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wristband

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Everything posted by wristband

  1. We've been twice, pleased to see Sal running about. Pizzas from the wood oven are as good as they were. There are kinks being worked out. One is the menus have no prices as yet. Waiters were happy to clarify due to delays with the printer. Still, its a little odd asking "how much is the vongole?" Nice to have this old neighborhood haunt back.
  2. Welcome back Don...we missed you!☺️
  3. I agree on the disappointment. Tried CW twice for takeout in the past four months based on thumbs up here and Tim Carman in WP. Dr. Delicious described exactly what we experienced. Perhaps the Post has had the reverse effect (or possibly the place was sold?). Not going back. I also agree on Eric's comment on Fahrenheit - started out great, nice Szehcuan kick to many unusual dishes, Tyler Cowen was a big fan. Then it slipped and swan dived on our past visits. Prices went way up, service went way down, cooking was uneven. I have rooted for Lily to succeed but there are too many missing parts and the wheels were falling off. Stick to the knitting or whatever in hopes she can turn this around. We have not been back as reviews have are not positive for the past year. Heard mixed comments at Han Palace - on Friday, a couple raved about the quality of the dim sum and the beautiful room. The same day, another friend said it was great 2 years ago but HP now has indifferent service, chilly reception and even colder dishes that should be hot. How can there be such a divergence of late? Anyone recently been to Mark's Duck House? As regulars for years, we gave up after mediocre visits and dirty dishes etc. The new ownership and updating the room could be encouraging. Hope so as its impossible to find "Chinese" cuisine - esp takeout - in NoVa that is worth the effort and tariff. Happy to pay for quality and consistency but I can't find it.
  4. Ordered four pinsas today - free delivery with orders over $35. Jordan said the Westover branch of the Italian Store is carrying the plain pinsa in its freezer section. though the margharita is not as exciting as the other offerings its a convenient way to try a pinsa if you are nearby.
  5. Congratulations to Pinsa! We ordered three Pinsa pizzas - free delivery - and loved all three on a Saturday night. As Don noted, the crust is terrific, size is modest, ingredients are first rate. Instructions (thawing, timing) were spot on which provided terrific pizzas. We enjoyed the Classic, Foresta and Spicy Carne. I would order all three again and maybe several more to store in the freezer. I realize Jordan has a new enterprise so I am hopeful distribution arrangements will soon be announced so we can purchase directly from a retail outlet (say, Balduccis) instead of ordering and having it delivered.
  6. Mark me down as another fan of Andy's & Leb Taverna Galleria (esp their outdoor seating).
  7. Seconding Don, better options elsewhere. They sell pizza by the slice so if you are wandering in that neck of McLean and the urge hits...
  8. Thank you Don & Kibbee - great ideas for a fried oyster fan's birthday next week!
  9. Thank you so very much for the suggestions! Just told Claire & Don's next to the State Theater in FC is a possibility. Any thoughts on that one?
  10. With so much uncertainty about (sadly) restaurant operations, I would appreciate suggestions where one will find the above in Northern Va. Birthday gift for an ardent fan of the dish. I had planned on the Rappahannock River Co stall at Whole Foods Boro Tysons or Brine in Mosaic. Both are closed. Black Salt is a possibility but hoping for a NoVa address. Thanks.
  11. I second Don's opinion. Pupatella is not what it used be back when it came on the Arlington scene and, at least for me, there is no compelling reason to return these days. I am happy for the prospect of its new backers realizing - potentially - success in aggressively expanding. But I wonder if Enzo et al along with quality control will be stretched as multiple stores open. Plenty of alternatives now offer excellent pizza in NOVA.
  12. Clarity has an excellent burger. Obviously, a $16 price point is too dear for many. I really really like Red Robin's basic burger - no cheese, just the usual lettuce/tomato with mayo and mustard. RR has a new branch at 7 Corners, a freestanding building just outside the mall off 7. Fries are good, service is very good. Been 3x - each time left more impressed and pleased. I miss Clyde's burgers, esp Tyson's Saturday half off deal. 5 Guys, Burger 7, Shake Shack, Joe's and Elevation - been there, did that, not going back.
  13. I have not noticed the photo of Sampras of late but it might be "reconfigured" elsewhere on the walls. I am a regular patron - have been for many years - and totally agree with RMS' lovely assessment. There is a misconception that MFR is "cheap" in its pricing - not so. But the service, friendliness and offerings more than compensate for the higher than expected cost.
  14. To answer Don: I misspoke. The in-person application requires one to go to DMV centers - not DMV mobile units or online. As Lion noted, the most convenient (and largest) for many of us in NOVA will likely be the Gallows Road site. But there are others available as noted on the DMV's web site: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/DMVLocator/ 2-3 hours was also our mid-July experience. I suspect the time commitment is due to greatly increase this fall & winter for obvious reasons (students returning, demand for other DMV services after the summer season ends, increased publicity about the need for RIDE in 2020).
  15. Same experience as Ericandblueboy at DMV Gallows Road VA. 2+ hours wait. Arrived 10 am mid-week mid-month July (thinking that time/day would have less demand at DMV than the start/end of the month/week), assigned a number then...sat. 2.5 hours later, called to the counter at 12:30. Enrollment took 15 minutes - and I had all the necessary docs out on the counter. My observation is DMV is understaffed and unprepared. The only NOVA location (Gallows Rd) will be slammed with the big demand for RIDE alongside the many other customers of DMV services. Remember: you can get RIDE only at DMV in person - not online. You must travel to the specific DMV location (not a remote site). Helpful tip: fill in the RIDE application at the DMV site using your account, bring a hard copy, the DMV agent can access the pre-filled app from the DMV site. That cut down time at the counter vs filling out the application by hand at the counter. The RIDE application process is poorly planned out. Applicants are tossed in the hopper with everyone else seeking something at DMV. There is no special line or dedicated agents to handle just RIDE licenses at DMV. Friendly suggestion: don't wait for later in the year or 2020. Bite the bullet, endure the wait at DMV now - it can only get worse.
  16. I was indeed surprised to learn from the waiter doner kebab was available Monday - he recommended it before asked about availability. The menu states DK is only available specific days but I was assured it was freshly made - and it was delicious for lunch Monday. Unclear if it is offered every day or if this past Monday was an outlier. Dr. D should call first if interested in going to Kazan on an "off" DK day. Totally agree on garlic yogurt - great accompaniment & taste!
  17. Indeed it is owned & operated by the Pasa Thai folks. I have not eaten here but the menu looks intriguing with its obvious emphasis on Northern Thai food - very different from "regular" DC area Thai food. I was pleasantly surprised to see a limited number of items on the menu. For me, that is a positive. Too often, Thai restaurants have five pages of items so an attempt to narrowly focus on unique flavors and different Thai dishes is welcome.
  18. Quite independently from our Fearless Leader and on the heels of Don, we had lunch yesterday after some 20 years! Very pleasant experience - service was friendly & efficient, one of the very few places in McLean offering quasi-outside seating (albeit facing a parking lot). Doner kebab was terrific, salad w/o lettuce & a lamb eggplant dish were tasty, several special substitution requests were happily honored. I don't know why on a whim we decided to go (beautiful afternoon before going to Giant?) nor why we have not returned to Kazan for so many years. Happy we did & it was a reminder to remedy the absence by going again soon.
  19. We also have not returned to RTC since the parking charge was instituted. Our weekly lunch & dinner visits are kaput - nice knowing ya Mon Ami Gabi, Passionfish, Clydes, Barcelona, Il fornaio, Pitango, Ted's. Sad to say, the lack of patronage may knock sense into the property firm that imposed the charge but so many have driven away...we may never return even if the charge is rescinded. Plenty of terrific options elsewhere in NoVa w/out the aggro.
  20. I must say we have been disappointed with PC in Arlington on our last two recent visits. Perhaps the inevitable change in the kitchen has caused less than stellar results on the plate. This has been a repeated complaint with Peter's growing empire. We had been going once a month to Arlington PC - take out or onsite - results were frequently becoming mixed but not to the point of turning us off. Last two times (May and April) resulted in only two good dishes: pork & shrimp dumplings. Not a strong rec. Kung pao arrives drenched an odd orange color sauce with an off putting sour taste (I love szechuan peppers so don't cite the "heat" scale) - this version is very different than past stellar kung paos. Beef with bok choy was tough and the veg hard to locate. Lamb on skewers had good heat but tougher meat than the beef. I have never been a fan of the fried eggplant so many here love so I won't chime in on that one. I hope this location gets its mojo back. Giving it a rest for the next few months in hopes another change in the kitchen will prove to be a reversion to the mean! I am puzzled about the parking lot. Always filled but the surrounding stores & restaurants don't seem to have many customers at the time we go. Plus Harris Teeter is located at the opposite end of the shopping center with underground parking. The Chang staff laugh when I note parking problems as they have difficulty finding a space when their shift begins. Is there an opium den or bingo parlor in a basement?
  21. There definitely was a tie with Pasa Thai - same owner and PT staff (notably the PT manager Dan) were visibly helping out several months ago. Whether that changed since the late fall I don't know. Funny - I walked by Friday afternoon, room was dark (not unusual as they are not open for lunch) but the place was orderly & set for dinner service. Menu was posted in the front door. I have not eaten there but heard nice reports from several locals whom I trust. They enjoyed SOB, esp cocktails and fresh fish, and claimed the place was filled when they were there albeit its a small room.
  22. I agree with Kibbee. We had a meeting nearby (Allied Counters) where the owner strongly rec'd the pho and I recall reading about it here. The place at lunch was packed and their pho was one of the better ones locally we have had of late. A brisket and flank version was very good esp on a cold winter afternoon so Pho 495 was a welcome surprise. Shredded pork spring rolls (very good) and the deep fried cha gaio (meh). What really impressed me was the friendliness of the staff and how eager they were to hear our reaction to their pho...despite a full house. Perhaps I have become too grizzled & cynical from Tysons/Arlington/DC restaurants where servers tend to be indifferent or superficially enthusiastic about everything on the darn menu. Imagine my surprise to have folks at Pho 495 crank out a very good pho for lunch and turn a what was expected to be a nondescript quick lunch into a really pleasant experience.
  23. Had lunch out in the sticks here yesterday and enjoyed it: Lilly's dumpling selection was tasty, soup was indeed hot & sour, and several lunch dishes were fine (not exceptiinal) plus I thought the prices were reasonable and the service was solicitious. What I was impressed with was the staff's eagerness to please and friendly manner. Not worth going out of your way for but if you are in the area, consider it. Hard to find since the website indicates its near the Lowe's (yup) and across from Wendy's which is closed.
  24. I also prefer JJ much more than Robek's. For those that monitor such things: calories and sugar content are significant at both and can vary widely depending on the "drink" so caveat emptor,
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