Jump to content

ScotteeM

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,294

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

 Content Type 

Everything posted by ScotteeM

  1. ScotteeM
    Went to KT in Arlington last night for NOVA Restaurant Week. This was our second RW experience with this restaurant, and we would go back again in a heartbeat. It's a great deal: 4 courses (several choices in each) for $35.17 and 5 courses (even more choices) for $55.17. We opted for the smaller menu, and with 8 dishes to share between the two of us, we had plenty of food. We started with Tzatziki and the smoked eggplant spread, with bread for my husband and crudites for me. Then we shared the horiatiki (cucumber/tomato salad) which had a nice addition of pomegranate seeds, and a silky King salmon tartare over chopped "grilled" avocado and cucumber. For entrees we enjoyed the spit-roasted lamb ("ancient grain salad" on the side because it wasn't gluten-free) and charred octopus (actually cooked in a pan because the grill is contaminated with gluten). Husband finished with apple cake ("apple-y") and I had salted caramel ice cream. Last RW they had a special wine list as well, but this time we ordered from the regular list, which is quite price-worthy. Service was great, and my needs as a diner with celiac were clearly understood and met. When we left at about 7:15, the place was about 60% full. I wondered aloud why there wasn't a line out the door and around the corner, given the great food and great deal.
  2. ScotteeM
    In anticipation of relocating to the Denver, CO, area within the year, we are looking at shipping our wine collection, which comprises about 30 cases of very nice wines, Port, Madeira, and half-bottles which are mainly German. We've identified a shipping company that uses climate-controlled trucks, The Wine Cellarage in Bronx, NY. But we have to package the wine for shipping. Is there any reason to not use regular wine cases that we would get from a wine store (with the inserts)? Do we need to purchase special packaging for the wines? If so, what works best? Any and all recommendations based on experience will be much appreciated!
  3. ScotteeM
    For several years, I've belonged to a buying club through which I've purchased unpasteurized milk and dairy products directly from a local (within 150 miles) farmer. I have complete confidence in the safety of the food, having met the farmer in person and having spoken with trusted individuals who have visited his farm. One must know one's source thoroughly and have total confidence in the safety measures in place (independent lab testing of every batch of milk, for example).
  4. ScotteeM
    My husband and I have shared the seafood box as an entree, and it was delicious, though my husband wished it had been larger. We also shared the sweetbreads . . . as an appetizer. These things made for a delicious meal. I don't remember having any dishes there that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. The sweetbreads are a perennial favorite of ours. The hanger steak has been a big hit, too. Yes, the restaurant is noisy when full. We usually go at 5:30 or 5:45 on a Saturday, and request a quiet table. When we've done that, we've been seated in an unpopulated section that gradually filled up during our meal, but gave us some respite from the cacaphony. We're heading back in a few weeks and I can't wait!
  5. ScotteeM
    Has anybody tried this place?
  6. ScotteeM
    We've tried Thanksgiving at a few local places before giving up. Bastille was the best, but that was about 5 years ago. Bistro Bistro was a madhouse, having probably added extra tables in the dining room--they lost our entree order. Food was good, but tables so close they might have been one communal table. Bibiana 3 years ago was such a huge disappointment that we went from being somewhat regulars to never returning. I am sure that some restaurants take holidays seriously (as Bastille did), but some take advantage of the holiday to charge higher prices for less than wonderful food and frenzied service. We're eating at home this year, even if I can't cook the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
  7. ScotteeM
    My husband and I took a drive out to Purcellville on a whim this morning, and found our way to Magnolia's at the Mill for lunch. It is a nice space, not unlike its sibling, Tuscarora Mill, in Leesburg. I was pleased to find a gluten-free menu (with the usual caveats about possible cross-contamination--I had no adverse reaction). We shared an app of crispy fried oysters (in a cornmeal crust) with remoulade and bacon jam ($14). The oysters were indeed crisp, not greasy, and fresh and clean-tasting. I don't recall the last time I had fried oysters. They wanted a grain or too of salt, but otherwise were very enjoyable. My husband had the smoked pastrami brisket sandwich with hand-cut fries ($14). He really enjoyed it, and that's about all I can say about it. I had the steak frites ($16). The flank steak was grilled over a wood fire to a perfect medium rare as ordered, sauced with a red wine jus and hotel butter on the side. It was delicious! The parmesan truffle fries were a bit "fancy" and I would have been happy with plain fries, but they were fresh and nicely cooked--not really greasy. I have no fondness for arugula and regretted not thinking to ask them to leave it off the plate. I tried it and it was OK. I thought the prices were reasonable, and the service was excellent. Our food arrived promptly and hot. I'd surely go back again, even though it's an hour's drive each way from our house. Oh, and I'm not sure when the change occurred, but the executive chef is Erik Foxx-Nettnin.
  8. ScotteeM
    We stopped in for an early dinner on Friday night, and took advantage of their Happy Hour offers on beer and wine. Mussels with white wine, blue cheese and garlic were very tasty, but the mussels weren't very plump, and at $12 the quantity of mussels per serving was pretty stingy (two nights later we had nice plump mussels and at least twice as many for $13 at Oh! George in Fairfax). We both ordered one of the specials: Hanger steak with mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes. The steaks were cooked perfectly according to our individual preferences. The mushroom sauce was made with "wild" mushrooms, as opposed to button or cremini. The mashed potatoes, flecked with bacon and green onion, were just the right accent. I had the house white and red wines, and I think they could do better on selecting these. But I wasn't there for the wine.
  9. ScotteeM
    We've enjoyed the lunch buffet many times, and always meant to go for dinner. But it wasn't until we found ourselves without a kitchen (under renovation) that we finally went to Jaipur for dinner Saturday night. The service, as always, was friendly, cheerful, attentive and not intrusive. We shared an appetizer, a couple of entrees and sides. My husband had naan and thought it was good, while I enjoyed their (gluten-free) papadum. Our appetizer of shrimp and vegetables in a mango & black sesame sauce got us off to a wonderful start. It was creamy and nicely seasoned. Entrees were Tandoori lamb chops, cooked medium-medium rare, and Fish korma. Both were well-seasoned (OK, the lamb was a tiny bit salty for me) and delicious. We also enjoyed the Dal (included with the lamb) and a side of Baigan Bharta--smoked eggplant with tomatoes. We ended up with leftovers that we're still enjoying. And we were left wondering why we waited so long to go there for dinner.
  10. ScotteeM
    Had a pleasant dinner tonight at the Springfield location. Husband had the Enchiladas Banderita: 3 chicken enchiladas, each with a different sauce (queso, verde, and house enchilada sauce). I had the Enfrijoladas: 3 carnitas enchiladas covered with refried beans, house-made queso, sour cream and crumbled chorizo. The chicken and the carnitas were moist and flavorful. Everything tasted fresh. At $10.99 and $11.99, respectively, we thought they were priceworthy. Plenty of food on the plates. We'd happily return. Relatively quiet when we arrived at 5:30, and by the time we left at 6:45 the place was almost full--on a Tuesday night.
  11. ScotteeM
    We were regulars at Trummers for a couple of years, because we loved Austin's food and their Sunday dinner feature (3 courses for $35 and already-open wines by the glass at $5 for white and $7 for red). Many Sundays Austin wasn't even in the kitchen, but the food was usually still great. It appears they have discontinued that wonderful deal. We haven't been back since he left, but the skills in the kitchen suggest that the food should still be very good (Don's unfortunate experience notwithstanding). Would love a report if you go.
  12. ScotteeM
    We had a lovely dinner last night. We shared the grilled sweetbreads with burnt citrus hollandaise for our appetizer, and then shared the smoked seafood box and a chopped salad for our entree. It was a wonderful meal!
  13. ScotteeM
    Will posted yesterday on Facebook that he's headed to Grist Mill at the Hilton Garden Inn.
  14. ScotteeM
    I posted this on the separate Kilroy's thread, but for the record, Kilroy's has been in the Ravensworth Shopping Center since 1981, when it was called "Uncle Sam's." Name changed to Kilroy's in 1984. And the USPS considers that Springfield.
  15. ScotteeM
    I've only lived in the area since 1981, but as far as I can remember, Kilroy's has been in the Ravensworth Shopping Center for most, if not all, of that time. Actually, I just checked their website. It opened at that location in 1981 as a bar called "Uncle Sam's" and changed to Kilroy's in 1984. When the drinking age was raised (don't know the year) the business was transitioned from a bar to a family restaurant. I haven't been there in years, but I have friends who eat there regularly and love it. BTW, the USPS considers its address Springfield, but I would call it Annandale. Burke's eastern border is somewhere around Rolling Road.
  16. ScotteeM
    My husband has been to Thailand several times in the past few years, and he's planning another trip (plane ticket already purchased) for this coming January. One of the highlights of each of his trips has been a food tour with Chin of Chili Paste Tours. Her broad, detailed knowledge of places and dishes, and her passion for her native cuisine, really come through in the tours she guides. She also offers cooking classes. My husband is planning to take her tour to Isaan on his next visit. I'll get him to give me more details when he gets home from work. His descriptions and excitement over her tours makes me wish I were able to join him on these trips (health issues prevent it).
  17. ScotteeM
    Bart, I enjoyed your review. I have to ask, though: Where are you seeing an updated menu on line? On the website I only see a menu dated December 2015. I've tried clearing my cache, but still the same menu shows up. The dishes you described, however, are on that menu. We have a reservation for tomorrow at 5:30, and I can't wait!
  18. ScotteeM
    We had a very enjoyable dinner at Elephant Jumps tonight. We started with the Rice Cracker appetizer on the chalk board (see photo on their Facebook page). The topping is a delicious pork and shrimp combination, medium hot with a lot of flavors going on. We also enjoyed the charbroiled marinated pork, which is very tasty and perfectly cooked. Crispy fried pompano, also on the chalkboard, was tasty and fun. We opted for two dipping sauces--one medium heat and one not hot (for me). The waitress suggested the stir-fried watercress to accompany the pompano, and that was a great recommendation. I had durian with sticky rice for dessert (now I can say I've tried it--not bad, but not something I'd seek out), and husband had Thai ice cream on sticky rice with corn and kidney beans (!). When Elephant Jumps first opened, they seemed to be going for an American/Thai hybrid menu. These days they're emphasizing more authentic Thai dishes, to the great benefit of their diners. And because of this, Elephant Jumps remains my personal favorite Thai restaurant in Northern Virginia.
  19. ScotteeM
    I haven't checked recently, but there used to be a Honeybaked Ham store in the Fair City Mall complex, as well as one on Franconia Road in Alexandria. Their ham hocks do make good soup. I've sent gifts from the website, but haven't been to a brick-and-mortar store in about 9 years. That's my story and I'm sticking to it . . . Don!
  20. ScotteeM
    We made split-pea soup last week to use up leftover Honeybaked Ham (a gift) and it was fast and delicious.
  21. ScotteeM
    Any recent recommendations for dining CLOSE to the Kennedy Center?
  22. ScotteeM
    Has anybody been to Campono recently? I'm looking for a place to grab a bite before the Bonnie Raitt concert at the Kennedy Center in March, and I heard (via Brian Wolken on Facebook) that Tracy O'Grady is in the kitchen now. Looks like it's mainly pizza and sandwiches, which would mean that I can probably have a salad (celiac). I can't do much walking, so I need a place very close by, which this seems to be.
  23. ScotteeM
    My husband and I have eaten many times (about 10/year) at Fiola Mare, and several times at Fiola (we have yet to try Casa Luca, but plan to). Fiola Mare has been much more consistent in terms of qualilty of food, while Fiola's performance in our experience has been quite uneven. Our experience at the two restaurants has been so different that it almost doesn't seem that they have the same owner and the same culinary vision, although the dishes on the menus read as being very similar. The significantly lower noise level at Fiola Mare, and the wonderful view, would clinch the deal for us if the food were the same.
  24. ScotteeM
    Zgast, I don't question the veracity of your description of your experience. It is certainly unfortunate and definitely off-putting. This would have been a good time to get the name of the staff member who was doing this and comment to management--or better, ask for one of the managers to help you. Did you say to the staff member who was taking your order that you wanted to spend up to $XX, or did you just point to a bottle and ask about it? Either way, there's a huge difference between $70 and $450. My husband and I eat at Fiola Mare about 10 times per year, and we've never been upsold on wine. Not once. And we do not select expensive wines to drink there--we try to keep the price under $50-$60. I see that they have recently changed the wine list and the prices are higher than they used to be. That being said, this past Saturday, we ordered and were served a $35 bottle of wine. When we finished that asked for a second bottle, we were informed that they had no more of that wine, but could offer us one of the same style and price point, which we accepted. The wine they served us was $45. We don't consider that upselling.
  25. ScotteeM
    I've had the pozole and flautas twice now, and they are wonderful! They remain a special--Wesley told me yesterday that he won't offer pozole in the warmer weather. So if you want some, you'd better go soon! Lengua tacos are also on the specials board, and they also are the best I've had. Of course, I've only had lengua tacos and pozole at one other restaurant--a "fancy" place in Clarendon with lots of tequila. Wesley's versions are much better, IMO. I also agree about the horchata. The version I've had elsewhere was heavy and granular, but Wesley's is light and smooth. My husband had the chicken mojo sandwich yesterday, which he really enjoyed. We didn't try the new Sunday special of batter-fried shrimp and fries, but it sure looks good!
×
×
  • Create New...