Nick Freshman

the fries were fried to perfection and maintained their crisp in the cup as we drove home.

Five Guys is indeed much better in the store, but if you take it away the key is to leave the bag of fries open a crack. They may lose some heat, but that is far better than letting them steam in the bag.

2 Amy's had a special pizza last week that featured roasted ramps along with sausage and parmesan. I don't know if they were thrown on the pizza raw and then cooked right on top or prepared separately, but the high heat gave them a nice grill-like char and a little olive oil worked great. They were still very pungent and crunchy, but they didn't take over the pizza. Granted, the complimenting flavors were bold in their own right--italian sausage and a heavy handed portion of grated parmesan.

I think that simple prep with some high heat really works for the little guys.

Pork and hominy stew with Cibola Farms pork shoulder from Arlington Farmer's Market

I've seen that pork there before, but have yet to try it--how was it? I'm sure it was pricey, but was it worth it?

There is a spot on Columbia Pike just West of Glebe Road called "El Pollo Rey." That's right, King Chicken, baby. It may have been mentioned. It is up there, I think, with Crisp N Juicy and Pollo Rico. The chicken is generally consistent and flavorful, but not other worldly. The kicker for me is that they offer pupusas. The real deal--formed, filled and cooked to order. You have to wait a few minutes to get them, but the place is also a laundromat and music store, so there is plenty to do...

I have no complaints about 2 Amys. The appetizers are terrific, the wine selection is very good, and the pizzas are still delicious, even taking advantage of seasonal ingredients, I've noticed.

Also the staff is wonderful. It seems that some of them have been there for years, which is always a good sign.

Went for lunch today, and had been about a month ago with Shaggy. Both times the pizzas were very good, I thought. Service at the bar was terrific, and the meats they are offering are a nice addition to the menu. Today I had the special pizza--roasted ramps, sausage and Parmesan. Man, that was good--spicy and fresh ramps with a good deal of bite left to them, flavorful sausage and ample Parmesan.

I'm way too cautious to wade into the great pizza debate that rages on this site. All I wanted to add was that I had a couple of pretty damn good pizzas here.

I went a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it as much as ever. I have not seen any drop-off in quality.

Anybody been here recently? I love soul food, and I have been meaning to try it, but I see the posts are a little older...should I be nervous?

Thanks!

I grew up in New Orleans and I think Acadiana's version (along with the Zapps chips) is pretty good. It's not the same as getting a steaming hot loaf from some joint with peeling paint and ice cold long necks, but I do think it is authentic.

I second that. I thought Acadiana's were great--as was just about everything I had there, but it sure is hard to get the same experience without feeling the building you're in should be condemned. I always like Domilise's in New Orleans.

Stopped by here for the first time today with wife & baby. What a great experience. We tried a few different cups of coffee, and chatted with David & his crew for some time. They have a great setup there, the inside is simple and very well done. There is a menu of about a dozen different coffees, and the wine selection seemed varied. They also offer a few other treats beyond the grape and the bean--exotic salts, cheeses & beer. I was pleased to learn that they have just gotten their permit to serve food and they'll soon do small plates with a few tables outside.

The Clover is pretty cool to see, and the coffee that it produces is indeed terrific.

I really think they have a good concept, and one that is well executed. I wish them the best of luck.

Too bad the author didn't note this great article in Slate (owned by Wapo) talking about how Starbucks actually helps mom and pop coffee shops.

I read that article as well when it came out and found it really interesting. My favorite statistic from the many offered was: "According to recent figures from the Specialty Coffee Association of America, 57 percent of the nation's coffeehouses are still mom and pops." Starbucks has in fact not killed the independent coffee shop. On the contrary, by telling Americans that they really want lattes and dark roast, they have helped retail coffee business as a whole.

If you have 15,000 stores, you make such an easy target, but the fact is that they are probably responsible for the fact that it is a lot easier to get a really good cup of coffee now--overall consumption is way up and consequently the standards are as well. I personally don't care for their coffee as much as I do the coffee at Java Shack or Murky or countless other independents, but I'll certainly take it when other options aren't around. Furthermore, I am part of an independent company and I love to hurl slings and arrows at big chains, but it's hard to really paint a picture of Starbucks as an enemy--this is America, and free market capitalism makes it possible for us to open Eventide as much as it makes it possible for someone to open next door to us and try to destroy us. That's business.

I am interested to see what Howard Schultz does now that he has reclaimed his former position. There was a terrific episode of the show Iconoclasts on the Sundance Channel with him and Norman Lear. I thought it was really interesting, and it is hard to walk away from that and picture him in a black cape. Maybe I am naive, but he seems very passionate. Starbucks also purchased the Clover company, which I think is a bold move. Here is a machine that bad coffee can't hide from, and if it is installed in the stores it will be interesting to see how their coffee holds up. Of course, perhaps they bought the company just to scuttle it, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

How many brilliant chefs have open restaurants only to fail because they don't understand the financial management side? Finances are the cornerstone of any business, whether it is making coffee or auto parts and to be so blase about it is simply foolish.

Unfortunately, it seems that the Clarendon store might not be long for this world either, if the article's facts are correct. That's a bummer--the decor never makes me want to linger, but damn that coffee is good.

Has anyone found a source for Decaf Sumatran that isn't overroasted? The Caribou in Herndon just closed, which means our local source for borderline acceptable beans is gone. We used Peets for several years, but they're really a little too roasted for our tastes.

You might try Lexington Coffee, a small company in southern Virginia. They have a decaf Sumatra, and while I have not tried it, I think their coffee in general is terrific.

For breakfast, I have to go to the Kapalua Plantation restaurant at least once, if for nothing else but the view of Kapalua Bay and the Plantation golf course, where the Mercedes Championship is held each January. Eating breakfast while enjoying the cool tradewinds is about as good as it gets....

Kapalua is indeed absolutely beautiful, and a little removed from the rest of Maui. If you drive north from there, you can also really get away from a lot of the tourists. We stayed at the Ritz, and their breakfast spread was the best I have ever had. Your table looks out across the grounds and across the water to an out island (Molokai, I think). It was included with the room, and I imagine it is ridiculously expensive a la carte, but truly decadent.

On Kauai, I would go for a drink at least at the Beach House. It is expensive and the food does not match the prices, though when I went about five years ago it was good enough. The setting, however, is amazing. Go around sunset and watch the surfers while sipping a cocktail--the restaurant is on the rocks right at a beatiful beach(Poipu, I think). Tough to beat.

Also nearby on the grounds of the Grand Hyatt (really nice hotel for a cocktail) is Tidepools restaurant. Tables are set above large Coi ponds in an intimate setting. Very cool.

We found lots of roadside cheap(such a relative term in Hawaii) eats, but most were just OK. That said, the settings are usually so beautiful it doesn't matter what you're eating.

And, since they're open all afternoon, it's a great mid-afternoon stop if you work in the area.

Marcel's, of course, does french press as well.

We're planning on doing French Press coffee service at Eventide. We plan to feature two choices(and decaf, of course): a traditional, darker roast and a specialty estate coffee with more of a lighter roast. Both are likely to be from Central America. All of our coffee will be organic and fair trade.

Now if we could just get ourselves open...

Taking a closer look at the situation, the restaurant was overrun with families: Children were everywhere, eating bags of Goldfish, coloring with restaurant-supplied crayons, crying in their strollers - people talk about 2 Amys being Child Central, but Cafe Pizzaiolo certainly gives it a run for the money.

And that's because it's such a family-friendly establishment, actively encouraging families with children to come in and enjoy a meal with games, doodling pads, high chairs, children's menus, and a general attitude that children are more than welcome in their restaurant. Nowhere was this more evident than with our wonderful server Laura, who immediately took a liking to my young dining companion, the two developing a rapport which lasted throughout the entire meal. After I had paid the check, she asked him if he'd like to try some gelato (looking over to me to see if it was okay), then took him up behind the counter and let him try six tiny spoonfuls - he came back with an ear-to-ear grin on his face.

I wish I had better things to report about the pizzas, but the overall dining experience more than compensated.

It really is hard to overstate the kid-friendly thing when you are a Dad with an infant, and making it through the day until Mom comes home can degenerate quickly into a matter of survival. Being able to have a good, quick meal and a glass of wine or a beer (hey, she's teething, the days can be looooong) and be at ease if she throws something on the ground is really nice.

Someone may have pointed this out, but they're open on Sundays now which was not the case early on. Makes a great alternative to bland brunches.

Is it worth the trouble to drink light beer, or even take the time, or waist the space in your beer selection to please the crowd that likes to fuss about calories. If so, what do you recommend for a "light" beer

Calorie for Calorie, flavor for flavor

At the risk of exposing myself to a torrent of attacks, I will suggest Budweiser Select. Marketed as a "hip" Budweiser, it actually has less calories than Bud Light (99 to 128). I love Sierra Nevada (200 calories) and pretty much any other Pale Ale you put in front of me, but I also like ice cold Bud (145). I find the taste of Bud Select to be far superior to Bud Light, Miller Lite, Amstel or pretty much any other light beers.

Plus, I feel soooo cool and trendy drinking it...

My Assistant GM (and also an Eventide partner) is Nick Freshman.

Alas, I will miss the anonymity and lack of accountability I had roving the Rockwell.com world!

I hope to see all of you in the spring!

I continue to wish that the house made sausages at Whole Foods were salted properly and didn't smell off every other time I buy them. Our breakfast sausages (purchased yesterday afternoon) were spoiled, and the rest of the package is going back today. If the Silver Spring meat counter disappoints me one more time they will be losing my business.

Never had a problem with the sausage, but about two months ago I returned two whole chickens (not the Bell & Evans, the other organic ones) that were horribly spoiled from the Clarendon store. Then just yesterday, I returned one to the Old Town store whose odor had been masked a little by the pre-seasoning. That was particularly a pain because I was with my baby and we live in Arlington. To their credit I was refunded the cost and they gave me a fresh bird for free. It seems that these stores are so busy that they turn over their inventory so quickly, and spoilage is never an issue. Evidence to the contrary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costco

From what I understand, the founder Sol Price's philosophy also included very humane treatment of employees, which has supposedly continued since the merger with Costco. Unlike Walmart, they provide benefits.

OK, jeez if you are going to go all Wikipedia on me .

Further looking found this from the WSJ: "From the perspective of investors, Costco's benefits are overly generous," says Bill Dreher, retailing analyst with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

Fine points, especially the one that employees at Costco are no more or less friendly than any other retail store. I would have to agree, for the most part. Furthermore, as at any other retail location, you can truly find great people.

My resentment stems from buying a King size mattress and frames a few years ago. I asked for some help loading it onto a cart and two different employees said "we don't do that." It seemed completely ridiculous. I am (somewhat) young and (on occasion) able, so I didn't even really need the help, but what if my Mom was trying to buy this thing? It's like she is saying, "hey, I want to spend $1,000 right now, right here--can you give me a hand?" Couple that with the gruffness I tend to get when I try to exchange pleasantries or ask a question about a product, and it leaves me a little bitter.

I probably could easily equally resent WalMart or Target or Starbuck's for that matter, so allow me to tilt at the Costco windmills no more on this site. But they still should extend their hours....

That was the same explanation given to me by someone who used to manage a store. Stock work goes on off-hours, but this way the customer-facing staff doesn't have to have shift changes, varying schedules, etc. They apparently save a lot of management and overhead money this way.

So, what then is their explanation for why the staff there is generally unfriendly and unhelpful? They save tons of money by hiring unmotivated employees who are willing to work for low wages? Then they pass on to savings to idiots like us who put up with it?

I understand the model, but I think that it is crazy--and lazy. We shop there and tolerate the irritation of the parking, the crowds, the limited hours, the irritable staff and the employees tolerate the amount of work, the pay, the irritable customers, etc...

There has to be a model for them whereby they open a few hours more and appease all the people that want to spend money and also keep their staff happy. The whole Costco model is based on volume--that's why the prices stay low, supposedly. Increased customer volume would certainly raise the overhead, but so much so that their profits would go down? I doubt it. I love the stuff there, but I always feel like I have to tolerate so much to get it.

I also picked up Pacifica (?) boxed organic chicken stock

That Pacific Free Range Organic Chicken Stock is the best friggin' deal around. Sometimes, I go fight the hordes just for that and some cheese (really surprising quality and price--highly recommend Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar...mmmm.....). The chicken stock is, I think, about $7 for six quarts. Compare it to organic stocks at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter--it is easily a third of the price. If you are too lazy to make stock--or if you have a job and kids--this stuff works great. I have noticed that Costco is slowly integrating organic products into their inventory, but it is spotty at best.

On another note: the Pentagon store has a line into the parking lot EVERY morning when they open at 10, and then they are busy all day. I always go on the weekdays, and it is always busy. Why in the hell don't they open at 8? Or 7? I have written this on countless comment cards. Please your customers and make more money--a company should be so lucky...

I got one of these bars for Christmas with Applewood Bacon and Bittersweet chocolate. I got it because I am a bacon freak, but when I looked at the label and saw a picture of a bacon strip on a chocolate bar I have to confess I was a little grossed out. Similarly, after trying it, I felt that it was not a divine convergence of the two most wonderful flavors in the world, but rather a jamming together of the wrong things. Am I crazy? What got me more than the flavor juxtaposition was the textures--the chewy room temp bacon pieces just felt wrong with the chocolate.

I had a similar experience in Rehoboth when my brother order a cone of bacon ice cream (anyone else had this? Right where the main drag meets the boardwalk). It was sugary, chewy and just not very good. I think that the idea is great, but some foods--as delectable as they are on their own--should best be left unmarried.

I just wanted to compliment Nathan and Tallula on a terrific New Year's Eve dinner last night. The dining room was not packed, but nice and full. Service was good despite our waitress getting double sat with us (eight people) and a neighboring ten top. The menu offered five courses, each with two options and there were no misses, in my opinion. Of particular note: a trio of oysters with a couple deep fried and serve on a real remoulade with a healthy kick, fresh on the half shell and a frothy oyster stew with paprika. Also, both main courses, a smoked veal loin and braised beef cheeks were delicious. I have to give the slight edge to the cheeks which tasted like they had been slow cooked for days. The prix-fixe price was $80, higher than last year and high for Arlington, but I would argue that the food justifies the price--nobody in my party felt slighted by either the quality or the quantity.

Hard to set aside is the tremendous wine value: we had three bottles of a terrific Sancerre and two bottles of a very good Shiraz, both about $30. Tack on a casual, but stepped up atmosphere and ducking the amateur hordes downtown, and I'd say it was a total home run. Of course, I live in the neighborhood and I am absolutely geographically biased...

Has anyone mentioned Au Pied Du Cochon?

Now a Five Guys, but I went to high school in the city and there was something exhilarating about being up very late and out while young. We couldn't get into bars, but had to get out of our parent's basements. I was completely unaware how much food mattered to me at that age, but I always suggested we go out to eat, and it was always there we ended up. We ate there many times, clear-eyed and otherwise, but never in daylight. I distinctly recall eating pommes frites while a roach sauntered across my table and onto my girlfriend's silverware. We didn't stop eating for a second. The city certainly gained overall as a dining destination when it closed--the food was terrible. But for myself there is a bit of sadness each time I drive down Wisconsin Avenue.

​Rehoboth

I am heading to Rehoboth in a few weeks, and I am wondering if anyone has had a great meal there recently. I know that there are some real gems, but they also seem to turn over quite frequently, and I fear that what I enjoyed in the past may no longer be worthwhile. By the way, if any of you recommend Grotto's Pizza, I will lose all respect for you--that place is an abomination. Thanks.

Also, I know there is a travel section, but I think that the beaches are essentially local offshoots. Nonetheless, I don't want to be in the wrong place, so we can move this if need be.