Tujague

After having a superlative burger at Hellburger last weekend, and a pretty good burger at Good Stuff on its opening day, I was reminded that Annie's actually still does a decent burger, based on a meal there in late June. Not fresh-ground like Ray's or overhyped like Spike's--just a juicy, honest, thick patty at a good price. The place has done a rather attractive (if noisy) physical make-over in the past year--it's no longer like a Wisconsin rural steak joint as reimagined by Liberace--but the menu is pretty much the same. I'd never call the place "good" per se, but on its own terms it's remarkably consistent. I think that's one of the reasons it's so popular with its regulars--you pretty much know what you're going to get when you go there; it rarely surprises, but it doesn't "disappoint" either, if that's what you're looking for. I'm wondering if anyone has tried their new "Upstairs at Annie's," which seems to their version of an upscale wine bar. The wine list I saw was laughable (I mean, if you think the Post wine writers make insipid picks... ), and the menu was five-years-ago trendy and much pricier than downstairs. Doesn't seem worth it to me, but maybe someone has had an unexpectedly positive experience there.

I wonder if the lack of table service and fights for tables will make GSE less appealing to families than it might otherwise be (as someone also noted about Ray's Hell-Burger). Also, it occurs to me that with nearly all the seating upstairs, with only some high tables in the mobbed front area, that this place is also not very friendly to folks in wheelchairs or other special physical needs, unless they want to eat outdoors.

Bob and I decided to grab an early (11:30) lunch here today, and the place was at best semi-chaotic. It wasn't so much the number of people, but that they really didn't have their ordering and pick-up system in order at all. You stand in line, order and pay from the cashier, who then mumbled a direction to go to Spike to pick up a beeper to let you know when your order is ready. I didn't catch that direction from my cashier, so I didn't get my beeper right away. What seemed to confuse people is that their order numbers and beeper numbers didn't match up, so orders were getting confused right and left. Bob ordered a plain farmhouse burger and wound up with a bacon cheeseburger. I waited another 15 minutes to get my order (even though he ordered after me). After awhile they cut off new customers from entering trying to deal with all the mix-ups and increasingly frustrated patrons. Spike's mom and dad were trying to help out but they seemed to be confusing each other that much more, and they got very snappish with one another. The food? I had a perfectly fine farmhouse cheeseburger--juicy with a nice sauce, medium to medium rare inside, though not overly flavorful, a good, not gut-busting size. The handcut fries were okay, but seemed more like the stubby leftovers from the batch. They were giving out samples of the toasted marshmallow shake, which was tooth-achingly sweet. I'd go back if I thought they could get their ordering act together. I think it would work better if the cashier gave the customer the beeper rather than having the customer go to the pick-up counter--and to make clear the beeper number, not the number on the receipt is what you respond to. What role the cooking line had in the confusion is hard to say. The whole kerfuffle about Spike dissing the gourmet burgers of DC seems sort of silly from both sides, once you've been there. Palena, Central, or even Ray's Hellburger isn't really what's on his radar--his target seems more like Five Guys (and maybe Fuddruckers). That makes Spike's comments seem much more silly and naïve than arrogant, and the critical responses misplaced as well. Taken as a Five Guys competitor, it should do quite well once (and if) it works out the kinks.

Of course, that wasn't something you could have learned at the Festival itself, given how half-assed the Texas exhibits were. Our nation's chief Texan must have been in charge of them...

Got the momos and mango lassi at the Bhutanese booth--the former okay, the latter delicious, though pricey at $5. My question is, Why were none of the food booths at the Folklife Festival selling bottled water today? Every one of them had it crossed off their menus. I was disappointed in the Festival this year--some good music, but truly underwhelming exhibits--virtually nothing in the Texas section (and since when does NASA count as "folk life"?). Also, sparse crowds, given an overall not bad day.

Friday night dinner at Dupont Italian Kitchen (I know, I know ...Bob wanted to eat outdoors, and that was immediately available). Had a surprisingly tasty bowl of pasta with zucchini, nicely carmelized onions, and feta cheese for $10. The bigger surprise, though, was that they served halfway decent bread with the meal--not their usual slices of bland Italian loaf, but two varieties that were closer to artisanal. Really, not a bad meal at all, and for $20 each, which included a half-carafe of wine, tax and tip, a bargain.

Bad experience tonight at Cafe 8. Arrived about 9:15, took a seat in the bar area, which was less than half-full. Sat for 15 minutes as staff passed by me and didn't offer water, menu, drink, anything. Instead, the bartender and a couple of staff members goofed off with one another directly in front of me, even as they looked at me with my table obviously empty. Walked out, went to La Plaza. I can understand if they were absolutely slammed for business, and short-staffed, but that clearly wasn't the case--one waiter seemed to be wasted, repeatedly dropping items; the rest seemed to be suffering from severe arrested development. Simply inexcusable.

From Tom's chat Wednesday: Any thoughts on this possibility? I've never been to this place in Rockville, but it sounds like it could be a good addition to the Hill--certainly better than Taverna! I wonder what building he may be looking at?

Very cool store. Lots of merchandise, but not at all crowded--a very open space. She has some "usual suspect" items, such as a few Cuisinart appliances, buy also a lot of things I haven't seen in other stores--or at least never notice because they were so packed with stuff. One of the specialties is cookie cutters from each of the 50 states, plus a unique DC-shaped cutter that Leah designed herself and had manufactured. I overheard her tell a customer that she would help create a custom shower/wedding registry list for a friend, so I think she's trying to be very customer-service-oriented for locals. I look forward to exploring it in more detail, but this is a wonderful addition not just to the Hill but to the District--it gives the chain kitchen stores a run for their money, albeit on a smaller scale, in terms of quality and selection.

Checked out the Capitol Hill H-T on Sunday afternoon--lots of customers, but not overwhelming. The entrances to the store are a bit confusing and not especially pedestrian friendly. Most of the carts, particularly the small carts, are by the parking garage entrance; the streetside entrance--which looks like the main gateway--is down a flight of stairs, and had only a few carts and baskets there, mostly those abandoned by previous customers. The layout overall is a bit confusing at first, but I'm sure I could get used to it fast enough. There's lots of product here, and many brands and varieties I don't see at Safeway. Yet, despite some good specials, mainly in the meat and produce sections, I found prices on many, if not most of my staple buys to be significantly more expensive than at Safeway. With careful shopping, I'm sure I could figure out how to make H-T work for me economically, but for the most part, I can't see walking the extra 3-4 blocks each way regularly when I can do as well as better at Safeway, Eastern Market, Yes!, and Trader Joe's. H-T will likely be my back-up when those other options fail me--it's nice, the customer service seems excellent, but that's not enough to overcome the convenience and price barriers.

Bob and I tried out this place on Friday Night when our top choices around U and 14th were jammed. Outside of one table with about eight people dining together, there were only two or three couples eating here so we got in right away. Service was polite and mostly efficient. Started with a nice tofu garden roll. Bob went for the Chicken with Asian Pumpkin and Basil, which was a bit spicy for his rather mild tastes, but that he liked. I had the crispy orange cashew chicken (OK, OK, we weren't real adventurous), and while it was a decent-sized portion, I found the orange sauce (well, really tangerine) to be at once both bitter and cloying. I give them credit for going for something fresher than the typical sticky dark sauce, but this wasn't particularly pleasant eating. Attractive plating is one of this place's strengths (the entree included a sort of a triangular pyramid of rice with black sesame seeds). They told me the store side is closing down, and the restaurant will expand over there--given the small crowd last night, I wonder how they are planning to fill the seats. Good enough to give it another shot--less noisy and crammed than Rice, but in this area, I prefer Regent Thai.

After reading lackadaisi's account of a bad experience at Mio, I wondered if I should second-guess my selecting it as my birthday dinner restaurant. So many new places I want to try, so many old favorites I want to revisit, and I only get the birthday splurge once a year. Would it be worth it? I'm glad to give a resounding yes to that question. Mio may not be the best dinner I've had in Washington, but Chef Frigerio gave Bob and me a memorable evening that holds its own with some of the most pleasurable meals I've had in the past few years. We started out with really tasty Pisco Sours, as we pondered whether to stick with the regular meal or take a chance on the chef's tasting menu ($70 for 5 courses, $100 with pairings, not shown on the Web site menu). Our server assured us that the chef would assemble a meal of unique dishes that don't appear on the regular meal, and I figured, why not go for a birthday surprise? Bring it on! Well, the server wasn't totally telling the truth about "unique" dishes, as our first course was the asparagus with burrata and truffle--a dish I had thought about otherwise ordering. First experience with burrata--wow! Deeply buttery, offset nicely with the preserved truffles. And what's better than perfectly cooked spring asparagus? The 2007 Las Perdices Viognier paired nicely. Next, we were poured a 2006 Santa Digna Sauvignon as an "interlude," not knowing that it would be shortly paired with five fresh anchovies on paper-thin grilled potato slices, enhanced with lemon and fresh oregano. The big flavors of the wine held up well against the strong anchovies. Another hit. Round 3: A small tureen of cuttlefish stew with English peas, cooked in a shellfish stock--deep and smoky flavored, with crisp toasts--again, a regular menu item. This time a lovely Chenin Blanc (2004 Domaine Jo Pithon) was brought to accompany it. On to the main courses! I was a bit nervous about the small but perfectly cooked escolar, knowing what its after-effects can be, but the manila clams, artichoke puree and red wine sauce were irresistable. This time we were offered a full and fruity Oregon Pinot Noir from Wine by Joe. This was the tastiest red of the night. For the final course before dessert, another regular menu item--plancha grilled squab with braised endive and cherry sauce, plus a dab of cardamon/juniper pesto. The latter was extremely intense on its own--like a really herbacious gin reduced to a solid--but mellowed nicely when paired with the squab and cherries. The 2004 Aljibes blend from Spain was mellow--not a stand-out, but a good compliment to the other strong flavors. Surprisingly, the server then offered us a few slices of cheese with quince paste as we waited for dessert--a goat camembert and a wonderful Tallegio-like cheese from Virginia. For the closing act, chocolate four ways: dark chocolate sorbet, and a silky milk chocolate/white chocolate mousse topped with chocolate crunchies. A sweet, but not cloying, red dessert wine wrapped up the package nicely. In the end, I think the only real disappointment were the toasty dinner rolls that started things out--otherwise, it was one hit after another. Promised four courses and dessert, we actually had seven courses and six wines. Our server had a few awkward moments, but was personable and helpful. Here's the deal: Over my past three birthdays, I've been to Komi, Restaurant Eve's Tasting Room, and Mio. This may shock DR purists, but I'd push Mio to second place on that list over Eve (Komi is still my all-star). My dinner there last year was good, but not as transporting as the cost would suggest it should be (I remember the amuses more than the primary courses!)--or particularly relaxing. I won't say that Mio is a better restaurant than either Komi or Eve--certainly not as subtle or finessed--but, last night at least, it was in many ways more enjoyable, maybe for not carrying the burden of the high expectations that those other stars must bear, and thus able to shine on other considerable merits. Thank you, Chef Frigerio (and your server), for a wonderful birthday meal!

OK, fine, I'll put my head on the chopping block. I like California Pizza Kitchen thin crust frozen pizzas--especially the white pizza (lots of garlic and spinach) and the margherita. The new Four Cheese version I had a couple of weeks ago too was pretty good, but I'll withhold judgment until I've had at least another one. I avoid the meat versions and smaller thick-crust versions. No, they won't make you forget 2 Amys or Pizzeria Paradiso, but really, they're not bad. OK, have at me. I get it, that's the textbook Washington game (brushes off shoulders). That's what you got to do. But that's also exactly why I'm posting--to change that kind of food politics.

<<"Are you kidding me?!" she screamed, in her French accent.>> Clearly, this whole incident could have been averted if the manager had only had the good sense to adopt a more American accent in speaking with this couple. By insisting on using her natural French accent, she had no hope but to be rude. Also from the same post: "I wanted to share my story as a warning to others. . . . We have shared our experience with all of our Hill friends and they, too, are shocked, vowing never go to Montmatre themselves again. The restaurant not only lost us as patrons that night but many of our neighbors as well." Ya know, if you're going to claim the moral high ground in this sort of situation, announcing how you've made your friends and neighbors accessories to your ignorance is probably not the best course of action. If this couple is going to dine on the Hill again, they should stick to Marty's, not Montmartre.

Yes, they have a full bar, and a selection of moderate priced wines, including some Turkish bottles. http://cafe8dc.com/Menu.htmlI agree with Tweaked regarding the mezze seasoning--the skordalia was surprisingly blah, and the cigar borek aren't particularly memorable. Meyhane had much better mezze. Where Cafe 8 shines, in my opinion, is in their pides--they're tasty, large, and bargain-priced. I also have had the Doner Kebab, and it was also decent. It gets pretty loud inside, but I'm looking forward to dining on their back patio when it's a bit warmer.

I've only been there once, but they have a list on the wall next to the steam table of the items that they cook to order, such as the catfish. Bob's baked chicken came from the steam table and didn't give any sign of being any the worse for being there, nor did the mac 'n' cheese. The waitress told me they aren't open on Sundays now.

Friday dinner at Straits of Malaya. I really like their Curry Chicken with Chinese Eggplant--it's not a "wow" kind of dish, just sort of an Asian comfort food with pleasing flavors. Contrast that with the Chicken with Basil which is much spicier than expected, and a bit short on either of its primary ingredients, but still tasty. The service here tends to be confused (they forgot our appetizer until after they delivered the entrees) but looking out at the cell-phoned hordes crowding the entrance of Lauriol Plaza, I am glad to put up with these glitches and enjoy the Straits' small pleasures (not least being that two dishes can feed at least three people amply).

I'll be the naysayer on the noodles and cheese here: the slice I had was mushy and bland--no crispness, virtually no cheese flavor. The Columbian chicken, on the other hand, had a nicely flavored skin--neither the coffee or coconut milk stood out as much as a nice dark tang. Not crispy, but still delicious. If I go again, I'd likely try a wrap--they look to be huge.

On a more down-scale level, I have to say that the rumors about great mac and cheese at Levi's Port Cafe are true. Even if it sits at a steam-table, it was moist (though not runny) and had a good cheesy flavor--one of the best restaurant renditions I've had.

Friday Lunch at Levi's Port Cafe near the Navy Museum. Fried catfish (totally ungreasy), greens and mac'n'cheese (great, moist, cheesy). Bob had baked chicken, green beans and the mac. Probably a salty, fatty overload, but pretty satisfying soul food overall. Friday dinner at Chix. Columbian chicken with noodle and cheese pie for me, Cuban chicken chop for Bob, mango-passion fruit water for both of us. Decent chicken, but I guess I don't get the raves elsewhere for the noodle pie--mushy and bland.

Post-happy hour dinner at Mai Thai on 18th St. last night. Me: Chicken Green Curry; Bob: Pork Penang Curry; shrimp cakes for appetizer. Good-sized portions and decent prices for better-than-many-places Thai. Highlight of the meal: an charmingly courteous server who announced "It's just me" every time he approached our table--and asked us if we wanted dessert or coffee as he set down our appetizer.

Friday night at Cafe 8 (Capitol Hill): Skorthalia appetizer (spinach, garlic, and walnuts), in need of much more garlic punch, and Doner Kebab--thinly shaved veal and lamb in light tomato sauce over rice--very tasty. Also a taste of Bob's sausage pide. Saturday night: Chinese take-out from Hunan Garden, Capitol Hill--cloying sweet and sour chicken, not bad twice-cooked pork. Sunday night: Bangers from Canales deli at Eastern Market--man, are these things mealy--really bad. Mashed potatoes and braised greens. All told, probably my worst-ever mix of flavors cooking at home. Lunch today at Fourth Estate, National Press club: Potato leek soup--nothing special; herb-crusted grouper with potato cake--a nice cut of fish.

I've been there twice now, once last fall, and then about a month ago. The first time, no alcohol was available, but this last time, they did have a small bar area and wine available (though no wine "list"--they simply ask if you want red or white, bottle or a glass ). The wines themselves were nothing special. The staff is very friendly and the prices are quite reasonable.The food itself is so-so, based on the two visits. The stuffed yuca (yukita relleno) is a good, and good-sized appetizer, but the Tamales Peruanos de Pollo was quite bland. Bob had the Pollo Saltado the first time, and liked it; it didn't seem overly salty as some renditions sometimes are. The second time he had the 1/4 chicken with sides and also liked it, though it didn't seem like anything special. The sauces were both quite spicy. Seafood and Chifa items seem iffier, at least based on the Arroz Chaufa de Mariscos (Chifa fried rice with seafood) I had. Most of the seafood was less-than-fresh and rubbery (though fairly abundant), and the rice itself was pretty much a glutinous lump. So, I suggest sticking with appetizers and the chicken dishes, maybe the carne, and steering clear of seafood. You certainly won't come away that much poorer, though how well fed is another matter.

Dan had a notice up at the end of 2007 that he was pulling out of the Eastern Market weekend farmers' market until Eighth St. SE is reopened. The closing of that block is a real sore point for many of the vendors--one of many political powder kegs related to Eastern Market. My advice is don't go there (meaning the street closing issue, not the Market!)--it's a no-win argument. I think the Paiks took over the stall next to theirs in the South Hall, which is called Capitol Hill Poultry, and across from their stall in the temporary building. I can't remember what it was before, if it was poultry or produce or what.

My partner and I stopped by here for dinner on Friday night--it was a warmish night, so we took a table on the unheated enclosed patio, which worked out fine. I was a bit skeptical when I looked at the plates on the tables around us that the portions would be very substantial, particularly for the price point. Our server assured us that they serve "medium-size plates," and that most people order 2 to 4 items for their meals. He noted what he called his favorites in each category (at first it looked like he was noting the most expensive item in each, but he went for cheaper items on the meat and seafood side). We each decided to go for two dishes each--Bob had the tuna and beet tartare and the adobo duck, I the squash/mushroom pilau and crabcake, and we each had a glass of red wine. The dishes came out blazingly fast--ahead of the wine, in fact--and we were relieved to see that each portion was reasonably generous. I wish I could be as positive about the food itself, however. Nothing was bad, but neither did anything really stand out. The tartare (cut in a dice and molded into a good-sized round) didn't shine with any particular flavor--the tuna was more texture than taste, and the beets were equally bland. The duck was nice and juicy, but didn't have the tang one associates with adobo. My pilau was molded similar to the tartare, but was sort of blah. The crabcake itself was probably the best dish--good meat, little filler--but the accompaniments of avocado-corn salsa and mustard sauce clashed with each other, and the salsa was almost devoid of corn. The rolls they serve the meals are tasty, though; wine was unmemorable. Service was friendly and brisk, though the dish wranglers tended to auction off the plates. They are promoting a $50, five-course meal, but the server didn't push it hard, thankfully. Still, at the end of our fairly brief meal, we had a $69 bill, to which we added a $11 tip, but I didn't feel like I had eaten a meal that earned my $40. Again, nothing terrible, reasonable size portions, but it still felt overpriced and not meriting a return visit. The tasting menu might actually be the best way to go right now to get the best buy, but that might be just three more courses that don't really deliver what they promise, if the choices are anything like what we had.