ScotteeM

I've been consuming raw milk (legally) for more than 5 years, and yes, it does seem to stay fresh longer, as a rule, than pasteurized milk (as long as the farmer chills it quickly and keeps it chilled). Also, when it does sour, it's not nasty like pasteurized milk--it can be used as one might use buttermilk in baking. But I'm sure your pets will appreciate it.

Has anyone eaten here recently? I have family visiting and staying at the Embassy Suites in Old Town 12/26-12/28. They'd like to meet us somewhere for an early dinner on 12/27.  The fact that they make an effort to offer gluten-free food appeals to me (celiac). I've heard positive comments in the past about this restaurant, just wondering what the current word is.

:-)

I don't think there are clear borders--it is really driven by the postal zip codes.

The Harris Teeter has a Potomac zip code. So does the Brooklyn Deli in the same plaza.  Tower Oaks Lodge is a Rockville zip code.

Hell, White Flint was considered Kensington by the post office...

I agree that it all makes little sense...

Years ago we lived at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Randolph Road. I remember that a relative got into an argument with a directory assistance operator (it was that long ago) because while the USPS considered ours a Wheaton address, The Phone Company listed us as being in Kensington. The latter no longer holds sway, but it reflects some of the confusion of identifying locations in that area.

The seafood bar used to serve a killer bouillabaisse, which was sold at the incredible price of $13. I hope they bring it back.

We were there 2 weeks ago and they definitely had the Bouillabaisse on the menu. I love it, and it is a bargain. I also love the fish in the lemon dill sauce with saffron aioli. I usually have the catfish that way, but 2 weeks ago they were running fresh swordfish as a special, and it was really delicious in that preparation. My husband loves the shrimp and chips and has that every time we go there. Oysters on the half shell are a bargain when they have them. I saw a sign for a Mussel special--I think it's during "happy hour" on Wednesdays.

I think having lunch there is a civilized way to start a grocery shopping trip. The fish is always fresh and there's no tipping, which improves the deal.

We have reservations at Fiola Mare for this Saturday at 5:30, after which I will write a report on that dinner and previous ones we've had there (we eat there about 10 times a year). But after reading JoshNE's comments carefully several times, I have concluded that he has some very legitimate concerns that deserve attention from management.  That entryway is a real bottleneck when things get busy, and I think that the hosts (there are usually 3-5 of them) could come up with a strategy to control it. Folks don't have the sense to move aside and let others pass, or to not block doorways, so they need polite direction to get out of the way. Maybe those who are waiting for tables could be guided or escorted to the back bar, which is usually less crowded than the one up front.  And certainly, I don't understand why a bar tab cannot be added to a table tab.

Went for lunch today and had the buffet, which should have been a good way to sample a little of each of a lot of dishes. The only dish marked "Lao" on the buffet was a fish dish that I don't recognize on the regular menu. I'm glad I got to taste small amounts of some spicy dishes I wouldn't normally order, like green papaya salad and larb, but most of the food was pretty lackluster. Fried chicken wings were crispy but lacked any real herb or spice flavor. Tom ka gai was loaded with mushrooms, but not one piece of chicken. I didn't try the drunken (chicken) noodles, but my husband said there was no heat or any discernable chicken in the dish. The mussels in the seafood stew weren't open. Green curry was watery and not at all hot.

I'm glad we tried it, but we won't rush back. I'll stick to Elephant Jumps as my favorite Thai restaurant. My husband prefers the curries at Bangkok 54.

I confess, I grabbed the Food section yesterday, saw that nearly everything in it was about dining in Los Angeles, and stuffed it right into the recycling bin. Not what I want to read about in my local newspaper. I can read the LA newspaper(s) to get that info.

All Ledos that I've seen use a sugared-down tomato sauce, as well as a croissant-like crust - I suspect, but am not sure, that the franchises get their ingredients from the Ledo Central Repository (but I'm uncertain if every location has the infamous "thick-cut pepperoni" along with the apocryphal story of how it came into existence).

Not to mention the weird mushrooms, explained on their website.

Stopped in again last night and took home a couple of cupcakes, a cookie and another apple turnover. I haven't had a cupcake since I was a kid. The chocolate with salted caramel frosting was just perfect--not too sweet, and no funny tastes that some gluten-free baked goods have. The lemon cookie was wonderful with a cup of coffee. My husband really enjoyed the red velvet cupcake and the turnover.

FINALLY got there for lunch today! Husband had fish & chips, which he loved: Nice fresh cod, perfectly cooked, great batter coating, fries fresh tasting and crispy--not greasy. I think he got a larger portion of fried cod here than he did at Brine a few weeks ago, and for about half the price.

I had a pork tamale, a chicken taco and a carnitas taco. Everything was fresh and tasty. I especially loved the tamale, which had nicely seasoned pork filling, a great proportion of filling to corn meal, and good-tasting corn meal.

Met Wesley at the counter, and he took great care of us. He asked how we found the place and I told him we saw it here. He's just posted a link on his Facebook page to this forum!

On our way home, we were already discussing what we'll try next time we go, which will be soon.

Your experience at Oval Room mirrors ours a couple of years ago at Bibiana (same owner). In fact, out of 3 years trying to eat out on Thanksgiving, we only had one meal that was even satisfactory, and that was at the old Bastille, where the food was delicious and conveyed the flavors of Thanksgiving on a fine-dining plate, and the service was excellent. My one experience at the new Bastille having been a disastrous (and I hope atypical) brunch, I can't say how their Thanksgiving dinner will be this year.

Bistro Bis was overcrowded, having added extra tables to accommodate the demand, and our entree orders were lost on the way to the kitchen. Bibiana was, likewise, overcrowded, with service and the kitchen both in the weeds. My entree, recommended by our server, was extraordinarily disappointing, and I'm sure that executive chef Nick Stefanelli was not in the kitchen when we were there, as I am sure he never would have sent out a plate like that. As it was, we went from being somewhat regulars at Bibiana to never returning after that dinner (our attempts to speak to management about it went unanswered).

Eating out on Thanksgiving seems to be extremely popular, and that popularity seems to overtax some otherwise good restaurants. We're back to eating at home on Thanksgiving.

I stopped by at 2:30 this afternoon, and was offered a free sample tartlet. I tried the chocolate ganache tartlet and it was delicious! I really love their pie crusts--good flavor, not overly sweet, and nice texture.  I purchased two apple turnovers and a mini-baguette for dinner tonight. So glad they now have a location that's convenient for me!

Best of luck to The Happy Tart as they open their second store, in Falls Church! I'm planning to stop in today.

The Happy Tart is excited to announce we will be opening our coffee shop/bakery at 410 S Maple Avenue in Falls Church on Thursday October 15th, for limited hours.

Thursday and Friday Oct. 15th and 16th, and Tuesday - Friday Oct. 20th-23rd we will be open 7am to 4pm - please stop by and see us.

Those that are conjuring up the movie theaters are indeed typical of the people I knew growing up.

I lived about a mile from Mosaic growing up (yes, sort of on the other side of the tracks), and am old enough to remember the drive-in theater that preceded the multiplex cinema (the drive-in was operating until the mid- to late 70s, at least).  Although I still like to call it Merrifield for nostalgic purposes, I have reconciled that what is there now could become a great place.  I wish I could frequent the place, but I just don't find myself over that way very often during dinner hours.  I used to go out of my way on occasion to go to Gypsy Soul (mainly for the burger, but also once or twice for the country fried steak on the brunch menu, as well as a couple of other visits).  Not doing that for Matchbox, Ted's, Cava, Taylor Gourmet, the Mexican place, the healthy eating place, and not so far for Brine (seafood is not my thing).  B Side and DGS would now be my go-to places (maybe Kapnos if there proves to be value in their offerings).

I would guess that there are very few people living within 5 miles of Mosaic that are old enough and have been around long enough to remember the movie theaters, which shut down long before Mosaic was a gleam in Edens' eye.

JBag57, I guess the movie theater has been gone about 10 years, give or take. I live about 6-7 miles away, and used to frequent that movie theater when it was in operation. I would argue that a lot of folks still remember it, and I suspect that it ceased operation when the owner of the property decided to develop it for another purpose--whether for the Mosaic District or something else.

That being said, have you tried the burger at Brine? I had it once and really loved it. Lots of smoky grill flavor and good beef flavor, too. It could be worth your while. (Disclaimer: I had it without a bun and with grilled corn on the cob instead of the fries, because . . . gluten.)

I think I do agree with you, though that most of the restaurants in Mosaic District aren't worth a special trip, except Four Sisters, which is technically perhaps just outside the border, across the street from the District proper.

I'm not completely sold on Brine, but I'm going to give it another try or two before I make up my mind. I do wish it much success, but I still question whether the area can sustain it.

I agree that demographics are a significant issue with the success or lack thereof of restaurants in the area. I also agree that Fairfax County is very different from Arlington County--and some parts of Fairfax County are very different from other parts. In the 30+ years I've lived here, I've seen precious few independent fine-dining restaurants thrive. Maestro had the Ritz Carlton where it was located to increase patronage, although anywhere else it would have done very well on its own. 2941 does well, but it has a lot more going for it in terms of location than most of the rest--who wouldn't want to have a wedding reception there? Trummer's on Main draws on the area right around it and offers a lovely venue for wedding receptions and parties as well. I doubt either one of those would do as well in a less picturesque part of the county. Villa Mozart is small enough to do well, and is supported by the law offices all around the courthouse right there. But typically throughout the county, the restaurants that succeed are chains, delis, and small ethnic restaurants.  Does anyone else here remember Fern Street Bistro, in the shopping center at Burke Centre Parkway and Burke Commons Road? It was a lovely restaurant with wonderful food and a wine store attached, similar to Evening Star Cafe in Del Ray. But it never developed enough of a following to survive, although the meh Chinese restaurant and the Starbucks at the other end of the row did very well. Outside of Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray, and maybe Vienna, fine-dining destination restaurants just don't have the support, from what I have seen.

Merrifield seems to me to be an artificial community, created by Edens in developing the Mosaic District. At some time in the future, it may become a neighborhood or a community where people stroll around and shop and eat out, or where people stop on their way home from the Dunn Loring Metro. But right now it is not.

It doesn't help that Brine is located in an area that is largely not yet built out and developed, which means that folks who don't live nearby or read this forum might not even know it exists. I hope that enough diners find it to  support it going forward.

I also note that, while Brine (and Gypsy Soul when it was open) don't do much of a lunch business, Four Sisters, which moved in before the recession and had a large following already, runs along full speed and at capacity. Aside from already being established with a following that supports it, and being one of the pre-eminent Vietnamese restaurants in the area, what do they have that Brine and other non-chain restaraunts don't have? I don't have the answer to that question.

I'd love to see more fine dining in Fairfax County, especially independent non-chain restaurants. But I'm not going to hold my breath.

don't blame the real estate prices- especially those of your responsible for over priced, one note fried food menus and lousy service.   and attitude on the part of the chef. 

OK . . . . THAT's an interesting response. Care to elaborate, Peepers?

Tonight we opened  a bottle of JJ Prí¼m 1975 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Eiswein. 

A friend of mine asked me about Maplewood Grill (in the Former Donor Plaza Space), and I haven't been. Has anyone?

I'm encouraging the friend to join this forum. She is a small business owner, and takes her staff out for a fancy meal during the December holidays, and this restaurant was recommended. Previously she's taken her staff to Willow, Ray's the Steaks, Restaurant Eve, and Fuego Cocina & Tequileria.

I know this is too late to help you today, but Choices by Shawn, on 123 at North Street, has a kids menu, does really great burgers and fries, and can accommodate food allergies & sensitivities, which can often be an issue in groups of kids.

I believe this is still open at Reagan National Airport, so I guess this thread will stay alive for now. That said, if this is the only buying power they now have for raw fish, that's not a promising sign.

It is still open at National Airport (DCA), right next to Ben's Chili Bowl.

My husband is flying to Denver today from National, and we went early so that we could have lunch before his flight (we needn't have rushed--his flight is delayed at least an hour). Decided on Matsutake, largely because sushi is a safe bet for me if I take my own gluten-free tamari sauce. We encountered a bit of sticker shock, as they charge dinner prices all day, so the sashimi and sushi combos were 50-70% higher than lunch at, say, Blue Ocean, would have been.

We shared the Sunomono appetizer ($8.50), which was 2 shrimp, 2 pieces of crab stick, 1 small piece of octopus tentacle, and 1 thin slice of two other fish I couldn't identify. I didn't try the crab stick, but the fish and octopus were like rubber, and the shrimp were just OK.

Husband's Udon bowl included tempura in the bowl of soup (he complained that it made it soggy). With fat white noodles AND rice, it was hearty and filling. I don't know how it tasted but he wasn't raving. I think it was $12.95.

I ended up with Bul Go Gi ($8.95), which was served in a sizzle pan, not grilled. The marinade was really sweet and I got tired of it pretty quickly. It was a fair amount of meat (3 oz), with a little broccoli, mushrooms, and carrot pieces, and a small bowl of rice. I've had much worse (Burke Garden Restaurant) and much better. I wouldn't order it again.

We would have gone to Ben's, but we were unsure whether there was anything that didn't contain wheat gluten.  Might look into that, or try to find Five Guys, if we decide to eat at National again.

Dino's Grotto - Never been to Shaw and parking seems to be problematic in the area (according to their website)

The Grill Room - Would spend the money but reviews here have been mixed

I'm guessing that the 3-course menu would be app, main (pasta, meat or seafood) and dessert. Does anyone know the distribution of courses for the 5-course menu? What I really want to know is, if I go for the 5-course menu, is a pasta course mandatory? And what are the desserts like? Not sure I want to spring for a cheese course, so I'm hoping for a dessert that doesn't contain any wheat flour.

The "secret menu" isn't such a secret anymore. It's posted on their website, there are signs in the restaurant (Bradlick) promoting it, and there are laminated copies on the counter. The laminated copy doesn't have the symbols for spice level or GF or V, so if those are important, best refer to the web site. I had the shrimp omlette with rice from that menu, which was fine, and I did use traces of the Sriracha that was provided on the side. I also had my usual fried pork ribs (app on the regular menu). I don't know why, but I love those!

Sorry to hear you're confined as you are. Elephant Jumps offers delivery as well as pickup, and not everything on their regular menu is offered for takeout, so what is is likely what they've found will survive the trip.

Pho Cyclo, a few doors down from Elephant Jumps, also offers delivery ($25 min) and takeout.

Dominion Deli (in the same shopping center) delivers breakfast and lunch.

Raouche Cafe, at Gallows & 29, offers very garlicky Lebanese takeout, but no delivery. Likewise, Sabrina's Grill on Gallows Rd. just north of Arlington Blvd. offers great Peruvian rotisserie chicken (haven't tried anything else there) for takeout (no delivery).

These suggestions are closer to the hospital than the Mosaic District itself is, so might be easier to navigate. HTH

Hello ScotteeM,

If you send me an email, @ abccanteen1@gmail, I'll email you a copy of our menu.  There is an asterisk to denote gluten free items.  You'll need to also avoid the fries, chicken flautas, and tortilla chips because though gluten free, they are fried.  Tacos and Tamales are all made with corn masa in a gluten free work space.  All the toppings for the taco bar are made in house and gluten free.

Please let me know if I may be of service.

Wes

Thanks, Wes!

That's really what I wanted to know. ABC Canteen is on my list to try very soon.