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TheMatt

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  1. TheMatt
    The Fair Lakes Whole Foods has an in-house smoker where it does its own smoked meats and sausages, though not salmon like this. They also seem to have a better selection of whole fish than most Whole Foods (aka fish on ice).
  2. TheMatt
    Well, one thing in their favor was I saw they served their satay with toast. That always seems very Thai to me, though maybe it says something about where the Thai cooks back in Colorado were from (i.e., it's a very "Bangkok" way to serve it, or something).
  3. TheMatt
    Well, I think much of the joy on Yelp is due to its arrival in the area (you can only have so much Panera!). But, as I said, I do enjoy it, so I recommend a visit!
  4. TheMatt
    Sugar Palm, a new Thai restaurant, has opened up near my apartment complex and I've dined there a couple of times. As I liked what I ate, I figured I'd add a topic for it. It seems to be mainly toward the American Thai side of things rather than full-on authentic, but what I've had has been good. The Som Tum, watercress, and Kheow Wahn Fried Rice all satisfied. The som tum in particular was quite good, though the fact that it might be the perfect summer salad (whichever Thai place I'm at), might be coloring my opinion. More generally, the space is quite nice, not too loud the times I've been there, and they have a bar up front, so I'm guessing they have a liquor license (I don't drink, so I can't confirm) or are in the process of getting one. The service has also been quite good, though service always tends to be when a place has just opened. As the alternative when I don't want to drive is the Panera Bread next door to it, I imagine I'll be exploring the menu in days to come. If anyone is in the neighborhood, give it a try and let us know what you think. Note: the restaurant is fairly new (opened the 1st of July, I think) so their website is, at the moment, not the best place to get information. In fact, the best place for their menu is their Facebook page. The menu can be found on their Wall Photos: Starters, Soup & Salad, Curry, Rice & Noodle, Vegetarian Entree Entree, Kids Meal, Desserts, Sides, Beverages I think these links work (let me know if they don't), but it's possible they'll die or do something odd based on the vagaries of Facebook.
  5. TheMatt
    I've heard tell through the internet that the new Chettinad restaurant in Chantilly, Karaikudi Restaurant, has opened. It's been a long time since I've had even meh Chettinad food, so I'm curious to know if anyone has been (for buffet or meal)? The menu has the usual egg-based and egg-featured Chettinad specialties, various parottas, quail, goat, crab, fish, prawns... Heck I was happy to see Chicken 65 if only as an appetizer, been a long time since I've seen that! They also have a pretty good selection of vegetarian dishes as well, including ulli theeyal which I'm not sure I've ever seen around here. I'm thinking a weekend trip here might be in order.
  6. TheMatt
    I had the lamb shank last night. Was it good? Well, let's say that at the end of the course, the plate was pretty much clean. Oh, and that radicchio? Oh so good!
  7. TheMatt
    Thanks! I celebrated more today than yesterday, so not too belated!
  8. TheMatt
    Thanks. Wish I could have come as well. It sounded yummy!
  9. TheMatt
    I thought I'd start a topic about the branch of vegan-only Loving Hut in Falls Church which has been around a year or so now. I have a friend who is vegan and having this place around has really been a godsend, and I'm at the point I'll just eat there myself if I'm hungry. This location is mainly Vietnamese-based, as seen by the menu, and from what I've had...I like it! Obviously the com tam bi made with a tofu quiche sort of loaf instead of pork chops is different, but it's also lighter and has a good flavor. They can also make many of the dishes gluten-free and soy-free (denoted by green and red hearts) for those with those sensitivities. Also, save room for dessert. They serve a variety of cheesecakes, cakes, pastries, mousses. I think they get many (most?) from Sticky Fingers, so you won't see me complain, as well as some Sweet & Sara marshmellows. I'm especially a fan of the gluten-free blueberry cheesecake. If you'd like to go, the location is a bit tricky to find your first time, it's on Rogers Drive off Lee Highway *behind* a 7-11. If you look at Google Street View, it'll show a picture of Tuscany Grapes Cafe.
  10. TheMatt
    I suppose you could try Loving Hut. I've tried a few of their vegan Vietnamese dishes, and so far all had varying tastes. Though maybe the vegan cheesecake at the end colors my memory. In fact, I'm off to start a thread about them...
  11. TheMatt
    I do know that a chocolate avocado smoothie is a traditional Indonesian drink. I've had it a few times at Satay Sarinah and I love the creamy texture the avocado adds. Zora's recipe seems like the logical, ultimate version of that. Remove the ice, use much better chocolate, coconut cream...I really need to make this. I might go whole hog and take a trip this weekend to andelman's Artisan Confections to pick up some of the bulk Valrhona chocolate callets he sells. Zora, did you try various grades/percentages of chocolate before settling on 65%?
  12. TheMatt
    I hate to do this so late in the game, but work has decided that Wednesday will not be a day for me to go to a $20 Wednesday. I now plan to live vicariously through descriptions...
  13. TheMatt
    Mmm. I'm definitely going to try this. I'm thinking shopping trip tomorrow!
  14. TheMatt
    Yes indeed, the Vegetarian Dinner was a great success. Like Barbara, I thought the Broccoli and Cheese Soup was a highlight. A cold soup that was broccoli first and cheese second. In fact, it was probably the most broccoli-y food I've ever had...more so that straight broccoli. My other favorite of the night was the Baby Carrots and Beets dish. It sounds banal, but Antonio was able to draw out the carrot flavor in an impressive carrot puree that I'm going to try and try until I get it right, and the beets...oh, the beets. There were some roasted beets that were amazing! All in all, probably one of the best set dinners I've had in a long time. I really hope some of these dishes make in on the Masa 14 menu somehow!
  15. TheMatt
    Yeah, I don't know about that. I know I'm looking forward to it immensely!
  16. TheMatt
    And I'm the fourth, I guess. Wow. Why aren't more people joining in on this?!
  17. TheMatt
    Oh, I can't imagine it would be anything but. I'm guessing the "vermicelli" is just a translation, probably on the package; I think I've seen that on some packs of dangmyeon at H-Mart. That said, all this talk of noodles and the hot weather outside is making me crave some cold naengmyeon. Mmmm...refreshing buckwheat noodles.
  18. TheMatt
    Oh, yeah, I guess that is true, sorry about that. I think japchae means something like mixed vegetables, so dangmyeon isn't a requirement. And since, frankly, I don't like dangmyeon, that's the type I like. The last time I got the buchu japchae there, it had quite a bit of buchu (garlic chives? some sort of leek?), so much they were like the noodles. I think I once had kongnamul japchae which is noodle-less as well; just lots of yummy, yummy bean sprouts!
  19. TheMatt
    I tried calling and got no answer which led into the answering machine spiel. Should we leave messages or, as the spiel says, should we call back at 3:30 and talk to a hostess?
  20. TheMatt
    Welp, I'm probably back in again. Huzzah!
  21. TheMatt
    I'm afraid I'm out now, as Antonio Burrell has moved his vegetarian dinner to the 27th as well.
  22. TheMatt
    My favorite japchae in Annandale is the buchu japchae at Jang Won Korean Chinese. I was introduced to it by Grover in a $20 Tuesday she did there. Not sure how authentic/good it is, but I like it. That said, you do get a lot of it. Not really a single man's order. Although now I'm craving it...
  23. TheMatt
    I'm free on the 27th.
  24. TheMatt
    I, too, had some great food and great conversation at the picnic. I wish I could have arrived earlier and stayed longer, but Sunday was a bit of an intense day for me. I'm not sure I had a bad thing and hope to get some recipes of many dishes. The black rice, the biryani, the salads, the caprese and watermelon poppers...so good. And all the desserts: key lime bars, cheesecake, brownies, pound cake, and these cookies which were very good, but I'm not sure who brought them or their official title save "yummy cookies".
  25. TheMatt
    Well, TSA-willing, I'll be bringing some Enstrom toffee in milk and dark chocolate variety (and a small block of sugar-free). If anyone has a culinary hammer, we can use it to ensmallen some pieces so all can try.
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