Lydia R

KUOW, the Seattle NPR station, posted a recipe for hand sanitizer - just in case you come across barren store shelves.

They specify two-thirds 99% alcohol and discounted subbing cheap vodka (<50% alcohol). The one-third aloe vera gel or vegetable glycerin protects your skin from completely desiccating and flaking-off. 

https://www.kuow.org/stories/purell-is-low-in-seattle-how-to-make-your-own-hand-sanitizer

On ‎1‎/‎25‎/‎2020 at 4:37 PM, pras said:

 I will wait until it calms down a bit (free dogs today and before opening there was a line around the block at least 100 deep!).

It may take a while for Dog Haus to calm down. I caught the end of this 4-minute segment on today's WUSA Channel-9's Morning Show. Adam Gertler did a quick demo and gave details for a text-in contest with a weekly free meal grand prize.

Changes in Maryland law affecting craft beer. The tap room limit went up July first and the wholesaler agreement changes go into effect New Year's Day 2020.

Here's a 4-minute radio report from Esther Ciammachilli of WAMU on "two new laws — the Brewery Modernization Act and the Beer Franchise Law — will dramatically alter the craft beer industry. One law increases the amount of beer craft brewers can produce and sell. The other loosens provisions on contracts between brewers and wholesalers. The changes mean craft beer enthusiasts will see more of their favorite drinks in stores around the Washington region."

https://wamu.org/story/19/12/20/new-beer-laws-in-maryland-mean-more-craft-beer-in-more-places/

Here's the Brewers Association of Maryland's press release. Their website has more technical information:

https://marylandbeer.org/bam-announces-passage-of-the-brewery-modernization-act-of-2019-and-beer-franchise-law-reform/

Quote

BAM Announces Passage of the Brewery Modernization Act of 2019 and Beer Franchise Law Reform

April 7, 2019 by mdbeer

The Brewers Association of Maryland (BAM) and its over 100 members are proud to announce the passage of Brewery Modernization Act of 2019 (HB1010/SB801) Saturday, April 6. Coupled with the successful passage of Beer Franchise Law Reform (HB1080/S704), the 2019 Legislative Session signifies a major leap forward for our industry.

“These bills represent transformational change for the craft beer industry in Maryland and serve as a reminder that organized, persistent and thoughtful advocacy matters,” said Brad Rifkin, lobbyist for the Brewers Association of Maryland.  We are grateful for the support of the General Assembly and our industry partners for the passage of this legislation as well as their efforts earlier in Session to reform Maryland’s beer franchise laws for the first time since 1974,” said Rifkin. The Brewery Modernization Act of 2019, among other things, updates Maryland’s beer laws by increasing taproom sales, production capabilities, self-distribution limits and hours of operation while also eliminating outdated legal hurdles and streamlining the laws for day-to-day business operations.  “The Brewery Modernization Act of 2019 provides long-term flexibility for Maryland brewery owners, incentivizing the investment and reinvestment in both infrastructure and employees,” noted Rifkin.

The Beer Franchise Law Reform legislation represents the first time since the laws were passed in 1974 that small brewers are able to take full advantage of the free enterprise system. Under current law, small breweries that enter into distribution agreements with a wholesalers are unable to leave those relationships without giving 180 days notice and showing there was “good cause” to terminate the wholesaler – effectively mandating a perpetual business relationship. Beer Franchise Law Reform achieved this year changes that dynamic. Most importantly, upon this legislation taking effect January 1, 2020, breweries that produce less than 20,000 barrels annually may, without showing cause, leave a wholesaler after providing 45 days notice and upon payment to the wholesaler for its fair market value and the repurchase of the inventory in the possession of the wholesaler at the laid in cost.

“BAM wants to extend its sincere thank you to House Economic Matters Committee Chairman Dereck Davis, and Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee Chairman Paul Pinsky for their dedicated leadership in driving a compromise between all industry stakeholders on such important issues,” said Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Brewers Association of Maryland.

BAM also thanks our lead bill sponsors for the Brewery Modernization Act of 2019, Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary and Senator Antonio Hayes (and the 63 co-sponsors) as well as our lead bill sponsors on Franchise Law Reform, Delegate Carol Krimm and Senator Brian Feldman (and the 26 co-sponsors).

# # #

This will be Frank Pepe’s 12th location. I went to the Yonkers location and later the New Haven original with a nearly identical experience. 

This wonderful news was also reported by the Prince of Petworth.

On 11/9/2019 at 4:44 PM, Lydia R said:

Bangkok Garden now has a more casual offshoot. Just opened in Rockville’s Wintergreen Plaza shopping center.

Went for lunch today. It’s behind Habit Burger and three doors from Halal Guys. Inside, it’s dollhouse cute. They say the Bethesda location is staying in-place and this is a different, fast casual vibe. Here’s their opening menu including a not-so-secret menu. Dishes have a choice of protein (chicken, pork, tofu, veg) with an upcharge for beef, shrimp, or duck. Will be returning to explore more. 

BKRockville_NOV2019 - Nov 11 2019 - 14-21.pdf

Bangkok Garden now has a more casual offshoot. Just opened in Rockville’s Wintergreen Plaza shopping center. H/t to StoreReporter.com - a good source for retail and restaurant comings and goings in Montgomery County, MD.  
 

Here’s today’s pricing. Nothing seems much higher than regular season although there is a clear, hard plastic WS cup for $20 (including beer) at most of the beer stands.

World Series Game One:  The space where the Kosher stand is usually located is occupied by La Casita tonight (Friday) and probably tomorrow night too. There are some new lobster roll stands, but the lines aren’t appealing. The Family Picnic Area is now filled with temporary work bleachers and cordoned-off as an Auxiliary Press Box.

Lunch this week included Beef Rice Crepes and Mayo Shrimp. The Rice Crepe was scored, but not cut through, and hearty with a spiced ground beef patty inside. The Mayo Shrimp had a frilly and crisp outer shell. Inside, it was densely packed with large pieces of shrimp and barely a hint of mayo. It reminded me of entree #78 on their full menu so much that I want to bring chopped walnuts next time to add to the dipping dish of additional mayo (first saw Shrimp Walnut Mayo at Good Fortune in Gaithersburg). I also had a black sesame ball with a rich, inky-black, sweet, and creamy filling (but it isn't photogenic).

I picked up a copy of their quad folded full menu, scanned it, and posted it below the photo. I've always enjoyed seeing menus posted here and on Chowhound. 

VinhKeeFullMenu_MAR2019.pdf

On ‎3‎/‎1‎/‎2019 at 10:52 AM, TheMatt said:

I think their dim sum picture menu says something like "11-3". You order off the menu during the week, as the carts are only on the weekends.

Here's a scan of their Dim Sum picture menu. Their website seems to be still under construction with its Dim Sum section not yet started. Vinh Kee was larger inside than I'd imagined. There are several 4-tops, but remarkably 12 lazy-Susan equipped tables split between 8-tops and 12-tops. My late lunch today was relaxing with plates of BBQ Pork Buns and Snowpea/Shrimp dumplings. VinhKee_DimSumMAR2019.pdf

Yesterday, Pizza CS hosted their first pizza and wine tasting featuring Davide Megna from Impero wine distributors. About 25 diners went through a slice and taste of five pizzas and Italian wine pairing. It was a good group, recruited via FB, and we tasted a variety of pizzas from their menu while Mr. Megna provided tasting notes on the wines. As I left, I thanked Ankur and mentioned this felt like a fun DR group Dim Sum meal. Pizzas we ate (wine paring):

Poppi (Grigio Trebbiano, Impero) - Parmesan Cream, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Spinach, Artichoke, Roasted Peppers

Encore (Gragnano, Tenuda Matilde Zasso) - Tomato, Smoked mozzarella, Sausage, Red Onion, Oregano

Margherita (Sangiovese, Impero) - Tomato, Buffalo mozzarella, Basil

Capri (Nero D’Avola, Montani) - Tomato, Ham, Mushroom, Olive, Artichoke, Basil

Quattro (Roma Rosso, San Marco) - Mozzarella, Smoked Mozzarella, Ricotta, Gorgonzola, Garlic, Oregano

The wines were well paired with the Pinot Grigio/Trebbiano blend being the biggest surprise. After having avoided Pinot Grigio for years, this blend had enough body to support the light, white Poppi pizza. To me, Gragnano is usually just fizzy and plain. My table commented that this one was a winner and several thought they’d purchase a bottle later. Nero D’Avola sometimes resembles a peppery Zin, but this one was smoother and more like a Rhone wine. Mr. Megna helpfully mentioned the newly opened Rockville Pike Craft Beer store just south of CS carried his wines.

It would be great if we could muster a DR group and replicate this.

1 hour ago, DaveO said:

Try the bison huevos rancheros at SD.  Admittedly I'm more into the whole huevos rancheros with its spicyness and meatyness of the bison, and less focused on the tortillas. 

SD's bison huevos rancheros are tasty. The second time I had them, I wanted to sub warmed tortillas for the fried tortilla triangles. I was told the chips came to their location ALREADY fried and could not accommodate my request. Since then (last year), it's been hard to return because this was so contrary to SD's fresh, local, and healthy marketing image. In 2012, SD posted a youtube video of this dish being prepared by Chef Ype.

Although this isn't exactly food related - it might affect your food carrying plans. Most of us were braced for the Nationals to follow the football and soccer stadiums' example and ban all bags except transparent, plastic ones. This season may be the half-step in that direction with backpacks being banned (exceptions with permission: diaper bags & ADA/medical equipment). Announcement here / Detailed policy here

On 2/4/2019 at 12:56 PM, Ericandblueboy said:

While reading about the demise of Society Fair, I found out there's a Taco Bell Cantina next door.  So what's a Taco Bell Cantina other than it serves booze?  What's on their menu?

From WaPo's Fritz Hahn's recent article, it's about two blocks away. This is how he describes the food:  

Quote

The menu isn’t much different than what you might find at a standard suburban Bell, with the exception of a trio of “sharables.” A bowl of Cheesy Jalapeño Dippers sounds like something you’d split over a beer, though the Naked Chicken Chips with nacho cheese dipping sauce seem like a way to get rid of the shards of chicken tenders that once might have been destined to be the shell of a naked chicken chalupa.

Tim Carman's article yesterday described Gen Lee's reaction to their signature eggplant dish appearing on the menu of Andrew Zimmern's new Minnesota restaurant. The article notes Mr. Zimmern did not ask permission to add it. Zimmern got a demo in July 2013 when he visited Chang's Richmond location (the first page of this thread includes a link to Zimmern’s Vine of the visit, but it highlights a fish dish).

I wonder: did Zimmern disclose to Chef Chang he envisioned opening a chain of restaurants? At the time, Chef Chang could have seen this kitchen visit as an informal nod to a journalist/T.V. personality, not sharing a recipe for future commercial use. Sure, it was 5 years ago, but ouch. Who knows, their expansion plans might geographically overlap. Chang's restaurants' quality have varied depending on who was in the kitchen and some here have had disappointing meals. What if Chef Chang was even farther removed from the plate?  

When I first read yesterday's article I thought of Tom Power's "Chocolate Hazelnut Bars" heartfelt homage to Michel Richard and their time working together. Mr. Zimmern's offering was not this. 

12 hours ago, DaveO said:

This news piece and the in depth article to which it is linked might get you to think twice about the food at Nats Park let alone  any stadium venue in the US or Canada.  A similar article was published a bit ago in Sports Illustrated.

Wow, just wow. The in depth article was tough to read. With Valerie Camillo heading to Philadelphia, I hope the Nationals organization understands the level of commitment necessary to keep the Park "experience" of value and staffs accordingly. Having someone else represent in her stead at Winterfest was an inkling change was afoot. Valerie is trading her old job as the Nationals' Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer to become Comcast Spectacor's new President of Business Operations and will oversee the Flyers and Wells Fargo Center. 

1 hour ago, Ericandblueboy said:

Full menu available on website.  

Rouga Mo Chinese burger is very tasty - beware it's quite fatty.  The buns have crispy exterior, kind of like an arepa.  Every table ordered it, so it must be good.

I looked at the menu from this link and realized there are two burgers: N4 (Rouga Mo) and N5 (Cumin Beef). When a table of Chowhounds dented the menu a few months ago, the burgers we got were the only disappointment. Steve's report is on Chowhound. I'll specifically order the Rouga Mo next time. 

I've been back a few times for a weekday lunch plate. Instead of the standard suburban afterthought meal, the quality of this kitchen elevates the roll, soup, entree above other Rockville eats.

Having La Casita helps fight the concession-envy I feel from the Jose Andres curated Audi Field offerings. The unexpected cold weather snap on Saturday sent me looking for chicken soup, but I didn’t make it past SEC 139/140. Knowing La Casita is a successful MoCo mini-chain (Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, & Germantown) gave me confidence it would be good. Fresh off the griddle puposas were warm and filling.

Two other updates:

The larger format beer cans are still available in the concourse, but in-stand vendors don’t carry them anymore. They now carry small cans of sparkling wine and Atlas 1500.

At Grace’s Kitchen, the fried shrimp po’boy was replaced by a cold shrimp salad roll - best started with a fork and then picked-up to finish the last third of cool shrimp with the buttery, crisped, top-sliced roll.  The meatball sub was slightly downsized to a manageable four-ball ciabatta sandwich (bringing fresh picked basil from home is a good finishing touch).

Other than the debut of Childish Bambino and All Star Game festivities, this was a dull thud of a season.

18 hours ago, sandynva said:

 i will try to post pics of the menu soon, but if i'm unsuccessful, or till then, it's on grubhub too.

Menu is on Grubhub. Definitely looking forward to seeing pics.

https://www.grubhub.com/restaurant/xian-gourmet-316-n-washington-st-rockville/907076

Article in Bethesda Magazine announces  Shake Shake (& liquor license?)  coming to the Cabin John shopping center along with other improvements: 

"Shake Shack to Open September in Potomac" by Glynis Kazanjian on bethesdamagazine.com

/bump/

I'm looking for a few lunch options near the Convention Center in July. Tom Power's places aren't open for lunch. My list already has Smoked & Stacked, but always looking for more choices. Extra points for tabs less than $35, please.

Any suggestions?

On ‎4‎/‎26‎/‎2018 at 5:18 PM, Simul Parikh said:

I think their pre-made bowls are best... it’s sort of hard to make the ingredients make sense to together (at least it has been for me).  

I got to Rasa for the first time yesterday on my way to an afternoon game in Nats Park. I ordered the Open Sesame and was rewarded with a large, nicely packed bowl with fresh lamb meatballs and a riot of flavors and textures (will make sure to have the eggplant again). It traveled well to the Park and the (nice, but kicking) spice level benefited from being accompanied by a cold District Draft. Next time, I'll try one of the other set bowls on the menu.  

Upon arrival, I was told it was their 6-month anniversary. Definitely wish them well.

Documentarians Christoph Green and Brendan Canty's film "The Liberation" will be shown at AFI's Silver Docs on 15 June. Unfortunately the evening screening in Silver Spring is sold out, but their are still tickets available for the afternoon screening at Landmark E-Street. WaPO Express article by Kristen Page-Kirby HERE.

It's been a while since we had a DR volunteer night at DCCK, but remember them fondly.

Also about 5-miles away (north/west of FedEx) is location #2 of Taqueria 3 Reyes, 8500 Annapolis Rd, New Carrollton, MD 20784 - DR Thread here. It's located just inside the Beltway in a curved row of shops between Annapolis Road and the Metro Points Hotel. It's one of the better real-Mex mini-chains and easier to hit than others in Riverdale/Hyattsville. Maybe calling in your order ahead (301-918-4848) will make this option fit within your time window.  First page of the menu here: http://taqueriatresreyes.com/menu1.html

On 3/9/2013 at 8:28 AM, bookluvingbabe said:

Rumor of the day--Wegmans going into White Flint where the Bloomingdales used to be.

That would force the Rockville Whole Foods to really step up their game.

Interesting how the rumors eventually evolve. It'll be a while before the Rockville Wegmans opens at Twinbrook Quarter. Looking upthread, it took 4+ years for the Landover location to open after its initial press release.