Skysplitter

Places up in that area don't generally get alot of attention from here, unless it involves the shaking butts of Ducks. However, I've paid attention to some of the threads over at the Chowhound since I shop at the honking mall up there from time to time.

Here are some links [emm, is that groovy Rocks? I'll edit and rattle off the names otherwise.]

http://www.chowhound.com/midatlantic/board...ages/75876.html

http://www.chowhound.com/midatlantic/board...ages/72805.html

http://www.chowhound.com/midatlantic/board...ages/69560.html

http://www.chowhound.com/midatlantic/board...ages/67867.html

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

Hope that helps acclimate yourself to the area

Interested indeed!

I have to cancel reservations for 2 at Corduroy tomorrow night, 9pm

PM me if you'd like them so I can drop them from Open Table.

sigh! no more hazelnuts bars for me this week.

We also had a fab experience at Notti tonight! Hie thee away to a table at Notti, peoples.

After scoring some free street parking nearby, my date and I came in a bit early and were promptly seated. We both opted for the wine pairings which was quite the deal. How can one say no? I decided on the butternut squash soup and my date had the goat cheese frittata. I've decided I've got a new place to haunt for good soup because it was just delicious. The little cubes of apple really complemented the squash, and the cookie pieces were a pleasant, sweet surprise. I can't recall what the nuts were, but who cares. All you need to know is nuts on soup? Yum. I had a nibble of the frittata but got mostly a chunk of tomato, so I can't really comment on it unfortunately.

After our plates were cleared, we had enough time to finish our wines before the mains came out. I chose the gnocci and he chose the pork. We both agreed the sauce with the gnocchi was AMAZINGLY good. I really couldn't contain my love and used some bread to mop it up- it was that good. The gnocchi were also quite good, and the breadcrumbs were a nice crunchy touch. My date loved the stuffed pork and I had to agree it was quite tasty.

For dessert we were both lame and got the same exact thing- the Zuccotto cake with the limoncello. The outside cake was a little difficult to manage (spongy and difficult to cut through with the fork) but it didn't really matter. The cherries weren't too sweet and the combo did indeed remind us of Black Forest Cake.

Now, the limoncello/prosecco, I really tried to like. Really. I've had limoncello once before and didn't like it. I thought it was a fluke. It's lemon! I love lemon! I'll try anything with lemon in it, pretty much. So I was sure I had somehow drank not-so-good limoncello before and this time I would like it. But it still tasted like Pledge to me.

Our waiter came by and noted the near full glasses. I explained my situation and he offered the port wine instead, which I initially refused, but then reconsidered. He swapped the wines out and hooray for that, because I liked that much better. And? No charge. Nicely done Notti

All in all, a great night. The service was impeccable and were all smiling (it's only Tuesday of RW afterall!) and everything was timed well. Hour and a half, and around $57/pp after tax and somewhere around a 28% tip. I also appreciated the non-RW prices printed on the menu so I could figure out what I might have spent otherwise. I look forward to visiting Notti again

I haven't been to Corduroy yet, but after my upcoming RW visit on Saturday night, I too hope to be in the C Fan Club! Can't wait after reading so many good things. Any recs from the RW menu?

Anything and everything is good. Order what temps you. I shall confirm this after tomorrow night's visit.

And, I do believe the RW menu is their usual menu.

There is room for one more at Corduroy on Wednesday at 8 pm.  We have reserved a round table for 6.  If you want to join us, please PM me.

Is it alright if I wave hello from my 6 top at 8:30? Sounds like Invasion of the Rockwellians...

Loosely translated, I'm told its name is "Shaking Duck Butt" and there's a neon sign that has...yes...a shaking duck butt. Cute!

I can't make it tomorrow night (naturally) but I was thinking about stopping by on Saturday night since I have to be up in the Baltimore area anyway. If the Butt is worth it, let us know

Bump

Four words:

Egg Nog Ice Cream

Damnit, I missed the blueberry chocolate chip ice cream earlier, and I'll be damned if I miss this. Moorenko's in Silver Spring has some around, but it's suffering from freezer burn (ugh).

Thanks for the heads up

Are you thinking of Pine Bros.?  I loved those (still do, when I can find 'em).

Wait, excuse me, pardon me, HOLD THE PRESSES- where on god's green earth have you found them?!

I adored these things but haven't been able to find them in years. I ate them as candy really, but they did a nice job at least coating a throat, rather than the crappy Luden drops we have now. ugh.

Alas, to stay on topic, I have no soothing throat solutions. And I have one now too. Pity.

Tuesday- Notti Bianche

Wednesday- Corduroy

Thursday- DC Coast

Saturday- Corduroy, part deux

and maybe Circle Bistro for lunch during the week, we'll see.

I'm excited thinking about Power Soups already!

Just another "yay" for Matchbox. Finally got to head down there tonight, and it was already a 40 minute wait for two at 6pm (nor sure if there was anything going on at the MCI). The place was packed, but it was well worth the wait.

We got a small order of the mini-burgers, which were delicious and served up about medium. The onion rings were a bit cool, but nice, stringy, not overly greasy. I almost want to say someone sprinkled parmesan cheese over them, but I'm not sure. Either way, they were good. And with Widmer Heifeweizen on tap? Near perfect.

Couldn't resist the pizzas, so we ordered 2 small ones thinking leftovers would make an excellent lunch the next day. The spicy meatball pizza my date got was good, but not great- the meatballs weren't terribly flavorful. I did a make your own with prosciutto, bacon and roasted pureed garlic (how on earth can one resist THAT?) with tomato sauce/mozzarella. Um, yum. Everything about the pizza was great and I'm currently pondering pizza for breakfast...

Even though the restaurant was loud and crowded, service was attentive and pleasant. A return trip will definitely be in order, but maybe a little earlier to nab a seat at the bar and take advantage of the happy hour specials.

And, what on earth is Thrasher worried about?

Spillage of course. No beverage fouls allowed here, unless the wine is truly bad.

Staying tuned for further developments in this thread, heh...

Just a sampling of what I want right now --

Mandalay -- Burmese on Bonifant

Cubano -- As mentioned elsewhere get the Ropa Vieja -- can't remember the street, but your brother will know where it is across from SIlver Diner

Half Moon BBQ -- Georgia

Rocks already took Negril -- everything is a great value

I'll second Mandalay and give a "meh" to Cubanos. I had a less than thrilling meal there a few weeks ago on a Saturday night. Chicken was like rubber and the service was next to impossible to flag down. I recently tried to get into Sergio's in the Hilton (emm, on Colesville I believe) on a Friday night (hah) after seeing some recs on the board, so if they're open for lunch, it would be an Italian alternative.

Is anyone out there using a Mac?

I'm on OS 10.3.9 using Safari, and it loads fine for me. I clicked on the link in the above post.

But seriously, only Starbucks, Chef Geoff's and McD's in the AU vicinity? It's as pathetic as Van Ness/UDC! And thought in campus dining options were pathetic. At least Ace Beverage is down the street.

I'll be at Buck's at around 5:30-6:00

How is HH at Bucks? It's right down the street from me, and yet I've never stopped in. Of course I'm never sure what restaurants would be ok with jeans and sneakers at the bar. (translate that as me wondering how shabby my jeans might be, heh.)

If anyone from the board is going to be at Acadiana tomorrow, and you'd be game to be interviewed for a short film documentary on the fundraiser/po boys, please PM or e-mail me! (I'm a Masters film student at American University using this for a class project).

Danke, and feel free to say hi to the chickie with the film camera

Don't know diddly about this joint.  Probably never will.  It's a rare day I haul ass anywhere north of Cleveland Park.  Nevertheless, this message arrived in the mailbox of joy and I have no idea whether this dude can cook, but I've had most of these beers, and the water of life, and they're mighty fine.

I live a stone's throw away from the Mile, and I'll attest their general pub menu is pretty good. I've had the Shepherd's Pie and the Beef and Guinness pie, yum. I haven't had anything listed on the menu above however. They also do a nice brunch and good omelets, which must be one of the few places in Wheaton that doesn't that's not a chain. The actual bar area is TINY so expect to sit at a table if you ever wander by.

FWIW- The Royal Mile

Does anybody know if they ever plan on updating the website? It looks like it hasn't been touched in over two years.

I hereby volunteer to update it for food, if Palena so desires

Just sounds like another one of those things that falls by the wayside. It looks like they had a flash version in the works (shudder) but I'm guessing things didn't work out with the designer and it was never completed. But still, copyright 2001? Had it not been updated since? Come on...

But now of course I still want some of that chicken, website be damned.

Anyone heading to Cambridge, I strongly recommend to go get Cream Brulee from Finale in Harvard Square. Rich and creamy, slightly cooler on the bottom and perfectly carmelized on the top which you get to crack with your spoon.. it was delicious. I also liked the melange of fruit - blueberries, rapsberries, strawberries, kiwi, orange, etc. - and orange-flavored mini shortbread cookies that come atop.

Service was over the top, and I can't wait to go back..mmm

Don't forget the other location in the Theatre District!

I've been going there since it first opened (1998 I believe) and have yet to have a bad experience there. During the summer when berries are in season, the desserts knock your socks off. I was sorely disappointed I couldn't make it down there during my trip home in July, erg.

I have to highly recommend the Manjari Mousse... I still think about that cabernet sorbet, yum.

http://www.finaledesserts.com/

You're...serious?  It's only your fifth post so it is hard for me to gauge your level of sarcasm.

Not that I want to put words into Foodandreason's mouth, but if you interpreted the hostess's comment as "We usually save the space for couples [because 2 men does not a couple make]" it might make many people less likely to dine there. While you could blame it on the hostess being young, she did consult with a manager so it stands to reason that's the thinking of the restaurant as well. Makes me raise my eyebrow in any event.

[edited for grammar issues]

You are mighty generous to be doing this for the team! Thank you!!!

The idea (at least as originally conceived) was not to promote the site but to commemorate the picnic.  Just a point in time.  Just for fun. (My suggestion is already posted, but there are so many good ones!) But, hey, Rocks should have final word, n'est ce pas?

Here's a solution to be snarky AND not a total inside joke.

On the front of the shirt, over the left pocket, we'll toss in the web address- DonRockwell.com

Underneath a snarky line about ventworms.

On the back it will be about the picnic. And maybe a ventworm.

One way or the other, ventworms will be on the shirt.

I also agree.  Are there any other options?

Here's a cut and paste of HillValley's post (with, em, a few edits):

Dining out is my specialty. Read about it on DonRockwell.com

I always eat and tell. DonRockwell.com

I have an oral fixation. Read about it on DonRockwell.com

It's not just for breakfast anymore. DonRockwell.com

You gonna eat that? DonRockwell.com

Get your tater tots. DonRockwell.com

Food. Whatever. DonRockwell.com

If you have a suggestion, please post it. I hereby declare a deadline of 2pm TOMORROW which is when I need to finalize the design.

I still have Napolean Dynamite on my brain- I have skills. Read about it on DonRockwell.com.

danke,

nicole

I would like to add to the list of "Desserts that Make You Swoon" the blueberry chocolate chip ice cream I had on Friday night.  Oh my!

Swoon indeed! I think I'm going to have to start calling midday to see what their ice creams of the night are- that sounds amazing.

The New Englander in me can't seem to get enough ice cream as of late. I had the Cinnamon Nut Crunch ice cream last Tuesday night and that was absolutely lovely. I'm thinking I need to sit at the bar after classes, get a glass of wine and some ice cream, heh. (Back on the student budget afterall.)

My favorite place is Larriland Farms, but they don't list Cortland.

Hmmm, thanks for the link, I may have to visit Larriland sometime!

The 2 apples we used to pick the most of up in Mass, Cortland (for pie) and McIntosh (for sauce), don't seem terribly popular down here. O'Keefe Farms in Silver Spring does both, but I'm not sure if they're pick your own. Corts hit in Sept/October so I may get lucky with O'Keefe.

Can't wait for apple season regardless

Notice to all newbies from a fellow newbie:  Come on out to the picnic!!!  Don Rocks (international man of mystery whom i have never met) and the entire rockwell crew are very welcoming!  Really.  I attended my first DR HH a couple of months ago with much trepidation.  I am happy to report that I had a great time (I knew no one!), was warmly welcomed, and was encouraged to jump right in and make myself at home.  I encourage you to do the same.  Hope to see you on October 2!

LOL, glad to hear this! I am going to do my best to make it (and with a pie or pies if I can help it) but there's a rumor my boyfriend's parents will be in town and I must have that "meet the parents" experience, oh joy.

I am looking forward to meeing some of the DR crew at HH now that I'm back in DC for school.

On a food related question, does anyone know of an orchard that has Cortland apples? They're all over the place up in Massachusetts, but it doesn't seem to be a popular apple down here. In the event apple picking season is in swing at that time, I'd travel a good distance to get fresh Corts!