hopsing

To put this in perspective, last week we had dinner at the Ballston Rustico (with a dessert at Buzz Bakery), and we both enjoyed this substantially more.

Just to be sure I'm understanding you right, you mean you enjoyed Leek Bistro substantially more, right? Not Rustico/Buzz?

Bummer. I only discovered them a year ago. My husband and I will miss them.

I am really excited BonChon is coming to Arlington. I never did make the trek out to Annandale to try it out. I know I'm in the minority, but I do like Ultimate Bistro Chicken which can give you the whole chicken. I wish BonChon could offer the same. Nonetheless I definitely will try it out although my cholesterol will suffer (once again)!

A few years ago all the stores in Lee Heights Shopping Center would be eligible to participate in Small Business Saturday which takes place tomorrow. Sadly, the mom-and-pop stores in that strip mall are being replaced by national chains.

I only went once but I loved it. However, I've never been to Bonchon as it is not near me. I better hurry over to UCB to get my final chickens!

Yeah, I was hoping it was the Daily Deli which I don't like very much.

The Ballston location is where brgr: burger shack used to be. They open on Monday. I learned this the hard way because I wanted a burger today and walked down there and saw the sign saying Earl's was coming. Inside was the nice owner who shook my hand and gave me the carryout menu.

I hadn't been to Ted's since I looked at their burger nutrition data some years back and was stunned at how bad it was for you health-wise, although it tasted absolutely delicious. Worse than many other burgers. I will give the prime rib a chance since I just love prime rib.

Ted's has prime rib??? Was it good? If so, I'm going there. Hard to find good prime rib around here.

I went for the first time yesterday and these savory pies are a revelation! I had one many years ago on my honeymoon in England, but I think these are even better. It is mostly a takeout place, but there is a bench for a few people to sit. Nonetheless, I took mine home and, although I traveled from Vienna to Arlington in heavy I-66 traffic, the pies were still piping hot. The crust is the flakiest I've had in a long time. Mind you, it isn't a diet food, but the inside ingredients are all fresh and delicious. I tried the traditional (like a beef stew filling) and chicken marsala. I have also heard raves about the chicken provencal.

Please check them out so that they stay in business so that I can enjoy future pasties. I think their may be a food truck in Arlington but I am awaiting more information about that from the store.

http://www.purepasty.com/

I haven't given up on them yet, but I do find the food sliding a little downhill. Spaghetti and meatballs are still good. The arancine I find to be outstanding. My old favorite, mussels over pasta, has been hit or miss. Sometimes fine, other times the mussels have been chewy--maybe they were severely overcooked? Last time, for a change, I tried their lasagna. Big mistake--obviously reheated and lacking any creativity whatsoever, not sure it even had any ricotta cheese in it. I guess I'll go back to spaghetti and meatballs.

I've eaten there twice now. The first time, although they said it would take 10 minutes because they cook it fresh, my burger was hot on the outside and lukewarm on the inside. I hate when burger places pre-cook their burgers and then heat them up when someone orders them (I'm looking at you BGR and Five Guys). So I was disappointed. I did like the brioche bun. The 2nd time I went, the burger was hot through and through so my experience was much better. I do plan on giving them a 3rd try sometime soon although it doesn't square with my new "healthy" diet goal.

The place is kind of scuzzy and nothing to write home about, but if the burger is good I don't care.

My new guilty pleasure is Korean fried chicken. Came here a couple of weeks ago for carryout and I have to say, my husband and I really loved the chicken (we got a whole chicken), especially the soy/garlic glaze. Even as a leftover, it was till crunchy. My drive back from the place was about 15 minutes, but the chicken was still really hot (maybe the summer temps had something to do with that too). They ingeniously cut a couple of strategic holes in the styrofoam so it doesn't get all soggy, plus they line the styrofoam box with aluminum foil.

After a few weeks of fortifying myself with whole grains and quinoa, I'll be ready to tackle the chicken again!

My vote goes to Crystal Thai. We are regulars there. As soon as we sit down, they have already delivered a Wild Turkey on the Rocks for me and a sparkling water for my husband. When I ask for tofu tod not too crispy and pad see ew not too salty, they do exactly that. I am spoiled for any other Thai restaurant.

I had a different experience with the restaurant. I live near the Comfort Inn which was the home of the original Sangam and its predecessor, can't remember its name but my impression was same owner. I used to go to the predecessor all the time for carryout which was quite good. When it changed over to Sangam, the food was more expensive. I dined there once or twice and the food was terrible. Like they gave me some old meal that they reheated. Never went back. I think they are capable of making good food, but too much of a tendency to reuse leftovers.

I went for my first and only time in January for a gal-pal group lunch. Before ordering, we were talking about heart attacks, so most people order the pasta primavera. I ordered the manicotti. It was quite good and inspired me to start making manicotti at home. I don't need to go back there but if someone suggested it, I wouldn't be opposed. The service was good for a Saturday lunch, it wasn't very crowded and the waiter didn't mind that we were taking forever to do anything and were sort of loud too.

Come to think of it, I had the lobster potsticker appetizer a few weeks ago and it was salty. I think next time I'll ask for "no added salt" and see what happens.

Some people spit on Carlyle, but I think it is great. Their food, service, bread is excellent and everything is reasonably priced. if they took regular reservations instead of this call-ahead stuff, I'd be there more often.

Has anyone been to this restaurant? I tried some of their food at the Taste of Arlington on Sunday and thought it was just excellent. I had samosas, some other fritter that I think had spinach in it, some chickpea curry with almonds, and biryani. They seemed to be only serving vegetarian fare, and if I wanted to become a vegetarian, it would be easy if I could eat their food.

Has anyone been to the restaurant itself? I think I may want to try it soon. So delicious.

The parking garage on Highland is still open, but it is now run by Colonial Parking. It costs (I think) $4 on Saturday night.

I've eaten there several times in the past year. Sometimes it's stellar, sometimes it is just okay. They seem to have quality control issues. One time, I'll have the best hangar steak ever, another time it's not very good. My husband always orders the endive salad. Sometimes it is too vinegary, sometimes it is just right. The fries are always good and the service is always friendly. My husband likes the monkfish entree. I guess I would recommend it with the previous caveats in mind.

Now you're talking! When I landed in the DC area 35 years ago by way of Brooklyn and Connecticut, I was fascinated by Mario's pizza and its BBQ topping. You see, this was the first time I had ever had BBQ pork and it was delicious, even on top of pizza. I remember eating BBQ pizza for 7 days in a row once I discovered it. However, I haven't tried it in decades.

OK, I'm off topic now too. The worst pizza I've had recently was trying this new place called Paisano's in the strip mall at Bailey's Crosswords, near the Ruby Tuesdays. Absolutely awful and, yes, incredibly salty!!!

I've never been tempted to try Noodles & Co. although I live near the Ballston Mall. However, I have been to Cici's several times, and although not great, beats other fast food pizza chains, esp. if you are lucky enough to get the deep dish kind in their buffet. That is pretty good and I thought I might order a deep dish pie for dinner sometime. I don't remember the pizza being buttery at all. Re sodium levels in restaurants, sigh.... I've been combatting high blood pressure in recent months and as long as I don't eat out, I'm okay. I wish restaurants would be as cognizant of sodium the way they are about gluten these days. I did have luck on my recent visits to Crystal Thai. I've asked for Pad See Ew with beef -- not too salty and they have complied!

This is one of my favorite restaurants. In fact, we ate there last night. Meatballs in polenta, endive salad, chicken parmesan, seafood with black squid ink pasta. Everything wonderful including the foccacia bread they serve and the complimentary bruschetta. The wine selection is good and not a ripoff.