Ericandblueboy

Went for lunch yesterday. I've now had spicy beef noodle soup at Peking Village (on Gallows), Jasmine Garden (near Peking Village), and House of Lion. The House of Lion version is very oily, served with hunks of carrots and fat but no beef (that I can find). I can't even drink the soup because it's like a vat of oil. Peking Village and Jasmine Garden both did a pretty good job. I also ordered a plate of shredded pork stir-fried with bean curd (dry/hardened tofu). House of Lion's version came with a ton of dried red peppers that didn't really add any spiciness to the dish. The dish itself it too salty. The chinese menu I received had no english on it, fyi.

My point is that during this economic crisis I suspect for many people eating out is not a priority. That is the only point of my comment.

What is the point of this line of rants? Should we all not eat out? Is someone forcing you to eat out?

We're in. My trip to NYC has been rescheduled and my wife is going to cheer on her Browns.

Oh, I'm thinking about getting the goulash. Is it good? Spicy?

We had our own problems attendng a Sat matinee. I posted in the Rosa Mexicana thread since that's where we went to eat.

Ericandblueboy (+1?)

Probably just myself. I'll take her temperature the morning of.

How was the stinky tofu? Better than Bob's? I've got to check this joint out. I was judging a mock trial all day Sunday, dang it.

After the Cirque show ended, around 6:30, we hopped the free shuttle from the "plateau" to National Harbor. We arrived at Rosa a little before 7 to be told that reservations were running 30 minutes late. After being told that our dinner would be comped, we stayed and went to the bar. The bar was packed, there wasn't any way to get to the bar. After 10 minutes of that, even the thought of free dinner couldn't keep us there. On our way out, a table became available so we were seated. Our waitress assumed we were going to have the guac (and she was right) and she was also took our drink order, which included a pom magarita for my wife. The guac kept us happy for the time being but 30 minutes after its delivery, we were still waiting for put in our order, which consisted of three tacos (1 chicken, 1 pork, 1 beef), 2 crab enchiladas, and a duck layered between tortillas (zarape de pato). In mid-meal, my wife asked our waitress to recommend a drink and she naturally recommended La Suprema, at $16. After reading this thread, we expected the food to be inedible but it was in fact fairly tasty. The prices were ridiculously high though. The menu at Nat'l Harbor also wasn't the same as the downtown location. The goat tacos were not available at Nat'l Harbor.

After the meal, we waited for the free shuttle but after 10 minutes we hailed a cab. When we arrived back at the "plateau," the cab driver said the charge is $4 per person. Hmm.....if he ran the meter, it probably would've been $4 for the ride. My wife threw $6 at him and we got out of the cab. The free shuttle was supposed to run from 1hr before the show to 1 hr after the show. There were two shows on Sat, at 4 and 8. I have no idea why we couldn't find a shuttle around 8:30.

Went by for lunch today. Had the tongue taco, grasshopper taco, duck taco, and chicken tamale. The tamale itself had very little flavor. The grasshoppers were tiny and salty - it could've been salted fried shrimp shells for all I know. The tongue and duck were so-so. $20 for all that (before tax and tip) and I was still kind of hungry afterwards.

I was there for brunch last weekend. I always order more food than I can possibly eat and they always wonder why I order so much (because I'm a glutton and I don't mind eating leftovers).

While on the premise, I ate a bowl of sichuan beef noodle soup, a fried cruller, and a few bites of numbing and spicy intestines. What I brought home were scallion pancakes, potstickers, pan fried buns (filled with ground pork), and the remainder of the intestines.

We might go but can't commit right now. I'm in NYC on the day of and due to be back by 6 p.m. but who knows. We might just show up to watch the Browns game (wife's from OH) even if we can't partake in the special dinner.

We're doing the same on Sunday. From the website there isn't much else, yet.

that clambake looks good but my wife's not gonna want to eat outdoors....

Going to see Cirque du Soleil at the National Harbor this Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, due to the lack of interesting restaurants, we're slated to suck some ventworm nuts. Will report back on the texture of them nuts.

Would anyone ever want to do the Latin dim sum at Cafe Atlantico?

I'd hit it, at least once.

It is cheaper to visit when it's cold, but I've seen pictures of Venice covered in snow and I would love to see that with my own eyes. We will bring warm clothes and hopefully experience Venice unlike the masses do in the summer, with fetid canal water and overflowing crowds. I've got to get started on making dinner reservation too.

Had lunch there today. I could not finish a large bowl. Their large bowl has more meat and noodle than other shops (but also a little more expensive than others). I ordered the imperial rolls but they're sitting in a take-out container in my car right now. The pho soup is tasty and it's easily as good as Pho Golden Cow.

We just went to Fortune at 7 corners. It was not good at all and it'll be a long time before I go back there. I'm swamped on Nov 2, but Nov 9 is probably doable.

Almost everything we ordered at Fortune yestesday wasn't properly seasoned. We were there at noon and the restaurant was no where near being full. They're also offering 50% off lobster and crab (during weekdays, only 35% off on weekends).

Went there last night for dinner, seduced by the $25 off e-mail they sent out. We haven't been for dinner in about a year and I last ate there for lunch in April. The prix fixe is now $75 for a 3 course dinner. If this place is charging CityZen prices, it better execute at CityZen level but it didn't. The menu was also uninspiring.

Where can one find a decent version of either fried chicken or waffles around these parts?

I enjoyed the chicken while my wife ate the waffle at Marvin. The chicken is white meat but it's still very juicy and well seasoned.

Going to Venice for the first time the day after Xmas. Staying near San Marco. Looking for really good food at reasonable prices (i.e., $200 a meal for 2, not $500 a meal for 2).

The best restaurant we tried in Morocco is Dar Marjana in Marakesh. It is a feast and it is far superior to any other restaurant we tried in Morocco. It's about $200 with booze, tip not included. One seating a night as far as we can tell.

The following is our letter to the management:

We were scheduled to stay overnight at Bedford Springs Resort tonight, but we left very disappointed with the hotel's policies and hidden charges. First, no one informed us that there is a $150 pet surcharge. We specifically referenced pets in our reservation request yet no one informed us of the charge prior to our arrival. $150 is outlandish. The front-desk manager offered to discount it to $75, which is still outlandish. We were told that the hotel is losing money by only charging $75 for pets. We travel with pets regularly and I've never heard of such a claim. The second disappointment involves signing a disclaimer that we must check-out by 11 or else we might incur a late fee. Part of the reason we decided to stay at Bedford Springs Resort is so I can play a round of golf. It's hard to get in a round of golf in the morning if I have to check-out by 11. We very much looked forward to relaxing and enjoying the resort and its grounds but we left very disappointed.

We were willing to spend $280 for a room, $125 for a round of golf, $150-$200 for dinner and drinks, $130 for spa treatment. Instead, we left.

Went to the Tysons Panache for dinner. It's a beautiful space but the food was mediocre at best. The restaurant tries to do middle eastern, Spanish, French, and Italian, and pretty much failed at everything. We ordered 8 tapas - petit filet mignon, tortilla espanola, spanish octopus, rabbit milanese, seared scallops, lobster ravioli, linguine with white clam sauce, and cappellini pomodoro. Pasta is supposedly made fresh but the raviolis were way undercooked. Filet mignon was tough and overcooked. Tortilla not seasoned properly. The rabbit and scallops were bland. Things looked good on paper but the execution was bad. I'm not sure I would bother going back.

Everyone kept turning the center of the table so that the smelly tofu wasn't sitting in front of them.

Funny! We actually don't think it stinks enough. Too bad I'm golfing on Monday morning in Bedford Springs, otherwise I'd definitely go.

Actually haven't been to Shabu Shabu. Is the menu significantly different than Noodle Bistro?

And real smelly stinking tofu would be good.