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anhdeluxe

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  1. anhdeluxe
    I was the only one there about 45 minutes til closing time. Two other folks came in after me and did carry out but I thoroughly enjoyed my mango lassi, butter chicken and chicken momos there. I couldn't finish it all so I brought home the leftovers which I suspect will be great tomorrow. The butter chicken is ultra creamy and complex. Lighter in color than other versions I've had - not as tomato-ey? and the chicken was tender with a pleasant spicy burn at the very end. There were some limp strands of what was probably cilantro floating in it, which I removed. The rice came on a plastic plate with a little disposable condiment cup of raita that had a stringy viscous texture I didn't care for; I picked out the cucumbers and carrots from the browning shreds of iceberg lettuce, the salad was undressed. The chicken momo dumplings were probably fine examples of the form - thin, chewy wrappers steamed around minced chicken flavored with onion and ginger. The order comes with a chili sauce or a sauce made with ginger, tomato paste and sesame seeds and some other ingredients I couldn't identify. They were very tasty by themselves but they still couldn't kill the cilantro taste of the filling, ugh. Don't get the momos if you hate cilantro like me. Next time, I want to try dishes off of their Kathmandu Menu - a nice switch up from the everyday but affordable enough to enjoy on a weeknight.
  2. anhdeluxe
    I have only been here for brunch twice but happy with my experiences both times. The second time I found out that they don't do their prix fixe brunch tasting menu any more but ended up getting a starter and a main and it was enough and not too much food. I got the charcuterie plate and Texas French toast; my friend got mussels and crabcake eggs Benedict. My charcuterie was about five small slices of duck proscuitto (nothing wrong with it, tasty) and a little ramekin of chicken liver mousse that I could have eaten all day. I wanted to scrape the last bits up and lick the dish. Accompaniments were three long toast points, a dollop of grainy mustard, thin slices of dill pickle and pickled ramps. My French toast was three sliced of thin bread seasoned with cinnamon and garnished with a berry compote and served with three slices of excellent bacon and a pot of maple syrup. I finished everything and it was just right. I sampled a mussel that was steamed in PBR and corn with bacon - nothing wrong there. The crab cake egg Benedict was just that - one large crabcake, one poached runny egg. It looked really good. We shared two French presses of coffee that got really strong as I got to the end and so there was a fair amount of sludge on the bottom of my mug but otherwise, no complaints. I have vowed to come back for dinner sometime soon - maybe a DR dinner, hmmm?
  3. anhdeluxe
    Thanks! I can't wait to get going on this list! I also have not had the khao soi at Pok Pok NYC but I suppose if I get desperate I can hop a dragon wagon up north too I did have the fish sauce wings up there and they were smaller and too salty...
  4. anhdeluxe
    Cassie the bartender named a mocktail there after me! If you ask for an "Anh-with-an-H" you get a lovely basil watermelon lemonade. Refreshing and not too sweet. I love their salads with greens gathered from their roof garden, but my favorite dish hands down is the pasta - egg fettuccine with rock shrimp, chanterelles and asparagus. It's perfectly light yet filling and the chewy noodles really shine.
  5. anhdeluxe
    Is there a place in the DMV to get Issan-style Khao Soi? I had this coconut curry noodle soup with chicken at Pok Pok in Portland and have to get it more often than just when I am back home visiting! Bangkok Golden had it on their menu but have told me that they don't offer it anymore because it was so rarely ordered. --- [The following posts have been split into separate threads: Tsunami Sushi and Lounge (Al the Pal)]
  6. anhdeluxe
    yay! I am glad to hear they aren't going away completely. Never got a bad whiff off their napkins but it is pretty quiet. Don't know how often their napkins turn over. Aside from their flatbread, I enjoyed their quabili palau (probably spelling that wrong) it's a rice pilaf with shredded carrots, raisins and a tomato-ey lamb sauce. Not too sweet - the fragrant spices made for a really balanced flavor - plus it was a beautiful leftover the next day! The 'slurpy noodle soup' that I get a strange craving for every so often called Aash - a tomato beef soup with cumin, yogurt and these super soft, almost mushy noodles that look like overdone spaghetti. The yogurt garnish makes it tangy and creamy but you have to get over any notion that all pasta has to be al dente. These tender noodles melt in your mouth.
  7. anhdeluxe
    This was worrisome.
  8. anhdeluxe
    I keep on driving on rte one and the lights have been out at Afghan Restaurant for a while - They have the best flatbread and used to have an awesome all-you-can-eat lunch special. I saw a sign that seemed to be offering up the space for redevelopment. Anyone know if they are ever re-opening or are the days of great bread, slurpy noodle soup and crazy- generous kebab platters over?
  9. anhdeluxe
    I had the duck three ways on Tuesday night and it was absolutely solid. The milky colored soup made great use of the duck bones, was sweetened by cabbage and enriched with tofu blocks. The duckmeat with bean sprouts felt like I was cheating - no effort on my part, like eating shellfish I didn't shell myself. The spring onions were pale yellow and could have passed for leeks they were mild. Of course Peking duck was the star - handmade, thin pancakes, expertly sliced skin and meat. It was excellent as always but the thing that keeps me coming back is the fact that Peter Chang might just be the nicest guy in the biz. A+ service. Friendly, convivial, warm and kind. This place is a reliable workhorse for your duck cravings but a treasure all the same.
  10. anhdeluxe
    So I heard secondhand that this place doesn't give you cups for water anymore? My DH who works up the street has vowed never to darken their door again because of this new policy. When he told the manager, he was told not to blame the management for this change but to blame all the bad customers who stole free sodas using the soda fountains. Makes me think that if you need to resort to no water for customers to protect your profits, you may have bigger problems...
  11. anhdeluxe
    I am so upset at this and I don't even know why. We had an amazing, life-changing dinner a couple years ago in the kitchen table and he wasn't even there as it was the eve of his wedding.
  12. anhdeluxe
    A week ago, five hungry friends and I pre-ordered the whole roasted lamb shoulder and despite our best efforts, three of us took leftovers home. It's a lot of food, but moist and delicious and flavorful. Also tried the duck phyllo pie which was outstanding. Close to edging the octopus out for my favorite dish there.
  13. anhdeluxe
    I stopped by tonight with a fried chicken craving and Blue and White Carryout had already closed. This place has recently undergone new management the past couple of months but this was my first time in. (corner of Monroe and Mt. Vernon) 12 bucks with a little extra got me a large quarter dark meat chicken (the drum and thigh attached) two generous sides (Mac and cheese and collard greens) with a homemade sweet tea and lemonade. It took a little over ten minutes to get my food together (I assume they were frying to order) and I chose to eat in. There was only one other patron in the place at the same time as me, and he enthusiastically praised the smothered pork chops. The counter service was friendly and fast. I noticed the cook and cashier both peering curiously as I ate to see if I liked it, but they never asked me directly. My chicken was fine. Not searingly as hot as the mac and cheese, but with a crunchy-crisp, medium-weight dredged skin that was well-seasoned. Less breading than Popeye's or KFC but more substantial than Korean fried chicken. Not sure if they soaked the chicken in anything before frying, but the meat was moist, if a little bland. The skin made up for the blandness of the meat - you really have to eat the two together, I learned. There is generic hot sauce on every table if you prefer a little kick. My favorite of the sides was the collard greens - they make them with smoked turkey and are obviously made with skill and love. I will try the mashed potatoes next time, they don't come from a box. The mac and cheese was okay - dusted with paprika and just shy of becoming gummy as I ate. Nothing spectacular. I will go here when Blue and White is closed (which is after 3:30 on weekdays) It costs just a bit more than smaller carryouts, but it's got high enought quality ingredients and skill to justify it. Convenient and tasty soul food in Del Ray!
  14. anhdeluxe
    Ate at the Del Ray location last weekend and loved it. Had the special crab quesadilla and my usual duck carnitas. DH likes a crispy shell so he got one beef, one chicken, and one pork. He wouldn't share. My quesadilla was simple, cheesy, generous with fresh crab meat, not a speck of cartilage. With a couple tablespoons of guacamole, but a healthy serving of rice and beans too. My duck, my favorite, as always, came with addictive hot pink pickled onions. Deeply satisfying fare in a great eating neighborhood.
  15. anhdeluxe
    This is my runaway favorite pho place in northern Virginia. (and for every new place I try, I always come back here!) I have been going here for years and am happy that they cleaned up/renovated the atmosphere without diminishing the food. Expect a freshened up dining room with constantly cleaned tables and an expanded menu. Of course, the pho is excellent and steady. I get a pretty basic bowl of tai (rare) and nam (cooked flank) without green onions or cilantro and they always give me exactly what I want. Sometimes I get a side of meatballs because it's fun to dip the faintly-sesame oil-scented balls in a ceramic spoonful of hoisin. The noodles aren't mushy and the fresh herbs and fixings are trimmed and plentiful. The portions overall are generous and the prices are fair. Consistently, the broth tastes clean and richly of beef bones, and the anise, charred onion and ginger are not overpowering -- and there isn't a crazy amount of fat floating on top unless you request it. On the expanded menu, the summer rolls are made to order, because I also request these without cilantro, and they come to you as two plump rolls cut in half and filled with rice vermicelli, boiled pork, shrimp, mint and crunchy bean sprouts. The peanut dipping sauce is great, and you can use this condiment to dunk your fried egg roll (cha gio) in too if you don't like fish sauce (but why bother?) The Vietnamese iced coffee doubles as dessert and beverage and they will cheerfully make it to go if you prefer your caffeine fix later. I think they close pretty early in the evening.
  16. anhdeluxe
    I ate here right after seeing "Jiro dreams of sushi" and it hit the spot. This weekend, due to the warm weather and not wanting to cook, I ate heavily here twice in one weekend, Thursday and Saturday night. They didn't have uni on Thursday but they did on Saturday night and it was fresh and sweet. They also had o-toro and chu-toro on special and it might be on my list for what I would have for my last meal on earth. I also recommend the baby clam miso soup if you ever see it on the seasonal menu. They add such a great depth of flavor to the miso, you will be glad you ordered hot soup when it's over 90 degrees and humid out. I am picky- I don't like cilantro or green onions on my food - and they remembered! Service for me was friendly and attentive every time I've been here. The little free snacks that are traditional are unexpected, small, tasty bites (sesame oil dressed pickled bean sprouts, a special kind of clam in a spicy sauce with julienne cucumber) and really make you feel welcome. I like this place a lot.
  17. anhdeluxe
    My Bronzino was pretty much raw. If it was cooked, it might have looked at a pan from across the room. Also I discovered a typo - watermelon feta cooler should read watermelon FENNEL cooler - yikes!
  18. anhdeluxe
    Holiday weekend miracle: walked up with two other people and got seated right away outside at a four top 7:15 pm on a Saturday night! The good fortune never ran out - we had to have the foie gras parfait and the duck breast again because they were so good the last time but also got to try the warm shrimp salad (6 huge fully peeled prawns (no annoying tail!) a pretty avocado fan and salad mix dressed with a lemon beurre blanc. Lemon could have been more assertive but it was a perfect dish for a really warm night. My friend got the norwegian salmon- a very impressive brick of medium-rare fish teetering on top of a tomato salad. Good if you love tomatoes, and when they're in season like this, why not? This place continues to impress. It should be extra fun around Bastille Day!
  19. anhdeluxe
    Lunch today at Woodward Table - Summer Vegetable pistou a nice soup but kind of meh, despite the fun pesto and cheese garnishes and fancy, lift-the-dome presentation. It really does taste like minestrone. The corn that was fresh cut off the cob had a nice crunch. My tagliatelle special with lamb's tongue, belly ragut, fava beans and basil was a large portion - well enough for lunch and a substantial snack later. It was buttery with the fatty belly and the lamb's tongue was an interesting taste - much more delicate that beef tongue. I'd love to try this on a flatbread or deli sandwich.
  20. anhdeluxe
    A friend and I were also in a 'treat yo self' mood this week and had a great dinner on Wednesday. Isabella himself was in the kitchen. We were seated at one end of the bar with a nice view of the busy kitchen but even better was the view of the spinning, roasting haunches of lamb and goat and suckling pig, the flocks of chicken all turning on the roto. At the bottom of the grill was a huge pile of eggplants that got occasionally poked and tested for doneness. She had a gin lemonade and I had the non-alcoholic watermelon feta cooler. Gratis sparkling water was a nice touch. We started off with the taramasalata - cauliflower spread with carp roe a skimpy topping of a nice black caviar (I suppose i shouldn't complain for a starter with caviar at $12) It was light, luscious and lemony, glazed with olive oil and a fantastic starter with the flat, soft, folded pita bread, served on an olivewood board. She had roasted fennel that was served on a puddle of alarming black sesame tahini and topped with arugula. Tasty char, and still a little crunchy. I had the barely raw bronzino next, it came glazed with olive oil, lemon and salt (sense a theme here) plus dill and two little crisp chips of fish skin crackling. We shared the greek fries which were made of chickpeas but reminded me of breaded and fried slices of polenta. The peppercorns ground over it was heavy, making them almost black, which contrasted with the wispy shavings of mizithra cheese. (I was expecting the mizithra to be like the pasta you can get at Old Spaghetti Factory but this was hella more refined.) Not a ton of flavor to the cheese but it could have been overshadowed by all that pepper. I had the Fourno Patates come out at the same time as my suckling pig and really loved that someone must have been reading the reviews because these really packed a lemony punch. These were some tart potatoes! A great counterpoint to the suckling pig, the ancient grains salad (they seem to put amaranth in a lot of dishes here) and the beet red harrissa which also seemed to have a light sweet crunch to it (jicama?) My friend had the lamb and I am very glad she shared. It had the same accompaniments and was even better than my very good baby pig. We finished off with the charred octopus tentacle and it was also perfectly executed - the thick end was tender and meaty and not at all rubbery. The skinny end was crunchy and the taste reminded me of Asian cuttlefish snacks. It came cleverly crusted with amaranth grains that seemed toasted and crisp like a beady breading. (All of these details were supplied by our helpful and knowledgable server) By this time, we were both almost overfull but still very happy. Next time we plan on bringing two hungry friends and demolishing that whole lamb shoulder the fellows a few stools over had ordered. It looked amazing.
  21. anhdeluxe
    I've been to Toki, Taan, Daikaya and Sakuramen. This place is my hands down favorite and it's because the eggs here (and the service!) are superior. Each of the soft boiled (circulator?) eggs is peeled and marinated in mirin, sake, soy and sugar. I could eat a plate of them alone. i think the broth is too salty and smoky at Daikaya, the noodles overdone and broth bland at Taan, and the wait is not worth the bowl and service you get at Toki. At Sakuramen, I usually get the chashu or mushroom buns, and my gojiramen ramen without scallions because I've never been a fan. The result is clean, rich, clear flavors and nothing to get in the way of the eggs, noodles and broth. If you want spicy, the fireball and ordering on a spicy level 'off the menu' is the way to go. Some real chilihead friends of mine discovered this method and really enjoyed their ramen after that. I go here pretty regularly and one time they forgot and left the scallions in my soup, they saw me picking them out and felt so bad they gave me a green tea ice cream on the house. That little gesture and the friendly welcome every time I return keeps me coming back.
  22. anhdeluxe
    Dined here with another couple on a recent Monday night. Glad we had reservations! The best thing was the foie gras (mousse?) parfait starter with toast and a fennel-fruit jam that disappeared fast.+1 had the onion soup that came recommended but I wasn't blown away. My main was the duck, which I still dream about fondly, two weeks later. It was seared to order duck breast and a duck leg confit that delivered in a really big way. Others had the pea orzo with scallops which was strewn with pea shoots, the mussels (was there a strong hit of lemongrass?) and the lamb shank that came with couscous and fiery harissa. All were fine, and I noticed that the lamb was jealously guarded and not shared so it must've been especially good. I loved the bread (cranberry walnut especially), and the service was surprisingly good. A couple drinks were long in coming but the server was apologetic and attentive otherwise. Can't wait to go back for the raw bar and more duck!
  23. anhdeluxe
    Thursday French Steak Night is fantastic - garlicky Caesar salad, choice of ribeye, NY strip or filet with three different sauces, with the steaks cooked in butter and cast iron pans, and the night I went, creme caramel for dessert, all for 45 bucks plus tax and tip. Can't beat that with a stick. Excellent cocktails and wine but the service was a bit slow (they were training) I am so pleased I can get Stumptown Coffee in the adjoining shop (even though it is a very limited selection). Looking forward to coming back.
  24. anhdeluxe
    Gave this place another try last week and am happy to say that the service and the food has improved dramatically! The Scotch egg, duck confit and pastrami sandwich special were all tasty, generous, and well-executed. Even better the service was thoughtful, prompt, and friendly. My Virtuous hot chocolate was indeed special, with a luscious crust of house made marshmallow, and the chai donuts that we ordered were hot pillows of spicy fragrant pastry. We couldn't even finish the last one, they are about as big as clementines and you get five of them. My only quibble is that the skin of the duck could have been rendered a tiny bit crispier, and nearly ten dollars is rather dear for one Scotch egg. Yay V F &G! glad to put you in my rotation again.
  25. anhdeluxe
    Had excellent service at a private party here over the holidays. Food is always good here. Shrimp and grits is my go-to but I resolve to branch out to their other exciting offerings this year.
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