. There is very little to eat around these parts.... That being said, there are a few stand-outs that I have seen around here that make me feel just a bit better about being relocated to this culinary wasteland. TheWhite Tiger on 3rd and Mass. Ave. Their Indian lunch buffet is pretty good, as far as buffets go. I got a really nice lunch there about a week ago. Also, the Union Pub is reliable and cheap for typical pub food. Their burgers are pretty tasty! There's also the Dubliner at the Phoenix Hotel on North Capital Street. I will second the raves about the Italian Bistro and East Street Cafe. Both of them are pretty much my favorite go-to places for a sit-down lunch. The pizzas at Italian Bistro are yummy!!

Is Corduroy's happy hour REALLY only from 4-5???? I just heard that, but I shan't imagine it's true.....That sounds so limited!

Since I work within walking distance of the festival, I have been there a few times so far. Here's my take Bison burger - just OK; good rolls through potato bread thing - interesting but totally passable Native American vegetarian taco - very yummy; I may go back for this one today! Native American fry bread - very hot and tasty; like a funnel cake but less greasy and better (get it with powdered sugar!!) Native American rice salad - wierd and bland; don't bother I say that the food is definitely worth a trip if you can make it. Most of those things are not available here, so when else would you be able to try it? Be a little adventurous!

Any new updates on this place? It seems that this may be one of those old money places that don't get much business unless you happen to be here on business and already in the area. It looks absolutely beautiful from the outside, but I have NEVER heard anyone talk about eating there....

You are right, not many places do BOTH food and drink specials. A few noteworthy ones: Union Pub has many different options depending on the day Alero has one of the best combinations of both food & drink specialsCapital City Brewery does the 1/2 price appitizer thing and some drinks The Front Page (kind of young crowd, but good deals) Mr Smith's of Georgetown Tonic in Mount Pleasant does burger and tater tots deals Austin Grill Maggiano's Little Italy Clyde's of Georgetown Finn & Porter Happy drinking....

So upon the recommendation of many Rockwellians, I decided to do Charlie Palmer for my Father’s Day dinner for my Dad yesterday. He absolutely LOVED it!!!!! I decided to go with Jacques Gastreaux's suggestion of just trusting them with the wine choices and not going the BYOB route. The sommelier Nadine was sooo amazing and she made me feel totally at ease when choosing a wine that both me and my Dad would like. She gave us a red wine blend from Washington state. It was perfect! It went great with both my Dad’s steak and my fish. The service was unparalleled!!! Even the hostess gave us a fantastic table in the glass-enclosed area. We had windows on TWO sides of us. And I did note that our server specifically mentioned that side items were served a la carte and were family sized for sharing. Everyone was totally attentive and unassuming. They left our wine on the table but our glasses never got completely empty before someone came to fill them. And napkins were re-folded within a minute of a person leaving the table. Even the busboys were gracious and attentive and helpful. Absolutely stupendous!!!! CP is definitely training its people right! My Dad ordered the filet mignon and I ordered the red snapper with a citrus butter sauce. We also got the delicious truffled baked potatoes and the mushrooms. The snapper was wonderfully crispy on one side and mouth-wateringly tender and flaky on the other side. It was divine!!! And then for dessert I got the pineapple upside down cake. This was a really fun dessert!! It was a slice of the cake, a scoop of pineapple sorbet, a lime panna cotta and a banana wrapped in some noodle-looking pastry. It was fabulous!!!!! It was not too heavy nor too sweet. It was the perfect evening to a perfect meal. And all of this for only $136 (not including tip). I was pleasantly surprised at the total bill. I have absolutely NO complaints!! Not one. And for foodies, you know that says a LOT. I am soooo glad that you all helped me choose such a special restaurant for such a special occasion!! I HIGHLY recommend it!!! Peace & Many Blessings, LaShanta

I went here last week. I had the barbequed chicken, the collard greens and macaroni & cheese. The chicken was pretty good. The sauce had good flavor but was a bit too thick. The sweet potatoes had too much "glaze" on them but were passable. The macaroni & cheese was VERY good!! Not too dry, not too oily. Perfect. My friends had the fried whiting (they were out of the trout) and it was overcooked. They thought the kitchen had been a bit TOO heavy-handed with the pepper. The menu was more limited than I expected. They should try to include some baked chicken and maybe some smothered pork chops. That would have been a nice addition. The sweet potato pie was just barely passable. It seemed like it had been store-bought. (The pastry crust was a bit too perfect.) And that night, they did not even have any specialty desserts. But considering that the bill came up to $62 for 3 people, what can we expect? It was very good value for money, but there are still some kincks that need to be worked out. All of that notwithstanding, I would go again, and I would try the trout & the hushpuppies (Demvtr has convinced me). Oh, and do not go when there is a jazz band playing. It is waaaaayyyyy too loud! We could barely hear ourselves think, let alone talk. (So I guess if you are going mainly for the music and not the conversation, then you would be just fine.) Peace & Blessings.

That sounds like a good deal. It will definitely be easier..... You guys are sooooo helpful!!!! How did I ever eat without you???

It's bad enough that I don't know very much about wine. I don't want to look EXTRA gauche by insulting the sommelier by bringing in something embarrassing. I have no idea what I would like in red wine. I think I'll just go to Schneider's, tell them what types of wines I normally like, give them a price range and have them recommend something. Do I need to print out the CP wine list and take it to the store so that I can be sure not to order something that they have on their list? I thought I saw a BYOB list of rules somewhere. I can't seem to find it now. Can someone point me in the right direction? I do not want to be laughed out of the place on Sunday.

I ate here last night. I was told that they have just lost their chef and are hiring. So I don't know if this experience is representative of the normal capabilities of the restaurant.... Starter - Steamed Mussels Provencal (with White Wine, Tomatoes, Garlic) Entree - Seafood Linguini with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat, Shrimp and Sea Scallops with a Light Tomato Dessert - Chocolate Dipped Ice Cream Sandwiches (2 Raisin Oatmeal Cookies stuffed with Cinnamon Ice Cream then dipped in Chocolate with a Raspberry coulis) Starter was very, very fresh, but bland in flavor. It could have used some salt and maybe something else. Not sure what, but something with a bit of oomph would have been a great improvement. I guess the simplicity DID give the freshness of the mussels an opportunity to shine. Entree was very, very good. Smaller than I had anticipated (which was a good thing.). There was the perfect amount of seafood. Enough to have some seafood in every single bite. The sauce was nice and light and flavorful. I would certainly order it again. (And my boyfriend loved it!!!! He ordered the simply grilled swordfish and it was not bursting with flavor (like I have had at Johnny's Half Shell. And his vegetables were bland and boring. The lemon-thyme vinaigrette that was supposed to come with the fish was barely discernable.) Dessert was not good at all. the ice cream tasted good and the presentation was very nice, but I would never order it again. They appeared to put the ice cream sandwich together ahead of time and then put it in the freezer. So this makes the cookie very hard and dry and difficult to eat. A bit more labor intensive than I normally like my desserts. his dessert is a good, fun idea in practice but the execution left something to be desired. If you really want ice cream, skip it here and head around the corner to Hagan-Daz. Service was very nice but not intrusive. The only thing was that it took my appetizer about 5 minutes to come out after my guests appetizers. This was rather annoying. I mean, how hard would it have been to hold their courses while mine was being finished?? The dining room was very elegant.. Very old money type of place. It did get a bit loud, but not enough to disturb the meal. OVERALL–a nice place to take older visiting relatives who happen to be staying in the Georgetown area and want a nice seafood dinner, but can’t afford Citonelle and want a step up from Tony & Joe’s. Other than that… not worth the trip. I would rather have gone to Café Milano or Mie n Yu or Cilantro.

I am not IN the service industry, so I don't know all the details, but my server at Sea Catch last night told me that the checf there just left and that they are interviewing new people. Again, I'm not sure about the hiring process, but I know they are on the hunt.