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Tujague

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  1. Tujague
    Denver is a rapidly improving food city, but it's still a more compelling place to drink than to eat. Four of us gathered at Root Down on my second night in the city, and the cocktails were easily the best part of the meal (that, and an engaging server), though the food was by no means bad. The kale salad attracted the attention of three of us, and the portion size was a bit eye-popping--it could easily have fed all three of us--but we each made our way through it (and it was a fine rendition). My polenta gnocchi were large--about the size of sea scallops--and I can't recall how they were presented (I'm posting several weeks later), which is also to say they weren't particularly memorable. But the place has great buzz, an attractive view of the city, and a sense of creativity that sometimes outstrips the execution. (The limited menu of the Root Down at DIA isn't really worth it.) Session Kitchen in the South Pearl St. area has a spectacular design and a generous happy hour menu and intriguing drinks; go for the pork buns, three for $6 (?) which have a nice spice and presentation. My marlin filet with baby artichokes and kimchi was a decent-sized portion, even if the flavors didn't hold together as well as the chef might have hoped. My sister's pasta dish looked good (and good-sized), as did Bob's burger special, with especially fine fries. If I lived in the neighborhood, this would be a regular hangout, I think. For barbecue, try Hog Heaven, out on Hwy 285 in the mountains, near Bailey--good shredded pork and smoked chicken. On the other hand, for Tex-Mex, Blue Bonnet draws lots of traffic, but I find the food undistinguished and horribly salty.
  2. Tujague
    President Obama did yesterday what every good preacher is taught to do: speak a word appropriate to the time and place. The God language was utterly appropriate to the AME Church, and he arguably could have gone even farther in terms of using Jesus language, but he stayed more in a lightly civil religion mode. One of my friends, who is something of a radical activist and academic, complained that he didn't go far enough in terms of taking on racist structures, but again, this person was no more the primary audience for this eulogy than you or I were. He spoke specifically to Mother Emanuel and its lost pastor and souls; we just listened in. Overall, it was masterful, and even reading it left me in tears. For all his flaws, he is the only president in my lifetime that I have genuinely loved--when he gets it right, he really nails it like no other.
  3. Tujague
    Belga was rated the best restaurant in DC, and Lavagna the best Italian restaurant in DC in the City Paper "Best of DC" poll a few months ago. Seriously. I assume both places managed to skew results in their favor somehow, but they are both examples of why one should take such surveys with a HUGE grain of salt. --- Las Placitas (Pat)
  4. Tujague
    Yes, I won't argue that Tash was great, but it was better than most of the inexpensive options on Barracks Row (Las Placitas, Banana Cafe, Cafe 8, etc.). What I don't want is another middling midprice restaurant like Senarts or Chesapeake, or a local chain like Matchbox or Cava (and how Belga and Lavagna ranked so high in the City Paper poll is beyond me).
  5. Tujague
    To all the trans women who don't have access to all the makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe consultants, world-famous photographers, Photoshop tools, and financial resources as Caitlyn Jenner.
  6. Tujague
    I hadn't been to Cafe Berlin for over a decade, but our visiting friend remembered it fondly and wanted to try it out, so we decided to return his generosity for buying us dinner at Ocopa the night before. It was a nice enough evening to sit on the patio, which is one of this place's strong points, as is the friendly service. The beer menu isn't large, but decent enough. The special menu right now is focused on spargel, so that's where I focused my attention, and opted for the chicken schnitzel with roasted potatoes, hollandaise, and the white asparagus. The plate delivered to me was attractive and showed generous portions (though the hollandaise was slightly fluorescent in tone). The schnitzel was especially impressive: greaseless and seemingly perfectly cooked; the ten or so halved potatoes were nicely browned; at least eight long spears of the spargel sat on the side. All good, right? Then I dug in: outside of a faint lemon flavor to the schnitzel (which even the hollandaise lacked), this was the blandest food I have had in memory. I beckoned the server to bring me salt and pepper, but despite my best efforts, this food was utterly impervious to the addition of any flavor. Both my companions opted for the sauerbraten; my quick taste indicated it was good enough, perhaps a bit cloying, and I didn't taste the potato and bread dumplings on the side. So, while I am willing to believe that there may be better options on the menu, and that there is a technically competent cook in the kitchen (one should not take such a nicely fried schnitzel for granted), this was the oddest meal I've had in a while. Not actively bad by any means, just utterly blah. And, for essentially the same price (save a round of drinks), Ocopa offered us some of the brightest, boldest flavors available in this part of town; Cafe Berlin, the most timid. I know where I will be returning first, and more often.
  7. Tujague
    As you frame it, it does seem excessive. But in the context of the questions being discussed, I think it's less so. Some of this had to do with the lack of dining options in Shirlington, and TS obviously reached out to two prominent restaurateurs who one could reasonably think might consider opening places there to get their responses (and made a civilized response to a later snarky comment about Andres). And plugging his new review of Kapnos Taverna is to be expected. While one might want some more imagination, which can fail anyone working on the fly, the recommendations were reasonable given what was being asked.
  8. Tujague
    It took me a long time to get to Ocopa, but based on my meal last night (a generous gift from a friend), I would be surprised if there's a better restaurant on H Street (at least one that's not owned by Erik Bruner-Yang). The initial impression isn't necessarily great--while the restaurant was empty at 5:30, we still had to take bar seats at the back because of upcoming reservations, and the staff didn't quite have it together. Asking for the happy hour menu, they couldn't locate them, and the prices quoted were half-again as what I had seen on line. But the bartender put us at ease, and slowly we decided to go beyond our pisco sours (terrific, $9 each) and causas (with crab and avocado, $3 each) to a powerful sangria and entrees. The aji de gallina ($20)--confit chicken with potatoes, pecans, parmesan, rice, and an olive puree--is like Peruvian comfort food, a large bowl that is not exactly hot-weather dining, but when it tastes so good, who cares? Bob's grilled pulpo ($21?) with more causas and sauces, was a long, tender, and smoky tentacle, perfectly cooked. And the small taste of our friend's jalea pescado ($21?)--beer-battered, ungreasy, and a generous portion--suggested this was something to return for. Ocopa isn't cheap, and one of its major annoyances is uncomfortable seating (including the bar seats) and tiny tables, but the food is so good that they seem worth enduring. And with a new back patio opening in a few weeks that will nearly double their space, this has the potential to be the next hot spot on H Street, if the bar and kitchen can keep up, and they can keep prices under control. (BTW, the online menu does not match the current offerings or prices; they need to do a better job of keeping it up to date.)
  9. Tujague
    Actually, the Building Museum does charge for admission to its exhibits, unless you're a member ($8 for adults, $5 for kids); I just checked the Web site. But it is a fun place to see; and you can go to the bookstore/gift shop, which is the best museum shop in the city, for no cost. Out of the way, but fascinating in its own way, is Congressional Cemetery, where you can wander among the graves of the likes of J. Edgar Hoover, Marion Berry, and John Philip Sousa, and other luminaries.
  10. Tujague
    While I would second Red Hen, Rose's, Montmartre, and Jaleo, here are some alternatives: Granville Moore's Soi 38 Central Oyamel Mintwood Place Bonus: Seventh Hill Pizza (at least for sandwiches)
  11. Tujague
    I've not been to Rogue 24, and it's been awhile since I've been to Corduroy, but I don't doubt you. I hadn't been back to The Oval Room for some time, and my previous visits had been for Restaurant Week, and were merely pleasant. So Friday's meal was a real astonishment to me; creative without being overly fussy, and an exemplar of how to do a prix fixe menu that offers imagination, range, and, yes, value. For me, it was the perfect balance, even with the occasionally awkward service, underwhelming bread basket, and so-so dessert--forgiveable slips among so many strengths.
  12. Tujague
    Is this the best "American" restaurant in DC right now? I suspect it just may be. Tonight's birthday dinner wasn't flawless, but it's the finest meal I've had in sometime in the city. First, the bar delivered a couple of near-perfect "classic cocktails" (a Manhattan and a Martini), a reminder that good ingredients and a bit of care can elevate the standards to a new level. Last year, I was lamenting the state of the tasting menu after a slightly underwhelming meal at Iron Gate. Oval Room renewed my faith in its possibilities, not by lavishing us with a series of quaint tastings ahead of the main courses, but by offering a thoughtful series of four dishes that didn't feel cut in size or dumbed-down for being part of a prix fixe menu. All the main dishes sang with varied but unified flavors, from the tuna sashimi, which had an unexpected spicy afterglow, to the grilled snakehead (!) with frisee, a piquillo pepper vinaigrette, and other adornments (the server described it as having a similar flavor to cod, but it really has a bit more wild character than cod), and the duck with cracked rice "grits" and kohlrabi kimchi, which was a reminder that it can be as hearty as any red meat. Bob had the coconut cheesecake, which squiddc describes above, but since I'm not a coconut fan, I went for the rosemary pear tart, which was okay, but nothing special. Siphoned coffee added a bit of theater to the end of the meal. Service was friendly, if occasionally slightly awkward (especially the sommelier). But overall, this was the most memorable meal I've had in quite a while; if it doesn't quite reach their heights, it's no stretch to put Oval Room in the same conversation with the late and lamented CityZen or Palena--the refinement and skill are all there. What has long been an excellent restaurant may be moving toward the sensational.
  13. Tujague
    I have sometimes thought this could be a new line of business for me, but too many restaurants wouldn't bother, even if offered the assistance. Did you notice the "cheece plate"?
  14. Tujague
    I dislike brown-nosing waiters, but that really takes it too far. Um, I think she's the one who got the tip.
  15. Tujague
    Given how hit-and-miss my past few visits to Taylor have been (H Street location), I was surprised how solid the late lunch was that Bob and I had today. They have a number of new offerings on the spring menu that sounded tempting so we split an order of the seasonal risotto balls (with roasted corn, chives, and bacon added to the usual mix) and a regular Castor sandwich (pork, peppered ham, French's mustard, sharp provolone, pickles) on a soft roll. Both were the best items I've had there in some time; the balls were far less greasy than the last time ordered the regular type, and the additions were tasty but not overwhelming. In my experience, the pork sandwiches are the best, and this had a nice picnic-y taste to it; the soft roll works well with this combo (and was less stale-tasting than the hard rolls can be at times). I could never give Taylor props for consistency, but when they're on, they're a pretty good, reasonably priced option.
  16. Tujague
    Thanks for doing that research and providing that information, DaveO. One small correction to your work: it's not the Church of Scientology (that's Tom Cruise/John Travolta, et al.), but the Church of Christ, Scientist, founded by Mary Baker Eddy. They're essentially a Christian sect, outside of what usually gets termed as "mainline Protestantism"; despite my background in that tradition, however, I can't tell you anything about their worship practices. They're better known for their "Reading Rooms" (there's one at 12th and I downtown and several others around the city), and the Christian Science Monitor, which has been a fairly prestigious newspaper (seven Pulitizer Prizes, mostly for national and international reporter), though it no longer appears in print form. The idea that they might want to leave the property after 20 or so years isn't necessarily surprising. If it was not a welcoming building, many might well choose to worship elsewhere. In the early 1990s, many were still moving away from the central city rather than moving in. And surely, like any US denomination, they faced dwindling numbers from the time when they first built. Despite their differences from mainline Protestantism, they are undoubtedly prone to the same demographic and cultural changes that Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, et al. are facing.
  17. Tujague
    Below is a picture of the interior; it appears that on the left side of the sanctuary, there is some natural light coming in, but the ceiling is a large grid of lights. As Brian noted above, while they were surely hard and expensive to change, there were ways around that. I don't think it's awful, but it's more like an auditorium than a worship space. What would be the altar/pulpit area is recessed and low (the exact opposite of most Christian churches), and the space appears to be utterly inflexible in terms of seating. I would assume there was elevator service to the balcony areas, but it's pretty clear that there wasn't a lot they could do to make it a more comfortable or welcoming space or rearrange/remodel to accommodate changing needs.
  18. Tujague
    One thing I'm curious about, is whether the building belonged to the congregation, or to the denomination. I don't know the Christian Science polity well enough to understand that. It does make a difference as to how a property is disposed of.
  19. Tujague
    OK, so maybe I'm naive. I'm writing as one with a background in congregational and worship studies, who once served on a building committee for the construction of a seminary chapel. Building needs do change as congregations change--including dwindling numbers--and can become a burden, or inappropriate for the current state of a congregation. So, congregations ask questions about the welcoming nature of the space, the configuration of seating relative to the "message" that they intend to convey, and other specialized questions relative to buildings dedicated to worship (not to mention accessibility issues). It's not just a matter of maintenance or updating systems. It's entirely credible that the expressed needs of congregation that Pei addressed in his design no longer held, or that addressing them would create an equal outcry from preservationists for changing vital aspects of that original design, in order, say, to let in more natural light or other such visual alterations. I don't doubt your assertion that they saw a chance to cash in on rising land values, and made what could be regarded as a cynical choice. But I also know that these sorts of unique or iconic church buildings can and do wind up posing special problems over time to the congregations that decided to build them, usually during more optimistic or affluent times than what they may be currently facing.
  20. Tujague
    I can understand your sentiments about it, Don, but I think you're missing an essential part of the equation: the congregation to whom this building belonged. While I was never inside it or know the specific discussions, my understanding is that the congregation could no longer manage its upkeep and that it was a decidedly problematic worship space that was essentially impossible to reconfigure to something more fitting to their--or anyone's--needs or to be converted into some other use than a church because of its particular infrastructure. The historians and architects battled with the congregation for many years about its significance; they were essentially being held hostage in their own building because they could not afford to move without shedding the property. So, yes, it's a sad situation, but there were few viable alternatives for the congregation. Ultimately, it's their property to dispose of, despite any historic or architectural significance, and neither the state nor any other group should be able to interfere in that, unless they want to buy it from the congregation and assume responsibility for its preservation--which was pretty much pointless, if it couldn't serve any other purpose, including its original one.
  21. Tujague
    To Tinkerbell.
  22. Tujague
    I'm curious--do the 2012 comments in the link to Cafe Berlin represent the restaurant after it was taken over by new ownership? I haven't been there in years, but I wouldn't write it off simply on the basis of three-year-old comments when there has been a change of hands fairly recently.
  23. Tujague
    Horrifying, tragic news.
  24. Tujague
    Congratulations to Archie's Waeside, in tiny LeMars, Iowa, for their honor from the James Beard Foundation as a "Classic" American restaurant. I've only been there once, and I can tell you it ain't much to look at--a Midwestern supper club whose decor has seen better days--but the steaks are astoundingly good, and I hear that they have a remarkable wine list, if you know to ask for it.
  25. Tujague
    Bob also failed to find it at Calvert Woodley, for reasons similar to Schneider's.
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