hm212

I had dinner there once. The food was good. Not great, but good. I don't remember specifically what we had, but I do remember that we had about ten or fifteen plates for about 7 or 8 people.

I do remember the restaurant was basically empty. Our table was the only table in the back in use and there were less than a dozen people in the bar and front tables.

Not memorable enough to go running back, but not memorable enough to say never again. If I was in the area and hungry, sure but probably not a destination spot.

Five Guys had rapid franchise expansion.

There are good franchisees and not as good franchisees and there are terrible franchisees. Unfortunately, people tend to blame the entire brand for the weak franchisees. Remember as franchise is only as good as the on site manager.

The Germantown and Kentlands Five Guys in Maryland are very good. I have heard the the same people that own Mama Lucia's pizza on Rockville Pike are operating those two outlets.

Great Pizza and Great Burgers.

Maybe they just need to be more picky who they let represent them in the other areas.

Mistakes and issues happen all of the time. If you are looking for anything perfect, will never happen. The real question and mark of good service is how they recover and what they do to fix the issues.

If you have an issue and do not tell someone they cannot help you.

The real key is just be polite and respectful and most of the time things get fixed. It is when you have done the above and nothing happens then the place needs to be slammed, but everyone deserves the opportunity to make it right before they are slammed.

The ribs are fall off the bone good. The sides top notch. My favorite is the soul rolls. Everything is fresh and homemade. I am hooked on their key lime pie.

They catered a couple football parties last season and everyone was very happy.

Took the kids tonight.

Had the Fried Risotto Balls for an appetizer. We had two pizzas, the margharita and they made up a white for me (Mozzarella, Ricotta & Gorgonzola). The flavor was great.

We got there at 5pm and we were able to get a two top on the deck, when we left at 6:15 there was a line down the block (at least ten tables or so), who would have thought on Sunday of a holiday weekend.

I was at a meeting last night at Lone Star Steakhouse in Gaithersburg and was told by the waitress on Labor Day, Monday September 5th the restaurant will be donating 100% of sales (she pointed out the donation will be sales dollars not just daily profit) to the Hurricane relief fund.

So if you are in the area Monday (Exit 10, Clopper Road off 270), please stop in for at least a drink.

Something I once had to say about Chef Geoff's which still is the worse place/meal I've ever had in DC:

Today I visited Chef Geoff’s Downtown for lunch, and it falls into the latter categories.

The dish was sauced to death with a cloying sweet and acidic vinegar mixture that overwhelmed and overpowered everything (save the grape tomatoes which had enough of its own flavorful acid to fight through this mess). The asiago cheese on this dish looked like it had come from one of those plastic containers of shredded (as opposed to grated) parmesan at the supermarket.

I was at the uptown version last night - It really sucked. I tried to like it, but I just didn't. I was there once before and had a great meal. Last night yuck!

I had the calamari appetizer, they used a brown sugar sauce. It really did not work. I had the pork tenderloin and also the sauce killed it. It was a combo of hot and sweet and yes overpowered a great tenderloin.

Gepettos in Bethesda... basic pizza not well done... looked good but did not taste good... AND the two servers were fighting with each other over a disputed tip!  Crazy. 

Don, if you don't like my topic feel free to take it down... but I had to vent.  I am tired of giving money for bad food and service.  Yuck.

I live in Bethesda. Gepettos was good about ten years ago, but it is very tired and needs to be put out of its misery.

The new Indian place in Rio Shopping Center.

Comments, Opinions?

I have a friend that wants to try it.

Let me know.

Thanks

Thanks for swapping this into the old post - Doesn't sound promising but any updates.

Count me in.

I have my kids that weekend (3 & 6). My girls had a great time at the Spring picnic.

I need to hear from the peanut gallery who is bringing kids.

I am thinking desserts of some type. Probably some kid junk too, for both big and little kids.

I have not seen this article. If anyone can post a link it would be appreciated.

I have met Joe at several of his blowout dinners. I would like to say Thank You to Joe for putting together top of the line excellent events.

As far as the Chowhound board banning anyone, I find it a disgrace and a big loss for them.

I am not a regular poster, put enjoy keeping up to date on what is happening and I beleive there are many other readers that may not post often.

I keep asking on TS's chat but no answer. When will the Silver Spring location open?

I had dinner at Ray's on Wednesday night and I asked the question above to the waitress. She said probably not before September, they keep running into construction and contractor issues.

Had the strip steak with blue cheese medium rare. I died and went to heaven.

Tom,

Do your editor's edit the archive version of the chat after it is done? I could have sworn I saw something about Cesare leaving Tosca in the archive about an hour after yesterday's live chat.

I went back to reread last night and it was not in the column.

My assumption is that it was in the live version, and an editor found out it was not accurate and removed it from the archive.

Good assumption or am I just losing it.

As they add branches and franchisees, they will certainly become inconsistent. Overall they are still tops in my book. The Germantown branch is usually great on the burgers but the fries can be hit or miss. Great one day, but I took my daughter last weekend and they were limp soggy things.

I saw the e-mail. Did I read it right? 1/2 off your entire check if you mention the e-mail.

Food and Alcohol?

Inquiring minds are double checking.

Thank You to everyone. It was a great day with incredible food and terrific friends.

Without reiterating, looking forward to doing it again.

Sounds like plenty of carbs. I made a pesto pasta salad with chicken and roasted peppers, topped with Gorgonzola.

I will also throw some sodas in a cooler with ice.

Montgomery County has nice facilities, but they charge a fortune for their permits.

Hi - I am new to this site, but have been to events from the Chowhound board.

I was thinking about joining for the picnic and bringing my kids (6 & 3). Anyone else bringing kids? What ages?

Just trying to see if my kids would fit into the demograpics.

Also, any suggestions on what else to bring.

Let me know.

Thanks.