food.fiend

Apparently, it WAS Bobby Flay. At least, according to DCFoodies.com. And the Throwdown was today, at the Argonaut? Innnnnteresting. Thought it was odd they only filmed for a bit!

Went to Granville Moore's last night, expecting to just enjoy their delicious $10 Monday Moules Special, have a few Belgian drafts for $1 off the normal price, and avoid any St. Patrick's Day crowds. (Love beginning of the week bargains!) Because I was just going to stop in for a quite bite after work with my +1, and because I had been there before for drinks and liked the place, I didn't think to check any threads for pointers/ gossip prior to showing up. No, no. I just checked back after, b/c I was going to report. And, what has this cost me? Um, probably an unfortunate live experience on the Food Network sometime this fall. Sure enough, they *were* filming last night, as this thread states, and only on the early side, too. Right smack dab when I was there. Say, from before I arrived around 5:45 to only 6:15-6:20. I walked in, and literally stopped in my tracks. Camera Crews. Filming innocent civilians calmly enjoying their meals and perusing the menus. YIKES. Almost walked out, but I was really craving mussels. Delicious inexpensive mussels at that. So. The boyfriend and I figure, "Bet we'll fool them if we sit at the bar! Can't tape us there! No Angles for shots!" We happily sit down, order a few drafts (Chimay White, fyi), and start looking the menu over and debating the ever-important question - What TYPE of mussels. After finally ordering, a delicious Moules Saucisson, the BF wanders off to the bathroom, while I sit and happily drink my beer and continue looking through the menu. Something I love doing. In fact, when waiters steal menus, I always get a little sad. So, there I am sitting, reading, drinking, and loving life. When. I get that creepy feeling that someone is watching me. I slowly turn, and JUMP about two feet. The sneaky camera man has caught me. And for Who Knows How Long. I try to ignore it, and it finally goes away. Meanwhile, the BF comes back, and we start chatting with the bartender about the history of the place, the various nightly specials, typical talk. And, again, I get that feeling. Yup. The guy is back. So much for no camera angles at the bar. That is now two times that I have been unwittingly filmed. Luckily though, our food arrived to distract us, and the man left. And was it ever delicious. A giant bowl of plump, well-seasoned, non-grainy, wonderful mussels. The sausage, onion, pepper and mustard combo for the broth was wonderful. And they even served bread with it for soaking up the sauce. Comparing the mussels to those at Brasserie Beck, you get about twice the amount. And, comparing them to Belga Cafe's, the amount is about the same, but I have never gone there without having to send the mussels back because there were so many unopened ones. So, much better all around. LOVED the mussels. Also, loved the Frites. But, as a warning, do NOT get the large order. Unless, say, you would like to feed a small army, or just eat about 3 lbs of french fries. Not, of course, that you wouldn't want to eat that many of these fries, since they are very good (double fried, seasoned with the perfect amount of parsley and sea salt), but you just can Not do it. Trust me. They come in the same size bowl as the mussels, and it is just frightening. Just as frightening as me attempting, and failing, to eat them all. I think I had to be rolled out. There are also multiple dipping sauces, about 4-5? We tried the Truffle Aioli and the Dijoinaisse, and thoroughly enjoyed both. But, of course, the story wouldn't be complete, except for the addition of the Last Creepy Watching Feeling. While savoring each bite of my food, with actual audible oohs and aahs, I again noticed the camera zooming in while we were eating. Oh Dear. And, this time, we were actually asked how we enjoyed the food. On camera. ! But, we lucked out as the sound wasn't working, and so we were saved. And, right after that, they packed up and left, and we enjoyed the rest of the meal in peace. Phew! According to the bartender (whose name I sadly cannot recall, but who was very nice), it was for a new show starting in the fall. America Eats. So, no Bobby Flay. Apparently, they will be on the first episode, and the show is going to feature a different region/city each week and the food specific to it. If I understood correctly, and I could be wrong, DC is becoming known for it's mussels culture? And that is what/ why they were filming? In all, aside from the hilarious, and distracting, encounters with the Food Nework crew, I really enjoyed the food and ambience at Granville Moore's. I will definitely be back again, probably on a Monday. $10 for mussels? Nice. But, not only on a Monday. The moules were very good, and I like that each day (week?) they have a special flavor in addition to the five or so already on the menu, so that you can always try something new. Plus, I really think I would like to try the Bison Hanger Steak. It looked good while there, and the added recc from above might sway me. )

So. The report. Albeit a few days late. The food was delicious. -Started with the Buffalo Mozzarella appetizer, which came with a red pepper sauce, accompanied by radishes, tiny green beans, and a basil oil. Great mix of flavors, only complaint would be that the cheese was cold. And not just a little cold, but ice cold. A problem fixed, however, but just letting it sit out for a few minutes. I definitely want to try the Foie Gras next time though. Possibly will not be splitting apps. with my +1 again, if he stays averse to having that. -Next, we split the Carrot Pappardelle with the Rabbit Ragu and the Risotto with lemon juice and parsley pine nut pesto. Yum. Personally, I enjoyed the Risotto more than the Pappardelle. But that is only because I *love* Risotto. And this was one perfectly cooked Risotto. A bit of bite still to the rice, where it was not too soft, but not too hard either. Basically, Goldilocks Risotto. And I liked that the richness of the risotto was contrasted with the lightness of the lemon and pesto. However, my +1 devoured the Pappardelle. He loved how buttery the sauce was, without being too heavy. So, a good sharing. - By this time, we were both a little full, so we split the Lamb. Which was braised with a wine reduction (Barolo, I believe?), and set on top of a light vegetable ragu and a lightly-cheesed polenta. Very good, but very rich as well. I think I would have been happier with the Branzino, on second thought, but I really loved the dish all the same. In fact, it was the wine reduction that did me in. I think if I could just have drank that, I would have been happy. -Last, but not least, dessert. Which I probably didn't need, but just wanted. We had the Profiteroles and the "modernized" Tiramisu. Both good, but nothing to write home about. So, for the food, I was quite happy. Atmosphere? 50-50 on. Yes, it was slightly stuffy and lacked character, but I did enjoy the formality of the service. Plus, I have to say, that having the Solicitor General sitting behind you talking about his meetings with the Supreme Court judges, was highly entertaining. But, would I go back? Probably will do as others have suggested above, and just hit up the bar for more of the delicious pasta/risotto, and have a glass or two of wine. But I *will* go back. Yum. Oh, and for wine, if I remember, we had a bottle of Barbera, which one, though I cannot recall.

Anyone here been recently and have reccs off their current menu? Headed to Tosca tonight, and am already (of course) attempting to strategically plan out my order for maximum gustatory pleasure... )

Hey all! While I have lurked for some time, and at varying intensities, I have finally decided to step out of the shadows. I "think" that I found this site through Chowhound, where I am actually a semi-regular poster, and not-at-all a lurker, which is what I hope to become on here. About me? Well... My name is Kat, I live in the 14th St./ Logan Circle area, and I dearly love food in any way, shape, or form. Except bananas. Disgusting texture. And the boyfriend and I tend to eat out, or cook multi-course meals, quite often. My Work? *Gasp*, I also work for the government. Unfortunately. My fondest memories are of waitressing at higher-end restaurants throughout college and being part of the restaurant/food "in-circle" shall we say. Not to mention the food-discounts that went along with it! Ha. Okay, that is all. For now. But looking forward to being on here more often! (Just think of your tax dollars at work.) Ta Ta, K

Just went to Bar Pilar for the first time on Sunday, for brunch. And, have to say, it was delicious... in that, nice, local, inexpensive walk-in type of way. Which was just what I was looking for. The eggs benedict with homefries was a generous portion for $7, and the sausage biscuits and gravy, with a salad, was even better at $8. Also, the coffee was dark and strong, but not bitter, which is a serious plus in my book. But, to be honest, the best part was the Bacon Bloody Mary. Odd-sounding, I am sure, but absolutely delicious. Warm, crisp, greasy bacon in a spicy bloody mary. What a perfect start to a morning.

I must also have good karma, b/c the two times I've been (last night and opening night) I was able to get a table right away. I think, though, that I am helped by the 30-minute call-ahead policy? Both times I have used that option & I was seated w/in 15 mintues. Also, we were able to snag seats at the bar last night (around 7:30) before being seated. So my expereince has been definitely different from the others, including the other "foodfiend". (Another?! ha.) Also, while I have had the scatter-brained waiter or two, they have all been quite nice and informative when asked questions., and I think they have just been fairly busy.

Anyone been here recently? I just heard about it and am curious... Thanks!