beachgirl54

So, twice in the past week, I have found things in my food that shouldn't have been there. Bad luck on my part? I think I handled things properly but am curious - what should one do in these situations? I'm particulary curious to hear from those in the industry.

First time, I was at a conference buffet luncheon at one of the nice downtown hotels (actually, my preferred chain). When I sat down next to a high ranking government official and started to dig into my salad, a live moth stared up at me. I gasped slightly, and used my napkin to gather the moth into it without saying anything to my luncheon companion. I found a server and handed him the napkin. A catering manager came over to my seat profusely apologizing, and brought me a large, new salad which I ended up taking home. The manager also took away the salad from my plate. Definitley an "ew" factor.

The second time was last week, having breakfast at a casual restaurant that is a favorite on this website. Felt something funny in my mouth and it was a 1/2" sliver of tinfoil. I gave it to one of the restaurant workers, said it was understandable and gingerly finished my breakfast. Manager came over and profusely apologized.

I know these things are inevitable but it was a lot for me in such a short time period. Thoughts?

As a child, all my birthday cakes came from now-defunct Leonard's, an old style German bakery on Lexington Avenue (I grew up in NYC). All the cakes from there were the best birthday cakes ever. One that stands out had an apricot filling with yellow cake - I think I was 6 - and a porcelain ballerina on top.

Worst birthday cake was my 30th birthday party when my "friend" (not anymore and not for this reason) waltzed in late with a chocolate cake. I don't like chocolate (please don't berate me - been this way since I was very young). And anyone who knows me knows that. So I had no birthday cake on my 30th birthday. Worst birthday cake ever.

Dinner tonight with four moms, three toddlers (plus 2 three year olds who had already eaten). Had three tacos, guac, and Boylan's (looking forward to their liquor license because a Corona would have been tasty). Kids had quesadillas chips and guac. All fresh, tasty and nothing left except the chips. The workers were incredibly nice and helpful with the kids and, I think, one of the owners checked on us to see how we liked everything.

Me like. More please. We'll be back.

I am a recent addition to my company in the Rio Center so I too have succumbed to trying cupcakes.

I have tasted Lilly Magilly's entries twice - the first time it was a cookies & cream cupcake. Decidedly dry and not to be purchased again. Then I got a coupon for a free one - so I choose Red Velvet. And it was good, dammit.

But now we have 16 Handles frozen yogurt across the street so I'm aiming for the healthy qualities of that dessert now. And I joined Sport & Health.

I'm ignoring their impending arrival. And kind of hoping I hate the cupcakes. Because really, I'm at the Rio Center every weekend and I drive past on days I go to the office. This could be bad for my waistline and my cash flow.

Had some at Cafe Deluxe this past weekend that was pretty darn good - made with gruyere (we asked) and cream. None left after the four of us devoured, including my 20 month old - best to get him started on the good stuff instead of that Kraft crap.

Just watched a promo piece on this place, linked to YouTube through Arlington County. The ribs looked tasty, as did the mac & cheese, with large portions. Owner was charming in video too - said she got the recipes, all in her head, from her mom and sister.

I haven't been yet but was wondering if anyone had tried the place - could make dinner for 2 for $10 out of a rib order + 2 sides that are included.

I'm so excited for you! Jeremy is too! We'll be in soon - congratulations!

We got totally mobbed for lunch today...I knew the Post was popular, but damn! I wonder what the dinner will be like?

Just bought the book for friends and had lunch there today - lentil salad with chorizo, wild rice salad (I get this every time) and chestnut mashed potatoes, plus fry bread for my son. All delicious - I love this place . . . .

Fans of the Mitsitam Cafe might enjoy a copy of the just published Mitsitam Cafe Cookbook as a holiday gift in case you are searching for ideas for that special someone who already has everything.

+2

I hadn't been in a while but will miss the fact that The Quarterdeck was always there, and that I could go if I wanted to . . . and I'd add Amdo and Roratunga Rodeo to that list (I still have my matches from there).

+1

I have finally started to get over the demise of all my favorite dives in Clarendon over the last 10 years and now this? Granted service was always hit or miss and the crabs were insanely cheaper if you got them at Capt. White's and ate them at home. But sometimes you just like to go sit outside on a 90 degree day in a crappy plastic chair, drink crappy beer out of a plastic cup and have someone plop the crabs down right in front of you all hot and steamy and full of meat. There was no other place in town to do this but at the Quarterdeck in my opinion. I will add it to my list (Bardo, Queen Bee, Strangeways, Little Viet Garden, that place on Wilson that had the patio shaped like a boat, etc., etc.) and miss it terribly in the way you miss an annoying relative that is really fun to get drunk with 4 or 5 times a year.

Is this a good thing?

I honestly don' t know - part of me says that it is because it supports the farming industry overall, but then it also drives people to eat McDonald's icky food - and I admit that I do like their smoothies every now and then.

As for the fact that it must be true because it came from a McD's employee - it wasn't a line cook, but someone from corporate who represents the company in public forums. I have no reason not to believe her.

Just learned an interesting fact at an industry conference I'm attending (which Don made me think about when, in another post , he alluded to WalMart supporting organic farmers):

McDonald's, because of their fruit smoothies, is the largest purchaser of blueberries in the United States. In fact, the initial rollout of the fruit smoothies was supposed to be three years ago, but the suppliers of blueberries would not have been able to keep up with the demand so they delayed the launch.

They are also, because of their salads and apple dippers, the largest purchaser of apples in the United States.

This comes straight from a McDonald's employee.

Had a wonderful lunch today with a former co-worker at Burma Road, bucking the trend of lunch at your favorite CPK/Corner Bakery/Potbelly, the Gaithersburg trifecta.

Started with Ginger Salad - crunchy, spicy and yummy. And we just had to order the Donut Fritters, which came with a dipping sauce that was quite tasty. Fried dough = good.

Split an entree and two side dishes - the Curry Meatballs, the Lima Bean Curry and Simmer Eggplant. All tasty and really like the lima beans and meatballs. Nothing left at the end.

Total bill was $25 without tip - a great deal too. Looking forward to going back soon.

Close - next door at Baird Automotive. And I'll be back on Friday too.

That is so funny because I stopped by there after dropping my car off to get inspected and get the oil changed. Were you at the Japanese Auto place on Wilson Blvd?

Oui, le premier croissant pour moi - c'est manifique.

Screw the diet - eat a croissant.

Ok, ok really the best croissant? Right down the street from me? And you had to tell me after I am supposed to be cutting gluten out of my diet... This is a big, HUGE, temptation.

Based on these comments, and the need to sit somewhere while my car was being repaired, I stopped here for breakfast this morning - coffee (fine), a croissant and fruit salad. The croissant was the best I've had outside of many trips to France and one to St. Martin, and the fruit salad was huge and fresh. - took half home with me.

Spoke with the owners a bit - they make all the pastries there, and have 2 soups available per day (and the prep smells coming from the kitchen were tempting). Couldn't tell if they are Turkish but the menu had a nice international flavor to it.. Very nice owners/chef and good location for walking or driving.

Really, the best croissant I've had in the US . . . .

Now that I'm working in Gaithersburg, I need to step out from time to time and find non-cafeteria and non-chain options. I grabbed lunch here today - really pretty good, and not expensive, a good combination for me. I had one chorizo and one pork taco in a platter with refried beans and rice. Ordered a horchata too - don't get it, it tasted powdery and I tossed it. But the taco filling was generous and quite tasty. They use soft corn tortillas for the tacos. And I thought the rice and beans were good - I think the beans were freshly made and had nice flavoring (aka lard).

I can't eat this stuff every day but I will be back - and my Mexican-American co-worker endorses their salsa heartily.

One more thing - the whole gas station vibe is a little odd but they have some chairs and tables outside on the non-pump side of the shop.

I was there last night on the earlier side (kid in tow) and had the spicy salami, kalamata & fontina pizza - lovely. Kiddo had the kid pizza and loved it, along with the bread from my bruschetta and gelato for both of us. Anastasia is alway so nice and understanding about the kids (we were 4 moms total with a 6 year old, a 3 year old, an 18 monther and my 16 monther). Cannot say enough good things about the quality of the food and the kindness of the owners.

Stopped in today for lunch - excellent roasted tomato, artichoke heart and fontina pizza that I split with my one year old. Pleased to see that he likes artichoke hearts - we're in the test-all-foods phase now. And a rice ball for him too - disappeared quickly. Still so, so happy to have this choice right by my house.

Just heard from friends that Pupatella is sold out of pizza tonight . . .

Well I hope everyone is having better luck than I am trying to phone in a carryout order from Pizzeria Orso and Pupatella tonight - both are rolling over to voice mails.

Damn, just when I thought Pie-tanza no longer served a useful purpose.

Boo on barefoot guy! Good luck with the AC - Jeremy and I will see you tomorrow night for our weekly fix!

Oh my,

what a difficult day we had today.

We want to apologize to everyone that came for the A/C problem. Waiting in line for 1/2 hour with no A/C is no fun at all. Thank you everybody for your patience.

On the plus side, we're training to make doughnuts - ask for them soon! They'll be better than what we had in the food cart.

P.S. Had a loud complaint from a barefoot customer about the service....Yes, you know who you are, I know you read this forum. Dude, next time you decide to complain about the service in a restaurant, please put some shoes on.

I have now eaten there twice this week, both times with my one year old son. He loves the pizza (margarita - it's his first foray) and the rice balls. And so do I - today, I tried the spicy salami, olives and goat cheese pizza. No leftovers.

Yes, there are some kinks to be worked out but the owners couldn't be nicer and I love the simple decor. And I can walk there with the stroller . . . think that counts as exercise enough to work off a gelato??

The sign is up! I can't wait!

Final inspection is scheduled for early next week - they hope to open late next week.

I stopped in to check it out on Wednesday afternoon and got a iced chai to go - love the space and my tea was tasty but was a little surprised at the price - $4.96 for a small. Maybe the request for soy milk added to the price? Or I'm just getting old . . .

Can't wait! Milk chocolate peanut butter cookie is making my mouth water.

Northside Social is officially opening on Monday, but today and tomorrow they're doing a "soft opening" to train the staff. Egg sandwiches are indeed on the menu. The place looks great, particularly compared to Murky Coffee. Well worth the wait.

Good news - drove by yesterday and there were trucks and other equipment outside and inside so it looks like things are now moving along again. My mouth is watering . . .

Well I am wishing them all my best because I love the cart, it is the best pizza in our neighborhood, and the arrancini is mmm mm good.