Kibbee Nayee

I have eaten at San Vito's in the past, and found it to be a reliable and pleasant family meal. I tend to group it in the category of family-run Italian places that offer good pasta and pizza, fresh ingredients, and good value. In this category in the general surrounding area of Springfield and Burke I would include Rafagino's in Burke, Vinny's and Pane e Vino in Lorton, and Victor's in Springfield (next to Whole Foods). On any given day, any of these five places will provide a good meal at a good price with friendly service (and the next day's lunch in a doggy bag).

[special mention for Victor's -- in a basket next to the cash register are bottles of Karousos extra virgin olive oil, which comes from olives in Greece owned by the same family as the owner of Victor's. This is a sensational olive oil, and among the seven bottles in my cooking rotation, it's the best by far. Second place goes to Saifan, my fave Lebanese olive oil.]

My friend is moving soon from Arlington out to Herndon. One of the things she'll miss most are the great independently run restaurants that are abundant in Arlington. I'd love to be able to give her a gift certificate to a great place near her new digs. My preference is casual so that if she loves it and wants to go back all the time, it won't break the bank. She and her husband have a two year old who is very well behaved so family friendly is nice but not necessary.

I don't believe there is a better restaurant in Herndon than Zeffirelli. Unfortunately, in the Dining Guide, it's under the dreaded "Multiple Locations" category because it has an outpost in Leesburg, but the flagship is in Herndon and it can be spectacularly good. Your friend will become a regular.

As far as I'm concerned, in that corner of Fairfax County, there is Zeffirelli, PassionFish in the Reston Town Center, and El Manantiel off Wiehle. Then there's all the rest.

Just returned from a week in Oahu, visiting daughter and son-in-law in Kailua and generally poking around the entire island. Absolutely loved the beaches and the sun, but found the food to be a better-than-expected experience overall. I'll give it a quick rundown here.

Giovanni's Shrimp Shack on the way to the North Shore is an absolute must. I had all three of the main shrimp dishes -- no. 3 is blazing hot and comes with a no-return policy -- and I can't recall ever eating higher quality or fresher peel-and-eat shrimp.

In Kailua itself there is a restaurant called Kalapawai Cafe that is run by a young entrepreneur and is quite good. He had a Kenwood wine tasting on Sunday and then followed that with a wonderful wine-paired meal last Wednesday. It was remarkably good.

Honolulu's Chinatown is a must-see. I was stuck by the quality, quantity and diversity of ingredients, and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

On my final evening I had a meal at Alan Wong's that rivaled any tasting menu I've tried at Inn at Little Washington, Restaurant Eve or CityZen.

I could also mention the luau (pleasant pork and surprisingly not bad poi), the plate lunches, the breakfast spam omelet and the shave ice. Overall, it was a great culinary week, and while Honolulu, and especially Waikiki, is reminiscent of Miami, I like the local charm of the rest of Oahu.

Had a quick pre-theater (Jersey Boys) dinner at Oceanaire last night with significant other, and all I can say is two thumbs up. First, we let the host know we were in a bit of a hurry -- we had just under an hour -- and the wait staff could not have been more attentive and gracious. Next, I love the freebies here -- that quarter loaf of good sour dough bread and the plate of fresh veggies and pickled herring. Next, we both ordered a crabcake appetizer, and regardless of where the crab comes from, this is a darned good crabcake with less than 5% filler. Next, we both ordered the mussels appetizer, a mound of about two dozen mussels swimming in a lemon butter broth that was fresh, tasty and substantial, for $9.95 a serving. Each portion came with two large buttered and grilled slices of garlicky bread to sop up the broth. We were comfortably full, extremely satisfied and out of there in about 45 minutes. With a $50 bottle of DeLoach chardonnay and tax and a very generous tip, the total was just about $120 for two of us.

I generally avoid chains, and I only go to McCormick and Schmick if someone else is buying, but this place is on my short list of seafood restaurants downtown. I love the service here, and in briefly scanning the menu I saw a number of come-back-for items, like the two different caviar services (28 ounces of Osetra for $80). When I saw the fresh oysters listed on the wall and coming around to the tables all around me, I was tempted to overindulge. There are not many better restaurants within a two block walk of the National Theater -- although Bluepoint caught my eye -- and as far as an all around evening of food and entertainment is concerned, last night could not have been any better.

This vehicle seems out of place in the town house section of my development. It may actually be worth as much as a townhouse, or at least half as much. I couldn't wade through the entire 16-page Top Chef thread, so I thought I would post it here for some insight...?

In a former life, I frequently dined with Israeli embassy officials. By far their favorite haunt was Blackie's steak house, which I believe is now defunct. I doubt it was kosher, but my cultural observation at the time was that very few Israelis were observant. I would be surprised if 10% of them were.

Put down Kibbee Nayee plus one, and I will likely bring an assortment of Middle Eastern goodies, all generally in the mezze category....will update my contribution intentions in a few weeks....

Some relatives were in town this weekend, so in addition to my signature grilled marinated tri-tip and grilled brined pork chops, I went to Lebanese Butcher and picked up some kibbee nayee. It takes a good 20 minutes to prepare, because they wash the grinder parts thoroughly before grinding, then meticulously trim the meat of all visible fat, and then grind the meat three times before introducing the spices and cracked wheat. I brought about 3.5 lbs. home, plated it on a nice platter, garnished with lots of fresh raw onion petals and cucumber slices and bell pepper planks, and then drizzled the Saifan olive oil on top. My nephew and I downed probably 2.5 lbs. between us. It was un-frikkin-believably good.

Naturally, the little that was left over was cooked into kibbee 'footballs' and was also pretty darned good. At least as of last Saturday evening, I may have found northern Virginia's best version of my namesake dish.

Had lunch for four on Saturday at Present. Service was attentive and pleasant. As always, the cha gio and the papaya salad were spot on. Girlfriend and I split the Fish Going Wild -- a supposedly 2.5 lb. steamed rockfish for $35. The flavor ws very good but the amount of meat on the bones was meager. There was far more onion than fish, but the sauce and the herbs and the onions, combined with rice, made for an overall nice, light lunch. Companions split the Country Road, which is duck in an orange sauce. I enjoyed one of the legs, and it was worth trying again as my main dish. This place continues to impress me regardless of when I go there.

The Pollo Rosa Maria (chicken breast stuffed with fontina and proscuitto, in a white-wine-based mushroom sauce, served with garlic mashed potatoes) was the D.O.N. (dish of the night) by a country mile. It was a great dish, with the wood-burning grill imparting a compelling, smokey aroma to the chicken, the abundant portion of mushrooms complimenting the wood smoke, and the sauce very palatable. It would be very tough for me to come here again and not order this dish.

I had this very same dish about a year ago at Carraba's in Reston and I agree. I also agree with the remarks about the how the front of the house was run. I probably go to a national chain for one not necessarily voluntarily reason or another about once out of about every 20-25 dining events. I would place Carraba's ahead of the local GAR chain for overall food, but that's not saying much.

My first-ever DR picnic was this past June. It was easily the most incredible buffet I have ever been to in my life, with dishes showing up all through the afternoon. I can honestly say I have never in my life at one event ever eaten everything from pulled pig to pate campagna to braised pig jowl to fried twinkies to burdok root salad to kibbee. I gained 10 lbs. that day because I couldn't stop tasting everything that appeared.

On the day of a DR picnic, I can honestly assert that there is no better food to be had in the DC metropolitan area, anywhere.

I have a fondness for Thai food but I find myself frequenting Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese places more often. And I abhor the trendy fusion places, with the exception of The Source. With apologies to Grover, I need to expand my appreciation for Korean food, since I live close enough to Annandale to have no excuses.

That said, my current northern Virginia Thai rotation is Thai Square and Bangkok Siam in Arlington -- the latter being next to Ravi Kabob House, so the over-indulgence can be gastronomically incredible -- Tommy Thai and House of Siam in Springfield -- those are my local haunts -- and the aforementioned Thai Basil and Sakoontra. Sakoontra can be very good, and compared to most strip mall Thai places, it's a cut above. Right now, I would have to rank Thai Basil at the top of this rotation, but I have a lot more of that menu to explore.

I had the Pad Thai today for lunch. It was very good, among the best I've ever had. I'm going to have to try this menu a few times, but it's now on my short list of Thai restaurants.

The lunch crowd was impressive and the place was full. Whether or not that had anything to do with the slow service, I don't know, but don't plan on a quick in-and-out here.

Nice post. I have eaten here maybe a dozen times on expense account lunches with downtown executives, and found it to have proper service and a conducive atmosphere for business discussions. I've also eaten at Sam and Harry's, which is related, so I tend to gravitate in both cases to the twin medallions of beef, available at both Caucus and S&H (and Tap Room I believe). I'm going to have to try the bistro next time I'm in the neighborhood.

I am totally in on the 25th. And if I recall correctly, agm brought home my little fire extinguisher? I hope we can somehow get it to the Fall Picnic.

I will bring lots of some sort of treat -- it was kibbee last time, but I'll let some time pass so I can think a little more creatively -- and any of the napkins-plates-forks and stuff like that that I get tabbed with.

And I'll try to work with Jake to get the libations assembled. We shared a common employer in the past, but he's in the busy season....

I would vote for the 25th. I'm in Hawaii on the 11th and back just barely in time for the 18th, but can't make anything interesting like kibbee for the 18th. The 25th would be ideal. World Series time too!

And don't even get me started on the poor renditions of Italian food that many places around here serve. Blah...

OK, we have finally reached some common ground. I agree with this statement, even if we diverge on other points. We ought to have a separate thread on the good, the bad and the ugly for Italian food in the northern Virginia 'burbs. Put Zeffirelli's at or near the top of my list.

To see if I was just talking out of my ass I went to Malek's for lunch today, since it has been a while since I had last dined there. I had one of their sandwiches, the pork souvlaki ($6.99). The tender, tasty (although somewhat salty) pork was served on an industrial pita with iceberg lettuce and some tasteless hot house tomato slices. The side was rippled potato chips of unknown origin. While tasty and satisfying for the time I had and the amount I wanted to eat, I hardly think that is is more diverse or inspired that anything from a GAR kitchen. Hell just look at the menu here, certainly nothing different than any other Italian/Greek type of place. Does that mean I think it is bad, certainly not, but the food is certainly no better than Mike's.

[This probably should be in a new thread...]

I'm happy to keep the repartee going. Malek's is family owned, does not dish out slop from a corporate kitchen or a Sysco truck, and does not require you to shout to be heard by your dinner companions. Those are three qualities that the GAR chain cannot offer. Then there's the chicken cacciatore, the lasagna and the chicken souvlaki, along with the occasional special of eggplant parmegiana, all of which are superior entrees to anything on Mike's menu. And lest you consider this a personal tete-a-tete, let me assure you that I've lived in this area for years and I know half of Springfield, and dozens upon dozens of people agree with this assessment. But by all means, enjoy Mike's. I just happen to think it's the worst value and quality for your dining dollars in all of Springfield, with the possible exception of the Outback about a half mile south on Backlick.

I don't get it either, especially when praise for places like Delia's and Malek's Pizza have been made in the past. Both of those places are certainly no better than Mike's.

I'm not so sure I agree with that. Delia's salads trounce anything that comes out of Mike's kitchen, its Peruvian chicken makes Mike's chicken (with the requisite garlic mashed slop) look like fast food, and the service and atmosphere at Delia's is far more comforting. Malek's sandwich lineup is fresher and more diverse, its salads not quite on a par with Delia's but well above Mike's and its Greek and Italian entrees are superior to the uninspired dreck that comes out of most GAR kitchens. If you like Mike's above Delia's and Malek's, I'm shocked.

BTW, not that it matters much, but I enjoyed MoZu for breakfast when I worked a few blocks away. Illy coffee and an egg white omelet overlooking the waterfront was a good way to start the day. I wonder if Sou'Wester (what a name) will serve breakfast, because options in SW are not many....

Be a leader! I imagine this wasn't a business dinner, so take the opportunity to turn even mild acquantences onto any one of those other restaurants!

You're right, Brian. I'm ashamed at how many times I've acquiesced to a horrific meal at the GAR chain, where short-smoked salmon (WTF is that anyway?) and sun-dried cranberries (yuk!) pour out of some ill-conceived central kitchen somewhere. I rather eat food right off the Sysco truck than eat at a GAR restaurant.

Another invited-out dinner at Mike's last night. This place is dreadful. But it's packed to the rafters with people who have to shout to be heard and who obviously like their food overly salted but otherwise tasteless. People were sitting out front on the steps with pagers waiting for a table! Yet, within walking distance is Manila Cafe, Tommy Thai and Saigon Village! Yikes!

What an incredible experience for dinner tonight. Arrived just after 6pm and waited at the bar with a drink until guests arrived for a 6:30pm reservation. I noticed Chef Tunks in the kitchen and mentioned to the bar staff that my son was on the same Little League team as Chef Tunks's son. Within minutes, and unexpectedly, Chef came out to greet me. We had a pleasant conversation, and he commented on recruiting the sushi chef, his favorite sushi roll (Kamikaze), the fact that last night was busy and so everything was turned over and very fresh tonight, that he was taking over the kitchen because a sous chef was on vacation, and so forth. He even made a few menu suggestions, which came in handy.

We went to our table on the upper level, and sat down to order drinks. Appetizers for four of us were the Kamikaze Roll and the PassionFish Roll, and Chef sent out an extra surprise in the Spicy Tuna Roll. All were superb, and set the tone for the rest of the meal. Next came the entrees, and my Soft Shell Crabs were decadent. Perfectly fried, meaty, tasting of crab, expertly sauced...wow! Even if I were to try to describe the mouthfeel and texture that my Chinese friends cherish in their food, I would fall short. The other star on the table was the Ten Penh-influenced Pad Thai flecked with lobster and topped with a perfectly broiled fresh catch -- perfect Red Snapper in this case -- and it was excellent even 10 minutes after it arrived. The noodles were cooked to perfection, the spicy peanut sauce was as good as any I've had at various Thai restaurants, and the Snapper was impeccable.

Chef then sent out a little tray of desserts that included truffles, brownies and macaroons. Delectable.

This is the best meal to be had in that corner of Fairfax County, and you would have to roam as far as Inox to taste anything close to this level of haute cuisine. This is destination and special event food.

Just chiming in, but Coco Rico on the north end of the Springfield Mall complex has very good Peruvian chicken, along with baba ghanouj, hummos, tabbouli and plenty of pita. Enjoy whatever sides you enjoy at all of your standard chicken places, but sign me up for Fady's sides any time.

And then there's Don Alberto's down Rt. 1 in Woodbridge. That's some darned good charcoal grilled chicken....

I may have gotten here too late to save you!

I would have suggested Cafe Renaissance, and you could have taken over the side room all to yourself, had an overall better experience than at Bazin's (be prepared to shout to be heard at Bazin's) and the food is just as good, maybe even a notch better. Soraya and Saeed would have treated you like royalty and Ocean would have created a feast for you. And a few doors down is the Vienna Vintner, where Vic is one of the most knowledgeable wine experts in northern Virginia, and would have created a wonderful tasting for you.

Bazin's is "pretty good" but Cafe Renaissance is "an unforgettable experience."