ktmoomau

+Like Agreed. It would at least be nice if the guests answered the questions asked of them, or talked about things other than their own restaurants. If not why bother.

Yes, I definitely know this! My Hubby did the same, but it wasn't as much weight, he is trying to lose some weight again now. Although for him it must be lunch because I still cook pretty much the same things/same portions. Well and I imagine Mr. Isabella had to do a ton of recipe and idea testing for his new restaurant. But apparently that also really helped him because he has won a lot more this year or been in the top more often.

Wow Daniel, you look so much like Bobby Flay in your profile picture I had never before noticed the resemblance.

I agree on Tosca. Trummer's on Main was a good deal, don't know if they are still doing it, I assume they are. I would also put New Heights on the list. We recently had an awesome meal at 701, that seems like it would be a good deal price wise for RW.

Went to the lounge the other night. Talked to Matt and the other bartender both who were very nice. Steve left big shoes to fill, but these guys seem to be doing their best. I heard them time after time recommending beers to people who wanted a lite beer or etc. They were doing good. Made me some nice drinks. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that they continue to be there and carry on the good work they are doing. And continue to make new and seasonal drinks often for the menu. Had risotto balls for a snack and they were tasty. The ham and pork panini looked killer good though. No beef sandwich though A little birdie told me Steve Warner was hired by the neighborhood restaurant group and might be turning up at Tallula for a bit? Can anyone confirm?

I was glad to see on Washingtonian.com or Wapo one of the two that Mike Isabella is working out and losing weight, it is hard to watch him and not notice how much weight he has gained. That sounds very shallow of me, but I for some reason can't help but look at him and think about it. Maybe it was because during his season he was pretty fit. He seems to be doing much better this season though. I wasn't happy that Casey went home, I think they should stop making them be in the front of house, like they have for other challenges. I think if she made the bad dish, she should go home, but if someone else made her dish, how do you know who is to blame. I didn't particularly like her personality, but I think she was a strong competitor, but then again just her choice in what she made alone was probably the downfall. Sometimes you are doomed to fail from the start.

The Chart House

I agree. I was in no way saying you were wrong at all, sounds not at all like a fun night and I would definitely be peeved too. Just kind of shocking how different our experience was on one night. There shouldn't be that kind of inconsistency. I also think restaurants should pay more attention to things like sound and air/heat circulation when designing restaurants. Having a whole wall of windows is pretty, but makes for a lot of problems too.

Say hi next time! It is amazing what a different experience we had last night. We showed up at 7 or 7:30, can't remember for our reservation, also used Living Social Coupon and Opentable. They were going to seat us at a two top near the windows, but I asked for one of the open booths right there because I get cold easily and they happily seated us there. Also most the caps people were rolling out as we came in. Our waiter came promptly, brought me the cocktail list, then took our drink orders, he explained the specials, went through the menu with us. And was just really exceptionally nice all evening. I should have taken his name. He was really a nice guy. We both had cocktails, I had a Pimm's Cup, which was good, nice and refreshing and served in a large cup, I felt it was a pretty good deal, as many of those crushed ice drinks have so much ice and not enough substance, this one was great. I forget what Hubby had. I had fallen off the gluten free wagon earlier at District Taco, so I decided to roll down the hill too. I had bread from the bread basket, with the country ham and sheep's ricotta starter. The bread was great. I really liked the country ham thought it was a great quality. I also loved the cheese, it was very tasty, smooth, but a little chunky, with a nice subtle taste and just a tiny bit tangy. Hubby and I split that starter and he really liked it too, he normally is pretty boring when it comes to cheese selection, but he liked this one a lot too. For entrees I had the Shepard's Pie and Hubby had bangers and mash. It was a really hard decision between the shepard's pie and the pork belly with grits. I wish they noted on the menu that it comes with a small side salad, because I almost ordered a side veggie for some greens. The shepard's pie has really good lamb, that is really nicely seasoned. The quality of lamb used for shepard's pie is pretty impressive. I also love the flavor of the chive potato crust. I like the way it gets crispy on top too. I tasted part of Hubby's bangers and mash and man their sausages are good. Really incredible seasoning and spices in them. Waiter stopped by to see how our food was. I had the banofee pie for dessert and Hubby had the hot chocolate. Mine came out before his, and the waiter came out and apologized that he wasn't sure who made the hot chocolate, so it took a few extra minutes, but would be out soon, which it was. I really liked the banofee pie. It was like banana pudding crossed with a blondie. Simple, but awesome. Hubby really liked the hot chocolate with the mint marshmallow's together. He also raved about the shortbread cookies, he is a big shortbread cookie fan. They happily took the living social coupon, no events. Even the manager stopped by to make sure we were having a nice evening. We had really great service actually. Anyway sorry your night wasn't like ours, amazing that two different groups can have such split experiences.

Had tacos today at District Taco. I didn't realize the default was flour tortillas, and then didn't see on the menu that you could request corn, although I see it on the online menu (Is it on the restaurant menu?). Anyway am really glad they have corn, because that means I will be back, fairly often. Not that the flour tasted bad, I am just not supposed to eat it. I loved the tacos. I got one of each chicken, steak and carnitas with roasted veggies, cheese and lettuce. I then got the hot salsa and medium salsa off the salsa bar. My favorite were the carne asada, I really loved it with the hot salsa. I thought the meat had great flavor and the veggies gave it good crunch, they were cooked but not overcooked. Hubby is in complete disagreement, his favorite were the carnitas because it was so juicy and flavorful. Both of us liked the chicken, but it wasn't our favorite. Both the hot salsa and medium salsa were great. I really loved the salsa bar. And the boylan sodas! Service was quick and efficient. They were doing a good business when we were there, not a long line, but very steady, lots of families. Yay District Taco!!! It will be added to regular taco rotation with TECC and Taqueria Poblano.

So is this the restaurant Kilman was excited about then???

Happy Belated Birthday to JoeH!

Stopping by Eventide Lounge after work, a friend is meeting up with me there later. Will probably be there around 6:45 ish if anyone would like to join.

Long tasting menus were sooo 2010

Lobster Roll?

On the chef tell all thing- this is a post in a thread, each post isn't really a "review." I don't consider each post a review. Some are, I guess, but really the whole thread is more of a overall discussion on a restaurant. Rocks posts reviews, some people have pretty thorough write ups, but I don't really think we think of them as a review.

Anyone been to 1Gen Skewer Cafe yet?

I forgot to mention that on the NYE special the trio of gelato's was fantastic! Hubby ordered it, I stole quite a lot. It was done in a slab like neopoloitan ice cream and was rhubarb, chocolate and banana maybe? I was too busy eating the chocolate and rhubarb section. Mmmm. Hubby doesn't even like rhubarb very much, but he loved it. The cinnamon gelato with my flourless chocolate cake was really good too, it added a nice spice to the cake.

So I had lunch at Z Kabob the other day. It is in the shopping center across the street from World Market with the party store. I wasn't expecting much, but I really liked it. They had great briyani, which you get a side salad that is forgettable, but also that day came with chickpeas that were good. They also had curries, kebabs and all sorts of other things. My hubby had a gyro that he thought was good too. He has had more of the menu than me as he goes for lunch. I was surprised with the menu, pleasantly surprised. Anyway thought it deserved it's own thread. Edy's Chicken and Steak is in that shopping center which is good too. I like their chicken and sauces.

Brother and his Wife, Husband and I and two friends had dinner at Dino for New Years Eve. Five courses, limoncello, two bottles of wine? maybe three and a glass of prosecco for about $100 a head, what a good night! And the food was very good. The sausages with white beans were great, the pates were extraordinary! I enjoyed everything I had. Our whole party had a really good time and our server was really nice. Making sure we had whatever we needed. All in all really good evening. Everything we ate was prepared nicely and it didn't feel like a typical harried New Year out.

Yes, Happy Birthday!

Had a Chaps experience yesterday after dropping off some rescue dogs at a vet nearby. It was the only place nearby that the smell would be so distinct no one would smell how disgusting my friend and I smelled (rescued 18 dogs with Lucky Dog Rescue, 6 in my car, from a backyard breeder who weren't in terrible shape, but smelled terrible and then threw up in my car). I liked the beef and ribs, beef had a nice smoky flavor and taste, the ribs reminded me of southern style spare ribs that your Mom might make. The cole slaw was actually really good and seemed fresh and well balanced- this really surprised me. The fries were awful. Not crisp enough, but couldn't be cooked any longer, not seasoned at all. I think the fry process here is just off. I didn't eat a bun, but looked like just a beef and sauce delivery method. It's not the type of food you want to eat before being extremely active, but it is good food comma food. But I haven't had Pit Beef anywhere else except for Rocklands, it compared favorably to that.

I am also horrible at making these types of lists because I forget where I ate when, but here it goes anyway- In DC: Trummer's on Main- whole meal really 701- Quail appetizer Pizzeria Orso- Diavolo Pizza Againn (DC)- braised rabbit over grits Thai Square- Pork Knuckle Stew Elsewhere: Hakassan in Miami Neptune's Oyster in Boston Dinosaur BBQ in Rochester Hamilton's in Charlottesville where I had a great pork chop I need to make a reservation at Casa de Sthitch, too bad that isn't on Opentable .

Can I just say that if you wanted a reservation on January 23 you could get a reservation almost anywhere. We choose 701 for a "Christmas Eve Eve" Dinner with my Mom and BIL. It was absolutely awesome. The renovation looks great. The music made it a really nice ambiance for the evening and we had a great table. We had a bottle of Jordan which everyone enjoyed. Wine service was just as it should be. Our waiter was so professional and very thoughtful. Now onto the food. I started with the Escarole and Beet Salad. They were really nice yellow beets thinly sliced on the bottom topped with escarole and them moody blue cheese sauce poured over top. It was rich, but had a nice balance from all the flavors. I really enjoyed it, but my husband won this course. He had the proscuitto wrapped quail, which came as a sausage over grits and collards. Mmmmmmm. I had one bite, I wanted the whole dish. It was so good. I loved it. It was the clear winner of starters. For an entree I had the red snapper over saffron risotto. The snapper was perfectly seared and cooked. It was prepared so well. The risotto was very good too. My Mom gave me a bite of her rabbit ragu that went over her pasta and it was rich and homey in a wonderful way. Hubby had the pork loin and was happy with it, I didn't taste it but it seemed to go pretty quick. The only complaint was from the deconstructed desserts. The problem was they just weren't as good as what the non-deconstructed dessert itself would be. I had the best one the chocolate terrine, nothing new, but it was good. This is the one area I think they could work on though. Mom didn't think her bread pudding was as good as it would be if the pralines were in the pudding and more prominent, it also wasn't very sweet. Hubby was very sad the lemon pie wasn't really pie. But overall it was really excellent. And it was a great night with just the right atmosphere.

This is why I like going to the bar at 701, you can almost always find a seat, they have live music that is nice and relaxing and the bar food is good. No worrying about gauging who is leaving when. The bar staff at the lounge at Eventide is really good at helping you get a seat, too.