Night Owl

It appears that the rumor of Song Que's closure isn't true:

Sadly, it seems the closure will happen -- I just came back from Song Que, picking up banh mi for lunch. The son said it's true, will close in the next few months...

So bummed. My mangosteen source last year and ongoing go-to for banh mi. Was just there last week. Boo.

Gobble Gobble!!! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone...

[Can you expand on this? (It's something of a personal attack, so please at least provide some substantiation.)]

You won't get anything but anecdotal "evidence." Get ready for an onslaught of women who walked out of there (with or without ice cream) feeling creepy.

Yes, anecdotal"¦ when I went there (with a child) on more than one occasion, the up-and-down-resting-on-chest-area-then-back-to-face lingering look was creepy, not to mention a few verbal comments that added to the creepiness, all with an undertone that made me extremely uncomfortable (women, you know what I'm talking about -- different than a benign, ha-ha kind of thing)"¦ and happened enough for me to stop going there in spite of the delicious ice cream. I miss the ice cream, but don't feel comfortable going back.

One of them (maybe the son?) is a bit of a lech, but the ice cream's pretty damned good.

They are currently easily the best of the ones I've had in this area, yes.  They are the only ones whose wrappers, level of fill, and level of soup are close to correct, but not good enough to compare with any of a handful of XLB shops in NYC, much less make the top tier of XLB worldwide.

In particular, I thought the original flavor was just okay - a bit weak.  The crab variant was really not to my taste either, dominated by a flavor I associate with mediocre dried crabmeat, and nothing at all like a good crab XLB.

I wish they had the more intensely porky flavor of the ones from Hunan Garden (Rockville) thirty years ago, but that chef is long, long gone (and his wrappers could have been better).  My current #2 local pick is actually Sichuan Jin River, but their overall form is clearly inferior to Bob's.

I went for XLB with mom and sister earlier this week (only my second time trying the XLB here), and thought the same thing -- "structurally" good, but kind of bland in flavor. The XLB at Tony Lin's, for example, are a bit of the opposite -- smaller, not always guaranteed to get a decent amount of soup inside, but definitely flavorful.

NightOwl, have to ask since can't really intuit it from what you've written and you are an authority here.

Are these the best XLB in our area in your view?

Sorry, haven't been able to be on dr.com much since this post, and had to postpone plans to try their XLB after my first foray (and thus answer your question, darkstar965 -- not to mention I definitely don't consider myself an authority, simply a major enthusiast!).

But a new, nice find there... I did stop there quickly last night to pick up carryout ja jiang main for my dad last night and found out that you can buy freshly wrapped XLB to bring home and steam yourself (not frozen). That's a great option to keep in mind, I think...

Bon Chon Rockville is now serving okonomiyaki -- has anyone tried it?

Was at Bon Chon Chicken Rockville and saw a handwritten sign that they are now serving okonomiyaki -- unfortunately, my group had already wolfed down copious amounts of fried chicken before seeing the sign. Will have to return to try it.

You have Alero as a base. Saying it's going "in the wrong direction" is pretty darned hurtin.'

El Chilango?

You're right, Don, Alero is pretty much the bottom of the barrel. But it's been there for a while... before the area exploded with restaurants trying to outdo each other. My point was, with the handful of truly good restaurants (a couple of which I think even set the pace for mid-level places around town) that have opened here in the last couple of years, having a new place that is yet another unoriginal, bright, shiny, new drinking joint that readily self-identifies as tex mex is disheartening. We have enough already.

Finally got around to trying Bob's Shanghai and based on the first experience, will be returning later this week. One thing I didn't realize in reading earlier posts is that Bob's XLB are larger and have far more broth than others in the MD area, e.g., Shanghai Taste, Tai Shan, Tony Lin's. A filling treat.

We ordered just a few things, there were only three of us. Quick rundown:

Regular pork XLB: Held up perfectly from steamer to soup spoon, no tears, a crazy amount of broth inside, good flavor

Spicy wontons: Good, not great, think there was a nice touch of szechuan peppercorn in the sauce, but prefer Tony Lin's

Pork w/bean sauce noodles / Ja Jang Mian: Delicious, simple & straightforward, the closest version to what my dad used to make for us, growing up

Snow pea sprouts: Hesitated to order (my parents' voice in my ear that it's not the right season), but did so anyway and glad I did - perfectly cooked and tasty

Scallion pancake: A bust, no flavor, limp

As we left, I noticed posted on the wall a few kinds of beverages, one of which was a plum drink (suan mei tang), which I grew up loving especially in the summertime, so will have to order that and see if it's good.

The Logan Tavern background wasn't encouraging but can't say anything about the food here since I didn't try it.

I do worry that the 14th & U corridor is approaching over saturation.  Every time I'm in that area I think of Dutch Tulips circa 1637 and can't-miss dotcoms circa 2000.  Hope that's wrong since the more economic activity and good restaurants and shops at all price levels the better.

Logan Circle/14UP is my neighborhood and I couldn't agree more, darkstar965. I have little desire to try Diego (especially now, seeing the Logan Tavern background) -- "Tex Mex" in the 'hood is going in the wrong direction, IMHO.

Well, after literally the worst work day of my 20+ career (with a terrible head cold to boot), I went straight from my meeting to Bobby's Burger Palace because it was close-by and wallowed in a crunchified burger, perfectly medium rare, for comfort.

As comforting as that was, I later came home to a big mug of wonderfully rich, long-simmered, homemade wild mushroom broth -- my new favorite comfort food.

Our omakase last night was a multi-sensory delight. What a treat. Both chefs Nobu and Masa were with us, really wonderful. Won't go through the whole menu, but highlights (and pix of them) were:

Fuyu persimmon filled with luscious ankimo, Maryland blue crab and topped with vinegar gelee

An amazing autumn plate of a single chestnut nestled in its "shell" made of deep fried fish paste and thin noodles; egg yolk cooked over very low heat with one Brazil nut inside; Japanese trout with roe, marinated for 2 days; tender octopus ball nugget, mackerel Osaka style, ginko nuts stuffed with fish paste; and Japanese chrysanthemum petals (grown in Nobu's garden)

As many plump, decadent, huge morsels of uni from California as I could possibly revel in

Pike mackerel, available from Japan only at this time of year -- sooooooo full of flavor, incredible

Grilled mackerel, but what made it unique was the "charcoal" Chef Masa revealed after we ate the fish on top... what looked like two completely charred sticks was actually two pieces of burdock root stuffed with anago, totally delicious

Barely grilled wagyu, a generous portion of luscious slices served on a hot stone and topped with a riot of truffles... luxury atop luxury

I would love to return for omakase every season for a new and wonderful experience each time.

Nothing like sheets of rain, no parking, crowded restaurant and late seating to put a frustrating pall on the whole experience.

...which gives me another reason to only go early and only sit at the chef's counter -- so far, it's been a wonderful time, every time.

Went again last night and ordered the Wednesday special, keftedes -- this week was octopus keftedes.  W O W .  Perfectly crunchy outside, incredibly tender, light and flavorful inside. With a swipe of chickpea puree and dabbles of little golden raisins. Delicious. If you're there when it's on the menu, it's a must-try.

Yes, I'm one of those obnoxious people who takes food pix. Here were today's Sushi Taro pork belly ramen and the two veggie starters. Definitely agree w/Deac above -- lots of deliciousness, much less for $12.95. A total delight.

I'm not the first to post about Taro's ramen. They offer it only sporadically; maybe just once a month. And, the main way to even know about it is with social media.  Though I've been going to Taro for many years, pre renovation/remodeling, I'd never had the famed ramen...until today.

Best In The City.  Was in the area today not knowing what was on tap and, lo and behold, it was ramen day. After more than 10 years, maybe that's ga good omen?

Sushi Taro's ramen broth is more complex and more delicate than others.  The noodles are at least as springy as any others I've had (and loved) here.  And, the pork slices are a real standout. They were fresher, tastier, moister (!) and more carefully prepared than any others I've had in this area. I'm not sure which chef (there is only one) does the ramen but I know a lot of painstaking time and effort are spent preparing that stock and the overall dish; it shows and, most of all, the flavors sing.

Totally agree, the pork belly ramen that Sushi Taro offers periodically is delicious -- flavor-rich, sinfully unctuous. They just posted that they'll be serving it for lunch tomorrow. Go!

Am headed there later this week for the omakase for the first time and so looking forward to it.

Comfort: Sapporo Ichiban chow mein style noodles, fried egg with gochujang and furikake on top. Great for hangover, depression and just plain munchies.

Guilt: Bobby's Burger Palace Bobby Blue Burger, medium rare, CRUNCHIFIED, with fries and side of mayo to alternate dipping with chipotle ketchup.

I was just there with a friend on a late afternoon two weeks ago... 

The location in Rockville allows you to specify whatever split you want when ordering a "half and half". So the "large" family platter, 8 drums and 15 wings, we got 2 drums and 5 wings spicy, and the rest soy garlic, and the waiter didn't even bat an eye. Oh, and the radishes are included when you order the combo platters rather than individual orders.

Seafood pancake was ok - seafood fairly bland, and the pancake wasn't crispy enough. Dumplings are also meh. Seaweed salad is good.

Aside from the obvious fact that their chicken wings are a pure heart-attack-inducing pleasure, agree with DanielK on the seafood pancake. The last time I was there, it was also really heavy on the grease. Even by BonChon standards.

Yesterday... weekend 2 of learning from Mom how to make Chinese mooncakes for the Moon Festival this Thursday.

I've been looking forward to Doi Moi opening and really wanted to like it. It's literally around the corner from my place, so was hoping it might be a favorite new hangout. Unfortunately, after a first visit last night, we left saying it's doubtful we'd go back anytime soon.

There were a few highlights (with caveats), but outweighed by low points.

High

• Service: Our waitress was excellent -- attentive without being intrusive, great energy, honest recommendations. But... She had not tried everything on the menu, which I always find odd especially at restaurants of this caliber and level. Not her fault at all, it's the responsibility of the chef and management to ensure the staff can speak to the food the restaurant serves.
• Roasted Half Chicken (photo): Perfectly crispy, delicate skin, juicy-moist meat, good dipping sauce. 
• Mango-Coconut Sticky Rice Swirl soft ice cream (photo): The coconut sticky rice soft ice cream in particular was delicious -- subtle with a nice coconut finish on the palate. But... if anything, the mango ice cream (which was good) overpowers the delicate flavor of the coconut sticky rice. If you order this, get a taste of the latter before you eat a spoonful of the combination. 
• Salty Key Lime Gin & Tonic: Our waitress said customers either love or hate this cocktail, we loved it.

Mid

• Pork Collar Skewers: Good flavor, but agree with Tweaked above, lacking in caramelization it should have.

Low

• Pork & Shrimp Spring Rolls (photo): Reminiscent of the pencil-thin rolls at Rice (tho not as ridiculously thin), I found these just plain uninspired and clumsy -- clumsily rolled, too many layers of wrapper, not much flavor, not much there-there, period. And the dipping sauce was overly sour. If you want good Por Pia rolls (and other decent Thai) in the neighborhood, go to Thai Tanic and save a lot of money.
• Crispy Curried Rice Salad with Sour Sausage (photo, with chicken): Meh... didn't really get much curry flavor, just fire from the chiles, the rice was chewy not crispy, mediocre overall.
• Stir-fried Rice Noodles & Summer Vegetables: So very meh. Like the crispy rice salad, spicy without having much of any flavor. Looking at the kitchen and the fire under the wok, you'd expect this dish to have some pretty fierce and delicious "wok hei" -- not a wisp.
• Lemongrass, Basil, Ginger & Cachaca: Sounded great on the menu, but this cocktail was (1) warm on ice when it should have been really nicely chilled; and (2) therefore just wrong.

Hopes dashed. Maybe it will improve over time. I hope so.

He had the Cubano Panino (pork collar, swiss, pickles, prosciutto cotto, yellow mustard)

LauraB, did his Cubano have chicharrones in it? Mike Isabella gave us a sneak taste of the chicharrones when we were at Kapnos the day G opened and they were amazing. I asked him last night where they were on the G menu because I didn't see it on there, and he said the chicharrones are in the Cubano, just not listed on the menu. Seems like kind of an odd concept because wouldn't they not stay as crispy? Would love to just eat them on the side...

p.s. You and I have probably been at the same restaurants at the same time since we both live in the same 'hood!

Have been back a couple of times since my last visit, am impressed with how consistently excellent the food, service, etc., has been. A few highlights:

• Taramsalata: So light and airy, salty-savory at the perfect level -- this and the melitzanosalata eggplant spread are favorites
• Charred Octopus: Tender with that wonderful char, and just the right amount of heat from the green harissa
• Moussaka: The special on Mondays... GET IT... tender, tender eggplant, meat sauce so full of flavor, a hefty small plate without being heavy. Delicious.

Oh -- and I realize this belongs in the G thread, but -- while at Kapnos last night, I asked Mike Isabella where the chicharrones were on the G menu because I didn't see it (he had given us a sinful, warm, crispy, crunchy, luscious couple of samples on a previous visit to Kapnos) -- turns out it's in the Cuban sandwich, just not listed on the menu. A secret ingredient. That's enough of a reason for me to order the Cuban there.

Was here for an early dinner last Friday and thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. (And I was predisposed to not be a fan...)

We sat at the chef's counter so that we could watch things being plated and chat with Chef George. Bottom line for me: This is food with heart. And lovely to look at boot.

• Eggplant spread w/flatbread: Delicious, the walnuts lent a certain extra richness to it, would definitely order again
• Tzatziki: Interestingly topped with watermelon ice; not looking a gift horse in the mouth, but... it was good, just preferred the eggplant spread
• Charcoal roasted fennel: I liked the combo of dates and crushed almonds with the fennel; overall a subtle dish
• Smoky hen of the woods: Also subtle in flavor, roasted and finished perfectly
• Spanakopita: Special every Friday; the filling was light and flavorful; lovely plating (photo)
• Suckling pig over orzo: My favorite of the night; tender, full of flavor (photo below)
• Baby goat over grains: I'm not a big goat person, but my friend loved this and it was his favorite of the night
• Apple baklava: Loved this, have never had anything but traditional baklava, would definitely order again (photo)
• Semolina cake w/grilled figs & honey: I would like simply the grilled figs in honey, good (photo)

Chef George runs a tight ship -- he was all over everyone making sure things kept moving. Mike Isabella was there, so we chatted with him, too. They said that Friday was the first day G was open -- they offered $5 sandwiches and were donating proceeds to a charity -- and they sold out of everything in 2 hours. Mike Isabella had a little plate of freshly made chicharrones brought out for us to try, YUM, sounds like it's something they will offer at G at some point. Delish.

Kapnos is now at the top of my list of favorite places in the neighborhood. Might even go back tonight.