chiefdc

Last night myself and 3 others (of varying ages and stages) ate a very nice meal at Pearl Dive. After hearing about the "ticketing" system for waiting for a table (basically, the same as you'd see at a deli or DMV), I was skeptical. But it's actually a good concept because they have the "now serving" signs all over both Pearl Dive (downstairs) and Black Jack (upstairs), which allows you to wander a bit without loitering by the host stand. At 7:30 pm, we were quoted a 20-40 minute wait. We opted to check out the upstairs bar while grabbing a drink, and try our hand at bocce. The bar service upstairs was confused and very slow (as you can imagine on an opening night) but pleasant. After about 20 minutes, the "now serving" number jumped from 86, where it had been the whole time, to 92, seemingly skipping everyone in between. We ran downstairs to make sure that we hadn't been skipped, and thankfully we hadn't, and we were eated immediately (was it a glitch?). I am guessing that depending on your party size, you will be served before or after those who may have gotten there before you. They should explain this, however, so people don't freak out at the thought of missing their table after a lengthy wait.

Once we sat down, the host took our drink orders graciously before the waiter arrived, which was nice. My party ordered appetizers that everyone seemed to enjoy- bacon wrapped oysters, half-dozen raw oysters, and mushroom soup. The server also arrived with a generous basket of jalapeno (?) corn muffins and rolls (which were delicious). For entrees, we ordered the classic Black's mussels (great as always); Rockfish over mussels, tomatoes, and chorizo; crawfish etouffee; and wood-grilled redfish over grits. Everyone really enjoyed the entrees. This is a great neighborhood joint that tries hard and largely delivers on the promise of being a good, moderately priced seafood joint. Next I'd like to try some of the items on the bar menu upstairs, which has some tasty-sounding sandwiches and other unique dishes that you don't see anywhere else.

I will say that the staff was really on edge and nervous- understandly so, it being opening night. Hopefully they'll all find their groove as they become familiar with the menus and drink lists.

I have the misfortune of working in the TB building. And the misfortune of having Diya as my only option (other than an even more abysmal deli in the interior of the building). While the folks that run the place are genuinely nice and try hard, it's a bizarre concept that isn't priced well for a place that should be a go-to for the 500+ employees in the building. You rarely see people stopping here for the $15 lunch buffet (most other Indian buffets are in the $9-$12 range). But to the point, the food is just not great. Wish it were, but it ain't.

Nothing inspires me to try a new restaurant more than excuses of being too hungover to produce quality food...charming

Ever been hungover at work reuben? If so, for shame

I was really disappointed by my last meal at Ripple- and this was with Chef Cox was at the helm. I actually liked my previous meal better prior to his taking over. I found the portions to be miniscule and the food to be bland. I was even disappointed with my cheese plate from here. What happened to giving people value for their money? I don't ever need or want Maggiano-style portions, but just an honest amount is all I ask. The cocktails were good, not great. From now on, I will opt for Dino and Palena further down the block.

[Edit- didn't mean to "jump" darkstar's post above- but it jogged my memory of how bad my meal was at Ripple- and unfortunately I can't recommend anything I had that night]

I've been to Senart's quite a few times now, always at the bar, and have found their oysters to be some of the best I've had in the city. They usually have some Washington State or British Columbia selections, to which I am partial because of their briny sweetness and firm texture. The few entrees I've had have been good as well, especially an Amberjack I had recently that was perfectly prepared and carefully garnished despite the place being absolutely slammed. I was puzzled, therefore, to read Sietsema's First Bite in today's Post, where, after spending over half his word count on the decor, he complains of "scrawny oysters" and asks "where's the heat?" in the "G-rated steak tartare." I guess TS prefers the gloppy local oysters, but since when is a steak tartare supposed to have "heat"? I found this whole review strange and off-balance.

Honestly, I've found Sietsema's (and Kliman's!) reviews to be curmudgeonly and subpar recently. He seems to hate noise in restaurants and it seems to color his reviews of places. I may be in the decided minority, but I'm craving new blood. I actually think Tim Carman would be a superb replacement. He digs in more, and writes some really fascinating columns. Sometimes Sietsema reminds me more of the snooty reviewer from Ratatouille.

Sorry if this is a bit off-topic. It's just that I've disagreed with most of Sietsema's recent reviews in one way or another.

Sounds great! When will you be reintroducing Sunday brunch?

I second!! That fried chicken was one of the greatest things I've ever tasted. With a new chef, I hope you still have the old recipe!

Does anyone have any more recent thoughts on this place? There's one opening in Woodley Park, between Jandara and Debonair cleaners. (I don't know where I've been -- I walked through the neighborhood on Sunday and saw that, and that Sherry's is moving from Calvert to Connecticut, and the rug store is closing. I'd like to hope all these changes will lead to good new dining options, but we don't have a good track record on that front.)

Unfortunately, the CVS is steamrolling those businesses out of the way to make way for... an even bigger and more prominent CVS! What an awful use of a prime corner. Too bad DC doesn't have laws against banks and large drug stores on corners. I'm only half-kidding

The two issues with the the strip are the fact that tourists-who-don't-know-better frequent the strip, keeping awful places alive, and the restriction on % of restaurant frontage along the strip, also keeping the awful places alive by artificially limiting the supply of restaurants.

I believe its between Westover Market and the post office within the fence -> see street view image here

plarkins... thanks for clarifying

But, all this fuss about THAT?! No offense, but the neighbors need to get a grip. That "beer garden" is tiny!

Just got back from a few days in NYC. In NYC, we've eaten at Per Se twice, Alain Ducasse, and most recenly Jean-Georges. In DC, we've eaten at Komi, Cityzen, Restaurant Eve Tasting Room, Minibar, Inn at Little Washington, Maestro, Citronelle- and everywhere else.

In choosing a restaurant in NYC, we looked for 3-star Michelin rated restaurants. There were 4, of which Jean-Georges was one. We saw that it had also been rated as "one of the best restaurants in the country." We were stoked! Much to my dissappointment, I've had better meals at probably 10 other restaurants in DC alone! The meal was good, but I was expecting much better. And come to think of it, my meals I've had at Per Se were great, but not any better than some fantastic meals I've had at Komi, CityZen, Eve, Minibar, Maestro, and the Inn.

At JG, I got the tasting menu. Much of it was very good, but not all that creative. For a pairing with a caviar egg course, I received sake. I hate sake. The menu said "wine pairings". I certainly wasn't expecting sake to be paired with anything being served. Another course (main) was squab. It was flattened- and impossible to eat. After unsuccessfully trying to get more than 3 bites off of the bird, I picked the damn thing up with my fingers and started gnawing on it. Yep, I did that! It was also flavored with cumin, coriander, and paprika- which was omitted on the listed tasting menu- flavors I don't like at all.

Service was decent in that they kept our waters filled, but the bread dude interrupted us twice after we finished our bread asking us if we wanted more (once obviously, after declining). The waitress knocked over a full glass of my wine (doesn't bother me- honest mistake), put a napkin over the spill on the table, but didn't wipe the wall which I HAD to squeeze by to leave our table (we were in a booth/bench with our backs against the wall- a 3-walled nook). Had I not noticed the wine on the wall, it would have gotten on my suit.

While the first few courses came out perfectly timed, the last 3 courses had huge gaps- about 30 minutes between each one. We had a 5:30 reservation and it was already past 9:00 when they finally brought us our desserts. We were getting so tired of waiting (and bored at this point), that I asked for the check with dessert and they hurriedly rushed out all of those complimentary candies, gelatins, etc.- of which had nuts in them- and I had told them verbally and via Open Table that I was allergic to nuts. My wife asked which chocolate truffles had nuts- the waiter gave it some thought, told us one answer, then changed his mind. I didn't eat any of those!

Anyway- the point I'm really trying to make here is that this restaurant was very over-rated in my view... and I think it's because it's in NYC. I find it odd that people think merchandise (cars, clothes, food, wine, etc.) is better simply because it's from a certain general region- and I think there must be a psychological term to explain the phenomena (reminds me of when CA wines got notoriety for testing on par/better than French wines back when everyone thought French wines were better). Years ago when I ate at Alain Ducasse, I will say it was one of the top 3 best meals I've ever had to this day (white truffle tasting menu), but other than that, Per Se (one of the 4 Michelin 3-star restaurants in NYC) and Jean-Georges are no better than several restaurants in DC.

I think there's something of an "emperor's new clothes" mentality when in NYC. While there is some quantitative superiority just based on the sheer population and quantity of places, I often have better experiences for just about anything other places than NY on any everyday basis. I basically feel like I'm treated like crap there, and often get crap for a lot of money, when I go there. Now, if you choose only the best places (i.e. book places well advance of you're trip), you're bound to have only the best experiences. But when you venture into the average, everyday, run-of-the-mill picks, you might be as disappointed as I generally am. We certainly have our share of disappointments here, but we don't claim to be the best at everything like you know who...

Happy holidays all!

P.S. One 2011 culinary trend that I hope will continue... breakfast places! Between Kitchen on K, Salt & Pepper (Palisades), Horace & Dickie's breakfast expansion (into a larger, sit down space), and yes, IHOP in Columbia Heights... I wish for some great new breakfast options in 2011. It's a meal that I like a great deal, and maybe if I work from home more in 2011 (another wish for 2011), I can take full advantage during the week! In: Breakfast Out: Brunch.. YEAH!

An interesting story today on the closure of Morty's and other Tenleytown businesses (including Balducci's). Is American University really to blame?

I find the article to be a complete hit piece on AU. Even in the article, it stated that the university reduced rent on Morty's. Cmon, should they run those retail spots as a not-for-profit? Surely not. This isn't on-campus retail we're talking about here. They weren't making money or meeting rent.

Thanks to Ericandblueboy and Scott for writing about this place, otherwise I would not have found it. I've been twice for lunch, both times for Pho, and I've been very pleased. The Pho has been good, the staff nice, and the interior is cheerful with a pleasant color scheme and lots of big windows to let in the sun. PNM and the Herndon Pho 75 are equidistant from my office. PNM will henceforth be in my regular rotation and I doubt I will ever go back to Pho 75 again.

I went here today with a group of coworkers, for about the 6th time. It's actually quite good. The broth is beefier than most (some, like Pho 14, are more aromatic), and it's a generous portion. The place is almost never busy, but I think that's mostly because of its location and people not knowing it was there. Also, believe it not, the Thai dish I ordered once was pretty decent.

And beware, vegetarians- I did not see a vegetarian version of the broth listed on the menu. You would be able to find something of your liking off of the Thai (or "N More" menu).

I am told the USA version of this outfit is not nearly as good as it is in London. I loved the one we tried while in London this past October. It was quite good -- fast *good* food.

People always say things like this... I think a huge element is people glamorizing their exotic abroad experiences more than anything. People also remember Wagamama being good from their abroad experience, til they go back a second time and realize it's mediocre.

Which liquor license did she purchase, Chaos'? That space has been vacant for a while. If she were to bring something like the Black Squirel to that space, it would be great. Jack's apparently was trying to appeal to the beer crowd since they installed a bunch of taps last fall and were advertising "the most number of drafts on 17th Street" but when I went in they only had 9 of the 12 advertised and it was a pretty lackluster selection. Plus the burger was almost inedible.

Yes, she purchased Chaos' liquor license. The space does not have to be in the old Chaos space since licenses are easily transferable within that neighborhood moratorium zone. Not many large, open retail spaces though. The only ones I know of are subterranean (old Blockbuster) or too small.

I believe it was Le Pigalle...then Jack's...now Agora. All same ownership IIRC.

I heard a rumor that the owner of Jack's is actually one of the principals involved with Masa 14, and that Masa was doing so well that he was able to close, and pay for renovation to, Jack's. It's hard to believe that he would be involved with the high-quality Masa operation.

I do have to come to Jack's defense in a few regards. It was cheap, edible, had a fun atmosphere for drinking, and they had great specials (mostly for wine, when you could score $10 bottles). The problem with that strip, of course, is that there are just too many places like that. It is what it is. I still have fun hanging out and drinking at many of the establishments (especially the venerable Fox & Hound and its brother, Trio's).

I think something that bears watching in the medium-term is the pending expansion of Hank's into a much larger next door space, and the liquor license purchased by Amy Bowman of the Black Squirrel. A place comparable to Black Squirrel would be a godsend to 17th, and would do a killing. I don't foresee much turnover beyond that, which I suppose is some of the charm of 17th.

ReconJohn- I agree, but I went for dinner, and was pleasantly shocked by how good the food was. Tried the burger, pork bbq, and fries. Simple yet quite good. I think the place was considered a disaster initially after going through multiple chefs. But I had heard from friends that the food had improved considerably under the latest chef, and I'm glad I gave it a chance. Make no mistake, this isn't fine dining, but if you set your expectations appropriately (casual southern/american cuisine) then I don't think you'd be disappointed at this price point.

I had a great roast beef and cheddar sandwich with horseradish mayo the other day from Earl's. I walked past it so many times without stopping in, and now I know better. It's a high-quality operation and leagues beyond what typical sandwich chains can give you.

I do wonder what's up with that strip next to Earl's. There's not a lot of adjoining retail there along Wilson, in what you'd think would be a highly desirable retail location.

I'm really excited to see a BGR in Dupont. It will fill a much-needed fast casual hole in that immediate vicinity. Besides Nando's and the usual chains (Subway, Fuddruckers, etc), there's a need for some cheaper, casual but still high-quality options. I'm hoping they serve beer and/or are open late.

No offense but I think this a pretty strange thing to be annoyed by. To put it bluntly, it seems like it may be you rather than the restaurant that's the issue in this case. That said, everyone's entitled to their opinion (this comment being my opinion on your opinion- heh)

I've actually heard from friends that Restaurant 3 is, by far, the most improved restaurant in the area. Unfortunately, this sentiment still isn't enough for some people I know to try it again. But I certainly will. And you're right that the happy hour is probably the most generous in Arlington (perhaps tied with Yaku's $3 sangria and $2 drafts).

Sounds good- Thank goodness Van Ness finally got an infusion of what sounds like quality dining. What a bleak restaurant scene for what is a pretty populated and decent neighborhood. Hopefully there's more where that came from! Good restaurants would make a killing there.

According to Bisnow.com

http://www.bisnow.com/washington_dc_commercial_real_estate_news_story.php?p=4631

Looks like "Koi" is eying DC, and Kellari (NYC) is a done deal for the Restaurant K space on... K Street, of course. Not sure how I feel about the out of towners. The free marketer in me says, come one come all and let the best persons win. The provincial side of me says, stop trying to cash in on our fair city with subpar replicas of restaurants that may not be that great to begin with.

I do think if anything this influx with elevate the overall talent pool of chefs based on the law of averages (add more chefs, more good ones will emerge and start their own places). So I'll welcome them, but warn that they should bring their A game in this economy.

Adding another thing....they sell Tastykakes there. They have them on display so you can just grab whatever you want and pay for it along with your order. Ditto for chips. But one thing is odd about the chips....they are Lay's chips, not Utz (or some other Mid Atlantic or PA or Philly unique brand.

What's up with that?

Don't forget Herr's!

Will you be here during the week or weekend? Just wondering... if you are here on a Thursday afternoon near the mall is the Penn Quarter Farmer's market with breads, cheeses, meats, fruit and really tasty gelato which I used to time my court runs around. On Saturdays is the Dupont Circle Farmer's Market and the Eastern Market is open which are bigger markets for you to paruse for picnic stuff.

We in DC don't really have huge amounts of bakeries, but I think if you were here during a weekday you might like Breadline near the white house and I believe they have good veggie stuff too.

You could also go to Cowgirl Creamery in Penn Quarter for picnic stuff.

Also Le Pain Quotiden will have picnic stuff too, although a chain, I know, but pretty good bread.

Not sure about dinner places because of the dietary restrictions, but perhaps Indian food? Bombay Club makes good vegetarian and fish dishes and so does Rasika (although Bombay Club always seems cheaper to me). There are some other cheaper Indian options in DC that have good vegetarian that I read people talking about, but haven't been.

Regent Thai in Dupont/Adams Morgan has good thai food.

And I hear good things about Java Green for healthy vegetarian in DC.

I am sure other people will help you out. What price range are you look for in terms of dinner? Tacklebox has great grilled fish and is casual and cheap and has good veggie side dishes?

I agree wholeheartedly with ktmoomau's suggestions, and will add (and emphasize) a few of my own.

I definitely think Eastern Market is a necessity. You can definitely "make your own sandwich/meal" with the various vendors located there. It's not far from the Capitol, so it would make for a pretty painless detour through a beautiful part of the city.

Other suggestions:

Taqueria Nationale, a great place for good takeout Mexican lunch & even breakfast near the Capitol.

Nando's Peri Peri- affordable and tasty chicken place in the Gallery Place neighborhood. It's an international chain from South Africa, but a "good chain" and this is their first foray into the US.

Potenza, next to the White Hosue- I've heard the bakery portion is great, but it is definitely "Italian", not French or American. Along the same lines, Leopold's Kafe tucked away in an (upscale) alley in Georgetown is a good bet too. I would classify it as "Austrian." Patisserie Poupon and Baked & Wired are also recommended.

If you're near the zoo, Vace Italian Delicatessen is great for to-go pizza and subs.

I had spoken with Regine earlier this week, and based on our conversation, I just didn't feel comfortable answering your question at the time (*). But now that the Post has broken the news here, I can say it: The plans are for David Craig to return to Washington, DC, and to open Confit in the existing Pesce space.

---

In addition, I received permission from our own Joanne Liu (who originally posted here inquiring about P Street), to say that she and her partners will in fact be opening Scion. Joanne, please feel free to chime in with more details. In Joanne's words:

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Finally, look for an autumn opening of Eola, in the old Mark and Orlando's space. Chef-owner will be our own Dan Singhofen, who has recently come to DC from (ironically) Orlando, where he was born and raised. The Sous Chef will be Brian Wilson, who has spent time at several important kitchens in the city. Their nascent website is changing daily, and at this point is very much a work-in-progress. According to their website, Eola comes from the word "eollan," which means, "to be carried by the wind." And after so many months of being unfairly penalized by construction, here's hoping that P Street Dupont reaps the benefits of strong tradewinds from this point forward, the rising tide to lift all new ships.

Cheers,

Rocks.

(*) Restaurateurs: please remember that if you choose to entrust me with confidential information, I will not violate that trust. (Just ask Mark Kuller, who asked me to button my lip about Adam several days ago.)

This is all fantastic news for one of my favorite, oft-overlooked neighborhoods in the city. All involved should be commended for investing in the restaurant scene during these difficult times. I look forward to trying them out.

I went tonight, a stormy Wednesday, and the restaurant was very crowded at 7 PM, but thinned out shortly afterwards as happy hour wound down.

Joe Joe's Sliders ($9 for 3) were the winner of the evening - big, overstuffed, sloppy Joe's that are in the ultra-sweet category, topped with a distressing dab of cheese sauce and a redundantly sweet pickle chip. If you can tolerate a lot of sweetness in your sloppy Joe's, you'll probably like these.

A small level down was the House Roasted Turkey Sandwich ($10, served with fries), which was decent pub grub, but fairly bogged down with bacon, avocado, fontina cheese, romaine, and cranberry mayo. The fries were slightly above average-frozen quality.

Avoid the nasty Four Cheese Supreme Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($10, also served with fries), which was just a gooey train wreck.

Much of the flavor in these three items came from salt, sugar, and fat. I can see how a hungry young man living and working on Barracks Row might enjoy Lola's as a place to drink, chow down, and watch a baseball game in a decent atmosphere, but the beers here are not cheap: $6.40 if you want a serious pint ($1.00 off during happy hour, 4-7 PM).

Cheers,

Rocks.

Is it bad that this sounds amazing to me right now?

Signed,

Drunk and Hungry

PS All I heard was "overstuffed, bacon, roasted turkey, gooey cheese mayo"