adamgetz

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/02/o...t_n_195248.html

Got a twitter from a friend having his anniversary there sometime before 6:30 that he just got padded down at the door Because the President was there....I guess with the furthering of the information age news just spreads easier and faster....

I wouldn't even BEGIN to know how to turn this behemoth of a thread around....maybe we could play the alphabet game with things we might of seen at Inox? Starting with A? lol

Guess this means I have lower my opinion of good and expensive food and $100 to $999 bottles of wine, because the economy's in trouble. Thanks economy.

Sietsema counters

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/goingoutg...to_maestro.html

And a less expensive Citronelle? Should be interesting....

I believe the reason that you did not get any fries is because The Tasting Room shut down frites making after it was deemed too smoky, according to a server I spoke with when (almost) dining there last week. After we were seated:

"Could you recommend a white wine? I'm ordering mussels and can't wait to try them, along with the fries. By the way, I don't see fries anywhere on the menu".

"There are no fries because of [smoke] filling the restaurant [a few days ago]"

(then I think I heard something about the Fire Marshal making a visit and noting how smoky the restaurant was)

"Oh, I just looked a the menu online, and saw that frites or salad came with the mussels and sandwiches"

"You can get [the mussels and fries] next door (separate kitchen), plus they have a bigger menu"

"Would you mind terribly if my husband and I walked over to the restaurant-we would really like to order our mussels (me) and burger (him) with fries"

"Not at all! I understand"

We walked over to the restaurant, noticed that the bar seats were full, and the restaurant was about 1/3 full. The hostess asked if we had a reservation, and upon hearing that we did not, she mentioned that they were "commited for the evening" and something about having 2 large parties. She apologized sincerely and we departed, a bit puzzled about our attempt to dine at Brabo.

So, unfortunately we got turned away at 6:30 on a Wednesday night. We decided to go to Rustico, which was bustling in the bar, and packed in the restaurant. We put our name on the list, got drink at the bar, and were seated 15 minutes later (as told),and had a terrific meal.

btw...the online menu now reflects the printed menu at The Tasting Room.

Hey Ramona,

It seems like I'm in a unique position in reading your last post as I currently work as a server at Brabo and Brabo Tasting Room and USED to be a server at Rustico.

I'm truly sorry to hear you had a kind of "bad taste in your mouth" experience that night. Glad you still found somewhere good to eat that night! Rustico is great...

If I had been your waiter that evening even though you were jonesing for those frites and burgers I would of found a way to get you to stay..The Tasting Room has a lot of really well executed dishes, is basically an oversized kitchen and bar that you sit in, and is pretty one of a kind for the Old Town area and even DC....geared towards the foodies (food network is playing on the big screen 80% of the time) and casual diner alike. The idea is a gastropub with a simple menu and many things meant to share.

I think there just had been a small lapse in the explanation of the frite situation. I'm not management but essentially the city of alexandria requires a change in the interior structure of the building in order to continue making frites. I've worked the floor of the Tasting Room almost straight for the entire time we served frites and saw no smoke. But the new construction WILL alow smoke and steam from the fryers to ventilate to the outside of the restaurant.

As far as Brabo restaurant was concerned, theyre doing a soft opening and so consistently had part of the dining room sectioned off. This kitchen is a part of the Lorien hotel and functions as a kitchen for the restaurant, banquets and room service alike. So there was just some time set aside to make absolutely sure that the level of service and food could stay at the level for a growing amount of people.

So sorry again. I hope having a food blog that you still make it in to eat something. Robert Wiedmaier's putting out some really great food. We are operating at pretty much full capacity right now, so much better chance at getting in Brabo when making a reservation or just dropping by the TR.

-Adam

Last night, plenty of Jefferson's Reserve stout on tap. Mmmmmm.

You were at Rustico, weren't you.

Beer night. Drinkin Sierra Nevada Torpedo Ex. IPA