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Juste

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Everything posted by Juste

  1. What a wonderful idea! We do something in that spirit with tastings, like reedm pointed out - close the restaurant for an intimate evening exploring the season. The menu is unconventional and it's an opportunity to dig into my culinary heritage. I'm thinking to do another one in August. So maybe September or July? Yes, Vilnius. My mom is from the seaside, dad from inland mushroom country. They've met in the capital and here I am. Haha, hard to stay anonymous when you're dining in a shoe box sized room. It was a combo - Ricardo remembered you as an odd (in a good way) couple from years before when he saw you two strolling from the parking lot. He usually remembers which table people sat at and their meal... beats me how. Our reservation system showed you as "Richard" I believe, but the caller ID gave you away.
  2. Visited for winter Restaurant week - great value (I could say even too much food for 3 courses). If that was an indication of what a regular menu/portion sizes look like - got a great impression. Some stronger dishes, some less memorable, but technically all were correct. Lamb ragu with orecchiete and oyster veloute that came with striped bass were recipes worth stealing. Experience showed all around, from the food execution, to bar staff, to the server, to the bus boys. Interesting wine list, which, unfortunately shrunk significantly. Even in DC people are difficult to wean off their chardonnays and cabernets.
  3. Enjoyed a few dinners here, especially on a half price wine Tuesdays. Solid cooking, great value. Octopus is wonderfully braised, and the crostinis always a good deal. The window seats inside provide a cozy nook - very comfortable to sit around and people watch.
  4. Had some excellent, some good and some decent experiences here. Solid lunch, their burger and a pint deal is great value. All you can eat brunch is notable, always good variety and quality foods. If you come close to the end of service, when employees start packing it up, you may get a to go box... Can't promise that for the guys, but for the ladies (or this particular one) it worked out
  5. Came back couple weeks ago at a weird time (Tuesday at 9pm). If this experience would've been my first one, I wouldn't return... Places that make you truly comfortable are rare for me, and that was my first experience, fortunately. Second one was just ... - service was ok, nothing unexpected for a restaurant at closing time. But the food... My dinner partner is not one to complain or return food. Basically ever. He was quietly eating, and I could see his face change to such extent I had to ask what's wrong. Maybe it sounds pompous, but when you're tired and looking forward to some satisfying, piping hot, close to home cooked meal, and get this... Damn. My chicken special plate reminded me why I shouldn't order chicken at restaurants. Anyways. Need to come back just to erase this bad memory.
  6. Thought it's about time to introduce myself here too. I'm the current chef/owner (together with Ricardo - he just doesn't like to admit it) of Maple. It's been more than two years since the change in ownership (although we both were working at Maple for years prior). We have a completely new menu, stop by, check it out, say hi. Occasionally I'll be posting about some cool stuff we're doing (like seasonal 30 seat 5 course tastings with beverage pairings), or some promos (like $35 3-course dinner Sunday Monday). Anyways, wanted to say hi and it would be great to hear positive/negative feedback (especially constructive negative...) or any thoughts in general. Cheers! JustÄ—
  7. It was a very good happy hour, if you consider the price/amount of food. I used to frequent Alexandria location quite often and make a cheap dinner out of happy hour menu. But they changed the HH menu completely. Now its a bit more refined (was surprised to see an anchovy on there), less fried, somewhat more authentic and definitely more expensive, not a steal any more. Which is good and bad at the same time. Northern Spain influence is more apparent now - section of pintxos, which are $2.5 each, but literally one bite. A few kinds of crostinis (montaditos) with different toppings (hamon is good quality pork, worth the money). Carryover menu items are considerably smaller (empanadas are half size, more like fried dumplings). Can't say anything about their full price menu - wouldn't choose to dine there if paying myself. Just remember regretting ordering the flan...
  8. Love the story of this place, true family owned joint/American dream fulfilled. We were a 2-top on a weekday night, greeted and seated promptly, fed well and got two after dinner drinks gratis just because the owner (I'm guessing) felt like treating us. Shared one app (hot mazza assortment - butternut squash was excellent) and main (chicken and ground beef combo), with bread that was plenty of food for two. Interesting to say, but I was impressed mostly by the sides/ veg preparation, less with the meats. Although the shank many others were enjoying looked great, will have to try it next time. Reasonable alcohol selection (any alcohol is a plus actually), adequate house wines. Looks like on the night we went they were training non-family members to serve, it was apparent it's difficult to loosen the grip for the owners. We were asked if the server introduced the specials, mentioned that the sides were limitless, etc. We had to reassure a few times the server did indeed. On their website you're asked to email or call for a reservation, but they do have OpenTable (not advertising it is a way to save some money I guess). A great place to have in the Springfield desert, definitely will be back.
  9. Jason Maddens leaves Clarity to open new restaurant, Ah-So The article doesn't reveal anything negative about the split, made it look like a different business strategy, that's all.
  10. They have a reputation of "the best happy hour in Reston" ($5 select seafood apps and cocktails 3 to 6.30). Tried to test it and get in a bit before 6pm on a Tuesday, but the bar area was so packed with suits that after lingering a while I decided to move on to American Tap Room (which HH is not as good of a value as it was a few months ago - less selection, higher prices. Not that it was excellent before.). As expected, the dining room at Passion Fish was completely empty at the time. Bar area is pretty small, so fills up quick. Consider that if you're not willing to be bumped around with a drink/bite in hand.
  11. I've been coming to Jacalito since 2013 probably. It was very good value for the flavor/quantity/quality, the counter guy/part owner (Lorenzo, I believe) was super nice also. Recently they've been through management/owner changes (Lorenzo mentioned that it's getting tougher and tougher, more work with less pay off- so I guess he got bought out by the other partner). They've tried to do full service at night (with waiter taking order, instead of counter service), they've got alcohol license with some limited Spanish beer selection. Menu is the same, but I've noticed the quality went down, seasoning is usually off and some items just don't taste the same any more. All that, but the prices are still great and portion sizes huge, especially the roasted chicken. My favorites used to be the steak burrito, dark meat chicken with yucca fries and tres leches cake. The tres leches is probably the best I've had anywhere. The texture is just amazing. Alfajores are not bad also. Will try a couple more times to see if it was just a hiccup, otherwise I'll frequent El Paso more often instead.
  12. There's not a persimmon I won't eat.

  13. I'm Juste. Currently owning/cooking at Maple Ave Restaurant in Vienna VA. Excited to read through the dining guide after my 10 posts and share some kitchen insight of my own! Thanks for the outlet.
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