Bob Loblaw

Go to The Modern.

Seconded. I've never dined in the main dining room, but based on my experiences in the bar room, the main room won't disappoint.

The bar room might also work for your early dinner. I'm pretty sure they serve continuously, but they might have a slightly limited menu during off peak hours.

Thanks for the timely post. I'm actually going to be in the Tysons Corner area tonight and was wondering where to eat. I may have to check this place out.

The second is that Greek food in the suburbs is unrefined and unsubtle

This notion would have been shattered earlier if you've ever been to the original Cava in Rockville.

Here's hoping that chef Santonicola stays with us for a long, long time, and isn't just an opening consultant (but just in case, it never hurts to go sooner rather than later).

Anyone that wants to try chef Santonicola's pizza better go soon. According to Eater, he's on his way out.

Hope they can keep up the quality after he leaves.

I just had this two nights ago (fried oysters, grilled Caesar, skillet-fried chicken) - it's good value for the money, that's for sure. I can't say it's "Grapeseed at its best," but for $30? Sure, why not.

Haven't done RW in a while, but I always thought Grapeseed was one of the few places that does it well. I especially like how they let you order two appetizers instead of dessert.

i'm not sure i like these coupons. the only one i ever purchased expired before i had a chance to use it (my bad). but i am blaming coupons for the onslaught on sushi ko on an early tuesday evening, unless there is something else to explain why a small crowd was spilling out onto the street and the only room for dining inside was on someone's lap (like the establishment next door), with a two hour wait for a table and the chefs up front cutting like mad.

You're spot on. There was a Groupn that expired yesterday, which is when I used mine because that was the night Koji was working. Glad I had the foresight to make a reservation...

How about a rec for a Monday night dinner in midtown Manhattan? Not a break-the-bank kind of place, but someplace fun. And open on a Monday night.

What kind of food? If you like Japanese, you can't go wrong with any of the places of the Totto empire: Yakitori Totto, Soba Totto, Aburiya Kinnosuke (izakaya), and Hide Chan (ramen) are all in Midtown.

For Western fare, I'd recommend the Bar Room at the Modern or The Breslin.

Dropped by last night and the ramen was just as good as I remember, if not better. The menu is pretty much the same as before, but I think some of the prices of the toppings increased slightly. Still cash only and no liquor license. Maybe the latter is a good thing. I imagine they need quick turnovers to be profitable, and alcohol would just cause people to linger.

There was a short wait when we arrived around 8pm and a few groups waiting when we left about an hour later. The new space is about twice the size of the original, but it doesn't seem to be utilized to the optimal level. They could add a couple more tables and maybe install more counters to increase the number of seats. If they keep it the way it is, I think there's gonna be a very long wait once word gets out.

I just drove by the Rockville location and can report that the space has been cleared out.

I drove by over the weekend and I thought I saw a sign that said they were closed for remodeling. Was that no longer there?

Planning to check out the new space tonight, even though this is far from ramen weather, especially Sapporo style ramen. Hopefully it'll cool down by dinner time.

It'd be great if they offered a lighter style ramen during the summer months then go back to Sapporo style for fall and winter. It'd also be nice if they got a liquor license a credit card machine.

I know I'm asking too much. I'm just glad they're back.

According to their website, the Rockville location has closed. I really hoped this place would succeed, but I guess it just wasn't a great location. It wasn't as visable as some of the other restaurants, and just got lost in the endless strip malls on the Pike. Even that new Five Guys that opened a few doors down seems to be struggling...

Oh jeebus, if this is froma guy who knows how to make proper Italian pizza, I think I might have a cow. I guess I know where I will be on Monday at lunch.

Note that the GoG post is from February. I believe after it was written, it was reported somewhere else that the original opening date got pushed back.

Also, see original thread here.

That may be just the ticket. Now to set up the speed dial...

Coincidentally, I'll be going to Del Posto tomorrow. Will try to remember to report back. And FYI, reservations were pretty easy to get online about 3 weeks in advance. Though all that was available were early and late seatings.

... using the towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.

That's the proper method. I realize it's better for the environment and all, but I hate it when bathrooms only have the electric hand dryers instead of paper towels. Then I feel the process has been negated, as Don pointed out.

Heading up next weekend for a bit of a celebratory couple days with the wife. Considering that a lot of the places I'd like to do Saturday dinner (Le Bernardin, Eleven Madison Park, Spotted Pig, Per Se, etc) are already going to be too late to get into, what place would you recommend?

FWIW, The Spotted Pig is walk-in only and it's a much different vibe and price point than the other places listed. I imagine you'd be able to get in easily if you get there early. If you're looking to make a reservation somewhere, how about The Modern? Both the bar room and dining room are showing availability for Saturday on OpenTable.

Crap. Closing.

Very sad to hear this. I've only been there twice since Chef Dani took over (never been before the change in ownership), but I thoroughly enjoyed it both times. The food was well executed and the portion sizes were pretty generous so I thought it was a relative bargain. But I guess it wasn't good enough to be a destination restaurant and too expensive to be a regular neighborhood spot.

It was fairly empty both times I went, so I guess I'm not completely surprised. Though on the other hand, I noticed that they recently installed a new sign, so I thought maybe business was doing well. Why would they bother to get a new sign if they're just going to close a few weeks later?

I'll definitely be back soon and just may have to take you up on that offer. Thanks!

Damn. Guess I didn't go back soon enough. Now I really may never get that pizza again...

Best of luck to Edan. Hope he resurfaces in the area sometime soon!

My comment was in the spirit of zoramargolis' comment, not trying to comment on kitchen technique. Posh's transition to Mad to Chicken was probably their honorable effort to get a needed cash flow going for the business. I'm a big fan of Central, but how do you explain a recent James Beard winner all of a sudden doing carryout bucket 'o chicken?

A few years ago, WETA did a special on fine dining restaurants in the DC area. They re-run every once in a while. I distinctly remember when they interviewed Michel Richard, he talked about how fascinated he was by KFC when he discovered it during his first trip to the US. So I'm not surprised he's doing his own take. Especially since he's already done another junk food -- the Kit Kat bar...

anyone had their ramen recently and share some feeback? diverse opinions on yelp. judging from reviews there, it appears they started strong last fall (after ren's closed) and have since waned. thanks!

I went a couple times shortly after Ren's closed, and it was decent. Not as many additions offered as Ren's and the broth was not nearly as rich, but I thought it was good enough until Ren's found a new spot. Now that they have, I don't think I'll ever go back to Satsuma for Ramen. They're much better for yakiniku. The pork jowl is especially delicious -- I believe the menu called it the o-toro of yakiniku, which seems like a pretty accurate description.

Tried to watch Top Chef last night, but Bravo decided to show a really long Target commercial instead.

Call a couple days ahead, and I'll put it on the menu for you

I'll definitely be back soon and just may have to take you up on that offer. Thanks!

I only took a quick look at this issue, but La Canela got a mention. I thought this place was closed, does anyone know for sure?

I believe you're thinking of La Flor De La Canela in Gaithersburg. Same owners. They closed that one to focus on their Rockville restaurants (Carbon being the other).

Quak is an alternate spelling to Kwok, which is pronounced Guo in Mandarin. Oddly enough, it is the same character as "pot" which like folks with last names of Blacksmith, may indicate the trade they may have been one point on the historical/geneological charts.

Yeah, I figured the pronunciation is probably not the way it appears. But I just found the juxtaposition to be pretty amusing.

Yeah, I just found that moments ago. They should have at least referenced that article in the other.

Both lists missed Sichuan Pavilion. And it's odd that the "Best of" list mentioned Urban Burger, but not BBQ.

Chef/Owner Quak...Peking Duck

Is that really his name??

This is great news! During my last visit to Orso, I was lamenting the fact that there are no good Neapolitan-style pizzerias near my house (I love Mia's, but it's just not the same). Let's just hope they have the talent to match that oven.