Joe H

At an absolute minimum, this is not only the best restaurant in all of Northern Virginia right now but also the equal of Red Hen the year it opened. That year it won the RAMMY as best new restaurant in D. C. This is 2941 and Inox at their best: Clarity is superb! And, an extremely comfortable room. It will be one of the best, if not the best, new restaurants in the entire D. C. area for 2015. It is that good. Several dishes were Great Dishes (crab gazpacho (best gazpacho I have ever had), lamb with creme fraiche) And a very real bargain-serious-it is down a nondescript side street in Vienna. For all the world you could be in midtown Manhattan when you walk in the door and count ten behind the open kitchen counter. This is sited as a neighborhood restaurant that could be worth a night or two each week from locals as well as an Uber ride from four in the City who want to put together a blowout ten-twelve course experience to test Jonathan Krinn and the area's best. 175+ covers on Tuesday already, more on every other day. A well worthy three stars from Tom. It is known and pursued. I honestly think worthy of a Beard nomination and an award. Thank you, Chef Krinn.

Kapnos Arlington tonight with friends-we worked our way through 14 courses including several excellent: nontraditional saganaki is not flamed but delicious and flavorful, superb hot flatbread frequently replenished, lamb dish was excellent, shrimp pireaus was flavorful, eggplant dip was outstanding-all four of us thought it was the best dip presented; cauliflour was the best vegetable-amazingly delicious;eggplant, the vegetable pesentation of it was excellent, too. Pikilia with three spreads were uneven (although, again the eggplant dip was preferred), meaatballs, lemon cake were both mediocre. My real complaint is the room: it is nothing. It's a suburban two story room with no character, for me a "vanilla" dining hall on two floors. Parking is very difficult-I personally walked over four blocks after parking my car. For myself I would give Kapnos two stars for the food but less for the overall experience. Having said this we went to Baltimore's Ouzo Bay late Thursday night which won an award from, I believe, Baltimore Magazine as the best restaurant in Baltimore in 2013 beating out Charleston and Woodbury Kitchen. It is still Baltimore's best restaurant. We loved it. For all the world it feels like Miami's South Beach located in Harbor East. It is oozing cool but also really delivers on fresh Greek seafood. Frankly, Kapnos didn't have a chance coming after our late night visit to Ouzo Bay 40 hours earlier. From their own dips (roast garlic, fish roe, etc), tender wide "sheets" of calamari which enrobe several cheeses, a superb flaming saganacki, properly and deliciously prepared fresh fish (more than a half dozen are available and expensive) and on and on this is a luscious upscale indulgence that has, in several years, became a landmark Harbor East location. We will deadhead from Reston to Harbor East for Ouzo Bay again in the next several weeks. Kapnos, for us, is a one time visit. While much of the food was good we felt let down by the lifeless office building location. For Ouzo Bay we will return for an upcoming anniversary in a room well suited for a celebration. To the best of my knolwedge nobody in D. C. has reviewed it. Not sure I really understand why. I believe it is easily the single best Greek restaurant in the greater Baltimore/DC area. Certainly it is the nicest. Ouzo Bay is special.

is Cruisin' 1955 from KSAN in San Francisco. Arguably the best of the Cruisin series is Joe Niagara from WIBG in Philly in '57. I have all of these dating to '67 and they are incredible recreations of actual rock and roll broadcasts from back then. There is also a website called Reel Radio which has extraordinary broadcasts including about every famous disc jockey you will ever hear. http://www.reelradio.com/index.html#menu I saw Bill Haley and the Comets in 1956 at the DC Armory with my father. Blackboard Jungle had just come out and rock and roll was being banned in various cities around the U. S. I was frightened because the 4 or 5,000 there were all wild. I believe it is universally agreed that this song gave rock and roll its international acceptance. Bill Haley and the Comets aka Saddlemen had an earlier album from '55 called Rock the Joint. This is a significant transitional album because it includes early rock and roll and country. Jumping Joe Turner was covered by Bill Haley on Shake, Rattle and Roll. He slightly predates Little Richard and Chuck Barry. The video is almost a big band video. Laverne Baker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMWHi-SPEf0, Howling Wolf and others fit into this, too. I first saw Little Richard on Dick Clark's Beechnut Saturday Night Live on ABC ('56? or '57?) This is video from the '56 movie, "The Girl Can't Help It" which I actually feel is one of Little Richard's best songs. Jayne Mansfield was the star of the movie. Elvis wasn't known until '56 but his roots go to '54 along with a half dozen others from Sun Records. Here's Alan Freed introducing the Platters and the immortal "Great Pretender:" I believe the greatest rock and roll disc jockey of all time was Jerry Blavat from Philly who is still around. Like Jocko Henderson almost everything he said rhymed and he had/has a cult following. I believe he actually "invented" the sock hop. Alan Freed plays into this, too. If you are really into rock and roll this is arguably the greatest concert ever performed, the T.A.M.I. show: http://www.reelradio.com/index.html#menu You can buy the video on Amazon. This is James Brown's unequalled, legendary performance from it: I saw him at the Howard theatre in '64 with friends of mine who went to Howard and, to this day, his was the greatest performance I have ever seen. It is said that the Stones did not want to go on stage after he performed in L. A. at the T.A.M.I. show. You can see both as well as the Beachboys and many, many others on the video. As a side note the BBC would not allow rock and roll on their broadcasts and there were literal offshore stations that blasted into the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. In Germany rock and roll performances were performed in strip clubs in red light districts (Reeperbahn) because many thought it was the Devil's music. This is one of the greatest club performances of all (source Rolling Stone), Jerry Lee Lewis in Hamburg's Star Club in '64 Little Richard also recorded at the Star Club http://www.discogs.com/Little-Richard-Little-Richard-Is-Back/release/3695898. The Star Club packed more than 1,000 people into a basement with ceilings about 12' high; they stood armpit to armpit and was arguably as rocking of a club as there was on earth. The Beatles and many other English groups regularly performed there prior to being introduced in the U. S. The Star Club is gone today but there is a plaque in the Reeperbahn commemorating it. I am extremely fortunate to have seen a lot many years ago. This also includes Jimi Hindrix performing the Star Spangled banner on stage at the old Ambassador theatre at 18th and Columbia road. Still, overall, I would argue for James Brown as the greatest performer.

Wonderful post, Pool Boy. We have two cats who sleep in bed with us. I must also add that I have never had children but I still visit my son who is buried in Noah's Ark Pet Cemetary even though he passed 27 years ago. We have also rescued, as you, a number of others. If you give a lot of love to a cat or a dog they will give it back unconditionally.

Thank you, Rieux, we will visit Owen's Fish Shack when we return in the Spring. Appreciate your sharing.

I live literally 1.1 miles from you next to South Lakes. I walked by your restaurant yesterday afternoon. There is nothing like you are describing in western Fairfax County. There is a huge need for a privately owned and passionately guided restaurant here. I've long thought that Reston Town Center's rent precludes this-if one were to come it would probably be in Old Town Herndon or somewhere on Eldon street. I never thought that the site of the old Lakeside Inn (which is a gorgeous setting overlooking the lake) might be a possibility. Reading that you've gutted it and made it over in your own image is all the more exciting. In fact it will be a special location. I also noted your comment about "local wine." Tonight I'll open a bottle of Linden's '10 Boisseau and toast you, wishing you the absolute best.

Marcel's or Fiola Mare. I have not been to Plume but it might be a consideration also. Is Roberto the ebullient waiter/sommelier at Fischatteria Toscana? When we went in '09 he was phenominal, one of the best hosts that I have ever found in a restaurant anywhere. He made the restaurant. I would also not discount L'auberge Chez Francois where you will find world class waiters and old world ambience. Souffles are world class and the overall experience still fills their dining room on many nights although most diners start at age 35 or 40.

Clearwater Beach; Sarasota Thank you, Steve R. We go back to Clearwater Beach in late April for a week and will go back (again) to the Black Pearl, Beach Bistro and the Salt Rock Grill. My wife slightly prefers the Black Pearl and I would slightly prefer the Beach Bistro-but I love both. Not sure about the weather for one of the three beach tables but the dining room at the Beach Bistro has a fantastic amount of "character." As does the Black Pearl. We like the Salt Rock Grill but it is not nearly on the level of the other two. Weather really plays a large role in our decision: the Sand Pearl has a cafe literally on the beach with what I would argue is the best fried grouper sandwich I've found. Adjacent fire pit was worth my retirement trip from Orlando for a glass of wine. Literal outside on the beach ambience. Columbia restaurant on Sand Key is inconsistent but if you can sit at one of the tables by the water it is fantastic. There's a great ice cream stand directly across the street from the Black Pearl. Outstanding carrot cake, too. Tarpon Springs used to have a really good Greek restaurant, Pappas, that has been closed for a decade or longer. We've been to three or four other restaurants and not found one as good but we enjoy the overall experience. We've had several good experiences in Sarasota including one excellent restaurant directly on St. Armand's Circle a couple of years ago. My problem is I can't remember the name (!!!). We love the Sarasota area and will return this year. Have a great trip! Five weeks? Interesting to hear your comments about the Black Pearl and the Beach Bistro.

I worked on 14th street a block from U in 1963. At the Safeway. 14th and U, H street, N. E.-both of these areas had literal blocks which burnt to the ground in 1968 after Martin Luther King was assassinated. I remember my roomate and I, in 1968, standing on the 15th floor roof of 710 Roeder road in Silver Spring and watching flames and smoke rise from downtown Washington. I remembor sitting at a traffic light behind an armored personnel carrier at 8th and H, N. E. On both sides of me were rubble. Where I once worked I couldn't go back to-it was dangerous. It was also dangerous for those who lived there. (Of course I also remember Jimi Hendrix playing the Star Spangled Banner on his guitar at the Ambassador Theatre in the late '60's. I stood in the front row-there were no seats-and vividly remember getting hungry from all of the weed being smoked around me-in the ballroom.) Today there's a renaissance for these areas that dates back to the '40's. I applaud those who are homesteading, who-honestly-do not know what it was like from '68 into the early and mid '90's. (For anyone reading this-next time you go to Red Hen, step into the convenience store next door. The cashier sits behind armored glass.) To this day I cannot walk down H street or parts of 14th street without recalling the flames that once rose above them. I am sure that a lot of "old time" Washingtonians like myself feel the same way. It is good to see them come back. Next is Anacostia where I was born... D. C. today is coming full circle.

Interesting to read "favorable exchange rates of late." It's 1.22 today and has been as high as 1.59. In 1998 or so it was .87. Yes, that's a bit more than half of the high. The Swiss franc is basically on par with the dollar today, one to one. In 1984 it was 2.83 to the dollar-almost three to one. (I've represented European companies for more than 30 years and the exchange rate, over time, has really made a difference.) I still think of 1.22 as high especially since the release was 1.16. In 1985 the pound was 1.03 to the dollar. I still occasionally wear a Burberry's trench coat that I bought in London then. Other than price I don't think they've changed in thirty years.

I would seriously promote Los Agaves as the overall best Mexican restaurant in the United States. I've eaten at what are considered the best in Dallas, Houston, Tucson, El Paso, L. A., San Diego, and I would put this up against any of them. Passionately love the place. Seafood molicajete, campuestre, red chili enchiladas that that don't exist this side of El Paso, we literally will build a return trip to Santa Barbara around being able to return here at least twice. La Super Rica is not in the same league although it's quite good. This was Julia Child's favorite Mexican restaurant in the U. S. Los Agaves had not opened yet when she made that statement. We also liked Bouchon. Sanguis Six White Horses '09 syrah is a benchmark for CA. Serious pinot, too: Loner 12b. Unctuously rich and worth the $75 price. Nearby Sanata Ynez valley north to Paso Robles is ground zero for syrah in CA. Real value, too, for some of them. (Beckmman Ballard Canyon $32 2012 syrah is worth every penny. 94 pts from one wine publication. Jaffurs petit syrah rated 93 by, I believe, the WS and it's around $35 or so. Still, Sanguis is the benchmark.

We were able to confirm a reservation for four for next Saturday night @5:45 by calling.

Toogs, just read your post. Sorry for the delay. You went to L & G?!? I am jealous. Almost worth Southwest's next fare sale to return...

Rustic Canyon opens @ 5:30 - that would put it tight. I thought 5:00, but I just checked and it's 5:30. If you can check your luggage: Serious: I'd take a cab to the foot of the boardwalk at Venice Beach (ten minutes), get out and walk and get lost. After an hour or two I would find a place that was open. We were there six weeks ago for our anniversary. I love the place. At 7:00 I would find/call a cab and return to the airport. I would seriously build the time over the adventure of exploring Venice Beach which is one of the most interesting places on earth. You may even walk as far as Santa Monica (from the start of the Venice boardwalk) which is about 2 miles. But it is an INTERESTING two miles. A half dozen places to meet a doctor for a prescription, a half dozen to fill it...for weed. Heavily advertised. A very real effluvia in exploring the boardwalk; fragrant, actually. Numerous bong shops. Wherever you have dinner it will taste good! If you can't check your luggage...and can't find a locker to put it in then I'd probably, to be safe, stay in the airport. ...which would really be boring. But safe.

Please define mid afternoon? Rustic Canyon Wine Bar is superb and one of the hottest restaurants in L. A. right now (#6 in Jonathan Gold's top 100 L. A. restaurants) but it does not open until 5:00PM. Ten minutes from LAX in Santa Monica-we went a month ago and loved it. On par wtih Red Hen or Rose's; extremely creative. Superb wine list heavy on Central Coast wines. If the time works it would be my first choice of any. Press reports on Rustic Canyon including LA Times and New York Times:

Bistrot du Coin has a very disappointing Nicoise. PassionFish in Reston has an exemplery one. One of the worst I ever had was on the harbor in Monaco. E20 or so and it was awful. So bad that it made the memorable setting even more memorable. We were in Nice seven or eight years ago and I had three different Nicoises, searching for the best and believing I had done the research to find it. We found Great bouillibasse, great bourride and mediocre Nicoise. Having said all this, one of the most spectacularly beautiful places on earth. The drive from San Remo down the coast to Marseilles is incredible. The Negresco is a hotel of great character....and a pussycat who holds court wherever she likes.

This is from The Food Republic blog. It is entitled "Small Town Virginia Lands Another Big City Chef." The Shack is growing! Congratulations, Chef!

Obelisk or Marcel's, both of which are excellent and allow individual choices. Marcel's dining rom has recently been refurbished; it does not receive enough attention on here. http://marcelsdc.com/cuisine/dinner-menu/ Obelisk's sample menu: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g28970-d450652-Reviews-Obelisk-Washington_DC_District_of_Columbia.html

Hooked IS accepting reservations for New Year's Eve-they started this morning at 11:00AM. Arguably this is Ocean City's best restaurant. New Year's Eve is the only evening of the year when they will accept reservations.

You're getting married tomorrow! Wow! Absolute best wishes!

I applaud Rose's Luxury for doing this!

The communal table at Cafe Pasqual. Four visits with the last two years ago. As much about the experience of sharing and who you will meet as the exemplery food. From their website: "Café Pasqual's received the James Beard Foundation award for America's Regional Classics Award. Chef Kagel has also been nominated by the James Beard Foundation as Best Chef: Southwest." I've also made a half dozen recipes out of one of her cookbooks. Interesting to taste them there and compare with what can be done at home. FWIW I still wear both of the T shirts that I bought there.

We are returning to Ocean City for New Year's Eve-we were there last year. I literally just got off of the phone with Hooked and they have not decided whether or not they will take reservations for NYE. I'll probably call them back every week until they make a decision. Hooked can have enormous waits in season that rival Rose's Luxury. It is also worth the wait. If they don't accept reservations we just might go earlier. FWIW Ocean City and New Year's Eve are special. So is the nearby town of Berlin where they now close the four or five blocks of the main street, set up a bandstand with live entertainment and have go cups. Really almost a Bourbon street kind of ambience. Literally thousands of people show up for what is a growing tradition. If the weather is nice walking on the OC boardwalk at midnight is special, too. The Courtyard is a reasonable $159 or so for that night.

I did a major driving trip for business with a circuit that wound through Buffalo, Grand Island, Niagara Falls, St. Catherines, Niagara on the Lake, Toronto (including Cenre Island) and on annually for more than 25 years. If you are intent on visiting Niagara Falls and can, rent a car. Serious. It is an easy drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls on the QEW. Primary reason is that this will allow you to stop at Niagara on the Lake which is absolutely beautiful. If you and your mom enjoy wine Niagara's wine country (200 wineries?) is gorgeous also. I would liken Niagara on the Lake to Williamsburg. Niagara Falls is interesting and the Falls are spectacular. It will also probably be dead over Thanksgiving. You may also want to spend two full days in Toronto. It is almost the size of Chicago and there is a lot to see and do. I suspect that once you get there you'll find that you may not leave it. Last, snow. I am not sure how much snow Toronto and the area south to Buffalo has received. Perhaps little if any, perhaps pockets with a lot. And, for opinions on restaurants, "Estufarian" is on the Toronto board of Chowhound and has been posting for 15 years. He is extremely knowledgeable and sophisticated and totally up (and opinionated as I) on where to go today. He is probably the "father" of that board. Enjoy! Toronto is a Great city.

My wife and I just came back from Santa Barbara. I have eaten Mexican food all over America and believe that I have eaten among the best. Prior to this trip my benchmark for a "basic" dish like a red chili enchilada with beef was L and G in El Paso. On another thread I rhapsodized about flying on Southwest to Texas only to visit this biker bar/Tex Mex palace for their enchiladas. They were THAT good. On Sunday night I had it's equal. At Los Agaves in Santa Barbara which is more of a real Mexican restaurant and less of Cal/Mex or El Paso like. (seafood Molcajete, cazuela poblanos) Considered to be Santa Barbara's best-I think the equal of any I have ever been to. We want to go back. There or El Paso. Doesn't matter. I never thought I would have a red chili enchilada as good as what I found next to a graveyard in Texas (!) but I found it in Santa Barbara. Is there anywhere, anywhere (!) in the greater D. C. area that does a genuinely outstanding job with enchiladas? I'm almost afraid to ask this because last week's was so good. But my wife doesn't really want to fly back only for an enchilada. Well, maybe if we also had the molcajete and the cazuela and the.... I should also mention something about the Santa Ynez valley and pinot and syrah but that is another thread. Who is doing the absolute best job with interior Mexican style Mexican food right now in the D. C. area? Anyone?