Beto

Some cracklings left over from lard rendering.

Town House now offers overnight lodging accommodations in its newly renovated house, Riverstead

Given that TH is 5 hours from DC and in the middle of nowhere, this option might make it possible for more of us to think about going there.

Here's a Google Maps street view of the property. The before and after images are stunning. Quite the renovation, I'd say.

That is really odd as he was there Saturday night. Saw him in the flesh as we went to the bathroom.

Was red herring on the menu?

Oz Chophouse apparently closed on Saturday night, and Jordan's Steakhouse from Ellicott City will take over the Maple Lawn space in Fulton in a joint venture with the owners of Ranazul, according to Elizabeth Large in the Sun.

I missed Large's post on Thursday, but someone emailed me that said Oz would close. I didn't want to rub salt in the wound by just asking "Are you closing?" and then hanging up. (Reporters like Large have a job to be blunt. I haven't knocked on a door since 1995 to ask "Can you tell me about the murder victim?") So I called the Fulton restaurant Saturday to ask if I would need a reservation for Sunday evening, and the hostess told me that Oz was completely full for the entire day. Even full in the bar, she said. No availability, she said.

I'm really bummed for the Oz folks even though I'm not a steakhouse addict. I enjoyed the bar, and the loss of Trapeze and Oz leaves Ranazul and its tapas as the last kitchen from the first generation of Maple Lawn eating. But Jordan's is a terrific restaurant in downtown Ellicott City. They're one of my best restaurants in Howard County, although I haven't eaten there in years

Large's post: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2009/08/two_more_restaurant_closings.html

Although not mentioned in the post, Large apparently talked to Jordan's owner who said that the new restaurant will be a joint venture with the owner of Ranazul. They're going to call it "Carlos and Jordan's Steakhouse." So they're expanding, not moving the original Jordan's. Either way, Maple Lawn's developer has to be very happy -- especially after scoring a parking-lot-packing success with Looney's Pub.

Looks like Carlos had a change of heart.,

Thought Kevin looks a bit like a feral pig but hey there's lots of intelligence behind those beady eyes.

And what's the big deal with Hector frying a steak? Why can't a hispanic chef deep fry a rib-eye? Seems like the judges are judging based on preconceptions as opposed to just tasting the food.

I've had Bistec Empanizado in Miami that was pretty good. But admittedly, the predominant taste was "fried."

The hostess looks like a raccoon with a jutting chin.

She reminds me of an asian Giada De Laurentiis.

So, I have a new job in Olney. Any good lunch/dinner options that haven't already been mentioned?

Nobody's mentioned Cheeburger Cheeburger yet. Not too bad if you're in the area.

Again, isn't there someone in the industry in the D. C. area that can lure them up here?

According to the article, "in the middle of nowhere" is exactly where they want to be. From the looks of it, the owners are willing to let the restaurant run in the red, such is their passion for food. If I were a chef given carte blanche to be as creative as I wanted to be, budget be damned, why would I want to leave that gig?

Had so many super meals all over that country, but can't remember the specific haunts, sorry! One important foodie tip, however. You'll quickly become addicted to the national dish, gallo pinto (yes, the subject of your message thread). One symptom of said addiction is a painful craving for the condiment called Salsa Lizano. Like me, you'll try to bring some back to the states. And, like me, you'll have the bottle confiscated by airport security because it exceeds the liquid threshold. Don't worry about it, you can buy Salsa Lizano when you return home. The Central American markets carry it, so do several online vendors, even amazon.com.

Pura Vida!

As much as I like rice and beans, I grew quickly tired of gallo pinto day in, day out, every meal.

If you haven't locked in your plans for La Fortuna, I can highly recommend Rancho Margot, if you're looking for a place off the beaten path. It's an eco-ranch run by a Chilean-American and in spite of the fact that it's off the grid, they generate their own hydroelectric power and have wifi access to the cabins. They grow their own vegetables and meat and have a small dairy to produce fresh cheese daily. While I can't say that the meals are spectacular, they do a decent job.

It's a perfect place to unwind for a week or so. Just google "rancho margot" and you'll find it. Buen viaje!

I'm assuming that you're in VA, so it may not be local enough, but the Carlhaven Emu Farm is up in Westminster, MD. Everything they raise is free range and organic. I've met David and Diane, the owners, at the farmer's market. Nice folks.

I've been a number of times to the Columbia location in the shopping center at rt. 108 and 175 and have always been pleased with the food and service. I haven't had the pizza, but the pasta dishes are always nicely done. If I had one critique, it would be that the portions are a little too large.

I grind and french press our coffee every morning. For the last year I was in DC, I always used Mayorga coffee beans. Usually the Kenyan, Colombian, Panama Hartmann or Ethiopian. When I moved to Jersey for a year and a half I had Mayorga beans shipped to me. Since moving to NYC I thought I would try to find some good beans here that I wouldn't have to have shipped all the time (since I live in a walk up and having them shipped to work is a pain). I have tried 5-6 different NYC coffee brands (including oren's daily, irving farm, porto rico and a few others) that I have found through various research or recommendations, and nothing has come close to toppling Mayorga. The last chance NYC has is Gorilla Coffee, and if that doesn't pan out I am switching back to Mayorga. All of their coffees have a strong COFFEE (not roast!) flavor without ever being too bitter or acidic. Mayorga beans just make the best cup of coffee you can get in my opinion.

Gorilla does a very good job. You have plenty of excellent options up there with local roasters:

Gimme Coffee

Coffee Labs Roasters

Gillies Coffee

and

Stumptown Coffee will be opening a Brooklyn-based roastery soon.

I'll be checking this place out very soon.

I had them roast a small pig for my son's 100-day festival (a Korean tradition). As beautiful as it looked in its roasted glory, the crispy skin and porky, juicy goodness was even better.

Duck Liver On Menu Cited In Vandalism

I've never been there, but the restaurant Iron Bridge Wine Company in Columbia, MD has been vandalized twice because they serve foie gras and have "Foie Gras Fridays".

The owner says they will not change their menu.

I am thinking about going there now to support them.

I'm in!

I couldn't really care about the ethnicity of the people preparing the food, as long as it is good. My problem with the term "fusion" is that it usually means something more watered down and accessible.

Plus, if you call it fusion, that's an easy fall-back stance when you don't have the experience or training to prepare something properly.

As an aside, I happened to be driving through Hanover, PA yesterday and saw a place called, "Hot and Crusty, Mexican-Italian Fusion Grill."

A popular restaurant and wine bar in Columbia, Iron Bridge Wine Co., had its windows busted out by vandals who left a spray-painted message, "Get rid of the foie gras."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/how...0,2448059.story

Pathetic.

Anyone up for an outing to Iron Bridge?

Ricciuti's in Olney uses wood in their oven. I like the char that the high temperature gives to the dough.

For all the hootie lovers - DCist's interview with Carla Hall

She seems like a real sweetie.

Two words: New Coke.

I have stumbled upon a TAco Truck. It's there most days on Rt. 1 just south of Jessup across from a housing construction site in the parking lot of a nasty old Rt 1 liquor store. It's called Tacqueria Poblanito. It rocks. I have only had three of their tacos (al pastor, asada, and leguna (sp? the tongue stuff) and their pupusas.

Man their stuff is very, very good, especially for 'east coast' stuff (I mean, we'll never get it as good as SoCal I am told).

Where have you seen a taco truck and more importantly when is it operating? I'm looking for one ideally open evenings. If it were in Silver Spring, or Bethesda or Rockville or Beltsville or Greenbelt or on me commute route from Laurel to Bethesda and back, that'd be ideal.

TIA

There's another one quite near, up on Rt. 175 near the intersection of Dorsey Run Rd. in the parking lot of a nasty old liquor store. I've always been happy with what I've eaten from there. The only downer is that there's no place to sit.

Good Night.

Care to elaborate please?

Has anyone gone to the CounterCulture Friday cupping? Thinking about dropping in tomorrow..

I haven't been to one of their Friday cuppings, but I've been there a number of times for various events. It's a fantastic way to try new coffees with other folks who are very passionate about great coffee. The advantage of cupping with other enthusiasts is that other people can help you to put a name to certain tastes that sometimes almost defy description.

Plus, the social aspect of it can't be denied.

Do you think that 2009 could possibly top last year's stunning success?

¿Es posible?

I lived in Miami for a couple years. The absolute best cuban is Puerto Sagua

http://www.yelp.com/biz/puerto-sagua-restaurant-miami-beach

Not sure if it's still there, but if so Automatic Slims/Al's trailer park is a fun place for drinking, and not poshy or exclusive.

I'll second the recommendation on Puerto Sagua. Not touristy at all, and a great representation of typical Cuban fare. In spite of its South Beach location, it's not trendy nor modern, and the prices are very good.