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MarkS

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Everything posted by MarkS

  1. MarkS
    Went to Proof last night before the Caps game. My wife's comment at the end summed it up. "why havent we been here before", great choice dear. We started off with a great Gigondas and a couple of cheeses. Great choices and very well presented and most importantly well handled and at proper temperature. We had two firsts. The gnocchi with wild mushrooms and brussel sprouts. It was sublime, real rich and a great foil to the Gigonda. Then a Endive salad which was very good but paled in comparision to gnocchi. Then we shared a fish entree. I believe it was sablefish. Phenominal as we fougt over every bite. Great meal, we were in the back where it was quiet. Great Atmoshphere. I'll be back soon.
  2. MarkS
    We hiked down the Grand Canyon two years ago, slept at the bottom and hike up the next day. Amazing. We did a backcountry trek in Yellowstone this year, climbed a fairly serious peak and went off the grid for 4 days. Both with Wildland Trekking a Great guide firm.
  3. MarkS
    O'Learys might fit what you are looking for. I have always had great meals there and they say they can rent the premises out. http://olearys-seafood.com/
  4. MarkS
    I am interested. Been derailed lately with my sons coming home from college, one graduating Friday and the Stanley Cup playoffs. I think we need some structure and timing to make this work. I.E. a week to acquire the wines and then a week to discuss.
  5. MarkS
    Totally agree about the brunch. When our sailing plans were cancelled yesterday because of a small craft advisory, we needed to switch plans and brunch. I called Sugo and was told they had walk in at the bar and an hour wait for a table. We sailed into the bar at 11:30 and stayed till 1:15. We took part in the endless brunch and it was great. We tried almost everything except for the breakfeast pizza(it looked huge) and have two order of the devilled eggs. Once we placed our initial order of 6 plates we were able to pace ordering more as new dishes came out and based upon what we saw others were eating. The steak and eggs was really good, as was the fritatta. And yes the bottomless mimosas. We save our french toast for dessert as it was really sweet. I do wish they had an option of salad or fruit at the brunch but this is a solid brunch and a great value if you come hungry.
  6. MarkS
    I use CT as well and really like the fact that I can see my cellar Inventory on my Ipad. What Barcode device do you use and how is it set up?
  7. MarkS
    We went to EVO last night and was pleasantly surprised. The place was hoping at 5:30 and had a great vibe. Didnt hurt that wines by the bottle were half priced and we grabbed a Cote De Rone for 24 which was very good. The bartended was very friendly and many at the bar seemed like regulars. We shared 5 tapas each were $5 and the mussels and lamb sliders were very good. Yes it was loud but this is a wine bar, we were able to speak to each other using normal voices. This is not a place to take a child or youngster-Its a wine bar. That said I was glad to see an older crowd, i suspect everyone was about 50(my age) and dressed from work. I'd recommend this place over a larger bar in Tysons or Arlington. Had plenty of parking and great wine.
  8. MarkS
    Very interested in this and have participated in them before. An interesting variant which could do well in the DR community is to hold the tasting as a virtual/real event. IE Those at home could taste and upload note while some folks got together at a willing establishment to taste and post notes at same time.
  9. MarkS
    Do you have a closet or space you can convert. Even an area in the garage can be constructed into a wine cellar. The advantage in constructing your own is that the storage doesnt have to be all individual bottles. Mine has diamond bins on one side which hold a case each, and there is floor space for those cases that havent been unpacked.
  10. MarkS
    Went to Mesa for brunch this past Sunday and it was great. We had an 1130 reservation and left about 1 very happy and stuffed, Highlights included a tuna tartare served with homemade nacho chips. We each had the same main, a hash of chicken and swet potato with poached eggs. t was a top of food, suggest splitting the hash next time.And teh bread basket had several breads and sweets which we devoured. Two drink, two app, Two entrees, two coffees with Tip for 106.. A bargain in NYC
  11. MarkS
    Take train to NYC, eat at Boulud Sud and stay overnight. Dining experience in NYC trumps the DC scene.
  12. MarkS
    has anyone visited Fab.COM or seen their commercial on Bravo. Way different business mode.
  13. MarkS
    My wife an I ate here last night before the Caps game. We shared 5 plates, one desert and each had two beers. The total was $100 incuding tip which we thought was a good value. Were we stuffed no, but very satisified with what we ate. Would go back soon though it is a bit loud and service was slow as the wait staff and GM seemed to fawn over a table of Wash Post staffers who had many bottles of wine open at their table. We had Cauliflower-Well executed Romanesco-Very tasty Flatbread with Pepperoni Sauce-Tasty Scallops-Two large and well prepared scallops Glazed Pork Belly-Very nice dish The scallops and pork belly combined several textures and tastes into a small plate which was really nice. The Scallops came with thin slices of apple which added a real nice crunch and sour note. Panna Cotta-This was OK, not as light as I would like This is a good place to eat. A great addition to the VErizon Center/China Town/Penn Quarter area, Is it fine destination dining-no, nor is the goal to be the best value in its class. Choose smartly on the menu and you will have a great meal.
  14. MarkS
    I was never sure what time the event was being held
  15. MarkS
    I had a very respectable bialy yesterday from Bageltowne in the Traville shopping center, Rockville. It was warm on the counter and my wife was pissed I didnt even stop eating it to offer her a bite.
  16. MarkS
    I picked up a dozen bagels from Bageltowne in Traville, the outskirts of Rockville. They were for my son and I didnt have any but I did have a bialy which was fairly authentic and good with a generous middle of onions and poppy seeds. The bagels were warm though I cant vouch as to whether they are totally made on premise or just baked on premise.
  17. MarkS
    I will preface this with saying. Haven't had a great bagel in ages. I gave up pizza and bagels as my kids got older in favor of wine and steak. But several years ago, Bagel City, n Rockville pike was authentic and accurate. I grew up. Brooklyn, live in Manhatten for several years, I know bagels and pizza. Bagel City on the pike is:was authentic. And yes, their salt bagels and bialys were very good.
  18. MarkS
    There appeared to be many bar seats as they were positioned around the bar itself as well as all of the coooking stations i saw. There shouldnt be an issue grabbing a few seats to eat.
  19. MarkS
    I am on this site at least once a day. I dont post as often as I could and should, hopefully that will change. As my focus has gone from eating to eating, fitness and wine this site is still very good to me.
  20. MarkS
    Went here last night with the family. For my two sons this is adventerous dining. Food was pleasant and most important we would go back. We had Steam Dumpling-good preperation Noodles with spicy pork-Very good dish Orange Chicken-Too breaded for my taste, old sons loved it Moo Shoo Pork - Just okay though younger son liked it Very close to my house and I'd consider it again.
  21. MarkS
    My wife, myself and two big and hungry adult sons(19 and 22) ate at range Monday night. The short version is we would go back but perhaps be a bit more selection with ordering. Service wasnt great and that in part could have been due to how new it is and the fact that we were one of the alst tables before the holiday. It took a long time after being seated to be greated by our server and another really long wait before she took our drink orders. Sensing the timing was off my two starving sons ordered several appetizers. 1-Assorted cheese plate- Very good selection of 5 cheeses, nutted bread and spreads 2-Assorted bread plate-This was huge and contained both breads as well as the cordbread skillet with bacon spread..Very well received 3-Garlic Sausage-This was just OK, I liked it but rest of family thought is was just ok Besides the timing issue, the server should have commented as to how much food we had alreadly ordered. My two sons are both large boys and the younger one, who plays college hockey and eats 6 times a day, can eat more then anyone I've ever seen. It was all finished but boy was that a lot off food. For Entrees 1-Pizza with Salami- I didnt try it but it was consumed 2-Beef Hanging tender- This was served sliced. My two sons wailed on it proclaiming it some of the best beef they had ever had. ***Next time they each want one of these 3-Lamb Saddle stuffed with Meguez Sausage- large and meaty but not tremendous flavor compared to hanging tender 4-Fried Brussel Sprouts-Real good 5-Roasted mushooms-Real good We found a nice bottle of Rhone wine-40-50 range, good and appropriate Deserts-yeah sons were still hungry Bread pudding with odd(too salty) ice cream. He devoured bread pudding which had a chocolate center Brownie-A little dry, could have used a scoop of ice cream Overall-We will go back. Seems like much availability for spntaneous bar seating as many of the cooking areas have bars facing the kitchens I hope they improve the service-This is a large place and expediting and running is key A great time was had by all
  22. MarkS
    I still prefer a server who knows how to pour, when to pour and does it perfectly. No drips, no spills, decants if necessary. I.E. I was recently at the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, brought a 1990 Bordeaux from my cellar and the waiter immediatly got help on corking and decanting as the bottle was older then she was. She did refilll our glasses as needed but there were no over pours. This is how service should be.
  23. MarkS
    Took advantage of this and some great wine pours on Saturday night. Grapeseed is firing on all burners and should be on everyones short list for the top places in Bethesda. Eating alone the abr was empty when I arrived at 730 but was full when I left at 9ish. The food was tasty, well prepared and very much complimented by the paired wines. I need to go more often
  24. MarkS
    Have my reservation at the bar Saturday night. See ya then.
  25. MarkS
    Jeff Any specials this weekend. The stars have aligned for me.
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