ktmoomau

If you want more American Italian I always like most of the pasta at Filomena, but avoid the gnocchi it is very heavy. Haven't been to Il Canale though and Don says it is a great place.

Here is the post from ARLnow: American Flatbread, the wood-fired pizza restaurant that opened on North Fillmore Street in Clarendon last year, is fighting county officials and community associations for the right to open an outdoor patio. In an exasperated email sent to customers this morning, restaurant management claims they were misled by building owners about the ease with which they would be able to obtain an outdoor seating permit. The email bemoans the “mixed signals, confusion and thousands in lost revenue” caused by the year-long, fruitless effort to get a permit. The homeowner’s association president for the townhouses across the street from the restaurant “has made it his personal goal to use his new position of HOA president to attack all of our seating,” the email says. The Clarendon-Courthouse Civic Association has also joined the effort to block outdoor seating, despite efforts to find a compromise, according to the email. “I have gone to meetings of these associations and offered many compromises (close by 9pm, no music, the idea that our patrons aren’t the rowdy ones doing shots and vomiting on the sidewalk on the weekends),” a restaurant representative writes. “But the HOA president and his cohorts don’t want to compromise, they just want to flat out say no and deny you the pleasure and right to enjoy what every other restaurant in the County can offer.” The Arlington County Board is set to take up the issue at its meeting on July 10. The Planning Commission will discuss the request on Monday. Public hearings may also be held, according to county documents. American Flatbread has started an online petition to boost its case for outdoor seating. So far, 277 people have signed. Despite the online support, the restaurant — which specializes in organic and locally-sourced ingredients — seems to think it will lose the fight unless it can mobilize a sufficient number of people to show up in person. From the email: We have received “off the record” information that the Arlington County Planning Division will recommend that the County Board DISALLOW our application for outdoor seating at their meeting to take place on June 28, 2010 in Room 307, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. at 7:00 P.M. Why? Because [community association opponents] spent the day last Friday leading key Planning officials around by the nose, parading around our space and characterizing you, our beloved guests and patrons as, “loud, partying, drunkards” that would disrupt their privacy. The only way to defeat these folks is to turn out enmasse on Saturday, July 10 (8:30AM) at the Board Meeting and show your support. Appreciation Party to follow at the restaurant. Thank you for your support! FYI I plan to attend the meeting even though it is painfully early in the morning, hope to see some of you there. Outdoor seating is a big deal to me not so I can get drunk and be noisy, but so I can sit there with my dog. And I think it is silly since really their customers don't tend to be drunk or obnoxious, and if you bought property in Clarendon I kind of think that you should have seen this coming, and if you didn't you are at least benefiting by the fact that your property values haven't dropped like everyone elses.

Went yesterday to get Max a doggy cupcake, which he loved. He licked every bit of frosting off the grass that he was eating the cupcake off of. And really loved getting to eat a faux chocolate cupcake. We enjoyed the Buzz cupcake and turtle cheesecake. Their cheesecake is really light and airy which is how I like it, if you are a big NY cheesecake person it might not be your thing, but I really like the light fluffiness with the decadent toppings. Matt said his Buzz cupcake was really good.

Had a final meal with the Aunt and Uncle this morning. I had the leek frittata which was very nice. It is cooked in its own little skillet and has nice flavor and texture. Very fresh tasting with potatoes and pia de gallo, leeks and some spring onion on top. And I love the little donuts you get to start, if I was just with my husband I would have used my finger to get the extra frosting. Anyway another good breakfast, but next time I am getting the waffle it looked great.

Took my Aunt and Uncle and Hubby to Eventide Lounge Friday night. I didn't know if we would be able to get in, but decided to take the chance as there were two open seats at the bar and we could have a cocktail at least. We sat down and Steve greeted us. My Aunt doesn't drink many cocktails so he started her with a Tom Collins to see what she thought. Matthew had a Country Thyme cocktail which was a little sweet, a little tart, but very fresh with all the herbs. I had the Mr. Tea, which I find very refreshing, with white tea and pear. Uncle had a Vodka tonic. We lucked out and the next two stools opened up so we decided to dine at the bar. We started with the soft pretzel. It was my Aunt's first soft pretzel. We all enjoyed them. I love the deviled ham and their homemade mustard. I wish I could have a whole jar of that mustard. Then Aunt and I got the locavore salad, and Uncle and Hubby got bison sliders. The locavore salad is great. It is so full of good stuff that you don't feel like you are eating just a salad. It has chicken, bacon, hard boiled egg, sundried tomato and a nice bacon-sherry vinaigrette. I also stole one of Hubby's bison sliders which to me are like eating an upscale sloppy joe in a great way because they have a tomato flavor in the sauce that is really good. Steve made a cocktail for my Aunt with St. Germaine, Gin and lemon juice that was very good, so I ordered one, as well. The boys switched to beers. And we had a nice evening that was casual and a lot of fun. They really enjoy eating at bars so this was fun, and Steve was really nice and took a lot of time to talk to us, and the other bartenders did a great job of taking care of us too. I was glad to see it was packed too.

We had a big family dinner at Ray's the Steaks Saturday night. My Uncle from Garrett County that requested dinner there came down. We started out with a great Pinotage that Mark suggested, well we started, middled and finished. We had deviled eggs, chowder and sherried crab bisque to start. All good as normal, everyone enjoyed. We all got steaks. I had the NY strip au poivre, Aunt had the hanger steak (which was very good), Adam had the spicy diablo encrusted tri-tip perhaps? I can't remember, but the crust was fantastic. Uncle had the NY strip (plain). Everything was fantastic, cooked to order. We ended with the coconut pie, which is not like coconut cream pie, it is in a graham cracker crust and has good whip cream coming with it. I really enjoyed it. Anyway the evening was fantastic and the food was all really good. So just another normal review for them... Next time I think I am going to get the hanger steak.

7:00pm tomorrow and all the people that have posted since my last post are good to go and added to the list. If anyone needs a ride from the metro please PM me.

So my Aunt has an allergy to seafood, and I wanted to see if Korean food (mainly bbq) should just be avoided as too uncertain or if people thought it was do-able. Does anyone have any idea what items may have seafood in them? I was thinking somewhere like HoneyPig or HanGang, ordering beef or pork bbq. As I cannot speak any Korean, I don't know how difficult it would be to convey a seafood allergy. What are your thoughts? I of course want to be on the safest possible side as we don't want any trips to the ER.

We go now and then, before the oppressive heat wave struck this area we used to like the patio. It used to be better, but if it isn't a million degrees and they have risotto with Lamb or Osso Bucco that is normally very good. They used to have a pasta with salmon that was good, but I haven't had that in probably a year now. I haven't had great luck with too many of the pastas.

Until you wake up the next morning to her bitchin. Was that too much? She is much prettier though, I will give you that.

The list that I have as of now is: Thistle plus guests (3-4) Goldenticket Catharine Kibbee plus guests (2-3) The Matt and a maybe on Fuzzy 510. And of course me plus guests. Anyone who wants to be added to the list or taken off the list let me know.

You know I wasn't offended last season by Mike and his comment. But I was really offended last night by Angelo to the point that I wouldn't eat at a restaurant I knew was his. It wasn't that he said he didn't like Kenny or even that he looked like he tried to throw his team under the bus (Kenny clearly said I got dessert, someone else took main course so the other get whats left). What really disgusted me is that he could care less what he sent to his customer. Perhaps because they were children, or because he had immunity. Anyway that left such a bad feeling for me that he didn't care about the customers themselves. Here was a chance to make a great impression on a lot of young children, who probably thought all these people were totally cool. Had he cared he could have really done something neat and inspiring. Or at least something healthy and tasty. I would never want to dine at a restaurant with a chef who cared only when it was "important" to care in their minds. I want a chef that thinks every meal is important. It was that lack of care or passion that really left me disliking him. And serving sherry should have sent Amanda home, I don't care how sugary and starchy that pudding was, serving sherry to children would get most people fired. She just seemed rude to everyone and I wish she would have paid for it.

Ok so the date is the 28th seeing that most people can make that. I can give anyone who needs a lift from the metro a ride from the Ballston stop. Will call with the number of people who have said yes so far, but if more want to come please either post or feel free to PM me and I will get the count to Raul.

So... I have been trying to be more and more conscious/conscientious about my fish buying and eating. The problem is that I really like canned tuna for things like quick lunches or packed in olive oil for different uses. I have been looking and it seems like American Tuna sold at MOM and WF is the only brand I can find that uses line and pole methods through a quick google search, anyone know any others?

Yay! I actually like reading magazines on the ipad while I am sure in some way (energy consumption, batteries, more products polluting the earth) it doesn't help anything I like the paperlessness. Hopefully they come up with an easy way to save recipes to your favorites in another app (epicurious app perhaps) that would be cool.

Well he is flexible, how many people can make the 28th? That is his preferred date, but he said if turnout would be better on the 30th he could do that too. I was hoping some people would come back and see the edits.

Went to the Westover location last night and had a very nice meal. The pita was fantastic as usual, pillowy and crisp. Humus with pine nuts was smooth and nicely done. House salad was very fresh with ripe tomatoes, cucumber and feta (but not too much) and a nice vinaigrette. I had the Mouzat- lamb shank in tomato sauce with burghul pilaf and the lamb was very flavorful and falling off the bone tender. The tomato sauce was very tangy and went well with the pilaf. It is nice to see a local chain that has really kept the quality control. I always like the Arlington location for its charm and the service there is always great. Last night we had a really nice server who even gave me extra pita for my leftovers.

Ok I started a thread for the event here.

Ok so not on a Tuesday, but still hopefully $20. So based on the good turnouts for previous $20 Tuesdays and strong interest on the thread. I just talked to Raul and June 28th would be best for him can people make that date? (thanks Leleboo) I would rather do it sooner rather than later myself... but he could do a July date I would just have to call him back? I am thinking 6:30-7:00 if Raul can accommodate us at that time. Will contact Raul and see what he had thought of doing when he talked to Don and try to give you more details. Address: 300 W. Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22046 Website.

The clams were awesome. When going back I may order a whole bowl and not share. I didn't really find the pizzas too soupy at all- the crust was chewy, the ingredients good, the Margherita was the most wet, but wasn't really that wet. The front of a slice may not stand striahgt, but I don't really expect them too. I must confess I loved the Giametti, it was a meat loving dream. The slice of Fileto I had was wonderfully garlicy and really nice. And I must of liked the crudo as I ate extra slices. It was a great selection of pies. And they have a small, but nice wine list. There may have been a few bites that had too much char for me, but not enough to stop me eating anything. I agree it would be nice to have the offer of cutting your pizzas as the knives given really weren't up for the job. I like AC too much to quibble about it cooling the pie, but it did... I have to laugh I took two leftover slices home to my Hubby (who is a NY pizza person, bless his heart) who scarfed them down in about two seconds flat, then said, "they were ok."

I agree don't do Italian because EVEN IF you went to someplace that is really just as good, it will never be in her eyes. And even if she admits it is good she will think you are being ripped off in terms of price. My go-tos for picky eaters or for people I really like either way are Blacksalt and Ray's the Steaks. Blacksalt for those who tend to be more fish people because they always have simple grilled fresh fish if nothing else looks good (although something always does) and Ray's because most of my family loves red meat so that works well. I also really like places like the Carlyle in Shirlington for types like that because they always have something for someone. I also have had really good results with Bistro Bis for that sort of thing, even though it is different, it is recognizable different. If you did do Italian I second Filomena in Georgetown.

Don, the people are restless. Qwell their desires

I hate to say it, BUT I had a disappointing meal at Liberty Tavern last night. Not that I don't think there is plenty of good food still there, I just ordered some off dishes. I had been craving Liberty Tavern so bad lately after reading the current menu so last night we went for Brother in Law's casual birthday dinner. I wanted to get the fried squash blossoms to start but they were out of those. They also were out of the tavern salad which I really like. So I ordered the fry plate to start because, one I thought it would be something everyone would eat and two well quite frankly I had eaten most of the other items on the menu and I knew Sister in law would be giving me part of her market salad. It came and the shrimp were very good, the belly clams very good, but the fried lemon didn't add enough citrus/acidic balance and the sauce just wasn't tangy enough to be a contrast. The market salad however was nicely dressed with simple dressing and was very pleasant. I had a hard time deciding between the three current pastas and decided to go with the soft shell. While the dish sounded great on paper there was too much breading and pasta and not enough acidic/vegetable balance. The dish felt overwhelmed by the pasta itself. This is funny since one thing I love about their other seafood pasta is that it isn't overwhelming of the seafood and the flavors are so discernible. The crab itself was great, just needed less pasta and more of something else and the sauce needed to be more acid and a bigger punch of flavor. Ordered the blueberry peach pie to end. The thing is it is really hard to make personal pies without screwing up the crust, I understand that. But they tried anyway and there was way too much crust and it was not flaky, in fact it was hard and lacking the delicacy of pie crust. I would rather have a piece of pie from a whole pie and it look less cute than pie crust that is too thick and over baked. Also the filling was quite watery and the caramel sauce really didn't add anything. I then tried Hubby's chocolate banana brownie dessert. It was ok, but not as good as the candy bar they used to have on the menu. I don't feel the amazing need to have either of them again like I have some of the desserts Liberty has made in the past like the Candy Bar or the pumpkin cheesecake or the sticky toffee pudding. I am so disappointed that I ordered badly. Hubby got the hanger steak as an entree and it was fantastic, as usual. I don't think they are declining, I think I just ordered wrong and they need to re-work some things in a few of their dishes. They will get it figured out, I just feel like I got jipped from my typical Liberty experience which made me frustrated. I keep thinking if only I had ordered X, X is always great. Or Y, I love Y.

We are biding our time until the current $20 Tuesdays are done... don't worry we will start planning soon.

I also use Hello Vino for wine pairings and Drync Wine to make notes on bottles I like when out to dinner (although this one freezes on me a lot but I am hoping the new upgrade has helped). I would love a Rockwell app, the first time Don mentioned it (he was joking) I went and looked for it (I was not joking).