JeffC

I'm with you on the Chili Relleno. Everything about it is good, in particular the sauces and the presentation. No matter what I get there, it's always my appetizer.

Crackers, the building is on the corner of Forest Glen and Capitol View. If you face the structure that include the castle, the General Store is on the right. The front door faces Forest Glen, but there is also a side porch facing Capitol View and back porch, as well as a downstairs space. Once you are in the building, there is a surprising amount of room. Just behind that building is a refurbished canary-yellow house that sits at the bend of Capitol View. That's a landmark you can't miss. When I first moved to the neighborhood fourteen years ago, someone had just opened a restaurant that served a full menu, mostly comfort food like meatloaf, etc. It was really quite good, but business was always slow and the place eventually went under. (In fact, I even talked about waiting tables part-time there until I could find a full-time job, but the restaurant closed before I had a chance to tie on an apron.) The front of the building--the General Store--remained open for a few years and there was even a Sunday brunch buffet that many in the neighborhood liked. But the place proved to be a firetrap and it was eventually closed. There's a small parking lot in front of the building and an even smaller one on the Capitol View side, the latter having room for maybe four or five cars. If the restaurant gets popular, parking could be an issue.

This is terrific news. We live literally around the corner, just off Capital View. We can walk through the woods and be there. We've seen other businesses come and go in that building--a few years ago there was a little restaurant/general store that had a decent Sunday brunch. Several fires resulted in the county condemning the building for a time, but we've been watching with interest as the building has been spiffed up and restored. I've been wanting to try Colorado Kitchen for some time. This could be the neighborhood gathering spot that we've needed for a long time.

One of my favorites is the 2004 Pirramimma. They make an excellent shiraz--WS 92, but not an ooze-monster. (I like some fruit-bombs, but this one is more elegant.) They also make a very good Petit Verdot. Price runs $20-25. For a more intense experience, the Glen Eldon Dry Bore (2003) is very good. It's not as jammy as the Marquis Phillips or Mollydookers, but it's definitely a big wine. Price around $25. I find the stuff almost irresistable.

Just a quick update. I had the lunch buffet today, something that has become a weekly ritual of late. Many of the earlier issues seem to have resolved and they are doing a very brisk lunch business. Today it was mostly Indians, watching the world cricket matches on the three plasma TVs. Today the selection was quite nice--a good vegetable biryani, a fiery chili chicken, two okra dishes--the one I selected was quite fiery--a very spicy south Indian chicken curry that made an excellent naan sop, dosas, rasam, tomato soup, idli and sambar, dal, etc. The selection was such that I couldn't try everything I wanted. More often than not, it's like that. The quality and spice-level of the food seems to be improving steadily. The heat level of the food is the highest of any of the buffets I frequent.

They have Gulden's Spicy Brown in the back, but you have to ask for it. I can't eat a burger without it....

I'll second that, in all respects! Saturday night, Dean suggested that I try the Lobster Pasta in lieu of my beloved Wild Mushroom pasta, so I took the plunge. I've learned to listen to his suggestions and this was no exception, as the intensity of flavors really took me by surprise.

I used to work around the corner from De Marco and ate their lunch specials once a week or so. For a quick lunch destination, it was good, especially when Silver Spring was much more of a food wasteland than it is now. I think they still do a pretty decent lunch business--and will continue to, as there are many office workers nearby who need a quick lunch--so the expansion must be an attempt to take advantage of the commercial growth of downtown SS.

Any chance of getting another buddy or two to contribute? If so, that might get into Charleston territory. My wife and I had one the best--and most romantic--meals of our lives at Charleston a couple years ago. Wonderful food, a terrific wine list, and excellent--including friendly and relaxed--service.

Orechietti ai Funghi is my favorite Dino dish. It's "embarrass your friends in public and lick the bowl clean" good. Be sure to save some bread for sopping up the sauce. I feel a drive down to Cleveland park coming on.....

Citronelle--my wife has had several meals there. Me, never. Maestro Manresa (CA)--a food-loving friend lives in Los Gatos and reports that it's incredible. French Laundry (CA) Bukhara (New Delhi)--reported to be the best Indian (my favorite cuisine) restaurant in the world. Per Se (NY)

I've been there three times. The first time I ordered a "medium" burger and it came out medium rare. The second time I ordered it medium well, and it came that way. Third time the same. But I don't think they pre-cook the burgers, based on the first one. I got onion rings the first time--very good--and fries the second time. Like DanielK, mine were not as crisp as I'm used to at Urban BBQ. And I agree, the buns could be better. But it's still a good burger with a big upside. So my review fall somewhere between dinwiddie and DanielK. I like the burgers, but I've never had one at the original Urban. One complaint is the lettuce at the fixins bar. I don't like shredded lettuce on my burger--if it isn't leaf lettuce, forget it. Shredded is too much like McDonald's. I'd rather they put the lettuce on the side, like they do at Hard Times, which still sets the standard for a burger in Montgomery County, IMO. But Urban Burger is young and, IMO, is already miles ahead of Cheeburger, Cheeburger. I've tried them twice and was disappointed both times that their burgers could be so completely devoid of flavor.

2000 Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal (Pauillac). Found this in my cellar--what a nice surprise, as I don't remember buying it. I'm terrible at tasting notes, so I'll just go with, "enjoying the hell out of it".

Chennai (Madras)? I'm also hoping that the seafood is good and plentiful. There are many good Indian restaurants around, but none that I know of that specialize in seafood. Heritage India and Passage to India have some nice seafood dishes, but only a few.

Nice. I'm sipping Lagavulin 16, neat.

Yep, my grandmother used the Jello mix as well. She liked tapioca, my grandfather loved his butterscotch, and I wanted the chocolate. But of the three, I liked the butterscotch skins best. But the whole thing had a stealth element, 'cause she never liked the way I pilfered the skins before the pudding had properly set......

When I was a kid, I loved pudding skins. Far and away my favorite treat--they were best just after forming, well before the pudding had hardened. And raw hot dogs wrapped in a slice of American cheese were great as an after-school snack. When I'm feeling lazy and hungry, nothing quite does it like Wheat Thins and Gulden's spicy brown mustard. Yum......

True, true, and true. But I haven't been back in weeks, as I can't justify spending so much for so little, no matter how good they are. My wife thinks Comet has the best pizza in town, but those prices are excessive. If the prices were more reasonable, there would be lines out the door every night, IMO. If only they had adoped a little of the spirit of Pepe's--"it's good food, and it's cheap".

First time at Mia's tonight--my wife had "Mia's" and I had the sausage/pepperoni/mushroom pizza. I finised mine, but Geri brought some home. Both were excellent--mine had ample char, with even a bit of char on the pepperoni. All the toppings were generous without being overwhelming. Ol ironstomach will be glad to know that the sausage does adds both oil and spice. And the sausage is very tasty. As others have noted, the crust could be kicked up just a shade, but I honestly don't know that I would have noticed, had I not read the previous posts before going. We're so happy that Mia's is here--it just halved the distance we have to drive to get good pizza. (Two Amy's being the next closest.) With two salads, the pizzas, and sodas, we got out for just over $40, including tip.

Chutny Ni Murgi and Chicken Makhani at Passage to India #12 at Pho 75 Tenderloin tips special at Samantha's Lamb Vindaloo at Heritage India Green Chicken Masala at Rasika Ped pad ke prao at Ruan Thai Carne Guisada at La Bamba--for me, the ultimate comfort food (cheap and satisfying) Mushroom pasta at Dino

Not to mention a huge "Way to go!" for Sudhir Seth and Passage to India. Finally, much deserved recognition for this under-appreciated--in some circles--Indian restaurant. Chef Seth really is serving the best Indian food in metro DC.

I've eaten at the Rockville and Langley Park locations and I'd give Rockville the edge, but not by much. Eat-in or carry-out, I've never gotten anything but terrific from the Hungerford location.

Pirramimma Shiraz. Nice drop...

This is where Pho 75 exceeds the rest, IMO. The depth and intensity of flavor is unmatched. I've eaten in many other local pho houses, but there is invariably "something" missing. I wait for the next layer of flavor and it doesn't come. If their pho was wine, I'd say it has great complexity, with a long and satisfying finish.

2005 Pirramimma Shiraz. Generous fruit, but not of the Mollydooker school of over-the-topness. This is one the goes well with food.