plunk

I have limited Pho experience, but Pho Hot is my favorite in the area so far. The clear broth is full of flavor without being too salty (a complaint I have about some other Pho places). The tendon has a great beefy flavor and a pleasant mouthfeel. The "add-ons" are clean and fresh, and, if I'm not mistaken, include saw tooth. The pho here was kind of a tipping point for me, as I never had real hankerin's for the stuff before. Now, I feel like I have to have a bowl every couple of weeks or so.

So where should we go after the game on Saturday night for a few beers and a burger or two? We're probably looking to avoid the immediate surroundings of the park, and would prefer a "t-shirt and jeans" type of place that is not necessarily a (total) dive. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Speaking of bar food, Let us again praise the Lickety Split Lunch!

Two courses from the special menu, for $13.50. The courses include specific glasses of wine and two desserts, but also the soup, salad, and sandwich of the day, any of which, ordered solo, comes to more than $13.50, along with several other menu items, as long as you order in the bar.

I've had the hot ham and cheese sandwich twice now, and it doesn't get any better than that!

About the Lickety Split: can I assume that it is pretty difficult to get two seats between 12p.m. and 1p.m.? Am I better going before noon or after 1:30? I've never been, and don't know what the Old Town weekday lunch crowd is like.

Thanks.

Perhaps this review should be interpreted more as a cool places to visit list rather than best bar.

I think that is a good way of looking at it.

I often bemoan the lack of decent bars in D.C., but it seems that they didn't really even try here. No PX? No Dan's Cafe?

Saturday was a breakfast sandwich at Cold Comfort. Shortly after, we tried to go to Hot Doug's, but seeing the 50-people ahead of us in line, headed to Kuma's Corner for some metal, a burger, and a couple beers. I had a Goblin Cock (10oz of beef, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, ¼lb. Vienna Hot Dog, Tomatoes, Onion, Neon Green Relish, Sport Peppers, Pickles, Celery Salt, Mustard). Needless to say, breakfast was unnecessary. I ate the whole burger, but just barely, and didn't even touch the fries. Food coma followed. We eventually rallied and headed downtown, walked around to see some stuff, then took the elevator up to the top of the Hancock Tower for a cocktail. Done there, we hiked back towards Wicker Park, stopping at Angels and Mariachis, a cool little spot that had just opened. First time I've had a michelada that I unreservedly loved. Dinner at Podhalanka, a tiny little divey polish restaurant. The food was decent, but the atmosphere was incredible: it felt like the lady's living room had just been expanded to fit a few more tables. Total of two employees that we could see (cook, waitress). No liquor license. Wine tasting party at a friend's place after dinner, then headed back. We walked over 7 miles this day.

Holy smoke. The burgers at that Kuma's Corner place combine my two greatest non-wife loves: food and metal. Neurosis? Mastodon? High on Fire? Awesome.

On Saturday, an exploration of fennel dinner with friends

cocktails: fennel julep OR bloody Mary with fennel infused gin

apps: braised fennel and leek spread on fresh baguette

soup: ricotta, fennel and leek ravioli in fennel broth garnished with micro-fennel

main: pan seared pork loin over caramelized onion and fennel with fennel cream sauce

side: fennel, asparagus and blue cheese gratin

dessert: caramelized fennel and apple compote tart

Thanks to all for great food, drinks and conversation! Everything was amazing, and surprisingly not "fennel overload". Though I did call my cat Fennel rather than Flannel more than once after dinner.

Would you mind sharing how you made your fennel julep? It sounds interesting.

That you are right about, but it never mattered because if you are looking for Buffalo chicken in Harrisonburg, the Thumbs & Toes (much better than they sound) are the way to go. Spicy and plentiful, offered for a measly $10/pound, these are surprisingly good for college-bar food.

Ah, yes: thumbs & toes. From the Biltmore, no? That was the "nice" place that you'd take your parents. Then they realized that they could make so much more money selling booze to the college kids and it turned into a dump. But a good dump.

"In 1978, the pair borrowed $5,000 and opened the Inn at Little Washington restaurant in a converted garage. (The first guest rooms were added in 1984.) On the menu: trout amandine, frog legs Nicoise, and a roast chicken with tarragon and green beans priced at $4.95. "The food was no different than what it is now," O'Connell says."

<Nodding head.>

Just kidding.

Click.

Hmm. Good article, but it certainly doesn't make me want to hang out with O'Connell any time soon.

I would have suggested JM's for wings and dime drafts, but I believe its since been converted into a Buffalo Wild Wings. *sigh*

Hmm. I have the opposite problem: I struggle getting my brines to add any flavor to poultry, but have had great success with marinades.

Could it be your choice of ingredients? I realize that soy sauce is pretty full-flavored, but lemon juice and olive oil might be a bit delicate for beef. I use soy quite a bit, but also use worcestershire, balsamic vinegar, sriracha, honey, smashed garlic, onions, etc. I use olive oil as well, but never just by itself.

Also, are you really submerging the meat in the marinade? Placing the beef in a marinade "puddle" probably won't work. I like to marinade in a ziploc bag.

I think Hank's does 'em, but I cannot comment on authenticity.

I've got a bunch of Baileys left over from a St. Pat's get together. I've done my share of car bombs, but what is another way to enjoy this not-so-great liqueur?

There is "Great Cocktails" on the Fine Living Network, but the host is even more annoying than the Thirsty Traveler. Its best to record it if possible, so that way you can, for instance, skip the segment on how to make a Gin and tonic but watch the interview with Gary Regan.

I think there is also a show called "Get Drunk in China" on Fine Living or the Travel Network.

I recently watched a program called "Moonshine" on he History Channel.

Though I have not read it, I heard that Ruhlman's book has a great section on how to do bacon.

While checking out Cheesetique's new shop, I saw that "Let's Meat on the Avenue" has hung it's sign. A note in the window stated that they are opening soon. I know it's not Chef Armstrongs place, perhaps it's Neighborhood Restaurant Group. Does anyone have the 411 on this place?

How do you know it is not Chef Armstrong's? Just askin'.

This is a development that is long overdue:

Indeed. And it only took 10 years and 3 government agencies to make it happen!

My wife and I will be in New Haven for a weekend in the near future. We'd love to hit at least one of the above-mentioned pizza joints. Is it nearly impossible to get a table on a Friday or Saturday night at Sally's or Pepe's? Are there any other dining options in case we get our fill of pizza? We'd be willing to drive a bit, I suppose.

It's truly one of the places I miss (as well as the Fan itself).

I miss Sobol's cheeseburgers and their 8 ounce drafts. And The Sidewalk's wings.

Anyone been to the Strawberry Street Cafe? Looks cute but is it worth the trip for a family brunch?

My sister, bro-in-law & the kids are meeting me & the parents halfway for my dad's birthday brunch next Sunday. We need a place that's yummy, affordable & kid friendly (read: 3 & 1 year old)...oh, and reservations would be nice!

I've been to Strawberry Street a few times, but not recently. Nothing crazy or mind-blowing here (soups, salads, sandwiches, omeletes), but I'd say it would be pretty good for what you are looking for (though I haven't lived in Richmond in years, and when I did, I wasn't so much into food). They are known for their "bathtub" salad bar. Sunday brunch is prime time for Strawberry Street, so I'd definitely try to get reservations.

How much of a trip are we talking here?

[Clear Creek Distillery is making some really excellent eau-de-vie, and the tour is informative and fun.

Did you have their Douglas Fir eau-de-vie? I thought it was interesting, but not anything that I'd want to drink regularly.

Is this a good place to go for the uninitiated? My Korean dining experience is limited to one visit to Hee Been and I'd like to branch out a bit.

Once in awhile I'll throw out a term like "bowling alley fries," but in this case, a large order ($1.79) truly WAS that bad. Wedges of potato, deep, deep, deep fried, and sitting out under a heat lamp - the interior had the consistency of mashed potatoes.

As a college student, I used to LOVE the fries at the Valley Lanes in Harrisonburg, VA. So crunchy and peppery. I guess not all bowling alley fries are alike.

I'll be staying in the Penns Landing area for a few days next week. Any nearby places that are good for bar and/or solo dining? Are Monk's or Standard Tap within walking distance? Thanks.

Great - thanks. I bought the white - for corpse revivers and vespers.

What is the bar like at BDT? We'll be in the area and may want to meet some friends for drinks here. Would Circle Bistro be better?