mhberk

It looks like Baltimore Magazine just named it one of the top 50 restaurants in the Baltimore area in this month's issue.

A bit-  My mother adored her meal (the salmon??), but added that she thinks she got the best one.  She told me some details of what everyone got, but as I'm going on about an hour of sleep today (been doing the head nod thing all day), it's not coming to me.  I'll get more out of her when I see her next week- at Cafe de Paris!  (Her choice- even though I put Tersiguel's out there).  Will report back on that, too.

Cafe de Paris over Tersiguel's?!?? NO!!!!! I think I can look past it since it's her birthday. But any other time....

Was Papillon - just off 20 headed toward route 40 -- open in your day? It was a linen-tablecloth place in old farmhouse, and the barn had been turned into an informal watering hole with not-to-loud music with a country/folkie bent (some older locals may remember the band "The Horse You Rode In On," a Fells Point favorite) called Pauvre Papillon. It had a bohemian feel and a certain lassitude toward drinking-age laws that made it a great date spot for would-be Kerouakians like myself.  In the summer they'd set the tables under a huge oak tree and play the music outside under the leaves and stars.  Great spot.

Sounded like a nice spot, but I must've been too young to remember it. When you said "20", did you mean "29"?

I think that whole area you're describing is now a Walmart

And I suppose it's too late to warn my parents about King's Contrivance- they're taking friends there this weekend as a thank you. I'll get their feedback.

Did you get any feedback yet?

I asked this same question on EG last year. I got similar responses to the ones you're receiving now. I guess it all depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a place where noise isn't an issue and you don't mind sitting close to other diners, then the Turkish Coffee Chocolate at Zaytinya is one of the best desserts I've ever had!! It was even worth the hour wait to get the table at 10PM (being sat at 11PM) on a Saturday evening!! I would say that there are very few desserts in D.C. that can hold up to it. On the other hand, if you're looking for something a little more intimate, I would recommend IndeBleu. They have fantastic desserts! We have been to IndeBleu several times for JUST dessert (still haven't made it there for dinner) after having our main meal at Zaytinya and we've been very impressed with what they offer. The presentation and service are right on! IndeBleu is a nice quiet place (at least the dining area is) to unwind after a meal at Zaytinya and it's much more intimate for the end of a date. And, it's only a block and a half away from Zaytinya (you literally walk out the doors of Zaytinya, make a left, and it's on the next block).

That's too bad! I took my wife (my girlfriend then) there for Valentine's Day a few years ago and had the most unbelievable bouillabaisse I have ever had!

I didn't rinse and it wasn't too salty.

I didn't rinse either. I just patted with a few paper towels and picked all the fresh spices and herbs off.

The ABSOLUTE BEST I've had in DC is Kron Chocolatiers at Mazza Gallerie. Some say it's better than sex!

Turkey Chipotle Chili Soup from Produce Galore here in Columbia. It's ground turkey (some big chunks) with chipotle chilies, onions, navy beans, and green peppers in a light turkey broth (very little broth I might add). Not at all spicy, but it has a very strong and flavorful taste. I added a dollup of sour cream and sprinkled some chopped cilantro on top. Washing it down with a SoBe Green Tea iced tea. MAN ALIVE that's a meal right there!!

At the risk of self-promotion, I wrote about this place two years ago, so anyone who hasn't heard of it just isn't reading the right things.   

Great article Dave!

I work about 2 minutes from this place and go there several times a month for lunch. They DO have a creative menu and a few hundred bottles of wine to choose from. I haven't been there for brunch or dinner, but, from what you've described, their brunch looks great!

I'm talking about the style of cooking, the style of presentation, the wine list, the atmosphere, the service, all of it collectively.

How about we agree to disagree? If you ever change your mind and actually dine at Buck's, then I'd be glad to revisit the discussion.

I'm not disagreeing with you. If you feel that I am, then I apologize. I'm just stating that I will not go there. And it is for a reason that is completely different than the reasons for you WANTING to go there. Again, I can't comment on "style of cooking, the style of presentation, the wine list, the atmosphere". I can, however, comment on "the service" and that is why I choose not to make another attempt to go there.

Even though I have never stepped foot in Buck's, I am willing to bet that Palena (just 5 minutes past Buck's if headed towards the city in Cleveland Park), is MORE worthy of my money for all those reasons you listed. Unfortunately, I can't be proven wrong by my own experiences.

I'm not telling you or anyone else not to go there. I'm simply sharing a negative experience I had that I am not willing to over look!

Let me share a lesson in customer service: For my sister's anniversary, she (and my brother-in-law) went to Restaurant Eve. I called ahead (that day) and told the woman I spoke with that I would like to purchase a wine paring to go with the tasting menu. I made the purchase, but I found out later that week that the GC was never presented to them. When I called Restaurant Eve to find out why it was never given to them, the woman apologized over and over again (instead of blaming me!). She then, not only sent my sister the $70 GC that was never presented, but she sent me a $70 GC as well! She never had to check with a manager to see if it was OK, she just did it! I can only assume (from the PMs I recieved on EG after I wrote my experience) that Carole Greenwood would rather do without customers (and deal with what they will share with others) than taking some responsibility!

Your call, of course.  But there's nothing comparable with respect to style in Cleveland Park.

"Style"? As far as what? Are you talking about the whole "camping" and "hunting" atmosphere?

In all honesty, I would MUCH rather go to Palena, Indique, Ardeo, Sorriso, Dino's or Lavandou. I'd even rather drive a little farther for Lebanese Taverna. Even Palena, as poor as their service is, takes full responsibility when they screw up and then does what ever they can to make it up! The post I made on EG was the PG version of what I originally wrote about that place. You wouldn't believe the amount of PMs I received agreeing with what I had originally wrote.

My point is, is that there are FAR too many (BETTER) restaurants in the DC area to waste your time on piss poor customer service! And again, I have never tasted their food, so I cannot comment on that.

Aha! A confirmation! Anyone know when this will air?

I'm hoping Joe H will be here soon to provide us with this info!

the reviews on page 1 of the thread are uniformly positive (with the exception of the one on the bottom) with lots of use of words like great, delicious, the best etc etc by a variety of different posters....I would consider that well-reviewed (ignoring the whole photo brouhaha)

yes, its expensive, and yes, she's a bit of a diva/inflexible/whatever you want to call it....but to say it hasn't been well-reviewed for the food, not only by DR.com'ers but other critics and other boards is a little unfair.....people are perfectly entitled not to go there because of the bad press.....just means more good food for those who do! 

My reason for not going has nothing to do with the food or the press. I have never been, so I couldn't comment one way or the other. I just refuse to give her my business based on my one and only attempt to go there.

Besides, why would I go to Buck's when I could drive about 5 more minutes to Cleveland Park?

I refuse to go to a Carole Greenwood restaurant!!

When I was younger, we used to go to Sir Walter Raleigh Inn in Ellicott City for steak. That place has been gone for years, but it looks like there's one in Wheaton on Fern Street (which would "meat" your criteria for location).

Good luck!

EDIT: Well, I called and it looks like the Wheaton location has closed. The only one still open is in College Park. Sorry!

And I suppose it's too late to warn my parents about King's Contrivance- they're taking friends there this weekend as a thank you.  I'll get their feedback.

Buckinghamilton,

I didn't mean to scare you off from Kings Contrivance. They are STILL better than 80% of the restaurants out there. They're just not better than 90% of them any more!

My all time favorite Columbia area restaurant growing up was Tersiguel's, but like Rocks, I probably haven't been there since the late 80s (or early 90s).  Thanks for the suggestion mhberk- sounds like a great place to suggest for my Mom's upcoming birthday.  (We were thinking of our old standby- favorite Pasta Plus, but could be time for a change)

Tersiguel's was the first place that I built up the courage to try a tasting menu (which you have to ask your server for since I don't think they offer it on the menu). During that meal, I had foie gras, skate, and spaetzle all for the first time! I can't say enough about this place. If we're in the area, my wife and I will stop by for dessert and have their bananas foster, crepes suzette, or cafe diablo (which they do all 3 table-side!!). It's always a big production.

As far as Pasta Plus, you wouldn't want your mother to wait in line (since they don't take reservations) on her birthday, do you?

Sorry to hear Kings Contrivance has gone downhill.

I worked as a busboy there in '87. I remember that Baltimore Magazine had just down-graded them to 2 1/2 stars. The chef (and co-owner) kept storming around the kitchen, yelling "HEY, we're only a two and a half star restaurant!!"

I've been there maybe 5 times in the last 10 years and each time gets worse. It's never been what it was during the '80s

By the way, as long as we're on the topic of Columbia, I'd like to add Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Enrico in King's Contrivance Village Center.  It's a dive strip-mall place, but the food is really very good.

Cheers,

Rocks

That place is such a treat! Going to high school in Kings Contrivance, I probably ate there 4 out of the 5 weekdays for lunch! ABSOLUTELY the best Italian coldcut I've ever had! High quality meats and they heat the roll in the oven before they construct the masterpiece.

Don't be bringing up my age, you whippersnapper.  

I don't get back to Columbia much, but my first job was washing dishes in the restaurant that was in the Clyde's space before Clyde's was there.  I was on little league baseball and went to Oakland Mills High School with Steve Wecker, the guy who owns Iron Bridge, so I guess my career as a ranting food freak began right about where you live now.

My first job was washing dishes in that same building! But it was called "Clyde's" when I worked there. I started cooking at the Rusty Scupper and then went on to study culinary arts at the Ho Co VoTech center and apprenticed through the MD Restaurant Association. I gave up cooking during the mid 90s after finding out that cooking for a living is MUCH different than cooking for enjoyment. I still LOVE to cook and have a great admiration for those that cook professionally!

My older sister graduated from OMHS in 1985 and I went to Hammond.

Iron Bridge is a great place! I go there for lunch a few times a month. Very creative menu and nice concept (a wine store where you can buy a bottle of wine (retail) and enjoy it with your dinner for a $5 corkage fee). It's MUCH different than the "biker bar" that occupied the building before Iron Bridge came along. From time to time, I still see bikers ride up and park their motorcycles (next to a BMW) in the parking lot. After walking through the front door, they see everyone eating salads and sipping on wine (as if they're caught in some strange time warp). Then they look at each other, shake their heads, and then wander back to their motorcycles.

Wow - King's Contrivance is still there?  I think I ate dinner there the day my parents closed on our new house in Columbia -- in 1970.  I had friends who were dishwashers there in high school.

If someone's wandering over to Columbia, Cafe de Paris might hit the spot.

Edit:  Having grown up in the 21045 zip code, I'm pretty sure that the map next to the post review drops you in Laurel, a good 20 miles from the restaurant's actual location which is just off Rt. 108 between 175 and 29.

I grew up (and still live) in the 21045 zip code. I'm sure you're a few years older than me, though, since I was born the year your parents closed on their new house in Columbia.

Maybe King's Contrivance in Columbia?  I haven't been there in over five years so I can't vouch for the quality and it may be too expensive. 

Don,

Kings Contrivance isn't what it once was. Still a nice place to visit, but it's really gone down hill as far as the quality of food. They were a top place to go at one time, but I really think they've slipped in the last 5-10 years! It is still, however, a very romantic setting and destination!

Have you been to Tersiguel's recently?

I'll admit to being curious about the Rooster Cafe, Bangkok Cafe and Cafe de Paris.

The Rooster Cafe has a very creative menu and the food almost lives up to the description. The problem I've found with this place is the service and the location (located in a shopping center). The service (at least the time that we went - and I've heard similar remarks from others that have been) is equivalent to what you would find at a diner in Baltimore or Little Italy. The waitress smelled of cigarettes, kept calling me "hun" and didn't quite have a grasp of the menu.

Cafe de Paris is grossly over priced for the what you get as far as quality. Again, if I had my choice of french food outside of the DC area, I would go to Tersiguel's!

I'm not familiar with Bangkok Cafe. But, for the most authentic Thai food in Ho Co, I would go to Bangkok Garden.

I certainly would appreciate your input into the Bethesda and Silver Spring area. Someone mentioned Clyde's in Bethesda, but it got sort of so-so reviews on this board.  Any recommendations you have for a finer dining experience, preferably open on Sunday, would be appreciated.

How about Persimmon?