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ScotteeM

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  1. ScotteeM
    "Police Escort Customer From Nashville Steakhouse [Morton's] After He's Forced To Remove Hat" by David Edwards on rawstory.com "A steakhouse in Nashville has responded to complaints that its staff forced a cancer patient to remove his hat over the weekend because he did not have a note from his doctor. "According to WZTV, the controversy started when a group of 16 people were finishing up a $2,000 company Christmas dinner at Morton's Steakhouse when one man, who is being treated with chemotherapy and is sensitive to the cold, decided to put on a wool cap for warmth." -- Classy. Real classy.
  2. ScotteeM
    I've initiated a dispute via PayPal for the automatic payment on 11/4/13 that should have never happened. FoodShed has until January 4th to respond. As for her FB page, the "moving to Jamaica" statement is under "Places." However, her timeline shows her running around Virginia, to wineries and restaurants, over the past couple of days, and today she bought (she said "adopted") a very large dog. Unless someone has hacked her FB page, it doesn't look as if she's really going anywhere. I sent her a friend request, which automatically allowed me to "follow" her (she set that up). Something doesn't seem quite right about all of this. I wish she would come on this board and straighten things out. It is very interesting, though, that within an hour or two of yesterday's discussion some of us had our automatic payments with PayPal suspended. She is either following this discussion, or someone has filled her in, I think.
  3. ScotteeM
    Just before midnight tonight, I received an email from PayPal informing me that my automatic payment to FoodShed has been suspended. No word on a refund for the extra 2-year subscription that was paid automatically in November. Guess I won't hold my breath.
  4. ScotteeM
    We had a wonderful brunch at Oyamel a few weeks ago. I can't wait to go again!
  5. ScotteeM
    I love foie gras, too, and my reading of the method used to produce it, as well as duck anatomy and behavior, lead me to conclude that it really isn't that cruel. My understanding is that the ducks line up for their feedings. There is too much misinformation perpetrated about animal agriculture, most of it by organizations whose stated purpose is to end ALL animal agriculture. They're also the ones who have campaigned against foie gras. They don't want us to eat animals, wear them, have them work for us, or have them as pets. Anything they promulgate is not to be trusted.
  6. ScotteeM
    I've eaten here and gotten carry out several times now. I really enjoy their food. The complimentary cup of Tom Yum Gai with lunch is always delicious. I've enjoyed the Massamun curry and the Pad King Sod. My husband loves their curries. I tried their Crispy Pork with Chinese broccoli last night. It was good, but not quite as good as the crispy pork belly dishes at Bangkok 54 (sorry Don, but I do love that place). Their menus all say Bangkok Garden, although the sign out front says Tong Thai. Either way, it's nice to have them in the neighborhood.
  7. ScotteeM
    In November 2012, I purchased a 2-year subscription, using PayPal. I think I've received one issue, maybe two. But then PayPal automatically paid them for ANOTHER two-year subscription this November. I have tried to contact them by email, phone, and on their Facebook page, with no response. I guess I'll have to go to PayPal to resolve this problem. Clearly they set up their billing incorrectly last year. I really enjoyed this publication when it was Flavor, but haven't had much to enjoy since it changed its title. Caveat emptor.
  8. ScotteeM
    I was in the area and was tempted to stop in for lunch today, but didn't do it. I hope they open again soon! They're one of my favorite Thai restaurants!
  9. ScotteeM
    I'm just glad we changed our Cityzen reservation from tonight to tomorrow night. Supposed to be warmer and clear tomorrow, so I hope all the ice will melt and moisture dry up enough for safe driving after dark.
  10. ScotteeM
    Drove in to Clarendon to try Pete's today, after their inclusion in the article in the Washington Post about gluten-free pizza crusts. I had a GF pizza with pepperoni and "caramelized" onions. Husband had a cheese pizza with pepperoni. The gluten-free pizza crust was not my favorite. I would rate it just above Rustico's chickpea crust, but well below Domino's GF, which is below Fire Works GF. The crust was tough, and had a little off-taste. There wasn't that much pepperoni on it, and the "caramelized" onions weren't caramelized, just cooked translucent. The ambiance was pretty much non-existent. You order at the counter and are assigned a table. The atmosphere and decor reminded me of the student union at my college in the early '70s. The only plus was that they validated the $6 parking in the garage across the street, which is nice because parking is scarce in that area.
  11. ScotteeM
    After reading in the Washington Post that Ledo offers a gluten-free pizza crust, I decided to try a pie tonight. I ordered it with pepperoni, mushroom and onion. When I picked it up, it didn't seem very warm in the box. I got home and found it was cold and looked under-cooked. (Maybe it was one of their "half-baked" pizzas?). I rewarmed it in the oven. The pepperoni was thick-cut as they mention on their website, but didn't taste or look like most pepperoni. The mushrooms were just weird. They say on their website that the mushrooms are "cool-blanched" but no one else does that. The crust was OK in texture, but very sweet, which can happen with gluten-free flours. I "took one for the team," and will cross Ledo off my list for pizza.
  12. ScotteeM
    Finally visited this restaurant today for lunch with my husband. It is the same ownership as Bangkok Golden in Fort Washington, where we had enjoyed a lovely lunch several weeks ago. The food here is just as fresh and flavorful as it is at the "sister" restaurant. A small bowl of Tom Yum Gai comes with every lunch order. I liked it enough to want to order a large bowl sometime in the future--even after I accidentally bit down on the slice of jalapeno floating in the bowl. My husband's red curry with chicken ($6.95) was rich and flavorful, although it was a little hot for me (I am a Scoville wimp, after all). He thoroughly enjoyed it, and compared it favorable to his favorite/benchmark of Bangkok 54. I had Pad King Sod ($6.95), pork with fresh ginger, onion, scallion, and Chinese mushrooms. It also had some sliced peppers (sweet) and snow peas. I loved it! Their fresh lemonade was very tasty, as well. I'll be heading there for eat in or carry out a few times while my husband is vacationing in Thailand later this week and next week. I'm so glad to finally find a Thai restaurant that I like so close to home!
  13. ScotteeM
    One of the things that strikes me every season is how many of the contestants are completely unfamiliar with local culinary specialties, like deep-dish pizza in Chicago, or beignets and gumbo in NOLA, and I've often wondered why they don't research these before the competition. Then it occurred to me that maybe the contestants don't know where the season will be shot until they get there. Anyone know about this?
  14. ScotteeM
    My husband hated okra, until we started getting it in our CSA bag several years ago. The first recipe I tried was steamed whole pods with fresh ginger and sliced scallions (I think I found it on epicurious.com), and it was delicious--not at all slimy. This year I cooked it cut up in a recipe from Hugh Acheson, sliced on the bias and sauteed quickly in olive oil with almonds. That was the best preparation yet! Again, not at all slimy. I wonder if freshness affects sliminess. The okra I used to buy at the supermarket was always slimy. The okra I've gotten in my CSA bag has never (yet) been slimy. I love okra!
  15. ScotteeM
    We haven't been to Jaleo in years, but last night we went to the Crystal City location for their Paella Sunday deal. What a deal it was! For $20 each, you get a small glass of gazpacho, choice of salad, and either the vegetable or chicken and mushroom paella, with flan for dessert. I didn't have the gazpacho, due to my gluten-intolerance, but my husband said it was delicious. We both had the beet salad with Valdeon blue cheese, pistachios, citrus and a sherry vinaigrette. That was wonderful--the best beet salad I've had in recent memory. It was light and bright, with a nice balance of acid and well-seasoned. I didn't think I'd eat the whole thing, but I managed. The chicken and mushroom paella was huge, and full of mushrooms (I detected shiitakes and chanterelles), which gave the whole dish a very earthy quality. The chicken was plentiful and tasty. We took almost half of it home with us. I've had many flan preparations, and this was my favorite. It was not overly sweet, as many are, and the Catalan cream was light and airy and lightly sweetened. I'm very grateful that they have a gluten-free version of their menu, and that our server seemed well-trained in that area. That was a huge help to me. But a word of warning to others with gluten problems: The beer labelled "guten-free" on the menu, Estrella Damm Daura, is made with barley, and tests at 6 ppm. That doesn't seem like much, but I've tried it twice and reacted to it twice. YMMV, but it would be nice if they would offer one more truly gluten-free beer.
  16. ScotteeM
    I'm surprised that I haven't updated my comments for this restaurant. It is my go-to restaurant for good, safe, gluten-free foods. They actually have TWO kitchens, and serve gluten-free food on red china, to ensure safety. But they don't stop there. They accommodate other allergies and sensitivities as well. The owner is quite expert on the issues, and her staff are well-trained in that regard (at least if they're unsure about something they do ask the owner). I love their gluten-free fried chicken and gravy, especially after enduring one too many Popeye's commercials that set up a craving. I also really enjoy their avocadoes stuffed with curried chicken salad and shrimp salad, their lovely and generous steak salad, and their brunch buffet, which includes gluten-free pancakes or French toast. One of the things I love the most, though is their burger. It can be served on a regular bun for those who aren't gluten-sensitive, or on gluten-free bread or without bread or a bun. It has a nice flavor, and is always cooked the way I ask. My husband, who has no food sensitivities or allergies, as well as my sister, both have loved the food at Choices. And many times when I'm there for lunch, the majority of diners are not ordering gluten-free, and they seem to enjoy their food very much. It's a great place to eat, whether you are worried about gluten poisoning or not. Yes, the service can be a little slow at times, but this is more of a family restaurant, rather than fine-dining, so if the check is a little slow in coming, or if my drink order is a little slow in coming, I don't mind. I'm there to relax and enjoy the good food.
  17. ScotteeM
    After reading "Where's the Wheat?" in the Washington Post last week, we decided to try the pizza at Fire Works in Arlington today for lunch. It's a very attractive space, although I can imagine that when it is full it would be quite noisy. The service was cordial and efficient. We each got the Fire "Works" pizza, mine on a gluten-free crust. The toppings were plentiful and fresh tasting. My crust had good flavor and acceptable texture. Gluten-free flours will never replicate the texture of pizza crust made with wheat flour. Although it's a hike from where we live in Burke, I will definitely return to try more topping combinations. Their gluten-free beers are mainly sorghum based, which are not my favorites. I much prefer the Belgian gluten free beers like Brunehaut Bio Blonde, but as that one is made from barley with the gluten extracted at the end of production, it runs afoul of the FDA regulations regarding labeling of gluten free beers. However, I appreciate the fact that Fire Works offers four choices of gluten free beer. The article in the Post says that the gluten free crust is made from scratch in the restaurant, but a sign on the door named the source of the crusts as a bakery in California. Either way, it was delicious and safe.
  18. ScotteeM
    I saw this in 2D last Thursday, and I got dizzy several times and had to look away. It must be beyond awesome in 3D, but I don't think I could watch it. I bought into the premise and became more engrossed? involved? in the movie than I normally do. It is very dramatic, very suspenseful, and I could not have predicted the all of the plot twists and the ending. The acting is some of the best I've seen. Whether you see it in 2D or 3D, it is well worth seeing in a theater on a big screen. I think much of the effect will be lost when it is viewed on TV.
  19. ScotteeM
    We've been to Pizzeria Orso several times since I wrote this post, with very uneven experiences. Fact: We have enjoyed most of the food we have had there. Fact: I have never been glutened there. If today had been my first visit, I would not go back, and I would not recommend it for folks with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. We were handed the brunch menu, which is very gluten-heavy. I asked for the all-day menu, which I had previously been told should be available. The server responded that it was definitely not available, and those dishes hadn't even been prepped yet, "But you should find more gluten-free options on the brunch menu, anyway." With that, he walked away. The only way he could have been less helpful to me would have been if he had recommended that I order pizza. This was the opposite of previous experiences at Pizzeria Orso, in terms of the helpfulness and understanding of the servers. But it makes it very clear to me that training in dealing with food sensitivities is sorely lacking at this restaurant. I hope that will change, I and I plan to return when they are NOT offering their brunch menu. BTW: I had "steak and eggs" which turned out to be braised pork belly and eggs, with hash browns that were not disclosed on the menu or by our server under specific questioning.
  20. ScotteeM
    That's in line with the info I had, that a 1.25 lb lobster should yield about 4 oz of edible meat. I can't for the life of me remember where I picked up that fact. Good thing I remember the important stuff!
  21. ScotteeM
    Tried the Fairfax location for lunch yesterday, for the first time. I had Sopa de Gallina ($8.99), one of their specials. I thought it was very good chicken soup, a big bowl with carrots, cabbage and squash, and at least a drumstick and a half a breast on the bone. I would have preferred the chicken shredded, but I can see why they would serve it whole. The home-made corn tortillas with it were very good. A lot of other diners around us were eating various soups, and I would love to try more of their offerings. Husband had the chicken quezadilla (sic), and really liked it. I couldn't taste it because of the flour tortilla, but he said he would order it again.
  22. ScotteeM
    Best wishes on your big move, Hillvalley! I hope you love it there! One of my brothers moved his family to Hinwill (southeast of Zurich) a few years ago. Aside from being so far from the rest of the family, I think it has been a good experience overall. It looks like just about everyone has a kitchen garden and even some chickens or a cow, for eggs or milk. Enjoy!
  23. ScotteeM
    But if you were within the borders of Fairfax City, there is an additional 5% tax on restaurant meals, which makes it 10% total. I don't know if you were in Fairfax City or not.
  24. ScotteeM
    Best to double-check, because last time I asked they don't carry live soft-shells, just previously cleaned and frozen/thawed. My husband reports that Wegmans has had soft-shells (live) for a few weeks. It's not exactly close to Arlington, but it's not a bad ride out 66 at an off-time.
  25. ScotteeM
    Bibiana had crispy fried skate wing a couple of weeks ago. My husband loved it (I couldn't try it because of the flour coating).
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