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DPop

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Everything posted by DPop

  1. DPop
    The pizza remains very much hit or miss for take out or delivery, but the other food is really damn good. The above mentioned Reuben is quite salty and won't be to everyone's taste but I loved it for all its greasy glory, the pastrami inside more of a pulled variety than sliced deli meat. The Mozzarella Sticks should never leave the menu, they are the best version of this simple-yet-often-screwed-up app. The only clunker I've had outside of a few mediocre takeout pizzas was the Fried Onion Rings and Pickles, which honestly would have been better had they not been place in a closed takeout container and rather some tin foil or something where steam could have been released. They were soggy, salty, and not worth the calories. All that said I think the pizza has its highs and its lows, but I've found that the lows typically happen on busy nights (Friday and Saturday) and/or when you get it delivered or carry out.
  2. DPop
    Very much so, and the reason that I liked the interplay between the two when I had it at RTS is that the Diablo marinade was more cooked into the meat, not giving a wet outer sauce type feel like the cut I had at R^3. The brandy mushroom cream, which I love and always get a side of no matter what steak I order (sue me), did a good job of cooling off some of the heat coming off the marinade. The cut of meat that I had at R^3 was not markedly different from the one I remember having at RTS, it was the Diablo marinade/sauce covering it and the brandy mushroom cream. The Diablo was portioned onto the steak with a heavier hand and came across sweeter than what I had remembered before, but the big difference was the brandy mushroom. It looked different, tasted different, and the consistency was much thicker than at RTS. More 'mushroom soup' than 'brandy mushroom cream'. I had a couple dips of it and left it to the side, it was not to my taste at all.
  3. DPop
    Also not taking sides, but are the steak preparations and sauces different at Ray's To The Third and RTS up the street? I had dinner at the bar recently, had the Blue Devil with a side of brandy mushroom cream and both were markedly different than the ones I've had at RTS. Not sure if this has been discussed already, if it has I apologize, but the prep at R^3 was not to my taste whereas the one I had at RTS (at least 8 months ago) I absolutely loved. Are things changing everywhere or is this a kitchen by kitchen difference?
  4. DPop
    It's too late for anyone to act on it this year, so I apologize for not posting earlier, but one of the reasons I love this place is Kostas' creativity with his specials. Today he had a Baked Swordfish platter, which he only does once annually and takes a loss on but gets the fish because he uses what he has left over for a dinner that he hosts with his family (which he told the gentleman in front of me in line). Was I happy I strolled in today by chance. The platter was expensive by Greek Deli standards ($16.99), but for your money you got a small Greek salad, bread, orzo, green beans, and what had to be a 3 lb+ piece of perfectly cooked swordfish in a light lemon parsley sauce. The dish was seasoned like something you would get at BlackSalt as opposed to a takeout joint in Dupont, very herbal but not at all salty or overly acidic. Despite it being a huge portion it felt and tasted light, a feat I would not have guessed when I saw him dishing it out for me. This city could use 20 more weekday lunch options like this one. It never disappoints.
  5. DPop
    Don they're very different genres. Standard is about atmosphere, good beer, sandwiches and BBQ. Not going to blow your socks off in terms of creativity but the execution is solid and it is one of my 2 favorite hangouts right now along with American Ice Co. Cork is finer dining, older crowd, not nearly as focused on atmosphere. Standard is simpler, much younger crowd, great atmosphere. Make your dining decision between the 2 based on that and what you're in the mood for and you will be good to go.
  6. DPop
    The only downside to this place is that it, like Little Serow, is impossible to get a seat at unless you are there right when they open or near when they close (stop serving food). It is the place to be right now in 14 UP, for sure. If you're just passing by, the doughnuts that the guy is frying out front ($1 apiece) are worth trying.
  7. DPop
    For some reason I remembered reading very positive reviews of this place, which took me to it last night after happy hour. It appears that I misread a bit, as there is nothing really very positive, although some definite support. I have to say that I'm shocked that anyone would enjoy an experience here. The place is bright and sterile feeling, the burgers overcooked and mediocre, and the service (at least last night) disinterested. My wife's "welterweight" burger might have at one time been 1/4 pound, I don't know and I'm not inclined to call anyone a liar. But what was delivered to her was probably only a half inch in diameter wider than a Peppermint Patty and no thicker than your typical fast food chain burger. It actually reminded me more of a kabob you would get at a hole-in-the-wall Indian or Pakistani place than a burger (and I don't mean that in a good way). My "heavyweight" was not much better, ordered "pink" and delivered "grey", with not much flavor outside of the grilled onion (more on that next paragraph). I slathered mine in the flavored mayos provided, same flavors for the most part as Good Stuff but not as tasty. They added some much needed moisture and depth of flavor. If this was just a run of the mill, middling burger burger joint, I probably would have shrugged it off and moved on. What really irked me was the staff. The gentleman taking our order interrupted me at least 3 times while I was trying to tell him what I wanted, apparently not able to process in the order I was giving it to him. Maybe this would have been fine had they actually gotten the order right, missing grilled onions on both of our burgers and mushrooms on my wife's. Coupled with the fact that it took 30 minutes to get our (incorrect) order after 10PM in a half full restaurant on a Wednesday night and I can guarantee that every other restaurant on 14 UP will have to be closed before we head back to this place again.
  8. DPop
    You lost me at 'Pizza Autentica'.
  9. DPop
    Bobby's patties are much too tightly packed for my taste, the texture of the burgers even when ordered rare did not work for me. Seasoning is also not a strong suit, you absolutely need a sauce or the salt and pepper shaker for your burger. Ray's was totally unsatisfying on my last visit, unfortunately. The bun is a disaster, I don't want to belabor a point that has been discussed ad nauseum in that thread already but mine was bordering on stale on the last visit. The burger itself is still of good quality, meat far superior to Bobby's IMO but the bun kind of ruined the experience for me along with the fact that the burger was incredibly greasy (some people don't think this is a bad thing). BTS is a loose pack as mentioned above, very nicely seasoned and the Benton's bacon I got on mine really made it sing. By far the best bun of any of the group, I didn't mind the size but loved the flavor. The meat was a bit on the drier side but in a good way, the burger took well to the garlic mayo I got on it and was not sopping wet by the time I was halfway through it.
  10. DPop
    I hate getting sternly reprimanded in restaurants, even if I am not "following the rules". There's a way to treat your customers, even if they're in the wrong, and it's definitely not with a scolding tone unless totally necessary. I'm in the "hate the seating but really like the food" crowd on this place as well. Way better than Bobby's Burger Palace and, wait for it, my last visit to Ray's Hell Burger as well.
  11. DPop
    I'm going tomorrow based on your post, darkstar. DC will miss Mr. P, even if most of its residents won't realize it.
  12. DPop
    Was wondering when that would happen, but thought it would be because of declining interest, not a new building. IMO the place lacked an identity since Antonio left and was trying to become a club or something. Hopefully something good comes in its place if they don't wind up coming back, it's really a nice location and a pretty big space when you include the basement.
  13. DPop
    That's great to hear, Joe, as I was very disappointed with my lunch there during Restaurant Week. The menu was very safe and uninteresting and I found nothing that would bring me back. I didn't post as I assumed it was just your typical RW performance out of an overburdened restaurant, so with your endoresment I will give Enzo another shot some time in the near future.
  14. DPop
    CEBLT and fried chicken were outstanding but both extremely heavy. I'm not a huge raw oyster fan but the ones we had the other night were so good that I would go back just for them.
  15. DPop
    Anyone been yet? I made up my mind as soon as I saw the signage (and later looked at the website) that I would never go here, but my wife's friends are already talking about a marguerita happy hour some time next week. TS' fairly scathing review, which should come as no surprise to any of us: http://www.washingto...tic-review.html
  16. DPop
    Absolutely fantastic news. That little corner down to Thomas Circle is becoming quite the food destination in DC.....
  17. DPop
    Thanks! That lunch menu sounds fantastic.
  18. DPop
    Anyone know if they are open for lunch now as well?
  19. DPop
    Get well soon, RJ!
  20. DPop
    So they didn't actually buy the place, they're renting from the guys who were part of the alcohol fiasco. Interesting.....
  21. DPop
    His were easily the best meals I had at Brasserie Beck. Shame to see strong talent leave the DC area, but it sounds like it's for a much more important purpose than filling our gullets. Best of luck to him.
  22. DPop
    Happy to hear this, I thought it was dead for good.
  23. DPop
    Thanks youngfood, I went with that and added salami as well (the one thing I agree with Herman Cain on is toppings on pizza). First off, I think with the demise of Orso, this is the best pizza in DC. Charred crust with crunch but a nice soft, chewy center. Mine was not soggy btw, which I was pleasantly surprised to find. The quality of the meat toppings was really fantastic and plentiful, but I have to say (and I hate saying it), $18.92 before tip for a 12 inch pizza that I easily plowed through myself is a little outrageous. Sure, great toppings etc but ultimately it was a relatively small pizza that would not be enough for me and my wife to share. It's a shame, because that would be the main reason why I would not be rushing to head back here.
  24. DPop
    About to order for carryout but can't decide which pizza to order based on this thread. Any favorites? I'm a big proponent of porcine on my pizza, for note.
  25. DPop
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