jandres374

Dinner here tonight with family was the usual excellent meal. I think the pizzas here are consistently better than Two Amy's, where we have ended up with soupy pizzas far too often.

Started with the deviled eggs and and house salad - kids love the deviled eggs here.

They have added a kids pizza to the menu ($6.95), which is great for us with two young kids. Noticed they also offer a kids pasta option.

I went with my usual - Meatball Pie. Can't go wrong with this option - consistently solid.

I don't think this place gets as much attention as it deserves. Solid pizzas, decent affordable wines by the glass, and cupcakes that my kids claim are better than Georgetown.

We arrived shortly before 6 and were seated right away but as we left the place was packed.

Stopped in for a late lunch today with my Living Social coupon in hand, $15 for a $30 lunch. Tried ordering a Brabo Pils only to be told they no longer carry it - should have inquired more as to why but was dealing with some work issues on the blackberry so I ordered the Kasteel Tripel instead ($9).

Started with the French Onion Soup ($8), my bartender tried to steer me to the special Butternut Squash soup, but thought I would give the regular option a shot. Very happy with this soup, great valvor and not overwhelmed with the cheese which I like.

Decided to go with the Lobster Roll ($14) with sweet potato fries - gotta say I was very impressed. I am by no means an expert on Lobster Rolls (I am a Philly native - more of a cheesesteak expert) but this version was very tasty and loaded with lobster meat and little to no mayo on the sandwich. Fries were your average sweet potato fries, nothing special.

Little disappointed with the removal of the Brabo Pils as it was an affordable draft option here, now the cheapest draft is $9.

In the mood for a lobster roll today for lunch and was thinking about using my Living Social coupon here today. Has anyone tried the version here?

Did not see anything on here about this place but apparently first batches have hit the market.

http://www.portcitybrewing.com/about/our-story

Per Young and Hungry it can be found at ChurchKey and Food Matters.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/

Stopped in Friday for lunch. Arrived shortly before noon and there was no line but a bunch of tables were already filled up.

It does remind one of Chipotle with the assembly line and simple menu.

I decided on the mini pitas as I thought it was the best way to sample a few things on the menu. I had the chicken, lamb and ground sirloin. I also tried the hummus, tzatziki and harissa sauce as well as the crazy feta. Topped each with some pickled cabbage slaw and tomato/onion salad.

While I found the ingredients to be fresh and tasty, they need to work on the pita size and assembly. The pitas are very small and make it difficult to get all the ingredients in it and still be able to eat it. Also, they just kind to throw the ingredients on top of each pita and then close the box.

Totals cost was under $8, which makes it a pretty decent deal for lunch.

I suspect any minor issues on the pita size and assembly will be ironed out with time. I won't hesitate to return.

We stopped by American Tap Room -- crappy domestic beers, room felt somewhere between Bennigan's and Clyde's, we had a beer a left. Plus, it was packed, so maybe I am not the best judge of bar quality.

Then we went to Mussel Bar -- much cooler space and more interesting crowd, way better beers, we stayed there for a few hours. My only complaint was some of the beer prices were laughable... $15 for a small bottle of Gouden Carolus? $14 for a Gulden Draak? Seemed steep to me. Perhaps I'm just spoiled by Churchkey.

Beer list on-line looked like it offered more than your typical domestics.

http://www.americantaproom.com/assets/files/Bethesda_BeverageMenu_11-22_Web.pdf

Agree with you the pricing of some beers at Mussel Bar.

Mussel Bar

Jaleo

American Tap Room

Last night we headed out to Lebanese Taverna to use a Groupon coupon only to find it closed due to a water main break across the street. We quickly regrouped and headed to the new Cava Grille - same problem. At this point we should have cut our losses and headed home instead I let my wife convince to head to American Tap Room. I had been to the bar for drinks but have avoided eating there to date.

We arrived close to 7 pm and the place was hopping both bar and restaurant. We got a table right away and seated near the window looking out on Woodmont Ave.

Wife ordered the Tap Room Steak Salad. I did not try but it looked like a decent sized salad and the steak was cooked to the requested medium rare - large enough that she brought the leftovers home for lunch today. I decided to go with the crab cake. It was actually not as bad as I expected - decent size with little filler but underseasoned. It was served with some type of vegetable medley and red pepper cream sauce, which was just plain awful. I think the vegetables were frozen birds eye that you heat up in the microwave.

Kids had the mini burger sliders and buttered noodles, which they said were good.

Total for four people with 2 glasses of wine - $80.

Service was friendly and attentive. Our server commented that they have the "best Turkey Burger in the area", I was not willing to take him up on his challenge.

Too many other options in Bethesda to return here any time soon.

Mussel Bar on Living Social today.

$30 (Pay $15) to Spend on Lunch or $40 (Pay $20) to Spend on Dinner

Oh and near the space that used to be Athenian Plaka (which is now a Gaylord's lamps store) is a new pastry place. Not open but coming soon. Some kind of sticky sweet sounding name but we'll see what it is like when it opens.

Bethesda Magazine's article.

The place next to Cesco, that used to be Tel Aviv Cafe, I think it became a Mediteranean place called Cafe Preeze or something. It's closed and some weird sounding chainy sort of place has a thing up. I think it is 'Somebody's Name's Lobster and Crabs'. The sign looked tacky.

Also, the Ben & Jerry's closed. I never went there, but it's gone.

The chainy sort of place is going to be Freddie's Lobster and Clams from the owners of Grapeseed.

Bethesda Magazine Article

Stopped in last night for dinner with the family slightly before 6 pm and the place was half full but by the time we left the place was full.

I will hold off on any real review as it was the 3rd day they were open and there were some hiccups (no tuna tartare, no mussels, kale served with hangar steak instead of spinach per the menu). We will return but probably not for a few weeks until they are up and running smoothly.

Couple of general observations: the place is fairly small with a small bar that seats 5-6 people, wine and beer list was fairly short and uninspired (4-5 beers on tap and 4-5 wines by the glass), menu had a good mix of apps, salads, sandwiches and mains.

Despite being billed as family friendly there was no kids menu at least not last night, which left the kids ordering a hamburger ($10) and meatball sub ($10) - a little more than we like to spend on kids meals when we eat out.

I suspect this place will do very well as this area is starved for some restaurants, add in the ease of parking (free), and the persimmon pedigree and I think they have a winner.

Any news or updates on when the new venture - Freddie's Lobster & Clams will be open.

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Blogs/Table-Talk/November-December-2010/Chef-Jim-Heineman-Opening-New-England-style-Seafood-Shack/

Ok - so going to the Harbor to see ICE with mom in tow next weekend.. Our normally MO would be to eat lunch at restaurant lounge and have a glass of wine (or three) but I don't see that any of the nicer restaruants out there are open for lunch? Is there anyplace to get both a drink and a bowl of soup/sandwich/pasta or something?

Six of us stopped in at McLoone's Pier House. We had somewhat high hopes as we have been to several of their locations in NJ and have always been satisfied with our meals.

We visited the day after Christmas before attending the ICE show at the Gaylord. We arrived to a nearly empty restaurant at 5:30 pm - maybe 2 to 3 tables and by the time we left there was one table of two.

Everything was either mediocre or just tasteless. Soup was lukewarm. Wine overpriced. Service slow and inattentive. Took about 5 minutes to track down someone to get a soup spoon.

Save yourself the time and avoid this place except for maybe a drink at the bar during the summer.

The $18 lunch deal (Mon-Fri) may be one the best deals in town right now. Three courses for $18-choice of 3 from beverage, app, main or dessert.

Brought my parents who were visiting from out of town here a couple days before Christmas and had a fabulous lunch.

Between us we had the Squash Bisque, Vegetable Salad, Mussels and Tuna Sandwich.

We all thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. We selected the house wine with our meal, which was generous pour - can't recall what they were pouring.

When friends of our invited us to help them spend a gift card they had received for Proof the other night we quickly scrambled and found a babysitter, lucky for us.

It has been awhile since we had been to Proof but we have vowed to return more often. Between the 4 of us we sampled a fair amount of the menu with nearly everything being a hit.

Ahi Tuna Tartare

Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

Spicy Little Meatballs

Miso Glazed Sablefish

Pan Roasted Day Boat Scallops

Cassoulet of Crispy Pork, Duck Confit & Grilled Foie Gras Sausage

Our waiter (Matt) was very patient with us as the people we were with are not very adventurous diners and trouble deciding on what to order but he did a great job explaining each item to them. We are not sophisticated wine drinkers but our waiter picked some nice bottles to match our meal.

The clear standout was the sablefish, which everyone agreed was one the best pieces of fish we had had in 2010. The Tuna was also excellent, very fresh.

Only minor complaint was the pacing - a little quick for our liking. Our apps arrived literally less than 5 minutes after we ordered and the same with our main dishes. Normally not an issue but this was the one of the few times we were out sans kids and were looking to relax a bit.

Can't wait to return.

Stopped in for an early dinner last night with the family. Arrived before 6 pm and only had a 5 minute wait.

The meal started well with deviled eggs for the kids and goat cheese/salmon crostini. Wife also tried something with radishes which she said was fantastic.

We ordered three pizzas: Margherita Extra, Two Amys and Two Amy's with Pepperoni. Sadly all three very soupy and disappointing - made us wish we had gone to Mia's instead.

Service was fine.

Thanks for all the advice.

Ended up going with Balducci's $14.99/lb for prime but not dry aged. Worked out to a little over $12/lb with $10 coupon and 10% off coupon.

Got 4 ribs which came out to about 8.5 lbs. Got a cut from the lean end and they cut from bone and tied for me.

My wife has decided to cook a rib roast for Christmas dinner for the family of 8 people.

Couple quick questions:

How many pounds are needed?

Do we want dry aged?

Where to buy in the area?

How much to expect to pay? Balducci's has on sale for $14.99/lb but not dry aged.

Thanks for the help.

Just saw this on Palena' facebook page.

We've grown! We have added more Cafe

seating, another bar, and the Cafe menu now features items from our wood burning oven

and grill as well as four draft beers. Starting December 7th the Cafe

will be open for lunch from 11:30-2 Tuesday through Saturday.

Been over a year since I've been to Mia's, but I'll never go back. Prices are ridiculous for ordinary pizza. Ordered tomatoes on a pizza as a topping and instead of slices, got TWO grape tomatoes cut in half. What a joke. Pathetically few limp onions, too. When I complained in writing, the owner said she'd send me a gift certificate to compensate. I'm still waiting. Much better off at Pete's New Haven Style Apizza. It's worth the drive to Friendship Heights.

I don't think the pricing at Mia's is out of line with other similar pizza joints in the area. Did a quick review of on-line menus for a Margherita pizza (not all list the sizes of their pies but should give a rough idea):

Mia's - $12.95

2 Amy's - $11.95

Pizzeria Paradisio - $10.25 (8"); $16.50 (12")

Red Rocks - $12.00

Pizza Orso - $13.00

Pete's - $25.95 (18")

It appears that Raw Silk may have indeed changed ownership, but I can't confirm it (it's 4:30 AM, and I doubt they're open). The website is not currently working. Does anyone know?

Happened to walk by today at lunch and they are closed. Small sign in window says The Pita House coming soon - not sure if it is the same Pita House located on Cameron Street.

I am taking some clients on a golf outing next week to Firestone Country Club in Akron, OH.

Any suggestions on nice places around here that we can hit maybe one of the 2 nights we are there.

Enjoyed two dozen large male crabs tonight, expertly steamed and seasoned by BlackSalt. Ordering via phone and pickup were a friendly breeze, and the crabs well worth eager anticipation.

If this were eBay (Old Bay?), I'd say "would do business again ++++".

How were the prices?

We never usually do restaurant week because of the crowds and usually being disappointed but after 3 days of no power and the starts aligning to have a babysitter we decided to hit up Grapeseed. Looked at the menu the day of on-line and saw a hangar steak on the menu, which was perfect for me as I was seeking some red meat that day.

The place was fairly crowded when we arrived but not at capacity. We began looking at the menu at to my surprise the hangar steak was no where to be found on the menu. The only other meat option was the filet, which carried a $10 supplement. On to plan B.

Wife started with squash soup, which she said was pretty good but actually was hoping to have the gazpacho from the on-line menu but it was not available. I had the Ipswich clams which were a size portion and very tasty, maybe spent a minute too long in the fryer.

We both decided to have the softshell crabs with creole tomato sauce and dirty rice. We each received one softshell crab of a small to medium size. When I read softshell crabS on the menu I assume there would be more than one. The crab was perfectly cooked but the creole tomato sauce just did not really work for me with the crab. Th dirty rice was quite tasty.

Dessert was trio of sorbet and butterscotch pudding, both of which were very tasty.

We both had 2 glasses of wine which as usual were excellent and fairly priced for Mont Co.

Service was a little spotty. Two requests for bread and still no bread, finally flagged down another waiter who provided some. Empty wine glasses for 10 minutes with no waiter anywhere to be found. Finished our meal and again no waiter to get check, 10 minutes later we finally found him.

We go to Grapeseed often for lucnh and dinner and we will continue to dine here just not during RW.