wdcbrucefan

My one time there was during the fall Restaurant Week '06. We forgot it was RW & happened in on a Saturday night for early dinner around 7ish. While they were nearly all booked, the host was friendly and accomodating, getting us seated nonetheless. While the seat was next to host stand, we had an enjoyable meal and were very pleased to have been treated well despite our lack of reservation.

The Washington Post ran this article a couple years ago, noting that H&D got an honorable mention from Southern Living for best fried chicken in the US. Top 14 in the country ain't too bad, especially considering most people know H&D for its fried fish.

My most recent Firefly visit was a huge disappointment. In late November, I was in for lunch during the week. Service was not at all attentive or responsive (slow to attend to empty drinks, hard to catch waiter's attention). And my croque monsieur was really really greasy. And, it really was just a fried ham & cheese, rather than the gruyere smothered goodness that I had high hopes for. Basket of bread was probably a day old. Ugh. Really bummed me out, because I've had good to very good meals there in the past, and I want to go back.... but it'll be a while. Rating for this visit: 1/2 of 5 stars.....

I've not been into Schneiders on Cap Hill since my Urbana visit, but will check there soon. My brief online search showed it for $10-14 per bottle for the '04, with the 2003 slightly cheaper than the '04s. By the way, Urbana is apparently running the Restaurant Week special thru the end of March. That's some "week"!

Its a good burger. Different from 5 Guys. 5 Guys is still my favorite. Goat's buns are not that creamy soft goodness you get at 5G. More your standard picnic bun fare. The burgers are not greasy generally. They do offer fries now. And they're generally consistent and crunchy with a few bad apples per order. Fletch, lunchtime bartender, is friendly and acts as traffic cop when Gtown Law students pour in & the line runs half-way thru the restaurant. Most days, you can sit at the bar, order a beer & burger ("double cheese with fries) and he'll just bring it over. Avoid the lines. Apparently they're jammed for Bears games.

Am a St. Ex frequenter. Friday night, arrived at 8:30 and it was 90 minute wait to sit upstairs. Gate 54 downstairs wasn't crazy crowded, and we got drinks to wait (what's the beer that sounds like "The Chronic"? Its like "de Kronit" or something... good stuff, plenty of wheat). Scored a table (thanks to the 2 guys who shared the space) and ordered food from bartender. Same menu downstairs as up. And with new smoke free, the downstairs air is very clear these days. (Used to be non- upstairs, with smoking down only.) My mozzarella and proscuito sandwich was quite good and came with their standard green salad on the side. My partner's fries were nicely made as usual and her burger was just right. This place is doing good things on 14th St. Certainly not hurting for business, which is a tribute to the food, prices, friendly staff, good service, fun atmosphere (unpretentious but trendy enough), and prime location.

Went to Urbana for the first time for Restaurant Week with 2 friends Tuesday night. Got one of 2 available seats at the bar at 7:25pm and enjoyed a vodka (Grey Goose) tonic. Hostess's reception was nothing to write home about, but all in all, passable front service. Only 1 of the 3 of us got RW special. I like it when the places offer their whole menu (with applicable up-charges noted) during Restaurant Week, but Urbana only had 2 apps, 2 entrees, and one dessert offered. I took a pass, but my companion had the duck meatballs on spaghetti. The meatballs were a bit dry, but large and filling (3 on a small bowl of pasta with a bit of sauce). My swirled squash soup was artistically presented. $7, very reasonable price. Salt & pepper grinder on the table... nice touch. For entree, I had the gorgonzola pizza with greens on top. Pizzas are large enough to split 2-3 ways for normal appetite. Big blue cheese fan, and the pizza was quite good, if difficult to keep on the rectangular wood board when cutting (with large steak knife). For dessert we shared the creme brule (RW dessert) plus the profiteroles (vanilla, choc, & black cherry iced cream inside). The profiteroles had chocolate sauce under them, but we collectively agreed it tasted a bit like Hersheys. Jekel Cab '04 was excellent! Really made the meal. The waitress suggested it to accompany my gorgonzola pizza, and she was right on! I'm now on the hunt for this wine. Glass was $8. Bottom line: Will definately go back again. Food was well priced, bar was easy to get a seat, despite RW & time of my arrival, service was smooth. For the price in the Dupont area, meals were quite good. Rating: 2 stars of 5...