kdhayes

Because the Cafe area is now a LOT bigger than it was before. Apparently in the past it didn't put the "formal" kitchen line out to be able to serve a few seats from the "formal" menu, but now there are too many seats in the Cafe to continue to do that.

I will repeat....there are two separate lines in the new kitchen one for the LOT bigger cafe and one for the SAME size back room. Not trying to pick a fight here but I'm being denied "MY" Palena experience and that makes me crazy.

Well, fuck. There goes my favorite restaurant.

Ditto,

I'm the dining solo person who ordered from the back room or "tasting menu" (with the exception of trying the burger and the chicken once each). So what am I supposed to do now? No consomme, which was my 1st course by default "own personal religion in a bowl" (love that quote). I don't want to sit in the back room solo, too formal. Why take up the space when there's a seat at the bar?

The cafe is fine if that's what you want, but it's not what I want. I want to dine and I want to dine while not feeling uncomfortable or formal.

Sorry Don, but I don't see how being able to order from the "tasting menu" from the "old" bar sets the kitchen back, there are two "lines" in the kitchen so the cafe and tasting plates are being prepared in separate parts of the kitchen.

Double fuck!

There's a sign-in. I have a (free!) Kimpton account because of work travel, but anyone can grab it. In the restaurant I still have yet to determine, but in the bar, it's fast as sin -- and way more reliable than many other places tried.

If you go to the Kimpton website and become a Kimpton In Touch member (free) you will be able to connect (for free) at any Kimpton property after an initial sign in.

I picked up some takeout from here tonight for the first time. The curry laksa was decent and I'd get it again. The kung pao chicken, however, was extremely disappointing. It wasn't inedible or anything, but it reminded me so much of something I might have put together back in my grad school days -- when I'd throw sliced chicken and vegetables in a frying pan and add some store-bought bottled sauce. Banana Leaves will get one more chance to make it into my regular rotation.

Sorry Doc, wish I had posted earlier to warn you, the Kung Pao is definitely a miss here. Try the Drunken Noodles (I go back again and again) or Lemongrass Chicken, I've tried other dishes (allergic to shrimp so can't help there) but can't recall this second. Definitely give them another chance, lots to like/love just no the Kung Pao (shame).

I stopped into Pho An in White Oak yesterday to get a carryout order of Pho for my mom (Large #19, $7.75), and what I saw evoked a memory from my childhood.

In school, a new student just showed up one day in the middle of the school year, and he sat right in back of me. He was Asian, and very "different looking" than the few other Asians we had in the class. He wasn't put together as well as the other students in terms of clothing, having a haircut, etc., and he was also very quiet because he didn't speak any English.

At some point, we took a test, and needed a sharp #2 pencil. He didn't have one, so I offered him one of mine. Later that day, he handed me my pencil back, and said, with a titanic amount of struggle, "What-ta Yoo Name?" He was trying to make his first friend.

I didn't know anything at all about the "Vietnamese Boat People" or refugees, and *I* was the one who got tongue-tied. "Don," I answered, then uncomfortably turned back around, not really knowing what else to say. His name was Hanh, and I don't remember what became of him after that year.

Yesterday, one of the gentlemen sitting at the owner's table at Pho An was wearing a T-shirt with an American Flag on it. At the register, Pho An's business cards had an American flag on them. These two things suddenly made me remember it was the actual 4th of July, so I picked up the business card in front of the display. Someone had written on it with a blue ink pen: "We Love America." It was for all the customers to see. I replaced it, and took one that was behind it.

I then thought to myself how fitting it was to be here on July 4th, but also became somewhat sad. If Pho An was displaying all of this patriotism because they WANTED to, then that's great! But if they were doing it because they thought they NEEDED to, well, then we all still have some work to do. And I owe it to Mr. Hạnh never to forget that.

Cheers,

Rocks

Nice post Don, just one of the reasons I find you fascinating.

Palena. Hubby need not wear coat and tie to gain entrance to back room, cozy room choice of 2, 3 or 4 courses and dessert at reasonable price and wine list that includes a more than decent selection of half bottles (in case you'd like to do white & red). Easily the most consistently prepared food in this area, go back get something you had a while ago (sometimes difficult b/c the menu changes often, a plus) it's just as good as you remembered. Call make the reservation and don't look back.

I'm happy to hear these recent reports about Eola - since I've been, they lost a key sous chef to Tallula, and I've been wondering...

I'm afraid Scott Stone has gone as well.

Restaurant Associates is NOT a non-profit organization, they are contracted by the Kennedy Center to provide all standing food outlets within the KC (Roof Terrace, KC Cafe, Employee Cafeteria, Intermission Bars and most catered functions). RA was bought by Compass Group a few years back and has thus begun the downward spiral into mediocrity and buying in such a way to ensure "paybacks" in lieu of quality product.

There are many other reasons Roof Terrace stays in a stranglehold but that's fodder for another day.

I must agree, had the tasting menu the first week they opened and throughly enjoyed. Full disclosure, I know Scott (GM) and Dan (server) personally, both true professionals. The kitchen has everything needed to do great things, focus, passion and willingness to listen to constructive criticism. If this is the starting point......WOW. The first floor filled while we were there, not sure about upstairs. Definitely worth a visit, and since I've not seen/heard any PR (other than here of course) I'm sure all involved in the project would welcome the business. Hmmm will take my own advice and make an appearance later this week.

Prince's Hot Chicken Shack may not be a literal shack, but somehow they've perfectly captured the shack experience and brought it indoors to a nondescript strip mall in a weary neighborhood on the north side of Nashville.

I'm glad to see the "shack" is still around, I remember a ggod friend and I eating (a hotter version) with tears streaming down our face and prespiration beading on our brows some @#$@! years ago.