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TSchaad

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Everything posted by TSchaad

  1. TSchaad
    Stopped by the new Penrose Square location for Takohachi. The build out seems complete, a temporary banner is mounted over the old Josephina's lighted sign, and a posting on the door says they are looking for waitstaff (full and part time). Hopefully they will open soon. I need my bento fix. TSchaad
  2. TSchaad
    Just a short update on Takohachi's move to their new space in Penrose Square. Stopped by to see construction underway. Was told that Tacohachi will only use half of the space occupied by Joshiphina's. The other half is still available for lease (signs in the windows). Looking forward to the second half of september (bento boxes!). TSchaad
  3. TSchaad
    Thanks for the update! TSchaad
  4. TSchaad
    With indoor dining returning, Marianne and I were thinking of taking friends for lunch at Vinh-Kee. When I checked online, I noticed a lot of negative reviews on Yelp ( I know, I know) about poor service over the last month. Anyone have information on how our favorite Dim Sum resturants are faring as they bring normal operations up to speed? TSchaad
  5. TSchaad
    With the imminent teardown of the old strip mall at Colombia Pike and Glebe, Marianne and I were dreading the loss of Takohachi as our go-to neighborhood Japanese restaurant. We stopped by for lunch the other day (really enjoy the bento box lunches) and a poster in the window said they were closing the space on July 3rd. The good news in that same posting announced they had finally found a new location on the Pike. It looks like they are moving into the restaurant space under the Penrose Square Apartment complex. They hope to open there some time in September. Looking forward to seeing what they do with that space. TSchaad
  6. TSchaad
    Marianne and I have been focusing on our local neighborhood restaurants when we order for pickup (HATE Doordash and its ilk). They aren't fine dining, just plesantly consistent purveyors of their various cuisines. We got a solid set of ramens from Boru, a more than satisfactory tandoori lamb and Chicken Tikka from Aroma, good burgers from DGB in Shirlington. I know this forum often tends to focus on the higher tier of dining destinations, but I think it's the solid, mid-level dining options we patronize that are most at risk of disappearing over this summer.
  7. TSchaad
    Is it time to start looking at other places that may be on the brink? With the phase 1 reopening in most of Maryland on Friday, we might start getting a clearer picture of what approaches will work in our new reality.
  8. TSchaad
    Looks like they are putting the money to work. From ArlNow: Neapolitan pizzeria Pupatella, the which was a popular food truck before opening its acclaimed bricks-and-mortar location in Bluemont in 2010, is opening a second Arlington location in the restaurant “Bermuda Triangle” at 1621 S. Walter Reed Drive. The opening is planned for this summer. “The restaurant is 2,200 square feet and will seat approximately 60 guests inside,” a press release said of Pupatella’s new location in the Nauck neighborhood. “The location also features a covered patio area that will have seating for another 40 or so guests.” Pupatella also announced plans today to open a 2,700 square foot location at 1821 Wiehle Avenue in Reston by early 2020, as part of a new expansion push fueled by a $3.75 million investment. This will be within walking distance of my house -- YES! TSchaad
  9. TSchaad
    Just saw this on the Arlington Now website. https://www.washingtonian.com/2018/12/12/mike-isabellas-restaurant-group-is-going-out-of-business/. Guess that's it for the empire. TSchaad
  10. TSchaad
    Don't forget Dino's Grotto. Had a great Thanksgiving dinner there last year. TSchaad
  11. TSchaad
    Don - Still no license. As with almost all permitting in Arlington, this is another work in progress.
  12. TSchaad
    Takohachi opened on December 11 in the Westmont Shopping Center at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road. My wife and I decided to eat lunch there today to test this new dining option after reading several positive comments from our neighbors on the Douglas Park community bulletin board. Owned and run by a Japanese chef, the space is simple and open (in the good Japanese way), with plenty of space between the tables and contemporary Japanese music playing softly in the room. We ordered from the lunch menu, which offered everything from Nigiri Shushi (at $1 per piece), to a number of Udons, Donburis and a large selection of Bento Boxes. We each ordered a Bento - Marianne had the California Roll and Spiced Tuna, I ordered the Sukiyaki. Both came with Tea, Miso Soup, Salad and a Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura portion in addition to the aforementioned Mains. All I can say is that if the quality of our lunch is the baseline for the other items on their menu, this is now our go-to spot for Japanese in South Arlington. They don't have an active social media profile, or a website yet. Here's hoping they can grow thru word of mouth - I want to be able to come back often. TSchaad
  13. TSchaad
    Perhaps TedE was right. It was just that the buzz wasn't there in the initial (and subsequent) reviews to encourage people with the financial wherewithal to invest and then brag about this particular "journey". TSchaad
  14. TSchaad
    The problem is that the pricing at Shaw Bijou makes "Pretty Good" an unacceptable score. With all the other highly rated and more 'affordable' prix-fixe destinations in the city, why would any sane person with the kind of disposable income that allows them to even consider dining here do so? To brag they were present at the train wreck? TSchaad
  15. TSchaad
    Just got an email from Dean Gold detailing the Thanksgiving dinner at Dean's Grotto. Looks good.
  16. TSchaad
    Don, The current building was built as a signifigant expansion of the original American Pharmacists Association building, which had been there forever. The GSA and State cut some kind of a deal to essentially build a new Annex for the State Department on the site that incorporated the original building (the marble facade facing Constitution Avenue). If the American Pharmacists Association owned the property origionally, the deal probably resulted in a modernized shared space with State. They might even be getting an annual payment from the government for the use of the property. TSchaad
  17. TSchaad
    I think more is in play here than just a reluctance to pay the $250 price. The reservation schedule has only two windows for reservations - 5 to 6 PM and 8:15 to 9:15. For many, the first block is too early, due to work schedules and whatnot, and the second window may be to late for starting a 2 to 3 hour dining experience in the middle of the workweek. I say that because there is currently only one open reservation (for 3) for Friday, May 13th on the website, and only a few openings on the Fridays proceeding that date. As someone who often dines as a single, the biggest problem is that the only option I would have for any reservation is at the bar. There are no single reservation options at the tables and booths (for obvious reasons), and none at the Chef's Counter (my favorite spot) in the latest reservation block. TSchaad
  18. TSchaad
    According to a Jan 31 twitter conversation on the Rose's Luxury site, Pineapple and Pearls anticipates opening the coffee/sandwich shop portion of the operation in about two weeks. By Presidents Day, perhaps? TSchaad
  19. TSchaad
    I think there are several things going on. Roses has now been around for two plus years, and is no longer the incredible suprise it was for many of us when we first discovered it. It's hard to replicate that first time at Roses when everything was new, so unlike what we had normally experienced (the menu, the staff, the atmosphere) in other restaurants around DC, and it would be only human to miss that initial rush. As the staff changes (and there have been a lot of changes, as some key members have moved onward and upward in and outside DC) there are subtle changes to the general vibe, even if the new staff is trained to maintain Roses high service standards. Todd Kliman said as much several weeks ago (mentioning both Roses's and Red Hen) while discussing the sometimes negative effect of the explosion of new dining spots on the finite pool of top notch service talent in the DC area. Also, there are just people who seem to feel that the way to build themselves up is best accomplished by tearing something else down (see YELP). I will still look forward to my next trip to Roses, and i can't wait to see what Chef Silverman will do once he has a properly sized kitchen in Pineapple and Pearl to conduct his gastronomic experiments in. I'll be happy to volunteer as one of his lab rats. TSchaad
  20. TSchaad
    You have a valid point, Joe. On the other hand, those same weather conditions often result in customers with reservations cancelling (at best) or becoming no-shows (at worst). The policy is what it is, and when I go to Rose's I understand what's involved in getting a seat. It's much easier for me to make time to wait in line when I have an urge to dine there than it is try and game whatever reservation system is being used at a very popular restaurant. TSchaad
  21. TSchaad
    My wife and I went last night. Started with the Scallion Bubble Pancake (we both loved it) and I had to try the New Zealand Lamb Chops. The menu offers three different preparations, from mild to three chilies - I opted for the Cumin version (two chilies), and they were perfect. Thin, pink in the middle and well spiced with Cumin and Szechuan Chili Sauce, onions, and what appeared to be fresh rosemary. My wife opted for the Kung Pao Shrimp, which she really enjoyed. Tom Kliman posted this list of his signature dishes in his blog this week - Fish in bamboo, which is cumin-dusted fried fish in a bamboo basket. Cilantro fish rolls. Cumin lamb. Ma po tofu. Scallion bubble pancake. Hope this helps. TSchaad
  22. TSchaad
    (703) 538-6688. Closed for a private opening celebration today - taking reservations for tomorrow. TSchaad
  23. TSchaad
    5 years.... It's hard to imagine it was five years ago that Wendy Buckley took the plunge and opened Screwtop in the then new Zoso Flats building. Can anyone imagine that part of Clarendon without this convivial island of good food and great wines? This is still my go-to location for a great BLT and a glass of the house sangria at Brunch on the weekend. Congratulations Wendy! Here's to the next five/ten/fifteen years of continued success. TSchaad
  24. TSchaad
    It's now officially winter - they announced on Twitter that Popcorn soup is back on Rose's menu. TSchaad
  25. TSchaad
    This just posted on Rose's Luxury Twitter: We will begin taking reservations for New Year's Eve On Tuesday, December 2nd, at 11am via the link below. Please note that reservations slots labeled "Kitchen Counter" and "Garden Bar" are side by side seats. Our upstairs bar stools will offer the full menu and remain open for walk-ins. The New Year's Eve menu is $95 per person, and every two guests have their choice of three small plates and one "family style" dish to share, plus dessert, some bubbles, and a few extra goodies. Drinks, tax and gratuity are not included. At the time of booking a $50 per person credit card authorization charge is required. Please click the link to rocket over to our reservation site: Reservations will be available on December 2 @ 11 am Let the games begin! TSchaad
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