RWBooneJr

Super Pollo is one of the few places that Don recommends that doesn't yet have a thread here.  His review of the Arlington location is here.  Has anyone else been there or any of the other locations?  How consistent are they?

Rocco's in McLean has it on the menu, but I can't imagine its anything other than industrial grade. I loved this place as a kid, and went to high school with Rocco Jr. (who sadly passed), but I don't recall it being all that great when I returned a number of years ago.

They weren't on OpenTable but do online reservations on their website and we got one on short notice.

You can make reservations through City Eats.

OTOH....as you described those danged over tight rules can create stupid problems.

I guess my point is that they're tight policies, not rules. Nick's policies seem smart. Requiring a passport in DC bars is just stupid. The Maryland laws, by the way, are absolutely bizarre. If the person is a resident of Maryland, they can only show a Maryland drivers license, Maryland ID, or a U.S. military ID. But if the person is not a resident, the person serving alcohol need only use "due caution." Regardless, sellers can establish a defense to liability by getting the purchaser to sign a form (apparently regardless of the ID shown, as long as one is shown).

Disclaimer: Please note, all of my posts above are merely for discussion purposes and should not be regarded as legal advice. Also, I'm not a Maryland lawyer, so perhaps someone can weigh in on how their weird laws actually work.

Well, unlike DC, in Virginia you aren't technically required to check IDs at all. 3 VAC 5-50-10 provides, in pertinent part, "no licensee shall sell any alcoholic beverage to a person whom he shall know, or have reason at the time to believe, is . . . Under the age of 21 years [or] Intoxicated." 3 VAC 5-50-20 provides a safe harbor for restaurants and bars, stating:

A. In determining whether a licensee, or his employee or agent, has reason to believe that a purchaser is not of legal age, the board will consider, but is not limited to, the following factors:

1. Whether an ordinary and prudent person would have reason to doubt that the purchaser is of legal age based on the general appearance, facial characteristics, behavior and manner of the purchaser; and

2. Whether the seller demanded, was shown and acted in good faith in reliance upon bona fide evidence of legal age, as defined herein, and that evidence contained a photograph and physical description consistent with the appearance of the purchaser.

The rub, as you point out, is that the only "bona fide evidence of legal age" listed is "a valid motor vehicle driver's license issued by any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, armed forces identification card, United States passport or foreign government visa, valid special identification card issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, or any valid identification issued by any other federal or state government agency, excluding student university and college identification cards, provided such identification shall contain a photograph and signature of the subject, with the subject's height, weight and date of birth." 3 VAC 5-50-20(B.)

Still, if an "an ordinary and prudent person" would think the person was 21 based on physical characteristics, etc., then, in theory, you should be safe.

[ETA: See disclaimer in this post.]

There was an issue discussed today in Todd Kliman's chat regarding restaurants and bars in DC refusing to accept foreign identification cards and instead requiring passports. For the record, this is not the law of the District.

D.C. Code § 25-783(a) provides: "A licensee shall refuse to sell, serve, or deliver an alcoholic beverage to any person who, upon request of the licensee, fails to produce a valid identification document." Additionally, D.C. Code § 25-783(b.) provides: "A licensee or his agent or employee shall take steps reasonably necessary to ascertain whether any person to whom the licensee sells, delivers, or serves an alcoholic beverage is of legal drinking age. Any person who supplies a valid identification document showing his or her age to be the legal drinking age shall be deemed to be of legal drinking age." D.C. Code § 25-101(53), in turn, provides: “'Valid identification document' means an official identification issued by an agency of government (local, state, federal, or foreign) containing, at a minimum, the name, date of birth, signature, and photograph of the bearer." (Emphasis added). Accordingly, an official identification card issued by a foreign government which includes "the name, date of birth, signature, and photograph of the bearer" is sufficient. Id.

The D.C. Code requires that all managers of any licensed establishment receive training regarding the law. So, if you or anyone you are ever with is refused entry or a drink on an otherwise valid ID, ask for a manager. It doesn't always work (not all managers know what they're doing), but it usually will.

[ETA: See disclaimer in this post.]

Reed's Custom Tailors

5179 Lee Highway

Arlington, Virginia 22207

Tel. (703) 532-1112

I've been using Reed's for all sorts of alterations and repairs for perhaps a decade (maybe longer). Their rates are good, and they have always done great work. The owner is extremely nice, too, and seems very honest. I've taken a few things in for repairs and was told that it wouldn't be worth the money. If you're looking for a tailor and are anywhere nearby, you should give them a try. I've sent quite a few people there over the years and haven't heard any complaints.

Rich Boone

About 5 years ago, I got a cold call from Dan Sweet, who was then at Tom James, a custom suit maker. By chance, I needed a new suit and decided to meet with him to see what they offered. I'm a bit of an odd size, so I've always paid a fortune for alterations to off-the-rack suits. As it turned out, Dan was able to put me in a custom suit for little more than what I would have paid for anything decent at a department store once alterations were factored in. It looked great and fit much better than anything I'd had before. I still have that original suit, and over time Dan replaced all of the suits in my closet.

Last year, Dan left Tom James and started Craig Paul Clothing. I now have one of their suits, a sport coat, and two custom shirts, and couldn't be happier with them. They look great, and are a significant increase in quality over what Tom James offered (which were already good, durable suits). They also really excel at the details (functional cuff buttons, button fly trousers, etc.). Best of all, they're probably the cheapest custom clothier out there. If you've ever been interested in having a suit made (and aren't planning a trip to Asia any time soon), give Craig Paul a call. They'll come to you at home or your office. They do women's clothing too.

Rich Boone

A1 Clarendon Valet

3110 Washington Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201

Tel. (703) 522-1340

I started going to A1 Clarendon Valet more than three years ago because it was the dry cleaners across the street from my apartment, and they've always done a fine job with suits, shirts, pants, etc. They're also a full-service tailor, but I've only used them for small repairs (buttons, holes) and they've done good work. I recommend them for either, though I'm particularly pleased with their shoe repair service. I'm extremely hard on shoes and have probably had a dozen or more full soles put on at Clarendon Valet. Every time, the shoes come back looking brand new, no matter what they looked like when they went in. They've even brought a few pairs that I thought were too far gone back from the dead. The owner, Aron, is also one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

Rich Boone

In case anyone didn't know, Chesapeake Bagel Bakery was purchased by the same company that owns Einstein Bagels and Manhattan Bagels in 1999. However, when you go to the Einstein Noah Restaurant Group website, and click on "Our Brands," there's no mention of them.

That either means they divested, or they're just too ashamed to admit they still own the brand. Either way, a smart move. There is no separate website for Chesapeake Bagel Bakery that I could find; only this.

Chesapeake Bagel Franchise Corp. is still listed as a subsidiary of Einstein and Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. in the latter's most recent 10K filing with the SEC. Not that anyone really cares, or should.

In addition to my fondness for Big Bite hot dogs, I must confess a nearly life-long love of the Big Gulp (I was raised on diet sodas, and I'm pretty sure the chemicals in artificial sweeteners explain a lot of my issues, both psychological and otherwise). Naturally, I found this story (linked in Eater DC) fascinating.

Mods, if there is a topic for RFD, free free to move this to its rightful place.

[Ask, and ye shall receive.]

^good guess. Yes on one, no on two, but your close to the right part of town.

The Wild Boar Salami at RIS.

... the back of the house needs a "name" upgrade if it's going to succeed there ...

Not going to happen -- the "sister" in question (Ly Lai) is married to the chef (Sly Liao) and they opened the place together.

The tumblr page doesn't say, but the event is next Wednesday, May 29th from 6-10 at The Empty House Studio in Del Ray. For reservations, email: TheEmptyHouseStudio@gmail.com.

We have a regional seafood culture? Blue crabs and Old Bay don't quite make a culture.

We have different species of crabs, oysters, and fish than the west coast, and different regional preparations of all three. Finding a culture inferior does not invalidate it as a culture. Now if you want to argue class, that's another matter. I'm a local and I'd never argue that I had any.

Correct.

Yes.

Nope.

It's in VA.

The Burger Bar at Trummer's on Main.

Had dinner there. An incredibly mediocre experience. . . . Neither sausage was distinguished or memorable

This mirrors my one experience, except I'd add that my bratwurst was overcooked and the sauerkraut I got was of the uncooked, straight from the bag variety, rather than the smoky, porky, slow-cooked variety you'd actually get in Germany (or to a lesser extent, down the street at Lyon Hall, which has excellent sausages). The staff was very nice, though.

Was it good at Maneki Neko?

I'm certainly not an expert and haven't been to Teaism in Old Town (the only location with okonomiyaki, unless I'm mistaken), but Maneki Neko would be my choice for the dish. Maneki Neko is a solid little place that seems to fly under the radar (there's no thread here, for instance). It reminds me of what the Arlington Matuba was years ago when it was still good.

The sandwich du jour today at N.O.P.B. is the "Nuclear Po'boy a la Littlejohns." I'm fairly certain that you need to be drunk or hung over and in Charlottesville (or be nostalgic about being drunk or hung over and in Charlottesville) to enjoy this combination of turkey, pulled pork, coleslaw, hot sauce, and muenster. But for anyone so inclined, they nailed it, right down to the orange-tinged coleslaw juice running down my arm. I might need another.

Maneki Neko in Falls Church and Honey Pig's Izakaya in Annandale both have okonomiyaki. The latter is also the only place in town other than Asia Nine that I've seen my favorite Japanese snack, takoyaki.

While I'm not a fan of salty foods as much as some, this was almost inedibly salty. It also came topped with a strangely orange tomato(?) sauce that reminded me of Chef Boyardee canned sauce.

Tomato sauce can turn orange when there is A LOT of fat in it. From your description, it sounds like they follow the maxim: "if we cram as much salt and fat as possible in everything, people will love it." Which is probably true.

H Street is a problem, but I work with it.

You can get to H Street, NE in 20 minutes. I-66E to Rt. 110S to I-395N, through the 3rd Street tunnel. Take the Mass Ave. exit out of the tunnel and go right on H.

According to the Georgetown Patch the landlord, who would not comment on the issue, tried to raise the rent $1,200 dollars a month.

Good for him, if he can get it. Too bad for Max's that the demand isn't there to support the business in its current location at market rates, but the landlord presumably isn't running a charity. And good for Rocklands that they do have the demand to support expansion into the space.

It's sad to lose neighborhood "institutions" like Max's, but the fault lies in the community itself for not buying enough ice cream to warrant an ice cream shop in the neighborhood. Or, possibly, to Max's for not offering attractive, higher profit items that would have enabled the business to continue where it is.

Sorry, but it's the truth.