ALB

I was the last one to write here- but for a pandemic update..

I was fortunate enough to receive my covid vaccines at the cvs next to wheaton plaza (as I will always call it.) Hollywood East has an IMPRESSIVE contact free system. I almost don't want to share because it is so great. but you will not be near people. There are video screens and electronics involved.

In any case, I realized when I looked (while waiting after my shot) that you can get dumplings any time... not just lunch hours. I drove mine 40 min home, so they were not as good as right out of the steamer, but that is my issue not theirs- and it still hit the spot.

They are my favorite dim sum spot, and if I were closer.. I'd get dumplings al the time. I will go more frequently and I am glad they are still there. If I am nearby- I am glad to know I can get them after 3 pm. I got har gow, chicken ginger dumplings, and shrimp toast (treat yourself after a shot, right ?)

Hi All,

I haven't  been to the FreshFarm Silver Spring Market in ages, but I was driving through the area 2 weeks ago and made an impromptu stop at the market. The Coulter Farms profited most off my stop, but it was worth it! I tried the berry smoothie, maple yogurt, and their milk. We loved them all. The yogurt especially hit the spot- not too sweet or sour. But the milk was DELICIOUS with cookies one night. All organic. If you are driving through MoCo on saturday mornings, I recommend the stop. The week I was there, the market was up by the ice rink.

11 hours ago, saf said:

It appears that the NY Ave one is not open these days. Although from a conversation today, may be soon.

So I had to go to Montgomery Mall today - the power cable on my MacBook died suddenly and that was where I could get one today. Quite the expedition, as I was going from work, in SW, and the security is still nuts. There's a Kung Fu tea in the mall. But I have had that, and there was a Gong Cha on the way home. So I tried it. I got cold Earl Grey milk tea with boba, no sugar, 30% ice. It was quite good. I also brought home a cold Earl Grey, 30% sugar, 30% ice, no boba, for the boy. He enjoyed it. (He likes boba, but says that they fill him up so if he has them late in the day, dinner is disrupted. I don't get it.) (He usually gets fruit, non-milk teas, but I think he was feeling rather Captain Picard today. Also, something totally new, not on the menu at our regular place. That's certainly why I got it!)

I had a brief chat with a woman who was there talking to folks as they picked up food. She was somewhere up the food chain in management. This was clearly a reasonably new location, as the only sign was a banner in the window of another establishment. She was chatting folks up, seeing what they wanted, and pushing the app for ordering. I mentioned this was not on my usual path and that I was hoping for a DC location. She pointed to a large pile of boxes, told me it was all destined for the downtown location, once the security let up. So, hope.

No frozen tea - they only freeze fruity slushy things. But the boba was right. And the tea was tasty.

I live in Howard County where we are fortunate to have both a Kung Fu Tea and a Gong Cha for when the mood strikes. I think the difference is... Kung Fu Tea marinates their boba in honey, Gong Cha in brown sugar. We have had over brewed black tea at Gong Cha, but easily remedied by ordering ooh long. We are boring orderers (mine is milk tea with pearls, 30 or 50% sugar, light ice) so I haven't tried the more exciting parts of either menu.

Thank you all! We had some changes in circumstances so we won't be able to go in the next few months, but I am definitely saving this list for spring!!

5 hours ago, genericeric said:

Wintergreen Resort (Nelson County) has the whole mountain wired for high speed - would double check when booking based on whether you go through the resort itself, Airbnb, etc but its set up for it.  Fair warning, takeout food options are very limited on weekdays - weekends are better.  If you do go, check out Basic Necessities carry out in the valley, and their excellent wine shop.

Thank you, we will check it out!

20 hours ago, Count Bobulescu said:

The clothing optional resort in Paw Paw is open with reasonable pricing, and Wi-Fi. A friend told me.

 https://www.avalon-resort.com/

Thank you for the recommendation... I think it won't be for us.. but I appreciate the recommendation!

My husband, dog, and I are in desperate need of a relocation for 4-5 days. I still have to work (because I am a teacher, and it is just more work for my amazing team if I am out) so I need high speed internet. Does anyone have any ideas of reasonably priced locations that have reliable high speed? Deep Creek seems pretty expensive this year, as I think many people are thinking like us. We would love some mountains. We may do take-out, but we won't be eating indoors at this time. We just really need a change of view and a few nice hikes. 

21 hours ago, zgast said:

London - plenty of great pizza, but there won't be anything quite like Vace.

I am so jealous. I LOVE London!

6 minutes ago, saf said:

It might work. I would also try this technique. 

This is my favorite blackberry ice cream recipe. I strain the puree.

Thank you for both tips! We will give it a shot.

ok- this is not about the cuisinart ice cream maker.. this is ABSENCE of ice cream maker question.

I let a friend borrow mine and she left for the beach. My sister requested making blackberry ice cream after we go to Larriland on Friday. I am looking for no-spin recipes, does anyone have one? Alternatively, I found this one online and left a question.. do you think it will work? Is there enough fat to keep it from getting icy?

https://www.sweetspicykitchen.com/desserts/blackberry-cheesecake-ice-cream/?fbclid=IwAR3HFBPWlL6ZbvIclGwDC0tG3WsLN9kvOBDaujgnN3ole8DUDbAv14DLtm8

4 hours ago, Mark Dedrick said:

Obviously to each their own, but I think this most recent season was the best ever. The quality of the contestants was absurdly high. They seemed to get along really, really well. The one chef, Malarkey, who was kind of cast as the "heel" for this season seems to have been universally loved by the other chefs on the show. And I thought the finale in Italy was very well done. 

I completely agree

If you are in Frederick, Howard, AA Co. keep an eye out for Mike's Gelato. Mike runs a food truck with his gelatos, and they are fantastic. He came to our neighborhood one night and now we are hooked... our favorites are pistachio, hazelnut, lemon raspberry crunch, and chocolate. https://my-site-108372-109500.square.site/ 

He posts his locations on fb and instagram. He also does delivery, but we haven't tried that.

He is doing scoops again, but we have just been bringing home pints at $10 each. This is our affordable indulgence of this stay at home time.  HIGHLY recommend.

Pro-tip: If you are more than 15 min away, bring a cold pack to bring it home. Though they refreeze really well.

That is the end of an era. My family has gone there forever.

An update on my quest,  I went to the HMart in Ellicott City yesterday morning right at opening. I got tea flavored kit kats, which are AMAZING!! They also had matcha, sake, orange, ruby/cranberry, and birthday ones you can color on. At $6 a bag, I only got one- and I regret that now. I also stocked up on my favorite snack: Ageichiban- which are fried rice cakes coated in sweet soy sauce. I got them as an impulse try in Lotte market- they are so good!! If you are at any Asian market- I HIGHLY recommend. I also got some Koala and mushroom cookies, mochi (and some fruit, so I looked like I bought SOMETHING besides junk food 🙂 ) Thank you all for your suggestions and help. I will definitely be requesting some Japanese treats this fall, and looking forward to a trip when we have a safer world.

8 hours ago, TheMatt said:

I think for the moment it’s due to the fact that there is so little passenger traffic that it’s not cost effective to use air shipping. But, yes, shipping chocolate  in summer is wary at any time!

That makes sense, I didn't think of that.

18 hours ago, TheMatt said:

I was going to suggest online through omgjapan which has things like this variety box, but it looks like Japan Post isn't shipping to the US at the moment (at least by air).

Thanks TheMatt! I will  take a look when things lift. Until then, I shall dream of future trips abroad. 

Thank you Dean! I love his Youtube channel! II have definitely been watching a lot as we are safe at home.

I will try to track some down, maybe at that store. Probably not great to ship now that it is getting so hot.

My parents brought some home from Japan last year- most were really sweet but not all. If you ever see the Hokkaido melon Mascarpone cheese  kit kats, BUY THEM! They are so good! Unexpectedly amazing, and not very sweet. Matcha and sake flavors, not sweet at all.

11 minutes ago, TheMatt said:

The two places that first come to mind are Hana Market in DC and Maruichi Grocery in Rockville. The are the two Japanese markets I can think of. 
 

The other place is that candy store in Tysons Corner Center...Lollipops? Something like that. They have weird candy from all over, but not sure if anything in the mall is open. 

I am definitely going to check out Maruichi! I will pair it with a trip to the farmers market in Rockville. Thanks!

Does anyone know of a local store that sells a good variety of Japanese kitkat flavors? I am sad about our honeymoon that isn't happening, and I keep fixating on this as a way to capture some of the spirit. I went to Lotte in Ellicott City and they had strawberry and macha. Does anyone know of any stores that may have some more of the specialized flavors? I know it is kind of a dumb thing but it is what it is right now.

ETA: This sounded pathetic. I just love traveling and I am so sad we won't get to go anywhere this summer. but we are so fortunate.

On 6/1/2020 at 9:34 AM, Keithstg said:

Have a reservation for this Saturday. Looking forward!

I look forward to reading about it! (if you choose to share)

Everywhere... but we want to take our covid-postponed honeymoon. My vote is Japan.

Hoi An is so beautiful, I have no regrets about staying there. (I stayed in a nice little resort out of town though, so had to bike or take taxis in.) BUT I would have stopped for a day or 2 in Da Nang.

Nha Trang is also gorgeous. The food was great at local spots, but the scene is touristy (lots of Russian tourists.) I may have replaced that stop.

I regret not staying there when traveling in Vietnam. Guides I met frequently named it as their favorite city, and it is so close to tourist central in Hoi An. I did have the best Bahn Mi there when we stopped for lunch! 

I live in Columbia, and really- it is one of our better options for a lot of people. Usually the brisket is cooked well and cut nicely, and other meats are nice too. (I have not had as much consistency in other locations.)  I had not had the sausage, but sides are decent and they have sauces I like. The people that work there are also wonderful. That being said, if you live in areas with other bbq places you like- I am not sure I would drive for it frequently. 

I wish they had pickles though!

On 7/15/2019 at 4:34 PM, SilverBullitt said:

Kantutas (Bolivian) restaurant at 2462 Ennalls Ave. in Wheaton, MD serves them.  Very nice staff and the food is good.  I ate the silpancho once and it was like dropping an anchor in my belly- a tasty anchor.

Thank you! Wheaton I can handle.