RWBooneJr
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Everything posted by RWBooneJr
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I don't buy this argument. If a big chain can do something as well as the little guy, it is just as worthy of support. You specifically mention Starbucks as something that people ought not support. But is there a better place for coffee near the corner of 7th and H? If not, do people in that neighborhood have a moral obligation to get coffee from the nearest independent coffee shop, even if it isn't as good? The problem is not that people are immoral for selecting a corporate restaurant or coffee shop over an independent one, it's that they're often stupid for doing so. But there are plenty of terrible family businesses out there. People dining near the Verizon Center should support PS7 because it is better than its corporate competition, not because it is an independent. -
I went to the Liberty Tavern last night not expecting much, and was pleasently surprised. The appetizer of mussels came with a "smoked tomato broth, fennel pollen, and basil" sauce that was, in realty, a delicious bacony, ruddy, tomatoey sludge covering the mussels. Overall, it created a dish that was good, though many of the mussels themselves were mealy. My entree was the bluefish, which was a steak with a smoked bluefish and roasted squash hash, and was served with a black radish, scallion, and watercress salad, and a maple-grain mustard sauce. The bluefish was surprisingly mild, and the accompaniments were spot on. Though I actually like a bluefish that tastes like a bluefish, I was surprised by how well everything worked together. Overall, it was not a bad place if you are looking for a good dinner in Clarendon.
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I returned to Adour yesterday to give it another try. I had liked it the first time, but left feeling like the best parts of the place were the desserts, the bread, and the room, and that it wasn't quite worth the expense. My appetizer and entree just weren't that special. But everything I had today was exceptional. I started with an appetizer of "Delicate Thin-sliced Chilled Veal Loin with Mesculin Salad and Fresh Herb Condiment" that was very good and surprising, in that it was not the carpaccio I was expecting, but instead nice pate like medallions with a creamy herbed cheese. For an entree, I had "Guinea Fowl with Red/White Pearl Onion Condiment," which included perfectly juicy, thin slices of meat atop a rich, slightly sweet brown sauce with pearl onions. It was exceptional, and came with a good side of couscous. The dessert was as good as I remembered; this time I had "Bitter Grapefruit with Raspberry Custard and Rose Blossom Ice Cream," which was a great sour sweet combination with a noticeable rose flavor from the ice cream. Rounding out the meal were the same great bread, polished service, and a few nice extras like gougeres and macaroons. It was still $190 (pre tip) for three people, but this time it was definitely worth it.
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Not to be overlooked are the smart, equally well written wine recommendations. They are definitely not the obvious, supermarket wines that have recently dominated the Post's wine columns, yet all appear to be readily available at numerous locations around town. In some cases, Dave even says where we can find them by the glass.
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When is your last day at Dino? I've been meaning to come back for a drink and dinner at the bar.
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I had very good lunch at Adour today. It was flawless, but with a few notable exceptions, the food was a somewhat forgettable when compared to other restaunts in its class. The meal started with some nice gougeres. For an appetizer I got the bluefin tuna tartare, which was rather assertively seasoned with ginger and soy and came with an avocado ice cream. It was tasty, but the heavy seasoning and finely chopped tuna seemed more a way to conceal mealy, bland fish than an innovation. For my main course I got Atlantic salmon with fennel, dill, and olives. It was a nice dish, and well prepared, but nothing about it stood out. What did stand out, however, were (1) the setting, (2) the bread, and (3) the dessert. The refurbished hotel is beautiful and ornate (but includes some cheesy product placements) and the design of the restaurant itself aptly mixes sleek and modern with the traditional architecture. The room is also surprisingly light and it doesn't seem like there is a bad table in the place. The bread was also impressive, with three choices: an olive loaf, a traditional baguette, and (I think) a wheat baguette (which I did not try). Finally, dessert was exceptional, possibly the best I've had in the city this year (or longer). I had a strawberry and rhubarb panna cotta, which came with warm, soft, freshly-made biscotti and some sort of granitee. Everything worked so perfectly that, though not typically a dessert person, I would go back just to have it again. All in all it was a good experience, and I'd return, but maybe not on my own dime. Lunch - with no wine - was $190 pre-tip. So with a decent tip it was over $75 per head. For lunch. By way of comparison, a similar lunch at the Oval room last week cost about $50 per head, and included some exceptionally daring, memorable food.
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An "upside down" Vesper, which is a Vesper with the proportions of vodka and gin reversed: 1.50 oz vodka 0.50 oz gin (I use a lighter gin, like Ten) 0.25 oz Lillet Blanc wide swath of lemon peel, as garnish. It's oddly refreshing, for a drink that is basically pure alcohol.
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Here is a complete list of the schmos in DC who have the award: Best of Award of Excellence (2d Tier): Bistro Bis Charlie Palmer Steak CityZen Le Paradou Marcel's Proof The Capital Grille Vidalia Award of Excellence (3d Tier): 1789 Restaurant 701 Pennsylvania Ave. Acadiana Ardeo Restaurant BLT Steak BlackSalt Bobby Van's Steakhouse Brasserie Les Halles Cafe Atlantico Ceiba Clydes DC Coast Equinox Fogo de Chao Hook Restaurant Jaleo Legal Sea Foods Mie N Yu Morton's, The Steakhouse Oya Restaurant & Lounge Peacock Grand Cafe Poste Moderne Brasserie Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Seasons Smith & Wollensky Taberna Del Alabardero TenPenh The Bombay Club The Melting Pot The Oceanaire Seafood Room The Oval Room at Lafayette Square The Palm The Prime Rib The Willard Room. Zola Are these the best restaurants for wine in DC? Some yes, some no. But you aren't going to be drinking Sutter Home at any of them either. In fact, though I haven't been to all of these place, I would bet that all of them have wine lists -- and wines in stock -- that are significantly better than average (though, average is pretty bad). And, in case you were wondering, I have no idea why I'm defending WS, which I don't read. Perhaps it's because I have dedicated my life to defending the noble corporation against the greedy American consumer.
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My point, if you believe the response, is that the "sting" might just be a clever fraud: I was actually surprised to learn that WS went to as much trouble as they did:
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People should read the response before passing judgment: http://forums.winespectator.com/eve/forums...161/m/835102245
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The Post has obviously decided that the mission of it's wine column is to champion wines that are available at every mediocre grocery store. It is no more informative than the cards that hang from the shelves in these stores. It is, therefore, not surprising to discover that the column (or at least the columnists) is financed by the people who produce the wines that are "featured."
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Actually, it's a pretty interesting list, which presents both a sample of DC life and some interesting things for tourists to do beyond the museums. I can easily defend every one of these choices.
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To be in the same category as the Post's wine column, Sietsema would have to start reviewing Applebees and the like. Exclusively.
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I finally made it to Good Stuff today, and can report that it is, indeed, a truly fine, fast food-type burger. For me, there are two burger camps: (1) the McDonald's style thin burger, which is typically fried; and (2) the thick burger camp, which is frequently (and best) grilled. Good-stuff sells the thin burgers, and is seems, from my single visit, to be among the best in the area at providing that experience. The toppings are good quality, there is a nice selection of condiments, and the fries are a fairly good rendition of the brown, semi-crunchy Thrasher's style. So this place is not going to steal any of Ray's thunder (because, I would argue, they are not selling the same thing), but it's a nice addition to the city. If you like 5 guys, you should enjoy this place more.
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This is funnier (from the dcnightliferaw website): It sounds like they might be an excellent resource if you are having trouble deciding between Cafe Milano and Smith Point.
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I didn't know what FTW meant until I RTFM.
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Del Maguey will ship to DC (www.mezcal.com).
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If that's what you're into...
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Actually, I find the Post's wine advice quite useful. One of the picks this week, NV Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava, will come in very handy at the 7-11 when I'm trying to decide between it and the Andre Brut that's on sale.
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Congratulations, you won a car! Good luck shipping it back from Puerto freakin' Rico.
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I understand the analogy to the arthritic clam burrowing through the mantle: the drive was slow, and hard, and painful. But why was the clam masturbating? Were YOU masturbating? Just curious.
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For what it's worth, I have always thought the "J Paul's Ale" was the best product that Old Dominion ever made. A variation on their "Old Dominion Ale" to be sure, but the best one they made. And the few times I've been, they cooked my burger like I asked, too. So, in my book, there's no reason to trash the place. It is what it is.
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- Georgetown
- Georgetown Park Mall
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New locations? http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/fbh/624176301.html
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A friend started calling me "Spitzer" last night after I ordered a certain beer made by Magic Hat...
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Seriously. What the f**k is wrong with people?
