dcandohio
-
Posts
1,176 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
81
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Articles
Dining Guide
Everything posted by dcandohio
-
Thanks for the information! I really appreciate it. -
Does anyone know whether there is still a bar menu at Corduroy? Any special bar deals? Or can you at least order from the regular menu at the bar? We are thinking about going Friday but due to uncertainties in schedules are hesitant to make a reservation that we might have to cancel. The bar seems like a good option. There's no info on the web site, and I sent an e-mail to the restaurant, but I suspect that some of you have recent experiences and can confirm. Thanks.
-
As a college professor, I have definitely noticed that tattoos are almost the norm, at least among domestic students (I don't see many tattoos on our international students). And very few of my students work in the restaurant industry. I think it's just a form of self-expression that is becomming more and more acceptable. For the most part, my students have ink that can be hidden for job interviews (shoulders, ankles, upper arms), but on other parts of campus students with really visible and striking tattoos are not unusual. I do think the chef = artist connection is important. Also, a lot of restaurant people keep odd, late night hours, when the only places open in some neighborhoods (like mine) are bars and tattoo shops. And they often leave work with cash from tips. So there's a natural opportunity. A friend of mine lost much of what she owned in a house fire many years ago. She already had some tattoos, but immediately after the fire she got another. Her comment to me, as she pointed to the tat, was "Here's something that can't be taken away from me." And I can't believe I've just written this much on a topic on which I have no first-hand experience. Time to get back to work...
-
To Whom Are You Drinking Right Now?
dcandohio replied to starfish's topic in Beer, Wine, and Cocktails
It was last night...to the OSU Buckeyes for an undefeated season! -
I am brining a 9 lb turkey breast in apple jiuce, cranberrry juice, garlic and chilis. It will go in the smoker. Sides are sausage and apple dressing; artichoke and spinach casserole; roasted sweet potatoes; salad with romaine, pumpkin seeds, dried blueberries and blue cheese with a pomegranate dressing and cranberry sauce made with a blueberry pinot noir and rosemary. Sweetie is making a pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie today. There will be 4 of us and we will eat ourselves silly.
-
My local wine guy, when asked to select a turkey wine at Easter that wine snob wanna-be BIL wouldn't know, suggested a Berger Zweigelt from Austria. Fabulous. We are having it for Thanksgiving this year. It's in a slightly larger-than-normal bottle (1 liter) and has a beer cap topper instead of a cork or screw top. $14.95 here in Ohio. It's really great with smoked turkey.
-
Congratulations! While we have never met, i have loved reading your posts. Thank you for your thoughts. Did you ever visit Pontchatrain Beach in New Orleans when the amusement park was there? The Zephyr roller coaster was the stuff of legends when I was a kid. That restaurant there, the Bali Hai, was impressive to a young person, too.
-
And a romaine salad for $11.50. At lunch. Folks must be more flush than I am...
-
Yes, that hot sauce is fiery and yummy. I have to get back there soon.
-
Who's The Hottest Animated Food Chick?
dcandohio replied to DonRocks's topic in Shopping and Cooking
Chicken of the sea mermaid. Definitely. -
The last time we at at La Chaumiere there were two strong negatives. One was a completely boring and almost institutional Caesar Salad. OK, I know it's not the best thing to order as a starter, but if you're going to offer it, at least make it properly. The second was that we were seated (and as you know, the seating in there is tight) next to perhaps the most obnoxious diner I've encountered in DC. Loud, boorish, rude to the servers. It was so completely distracting that I couldn't wait to get out of there. I know that's not the restaurant's fault, but the place was crowded and so we couldn't ask to be seated. The tables were so close together that we had to grab onto our table when they were seated because as the lady made her way to her chair she (a thin, trying very hard not to crowd lady) had to lean against our table. So when the a$$hat began to pontificate, it was like he was talking to our table, too. And on our visit prior to the last visit, we were seated (along the same wall) next to a woman who spent her entire meal breating her dining companion (a women of similar age and wardrobe) about her bad choices in life. And on a visit prior to THAT one, the server dumped a glass of wine on someone in our party (hey, it happens). But the server fawned all over the person at the next table, who was barely affected, while my friend, who was soaked, had to ask for a new napkin and a replacement glass of wine. The quenelles are divine, but I think something about this place is jinxed for me.
-
I am so glad you are mostly OK, but this post made me laugh out loud during an otherwise stressful day at work.
-
My partner and I are in Ohio, but send positive thoughts to all of our DC friends. Please be safe, and don't drive through standing water!!!!!
-
To Whom Are You Drinking Right Now?
dcandohio replied to starfish's topic in Beer, Wine, and Cocktails
General Colin Powell -
Wish they would create a web site, with up-to-date info. The Facebook page says "breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner," but when we went at lunchtime the only menu available was brunch. The server's explanation was that "this neighborhood wants brunch, not lunch."
-
Sorry, i hit "post" too quickly. At the risk of having to give up any cred I might have developed as a cook, I am submitting a no-fail, easy-peasey, pantry-based jambalaya. It has been a total hit at potluck dinners across the US. And before anyone pipes in about "authenticity" please know that this recipe was shared with my Mom by "Aunt Toni," our dear 80+ year old family friend who was married to a cajun and who was descended from New Orleans French immigrants. 1 1lb box Uncle Ben's converted (not instant) rice 1 can of french onion soup 1 can of beef broth 1 can of Rotel original tomatoes 1 stick of butter, cut into pieces Diced celery Diced onion Diced bell peppers Chopped garlic Parsley thyme corriander Diced sausage (andouille if you can get it), about 3/4 lb. Peeled, raw shrimp, about 1 lb. You can substitute chicken or turkey for shrimp Put everything in a large, oven proof dutch oven or soup pot with a tight lid. Bake at about 375, stirring occasionally, for at least an hour, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. It can probably sit in a warm oven for an hour after completion without any degradation of quality. Inhave left it warm for two hours, and it was just fine. Before you judge...try it. If you can get past the sodium content, which us surely lethal, this is really delicious and so, so easy.
-
To Whom Are You Drinking Right Now?
dcandohio replied to starfish's topic in Beer, Wine, and Cocktails
To the women in the binders. -
This. Yes. I know costs are going up, I know customers are demanding better ingredients, but once we realized we were routinely crossing over the $100 price point for dinner, we had to ask ourselves if we should reconsider how and when we dine out. We are not cheapskates, and we earn a decent living, but more and more we are approaching a threshold where we're going to say, "It's just not worth it." If tipping escalates, we'll get to that threshold that much faster. And really? How often do you get service that makes you say, "what a fabulous experience!." Usually, we are grateful when service is pleasant and efficient, and our expectations are not set for much more than that, even at very high end places.
-
There is no excuse for being an ass. However, I am impatient with restaurants whose various public faces (menu posted outside, web site, mailed coupons) don't match the actual facts of the service experience. The fundamental basis of a brand's reputation is living up to promises you make. Part of creating an integrated marking plan, whether you are Procter and Gamble or a popular local restaurant, is to make sure that everything YOU create, that the customer sees and hears, is accurate and consistent. Sure, mistakes happen. But in most other industries, the recovery favors the customer. Price is a particularly challenging marketing mix variable, because it is the most obvious metric that most people use to assess value. You see a price, you make a choice, and if the price changes, it changes your perception of value. It's not about the $2 itself, but the fact that the consumer's expectations were not met. The promise was not kept. It is a service failure. And recovery from a service failure is an opportunity to create a loyal customer. If you're posting a menu, it should be accurate. Your web site should be accurate and up-to-date. If you can't achieve this, then don't post a menu outside your door and don't have a web site. Your employees should be empowered to rectify situations where you have failed to make and deliver a consistent promise. But no one should be nasty about it.
-
We stopped into Maple while walking around Columbis Heights Day. We passed on a visit to the German Biergarten hosted by Meridian Pint because it was so crowded. We had a drink while listening to the German band doing beer hall favorites (chicken dance, anyone? ). The space is cool but those bar stools are definitely not the greatest. I would like to return for a meal. It's very interesting to see how that 11th street area has become such a dining and entertainment destination,
-
Last night delivered perfect weather for patio dining at Bombay Club. This has become a favorite of ours. The food is so good (as others upthread have said, not great, or inventive) and reliable and the service is courtly. After a tiring day, to be treated with such civility is a treat. I think the dal here is probably my favorite comfort food in the world. I love, love, love Rasika, but when I need peace, quiet and curry, Bombay Club never disappoints.
-
Anyone been? We saw this last night as we walked from Liberty Tree, so we popped in for a glass of wine. Nice marble bar, cozy feel, two levels for dining, some pretty lighting and drapery. Manager (?) said owners are the same as Le Chat Noir. We glanced at the menu, which seemed to cover a lot of traditional bistro fare at reasonable prices.
-
We had a really enjoyable experience here last night. We opted for the patio, where comfortable furniture is spaced for private conversation, and strings of overlead lights create a festive feel. The wine list is spare and pretty uninteresting, but we had a serviceable Malbec that was fine with the meal. I was intrigued with the squash salad, and +1 wanted it too. Our lovely server steered us to the small size even though we were splitting it. Appreciated the "down sell," as a small was plenty for sharing before entrees. Spinach, squash grilled, but not soft, and a terrific fruity dressing. I had the short rib spaghetti. The server said the pasta was house-made. I was worried because I have a tendency to order seasonally-inappropriaate meals (heavy stuff in summer), and it was warm out. The server was very enthusiastic sbout it, so I went ahead. Yummy! It wasn't too heavy, more like a light beef gravy base, with lots of mushrooms, peas and a decent amount of the short rib. There was just enough gorgonzola to add creaminess and tang. The portion was big, and I have leftovers for lunch today. +1 had a pizza with the spicy sauce option, pepperoni and banana peppers. I had a bite. I liked it. It is not destination pizza, but the crust is thin and crackly, cooked all the way to the center, and the toppings were good. Better than Matchbox, for a general comparison. We've been three time now, and we have enjoyed each visit. It's a low-key, pleasant place, with reasonable prices and genuinely nice staff. Wish it was in my neighborhood.
-
701's bar Bar at the Source (I think there is a small plate combo special at HH) Lincoln Bar at Zentan (sushi = small plate) Patio at Acadiana
-
This made me laugh. I am really short and there are places I absolutely avoid because the seats are uncomfortable or they hurt my back. If I am sitting at a bar, thinking about how bad the seat is, I am not going to enjoy the rest of the experience. It's like running in bad shoes.
