dlebby

Just bumped into the niece of the owners while out Christmas shopping who confirms the "just down the street" news above and added that while still uncertain they're pointing for a January 3rd. reopening.

Anybody know when/where they're re-opening? I'm having a hankerin'...

Asked Kliman on his chat yesterday. Here's his response:

No news yet. I know the owners, Ladavan and Suchart Srigatesook, would like to stay in or around Wheaton. I hope that's what happens.

They've been looking also at Bethesda and Rockville. If they're smart, they stay small, and don't try to attempt much more than what they did in the old place.

I already miss the mindblowingly good soups ... and the Panang curry with pork ... and the crosshatched squid with hot and sour sauce ... and the fried mussels with green curry ... and the fabulous pad Thai ...

(According to one of my sources, by the way, the reason for the shut-down and move was not envy on the part of the grocery store that owns the building and has watched a stream of customers pour in ever since our review and then the Post's. This source contends that Nava simply has not paid its bills.)

From The Urban Dictionary:

1. endulge

How people from Ohio spell 'indulge.'

"Maybe Sharon should endulge in a dictionary so she could learn to spell indulge."

You want the drier of the two, so I'd go with the Oloroso. (Unless the port is dry...)

Passage to India, perhaps?

Sentimental fool that I am, I couldn't pass up the final evening of Nava Thai at their current location. It was slammed, half folks who had read about it and were stopping by for a first experience, half by old timers. No news yet on a new location, although I was told that several sites in Wheaton were under consideration, as was Silver Spring, and College Park was not. We bid a fond (if temporary) farewell to the Floating Market Soup, the Crispy Duck w/Basil, the Crispy Pork w/ Chinese Broccoli, the Pud Thai, and the Grilled Chicken w/ Sticky Rice. We over ordered but it was a farewell party.

There was a fast flying rumor that the close was because the owners of the market, observing the marked increase in business, want to open their own restaurant in the space. When I asked the gentleman behind the market counter if he liked the food at Nava, he replied, "Meh. Their soup is too sweet."

Addie's, one of the best of the Black's restaurant group, is right down the street at 11120 Rockville Pike.

We had reservations for four at 7:00pm last night (Friday). At 6:50, stuck in gridlock caused by the G20 summit, and ten blocks from the restaurant, we called to say that we'd be late. They said "No problem. We'll be glad to see you when you arrive". It took us forty minutes to go the ten blocks. Our guests took 45 minutes to get there from the St. Regis. The bar was stacked with at least five other parties that had missing guests as well. Unbelievably backed up, with on time parties arriving for their 8:00 reservations, the staff could not have been nicer. They apologized to us for the traffic backup, seated us immediately, and never once rushed us in order to turn the table.

My thanks to them all. It was a wonderful experience. And the food, of course, was spectacular.

My wife is a family lawyer and needs to have a 500 bottle or so fine wine collection appraised for a divorce case. Anyone have any experience or a good recommendation for a qualified appraiser?

Well. it's been almost three months since the report above this one and not much has changed at Sushi-ko Chevy Chase. In general, everything we had that required heat was superb: the softshell crab karage, the lobster and scallop, the uni-crusted halibut were all spectacular. The sushi --toro, yellowtail, madai, and aji -- were certainly acceptable but not more than about neighborhood sushi bar quality. The exception was the zuki which was outstanding. The panna cotta and the sake sorbet were wonderful ways to finish.

Perhaps it was because it was a Sunday night. None of the folk behind the sushi bar were, or spoke, Japanese. (This kept conversation about what was fresh and/or unusual between them and my friend -- an American who's lived in Japan for 20 years -- at a minimum, as their their English was rudimentary.) The manager was wonderfully friendly and helpful, making many of the recommendations we would have expected from a sushi master.

The bar serves shochu, a "wine", stronger than saki that can be made from just about anything, although only one kind - barley- was available. The $6.00 price was most reasonable.

Four of us dined at Farrah Olivia last night. While we had every intention of ordering the 7 course tasting menu, when push came to shove each of us decided to order off the menu. This allowed us to sample extensively, although mostly from the appetizer section. Here's our report:

The drop-dead, to die for dish was the white grits with liquid black corn and candied red cabbage. The short cylinder of grits was golden crunchy on the outside and melt in the mouth smooth in the center. All four of us wished we'd ordered it. Second place (and no small victory) went to the shocked escolar -- the highest order of sushi. Seven or so thin slices on a plate...pure fish heaven with a light wasabi sauce garnished with a touch of caviar and a hint of pickled ginger. Third place went to the rabbit loin two kinds. One kinda like pulled pork, the second sliced in cylinders. Tied for third place were two succulent divers scallops, perfectly cooked and with mmmm bacon powder on the side. Tender beef tartare was fine but not memorable.

We tried two soups, both of which were excellent. The painted gazpacho, curried eggplant and tomato in a yin-yang design with cucumber jelly insets was lush. The Manhattan Clam Chowder studded with mmmm Bacon was way above standard. Did I mention the mmmm bacon?

On to entrees, one of which, the least appealing by description was knockout, while the second, ordered by two of us was somewhat disappointing. Chicken breast (can you believe it?) with curry banana crust was outrageous, while lemongrass duck breast showed nary a hint of lemongrass and was tender but boring and was only saved by the brussel spouts with carmelized dates.

And by the way, we could have had a full portion of the amuse bouche, honeydew soup with saracha sugar.

We sampled two desserts, coconut panacotta and a peanutbutter chocolate tart which were both well worth worth the calories.

And, contrary to a previous review, there were enough the bill softening cookies and candies for each of us to sample each kind.

All in all, the chef has a majority of brilliant moments but hasn't achieve total consistency across the entire menu.