Marty L.

22 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

Even at the exact same wage rate, I would *much* rather be a server than a line cook or a dishwasher. Those folks work much harder, and are paid considerably less.

You want to discuss “unskilled labor?” Look at the American server; not the line cook or dishwasher.

And I would *never* be an “AGM” (a euphemism for gopher)  unless there was an equity arrangement. 

None of this is reason to support 77, right?  Just curious:  I assume that one "solution" to this inequity would be to pool tips and share them equally with the kitchen staff.  I also assume restaurants have tried that -- but that it hasn't worked.  Why not?  Does it make it much harder to retain good waitstaff?

This thread really ought to be somewhere more prominent -- perhaps even in DC Restaurants.  The stakes are very high for the restaurants this community most cares about.  For those who are interested, this is an event this evening worth attending.

1 hour ago, DaRiv18 said:

Finally made it to Jeni's.  It is excellent ice cream, and that is all you really need to know.  Dolcezza, 2 Amy's, Trickling Springs, Pitango -- very different styles. 

Getting a scoop at the 14th Street location really beats my experience of buying a $8 pint at Whole Foods, which had some freezer burn and had a totally different texture.  Ditto for Dolcezza and Trickling Springs, at times. 

But for ice cream in DC, instead of trying to rank them on quality, it's more style.  I would create the traditional-experimental spectrum as Trickling Springs, Pitango, Jeni's, 2 Amy's, Dolcezza

Don't quite understand in what way 2 Amys is "experimental."  Also, try Jubilee, just around the corner from Jeni's -- I think it's slightly better (and slightly cheaper).

1 hour ago, Tweaked said:

José Andrés is No on 77

Does anyone know *anyone* they trust who's actually in favor of 77 and can make a plausible argument in its favor?

3 hours ago, Harbinger said:

That’s brave but understandable,  maybe they could have just added a dish. I don’t really love lamb ribs, though It was a really well made and well thought-out dish. After the first visit I always ordered the fish.

I agree that it was a really well-done dish, but one I rarely ordered because it was so rich and the other offerings were better value.  Jill Tyler asked me to send along this message from TuG regarding the change-of-pace:

"The lamb ribs had a great run but the kitchen is excited to be shaking things up.  Most importantly, we weren't able to work with local farms to get our lamb because of the sheer number of ribs we were selling.  Now all of our pork, beef, poultry, rabbits and seafood are from farms and fisherman that we have personal relationships with -- that matters.  It means we are supporting other small businesses and supporting better food systems."

Notice what is *not* on the current TuG menu.  I, for one, think it's a welcome development--but I suppose if the signature dish were your favorite, or go-to, dish, it might take some getting used to.

12 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

Marty, I obviously don't doubt your taste, but have you tried enough of the ramen houses where you're confident in this proclamation? I don't think you need to try them all - just the "obvious" ones, as well as any sleepers you may have heard about.

Cheers,
Rocks

Fair enough.  I edited it to be a bit less categorical.  There are, of course, other good bowls of ramen in the area--e.g., at Bantam King and Haikan (sisters of Daikaya); at Reren and Gaijin and Marumen and Toki.  And, especially, at Ren's, which I'd rate as No.2 (although it's a lot less fun than Daikaya).  But Daikaya is distinctly the best, at least if you like the sort of noodles they use there (as I do).

On 12/2/2017 at 10:42 AM, Marty L. said:

This is all, sadly, true.  Other than Daikaya and Ren's, all of the now gazillions of ramen shops I've tried here have been  . . .  eh.  And at much higher prices than in New York, for some reason.

---

Ramen 42 (weezy)

Was at Daikaya again today, after many months away and too many bowls of overpriced, mediocre ramen elsewhere.  Confirmed that Daikaya is the best in DC, principally because the noodles and the "char" are, IMHO, always perfect.  [EDITED to be a bit less categorical.  There are, of course, other good bowls of ramen in the area--e.g., at Bantam King and Haikan (sisters of Daikaya); at Reren and Gaijin and Marumen and Toki.  And, especially, at Ren's, which I'd rate as No.2 (although it's a lot less fun than Daikaya).  But Daikaya is distinctly the best, at least if you like the sort of noodles they use there (as I do).]

8 hours ago, DonRocks said:

Did you know that The Royal Restaurant is the third-oldest in the DC area, having first opened in 1904? 😲

To preempt the inevitable question from curious readers:

1856 - Old Ebbitt Grill (present location since 1983)
1860 - Old Angler's Inn (the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the Washington, DC area)
1904 - Royal Restaurant (present location since 1964)

In fact, it might be fairer to say that Royal is No. 2:  The only things connecting the Old Ebbitt Grill that has been in existence since 1926 to the old bar in the Ebbitt House Hotel (1856-1925) are (i) the word "Ebbitt" and (ii) the bar itself (along with some decorations), which was preserved and incorporated in the new restaurant in 1926.

54 minutes ago, FranklinDubya said:

My dining companion got the tuna crudo, spicy farm apples, spring tartine, kimchi toast, clam spaetzle, and hot duck with biscuit plus the famous goat cheese cheesecake for dessert.  Pretty consistently killer across the board although the spring tartine and the apples really blew me away (both felt like perfect light, fresh, but still flavorful and balanced spring things).  Got a loaf of country bread to take home as well.  Will edit later with pictures.

"and I" ?

27 minutes ago, Ericandblueboy said:

One can also get Sichuan hotpot at Uncle Liu's in Merrifield, all you can eat for $23.  But you can always pay twice as much at Dorjee Momo.

I haven't been (mostly because I'm typically disappointed in my own concoctions when it comes to hot pot--I need guidance!), but this place is always packed, FWIW.

Just now, Simul Parikh said:

Great listen! The Initiative 77 was clearly more current/pressing, but I would have also have liked to hear a lot more in being a female head of kitchen, which they started on but didn't get to go into detail.

None of them is a "head of kitchen" (although Cizuka is, I believe, heavily involved on the "BOH" side)--they were celebrating the increasing role of women in opening, owning and managing restaurants, much of which is threatened by 77.

In this podcast--which you should listen to for several reasons, most importantly, what they have to say about DC Initiative 77--there's a "rapid fire Qs" segment at the end in which Jill Tyler (Tail up Goat) is asked "What's your idea of the perfect D.C. date night?"  Her immediate response:  "The bar at 2 Amys, no question"--and Cizuka Seki (Seki) and Clementine Thomas (Chez Billy) readily concur.  Wise women:  heed their advice (not only on 2 Amys, but 77, too).

Please listen to Cizuka Seki, Clementine Thomas and Jill Tyler here.  There's a significant risk this will be devastating to the local restaurant scene--including FOH employees--and especially to the young people who have taken the chance at opening the sorts of personal, idiosyncratic and neighborhood places that most of us love.

Best seven dollars I've spent in a long time: 

chopped squab giblet toast with pickles and parsley 

[unfortunately, the squab is apparently a rare treat, but keep an eye out for it]

The combination of the music and the hard edges everywhere.  I'm not complaining, merely surprised that they're going in that direction.

11 minutes ago, DIShGo said:

Has anyone tried Mirai? 

Several months ago--don't know how it's evolved.  It was very good sushi for $50, but a *very* quick meal (which is the idea).

12 hours ago, dslee said:

Impromptu second dinner of the evening on February 23, 2018, there was no wait when I walked in and I was graciously seated at the solo seat by the kitchen.  Tom Constantino Cunanan's cooking is so soulful and so darn delicious!  I am so grateful every chance to be at Bad Saint. 

• LABANOS AT PINAITUM
  radishes, burnt coconut, honey! The BEST radish set in DC to date!
• PASTA SA SARSANG ALIGUE
  fettuccini, crab fat, sea urchin! Wow!
• DINUGUAN
  pork, pork blood, long pepper! So darn delicious!

Wow.

1 hour ago, Sthitch said:

The rice was bland, dry, and there was way too much of it.  It ruined the the experience of eating such exquisite fish.

That's odd -- the rice has never been dry when I've been there.  Not the greatest sushi rice ever, but hardly dry.  

13 minutes ago, Rieux said:

I've been to Elle several times.  It is wonderful.  The coffee shop during the day has wonderful pastries and breads for eat in or take out and a good coffee program.  I've had good muffins and financiers inside, as well as a good old bay scone.  I've also taken out delightful individual goat cheese cakes and lemon bars.

I've had dinner there once, where we had interesting and tasty cocktails, good wines, a friend had a rare cider, and some unique beers.  Service is spectacular.  Attentive, friendly, able to make good recommendations and pairings.  Between four of us we had the cheese sticks, a kim chee bread, another toast I can't remember, two orders of clam spaetzle, a charred broccoli salad, and another beet dish I can't recall.  The charred broccoli was delicious, but, really, everything was spectacular.  Desserts were the goat cheese cake and a chocolate tart. The cheese cake was the favorite.  For four people with at least 2 drinks each, and enough food and desserts among all of us the bill was $100.  Not bad at all.  We walked in on a Thursday at 7 with no reservation, but this was about 10 days ago, before Tom S listed it as # 1 in his dining guide.  I think it is the neighborhood restaurant DC has been looking for, and is especially the one I have been looking for in MY neighborhood of Mt. Pleasant!

Rieux must have included a typo there -- four people with at least two drinks each and desserts would run you at least $200.  But yes, it's *very* good (much better than Tom's #2 Fancy Radish), and the people running it are terrific. For starters, their retail breads are, along with Tail Up Goat's, the best in town.  I'm especially keen on the sesame (available Thursdays) and Saturday's multigrain; a good friend swears by the Friday loaf with corn grits.  And, as many of you know, the Lizzy Evelyn's Paisley Fig concoctions include the best pastry in town -- the Guava turnover -- and the best cookie (Chocolate Almond Oat).  [These are both statements deeply against personal interest, because the pastries and breads often sell out, leaving me crestfallen when I arrive to empty shelves.]  Dinner is also excellent -- not that I'll ever be able to get a table again now that the cat's out of the bag.  If you can, ask Somm Alaina Dyne (from Komi) for recs to go with your meal -- last week she pointed me to a delicious Riesling that was perfect with the pork belly posole (which, while very good, was not as good a deal as other items on the menu, especially not when $9 will get you posole heaven at Taco Bamba in Falls Church).

As you can tell, I've been selfishly reluctant to rave about it, but they deserve the accolades, and Rockwellians should take the opportunity to check it out before it becomes almost impossible to do so. 

It's fine. Nothing special. (The service was very good--informative and enthusiastic.)  And -- deliberately -- *very* loud, which is a bit odd in light of the (not uniformly young/hip) crowd and the fact that Vedge is (if memory serves) much more sedate and conducive to conversation.

Two or two-and-a-half plates per person is about right, so expect to spend $50 or so plus alcohol.  Not where I'd choose to spend my $$ often--but then again, I think that of the vast majority of D.C. places at that price point and beyond.

10 hours ago, Ericandblueboy said:

That is the point of my original post.  I'm shocked that people are dropping $100 on a faux Peking duck, whereas authentic Peking duck by the finest purveyors in the DC area charge maybe half that.  The obvious question then is, is Erik BY's duck so much superior or is some sort of prejudice at play.  To answer that question, we would need some informed opinions, which then led to the whole discussion about why we need informed opinions, and how one person cannot master all the cuisines.

ETA - someone else brought up Tom.  It wasn't my initial intention to address Tom's column, in fact, I never read it.  I was just saying in general that I don't rely on Tom's opinions when it comes to Asian food.

"The obvious question then is, is Erik BY's duck so much superior or is some sort of prejudice at play."  The obvious answer, as I suggested, is neither:  Not only the duck, but everything else at *all* of the Line restaurants is priced higher than it would be if it were not in a fancy hotel. 

I have a lot of faith in James Wozniuk, if past is prologue.  Still, it seems that here, as at all the Line restaurants, the prices are ratcheted up (perhaps not unjustifiably, but considerably more than they would be elsewhere) because of the setting in a swanky hotel.

1 hour ago, DonRocks said:

I know this has already been mentioned on the internet, but I was in Chaia tonight, and they confirmed that they're opening at 6th and I NW in Chinatown - the lease has been signed, and they're shooting for a December opening (I should add that I heard this from staff; not management).

What with Bamba two blocks away, I Street will now be taco central.

56-oz. ribeye for $65 tonight. Oh, and morels and ramps on pizzas. And porchetta. And raspberry ice cream.  And . . . they have a new mill with which they're making a delicious wheat bread to go with various things. Spring at 2 Amys is as good as DC gets.