ICD

I stopped by the downtown Silver Spring location this morning, and didn't see what the fuss is about. Greasy and sticky.

I don't get it either. Plus, they are only palatable fresh.

The Dogfish Head menu always looked to me to be quite similar to the Applebee's menu. I agree that the food is mediocre not just in the selection but in the execution, which is a shame because the beer is quite good.

I disagree, I've always found their food, for what they're trying to be, pretty good. For some odd reason, I really enjoy their fried seafood platter, maybe the beach connection.

Ignacio

P.S. For those in the area, ValPak coupons has $10 off offer.

The only things on that list that were there 7 months ago (when I last went) are the shrimp burger and the steak salad. So it does look like they have made some changes to the menu, although the one thing that never should have left was the Wagyu cheesesteak. That thing was heavenly.

I was hoping to get the cheesesteak, but the hangar steak salad with blue cheese, bacon, and avocado did not disappoint. My other top choice would have been the shrimp burger. My only wish would be the option to buy fries or someother accompaniment with the shrimp burger. It was served plain and I did not see any side dishes on the menu. (I hope I just did not look hard enough!)

What else is on there?

Just got back from a great lunch today. The choices were a turkey salad sandwich, a vegetarian panini, a shrimp burger, the steak salad (which I had), and a bucatini with proscuitto in tomato sauce. The white wine was an Italian malvasia.

D'accord, mais avec les enfants et des types certains....

Absolutement, aussi que je le preferes avec des framboises et des figues, ensembles, et en neige de sucre en poudre...

Moi, du jardin ou j'ai senté le merde des chevaux dans le vent.

It was my understanding there would be no French.

There go my plans to open my new Cuban restaurant, Jean Louis Palladin. Damn you Rockwell.

Pick up a copy of Steve Raichlin's Barbecue Bible.

I second Zora's suggestion and add Elizabeth Karmel's Taming the Flame.

Whether or not tilapia is considered sustainable depends on your priorities and (I hate to say it) your politics. Much of the diet in domestic, farm-raised tilapia comes from corn, in particular, from corn that is heavily subsidized by the federal government at the expense of other programs. Click here for a starter article.

Cheers,

Rocks.

They actually catch Tilapia for commercial purposes from the backyard lake at my in-laws house in Venice, FL. My in-laws, who love to fish, won't eat them fearing fertilizer run-off from the lawns. Because it's a vegetarian fish, you have to catch it with nets, they will not go after hooks.

Ignacio

SE corner of Vermont and I St.? Are you with the VA?

That corner has Loeb's if I'm not mistaken. That may be the closest thing to a NY Deli in the District.

I'm with Ex-Im Bank, which has the 7th and 9th-12th floor of the Lafayette Building, where Loeb's is located. I only ate a Loeb's along time ago, but I see quite few VA and Ex-Im old timers who like the place. When my children eat too much for me to have leftovers, I usually get a club sandwich at Sizzlin' Express. UMMM unhealthy.

Ignacio

Not sure what's happening, but On the Fly might be downsizing. I looked for both of these locations today while I was downtown, and was disappointed that they weren't out. Their website does not show these locations either.

They are often outside my building on the SE corner of Vermont Ave and I St.

I like Chocolate Moose near 17th and L for Leonidas chocolates from Belgium.

Tried going to the Gaithersburg location for lunch yesterday, the outside signs are still up, but it's turned (is turning) into a Peruvian restaurant. The lomo saltado was perfectly fine and the menu promises chicken soon.

Ignacio

I had some excellent pizza this Saturday in St. Michaels. On a cold afternoon after visiting the Maritime Museum, the family visited Ava's Pizzeria at 409 Talbot St. The first pizza was just excellent ; a pepperoni with red sauce, mozzarella, and basil. Its only flaw was a slightly soggy crust after sitting a few minutes. The second pizza was utterly perfect. A carmelized onion and sliced raw fennel white pizza that is on par with anything I've had here in the DC area. The constrast between the sweet onions and crisp fennel was wonderful. The place seemed ful (at least the downstairs)l, but sitting near the oven we had nice conversation with Chris, the pizza maker, about how hot the oven was (800 degrees) and other pizza making matters. I highly recommend this place to those visiting St. Michaels and want pizza as good if not better than DC's best.

Ignacio

http://www.avaspizzeria.com/

(Edited to fix address and add website.)

I'm confit-ing a pork shoulder tomorrow.

Details, please details. Sounds like something I would like to try soon.

Ignacio

My point was that while some toppings may not be worth the money, salami or clams for example, others such as pepperoni and anchovies were not expensive given their cost of $1 and the amount you get. This could be a bit of useful information to Comet newbies like myself who was reluctant to go because of the price/value issue.

That's all,

Ignacio

I was there with the fam for a Saturday lunch a couple of weeks ago for the first time, and I have to say, I was whelmed. The pizza was OK to good (we had the tomato pie, a white pizza and one other one I can't remember) but no more memorable than other boutiquey restaurant pizza I've had.

I was also there at Saturday lunch a few weeks ago and greatly enjoyed the experience, especially the chicken wings. However, I thought the pizzas were underdone. This also happened at Two Amys a few months ago when were also the some of the first ones there. Could it be it takes a time for the pizza oven to warm up and they are better at night? Or was it they saw we were with two pre-schoolers (both places) and thought they must want underdone pizza?

Ignacio

P.S. We had the cheese and tomato pizzas with pepperoni and anchovies, respectively. At one dollar each, I felt I got my money's worth with six or so pepperonis and anchovies.

For my money, El Pollo Rico is the class of the bunch, with extremely flavorful, succulent chicken. I think a big part of this has to do with the turnover as well, in that their chickens (at least during prime time) don't spend much time sitting.

I'd put Don Pollo on a par with Crisp & Juicy, in that both places (in my anecdotal experience) have very good chicken that can sometimes be a bit dry on the surface (probably due to sitting).

SVT took the words right out my mouth. El Pollo Rico is in a class by itself. Don Pollo is a notch below, especially if the chicken has to wait.

There is also one in Twinbrook Plaza on Viers Mill and Atlantic Ave, near the library. The family deal of one chicken and three sides (I believe) is a great bargain for such good chicken.

What's the deal with the place? I think I'm like a lot of people in that I've been meaning to try it b/c of some decent press but I have yet to. When we walked by at 8:30 tonight, the place was barren except for a dutiful waiter making sure that every table's silverware and glass setups were perfect while Guardado himself was sitting slouched at the bar with a scowl on his face that said, "EFF Bethesda for not eating my cooking!"

Anyone been? Will this place last? Should it? It's got a crappy location in terms of foot traffic.

Pax,

Brian

We passed by on Saturday night a few weeks ago on the way to Mia's pizza. The place was empty except for one table. I don't know how long it can last this way. I agree, the location is just not very good.

I certainly hope that this was not indicative of either that particular Hard Times, or Hard Times in general, since I have had some decent, if not great, meals at the one in Laurel, but this particular night, the only thing I could say that was good was that the beer was cold.

This has been our experience at the Rockville location the last few times we've been there. I will not go back for other than the chili.

Cuban Picadillo

1 1/2lb ground beef

2 onions

1 bell pepper

3 cloves garlic

1 can spanish style tomato sauce

1 cup white wine or vermouth

1/4 cup pitted pimento olives

1/4 cup raisins

1 tablespoon capers

1/4 teaspoon "sazon" seasoning (optional)

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 pinch sugar

splash of Sherry or red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt (about 1 teaspoon if not using sazon)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1) Finely chop garlic, onions, bell pepper and saute in olive oil until soft. Add ground meat, salt, pepper, sazon, cumin, and oregano. Brown meat.

2) After meat is brown, add tomato sauce, wine, olives, raisins, and capers. Simmer over low heat uncovered for twenty five minutes.

3) Add sugar and vinegar and adjust seasonings. Serve with rice.

Ignacio

My family and I would like to thank everyone for the good food and company. The variety and deliciousness of the food was mind boggling. The Caja China was a sight to see, including the lamb. I think, however, I may have nightmares about the lamb's head---a pig's head looks so much happier to be eaten.

Ignacio, aka, ICD

ICD+3

If this were radio,I'd be a long-time listener, but infrequent caller to donrockwell.com. To get past this newbieness, my wife and I as well as our two children will attend the picnic. We'll bring Cuban picadillo and the not so traditional hamburger buns to serve it with. Also some Belgian beer, either Hoegarten or Leffe blonde.

Ignacio

My wife and I had brunch on Sunday. Although the food was quite enjoyable, I felt disappointed the lunch menu was not available. The brunch dishes were too focused toward breakfast items. Having said this, my cajun style eggs benedict were quite good and my wife enjoyed her serano ham wrapped shrimp. The best part, however, were the sticky buns, which were warm and not too sweet.

ICD

I was at the Montgomery County Library bookstore off Boiling Brook Parkway yesterday. They had a many in very good condition. I'm sure for a good price. I didn't get any because my collection is complete as far as I can tell.

Here is the URL: http://www.folmc.org/bookstores/locations.htm