food.fiend
-
Posts
33 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Articles
Dining Guide
Everything posted by food.fiend
-
Inexpensive Brunch for a Large Group... HELP.
food.fiend replied to food.fiend's topic in Help Needed
Thanks for the ideas! As well as for a a confirmation for my gut reaction that the qutoed price is almost absurdly unrealistic. Especially if drinks are included, as I am most assured that they are.... I tried the Trios suggestion... but they won't take advance reservations... They might be amenable to setting aside space the morning of, but that wouldn't be enough advance notice, I am thinking! As for the VA suggestions, although I personally find nothing wrong about heading out there (as I used to live in Courthouse and loved it), everyone is staying in DC, and they are reluctant to travel too far, unfortunately... And, jm chen, the Lauriol suggestion actually might be a good bet for these girls, especially as they take reservations for brunch... And, since I personally will be out of town for this adventure, I won't mind suggesting it! -
My old DC roommate's college friend has sent me an email request for help finding a brunch location for the roommate's Bachelorette weekend... And her "requests" for the restaurant are just causing me to completely blank on any possibilities... Especially as I tend to always go to the same one restaurant for brunch (Bar Pilar), b/c I am lazy and don't like to walk far in the mornings. I've copied the message below, and hopefully someone has a suggestion or two! Thanks so much in advance... K "For the brunch, the idea is to host a brunch for her friends in DC and those who are coming in for the weekend (our college roomies, some high school friends...) In our heads we are thinking roughly around 20 ppl, but need to confirm a list in the next week or so. As far as atmosphere, we are thinking casual - nothing too fancy by any means, 1 - b/c we will most likely be slightly hung over from bachlorette-ing the night before and 2 - keep the price tag in check. In my mind, ideally no more than 10-15 per person. I'd love to have something comfy, but a little quirky, just like her!"
-
I have to admit, that I just assumed it was an actual blog (even going so far as to hunt around on numerous DC area ones).... and it hadn't really even considered that it was someone on here? I am dying of curiousity, though, I must say...
-
So full still from this weekend's eating that I don't even know where to start... It was the boyfriend's law school graduation, and his oh so nice family was in town... no way I can detail it all, so I will just do highlights from each... Red Rocks - Thursday night, just with the younger brother, and i LOVE the margherita pizza with roasted garlic... Le Paradou - Friday night, whole family, and the food was excellent. My favorite part was my appetizer, a salmon tartare with caviar and creme fraiche on brioche. Also, a fantastic white burgundy. And, no, I can't recall which one. Paolo's - Saturday Lunch, again whole family. Pizza was meh, but my pasta pomodoro really hit the spot. It was amazingly garlicky, which I loved. Citronelle - Saturday Dinner, whole family, my first time at the restaurant. And it was fantastic. The service, presentation, everything. If I had to pick a favorite item, it would have to be the "egg creation" appetizer (or some such name, again, blanking). That, or, the veal sweatbreads with a morel sauce. Central - Sunday Dinner, just the boyfriend and I. Very fun to compare that against the previous evening at Citronelle. The asparagus appetizer was by far my favorite item. Lightly poached, then sprinkled with sea salt and parsely, with a tarragon vinaigrette sauce on the side. Amazing food weekend, but I don't think I will be eating for a week. Well, until MY family shows up on Thursday, at least!
-
Oh, Fantastic! I was hoping you would! He really was great!
-
Made it to Dino last night after a slightly disasterous dining adventure beforehand. Luckily for us, it was a gorgeous night and there were empty tables outside... That, along with a campari and soda, wine, burrata, and some wild Boar pasta were just what were needed to unwind (and fill our half-full stomachs from the previous meal)... All was delicious, and it was great to just sit there and enjoy ourselves... only gripe was that it seemed that our waiter was MIA much of the time... which was actually fine in the end, though, as we had a most delightful busser bring us bread, water, olive oil, and all those other things that had been left out... Definitely will be back to enjoy more nice nights sitting outside with such good food...
-
Still really enjoying Bar Pilar's Sunday brunch... and seem to make it there every week these days. Oh, for good coffee, a nice dimly lit table, sausage biscuits and gravy, and the NY Times.... Oh, wait, can I forget the bacon bloody mary? Also, the sweetbreads, olives, and oh, I forget what else for dinner a few weeks back were delicious, as were Adam's cocktails that I finally got to try! Yum....
-
Unfortunately, I have to agree with some of the above comments. The pizza we ordered last night (slices of the sausage/mushroom, and the carmelized onions/roasted peppers) were a bit bland. They definitely needed salt, a tastier sauce (not just a tomato puree), and more time in the oven. I realize we were eating reheated slices from already made pies, but when they were brough to us they weren't even luke warm, and we had to send them back. Now, if they had been busy and were just overwhelmed with having just opened, I might not have minded so much, but we were 2 of maybe 5 customers in the whole place at 6:30 or so. Also ordered the antipasto appetizer, which was also overly bland. Four different mini preparations, and each one was flavorless. If I remember correctly, we had roasted peppers with carmelized garlic cloves (and you did not taste garlic at all, even when eating the cloves), white beans (the best of the lot), broccolini coated with a few specs of quinoa (random) and grilled asparagus... Also slightly annoying, and funny too, was that they attempted to deliver our food before we'd even sat down. We were followed around the restaurant by one of the workers with our antipasto appetizer as we got our napkins, silverware and drinks, and then she promptly plopped the food on a table, choosing it for us... ha.... Then, of course, the luke-warm pizza arrived as we were putting our napkins on our laps. That all I would chalk up to them just opening, and maybe needing to work out some kinks, so I wouldn't really hold against them. But the food itself also needs some work. Hopefully they improve soon! Actually, we were still hungry, so we ended up heading to Dino for more food, and to unwind. The whirlwind adventure of Pete's had taken a maximum of 15 minutes, and we were sort of wanting a bit longer dinner...
-
Had a great meal at Cork this weekend... The smoked trout salad was delicious as always, as was the chicken mirabella... and the speck, oh, and the carmelized sunchokes, and... oops. Too much more. But, the best part? We were seated within 5 minutes, on a Saturday, at 7:30 pm. And we hadn't even called ahead. Somehow, not quite sure, but we hit it just right! So nice... Also, never wrote about it, but hte wine tasting a few weeks ago was great fun on a Saturday afternoon. Hope they have more soon!
-
Ditto. Well said!
-
Or, is this ridiculous? That I now, after hearing all these comments, want to go to see how bad it can actually be for myself?
-
Went to Mio last night with a friend to catch-up. We had planned to just stop in for drinks at the bar, which we did, but of course ended up getting a table after that as well! Neither of us were that hungry, so we just split a first course, and a middle course, or some such labeling. The first course was a delicious burrata cheese, with blanched asparagus, preserved truffles, and a drizzle of olive oil... delicious. My friend had *gasp* never had burrata before, and was in heaven. Next, we just split their rabbit dish. If I recall correctly, it was rabbit-filled wontons, along with slices of perfectly cooked roasted rabbit rack and loin on the side, with some sort of rabbit stock reduction... and I loved it. It was nice to have all different cuts/methods of prep of the rabbit in one dish, and the sauce was so falvorful that I was using the bread to sop it all up. I left feeling like I couldn't wait to get back, and just wish it had been more busy! I think the whole time we were there (bar and time at the table combined), there were only 3-4 tables full. Total. Not just continuously, but over the course of 2.5 hours. With such good food, I can't help but wonder why. I hadn't been since the fall, before the change in the kitchen, and while I thoroughly enjoyed it then, it is much, much better now!
-
PS7s - cocktails and appetizers on the patio... which was practically empty, and thus entirely shocking as the weather was gorgeous... red rocks - great pizza, basic margherita, but with roasted garlic added on top, and a yummy burrata appetizer served simply on a bed of lightly dressed arugula... only bummer, the patio was on a long wait! (do we see a theme with outdoor dining here?) bar pilar - brunch on Sunday... great sausage biscuits and gravy, and steak and eggs... and reasonably priced... I love how dark and cozy it is there in the morning.... can wake up with some of their good food and coffee without having to actually see any daylight...
-
No,. a good guess, and most likely accurate, or at least somewhat along those lines... I was really just wondering if they had always been taht way, or if it was a newer restriction... I bet the boyfriend is now regretting the invitation of his brothers and sister-in-law, however, as he was looking forward to returning...
-
Yes, no question. But to not be able to accomodate 7? I hadn't thought it was that small... sigh. Some other time I guess.
-
Question... has anyone else run into Komi's policy that they only take reservations for 4 or fewer people? I found this odd when attempting to book a dinner for my boyfriend's law school graduation? Is this common knowledge that I was just not aware of? Thanks!
-
take-out brats from PS7s... with homemade mustard... and shoestring potatoes.... yum....
-
Sadly, that is what I was told by not just my waitress, but by the other bartender as well... I am definitely going to try and go back, as I love the place,and the drinks looked fabulous! I'm just going to go earlier and stake out my bar stool...and never leave... I agree, though, that the Post article must have had something to do with it... as I don't think it's ever been that busy before when I've gone during the week!
-
sigh... would you believe the fantastic Tuesday cocktails are only available at the bar? even if the bar is full? and even if the people are just *not* moving off their prized stools ever? and even if you are standing around the bar, but not seated, you still cannot get them? and even if you are seated at a table, the waitress cannot get them for you? such a sad, sad, world... not, of course, that everything else wasn't lovely there, per usual, but I oh so much desired one of the special drinks last night...
-
Unfortunately, I have to agree with the above comment... While the food was good (great burger, fries were okay, my friends enjoyed their meals as well), the service was not so stellar. Our waiter came by at least 5 times in the first ten minutes, attempting to harangue us into ordering immediately. While if a place is busy, I will definitely attempt to order and eat more quickly, the restaurant was not even half full at this point... Also, he was then absent for basically the rest of the meal until trying to steal my plate while I was still eating... hands off the fries, buddy! I just felt completely rushed... and what was supposed to be a nice catch-up meal and drinks with friends turned into a sprint through a meal, with only one drink....Sigh... and the place could be great... We packed up and headed to Bar Pilar to unwind a bit after the ordeal...(also out of the draft I wanted... sigh...)
-
Dining in San Francisco
food.fiend replied to ustreetguy's topic in San Francisco Restaurants and Dining
Was in San Fran last weekend for a wedding, and thought to give a quick report... Since it was a wedding, though, and we were busy both Friday and Saturday night with that, we only had breakfast and lunch... sigh... need to get back! Ferry Building - spent an entire morning here wandering around and loved it... Why can't Eastern Market be more like this? Had the oysters from Hog Island, which were delicious and the people were very friendly. Had some wine and chocolates at the wine bar, and fish tacos at another walk-up place... Free chocolates too. ) Though, I must say, the fish tacos were not as good as to be hoped for. Tartine Bakery - Oh so good. Giant gougeres, candied orange zest cinnamon buns, light-fluffy asparagas quiche, and another item I am blanking on were all tried, and loved. Very good, and one hopes they win the Beard award finally this year! But go early, there is a line out the door, and only a few tables inside. In-n-out burger - I know. But I just had to try one after all the hype. And it was "fine," but I guess I couldn't say that it was phenomenal as my Californian friends seem to think it was. City View - Dim Sum on the outskirts of Chinatown. And I really enjoyed it. Lots of locals, and the waiters barely spoke English, and the place was bright and airy! Favorite was the sticky rice. And maybe the pork bun. Red Blossom Tea Company - also in Chinatown. Not a restaurant, but an amazing tea shop with small tables and chairs for you to try any of their many teas before you buy them. And so you can be shown proper brewing times and temps for each one. And I somehow walked out with multiple cakes of pu-erh. Oops. Oh, and a delicious new cupcake shop near Ghiradelli Square. Moist-as-anything cupcakes. With a perfectly fluffy, and not too sweet, frosting. -
Penn Quarter Market-Now Open For The Season
food.fiend replied to Erin's topic in Farms and Farmers' Markets
oh, today! Perfect that I saw this... I have been waiting for it to open since I now work over here... lovely, and thanks for the heads-up... -
Hm... just seeing this... and would love to meet some of the people on the Board... and would love if it weren't on the day my slacker +1 is finally finishing his non-ending graduate school days (ie he graduates May 18th and June 1 would be lovely).
-
Unfortunately, it closed about a year ago. There is some burrito bar in there now.
-
In the last week: Proof - Amazing. Went with a largish group, and tried most everything. Favorites: the pate on the charcuterie board, the foie gras, and the gnocchi. Oh wait, and the Tuna. Cannot wait to return. Also ordered far too many bottles of wine to remember exact details. Stoneys - after a long 12-hr day of volunteering at a breast cancer charity wedding dress sale event (just don't ask), all I could handle was a Stoney's burger. Medium Rare. Delicious. Chix - Tried the Peruvian chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, and rice and beans. Oh, and the fruit water. Loved it all. This is definitely going to become a regular. And, while the chicken is not quite up to my old favorite in VA, it's much closer. Previous comments on the skin were correct, it needs to be a bit crispier. But, must say, the flavor was all there. On the Fly BBQ cart - Was craving Mac-n-cheese for lunch, but this did not hit the spot. Not very cheesy tasting, and very oily. Would not get again. Kanlaya - Good thai food. And they deliver to my office. My favorite is the Pad See Ew, which I accidentally had to order again. Cakelove - For some reason, I decided to try their cupcakes again. I don't know why. They are still dry and tasteless. St. Ex - Went for brunch. Eggs Benedict were fine, but the potatoes were so oversalted that I literally could not eat them. +1's quiche was good, but the salad was ALL frisee, and he did not care for it. Plus, the coffee was far too bitter. Almost burnt tasting. Will not be returning, and will just head to Bar Pilar next time.