Keithstg

Congrats Edan! We will miss the easy boat access that the other place had, but look forward to checking the new place out. I won't be up until August, but the rest of the family will be out from early July and will be sure to stop in. Would love to see pictures of the new space!

I believe Dixie Liquors offers delivery. Also, not sure if they have kegs, but I am sure that if not, Joe Riley at Ace Beverage could point you in the right direction...

Eww. Perhaps read your signature re: snippy? Was going to write more re: parochialism but just doesn't seem worth it.

In the nine (!) years I've been reading/ posting here, this is probably the best post I've read. Thank you, Poivrot Farci.

Agreed x100.

Agreed! Probably more accurately stated that they expected either a more social crowd, or more scheduled downtime.

Joe "“ I had a gut reaction to your post, but before I responded I wanted to check with a couple friends who own businesses in Middleburg (retail, not restaurants) since they are more tied to the community than I am (I split time between the Middleburg area and NYC). Bottom line, regarding your comment that "I had expected that Salamander would be pulling people into Middleburg who typically might not come; while there most would explore and the whole town would benefit from the large, expensive resort" - my impression is that is not happening." - I believe your impression to be incorrect. My gut feeling was that Salamander has been a net benefit to the town, both from an infrastructure perspective (Salamander paid for a new water treatment facility, IIRC) and from a business perspective. This sentiment was echoed by my friends "“ although they did say that he Middleburg Film Festival didn't bring as much of a pop as expected as attendees were mostly watching films as opposed to shopping. While your three Friday nights over the course of a year is a small sample size by any measure, I think some of the perceived "deadness" comes from two things "“ the first being that the restaurant across from Red Fox (Julien's) is pretty awful. The second is that we tend to eat at French Hound, Ashby, Hunter's Head (on weekdays), and at a couple places in The Plains "“ as do our friends. If you are looking for local traffic, check those spots (and Common Grounds in the mornings). Salamander hasn't added much to the dining scene here "“ nearly everyone I know has one horror story or another about Harriman's. The real benefit to us locals is the spa, and of course bar. Ultimately, Salamander has provided some jobs to town, is a good neighbor (always up to donate to a charity auction, raffle, etc), and has provided a boost to the town's retail (as per business owners). I'd say that's a favorable economic impact to Middleburg "“ a couple slow nights at one restaurant notwithstanding. Whether Salamander is "good" for Middleburg or not, that's probably another question, and I am guessing each resident would have a different answer based on different criteria.

To Muriel Bowser and to the end of the ongoing criminal enterprise known as "One City". Later, Vince.

+1 to Lion's suggestion of Hunter's Head instead of Red Fox, but I was at Red Fox about a month ago and had fried chicken, which was very good.

Only works if you needed tonight, but Hunter's Head always has prime rib on special Sunday nights (with Yorkshire pudding).

skewing downtown, because I am in TriBeCa these days: The Dutch Peasant (especially if it's cold out) Charlie Bird

Agreed. Was hoping to find auction value or slightly lower, with free shipping, as I'm so rarely in DC now. Used to shop at Schneider's all the time, now its either online or Chambers Street in person.

Damn. I was waiting for the Rhones to show up. Guess I won't bother looking, then.

Me neither, but the current offering is just a selection of domestic bottles. Apparently more will be added each day, and old world wines over the weekend.

+6,000. Even though I'm a former Hill resident, this is dead on the mark.

My guess is that the answer is simple - per diem. The Feds could have been eating at the Embassy Suites (ew) and pocketing the per diem. Used to see that relatively frequently.

For the year? My bank balance wishes!

Easily the most expensive day of the year for me!

While not super-quiet, I believe that craftbar has private rooms, and the cuisine seems as if it would suit.

Full disclosure: I'm biased, as I live about 200 yards from the Ashby, and eat there often. Was there last Friday and thought that the food, while different than Tarver's, was every bit as good. That said, the Ashby Inn, no question (for me). Salamander still hasn't worked out the kinks at Harriman's, although I have heard good things about the spa, if that is the desired activity. The Bar there is also nice. The Goodstone food has improved, and their "new" bar is nice. I have only stayed in the manor house there, so don't know a ton about the other accomodations, and I'm pretty sure they don't have a spa. Although it's "over the mountain", I might consider L'Auberge Provencal as opposed to the Goodstone.

Joe: In DC, Plume has been an early and enthusiastic proponent of RDV. I believe that Michael has a handful of other VA reds on the list as well.

As someone who eats at Hunter's Head often (and has a house account there), I think that there is a vast difference in the experience on a weekday vs a week-end, particularly in Spring and Fall. On Spring/Fall weekends the restaurant is just mobbed from open - close, and I don't think that they are adept at handling the crowds. Maybe some of it has to do with the ordering system? That said, I always enjoy the veal chops when offered, and think that they and the other specials are usually excellent values.

With the exception of the Ritz on Park South in NY and the new Ritz Boston (and the old one, come to think of it), I stand by my statement. The Tysons ritz exemplifies what I find cheesy about the brand. Now that I moved out of DC, when I come back I'm either at the Capella, Jefferson or St. Regis (due to SPG). Since the Delicious mentioned Miami, I should note that we have had a great time at the Setai both with and without our kids - maybe something to consider for a future trip. Seems like finding a good kid-friendly hotel in Miami is kind of hard, without staying outside the action (FS or MO, or in Bal Harbour). Since I travel constantly (>120 nights ytd) I could write a dissertation on the differences between "luxury" hotel chains and properties in each city - but I think Flyertalk beat me to it.

I dunno, in my opinion most Ritz Carltons are unbearably cheesy and should be avoided at all costs. Salamander is a beautiful property, and is of far higher quality than any R-C in the DC metro area. That said, I have eaten at Harriman's on several occasions, and attended one event at Salamander since they opened (after all, I live in Paris now). I didn't write up my meals because honestly, they were awful. Not ready for prime time with regard to service or cuisine for either breakfast, dinner or the event. Not to say that things can not/ will not improve, but as you would say, some very real improvements must be made. Sadly, many of our local friends share the same opinion. Here's hoping things get ironed out in short order, hopefully prior to the film festival later this month.

Me too. Welcome Nazim! This question may be obvious, but I'll ask anyway - Ben's on U street is an iconic location - as Ben's moves to VA and on to H street, are there elements of the original location that you hope to replicate in the new locations?