squidsdc

**NITPICK ALERT** (it's early on Sunday, whaddya want?)

Rocks, you may want to edit the description of this topic...Spezie is actually located on the west side of Connecticut before 18th...17th Street is on the east side of Connecticut which always seems much farther away whenever I'm trying to navigate the area within my hour or less lunch) So, Connecticut and L, or 18th and L would be a more appropriate description.

Hoping to stop by Palena tonite...we're on a tight budget now that our kitchen renovation has begun but I insisted that we need to get out to someplace that won't break the bank to have some sort of recognition for our 19yr anniversary today. We would've gone to the grill for lunch if it had been open today... (Now that's a cheap date!)

Belated link to Oct 18 chat

I find it odd that there is no summation or close...like "see you next week" etc. etc. Am I missing something? Maybe my PC is messed up, but I didn't see one on last week's chat either.

While it is definitely nice to have another person's opinion, the chat seems short on length and substance--maybe not enough publicity and therefore not many questions submitted? I'm not really sure how I found out about the chat myself ( stumbled across it somewhere) but I certainly haven't heard or seen the Washingtonian publicizing it.

Quisp cereal

I seemed to be a slow day at the Grill today.  I got there shortly afternoon and there were maybe three people in line in front of me and I'm used to the line snaking around and out the door.  I wonder if the magic has worn off.  My pork shoulder sandwich was as good a usual.  I did see jm chen spooking around out on the back deck.

--didn't you notice traffice was much lighter this morning?! At least it was in MoCo, where the schools are closed today. That means even though many people are not off to celebrate the holiday, the fact that schools are closed will keep some parents home from work.

(edited to say: *))?#! those typos and triple spacing!)

JUST finished a turkey sub from Marchone's-mmmmhhhh

tuna salad and Stacy's pita chips....wont' be eating very many home cooked meals since demo on our kitchen renovation started yesterday! (finally!)

I searched for a thread on Johnny's but could only find a few comments here and there. Most comments saying how it's gone downhill, not as good as it used to be, etc. Since I've never been, I have nothing to compare it to previously.

First attempt at a late lunch, we were turned away from Firefly, so we walked up the street to look at our options, and lo and behold, Johnny's was still serving after 2:30pm. Service was very friendly and unobtrusive, and our meals were fabulous!

I ordered the soft shell crab with Old Bay Buerre Blanc sauce atop a corn (souffle?) something, and co-worker had the shallot, beer-battered fish and chips. First off, the bread was just so-so, and the butter was rock-hard cold. I can live with that, since the soft shell was divine. The Old Bay was subtle, and just gave the sauce a "melt-in the mouth" type of experience. The sauce also had fresh basil, which added a nice complexity to the mix. The corn, which I can't recall what they called it, was incredible. I'll try my best to relay...imagine sweet corn just shucked off the cob, still with a bit of a crunch, held together by something that did not in anyway interfere or hide the flavors. It would also have "melted in the mouth," had it not been for the slight crunch of the corn, with sweet juices in every bite. The complement of the sweet corn with the tanginess of the Old Bay was perfect. When I ordered, the menu said "crabs" (plural) so I was a little afraid that I'd have to leave some on the plate...but the crabs were small, so it was a perfect size for me to eat and not be completely stuffed.

My co-worker hadn't ever ordered fish and chips before, since he did not like fish in his youth, but thought the perfect time to try it would be here, since he loves shallots and loves beer! He was not disappointed, and said the fish was incredible. I snagged a taste of the very tempting chips---they were crisp and hot, and if I hadn't been savoring my own meal, would have tried to snag a few more!

Dessert was shared; an apple crisp topped with fresh cream. It was not "sweet" as most apple dishes tend to be...nice tart apples, no overwhelming flavor of cinnamon. In fact, both of us though we could detect a savory flavor, such as basil? But we asked the waitress and she said maybe it was the type of apples used. She said it was simply apples and cinnamon.

Sorry to be so long in the tooth, but FWIW, Johnny's Half Shell is a nice spot, nothing too fancy. In some ways it's good to compare a place to what it was before, but in other ways, those same comments may prevent new customers from giving the place a go. And from my first trip there, I will definitely return.

Tried to get a late lunch today with co-worker, but we we were too late by about 5 minutes.

Cozy Cafe will do just fine if you are in the area, especially on a hot summer day.  Beats the hell out of some crappy faux coffee smoothie

It was a hot summer day so I went to Cozy Cafe last week...they use a mix, and mind you I'm no expert, but I was ready to toss it. It was that bad.

I like to get the Thai Iced Tea Bubble Tea from An Loi--now that is tasty!

Penag is Malaysian, but they will be competing with the nearby Star of Siam. Pan-asian lunchtime spots Nooshi and Signapore Bistro are also a block south on 19th. But considering the lines out of the better lunchtime options in that area it seems like they've got the concentration for it.

(footnote--Star of Siam is no more...it is now Thai Bistro!)

I was never impressed with Fin--last visit was a special party for work, which was handled nicely, but I wouldn't, and wasn't inspired to return. Too many other good options in the area.

Hippo birdy two ewe, JPW!

I may hop over to the grill in a few minutes....

I made some fresh sweet corn soup garnished with a brunoise of roasted beets. This went along with a spinach salad and flat iron steak.

Sorry no pictures.

I have some corn left that I was considering making into soup--would you share the recipe?

Well, I would be going to see the NATS in a few hours, but Mr. Squids is not feeling up to it--I have 2 tik...if anyone wants them PM me!

While you make a good point, johnb, notice the many times people have posted about problems at Whole Foods. Myself, I just purchased last week at WFM, 2 Portofino "salad in the bag" as they were on special 2/$5. Sell by date Aug 28. Opened pkg 1 yesterday, and the lettuce was all wet and slimy. Pkg 2 does not look promising, either.

(I even had a cooler with me last Sunday when I purchased the salads, since I was bringing home fresh seafood)

This is not the first time I've had problems at Whole Foods...when will I learn?

I bought Mahi-Mahi and crabs on Sunday--both were quite good. Crabs were my first this season, and definitely satisfied my craving!

As per JPW, they were closed yesterday to fix A/C, but are expecting to reopen. I concur, the owner is very nice, and knowledgable.

Mahi-Mahi was fileted that morning, and even though it came in on Friday, it was still very fresh. We breaded and pan-fried it in ghee, and served it with a lime-parsley butter sauce.

I will definitely be back during the week soon, so I can see what else they have in store--the lobster special I was told will be on for about a month. I believe he said 8.95/1b.

More good... I agree about Sniders... I am picky about my bagels, and I like theirs.  I think they are from the NY Bakery on Georgia, which seems to have an impossible parking lot.

I also really like Snider's deli and meat departments.  They have a great butcher. 

Bad... The seafood at Whole Foods in SS, it is ok, but so expensive. 

How is that new seafood place on Georgia near Sniders?

see here

Bought some mahi mahi and crabs at Upstream on Sunday and loved them both! There are some good specials for the grand opening, and everyone there is very nice. They're not fully stocked as of yet, but there are some good options nonetheless.

Chilled tomato and bread soup-(from Mario's Molto Italiano)

I gladly took some over-ripe tomatoes from a friend who had way to many... This makes a pretty presentation, and is verry easy to make. Over-ripe tomatoes, Fresh Basil, Fresh Thyme, EVOO, day old bread, S&P. Garnished with fresh parsley (instead of scallions)

Fresh Corn-I grabbed a few ears on sale at Sniders--not fantastic, but still good. I knew it couldn't hold a candle to some of the corn I've had this season from the farm stands.

Pan seared Mahi-Mahi (from Upstream Seafood Market!)

with parsley-lime-butter sauce

Too stuffed for a real dessert, I grabbed a snicker-doodle that I bought on impulse from WFM.

Lemon Sorbet (delish!)

Our building was just sold, and the new mgt company is providing an "ice cream social"

Stupid question: does this place do take-out?  Menu online?  It takes some powerful food magnetism to pull me away from the lure of Greek Deli, but it sounds like this place has the goods.  Usually take back to my desk though ...

Not sure about the menu being online, but I get take-out all the time as I rarely have time to eat out...and it is definitely worth it! (They also have several daily specials that you won't find printed)

I'm dying here....I won't be able to keep tabs on the website so I'm sure I'll miss the announcement

There was even an ad in last week's Gazette that said "Grand Opening" but no other details, so I expect it should be verrry soon!

Anyone have a recommendation for good fish in Mont.Co., MD?

I’ve been less than impressed with Whole Foods and Balducci's.

Thank you!

Not a recommendation since they haven't opened yet, but Upstream Seafood Market is due to open in S.S. very soon...