Audrey2025
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Everything posted by Audrey2025
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Technically, I should have been rooting for Iowa, since Steve Alford is beloved by all Hoosiers. But they've been sporadic all season, and I just had a feeling... OK, now to make this post food-related, I should find a way to incorporate words like "bitter," "crow," and "humble pie"...
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Technically, this isn't food related... But the fact that I picked Northwestern State over Iowa, and they just won by a last-second three, is the sweetest thing I've tasted all day.
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Mini-burgers now being served at...Ruby Tuesday. (I know this from commercials, not experience, hand to God.) Although I must admit, back when I was on the swim team in high school, nothing was better than a big bowl of their broccoli and cheese soup and several platefuls o' salad bar.
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Happy Wednesday, everybody! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6030801265.html
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Town Hall, Glover Park, In The Old Saveur Space
Audrey2025 replied to alisa7's topic in Washington DC Restaurants and Dining
I had brunch at Town Hall a few Sundays ago, and it was very pleasant. The menu had a wide range, but I settled on eggs benedict, because I adore it and will probably never ever make it at home. (I can hardly scramble eggs, let alone poach them.) The eggs were perfect, the home fries were a bit heavy/greasy (not much potato flavor coming through), and the coffee was particularly good. (Why didn't I ask what brand?) It's a nice place, worth a try, though I probably will explore a few other places before returning. -
Maybe this could segue into a "fun with bacon" thread?
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Gah! Even though I'm trapped in my over-warm office at the moment, I'm looking forward to spring, outdoor dining, and trying some new dishes. Does anyone have some scoop on new menus, new drink menus, etc. for Spring 2006? Maybe some of our "insiders" can help out with this thread. Thanks!
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Now I'm jealous, because every time I go to Kinkead's, I'm on the company dime, so no wine for me. On my last visit, I had the lobster roll, which Sietsema always suggests; it was very good, but I missed the crab cake. I split the coffee-themed dessert with my co-worker, and it was amazing. Everything at Kinkead's (especially dessert) is always beautifully presented. And now I'm sad, because I'm having a Slim-Fast for lunch today. Sigh.
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Exactly. How long one lingers over dinner depends on so many factors--the day and time, the location, how busy the place is, relationship with the server, how long until close, etc. I understand it's important for servers to turn their tables, but I'm willing to bet there have been at least a few times when servers have been glad a particularly good group is staying. Hopefully, they are ordering another round of drinks or a share-able dessert or something while they stay, but still... It's hard to put boundaries on special nights. It's also important to remember that you don't "own" the table or your server's attention.
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I hope Tom wakes me up the next time he decides to devote a chat to food! The "server v. customer" rant-offs are getting a bit old. I hate when he posts something from a reader, then posts nothing but other readers' reactions to that post as they pour in. Can't we just assume that some readers will agree with the first reader, and some will disagree? Posting reader diatribes and then simply tacking on "You hear that, owners?" or some other generic comment is lame, Tom! WHERE'S THE BEEF???
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I got a hearty laugh from the server who suggested patrons add a dollar to the tip amount for every drink refill, because drink refills are "incredibly time consuming." Line-editing proofs is an incredibly time consuming part of my job, and last time I checked, I didn't get an extra dollar for every page!
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Generally: Don created this great forum and should be able to moderate it as he sees fit. I think he's done a great job of letting us share, vent, what have you, but there are times when people will write in the heat of the moment and it degenerates from discussion to something a bit less civilized. I think the thread you're referring to ran the risk of degeneration! Joe: I thought that was a nice, nostalgic, stand-alone piece...that wasn't really about food. Perhaps Don wanted to keep it so we could appreciate it (rather than delete it) but locked it to keep us on topic. Just a thought...
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The beauty of boards such as DR is that each user can take from them what he or she wants and can leave the rest. There can be "mob mentality," yes, but I would venture to say most users are just good people who like good food and appreciate the thoughts and opinions left by fellow diners. I rarely read the "long diatribe" posts about any one place, but prefer to skim around and get a general sense of a place before going there (or canceling reservations, in a few very rare cases). A scant few people here claim to be experts or are unreasonable in the way they express their opinions. The vast majority of people here are quick with wit, advice, camaraderie, and culinary curiosity. I like reading Tom, Ruth, Phyllis, etc., etc., but as someone who has worked for a VERY large newspaper before, I know that it ultimately comes down to two goals: sell newspapers and sell ads. What it comes down here...for me...is good people who like good food sharing thoughts.
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I'm probably going to get stoned for writing this, but I had fun at the La Tasca in Arlington on Saturday. It was a bit crazy crowded, but our server was very friendly, and I thought the food and drinks were good. I particularly enjoyed the marinated eggplant with melted cheese, the chorizo, and the chocolate truffle dessert. I'm not any kind of "authenticity expert," but it was a fun night with tasty food and pretty, fun atmosphere. I was with three of my girlfriends, and we split a pitcher of Sangria, a basket of sundried tomato bread, four tapas dishes, and four desserts, for exactly $20 each (that includes tax and tip). We each tried everything, and it was fun. For $20? Heck yes, I'd do it again, even if that makes me a loser on DR.
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IKEA Cafe, Potomac Mills and College Park
Audrey2025 replied to JPW's topic in Washington DC Restaurants and Dining
Ikea=Cheap, fun, cute, sturdy furniture. Ikea Cafe=Cheap, fun, yummy food. The meatballs, lingonberry sauce, and roasted potatoes are worth a taste. It's a fun and affordable experience! -
David Greggory, Downtown - Closed
Audrey2025 replied to mdt's topic in Washington DC Restaurants and Dining
I visited DG before heading to the Kennedy Center to see "Wicked" on a Tuesday night. We were the first ones seated in the main space (which is very pretty if kind of generic/commercial), though there were several people in the bar enjoying the HH specials. My friend and I both had mango bellinis...good and a bit different. We shared the deviled egg assortment at my friend's request...good but gimmicky/forgettable. I had the specialty meatloaf as a main; very flavorful, juicy, and well-seasoned; the potato accompaniment was also comforting and satisfying. My friend had a crabcake, which was nice but run-of-the-mill. Dessert=we shared cloud-in-a-pudding. Marscapone, rich chocolate pudding, very smooth, very chocolate-y, sweet but not too sweet. I loved it. Dessert was absolutely the highlight of the meal. Service was polite enough, but pretty slow considering we were the only table seated. He didn't light the candle at our table until just before the mains arrived. I wondered what was occupying his attention--it certainly wasn't us. Overall...as you can probably guess, good but not great. I would enjoy going back in a few months for another taste. -
Restaurant Week - January 9th-15th, 2006
Audrey2025 replied to Demvtr's topic in Events and Gatherings
Saturday 14: Teatro Goldini Rest of Restaurant Week: Open to invitations from DRites looking for a charming, lovely, fun, grateful dining companion. Will converse for food. -
Didn't see a thread on this oldie so I thought I'd chime in. Charming, cozy space with a fireplace in the middle. Especially lovely on a winter night. Reservations for 7 p.m. Saturday, party of two. A big group of patrons (at least 20), all of whom had reservations, were told that we'd be seated all at the same time "once the early wave left." My companion and I were finally seated at 7:30. Delays are understandable...but our server, though very kind, kept forgetting about us. We ordered wine at 7:40 and didn't receive it until 8:05. In the interest of time, we skipped first course and went on to entrees. I had marinated salmon in puff pastry (in a delicious dill sauce) with broccoli and mashed potatoes; my friend had beef medallions with the same sides. (I contemplated venison, but wasn't willing to shell out that much cash in a place that wasn't impressing me with service or efficiency.) We both enjoyed the food immensely but were a bit put off with the delays and our server's forgetfulness. Dessert: I had a heavenly chocolate mousse with tia maria; he had profiteroles. Again, both excellent. The mousse was the perfect creamy texture and the perfect chilled temperature. After another long wait for the check, we left at about 9:30. Two and a half hours for two courses and a bottle of wine? I know we were out the busiest night of the week in a popular area, but still... I would return for the food, on a weeknight. I wanted to like this place more than I did. But overall a good, new experience.
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A few of my friends and roommates enjoy Sweetwater, and it ties with Five Guys for favorite chain restaurant. (That's not saying much, but sometimes dining companions gang up on me and there's just no going anywhere really good.) I like Sweetwater's roasted chicken, their lobster bisque, and the breadbasket...especially those little yeast rolls. Mmm. I'm getting 10 pounds fatter and my palate is getting less sophisticated just thinking about it...
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Well, luckily the concert was OUTSTANDING!, because my first visit to Zola was pretty underwhelming. I will give it another try, because I think even really good restaurants can have off nights, but still...disappointing. My companion waited fifteen minutes for his drink, a Seven and Seven... The food took so long to come out that even though we had allowed for an hour an a half to eat, and ordered from the pre-theater menu, we didn't have time to squeeze in the dessert course. For the main dish, he had some very tasty salmon, and I enjoyed the "chicken on a brick," so that was nice. Like I said, I'd go again, hopefully on a better night with better service.
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I had dinner in Tabaq's red room on Friday. Overall, it is a pretty space with pretty good service and pretty good food. I highly recommend the puffed shrimp--the phyllo is golden and fluffy, the shrimp and mushrooms are big and savory, and the sauce was just creamy enough without being overpowering. The mushroom crepe was OK, but I don't think I'd order it again just because I'd rather try something new. The carmelized lemon tart had a nice texture, and the fruit that accompanied it was very appealing, but I spent more time with my friends' chocolate souffle and chocolate birthday cake. Maybe it was just my fault for branching out to lemon when the other girls were having chocolate. I'd be happy to visit again, but there are options that are just as good if not better WAY closer to where I live!
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I'm being treated to Zola before the U2 concert (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) later this month. I hope my experience is more like Don's latter experience than his former. Has anyone been recently? Anything I should keep in mind while ordering? It's one of those joyous evenings when I get to order whatever I want. (And frankly, I deserve it as I was the one who scored the concert tickets.) Cheers, everybody!
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Dining in Tysons Corner Malls
Audrey2025 replied to Joe H's topic in Washington DC Restaurants and Dining
On a mission for Five Guys, I thought I'd check out the expansion Saturday afternoon. Uh-uh. Nope. Five seconds after walking in and seeing the teeming crowds and the porn store...er...new Victoria's Secret location, I walked out with a headache. My friend and I drove to the Reston Five Guys and had a great evening. -
Dish, Mark! Is it a "freebie angle" like "we're celebrating my aunt's cousin's dogwalker's hairstylist's salon opening, so we'll be needing seven free desserts" or prima donna requests like "we only accept patio seating and all red M&Ms must be removed from the bowl!" ? I heart restaurant gossip.