Keithstg

Don, based on your description, I think the sausages are from Olli. Does this label look familiar?

Hey all, Hope I am posting this in the right place. [You are, and congratulations! DR]

Just wanted to drop a line and let you know I am in Maine, about 5 miles from the heart of Bar Harbor.  We have opened a little restaurant - Sweet Pea's Cafe - in a beautiful setting, on a farm. Osprey have been nesting on the property.  We have a pig named Kevin Bacon that we will probably not eat.  Goat, chickens, guinea hen, ...  We have our own oyster farm, we are calling them Western Bay Oysters, they may be available in DC area, I'm not sure, but they are quite good.  Here's our Yelp! review.

So.. Yeah, Alive and well.  Hope some of you can come to MDI this summer, the government shutdown put a hurt on a lot of people last year and they/we could use your tourism $$.

Much love!  Hope to see you this summer!

P.S.

I have some pictures I can try to post if there is interest and I can find a couple minutes.  Opening a restaurant is a lot of work!

Peace!

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...

I'll go further: I freaking HATE Georgetown, whether on foot or public transit. Whatever charm it had--or may still have--has long since been mitigated by the noxiousness of the human environment of entitled students, tourists, and need-to-be-seens who have no concept of two-way sidewalk traffic, politeness and civility, and shops that mirror the worst excesses of vulgar American consumerism. While I don't question Joe's paean to Fiola Mare and the glory of the waterfront, Georgetown triggers so much of my vitiriol that I do whatever I can to avoid it. And yes, I know many will find that petty, overwrought, too far-reaching, or absurd, and yes, I do know there are many lovely people and fine businesses there. But, irrational or not, it is a really hard area for some people to spend time in, period.

Really? You honestly think that other people are that parochial? Or just compared to you? If you have to ask that question, maybe you're the one who needs to get out more and meet the real people who live in these "new" neighborhoods.

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.

Although I understand the newsworthiness of Rocks post, the thread should have been closed after that. Unsubstantiated speculation about a restaurant (or any businesses) demise can have real effects.

Agreed x100.

This is kind of funny - they hosted a film festival and *surprise* people watched films.

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

There aren't, at least not that I saw.

One thing that's important for everyone to realize: there is a very well-established auction market for high-end wines, certainly all the top Rhones. There would be nothing preventing Schneider's from sending these to auction - thus, it is logical to conclude that they're going to be trying to get "auction value or higher" by selling them. High-end wine is very much like currency these days: it has a fairly precise world-wide value at any given point, and any fluctuation from that value - higher or lower - should be a red flag. This is why I bristle at restaurant wine prices ("This wine is worth "X" - and you're charging 2 times X? No!" It works for the low-end, obscure stuff, but not the high-end, well-known stuff (at least not with me)).

Schneider's knows what they're doing, and I cannot imagine any "steals" showing up on the list.

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.

Went through the Rhones that were just posted. Like Joe H posted about the WA wines, while there are some nice bottles, there are no real deals worth going out of your way for.

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

Schneider's of Capitol Hill has purchased Citronelle's 4,000-bottle wine cellar, and has it up for sale (by the bottle):

Citronelle Wine Cellar for sale at Schneider's of Capitol Hill

A cursory (3-4 minute) scan found nothing that made me want to pull the trigger, but that doesn't mean there aren't bargains.

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.

The parking situation at Rose's is not going to get better so people can stop dreaming about that. Don't forget that Rose's, and all of Barracks Row, is smack dab in the middle of a residential area. Parking on the weekends is already a nightmare for residents, especially throughout the summer when the Marines put on their parade. The metro is three blocks away; take advantage of it.

Rose's is committed to the neighborhood. Chef lives nearby and they appreciate the support of locals. Assuming the level of success continues, they don't need to worry about people coming from the burbs to fill their seats.

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

Back in 2003, I stayed at the Ritz in Buckhead for work. We were able to take advantage of the federal government rate ($109 per night) even though I was a consultant. Some fun things about that Ritz.

The Feds that we worked with stayed across the street at the Embassy Suites. It was the same price as the Ritz, so I never understood it. I asked one day why they stayed there and one of them told me that they have away free food at happy hour. He was psyched that it was nacho night. People never cease to amaze me.

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!

If anyone really wants to give up their day and get great deals on wine, check out Berserker Day over on Wineberserkers.com.  A few of us here are members over there, and January 27th usually ends up being our most expensive day of the year.  Every 15 minutes a new deal is posted, and they mostly come direct from the winery or importer.

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.

I've been to Hunter's Head five or six times, and it never quite lives up to its promise.  Never anything bad, just not quite as good as it sounds or looks, so I had almost crossed it off my mental list.  Then yesterday a friend picked it as a meet-up place, so there we were.  He liked his pot roast but didn't rave about it.  Mr P liked his burger but didn't rave about it.  But I had the pork tenderloin, and wow! was it ever good.  Perfectly pink and juicy inside, the cider glaze adding just a touch of appley sweetness; it was perfectly balanced by tangy, long-cooked greens and a cornbread dressing*.

The coconut rice pudding was dense and, I dunno, not quite unpleasant, but not right, either.  But our friend had the orange chocolate sorbet and insisted we try it.  That was one of the best sorbets I've ever had.  The chocolate was deep, dark and a little bitter, the orange notes pronounced but not overwhelming, the texture perfectly smooth.  Fantastic.

If you like old buildings and pub-type ambiance, you can't beat Hunter's Head.  The outdoor patio area is charming when the weather's fine.  It's a good choice for hanging out with friends who aren't as food-oriented as we are.  But the food?  Sometimes great, more often acceptable-to-good.

I don't mean to be damning it with faint praise.  I really like the place overall; I just wish they'd bring the food up a notch or two.

*or stuffing, I forget what they called it; somehow "dressing" seems right in this context

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.

I've never heard someone call a Ritz-Carlton cheesy before! But there *is* a somewhat formulaic hunting-horn, English, clubby atmosphere to many of them; that said, I got one in Phoenix for $99 once and had no regrets. Ritz-Carltons seem somewhere in between Hyatt and Four Seasons.

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.

Salamander the resort may be a $150-200 million dollar or more investment which could take Middleburg and the western "Virginia wine country" onto the national stage. It is a BIG deal that is worth a number of those who read this experiencing. We would use it as a base for a several day trip to an area that I honestly believe is an "American Tuscany," an East Coast competitor to Napa Valley.

I'm serious. There is excellent wine at RDV, Delaplane, Linden and Glen Manor. Middleburg is a story book beautiful town with a great deal of character. From the Ashby Inn to the Salamander resort this is now on the national stage. It is well worth the investment.

In my opinion Salamander is a Ritz Carlton quality resort.

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.