brr

Hopslam has arrived.

On tap at The Big Hunt tonight. Vraiment incroyable.

Rodmans has 6 packs (19.99)

Finally went yesterday. At 4.30 during the 'dead' week between Xmas and New Years it was filling up rapidly, by 5.30 it was full and by 6.30 it was jam packed. Incredible to see - fair play to the owners and staff for putting out a product everyone wants to try.

We stuck mainly with an incredible 'smoke' beer, ‘Aecht Schlenkerla' which was something like $7 a glass. One of the best beers I have had in a long long time. Nice aroma of smoke and incredible bacon-y, caramelly taste - we put away 3 or 4 of these. Also tried the Brewdog Isle of Aran Imperial Stout on cask, if only to reassure myself that I did still like beers aged in bourbon barrels after my bad experience with Goose Island Bourbon County. Very nice brew, significantly more restrained and balanced than the Goose Island abomination.

We didn't order much food-wise but I did think $7 or $8 for a bowl of spiced nuts was a bit cheeky.

uber tasty chicken, white bean tomatillo soup today - perfect antidote against the freezing temps

They opened this week. Stopped by for some lunch with a couple of co-workers. They've done a pretty nice job of transforming the space. Standard middle eastern fare, main choice is between a series of platters ($12-15) or a series of sandwiches ($6-10) plus hummous, baba g etc etc as appetizers.

LOTS of nervous looking staff everywhere. Very helpful but occasionally smothering (picking up plates literally the second you finish, multiple water refills etc etc). Baba ganoush was very nice....smoky....just the way I like it. Hummous was a little bland and the fresh baked pita was the biggest disappointment - no real taste, just a vehicle for absorbing the dips.

Shish Taouk sandwiches are good with very moist, nicely seasoned chicken and are $6. An extra dollar gets you about 4-5 french fries in the sandwich which I didn't think was VFM. A better strategy would be to get a plate of fries $3 and add them yourself.

bizarre

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/30/AR2009113004347.html

Thanks

Yes, after getting up off my ass and typing Bowie into the search box I feel it would be a wasted trip without a visit to KBQ

Headed to Bowie for a early afternoon meeting today. Any suggestions for lunch either on the way or in Bowie itself? Heading out of town via NY Ave.

Tried it over the weekend in Chicago. I'm a big fan of stouts (being from Ireland I kinda have to be) but found this to be borderline undrinkable. Judging by the ecstatic reviews on BA and ratebeer I am very much in the minority on this one but happy with my stance.

Just way too much going on with this beer and the whiskey taste was completely completely over the top. I didn't finish it, something I thought I'd never do with a $11 beer.

After I got a taste of this earlier this year, I was hoping it would show up here (Thanks for the heads up). Bombers gone, but 12oz 4 packs available at $22.99 or by single bottle at $5.99. Dave said he had 13 cases of it (!) Phenomenal stuff, and I'm not really even that much of an imperial stout lover. If you liked the Founders Breakfast Stout, wait until you get a load of this...

Wow Dominic! Excellent writing and photography - thanks so much. We'll give Alinea a shot but realistically will probably not get in on 4 days notice. Sounds like L2O will be a pretty darn good substitute

Was just there a few weeks ago and loved it. Full post here:

http://www.skilletdoux.com/2009/11/l2o.html

That said, I'd steer you to Alinea before L2O, simply because of how incredibly unique it is.

Heading to Chicago for a rare weekend sans kids. Thinking of having dinner Sat night at L2O. Have any Rockwellians been and would like to share their experience. Apart from that we're planning on sticking to known territory, Hot Dougs, Map Room, Publican etc.

Would also appreciate good breakfast recommendations.

in

Another outstanding $12 lunch at Proof. Why there were 10 empty seats at the bar I don't know. And they have Founders Breakfast Stout on tap!!

I think it should be upgraded to YOWZER! Wow, this is good stuff. Had a bottle of it at Eventide tonight. Nom.

Had it for the first (and second and third ) time on draught yesterday at The Big Hunt. INCREDIBLE! Picked up a 4 pack at Magruders tonight for 10.99

Thanks. I've been kind of involved in a big discussion about the last episode, so by next week I meant this week! And yes, re: Natalie Portman, I understand it's likely to be a vegetarian or vegan focused challenge. Should be interesting!

surprised no-one has weighed in on Mike I's departure yet - again while there's little doubt he can cook rings around Robin, he's also an arrogant jerk so it was deliciously ironic that he had to pack his knives before she did

I am hoping that Robin is next though - if she lasts much longer it will be a travesty.

Jen seems to be really struggling

Brian V needs to step up his game a little, I haven't tallied all the wins but get the impression Kevin and Mike V are more consistently impressing the judges

and last but not least "Its like a little prick in my mouth" We were rolling on the floor laughing

there were about 25 people in a non-moving line at 12.20 at Farragut Square today. I can't really justify queueing 20 or 30 minutes for lunch when the lunchtime deal at Julia's Empanada's is but a hop skip and a jump away

Great question - 11-2 only

I would imagine evening hours would be difficult because of its location in a bar

Dupont Circles ever expanding set of lunch options just got a little bigger. Tomatillo Taqueria operates out of the bay window of The Big Hunt (right next door to the new Kabab place which was hiring today) and is a welcome and cheap addition to the hood.

3 Tacos $6 (beef, chicken, pork or veggie, choice of 6/7 gratis toppings, except guac which will run you $1)

Burrito $6

Some side dishes (chips and salsa etc)

I went for the Tacos and was impressed. Interested to hear others opinions.

Any chance of their menu making it online any time soon?

we stopped by for some late night snacks this week and it was ok.....the seared tuna is very nice, as were the peeky toe crabcakes which were somewhat spoiled by a heavily salted salad/salad dressing. The bread pudding for dessert was a little dry.

One thing that really struck us was that the restaurant was completely empty (bar 1 table) at 9.15....

Lunch this week featured a sublime butter poached lobster with pork belly. Definitely worth a try.

this place looks like it has a decent list....bit of a drive though

http://www.friscogrille.com/beer.php

the tomato ice cream that comes with the heirloom cherry tomato/gazpacho dish is amazing....try it

We were in london a few months ago and had lunch at The Golden Hind, which was kind of near Covent Garden. Really good fish and chips in a casual (but not grimy) setting. We were there on a Friday afternoon and it seemed like a popular lunch joint.

I'll echo the recommendation for The Golden Hind - stumbled upon it and thoroughly enjoyed our meal there.

couldn't agree more - I've noticed the coming soon sign for the last few weeks/months and the wellness part was not appealing

They may have dropped "wellness" from their name on the menus, but it still appears on the signage. On their opening night I walked by and looked at the menu. In my mind "wellness" suggests vegetarian-type foods, whole grains, wheat grass smoothies, salads etc. So I was pretty surprised by their menu which has none of those foods and leans more trendy. I asked the waitress standing by the door what made this a "wellness bistro" and she said the food is organic and sustainable. My fear for this restaurant is that their signage sends the wrong message- attracting (and then disappointing) some while perhaps dissuading those who their menu and concept is hoping to attract.