Keithstg

1 hour ago, dcs said:

Although it closed in the middle of 2020, the Post Pub appears to have reopened.

Indeed it has. Was open when I last walked by - a few weeks ago. Here's hoping business rebounds, though I doubt the Midtown Center restaurant openings will drive ancillary drink traffic.

8 hours ago, yeah said:

Seem to still kinda be in soft open mode.  Let's say I needed a table for two this Saturday, any tips on getting a reservation? 

Not sure, but maybe either call directly, stop in one day this week, or message Roberto via his website?

Interesting. When did Roberto leave Al Dente?

On 1/22/2022 at 3:41 AM, DonRocks said:

(Djokovic cares very much what people think about him).

Now, in 20 years, THREE people have demolished Sampras' record by almost 50% each! What are the odds of that happening again?

Don't think short; think long. There will probably be a satisfying answer within these three players in the next ten years, but it isn't going to mean much in the long term.

These are heady times to be a tennis fan, so we might as well enjoy it. All of it. I sure do; there's no reason not to.

Djokovic's concern about his image is what makes all of this so interesting. He truly cares, but can't cross over.

I won't say never to someone coming along and demolishing the big three records, but having three people come along at the same time with the skill, desire and long-term health (relatively speaking) to equal or surpass 20 grand slam titles will be a tall order.

Definitely a great time to be a tennis fan.

Received this email on Friday - price stays the same, so price increase. Haven't been to this new iteration, and don't find the concept interesting, but in case anyone was wondering...

“Friends,

We’ve officially entered a new year. Before sharing a brief announcement, we want to express our wish that you and your loved ones are healthy, happy and safe.

While there are many reasons to be hopeful, the uncertainty facing the hospitality industry still remains. The cost of operating a restaurant in Manhattan has never been higher. As ever, our priority is to find ways to support our team; the individuals whose heart, dedication, and significance to this restaurant cannot be overstated.

That is why, beginning Thursday, February 3, Eleven Madison Park will no longer be a service-included restaurant. As of that evening, guests will have the option to add a gratuity for their experience.

This decision is the result of careful consideration. Like many of our peers, we originally embraced this model in an effort to ease the historic, often glaring financial stress between those that work in the kitchen and those in the dining room, while also removing the transaction from the guest experience. After years of using this system, we learned that it does not positively provide for anyone in this new normal.

As times change, so must we. This adjustment will allow us to pay our dining room team more competitively, while also allowing us to increase the wages for all of those in our kitchen. If you are looking to learn more, please email us.

Optimistic as we are, shifts like these come with an adjustment period.

When everyone is supported, everyone succeeds.

We look forward to welcoming you to Eleven Madison Park in 2022”

36 minutes ago, Tweaked said:

Apparently there is a small but vocal Serbian ex-pat community in Melbourne who show up for all his matches.  He would have had some support.  

Of course, but the prospect of a tennis player, let alone the best in the world, being booed has been unthinkable over the last twenty odd years. 

On 1/14/2022 at 9:14 PM, Tweaked said:

If he hadn't posted on social media that he had received a medical exemption, would anyone have noticed?  Perhaps questions would have eventually been asked since he has been outspoken about getting vaccinated.  

But it seems to me the bravado of that IG post is what led to the double fault (and yes I had to 😁)

Agreed. Also peak Novak “I’m uncomfortable that all the attention has been focused on me” - while causing said attention. Would have been interesting to see the crowds reaction. 

On 9/11/2021 at 12:18 AM, DonRocks said:

For the record, I’m a *huge* fan of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic - pretty much equally.

This still the case? Novak is, and has been, a bad guy. ETA: not specifically talking about his personal decision re: vaccination, but rather his actions after being infected for the second time, and near total disregard for Australian policy....combined with all the other nonsense over the past 24 months.

Following up on La Bise, Tyler Stout has made the jump from DC to Middleburg (as has 1/2 of DC, seemingly) and is now the Executive Chef at the Goodstone Inn.

Headed to Caruso's Grocery for dinner on NYE. While Caruso's is new, we figured the homage to classic red sauce Italian American food was enough to qualify for the "throwback" theme - especially since substantively all the red sauce spots in DC (Famous Luigi's, AV) are gone. Caruso's was running a four course set menu with several choices per course. Looking at the "regular" menu, the NYE set menu provided a solid cross section of the menu overall.

We'd been to the Roost before, though not to Caruso's. While most of the entrances to the Roost are on Pennsylvania, Caruso's entrance is on 14th street. The restaurant's smaller than I imagined, with a bar off to the right of the entryway, delineated with different tile and a darker overall theme than the rest of the restaurant. Continuing a weekend theme, the restaurant was full. Great to see!

We began with an order of garlic bread along with a first round of drinks. The garlic bread was fine - though the very reasonable drink prices and thoughtful liquor choices really stuck out to me. A G&T and house spritz later, we selected our courses. All four of us began with an appetizer of polpette, four smallish meatballs in a bright tomato sauce. Meatballs at second tier red sauce joints can be leaden, these were pretty light, and deftly seasoned. Would certainly order them again. Pasta followed, and we had penne a la vodka (x2), bucatini in a spicy ragu, and shrimp scampi. My son LOVED the shrimp scampi, which looked to be a pretty traditional version though I couldn't get anywhere near it. My wife was kind enough to share the spicy Neapolitan ragu, which was done with housemade bucatini - the ragu was nicely spiced and again had a lightness that showcased the kitchen's skill. The penne a la vodka was very good as well, tough as a vodka sauce fan and ardent tinkerer I prefer my own version. I'd still order it again, though.

Our mains were three orders of Chicken Parm and one order of filet medallions. The chicken parm was excellent - my personal preference for a chicken parm is light/ bright sauce, consistent mozzarella coating, on chicken that's been pan fried - some subtle browning of the cheese/ breading at corners optional, though preferred. I've also added some lemon zest to chicken cutlets as well. Didn't detect any lemon zest, but pleased to report that the parm hit all of the other criteria head on. Certainly the best I have had recently.

Dessert was a sampler including tiramisu, cheesecake, and cannoli filled with nutella mascarpone. I'm not much of a dessert eater, but did enjoy the tiramisu. The nutella cannoli filling was a bit dense for my taste. We had a bottle of chianti riserva which went well with the meal and was very fairly priced, like the liquor. We'd gladly return - likely with my son's hockey team the next time they play at Fort Dupont.

Service was excellent, though understaffed (who isn't these days). Each staff member we interacted with was very pleasant and helpful, and handled the stress of NYE with aplomb. Chef Adler stopped by briefly to say hello and seemed to have a very good handle on both the pacing of dishes and staffing needs. I should note that there was a bit of a "Karen" incident while we were in the restaurant that the staff also handled very professionally. Can totally understand why Caruso's receives such good press!

Continuing our "Throwback" theme for a weekend in DC we hit the OEG for lunch on the 31st. The place was packed!

My wife and I split the still excellent Orca platter and the Sturgeon - both were excellent, though to be expected. Unfortunately we didn't make the happy hour special. Son enjoyed the Lamb Stew, though we were joking it was the only one ordered that day! Daughter enjoyed the Salmon salad. All in all, a pleasant lunch after walking the mall. Service was friendly and efficient as usual. Not expecting anything groundbreaking from OEG, just a solid, quick lunch, which was delivered. Of note - still no muscadet on the list.

Was reading back through these reviews (lol at expecting Prime Rib with "char"), and nearly didn't follow through on booking the Prime Rib for dinner on 12/30. We had planned to be out of town, but pivoted to a weekend in DC. Kids selected the weekend theme "throwbacks" out of several provided. The Prime Rib seemed like the perfect start.

Our reservation was on the early side (6:30) and we were pleasantly surprised to find the dining room around 3/4 full. The room remained so throughout the evening, so most tables turned once which was nice to see. Service was fantastic - several waiters noticed that my daughter was trying to re-construct how the napkins had been folded on the table, and graciously stopped by to teach her, providing an extra napkin to practice with. Another employee ( I believe the Maître'd, but can't be sure) stopped by to show off a few magic tricks. While we and the other patrons were dressed formally, these touches made for a warm atmosphere, as did the piano player.

Starters were Lobster Bisque, Crab Cake, Caesar salad, and crab cocktail. All were classically prepared and all were delicious. Mains were the Signature Prime Rib (x2), Filet, and lobster mac and cheese. The Prime Ribs were cooked to a perfect medium rare, and while presented more traditionally than THE GRILL, rivaled the flavor. Sides included the addictive potato skins, serviceable green beans, and solid renditions of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes, though my son ate all of the latter.

Other than the wine list, not a thing to quibble about. I hadn't been to the Prime Rib in probably 12 years, but we truly enjoyed our dinner. While we always feel the pull of the new restaurant when venturing back "home", I have a feeling that my kids will be requesting The Prime Rib again sooner rather than later.

51 minutes ago, Ericandblueboy said:

I’ve stayed at Boar’s Head.  Ate at The Ivy Inn.  Boar’s Head is a solid 3 star.  The Ivy is very good.  This was summer 2020.

I've also stayed at Boar's Head. Don, you might like it for the tennis aspect, but nothing special. I've stayed recently at the Clifton Inn (not Charlottesville, but close enough) and enjoyed it. We have stayed at Keswick Hall in the past, and think they are back open after a couple years' worth of renovations. We've also enjoyed the Quirk Hotel, though a bit further afield than the walking mall. Friends of mine have spoken highly of the Townsman, especially for the location. I've also had friends use Stay Charlottesville and rent properties from large homes to studio apartments...

Headed to La Bise last night with a lobbyist friend who was passing through town. The layout of the restaurant is largely the same as the Oval Room was, though the darker paint color makes the room feel smaller. Another side note - the restaurant was PACKED, as were the Round Robin and Off the Record, which we passed through on the way to La Bise. Good sign that the DC restaurant scene is coming back.

My assessment is the same as DPop's. Solid food, excellent service. We split gougeres, tuna crudo, and poached lobster to start. All were good + - the crudo was extremely fresh, though I didn't get much of the coconut or mango in the dish, which was advertised as BigEye Tuna Crudo, coconut, honey ataulfo mango, Rendezvous Farm radish, sesame. The butter poached lobster was then precisely the opposite, with the parsnip, orange, and radicchio providing notable contrast to the dish, which I would gladly order again.

Mains were the branzino and steak frites. I didn't have any of the branzino, but my friend complimented it. The steak frites came out with the steak a perfect medium rare and the frites consisting of three very thick steak fries - kind of reminiscent of the potato "puffs" that were on the Palena fry plate way back in the day. The béarnaise was fine, and frankly I don't remember what vegetable was served alongside. Solidly executed all around.

Service was excellent, but the wine list was...not. The current list isn't available online, and I understand why. Perfunctory, recent vintage wines are available, and I noticed RdV on the list called out as simply "Middleburg Cabernet". Perhaps true if the bottling was Lost Mountain, and yes, part of the Middleburg AVA, but seriously? For a restaurant that employs a sommelier? There was a second wine on the list called out as "Middleburg Merlot", but the producer was unfamiliar to me. While I can't ding any new restaurant for a recent vintage list given the market and challenges with opening, the lack of attention to detail strikes me as odd given the rest of the KRG portfolio. Not sure if a Michelin star is a goal here but if so, the list needs a lot of work.

On 6/16/2018 at 3:07 PM, Keithstg said:

I give it 12 months, tops. Which is kind of unfortunate as my meals at Nakazawa in NY have been superlative- far, far exceeding any omakase I have had in DC.

Well, I was wrong. Perhaps I'll head in soon after the Waldorf takes over, though won't expect the same quality as the NY outpost.

16 hours ago, Bart said:

Has anyone been here in the last four years?  Have feelings changed or stayed the same?
 

My sushi loving daughter wants to go here for her birthday and I’m not sure if I should just say yes, or try to steer her to a better, and more local place. 

I find sushi in DC  underwhelming in general, and in specific relative to any other "major" US city. That said, were my daughter to request Nobu for her birthday, I'd go.

Haven't been to the DC location, but the Miami outpost was fine in September, though I didn't choose the restaurant.

Headed to Ruthie's All Day yesterday for lunch after my son's high school tour. He was famished after the tour/ interview and our meal mostly didn't disappoint.

The space is light and airy, as seen in the photos upthread. They had an excellent crowd both inside and out, and we were pleased to be seated ahead of our scheduled reservation time.

Tuna Tartare was a nice, familiar rendition of the dish (you know, avocado, etc.). The housemade chips were a hit, though I preferred using my fork for the tartare and eating the chips separately.

Entrees were the double burger, salmon, and hanger steak. All cooked to the requested temperature - though both the steak and salmon were under seasoned. Sides were french fries, mac and cheese, and brussels sprouts.

Fries were a miss. Not sure who decided that dill was a good topping for french fries, but whoever did was mistaken. Maybe would have paired fairly well with the salmon entree, but definitely not the burgers and steak. Off putting.

Mac and cheese was chalky and devoid of flavor. I'm aware of two main schools of thought re: Mac and cheese - the bechamel-based, creamy version and the more "dry", baked grated cheese version, though there are definitely millions of riffs on each. My grandmother subscribed to the "dry" school, for example. This version seemed to as well, if you subbed out the cheese. Would not order again.

Despite the sides being fair to middling, we enjoyed our lunch, and would return for the gracious service, bustling vibe, and to sample some of the smoked meat dishes.

And then medvedev pulled through, in a match that will look easier over time than it actually was. The tennis equivalent of “it’s a line drive in the paper”, if you will.

thank heavens.

To Richard Keane and Bill Meehan. 20 years.

1 hour ago, DonRocks said:

I honestly don’t understand why it bums you out.

Because I’m not a fan? Pretty much as simple as that.

This US Open has been interesting on a lot of levels, not least of which is that Djokovic is going to win and there's absolutely nothing anyone can do about it. Really bums me out.

Solid showing by Francis and Reilly Opelka though, so some reason to hope for the future.

Very distressing that Felix A-A is now coached by Uncle Tony. Not looking forward to seeing his beautiful, nuanced game changed and having to listen to him explain how he added 20 lbs of muscle a year from now...

Last night was hard to watch. I’m hopeful that a break from tennis will allow Osaka to find some peace and happiness - and selfishly, that she comes back to tennis better than ever.

Interesting...

https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/526536/restaurants-say-diners-dropped-reservations-after-indoor-mask-mandate/

To my buddy John, who managed to be both an excellent tennis player, family man, and the best golf agent in the world at the same time. Gone far too soon.

And to Big Foe, on his big win. John would have loved it.

21 hours ago, naxos said:

Planning an overnight at the end of the month to celebrate a big anniversary. Any recent meals or stays?

 

No stay, but ate there last week. Really enjoyed the soft shells and the Halibut bouillabaise (we ate off of the bistro menu), but the sleeper dish here is the fried chicken. Really, really good. Given that you are headed out for a big anniversary, I'd recommend the tasting menu. They do a much better job than most about keeping the website menu up to date as well, so that may help inform some of your choices.