squidsdc

Worth the wait, IMO. $8 for a box of noodles, that will feed me for lunch AND dinner. The problem is stopping at half since it tastes so good! And I had no problems with the chork. They show in a picture up front where to hold it to snap into chopsticks and it worked just fine for me. There is a bit of texture and they are not completely round so I find them very easy to use.

No signs outside or on the front door indicating they are open, yet a crowd nonetheless. I got there early enough to not have to stand in line for too long, but the line to the door when I left may have been enough to turn me away if I needed to get back to the office.

I rarely get to eat ethnic foods due to so many allergies, but the "make your own" lends itself to being a big boon for me. I had checked with Chef Dennis previously about the sauces and found out that I can eat the coco-curry sauce. Now he may have told me that he would be doing things differently on opening day, but there have been so many delays I forgot. And had I remembered I would have waited to try the place out. But when I had already made it through the line and found out there was garlic in the sauce, he wouldn't hear of turning me away and offered to mix me up a special sauce.  Wow. I would have had them make it up normally and given it to my husband to eat. I certainly did not expect him to take away from his many concerns to do a special sauce, so first, many thanks to Chef Dennis for taking time out to do that. That is beyond belief for a busy first day. And second, I'm a fan! Tasted just like I remember noodle dishes tasted like even with no garlic and no soy. He makes his own hot sauce without garlic so that was a bonus in the flavor department. Since I can't compare the flavors to anything anyone else would eat it doesn't make sense for me to even try.

I can't wait to try out some other combos and apps when the busy opening dies down.

Bezos actually took over yesterday-the closing I believe was on Monday. We all are hoping for great things. Unfortunately people don't want to pay for reading the news and without some creative thinking and an inflow of cash there wasn't a whole lot of hope that anyone could see to go forward. I see this as an exciting time for the industry, a merging of the print and online without (hopefully) sacrificing either, and look forward to seeing what great ideas he can bring to the table.

At last check, the proposed opening is now Monday. Some of the inspections they were waiting on cleared and now they are just awaiting the Board of Health to give it's stamp of approval.

I walked in there yesterday (Monday) during lunch time and the lady told me that they were shooting to open on Thursday (at the earliest).

Interesting. When I walked by, two people walked in before me and they were told Wednesday. Wonder what pushed it further out in the span of, what, an hour?

That depends on what you are shopping for--if you need Kosher, then yes. The time I went the produce looked good and there were other items catering to more than just the Jewish community. I'm not sure how it would rate vs. the market in Rockville (formerly Katz's) But I did run over once when I needed something and was able to find it, just can't recall what it was right now. Murphy's Law I always seem to need to get milk or some other item on a Saturday, so I've not frequented it very often.

Has anyone been to Max's affiliated market, Shalom Kosher?  It appears to be nearby in the Kemp Mill shopping plaza just off Arcola Ave.

Yes, Shalom moved from that strip to the Kemp MIll Shopping Center, replacing Magruders. Just don't try to go on a Saturday.

Well the thread title is 19th&L downtown. It is a New York brand, with franchises in other locations. There are no longer any in the Washington region. Richmond is not local. (That doesn't mean they won't try to open again in a better location if they can find one.)

Agree with the comments about "healthiness" of Chipotle...only if one orders wisely. Burrito wraps have a surprisingly high carb count, but getting a bowl would work for low carb. Sodium is high and I agree that halving the portion is probably a better way to go.

And they have just recently opened in Wheaton Plaza directly across from the Costco-next to Mayorga. That little corner now has Panera, Elevation Burger, Chipotle, Mayorga* and Costco for dining options...not too shabby if one has to swing by Target or Costco and needs to pick up a quick meal.

(*Mayorga sells some nice snacks...nothing big but they are tasty.)

closed.

sigh.

Looking forward to hearing the details! I really like Newton's Table, and Newton's Noodles is right around the corner from my office, so I'm really rooting for it.

Root away--this little corner of downtown is becoming saturated with supposed "healthy" dining places. Nature's Table is one street over on 19th, as is Chop'd, Sweetgreen on L St. and Protein Bar a block up on 19th.  Notice I didn't mention Energy Kitchen. Friday was their last day of business. People would line out the door for Sweetgreen and think Energy Kitchen was just an extension of it, instead of an entirely different store and concept. 20th doesn't tend to get the same foot traffic as 19th so if they are as good as you say I hope they do well...

When is the soft opening? I walked by today and saw lights, but it still didn't appear to be that close to opening.

Too bad they don't list their sodium counts...many of their offerings are in the 700-1,000 mg range.  Some are obvious, like you would expect a sandwich containing bacon to be high in sodium or the BBQ Pork wrap (1210mg).  Others, like the falafel and red pepper wrap (980mg) or balsamic chicken and avocado sandwich (800mg) are not so obvious. 

Sodium counts are listed at the 19th & L location so I'm pretty sure they must show it at all locations. Their decaf drip is the best I've found. Really. Customer service is great and the line goes very quickly.

I had purchased the Kirkland balsamic years ago and didn't recall being a fan, though recently was re-introduced to it so gave it another chance. So yes, I think it is better now. I used it for a reduction and it was just perfect.

Costco

I know, I posted my response and then there were two other responses by the time I was finished as well! I work nearby and try to get out and walk at lunch most days and have walked by several times recently. I have never seen anyone go in there. I've looked in the windows and can't see anything, and even tried to see if there was a menu posted outside as some restaurants do. I see from the website that supposedly they are open for lunch, but they aren't trying too hard to get business at that time. Oh, and my lunch walks are between noon and 1pm so it's not like I'm out at an odd time for lunch.

I never would have known. It's not apparently open for lunch, since it always looks closed when I walk by it. But I did recently see the notice about the Food Network or other TV network redesigning the place.

I only know that the last time I walked by there was some reference to a food network "intervention" of some sort.

Congrats on the hard work paying off!

I just found out that Rodney went to my high school! Graduated 4 yrs after me. So he's a real local boy (Silver Spring, not just Bmore) but now it's too late to vote I forgot that votes had to be in by Wednesday.

Don't bother with Burgorilla. I'm sorry I tried them today.. Someone had a heavy hand with the salt shaker and they were too firmly packed for an 80/20 mix. Points to them for the true medium rare temp, though didn't make a difference when it's packed so firmly. Dorothy Moon's are much better burgers. The last one I had was packed loosely and was nearly falling out of the bun. And temp doesn't matter when they are juicy--it was a delicious messy mess.

To hillvalley , who is off on a great adventure. DC will never be the same.

I'll toast to that. Time is slipping by fast and I'm sad the joint happy hour never materialized, at least to the general DR community. It is a great adventure and I wish her all the best. So exciting!

Watching shows I've recorded and snacking on Red Hots. These things are addictive!

Location update--Mi La Cay has moved around the corner to 2409 University Boulevard. Larger space and much easier to find! For any long time locals, it is in the same shopping center where Barnaby's used to be in the old Lucia's space. Same shopping center as Wong Gee.

Still good; some reports I've heard it has even improved. As my limited diet doesn't allow me to sample much of the menu, I'll wait for someone else to try it and report. Though I did notice that Todd Kliman recently had it on his "where I'm eating" list.

This season has pretty much been a disaster, but we keep watching it.  I would be shocked if anyone but Stacey won the show, but I was also shocked that Nikki got kicked off last week.  Not only was she great on camera, but she often made very good food and had a good point of view (meat on the side).  While Stacey is also all of those things, the other three contestants - Damaris, Rodney, Russell - are kind of a joke to me.  In particular, Rodney and Russell move on week to week, and seemingly have no good qualities other than the fact that they are so rough around the edges that the Food Network wants to prove that they can mold them into great food show hosts.

Whatever, I am getting worked up just talking about it and I don't even like the show.  What am I doing with my life!?

Ditto. But I watch because Rodney is local-he needs some polish but if he can get it together I could see him being successful.  But Stacey needs to go; she's annoying. Like fingernails on a chalkboard. Nikki should have stayed, at least for one more week.

Darn it! I wanted to get there when Ed was there. That was quick.