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Marty L.

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Everything posted by Marty L.

  1. Marty L.
    Things that have become most preposterously overpriced in recent years, presumably because the market will bear it: -- mussels -- juice -- cocktails -- ice cream/gelato -- coffee (other than drip)
  2. Marty L.
    Tried to go; much too crowded. Went to All-Purpose instead (first time), which was fine, but nothing special (and, as with most places these days, at least a bit overpriced, presumably because, somehow, the market will bear it, notwithstanding the competitive fact that 47 new places open every day -- is there an endless supply of disposable income in this town lately?!).
  3. Marty L.
    Yeah, I was there a few weeks ago. Drive 20 minutes north and go to Henlopen City Oyster House! (Be ready for a wait, though, unless you get there at 2:45, just before they open for "happy hour.")
  4. Marty L.
    Thanks for that great write-up, Bart. Can you please give us a sense of what the tab was for that meal?
  5. Marty L.
    Wow, what a novel idea!: "Exposed brick and wooden finishes and furniture can be found throughout the space, which has an industrial feel."
  6. Marty L.
    No; it'd be wrong not to. Any word on what his next venture is?
  7. Marty L.
    So I suppose I shouldn't suggest this, too -- but if you happen to be in the neighborhood, the shrimp and oysters at happy hour are fantastic! ;-)
  8. Marty L.
    I *really* trust Johnny Spero, so I'm sure Cappy's will be good; but when I stopped in a couple of weeks ago, there was a 2.5 hour wait, the crabs looked *very* meagre (not his fault!; perhaps that's the best haul available), and it ain't cheap. (I didn't wait.) If seafood is what your husband and friend are looking for, how about Drift or Ivy City, both of which are near the top of my to-do list (along with Hazel)?
  9. Marty L.
    If you don't eat seafood, there's really no compelling reason to go there, especially in light of the long waits.
  10. Marty L.
    I was just there. Don't have time to describe my meals in detail, except to offer these three recommendations: 1. Le Quartier Général: A couple of miles from downtown, but very nice walk. Very pleasant, neighborhood place. very solid; not spectacular--the sort of place where you would regularly go with friends if you lived in town. (There's a review or two upthread here.) NOTE: BYOB (and everyone does). 2. Bouillon Bilk: It's downtown. Excellent, very cutting-edge; and room at the bar if you're on your own. Very high quality cooking, and a definite, very content buzz. 3. This was my favorite meal not only of my trip, but of the past year or so, anywhere: Le Comptoir, which was recommended by 1000yregg a page or so back. http://comptoircharcuteriesetvins.ca/menus/#soir. Put yourself at the bar, and in the hands of the young, enthusiastic folks there. Great wine choices; *fantastic* charcuterie (order the small if by yourself), and amazing dishes. Plus it's the most convivial place imaginable (or it was the night I was there, anyway). A true slice of the city. Everyone but me knew everyone else (or so it seemed); and they made me feel right at home. I had the "Tataki loin of veal, sage puree, armillary, pickled radish, fried sweetbreads, marsala reduction," and the "Nantes carrots, bresaola, dried meringue with coriander seeds & coffee." Both fantastic, especially the latter. I know, you're thinking: carrots. But trust me--you won't regret it. And everything else looked scrumptious, too. I'd gladly order everything on the menu. Inventive, delicious, inspired, prepared and served with care and love.
  11. Marty L.
    It is.
  12. Marty L.
    This thread reminds me of an old story about the American City Diner, up near Chevy Chase Circle. I haven't been there in many years, but the food used to be virtually inedible. In addition to their very welcome movie nights, however, they did have a very good sense of humor: It opened at the height of the diner explosion, and folks were flocking to it. Phyllis Richman then reviewed it for the Post and wrote what must have been one of her all-time most scathing reviews, slamming almost the entire menu, and adding that the place appeared to be designed on "the school of culinary nostalgia based on the principle 'If it's bad, it must be good.'" In passing, however, she acknowledged that "the french fries are freshly made and crackling-crisp." That week, the Diner put a huge sign or billboard up on top of the restaurant reading, in full: "PHYLLIS RICHMAN LOVES OUR FRIES!" Best blurb ever.
  13. Marty L.
    Fiona also sells delicious specimens at Fishwife.
  14. Marty L.
    Patience . . . it soon will be.
  15. Marty L.
    I've heard from a bunch of folks that the fried chicken is not remotely worth $24. But that the veggie ramen is also fantastic . . .
  16. Marty L.
    Fried shrimp at B&J's in Darien, GA.
  17. Marty L.
    I'm very reluctant to post this, since within days, if not hours, it'll be very difficult to get a seat here; but it wouldn't be fair to keep it to myself. I sat at the bar (only four seats there) for the first service tonight. The principal broth is a tori paitan broth--creamy, rich, tonkatsu-like. (Similar to Totto in Manhattan, I think.) Three options: shio, shoyu and miso. According to Chef Fukushima, it's best with miso (others on the floor and behind the bar agreed). I wouldn't know, because I ordered the tori chintan broth, listed in faint, smaller print on the menu. Why does the menu merely whisper its name? Because there's only one vat of it available per shift, and when it's gone, it's gone--and I assume they don't want to dash expectations. (As of now, only one shift per day: dinner from 5-11. Lunch will probably start in a couple of weeks or so.) Why only one vat? Apparently because it requires a ton of chicken bones and a lot of time. Anyhow, I ordered the chintan with shio. Honest, it was like the platonic ideal of chicken soup. As fundamental and as delicious as a Frank Ruta consomme (but of course nothing like that). Comes with shredded chicken, menma, broccoli rabe, raw onion, a bit of chili threads, and nori. And noodles from the same company that makes the great noodles at Daikaya -- similar bite at first, but a bit thinner, which somehow seems just right in light of the stock. I added a nitamago, but it probably wasn't necessary. (11.75 + 1.50 for the egg; the shoyu is 12.00; miso is 13.00.) Also had the chicken gyoza with chili oil, which were very good, but nothing out of the ordinary (5.50). And then couldn't resist ordering the bowl of rice -- great, sushi rice -- with "chicken drippings, butter and soy." Addictive (2.75). My advice for your first visit: If you're there early enough, your $$ are best spent by ordering the shio tori chitan and the rice with drippings with shio. Perhaps add a can of Orion Rice Lager. Or order the miso paitan ramen and be sure to write us about it afterward. In my follow-up visits I plan to try: (i) the miso paitan ramen; (ii) the vegetarian ramen, which is different from the one at Daikaya; and, if I'm there with two or more other persons, (iii) the fried half chicken with fixings (a bit steep at 24.00, but it looked really good).
  18. Marty L.
    I'm with Josh. I don't *dislike* it; I merely find it a bit gimmicky, and a distraction from any number of much better things on the menu.
  19. Marty L.
    It's been a long while since I've been, but in my experience ordering the food spicy makes a huge difference in terms of flavor. Without the spicing, it's rather ordinary, apart from the ginger and tea leaf salads, which are very good.
  20. Marty L.
    Exactly. None of us has the foggiest idea what the "merits" of these disputes are.
  21. Marty L.
    I really enjoy Convivial, but think the Coq au Vin-ish chicken is way overhyped (including by the floor staff).
  22. Marty L.
    Can't say it often enough . . . pieces should be "quite small" -- the mega-sushi is grotesque.
  23. Marty L.
    I haven't been, so perhaps I'm missing something, but, as a general matter, the listed prices here are absurd (as in, at least twice what they ought to be). Is there a market for this in that area of NoVa? (Striking but perhaps unfair comparison with my most recent meal: Just last night I spent ten bucks for a huge bowl of delicious bún riêu at Huong Viet, easily feeding two. Five miles further west, bouillabaisse for two at Requin is $86. And a "small plate" of baby carrots will set you back another $13 (before tip and tax).)
  24. Marty L.
    Daikaya (ramen downstairs), Jaleo, Teaism, Proof (but caution: recent changes in management), Full Kee (although I've noticed a bit of fall-off since its most recent management changes), Raren Lamen, Rasika (more $$)
  25. Marty L.
    Sietsema raves. Anyone been?
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