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I had a birthday party catered this weekend by my dad's local favorite for BBQ: BBQ World, in Burke, VA. He's a pork BBQ purist and pretty much loathes all the local offerings, but he can tolerate BBQ World (this is high praise, as he's quite the snob). I think it is hard to tell what the place is like from the catered stuff we got (which was reheated) but my take on it was as follows: Ribs: dry as a bone and none too tasty Pulled Pork: heck--this stuff was pretty darn alright! Nice smoked flavor, not overly fatty (just enough!) Pulled chicken--I know it isnt the real deal to a BBQ snob, but it was actually fantastic! The meat had been smoked and tasted great with no sauce at all Sauce: the mild was boring, but the spicy was great--a thinnish red sauce with lotsa kick Potato salad: kinda lousy Slaw: meh, it was standard Beans: really delicious Greens: not enough porky flavor! For BBQ lovers willing to travel for a fix--Pierce's pit bbq in Williamsburg is pretty OK...just dont get the iced tea which will rot yur teeth before you leave the table. And for something even more obscure: Twix-n-Tween, a truck stop/institution in Centerville, Alabama (so named for being "betwixt and between" Tuscaloosa and another city--Montgomery, maybe?) Ah... the BBQ of my youth.

Actually, the grand opening is tonight, Thursday! Was in last night for the "friends and family" event and they were turning out a pretty darn good pie (nice, lightly blistered crust, very fresh tomato-ey sauce) although they were not serving the whole menu. I do have the menu, however (see attached) RedRocks_Takeout_Menu_B_W.pdf

Well, it has been a labor of love but it is actually happening: James O'Brien has announced the official opening on THURSDAY, JULY 12 at 5 p.m. of RedRocks FireBrickPizza, a pizzeria and cafe located in Columbia Heights. The 95 seat restaurant will offer brick oven pies, café fare including panini with housemade bread, salads and starters, wines by the bottle and the glass, Chimay Triple (YAY!!) and Allagash White on tap and 30 microbrews by the bottle. With two rooms on two levels for inside seated dining, a takeout section downstairs for locals to order and pick up pizzas for carryout, and a HUGE patio, RedRocks invites diners to stop in for dinner or weekend brunch (starting Saturday July 21). Address is 1036 Park Road, NW. Full disclosure, as always: James is an old friend, a member of the local music community, and - most importantly - a really dedicated entrepreneur and advocate of local small business (his last place was Staccato Lounge in Adams Morgan) RedRocks is officially opening THIS Thursday for dinner, so feel free to stop by to try out Columbia Heights newest dining destination and SUPPORT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS! Rumor also has it there will be a pizza tasting/giveaway TONIGHT from 5-7 at RedRocks... so if you happen to be in the Heights this eve, go check it out and you may get a free slice. I'll post a menu when I get it from him!

update: one of the 4 beers on tap will be Chimay Triple. Praise god. Look for a list of 24-30 import and microbrew bottles, including Smutty Nose, Abita, etc...

Hey all--an update on RedRocks. As you know if you live in Col Heights, the brick oven pizza joint on the corner of 11th and Park has been eagerly awaited--and impatience has likely set in for many neighbors (this one included!). Unlike all the other new spots opening in CH, RedRocks is not part of a larger development (where they developers do battle with the DC permitters for you). James has done this whole thing himself, and it has been a labor of love. SO, GOOD NEWS! The wait is actually (really, no kidding) almost over. James is planning an early July soft opening. He's going to have some pizza-making talent in the kitchen too (more on that later). Yes, I'm a friend, but I am also a CH local--and a supporter of independent restauranteurs. I am also pretty excited about tasty beer/pizza/brunch on the patio in my hood!. Thanks for letting me get in this little plug/update!

I have personal confirmation from an employee that it IS correct, unfortunately. The crooks apparently came in through a skylight and took computer equipment. I am also told they tried the safe -- they moved it around, but could not get into it.

Jacksonville So, this is a desperate stab in the dark. I am heading to Jax in a couple weeks to visit grandparents and thought (for once) we'd try out someplace besides the Ryan's steakhouse (sigh) Any suggestions?

I am told -- but cannot personally confirm --that Hooters has frickles, and that they are good. So apparently there are now 2 reasons to go to Hooters (the other being the wings, of course. Why else would someone go there?)

Man, oh man -- went in last night for a little nosh and had the Chorizo and white beans... YUM. The beans were stewed to melting perfection and hinted at some kind of warming spice--a smoked paprika maybe? I dunno, but MAN it was good. The beet salad with marinated onions and blue cheese wasn't half bad either.

Quick update: As is typical when you are dealing with contractors (and nasty weather), my latest intel informs me that there have been some unavoidable construction delays. We can now look for a mid- to late-March soft opening instead of late Feb. Can't come soon enough for me! This Col Heights gal is hungry for more local restuarants!

Hey everyone--I hope you'll forgive this little plug for a friend of mine. I live in Columbia Heights and can attest that new blood is sorely needed over there, as our dining options are pretty limited. James O'Brien (former owner of funky-but-defunct music venue Staccato in Adams Morgan) has changed venue and flavor. His new venture will focus on brick oven pizza and other cafe fare at the corner of Park Road and 11th St. NW in Columbia Heights, near the Tivoli and the new Giant. The new place is called RedRocks and is scheduled to open in February. Besides brick oven pies at a reasonable price-point, RedRocks will also feature a full bar with tasty beer (look for some good Belgians), a brunch menu, and outdoor patio seating.

I can report on 2 spots from last night. Had a pre-dinner drink at Jaleo, and (tho we did not eat there) it was not mobbed as I thought it might be--in fact, there were a number of empty tables at 8pm and the bar was practically deserted. Might be that the $30 RW offering is not such a bargain at Jaleo--as their tapas price-point is already pretty low. My party of 5 then scooted over to Rasika and we all did the RW menu, which consisted of about 5 choices for each course (with free rice and naan)--not bad compared to some places that offer very limited menus. The place is lovely and overall I'd rate it a positive RW experience. I started with the palak chaat (fried spinach w yogurt and tamarind) and--Hallelujah!-- it did live up to all the raves it has received! Mmmmm... I love taking something so healthy and making it so divinely unhealthy. Now to figure a delicious way to fry up celery. Course 2 was the chicken makhani. The sauce was lovely, though stunningly rich and filling. The chicken however, was a bit fatty--I'm not complaining that they used something more flavorful than chunks of boneless, skinless breast like lots of places, I just would like all the fatty skin bits removed from my chicken thigh is all... probably just a personal quibble. Dessert was just ok--the chocolate ice cream with pistachios and honey was mediocre. Tasted like haagen daz with lots of nuts swirled in. No honey, that I could tell. The lychee sorbet was another snooze. Our waiter was a bit of a weirdo, and offered his (unasked-for) opinion on more that one occasion. Point in case: someone at the table tried to order the Halwa and he said "Don't. You won't like it. Trust me." Just thought that was a bit strange--for all he knows we could be the DC chapter of the Shredded Carrot Fan Club... BG

I like the way you think! Thing is, the Sunday evening is actually a follow-up to an already planned Saturday night booze-bash. Though I hardly deserve it, I am being spoiled silly and could totally get used to this treatment. So, I'll throw the following recs out to my hosts: Firefly, Corderoy, Majestic, Vermillion, Circle Bistro. thanks all! BG

Hi all, I rarely post but find myself with a unique dilemma. A landmark birthday is coming up and I'm looking for some recs on a gastronomically-delicious destination in DC or VA for seven people. Here is the kicker--it is on a Sunday (which rules out Komi, Palena and several others I was considering) I am hoping for a place where you can order a la carte--not looking to break the bank on $100 tasting menus this time around, as I am not the one hosting the event... I had thought of Restaurant Eve's bistro... any other ideas? Thanks all!!

Heading to the Virgin Islands in March and am hoping there's something in addition to conch fritters on the menu--any dining experiences you can share? We'll be staying on St. John, but am willing to island-hop for food--even to the BVI, if there is something really special there... Thanks for any input!

posted on DCist: What: Fundraiser for Hurricane Relief Efforts When: Thursday, September 1st, 6:00pm-10:00pm Where: Lounge 201, 201 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Why: A good cause and half-price martinis

ok, knowing what i do of DC-area restranteurs, I'm willing to bet there are some charity events in the works to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Can we use this thread to post information about Katrina benefits? Thanks!