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I echo Don's comments on the Medicine Chest having been a loyal customer for several decades. The big negatives are Ed no longer accepts AmEx cards and it can get a tad cramped in there with the old codgers lining up for their scripts. One big plus is the oddball items they stock where are difficult to find elsewhere. Specifically, anti-jet lag pills which have been (at least for me on flights to asia & Europe) a god send. I also agree with the meh appraisal of Ichiban. I really wanted to like Ichiban but multiple visits proved otherwise. Better fish in the sea & all that for sushi/sashimi.

Just got back from a week in SF and can happily crow about two dinners: Frances & Stone's Throw were superb. New American cooking, limited menus, informal but attentive and knowledgeable service and the courses were really, really good (menu changes daily). The only issue with Frances is the tight space so it can feel cramped but the servers do a good job of maneuvering and paying attention. Farafallon - seafood near Union Square Park - is a lovely room and the service is quite good but the hefty price tag and anemic sized servings casts a big shadow. I would not return but others seem to love the daily changes. The sable - aka black cod - was highlighted and was just meh.

Its owned & operated by the Pasa Thai folks (who produce a good Thai product). We have tried to go several times but its been closed after a recent opening. Menu looks really interesting but the room seems, uh, less than inviting and warm from the outside. Other reports would be appreciated, esp on the drinks.

My two cents also: thank you! Up here in the peanut gallery, I continue to appreciate Don's stellar efforts that created this site, his curating and commenting on various chic-chic pit stops on DR.Com. A wonderful resource for the hungry rabble in flea bitten burghs around the DC area!

I agree with Don based on two visits. Several outdoor tables under the colonnade of the medical building which hosts Sweetbites provide a pleasant spot to perch if you are in McLean or the P.O. on Elm Street. I found SB's expressi & cappucini far better than the "burned bean" drinks cranked out at Greenberry & Starbucks. Bonus points: I prefer sipping coffee from authentico ceramic vs cardboard cups. Coffee & baked goods aside, the appeal for me these late summer days is the outdoor setting - calmer & quieter than the bizz buzzing at the two nearby coffee pit stops. Star Nut near the Firehouse has a pleasant patio and a more extensive selection of food items. SN & Sweetbites are different but exude their own charms in the culinary desert of McLean.

Big handwritten "CLOSED" sign on the door as I walked by today. Windows covered with brown paper, sign is gone. Either (a) another remodeling project (last one took years) or (b ) it's kaput. I went several times but C.O. was a shadow of its former self - chicken and sides were mediocre, interior unattractive and harshly lit and (at least for my sensibility) the store did not radiate spic-n-span cleanliness.

The Leb Taverna deal has returned to BJ's after a year's absence. At the Falls Church store today, I paid $80 for $100 value (two $50 cards). No expiration date, no fees or surcharges, plus you can include the tip on the card balance. 20% off is a good deal for regulars & BJs offers a one day free day pass. LT's Westover location (my favorite) is a five minute drive from the FC BJs (just down the street from the Eden Center).

Today at lunch (Monday) the place was humming and a line of eager patrons remained constant. Realizing kinks on the service side will be worked out (confusion as to which table got which dish, repeatedly asking for water refills, trying to get a bill etc.), PC needs to be cut slack at this point. Our experience with the food was just okay - not up to the crackerjack level others here have extolled. Dry Fried Eggplant was indeed excellent as touted many times here. Crispy pork belly app was interesting but we would not order that again as the taste became monotonous and bland. Still, it was an unusual starter especially with fresh cilantro. Others near us seemed pleased with dumpling options & bubble pancake. Mains were another matter. A table of elderly Asians next to us loudly complained to staff about excessive use of salt which detracted from their many dishes, including several hot pot and soup orders. I agree with their gripe. Our three entrees had way too much salt and sauces for each dish muted other, more interesting flavors on the plate. Szechuan Double Cooked Pork had lots of leeks and black bean but the dish was a heaping mess vs one that could have offered multiple layers of flavor and heat between the pork and leeks. Shredded Duck with Scallions had a paucity of duck mixed in with way too many sautéed sweet onions. Kung Pao Chicken had all the makings a standout - boiled peanuts, freshly chopped red peppers, asparagus, lightly fried chicken...but the darn sauce was far too sweet. That sweet sauce overpowered and detracted from the nicely prepared fresh ingredients. Perhaps Peter C was absent, perhaps kitchen staff had to frantically crank out so many orders for lunch after a demanding opening weekend, perhaps that staff unwittingly doused dishes with too much salt. I wish the new venture well and hope it finds its footing. There certainly is strong interest evidenced by the positive comments here and full house at lunch today. I hope our experience is different the next time we visit and we will return. I give it B- but your mileage may differ. That grade reflects NoVa's anemic options for Szechuan cooking.

I make it 3 nays. Especially the service - once warm and solicitous, now indifferent and harried - and the gravity defying prices - once moderate for once terrific quality. If you live in the Palisades, nice to have a neighborhood fish joint to walk to albeit an expensive one (happy hour might make sense). But a special trip down MacArthur these days? Perhaps reflective of my recent experience: on our last visit, trying to get the attention of fish counter staff for take-home purchases was a test of endurance & patience. Yo, take my money please!

Ha! I remember the original Boston C in Newton years ago! I agree the local effort of Chicken Out went downhill prior to filing for bankruptcy but I was still enthusiastic about trying the McLean branch. One odd aspect: they are promoting fajitas, wraps and burritos along with some other oddball additions (as you will see on the web site & in store). Perhaps this is a way to use - er, "repurpose" - unsold chicken. Unfortunately, I think it imparted a lack of focus on the core product which was and should be rotisserie chicken. Perhaps the new owners recognize the considerable competition for whole/quartered chicken in our area but they are not differentiating themselves in any meaningful way by (a) offering fajitas etc and ( selling a meh product. For me, as I noted, the display case today of sides and wraps lacked the mouth watering allure of the "old" Chicken Out which showcased their various offerings in ways that visually appealed to the customer. Our sides were not great save for the cole slaw. Again, only one visit, its early and I am sincerely hopeful they can improve their efforts. Otherwise, there are far too many alternatives available that are far superior (and no, I don't mean Pollo Rico or Super Chicken as much as I like those two).

I was there earlier today & indeed McLean is the only location open. Sad to say, the chicken we had lacked the "old vinegar zest" and the flavor was nondescript. The bird's temperature was medium warm - not hot - which is a negative, the skin was unappealing with it's pallid appearance and mushy texture vs crispy. My personal sense is our breast quarters were sitting in the warmer rather than recently taken off the rotisserie. There were no chickens spinning away on the rotisserie - none - which is not a good sign for freshness and turn over. I hope they make it as I was a big fan when they were down the street. But this store needs a serious rethink. There is considerable chicken competition in the neighborhood & an excellent product can be had at Balducci's nearby. The glass display of sides was not, to my thinking, appealing or encouraging. Is there a web site? Not that I can tell. So, our lunch-time visit was not a success. Again, I hope they improve markedly but the odds - and competition - are not in their favor.

Mark me down as another fan & longtime regular. Their pizza is very good, baked in a wood oven by two craftsman who know how to crank out delicious pies (Cisto & Ponchus by name-o). Prices are creeping up but value is still decent in the food wasteland of McLean. If you enjoyed the lasagna, try the house special menu Lasagna Bolognese - prepared differently than the regular. This one uses a wide, flat noodle which is made in house. I like the grilled sausage entree served with veg & pasta. They have toned down the sweetness of tomato sauce which used to bug me to no end. Far more palatable red saucing for my taste buds now.

Personally, I prefer Westover. Had lunch there yesterday - service great, mixed kabob grill delicious, chicken farooq a tasty & huge platter. I want to share here a current deal that some may want to look into. I was in BJ's wholesale club in Falls Church last week (free trial membership) - L.T. offers two $50 gift cards for $80 - no fees/no service charges - at BJs. So, if you are like me and enjoy various L.T.'s, this deal is a bargain = 20% off lunch or dinner with the cards. I used one of the two cards yesterday for lunch and there was absolutely no problem doing so.

Don - gate(s) were activated last month. They were installed in the fall but became functional only recently due to the imminent arrival of Metro (the complex ownership wants to prevent free parking for commuters). I sadly know this as I work out at Regency Sport & Health. For years, I would putter up Old Meadow to Magarity out to Route 7 and points eastward-easy breezy. No longer. Now, its over to 123, down Intl Drive and endure the long lights.

I second the warm feelings toward Oceania. O ship size(s) are considerably smaller than the mega-sized ships which makes for a more intimate and personalized experience. Itineraries are port intensive (often with overnight stays and multiple days in the same port), service and food are superb. The newer and larger ships O introduced several years ago - 1,200 passengers from 800-ish - are beautiful and offer more restaurant choices (at no up charge) than the smaller ships. I enjoy both. After trying a number of cruise lines over the years - and I've been on almost all of the top rated ones - I believe Oceania offers the best "return" in terms of enjoyment, schedules, price/value, cuisine & amenities on board. Plus: no formal nights!

May I add Thursday's lentil soup special is delicious & Greek salad with grilled chicken a perennial favorite of mine. If you want to people watch in downtown M-town, the choices are anemic save for here. Various muckety mucks of national repute drift in for breakfast and lunch - Powell, Begala, Newt, Keating and gents from that guarded complex up the road on 123. This is diner food but one is seated & served quickly, service is friendly & attentive, prices reasonable and there are a number of daily specials with a Greek accent worth considering (aside from the usual gyro meat concoctions).

Lest we forget, that bawdy mural in the Palm Room at Tysons has many a Clyde's old timer cavorting in their birthday suit. Though its thirty years on, some leering faces are unchanged. Dorian Grey & all that. Willow Creek has literally a barn full of amazing Americana bric-a-brac - horse carriages suspended from the barn ceiling, Revere silver and, most impressive to me, a lovely small side room of beautifully framed original Audubon bird prints.

I'll add to the nice comments and say I enjoy Clyde's. Not always a first choice but perfectly fine. I agree on the distinct difference between several locations (Columbia, I am talking bout you!). I find Tysons & Willow Creek in VA to consistently execute very well with knowledgeable service, menu variety, reasonable pricing and quality of ingredients. I'd add I have oddball annoying requests which, without fail, are happily received by wait staff at the two locations (no salt, steamed veg, change the setup to eliminate potato, swap out this side for another etc.). No lip or eye rolling - just eagerness to please which is appreciated. Also, the monthly special at all locations usually offers very good value for the price (lobster, filet mignon, halibut).

Is it me or are "shoppers" wandering around the store chowing down on unpaid food taken from the hot & cold prepared food bars? I now see this routinely at WF in Clarendon & Falls Church and at Balduccis. I am not a fan of buffet fodder but it strikes me as chutzpath when others blissfully eat for free. As consumers, all of us pay more for groceries for this folly. I am reminded me of the drama last week where a grocery store manager politely but firmly confronted a woman - her mouth stuffed with food from the buffet - and asked that in future she should pay for food before consumption. Might you guess her response? Indignant and yelling abuse, natch. She then claimed she had planned to pay for the food crammed in her cheeks at checkout. How did she propose doing just that? Why, that loveable lug lectured, she would instruct the store cashier to "add some more to my bill." Seriously, you can't make this up!

Agree with Don on the Godello rant. I enjoy Godello, a bottle sells for less than $30 a bottle if you sniff around (low $20's at Balducci's) but this is quite a mark up - per glass! - over the top. Seriously, $19 per glass for a pleasant but lower end white wine? What's next, Albarino by the glass for $35? I did like 52 when it opened at Tysons and posted so here. But I have not returned after two "just average" luncheon experiences last year.

Yes, I really really wanted to be Sally Fields and really like Family Meal. I did not. I do think this is a nice option for folks who live in Frederick and I am pleased folks there are patronizing FM vs usual chain fare. I hope I was clear about that and, at the same time, tamp down excitement for those who may plan driving a considerable distance just to eat at this spot. I did not sense FM intends to position itself as a destination dining place - like Volt - so if one comes with low expectations and has other activities planned in the Frederick area, I hope you have a more enjoyable experience than we did. With the forewarning, obv, Family Meal's prices are not typical diner pricing. This is an important point for a family that might want to assume otherwise. I should emphasize we felt appetizers were the best part of our lunch - along with the chicken pot pie fritters, the deviled eggs were very good (made with sour cream, not may, crumbled bacon top). Unlike several posters above, for us, the deviled eggs were a hit.

With kids in tow and post pumpkin picking, it might be a nice way to end the day IF you come with low expectations. As I noted: not worth making the effort to drive to Frederick for Family Meal itself. But, as you will be there anyways...FM has a "kids" section on the menu (no insult intended as I don't know the age of yours) and the dinner menu is a tad different - in pricing and selection - than lunch. Web site menus have not been updated but it gives a general idea of what you can expect at dinner. As others have said, stick with simpler fare and go with the flow if you go. I should mention we enjoyed FM's deviled eggs - served with sour cream, not mayo, and crumbled bacon on top. The appetizers were the best part of our lunch. Our waitress raved about the new menu additions of a shrimp roll and crab cakes but those are widely available elsewhere so we ordered otherwise (perhaps a mistake). On the other hand, you might consider other options for day-end dinner. I heard very nice comments about Olives, is on N. Market down the street from Volt, which purportedly has good pizza and several other items. Funny enough, two of our table mates at 21 headed to Olives for a pizza after dinner! Don Rock's DC dining board listings for Frederick might offer an alternative for you and the family.

I agree with your friend - disappointing. Ate today for lunch - fried chicken was not what has been heralded here and frankly is better at Popeye's (left two pieces uneaten). Duck fat fried potatoes were tasteless (even with dipping in aioli sauce) ($5.99 - we ate half and left the rest alone), jalapeno biscuits not flavorful (at half of one, left the rest). We can chime in with others above on how good the teeny tiny chicken pot pie fritters are; its a small serving of 5 tiny little balls but lip smacking delicious. I had an "adult" milkshake with bourbon, ice cream, mint & cookie crumble which was fine for me ($11) but my tablemate found it, uh, not to her liking (understatement). While I would not go back nor is this worth a special detour to head up to Frederick, I would give a shout out to the young staff. The best part of our meal was how enthusiastic and caring the service was. Floor staff were eager to please and our waitress was well versed int he menu items, showed patience in explaining "new" items (grouper, shrimp roll, they tossed those much-maligned brussel sprouts) along with paying attention to our table while the place was humming with a Saturday afternoon lunch.

We ate at Table 21 last night and spent time in the bar beforehand. Yes, the website is a mess with outdated and conflicting info; staff says they are aware of the issue. There is a small bar menu but unless you can snag a seat at the bar I would not recommend the sofa as a welcoming place to eat. At the bar, a couple was devouring an impressive looking burger along with a salad with seafood. Table 21 experience was great, service was terrific, the explanations of each dish served was appreciated and pacing was lovely. Graham R. tamped down his Mohawk but he was pleasant and pleased all 8 at the 21 table were having a good time. Cost is $150 per (plus $95 wine pairing if you opt for it - ample pours and well chosen selection), reasonable considering the number of small courses served, the wide range of ingredients & skill involved. We were wondering when would the shouting and screaming start in the kitchen but alas it was an orchestrated affair with professionalism and a serene-like atmosphere with the various sous chefs. I am not a fan of molecular cuisine but 21 was a special experience with only a few misses. Below are highlights served - the menu for the main dining room and Table 21 changes frequently from what I understand so this may be irrelevant for future diners. We were concerned the amount of food - 21 plates! - would be difficult to consume but that proved otherwise - small portions with intense flavors. Lamb with babganoush and basil flowers (delicious) Deviled Egg in a celeriac macaroon with sturgeon roe atop (a very different take on picnic food) Yellow Fin Tuna with avocado and green apple sauce, pine nut and soy (a knockout!) Summer Beans with goat ricotta and fava bean hummus Sourdough Linguini with salted baby clams and smoked potato (some did not like this for the texture, I loved it) Calamari Bolognese (standard on the dinner menu, never had it before but its a classic) Black Sea Bass with celeriac, fermented turnip and basil (yowza, great dish) Monkfish with brown rice congee, country ham and expresso (yup, sounds oddball but very interesting flavors) Pork braised cheek and jowl, pear onion, fava beans and celeriac (ditto on this) Monocacy Ash goat cheese with pear, almond, flowers and vanilla brioche (superb!) Chocolate toasted marshmallow with peanuts and caramel What did not work so well for me: chocolate popsicle, "aviation" with maraschino, gin and crème de violette (frozen and unpleasant taste to start the session), biscuit stuffed with pimento cheese (ugh), carrots baked in salt crust (lotta work involved, little payoff for the diner), a cold raw oyster with basil and tomato (struck out at that point in the service like an out of tune note). Obviously, others will differ. Overall, a fun experience well worth the trip up from the flea bitten burgh in Fairfax where I live. I would and will go back. Not having been to Frederick for years, I was impressed with the growth and activities going on downtown. Lunch at Family Meal was disappointing in many respects. Floor service was great - contrary to other reports - and our waitress was helpful in navigating the menu. Chicken pot pie fritters were very good ( 5 small tidbits per order) & an "adult" milkshake with Buffalo Trace bourbon, vanilla ice cream, mint and cookie crumbles were the only two standouts. The rest of the meal was not note worthy - fried chicken and duck fat fried potatoes were, um, average. An upscale diner best left for local Frederick-ians, not worth a special trip.

We were there several weeks ago - twice for lunch - and it was terrific. Grilled octopus, fried zucchini, various dips & salads, grilled lamb, fresh branzino grilled perfectly, service was great, atmosphere was pleasant... ours were positive experiences last month. The place was, in late August, to close to expand the space and add sound reduction baffling. Those changes should help ameliorate the volume problem.