ScotteeM
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Everything posted by ScotteeM
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It's been way too long since my last visit to Villa Mozart! We had a lovely lunch today. Their $20 3-course Prix Fixe lunch is one of the best deals in NOVA, in my opinion. The soup today was artichoke puree garnished with a drizzle of very nice olive oil, some grated Parmesan, and chopped chives. It tasted of artichokes and lemon, and was very creamy and well-balanced. Of the two choices for the entree, we selected the fish of the day, which was a perfectly cooked filet of sturgeon resting on a bed of steamed spinach and celery root puree, with two tiny potato cakes. Beautifully plated and really elegant for lunch, IMO. Dessert was a bit of a miss today. It was described as a fruit-topped "creme brulee" but it wasn't truly that. The fruit compote on top was cloyingly sweet to me (I don't consume a lot of sugar in general), although other diners seemed to enjoy it. Just the soup and sturgeon seemed like a real bargain at $20. Honestly, until this dessert today, I've never had a dish I didn't thoroughly enjoy at Villa Mozart. The food is fresh and well-prepared, with balanced flavors. I've not tried their pastas, but my husband really loves them. I need to remember to keep this one in my regular rotation when I'm cruising for lunch during the week in Fairfax.
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I missed that one on our visit yesterday, but since I can't eat wheat I tend to ignore bakery items. I agree that the name is less than appetizing.
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Husband and I had brunch here this morning. What a beautiful space! The dining room is on the second floor and it is bright and airy and not terribly noisy, considering that most of the surfaces are hard (the ceiling tiles look to be sound-damping). Looks like they have balcony seating in nice weather. The housemade chips and two salsas were very tasty and fresh. We barely made a dent in them, though, because our food was so wonderful. We shared the Taquitos de Atun, a refreshing combination of tuna tartare, avocado, queso and salsa de arbol in tiny handmade crispy taco shells. Then we both ordered Carnitas & Potato Hash. A base of shredded pork and diced fried potato "hash" supported two perfectly poached eggs coated with lime-cilantro Hollandaise. When we punctured the eggs, the yolks ran down and soaked the pork and potatoes to make a lovely, comforting dish. I'm not a cilantro lover, but the Hollandaise was perfect and provided the right amount of acid to balance such rich food. This is my new favorite place for brunch, though I do want to try more of the other items, too. It was well worth the trip from Burke to Clarendon. Pictures are on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4481723973817.165934.1611614324&type=3
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It's a matter of the full name: El Paso Cafe as opposed to El Paso Mexican Restaurant. The latter is the group of 5 locations.
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I've eaten lunch here 5-6 times over the summer months and found it trying hard but uneven. Chilled heirloom tomato soup was really delicious, if a little steep at $8. But I wonder how they can offer this out of season? Grilled chicken cobb salad was wonderful on two occasions, but lackluster a third time: vegetables in too-large chunks, looking like they'd been chopped with a dull knife, pork belly not as crisp. Confit de Canard was a large duck leg that had been burned in places (not a nice char, but unappetizing burn), and the warm lentil salad would have benefited from some acid. Once when I was craving a burger, the staff graciously accommodated my gluten intolerance by serving my burger sans bun, with salad instead of frites. The burger itself was perfectly cooked to my order, beefy, and juicy, and the salad, while not frites, was really tasty. Creme brulee was very good, as were sorbets I tried once. The service was friendly and accommodating, but I was never informed of the specials I heard recited at other tables, and it took several visits for me to find the blackboard that lists them, as I was usually seated with my back to it. Because it is conveniently located a few blocks from both of my doctors' offices and I've been spending entirely too much time with one of them, I'll likely go back. I would say this is a nice neighborhood joint, but not a destination restaurant, and not yet in the same league as my favorite bistros: Bastille, Restaurant Eve, and Dino. It has potential, I think.
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I don't think I ever met Mrs. B, but I have always loved her posts, and the back-and-forth with Waitman. I am so sorry for your loss, Waitman and family.
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Not sure what you consider "cheap" for lobster, but H-Mart/Super H-Mart tends to have decent prices, usually under $10/lb, and sometimes half that. Their lobsters are fresh and lively, and better tasting than those I've had from other local sources. They have a high turnover on fish in general, and especially lobsters. They get their seafood from Fulton Fish Market in NY, according to their website. HTH
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Hexerei, thanks for this information. It will surely be very helpful to someone in the near future. Have you been to Chiang Mai? My husband is going to spend a few days there in November and is looking for tips and recommendations. He has some, but if you've been and have suggestions, please consider posting them here.
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I didn't have the kabob today, but the Falafel and the Hommos with Shawarma at Raouche Cafe are still the garlicky goodness they have always been, and the folks are so nice!
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I know it's a chain, but Domino's has introduced a gluten-free pizza crust in the DC Metro area. I've had it 4-5 times now, with no reaction. They already used cornmeal to dust their regular crusts and work surfaces, so there's no risk of wheat flour cross-contamination. It's actually a good-tasting crust, IMO. It's made from rice flour and potato starch. It is definitely more expensive, and only available in a small size, but you can order any combination of toppings (except the Philly steak, which is not gluten-free). It's nice to have a delivery option for those occasions when I'm too tired to cook.
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Had dinner at Blue Duck Tavern for the first time in almost a year. Previously, the chef would mark up a regular menu to let me know which items were "safe." Now, however, they offer a dedicated menu listing gluten-free items, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. It's not just what's on the menu that is safe. They are now willing to adapt certain dishes to make them safe, like using rice flour for the crispy sweetbreads. We were seated close enough to the kitchen that I could hear the chef reminding cooks of gluten-free orders, and he actually pulled back my sweetbreads when the server inadvertently brought the wrong plate to our table. In addition, rather than just putting a basket of bread on the table for my husband, they brought out a board that had slices of bread and butter on one side, and a plate with some baby radishes and grape tomatoes and a little dip for me. It appears to me that the staff have had some recent training in food sensitivities, as they were all focused on ensuring that I had a safe and delicious meal. Kudos to them!
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Thank you so much! This looks like a huge help! His other week is going to be in Siem Reap, and I'm sure we can find recommendations for that leg of the trip on this blog as well!
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I'm helping my husband plan a vacation for November, and he's going to be in Chiang Mai for a week. This is his first visit to that part of Thailand. Has anyone been recently or have recommendations? He'd love to try "street food," but isn't sure how safe it is. I've shared the recommendation above for the night bazaar. TYIA!
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MOM's Organic Market, Regional Organic Chain
ScotteeM replied to V.H.'s topic in Shopping and Cooking
MOM's is now open in Merrifield, in the Mosaic District. Garage parking seems very accessible. I cruised through on Sunday, just to get the lay of the land. It's nice to have this so close to where I work and not that far from home, either. -
Is there an opening date yet?
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My MIL loved Mo's Fisherman's Exchange, and took us there for lunch frequently when we visted her. I thought the food was fine, but now that I follow a strict gluten-free diet I don't think there's much there that is safe for me to eat. My MIL made the best crabcakes on the planet, but I thought Mo's compared favorably when she wasn't able to make hers.
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We found ourselves in Parkville today for a family function. Knowing we had to eat before driving back to Virginia after the event, and wanting desperately to avoid the fast food chains that dot the landscape there like so many land mines, I searched on line and found Mount Everest Restaurant nestled in the Fullerton Plaza, diagonally adjacent to the KMart (!). It was right on our way from the family event to the Baltimore Beltway to head home, so we stopped in. They offer a buffet at lunch, for $8.99 (not sure if the price is the same on weekends). We got to sample some dishes from Nepal along with more familiar fare from India. Vegetable Pakora were light and crisp--I went back for seconds. Sambhar soup was rich and comforting. Chana Masala, one of my favorites, did not disappoint. Vegetable Korma was delicious and rich-tasting, simmered in coconut milk and yogurt. A Nepalese Saag (I didn't write down the name) was lightly cooked and spiced mustard greens, light and flavorful. Aloo & Simi, a Nepalese dish of green beans and potatoes with tomatoes, was really delicious. Three chicken dishes rounded out the buffet: Chicken Tikka Masala and Tandoori Chicken were both very good versions of the classics. I didn't get much of a taste of Kukhura Ko Maasu, the Nepalese chicken dish, but I'd try it again. All in all, it was a nice selection of well-prepared food for a very reasonable price, and the restaurant itself was a peaceful oasis in an otherwise very generic commercial area.
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I'll third the recommendation for Villa Mozart. I love that place! I never get tired of eating there, although I've heard their CD collection so many times I can almost sing along. Around the corner from Villa Mozart is Belissimo. I've never tried it, but I know that Joe H. has written glowingly about it.
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Help Needed - Canine Trainer for Behavior During Walks
ScotteeM replied to KMango's topic in Help Needed
I didn't notice that I wasn't signed in when I posted above. Sorry! Scottee Meade Retired Canine Behavior Specialist -
Had dinner at Morton's Crystal City (someone else's treat) back in May. Salads were so-so. Steaks were thin (thinner than my husband remembered having at a Morton's out in Denver previously) so not much sear for medium-rare. Scallops were not great. Truffled French fries were the highlight of the meal. The service was . . . peculiar. I was handed a list of menu items that were gluten free when we arrived. It had no prices on it. We were given a wine list immediately upon being seated at our table, but after about 15 minutes had to ask for menus. The waiter seemed to think that I didn't need a regular menu (with prices) in addition to the list I'd been given, so I had to insist on it. We got the impression that we were expected to order wine or a drink before even looking at the menu. When we did get our food and were eating it and carrying on a conversation, no fewer than three staff members (waiter, manager, other manager) stopped by and interrupted us to ask how everything was, in the space of 90 seconds. Also, the room was very dark. I'll be interested to hear your impressions. We have some money left on our gift card, and plan to return and order chicken, rather than steak (and the fries). Edited to add: Through the whole evening, we found ourselves wishing we were at RTS.
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Actually, Whiny Wayne (as he is known in some animal-loving circles) has managed to pressure KFC, Burger King, Denny's, Hardee's, Carl's Jr., McDonald's, Panera Bread, Trader Joe's, Wild Oats, Safeway, and Whole Foods to one extent or another into doing this his way, WRT eggs and pork products. He hasn't done it alone. PeTA (which kills 95% of the animals it takes into its shelter in Norfolk, compared to a state-wide average of 25% for all other shelters in VA) has been right alongside HSUS (often referred to as "PeTA in suits). Their tactics include buying enough shares of stock to introduce policy items to be voted on at shareholders meetings, as well as threatening boycotts and demonstrations. Some of the tactics used at McDonald's, targeting their juvenile customers, have been pretty appalling. They are, indeed, targeting a product (foie gras in this case) that has a relatively small consumer base, and is (like veal before it) considered a "luxury" food item. Divide (consumers) and conquer, is their primary tactic. In the case of pork and eggs, they are succeeding in driving up the production costs, and thereby the costs to consumers, which will in turn lower demand (or increase demand for eggs and pork imported from other states or countries with less regulation). I'll step off of my soapbox now, as it's making me dizzy.
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Are there Ethiopian restaurants that do not use wheat flour in their injera? I was excited to see an Ethiopian restaurant open in Fairfax, only to be crushed when I read that they use wheat flour in the injera to make it more acceptable to American palates. As a gluten-intolerant diner, I would love to try Ethiopian cuisine (I never have), but I fear the bread.
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Japanese sushi restaurants can be great. I take my own little bottle of GF soy sauce, just to be sure. Also, at Restaurant Eve, if you give 48 hours' notice, they'll serve you some very delicious house-baked GF bread. I've also eaten safely at Layalina, in Ballston.
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I second all of ktmoomau's suggestions! Some places have GF menus (Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel, etc.) Bibiana is fantastic! I've eaten safely at the Oval Room for special occasions, and at Fiola, but it's important to be very specific and to ask questions. The Ray's restaurants are generally safe. Ray's the Steaks is great (avoid the spinach). At Hellburger I get my burger of choice without a bun. Last time I checked, the fries at Hellburger were in a dedicated fryer, but not the ones at Hellburger Too. It's important to ask! I haven't been to Ray's to the Third, but Mr. Landrum and the young man who made my reservation for this weekend both assured me that the frites are cooked in their own fryer. Blue Duck Tavern has been safe for me. I haven't been since the new chef took the helm, but they were always sweet about having the chef mark up a menu for me, but I still had to read everything carefully and ask questions. Minh's Vietnamese restaurant in Clarendon has been safe for me. Further afield: Choices by Shawn in Fairfax City has a seperate, gluten-free kitchen (2 kitchens total), and everything is labelled. Gluten-free food is served on red plates for safety. Also in Fairfax City, it is possible to eat safely at Villa Mozart and Sabzi (Persian restaurant). Take a container of Glutino crackers with you, just in case there's a dip or spread or cheese that would benefit. HTH!