squidsdc

13 hours ago, Pool Boy said:

He seemed to focus on that quite a bit in the review which is why I mentioned it. If you spend more, you probably expect more, I'll grant that. The thing is, I got a great experience, great cocktails, great food, plenty of wine options up and down the price scale, delicious desserts and wonderful service. I'd love to go back more often and have the option of, say, something like Palena's cafe. But that is not in the cards for Mirabelle and I did not expect it.  Sietsema still likes a lot of what Mirabelle offers, as per the review, but concedes he expected more for the prices paid. Sietsema and I seem to have different preferences and what we're willing to pay for those preferences.

I think this paragraph in his review is hilarious - '....Palena was actually two destinations under one roof: a clattery cafe and a (slightly) dressier dining room in the back. The service had some issues, and the interior lacked a designer’s touch, but near-perfect food at moderate prices was the primary reason customers flocked to the address. It was headline news, then, when Ruta, citing mounting debts, announced he was closing three years ago after a 14-year ride.'

Here he is pining for the days of Palena where you could get blown away by moderately priced food and yet does not seem to understand that Palena, as much as we all loved it so, was unsustainable **at those very prices**.  It is almost as if he is stating 'Hey, Palena was awesome food at moderate prices!' and now he is saying 'Hey Mirabelle is too expensive and let me give you a few examples of dishes I did not like in my six meals there to support my perspective.'

He's entitled to his opinion as we all are.  I sure do wish Frank was completely unshackled on the food front (say, like - more Italian influences more frequently!), I sure wish the prices were lower so I could go more often. I sure wish there was a cafe portion so I could go more often. But I will take Frank and Aggie in all of their glory for lunch and dinner all day long whenever I can.

As always, your mileage may vary. We all have different expectations and preferences. I love it there.

TS also mentioned a lunch where it cost $180, with a couple glasses of wine. That sounds like what we do in NYC - go to lunch at a nice restaurant and pay the prices that we would normally pay for dinner.  Now I don't know whether we can really afford to go to dinner at Mirabelle, but this review certainly isn't going to stop me. We'll do lunch, if that is more in our price range. It did kinda sound like he had an axe to grind here...the back room at Palena was a destination for us, and not just "(slightly) dressier".

Looking forward to hearing your report-that is a great resume and the menu is enticing. No prices however...

On 9/12/2017 at 9:19 AM, Ericandblueboy said:

According to Eater, this Shaw joint just opened.  The head chef previously worked at Le Bernadin and Guy Savoy.  Being super hip and cool, we will be checking out their early-bird specials soon. 

On 7/25/2017 at 0:41 PM, squidsdc said:

I hope they will be at the Farmers Market this Thursday, as they have been, so I can get one last taste. Never was able to make it out to the retail location.

...and I got the very LAST pulled pork sammie.  Not sure what they have at the store, but sold out at the market. Bought a supply of some smoked meats as well. It's not too often one can find a good smoked meat with no garlic or soy.

I hope they will be at the Farmers Market this Thursday, as they have been, so I can get one last taste. Never was able to make it out to the retail location.

2 hours ago, SilverBullitt said:

Metropolitan Wheaton has changed a lot since I was growing up in Kemp Mill (Silver Spring, though serviced out of the Wheaton Post Office) in the 70s.

 

I was going to mention the same thing - depending on the post office that services the area, it will either be Silver Spring or Wheaton. And the Amherst Ave post office has a Silver Spring, not Wheaton, address, which is most likely the post office that services that restaurant. (I also grew up in Kemp Mill. And came back to care for the 'rents so still living there...with a Silver Spring address!)

5 hours ago, porcupine said:

Anyone in the area carry diastatic malt powder? I can get in in time if I pay a fortune for overnight shipping but would like to find a local source. Thanks.

It's available on Amazon - if you don't have a Prime account (overnight shipping) I could order it for you--would just have to get it to you though!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the closing of Il Fornaio (or perhaps I missed it.) Shocked, but not shocked...

19 hours ago, Juste said:

Closing this month I believe.

Wow.

I thought for sure you would be first Pool Boy! We are considering a belated birthday meal for Mr. S-but want to wait for them to get their sea legs before taxing the kitchen dealing with my allergies. 

Did you see Tom Sietsema's First Bite column? WaPo

14 hours ago, DonRocks said:

Do you know this for a fact? Write Celia and ask her - this is her job, and she's always happy to field questions such as this.

Get the chicken so you can have the Parker House rolls, among other things.

Yes they are definitely cashews. I was told they changed the recipe about a week ago. And unfortunately, just like at Palena, I'll never be able to eat the chicken. Garlic is integral to the dish. (I miss the Parker house rolls!) I'll write more later, but just want to say that most of the menu was available to me, without alteration, or with very slight accommodation. That is a major feat. The newly added oyster stew is a must order IMHO, and the lobster French toast was everything it has been hyped to be. Aside from the surprise on the coffee service, the actual coffee was the most disappointing part of the meal. More on that later....

3 hours ago, squidsdc said:

I saw your post on the decaf previously and was planning on ordering...but yes, I am allergic to legumes, so peanuts are out. (sigh) 

Thanks for all the help everyone!

Pssst- cashews now, so I got to indulge!

28 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

I've liked all the single-sized desserts just about equally (it's just a matter of which ingredients sound good to you); the only clunker was the double-sized Rhubarb Clafoutis, which just didn't bear any resemblance to a Clafoutis, and even my dining companion (who didn't know what a Clafoutis was, just didn't love it). *Everything* else has been wonderful.

Regardless of dessert, do yourself a favor and get an order of coffee - decaf if necessary. Just trust me on this and do it, and you'll be in for one of the most delightful surprises you've ever had. If you have peanut allergies, ignore this paragraph.

I saw your post on the decaf previously and was planning on ordering...but yes, I am allergic to legumes, so peanuts are out. (sigh) 

Thanks for all the help everyone!

2 hours ago, DanielK said:

You can't lose with either the Foie Gras or the Lobster French Toast.

Well that is no help at all!  Haha. Any other recs on the desserts?

19 hours ago, Keithstg said:

Hey Squids - I was just at Kinship this Saturday for an early dinner pre-company holiday party. We ate in the bar area and didn't venture too far beyond what we had in our prior visit.

Starters were Lobster French Toast and the Risotto with White Truffles. The Lobster French Toast was unchanged from our earlier trip and just as delicious.

Risotto was also excellent, and it should be noted that the truffles are priced fairly gently relative to other places in town and in other cities this season. Great dish, but then again when is anything with enough white truffles on it bad?

Main course was the roast chicken, which continues to be superb and an EXCELLENT deal. The two of us couldn't finish the chicken, accompanying salad and parker house rolls. The pommes rissolees were also fantastic. The chicken is different than the Palena/ Grill room bird from years and months past - if this bird is brined it is not assertively so, but is no less moist. The panade is excellent, and I had more of it this time than on my prior visit. The chicken could have easily served three, and potentially four, but not four with hearty appetities. Also totally possible that we received a bird on the small side as there were just two of us.

Wines were a glass of champagne, a glass of Chateau Musar white, and the outstanding '08 Raffault Chinon "les Picasses". Can't recommend this Chinon enough - pure Cab Franc goodness, and very easy on the wallet.

Great meal - looking forward to returning soon.

Thanks for the post Keithstg! I'm trying to decide between the Foie Gras Torchon or the Lobster French Toast...both have received rave reviews! The chicken I was told is ~4 lb but we won't be getting that this time. I may go for the Spanish Turbot, Quince Salad and one of the above. Perhaps the Oyster chowder instead of the Quince Salad, if that one is amenable to my allergies. And debating among the Parsnip Cake, Maple Syrup Dumplings, Honeycrisp Apple Galette or Chocolate Chestnut Turinois for dessert. Too many to choose from-I don't usually have this many options!

(One of the downfalls/benefits of many allergies...selecting what to order ahead of time)

Looking forward to Friday night belated birthday celebration at Kinship. After tasting the menu at CityZen just before Chef departed, I am looking forward to the evening. No current menu is online, and there are no recent posts, so if anyone has been recently,  please post! Thanks! (I'll add my .02 review after we dine...)

ETA-the menu online is very close to the current one, I'm told. I'll report back later!

How timely!  We have an AMEX gift card that we've been wanting to use on a grinder, but every time I do research and think I know which one I want, I see something in a review that makes me doubt. So I will read Don's link above and see if that helps

Also-we recently purchased the same OXO linked above, at BBB at a ridiculous sale price, and are loving it. I like it even for heating up water for tea as I can heat to a lower temp and don't need another piece of equipment just to have heat water. Can't wait to try it with a good burr grinder!

I recall posting about this before, but can't recall which thread--perhaps something to do with Hawaii? Because the purple japanese sweet potato is the Okinawan Sweet Potato, and also a version of it is called a Hawaiian Sweet Potato. The best way I can describe it's taste is a combination of chestnuts and sweet Jerusalem artichoke. They are pale when raw, but turn the beautiful purple when cooked. There are other versions as well, which we've been purchasing usually from Asian markets such as H-Mart. Most recently we found a version at the Shop Rite in Silver Spring. Still same beautiful purple color, but a bit different flavor.

And whenever we are in Hawaii, we make it a point to purchase a Sweet Potato Haupia pie from Ani's-- it is phenomenal. Here's just one recipe, and pics that show the uncooked potatoes as well as the pie to drool over...

Thx for the heads up on the WaPo chat. I signed up awhile ago and do get the emails but have yet to receive my charter issue yet. Hoping it will arrive by the end of the week! 

Ultimate Vanila Wafers are quite that..."A butter cookie with flecks of Madagascar vanilla beans" Notice the container is nearly empty.  Like no other vanilla wafer I've ever had!

I don't believe I'm posting out of line, but Don, feel free to remove if you disagree. The restaurant freely offered that Chef is not in due to a family emergency. We may have to postpone our arrangements for tomorrow evening. I don't know any details (and wouldn't post even if I did) but any family emergency is a trying time; I hope the best for him. I let the restaurant know we are willing to reschedule for next week if Chef will be back by then.

Can't recall how long we've been doing this, but we created a tradition of celebrating our wedding anniversary at the same restaurant. The one we started out with was Mrs. Simpsons on Connecticut Ave, which closed. We were quite thrilled to then find Palena and began celebrating there. When that closed, we were very happy to be able to continue our tradition with Chef Ruta at The Grill Room.

Now Chef is leaving at the end of October, so we'll just squeak in to be able to celebrate our 30th anniversary, on the 18th. That makes me quite happy. Hopefully he doesn't decide to leave early or else we'll be in a fix! (And then his new restaurant should hopefully be open by next year this time, so we can continue the tradition...)

It's a good burger - definitely better than 5 Guys.  We stop at the Silver Spring location occasionally. They have some local brews on tap as well as the nifty dial a drink soda machines.

Thanks for sharing Don. I hope he did not suffer long.

And I just read that Julia Child passed on this same day in 2004. 

I have very fond memories of taking a cooking class with him on my birthday many years ago and running into him afterwards at Dean & Deluca. And of course dining at his restaurants. RIP.

I seem to recall seeing more posts about San Diego previously--not too many recent ones! Hope someone out there has been to Cork and Craft/Abnormal Beer Co. in RB though...and if so, any recommendations on a must try dish? We are eating there for lunch. And to choose just one beer to try is going to be very difficult! (I'm a lightweight so I'm hoping they have a tasting!)

We are also hoping to get to Extraordinary Desserts and to hit the Liberty Public Market. And will be having lunch one day at Wilson Creek winery in Temecula. A short trip, but also want to add in a place that has Hawaiian food. Any current recommendations for that as well will be much appreciated!