ziv
-
Posts
49 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Articles
Dining Guide
Everything posted by ziv
-
Cayman Islands I can't vote for any island, but I can vote against the Caymans. I spent 7 days searching for a good seafood dish, and the only place that served a decent piece of fish was the Hyatt, and it was only ok. The best meal I had during my entire stay was a fajita dish at Lone Star. The Warhol place charged an arm and a leg and the food was abysmal. Miami is an odd city, and it does have a wide range of excellent cafes, but it only feels like an island after you have been there for several months.
-
Waitman, I agree, the Apalachicolas I have eaten were slightly smaller, but plump, compared to Chesapeake Bay oysters, and the Apalachicola ones were slightly less briney. But these Long Island fried oysters were very large. The meat was probably 3-4" long and nearly 2" across, plus breading. All 6 had some green mustard, but not all had a lot of it. The weird part is that the oysters on the half shell were small and thin, and not very well shucked, tho relatively tastey. But I failed to ask where the raw bar oysters were from. Good thing the rest of the dishes were better.
-
I have ordered fried oysters in a variety of places, mostly in Appalachicola, New Orleans and the Eastern Shore, but my friend & I got them at a cafe in Philadelpia and they were different. Not only were they enormous, but they had a green gut that looked like they hadn't been cleansed properly. Is a green center normal on a large fried Long Island oyster? Is it similar to crab mustard but simply a different color? I worked up the nerve to taste it, and it was pretty gamey so I ate the non-green portions of the appetizer and left the green, but I was hoping to find out if this is something that happens if the oysters are larger and is it kind of a love it - hate it thing on the part of different diners. My friend is a foodie that grew up in New York and she was not even going to touch them, so she hadn't seen it either.
-
I was looking at the construction at Delhi Dhaba last weekend and I think that maybe they are going to use the space upstairs for special functions, because it doesn't look like it would work too well for the cafe to have more than the current 1 1/2 levels. I like this place, it isn't the best indian food, but you get a lot of well prepared, albeit mildly seasoned, dishes. I used to LOVE the butter chicken, and it is still good, but either I am jaded or they have tuned the spicing down. The achar/pickle is good, the spinach dishes are excellent, the naan is good when hot, hmmm... it is lunch time...
-
Oops. Mea Culpa! I guess I went off on that tangent because I don't think of this area as a chili town. I have been to Vienna Inn and it is fairly good, but I have to admit that the chili at Giant Foods is, or was, better. I don't like any of the Hard Times chilis, they are just kind of blandified. Ben's chili is the ultimate in ok, there is just no zing to it. Even Beenie Weenie's chili is better than Ben's. This is possibly disloyal to my adopted home town, but with a hot sauce packet or two, even Wendy's chili is better than Ben's. But, I have to admit that I have never tasted Ben's chili when I was sober. Odd, that.
-
mdt, I am not entirely serious about the cumin thing, but I stick up for my friends at Crisp & Juicy in the Pollo ala Brasa discussions, and use the cumin that is so noticeable in the El Pollo Rico bird to make the arguement that C&J's bird is the regional champion. I think that the EPR bird is a great meal, but C&J is even better. I am a lover of food done right, and I find that the way a food was prepared as I was growing up is what I have learned to love best. So while I like texas style chili with no tomatoes or beans, it just doesn't compare, for me, to what was prepared for me as a kid. This applies to steaks, milkshakes, chili, pizza, just about every comfort food I can think of, they all taste better when they are prepared in a manner that resembles the way it was prepared when I was a kid. I get the feeling that this is kind of a universal thing, after talking to New Yorkers and Chicago locals about pizza.
-
Southdenver, Thanks for the link! The author is a man after mine own heart, and his recipe is ok, except for the cumin. I have gone on day long rants about the horrendous, nearly criminal, useage of cumin at El Pollo Rico, and to have it thrown in my face in a chili recipe? It surpasses understanding! And now I have the perfect reason to despise cumin. Because it killeth dogs.
-
My friends and I got into a massive discussion on what constitutes chili the other day and it was kind of interesting to see that what I consider to be chili isn't 'texas type' chili. I learned my recipe from my grandfather, who homesteaded in Northern Montana way back in the day, so I always took his recipe as gospel. He said you start with sliced up side pork for flavor, then add onions, cook a few minutes, then add ground brisket or flank, or you can slice it up small, then add crushed tomatoes, lots of beans and a good dollop of chili powder. He was adamant about the beans, said chili was working food and had to be cheap and filling. My friends were aghast about the beans. Is this a regional thing? Chili without beans was effete snobbery where I come from, and I have to admit that I like the healthy aspects of adding beans to the recipe. Is chili without beans chili?
-
Sorry to hear about a cafe closing, that is a gamble that all to often ends in failure. I visit the Arlington DD every couple months, but I usually hit the weekend buffet. The butter chicken is pretty darned good, the saag is good, the naan is tasty, fresh and hot. The lamb is hit or miss, I think I spotted goat a time or two but it was only ok. The achar is very good and the indian videos are the right backdrop for an indian feast. It isn't fancy but it hits the spot in a very nice sort of way. This is a solid neighborhood spot, it isn't a great meal, it is simply a rather good one, and enjoyable as it is.
-
I bought another half bird with yucca the other day at the Lee Hwy Crisp & Juicy. Outstanding, both the bird and the yucca were prepared just about as well as they have ever been done. Which is odd because over the past year I have gotten 3 bad birds, 1 dry and 2 underdone. I started microwaving my chicken because it was still bloody at the bone. And the beans and rice had so much garlic once that was nearly an 1/8 of an inch thick at the bottom. I have never liked the Rte 7 chicken as much as the Rte 29 Lee Hwy ones, not sure why they are so different, or why the quality dropped last winter and spring. For a while I was giving El Pollo Rico the edge in quality, but not anymore. That having been said, I have never liked the salad at any of the C&J's, they just don't do it well. It is good to see that they got their game back with the birds, the yucca and the beans and rice, guess they will never be any good in the salad department. I have the feeling that salads just aren't a peruvian thing.
-
I just finished, or rather, couldn't finish all of a delicious meal I picked up at Saran an hour ago. I dipped deep into their menu for some old favorites and they were spot on! I got the masala rawa dosai, which I think is rava dosa most other places. It is a pancake made from wheat and lentils, potatoes and onions, served with a rich vegetable stew, sambar. And since I like it hot, the chef threw in some of the small green chilis to give it just a touch of fire. It came with a coconut chutney that was pretty good, and a sweet almost honey like dip, as well. I also ordered Aloo Bonda, which is a golden dumpling with lentils, onions and potatoes. There was a fresh green dipping sauce as well, which was pretty good. The roti was hot, right out of the oven, and it was nearly as good as the best I've had at Ravi Kabob, which has been my favorite, but it has some competition now. Saran was doing a decent business, 4 tables occupied, and a steady stream of carryout customers. The service was friendly, the dosa was prepared well, they hit my request for heat right out of the park, serving size was generous, the bonda was excellent & the achar was outstanding and it was all for $12.50. All in all, a restaurant I will be grabbing takeout from much more often! Sorry about the file size on the picture, it is a bit oversized, but you really get a detailed view!
-
I just had the lentil soup and the linguini with clams. The lentil soup was like what my Mom made, not very thick, underspiced and good for you. Not a very good starter. The clams were just about off, they had that slightly metallic taste, not bad, but not completely fresh. I should have sent them back, but I hate to do that unless the dish is really off. The linguini was ok, but not as good as it used to be. Again, just a lack of flavor. Part of this is that I have been eating at Ravi Kabob, TECC, Thai Square, Bangkok 54, etc. But some of it is just a tired dish followed by a tired dish. And perhaps poor ordering, I used to like the wienerschnitzel, but I am on a low cholesterol diet and I figure 10 clams have to be lower in cholesterol that wienerschnitzel. I was looking with more than a little jealousy at the simple dishes of spagetti and meatballs at the table next to me. Simple dishes, but they looked like each forkful had more flavor than my entire meal. The more I think about it, the more I think that I just didn't order well.
-
Oh man, Don Arturo's Silpancho! What a mountain of delicious over the top culinary bliss! Start with a generously mounded bottom layer of rice, add a thick layer of fried potatoes that give it a hint of a crunchy texture, then a breaded, pounded flank steak, tasty and either pounded or sliced right, because it is not tough, just tasty. Then there are two fried eggs, cooked sunny side up so they add a beautiful rich, yellow flow of flavorful joy! Finally, you add a layer of cilantro, diced tomatoes and onions, and you dress it with a touch of locoto red chili or salsa verde. Delicious! And it covers a large plate to overflowing!
-
Chickpeas, North Arlington - Closed.
ziv replied to Joshua Grinnell's topic in Washington DC Restaurants and Dining
I did a serious double take when I saw Chickpeas sign go up. I used to drink cheap beer by the pitcher and scarf down mediocre, but comfort type, food there. I cannot remember the name of the old place that used to be there. I am definitely going to stop by and work my way through some of their menu. Got a lebanese friend I will probably drag along as well, it helps to have someone along that knows the cuisine. -
I have never tried the honey duck, but I am happy to say that the crispy squid is nearly back to its formerly excellent level. I went by for a quick lunch, started with the Tom Yum Talay, which was a trifle thin, but tasty and fairly seafood rich. But the main dish was nearly as good as it used to be, the squid was golden, crunchy and delicious. It was a trifle oily, but not overly so, and the basil was perfect. Spear some basil on my fork, scoop some rice and spear the squid... Heaven! I had the catfish a couple of months ago and it was thoroughly ok, not great. The squid is back in the running, but I have to admit, I used to give Thai Square the edge over Bangkok 54. Now, I am not sure which is better. Tried to get a small floating market soup to compare it to Sakulthai, no joy, full size or nothing. I really like Sakulthai's FMS, would love to see what Thai Square's is like. Time to go back for more...
-
Just had an event catered by Backyard Barbecue which is located just north of East Falls Church metro. Pulled pork and coleslaw was the limit of the order, but what BB delivered was spot on. I am kind of surprised, there are so many poor to mediocre barbecue joints inside the beltway, I didn't think BBQ could survive around here. The sauce was nicely spicy, with a hint of vinegar and a smoky background flavor that I think might have been cumin. I am not a huge fan of cumin, but it seemed to work here. Buns were basic, but the slaw was crispy and pretty tasty as well. Definitely a neighborhood cafe/caterer that I hope will succeed. Their website is www.backyardbbqcompany.com.
-
I just ate at Delhi Club for the first time and I am definitely going back! I started off with the samosas, and they were very tasty, but the show was stolen by the two sauces they were served with. One was tamarind based and slightly sweet but packing a little heat, and the other was minty, but the flavor was layered and very good. Then the waiter brought my entree, Bengali Curry with a decent amount of fish that might have been tilapia, tho it had a bit more body. The curry was delicious, a rich red curry that wasn't tomato based but was outstanding, and the naan was served still warm from the oven. I also got some pickled achar, and it was very good. The mango lassi was thoroughly ok, but all in all, I was very happy with the meal. I have worked my way through the previous comments and I am definitely going back to taste a few more dishes there.
-
EPR vs. Crisp & Juicy, I think this is a good excuse to hit both this week! My office is close to Crisp & Juicy and the aroma wafts across my parking lot when ever the wind is just right, and it has always been my favorite rotisserie chicken joint. EPR has that earthy, musty flavor I identify as cumin, and I just don't like it as much as Crisp & Juicy's chicken. And the sides? Crisp & Juicy have yucca done pretty well & the rice & beans are done with just enough garlic to make it interesting, both are pretty good. EPR, not so good. Neither birds have been dry when I buy them, but I kind of wish they would spin a bird or two that were skinned before they were seasoned and roasted. Less cholesterol from the skin would mean I could eat there more than every other blue moon, and maybe they wouldn't lose too much flavor. Maybe.
-
Tap And Vine - Lee Highway in Arlington - Closed
ziv replied to Josh Radigan's topic in Washington DC Restaurants and Dining
I hit Tap & Vine the other day, sat at the bar with a book and a series (just 3!) of increasingly tasty beers/ales. Unfortunately my fish tacos were just odd, the menu states... three soft corn tortillas with lightly fried tilapia filet, jicama-carrot slaw, and chipotle cream served with black beans on the side. But I tasted little chipotle and the jicama-carrot was a kind of discordant note. I really love TECC's taco's and they have radish and cilantro, so it isn't that I want an americanized taco, it just didn't taste like any kind of taco: Mexican, tex-mex, or American. Beans were bland. Service was crisp and friendly, talkative at first then just a glance at me whenever I looked up from my book, and a smile and questioning look when I drained the beer. Good bar tending. Think I will work my way into the menu a little deeper but being limited to low cholesterol items really cuts the best chunk of the menu out... -
I took a Chowhound friend to TECC yesterday, we got a bag of tacos, beef, goat and chicken, and a couple pupusas revuelta, washed it down with a tamarind drink at Lyon Park. Delicious! We both commented on how the tacos were just about perfect, tasting of cilantro, radish, green salsa and meat, not sour cream or some sort of cheese. TECC has the real taco! The tamarind drink is really good, refreshing and not an every day sort of drink. The pupusa was good, as was the cabbage, but the salsa was only ok. All in all, a very good meal, and it cost less than $20 for both of us. I am on a low cholesterol diet, and suddenly the fish sandwich and the veggie look kind of interesting...
-
I agree about the butcher in the back, nothing fancy, but they do good food, and they do it fast and cheap. I frequently get a lunch there, a beef empanada, a pupusa revuelta with salsa and cabbage, and a corn tamal with sour cream. $5 and I am out the door in 5 minutes with a delicious lunch.
-
I have eaten here twice, had a unremarkable pork with basil, no surprise. That is one of my favorite dishes when prepared by street vendors in Thailand, and I keep ordering it here in the US hoping to find a similar version, and never have gotten close. But I went back to Sakulthai to try the Floating Market Soup, and it was pretty darned good! It is thicker than you expect, and the bowl is packed with noodles and meatballs and slices of beef and the broth is sharper, somehow, which may be because of the use of blood in the soup. The heat was a little off so I hit it with a half spoon of chili and a spoon of fish sauce with chili and it was an excellent meal for $8! Also had the duck rolls, not so good, but the Floating Market Soup was nearly as good as the versions I got at cafes/vendor stalls in Bangkok. I have never seen Floating Market Soup at Thai Square, BKK54, Duangrat's, Sawatdee Courthouse, or any of the Tara Thais I have dined at. So I don't know if Sakulthai's FMS is better that Thai Square's, but it was better than most of the dishes I have had at Thai Square over the past 2 years, which is sad because 3 or 4 years ago Thai Square was as good as most of the better dishes I had enjoyed in Thailand. It is still good, it just isn't as good as it used to be. I had chili softshell crabs there 4 years ago that I remember clear as a bell today, spicy, fragrant, delicious! But I have only had three dishes at Sakulthai, a thoroughly ok basil pork, not so good duck rolls, and a pretty darned good Floating Market Soup that means I will be back again.
-
I feel your pain! I work nearby too, and when the wind is out of the east it is hard not immediately crossing the street and ordering a half chicken with a side of the beans and rice. That said, they are getting a lot more hit or miss this past year or so. I had a dry bird a month ago, and a slightly underdone one that did a number on my stomach a couple months before that. I tend to nuke my birds for 30 seconds now, which is pitiful. El Pollo Rico is a good second best but their herb rub just tastes off, maybe it is the cumin, I don't know, but it doesn't pass the sniff test. Crisp & Juicy, a great rotisserie bird, though not as far in front of the pack, or flock, if you will, as it used to be.
