TheMatt

1 hour ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

It's nice that the Afghan Bistro owners are spreading out. If they do it like the one downtown, they'll actually close the Springfield location for a few days to get the McLean location up and running with family members and quality staff. Afghan Bistro is in Springfield, Bistro Aracosia is in Palisades, and now Aracosia will be in McLean.

Well, I guess we know when I'll next decide "Hey, I haven't been to Afghan Bistro in a while...I'll go there for dinner". 

I know I've seen them at Pastry Xpo in Mosaic if you are NoVa way.

I want to say I saw some once at The Bagelry in Silver Spring, and perhaps at Chutzpah in Fairfax, but it's been a while since I've been to either place.

And now I'm waiting to see the results of this thread because I want some bialys!

9 hours ago, curiouskitkatt said:

I got the lead after I got a notification that their Instagram account started following me. I naturally reached out to them to see if they were interested in having a "chat" about the opening. They responded and I will be setting something up next week. So please list any questions you may want answered, and I will do my best to get as much information as possible for our members. 

When can I do the omakase, I suppose is the first question.

I'll also add I like the Com Ga Hai Nam (Hainan chicken) at Eden Center, but I do see that Pho Va has one now as well so I need to try it.

Thanh Son Tofu is not just for their tofu (lemongrass, of course). They do a really good xoi man (sticky rice with chicken and Chinese sausage) and just one serving is enough for many if you're sharing. And I think they have the best che in Eden Center, though one I had at Kim Phung Bakery was pretty yummy. 

Phu Quy Deli Delight has a great variety of beef jerky, makes a great sugarcane juice, and people seem to like the Lee's coffee there.

I really like the ice cream at Munch in The Block in Annandale. Yeah, they specialize in "Instagram" ice cream (ash cones, etc.) but the ice cream is really good and has unique flavors. Blueberry Earl Grey is probably my favorite.

Well, I guess this is like a usual Peter Chang place? Go there opening week or risk him not being in the kitchen?

2 hours ago, Genevieve said:

Where would you go for jap chae, either in Annandale or elsewhere (NoVa or DC)?

Thank you!

Not an expert here, but if you like spice, Choong Hwa Won in Annandale does gochu japchae with the steamed buns, but that's the spicy version with green peppers. They used to do buchu japchae (garlic chives instead of green peppers), but it disappeared, sadly. Guess what my favorite dish was there?

From the menu, I don't think you get the steamed buns with the "plain" japchae.

On 6/21/2018 at 1:15 PM, Escoffier said:

Must have gotten lost in the mail... We're always happy to help others experience Korean food.  Don't be afraid to just point if something looks good (or interesting).  At places like To Sok Jip, you're going to run into a minor language problem and you'll discover that true Korean food service has absolutely NO connection to American service. Korean service may seem a bit abrupt if you're not used to it, don't take it personally, most Korean restaurants are small and the idea is to feed you and get you on your way.

Here's a question now that it's summer: what place in Annandale (or, I suppose Centreville) has the best mul naengmyeon? I've had a few around town, so I know what I like and don't, but I do wonder if any is "authentic".

If To Sok Jip made one, I'd probably assume they would (I really like their bori yeolmu bibimbap), but since they don't, I refer to the experts.

2 hours ago, Simul Parikh said:

Thinking of making a night of it - dinner and then party at Jangteo 7080... What do people order at Gom Ba Woo?

In addition, other than the sondobu / tofu stew, are there any spicy Korean foods or specific dishes that are spicy? Kinda want to burn tonight ... 

Well, for some reason I've always found tteok-bokki to light my tongue on fire, even though it's not exactly considered spicy. Same with buldak or jjamppong.

I imagine if you go to Jangteo and say you want spice, they can probably find something. They are in the business of selling makgeolli/soju/alcohol.

11 minutes ago, pras said:

24 hours of eating Korean Food in Annandale as told by the Washington Post.

Been to all of them save Jangteo 7080 which isn't really for the lone-eater non-drinker like me. But some not in a while; I suppose I should revisit...

Rice Paper does make a pretty good bánh xèo, so I'd recommend giving it a try.

Or, you can get what I usually get there, the fajitas of Vietnamese cuisine: chả cá thì là (aka chả cá thăng long). Turmeric-colored fish covered in dill served on a sizzling platter. Comes with rice noodles, lettuce, herbs, etc. to wrap just like bánh xèo. And a piece of bánh tráng mè, the black sesame cracker. Never quite figured out why...I might not be eating the dish quite correctly.

(Aside: Not sure if it's the best variant in Eden Center because I haven't tried the Hai Duong version (well, at Eden Center; I've tried the Hai Duong Springfield one). This dish and the Hainan chicken rice a couple places serve in Eden Center are ones I'd love to know who makes the "best" version to eat there. I say Banh Cuon Thanh Long has the best banh cuon just because I love it and head there most often at Eden Center to eat.)

18 hours ago, Nick Palermo said:

Working on a new menu format, trying to change up the first course, second course, tasting format. Either way I'm starting a shared earth and eats heritage fried chicken entree with sides tomorrow. 

Might have to come on in soon!

I've had good luck at the one in Springfield, though I do go usually for breakfast.

I want to say I've seen them at Good Fortune Supermarket in Eden Center, but I'm not sure. I'll be heading there this weekend, so I can let you know for sure!

Seeing this post reminds me I need to drop by Jenin Pastry soon (now closer to my new apartment!). Their kanafeh (or however it should be transliterated) was very good the last time I had it.

6 hours ago, Simul Parikh said:

Anyone been here recently? Any "must gets"?

I just always get the saltah when I go because it's so good. I suppose I should branch out someday.

6 hours ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

I had lunch today at Monty's with a companion.
...
Companion had the burger and declared it quite good. I'm not sure there is a better burger in Springfield right now.

I'll have to try it out, but I will say Afghan Bistro's burger is very, very good. (Yes, really!)

Went here last night to celebrate turning 40 with my parents and sister, and I must say it was quite good. Didn't feel the portions were small, but then again, most of our apps were veggie-based (easier for a kitchen to make larger). And, must say, all the vegetables were amazing.

For mains, I had the rockfish (yum) but I think my sister's charcoal grilled bass was even better. Could really taste the charcoal, which I like.

Also, the onion bread was the highlight of the breads we were served (plain, onion, golden raisin, chocolate cherry). 

Indeed. A big congratulations!

2 hours ago, weezy said:

There is a cheesemonger there who has several very interesting looking cheeses (I didn't get the name); the Falls Church market does not have its equal.  I have too much cheese right now and will have to work down my supply so I can go back and get some of their wares.

The cheese merchant was most likely Stonyman Gourmet Farmer. Their cheese is quite good.

Ooh. I'd love to go to a Lithuanian dinner! 

I can also say with confidence that the cháo cá (fish porridge) at the Springfield Hai Duong is really good. It comes out at roughly the temperature of the sun (the roof of my mouth is proof), but it's good.

Just popping up here in the Cha Ca Thang Long discussion, but I recently (Saturday) ate it at the Hai Duong that is in Springfield, VA. Anyone know if it's a branch of the Eden Center Hai Duong? The cast iron sizzling platter I got looks mighty similar to the one in the picture above.

There was an article in the Post a few days ago about The Block: Tired of Union Market? Explore this cool new food hall in Annandale.