fuzzy510

False alarm on my not being able to make it. I got out of my work commitment, so I plan on being in attendance!

Um. Wow.

So even though I specifically asked for Wednesday night off from work, I've been put on the schedule, so I might end up having to back out. I'll find out for certain by tomorrow.

Had lunch here today. My pizza margherita was good, although a little lacking in basil for my liking (there were three large leaves on there left whole; as a result, I didn't really get much basil in many bites). The crust was the nice combination of crispy and chewy that you can only get from a wood-burning oven. Overall, it was a solid pizza. I've (as much as I hate to admit it) not been to Paradiso and 2 Amys, so I can't compare it to them, but I was satisfied. I did not, however, leave thinking that the pizza was anything terribly spectacular. What did really throw me for a loop was the special dessert that I had, which was some sort of combination of custard, bananas, caramel and lady fingers. It was pretty much a culinary car crash - I didn't want to eat it, but once I started, I really couldn't stop. It wasn't good, though. A friend told me their tiramisu was good, but since I don't like tiramisu, that would have been somewhat wasted on me. Like I said, this place is far from perfect, and getting a liquor license will certainly help their cause - apparently their hearing is set for July 2. However, once they get some of the kinks worked out, I think this place could be pretty special.

Short answer: Yes. Shorter answer:

Hey folks, I've got a couple friends coming in from out of town, and we're doing lunch next Wednesday. Naturally, I've been tasked with finding a lunch spot. I'm trying to find something different to do, but at the same time trying to adhere to a bit of a budget; we are talking about a trio of students here. Traveling a bit isn't an issue, but we're coming from College Park, so not too far from there - either somewhere in DC or near the Beltway would be preferable if we're not in the general vicinity. Near Metro would also be a plus, too, but certainly not necessary. Thanks in advance!

Wait, so she's going to do this special for us? Not that I wasn't excited before, but now I'm REALLY excited.

And half off selected bottles on Mondays? Guess I know what I'm doing on a Monday soon......

The cuisine is, but Nando's started in South Africa.

Wondering if anybody here had any thoughts about this place. I've walked by it many, many, many times in Silver Spring, but never been bothered to go for no reason in particular.

Count me in. Neither spice nor autocracy scares me off, haha.

The mother had coupon for a free meal, and I had a gift card. I STILL managed to be completely disappointed after eating at the Silver Spring location. Why? Let's see......first, there was a complete overhaul of the menu that eliminated all of the items that I remotely enjoyed for no apparent reason, including the portobello fajitas that I have liked for a long time and wanted to order tonight. We're not just talking one or two items missing here, folks - we're talking a good half of the menu just flat-out gone. Dinner for me was a skirt steak burrito that didn't have much in the way of substance or, oddly enough, skirt steak. It was there, I could taste it, but it was mostly covered by the slop of the black beans. The rice that came with it was completely inedible; it was dry, and had clearly been sitting out for a while. It wasn't much food, and completely not worth the price. The mother got some sort of grilled iceberg wedge salad, also with skirt steak. Basically, they grilled two small wedges of iceberg, and then threw a whole crapload of other stuff in the fold. It looked completely unappetizing, and that was before the introduction of the way-too-runny blue cheese dressing. The fact that only half of it was eaten probably told the story. Still hungry, I looked for dessert, figuring I'd go for my usual $2 slice of key lime pie (decent if not great, and certainly good for the price). But of COURSE the menu changes hit the dessert as well, relegating me to a $5 piece of apple cobbler for dessert instead. It was big, sure, but who cares if it's not even half-eaten? There was way too much granola in the damn thing; it basically tasted like I was eating a warm granola bar with a little bit of apple in there. Completely awful. I was never a big fan of Austin Grill before this, but I could at least tolerate it. Now? Forget it. I am never eating at an Austin Grill again. The only bright spot was that the service was at least pretty decent. If it wasn't for that, this would have been one of maybe the five worst dining experiences I've ever had. As it is, it was still bad enough for me to never go again.

I'm almost drooling after reading that. Wow.

I'm just trying to figure out how, in terms of burgers, the terms "juicy" and "well-done" can be used in the same sentence......

Those are mild service problems? You're certainly a far more patient person than me!

Stopped in to the Downtown Silver Spring location for a snack of a meat pattie and fruit punch. Excellent. What's frustrating, though, is that I interned at the World Building for an entire semester, always walking past Negril, and never stopped in. D'oh.

Hearing all of these stories about the lines make me very happy that the butcher burgers are at RTC in Silver Spring, which is more convenient for me anyway......

I'd be interested for sure, but tomorrow's not good, since I'm supposed to be pouring at Wine in the Woods all day.

After having eaten twice at the new location in College Park, this is now one of my favorite places around the campus to grab a bite. Admittedly, I feel like this says more about the state of cuisine in College Park, but I enjoy it. And come on, free ice cream? What self-respecting college student wouldn't love that?

Sorry for no-showing, folks; I had something come up with one of my classes today at the last second, and no offense, but trying to graduate is slightly more important than lunch...... Hope to catch you all next time!

You've never seen Office Space, then?

Holy hell, I think my arteries clogged a little bit more after just reading that, Don.

I've got to stop you there. The only reason I'd ever go into a Red Lobster is for those cheddar biscuits, and they're not even that fantastic. There's a Red Lobster in Downtown Silver Spring, and I'm constantly dumbfounded by the crowds it gets. (this is going to be split off now, isn't it?)

They opened a new location, but the old location has the newer smoker? Interesting.

Well then, don't mind if I do!