christopherc

Dustin, one of the managers at Eamonn's and the PX leaves to return to South Beach at the end of the month. Just want to wish him well and let him know he will be missed.

Happened to notice on our way into Balducci's that Farrah Olivia is now open for Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch. We decided to give the bar another try. I had a very good Bloody Mary and my companion had the $12 chardonnay. The pour on the wine has improved, at least for this visit. The bartender/waitress seemed more personable than others I have encountered at the bar and seemed to know what she was doing. We decided we will go for dinner and try brunch soon.

At Balducci's in Old Town when they ask that question I have to bite my tongue to keep from answering. Sutton Place had gone down hill but Balducci's has taken it to another level and it isn't up. For a while we had high hopes. It seemed they were trying. My big complaints are with their deli counter, their cashiers and the fact that half of what I buy turns before the sell date. Several weeks ago we talked to a manager who seemed to be concerned when we complained for the tenth time about the deli department. He told us about the new deli manager and the dificulity of turning it around. This week when I wanted to complain again, but didn't, we listened to another couple complain to the same manager about the same things as we had. They got the same asnwer as us. They told the manager that they had complained to him for the last time (he obviously didn't remember them), they said they would not be back, they preferred Balducci's for some things but would now shop at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. Our complaints: staff that is busy talking to each other to wait on customers, two employees making one sandwich for one customer (I do not kid), cheese that was wrapped so that I could not separate one slice from another. I ended up with a lump of chesse rather than slices. Smoke salmon that was sliced so thick I should have bought a salmon steak, and attitudes that imply I should not be bothering them. The list goes on and on. The cashiers seemed to have never learned that tomoates are soft things and squash and squish when heavy bottles and cans are placed on top, as is bread and cheese. They also think that double bags means two separate bags rather than putting two bags together. I don't get this at a Safeway or Giant when I am paying inflated prices at Balducci's I would expect that the cashiers know how to bag, is this common sense or am I losing it????????? I could go on and on but I will stop. Safeway in Old Town well it is just a sin. The only good thing I can say is that the Staff is nice and they do try but the store just seems forsaken. Why would the smallest Safeway in the area carry mostly bulk items? Most of the homes in the area are small with little or no storage space but our Safeway carrys a large quantity of bulk items but always seems out of certain items that the neibhborhood uses a lot such as floor wax.

Balducci's on Franklin Street in Alexandria, VA, but call first.

Also, a little out of the way but at 1201 South Royal is Bastille. We loved our appetizers and they have decent wine. Although the PX is a place where you should dress I have seen a lot of people in there in nice sweaters, jackets, and jeans.

Not in DC but one of my favorites is the Winery on South Washington Street in Old Town, Alexandria. Owned and ran by Jane Cahill with assistance from her sister and mother at times. Jane has been in business for about seven years now and has a good knowledge of wine and her prices are within reason. There is always a dog or two and a cat around making for a very relzxed buying experience and/or tasting.

I do not think Farrah Olivia wants to be or planned on being a neighborhood restaurant but most of the neighborhood folks had hoped it would be a little above Southside and a little less Restaurant Eve. Farrah Olivia has a very formal feel that comes from the personnel, the upscale food, and, of course, the prices. As I said before I am hoping they do well but knowing the area I am doubtful. Blue Point Grill went through many chefs, some good and some not so good. The prices were average to high, the food was only passable most of the time, management wasn't up to par, in particular from the corporate end but staff made the place enjoyable and it didn't have a formal feel to it. Shoppers and neighbors dropped in for a drink, appetizer, coffee and desert, or a meal, as well as those making reservations. Farrah Olivia just doesn't have the feel of "we can just drop in." I suppose Farrah Olivia really don't want that to begin with but I think they will need the neighborhood support and those that just drop in for a glass of wine or appetizer. Unlike Restaurant Eve they are not off to a "bang" of a start. Their web site doesn't mention the fact that they are now open and there has been little or no advertising since the opening.

I have stopped in twice. Both times the dining room was or was just about empty. One reason may be that they are pouring 3 oz. glasses of wine and telling one customer at least this is the normal pour. I don't mean you have a choice of 3 or 6 ounces they just pour 3 ounces no matter what price the glass. They also do not seem to have a bartender. My first visit Heather was tending bar. Heather is the owner/chef's wife. She seemed very knowledgable about wine but was very quiet and seemed uncomfortable behind the bar. My friend had to kill a bug crawling across the bar and when she asked Heather to remove it Heather seemed a little put out by the request. This Saturday when we stopped a gentleman was tending bar. He asked us what we were drinking and after telling him three different times he finally wrote it down. Fifteen minutes (I am not kidding) he got our wine for us. He left a check and when I went to pay it it was gone. Ten minutes later I asked him for the check and he had to get someone to help him. I understand being unfamiliar with a bar and register/computer but he seemed to be totally unfamiliar with a bar period. Both times myself and guest were served exactly three ounces of wine at $12 a glass. We could have had something for eight dollars but even at eight dollars 3 ounces is not good. Because I live very close to Farrah Olivia and have been waiting for it to open I hope it suceeds but I am very concerned. It is lovely inside and the renovations are nice but it just seems too far reaching for the what is a neighborhood restaurant inside a grocery store.

Our experience last spring was totally different, but we are older, not rich, nor, are we cute. We arrived just after they opened on a Saturday for a class of wine (had reservations at Lewnes that night). We asked if they would seat us at the roof deck bar. We were led upstairs by a lovely young lady who told us we were the first customers of the evening and to sit where ever we liked. We were also told the bartender would be with us in a moment. It was an extremely hot day and we decided to sit on one of the lounges under an overhang to stay out of the sun. The bartender actually came out from behind the bar and brought us a wine list. We asked him for suggestions and he gave us several in various price ranges. We ordered, he brought the drinks, and sat down with us and talked. (He was very young). After spending about fifteen minutes talking to us he left to set up the bar and help out a waitress who was setting up tables on the roof deck. We paid our check, left for our dinner reservation. We will make a point to have dinner there on our next trip to Annapolis. P.S. Lewnes was a disapointment. Not awful (we loved the bar and bartender there too) but just not up to the expectations we had from others.

Don't know about anyone else but I have heard that Harry is at Vermillion.

Just thought I would add my two cents to this string. Susan at Landini's in Old Town, Ken, Jake, Tammy, and, at one time Dustin at Restaurant Eve, some can also be found at Eammons in Old Town, George at Cashions, Dave at La La Land in Rehoboth Beach, Tara, formerly at 219, and many more to numerous to name.

Farrah Olivia will open for dinner tomorrow night. Farrah Olivia is in the old Blue Point Grill space at Franklin and S. Washington in Alexandria, VA. The redecorated space is a big improvement over Blue Point. Told today they will open tomorrow for dinner (11/8/06).

Can anyone tell me the latest opening date for Farrah Olivia in Alexandria?

Went back Saturday for what we hoped would be another great dinner. Our table was nice, the weather great, good wine, and generally good service. The food this time was disapointing. I was too busy trying my boyfriend's lobster bisque to notice I had been served the wrong salad, I ate it anyway. The lobster bisque was excellent. We had the lobster risotto and the softshells. The risotto was very good (and, hot) but the soft shells were mushy and had been left sitting for too long so they were almost cold. We chalked this up to our waitress being too busy and the softshells being cooked way ahead of the risotto. When she was able to ask about our meal she offered to take what was left of the softwhells and give me something else but we had waited too long to get her attention and didn't want to wait while something else was cooked. Hope this is a one time deal.

We were in the PX Saturday night. Loved the atmosphere, music, and service. It is quite small but comfortable. We felt at home immediately. Meant some new people and saw some familiar faces from Eve and Landini's. The young hip crowd that frequents Eve's bar in the evening hours will love the PX too. Can't wait to go again. Thanks to Dusin and Tammy for making us feel so welcome.

Pricing at Eamonn's is reasonable. We had two orders of the regular cod, which we though were generous, actually large. We shared a regular order of chips which were more than we could eat, probably enough for three people. With one coke our tab came to less than $20!

Eamonns is opened officially today, August 24. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were testing days. The fish and chips are excellent. The room seats about 20. Upstairs not open yet but beginning to take excellent shape. Cathel and Meshelle have done another excellent job and have created a much needed, inexpensive place for Old Town.