Jump to content

Lori Gardner

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    336

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    4

 Content Type 

Everything posted by Lori Gardner

  1. Lori Gardner
    I really enjoyed the floating market noodle soup on a recent visit, although it's searingly spicy. I would probably ask for it to be a tad toned next time (I just don't want to cry and sweat when I eat soup). But overall, I'm a fan.
  2. Lori Gardner
    thanks for the recommendations. I had given up on Seven Seas a couple of years ago, sounds like I should check it out again. and Pizza CS keeps falling off my radar. I'm looking forward to some new places to check out in Rockville.
  3. Lori Gardner
    I'm curious about Tony Lin's. I work nearby and have never been to Tony Lins. Any specific dish recommendations? I can't really add any other recommendations to this list- maybe Matchbox although I'm a bit tired of it. Black Market Bistro is worth finding and they do take some advance reservations- although they limit the number.
  4. Lori Gardner
    I tried the relatively new Kraze Burgers in Bethesda last week and wasn't particularly impressed. But if we're talking buns, these were good. The beef, on the other hand, lacked flavor. I'm wondering if anyone else has been to Kraze and what they thought.
  5. Lori Gardner
    I am with you in terms of Al Covo. Here is my recent blog post on Al Covo and a few other restaurants in Venice http://beenthereeatenthat.net/2011/12/dining-in-venice/
  6. Lori Gardner
    I was at Komi this past Saturday night for dinner. I didn't see Chef Monis but towards the end of the meal I asked if he was around. They said he was downstairs at Little Serow but goes back and forth between the two restaurants. About ten minutes later he was at our table delivering a dessert course. I didn't see him go around to other tables, so my sense was that because I asked about him he made a special appearance. It's the second time I've met him and he seems so humble and genuinely appreciative of praise.
  7. Lori Gardner
    I ate here tonight with a group of six and we had no qualms with the food at all. The branzino was very fresh and flavorful. I had the lamb shank with orzo, which was tender and well seasoned. We also enjoyed a number of the mezze including the fish roe, which was probably the best. The spanakopita was good if not exciting. Our issue with Nostos was the noise. We were at a round table of six and I could basically only talk to the person on either side of me. It really detracted from the enjoyment of the food. We spoke to the owner after dinner and he told us that they are taking steps to address the noise issues. If you care about conversing with your dining partners, I would suggest calling before dining here to see if they have made any changes.
  8. Lori Gardner
    I would love to hear more on this. We went for dinner months ago and had such a bad meal I couldn't go back. I would like to return for dim sum but have resisted based on the dinner experience.
  9. Lori Gardner
    My experience at Little Serow was fantastic. A couple of the courses we had were standouts, specifically the meat courses - sai oua pork sausage / kaffir / basil neua grapao Wagyu brisket / duck egg / basil si krong muu pork ribs / Mekhong whiskey / crispy garlic The wait staff was fully engaged with our table and enjoyed the fact that we were being so expressive about the food. I also think it was a great value at $45. I will happily go back - and hope to do so very soon.
  10. Lori Gardner
    Perhaps some advertising would help. If you don't know it's there, you don't know it's there. I read about Pizza CS on this site and work nearby, but then I forgot about it. I was in the parking lot of Pier One the other day, saw the restaurant, and remembered reading about it here. It is back on my radar now so I'll try and stop by soon. But if there's been any advertising, I've missed it.
  11. Lori Gardner
    We were here for dinner on Christmas and had a disappointing experience. The place was packed but fortunately we had a reservation. But Michael's is small so much of the meal we had people standing in line behind our table. They were out of drinking glasses, so some of us couldn't get water. They had glasses for tea but I wanted sweetener for mine. It wasn't until the end of the meal that I finally got it. I was with 7 others and I will admit that they weren't adventurous diners so we were stuck with some traditional dishes. Crispy eggplant had more breading than eggplant. I tried to order a lamb dish I had read about but the waitress had no idea what I was talking about and we finally had to settle on a really mediocre hunan lamb. The dan dan noodles were interesting- I didn't expect shredded pork on top. Then again neither did the vegetarians at the table. We had two orders of chicken with pickled cabbage, which were delivered separately. The first order was just okay. For some reason the second order was much better and we could actually taste the pickled cabbage- which wasn't the case the first time around. Most unfortunate- they were out of fortune cookies too. If Michael's Noodles was closer to where I lived or worked I might be compelled to try it again. But it's not, so I won't.
  12. Lori Gardner
    We went to Pearl Dive Oyster Palace last night. Going early on Christmas Eve was the perfect time to go - no wait at all. Neither my husband nor I eat oysters, but there seemed to be enough diversity on the menu to satisfy us. I started with the barbecued shrimp. They were fantastic. Nice-sized shrimp, perfectly cooked, and a kicking spice rub and sauce. I would come back again just for these. I had the fried chicken as an entree and I agree with previous assessments. It is moist, tender chicken with a delicately crispy skin. Delicious. I couldn't finish a fraction of it. I had some for lunch today and there is still more to go. My husband had redfish. He loved the crispy flavorful skin on the fish. Looks like they really know how to keep things crisp at Pearl Dive. A friend asked me today why we would go there when we don't eat oysters. We didn't feel like we missed anything and there's lots more to recommend (great drinks and a killer eggnog pie). We'll be back.
  13. Lori Gardner
    I was there last night with a large group. I agree that the pretzel bread is pretty darn good. Couldn't stop eating it. We had a flatbread with smoked salmon which had a thin crispy crust and mascarpone cheese. It was quite good. We also enjoyed the flatbread with smoked bacon. Several of us had the duck entree which the server said was there most popular dish. We all found it a little overcooked and lacking in flavor. However, I heard good things from my fellow diners about the pork chop, shrimp and grits, and the trout. I would like to give it another shot- I think it has potential.
  14. Lori Gardner
    has anyone been to Cuba Libre recently? Has it improved any with age? I have a friend who wants to go here for dinner but I haven't seen anything to indicate that it is any better now. than when it originally opened.
  15. Lori Gardner
    I am also finding this season so much better than the first. I had the pleasure of meeting Matthew Petersen last week. Here is my blog post on the experience: http://beenthereeatenthat-foodobsessed.blogspot.com/2011/09/getting-my-just-desserts-with-matthew.html CityZen is offering his four-course dessert tasting for $25 and it is so worth it.
  16. Lori Gardner
    I finally made it to 8407 Kitchen Bar and am so glad that I did. I started with a carrot ginger soup with a beet coulis. The beet coulis really added a nice dimension of flavor to the soup. I had wild Alaskan sockeye salmon for an entree served with jasmine rice, gingered swiss chard, and yuze-sake glaze. I thought the fish was beautifully prepared with a nice blend of sweet and a touch of heat. I also had tastes of the beets and goat cheese salad which was enhanced by grapefruit and a beautiful heirloom tomato salad. I was not a big fan of Nicaro- I found it over-priced for what it was. The prices at 8407 Kitchen Bar are probably similar but I thought the delivery was much better and as a result didn't mind the price tag. I'll be back- they have these cool half-moon booths that look really cozy and my husband wants to go back for more ginger cheesecake. Plus for me, the location is close to home and that's a nice bonus.
  17. Lori Gardner
    Wow- really? I wasn't courted. I met two restaurant owners and our discussion was primarily about other restaurants in the area. I was intrigued to try their restaurant because I live nearby. At no time did they entice me to come to The Daily Dish based on an offer of free food. I fully disclosed the circumstances of my visit in my blog post and acknowledged in detail the special treatment I received. Interestingly, I thought about this thread as I was writing my post.- which is why I was so careful about full disclosure. I know some think it's unethical to accept anything at all from a restaurant- obviously I disagree. But I will never write something that isn't honest because I was bribed to do so.
  18. Lori Gardner
    I would recommend B Spot for burgers over Lola. I was at Lola several months ago and didn't think it was all that great. on the other hand, loved B Spot.
  19. Lori Gardner
    I was at Peter Chang China Grill a few weeks ago. Sadly, Peter Chang was not there. But I thought the dry-fried eggplant was fantastic. We also had ma po tofu and a house special fish. The flavors were unlike any I have experienced in the DC area. There was some serious heat in the dishes but rice and lots of water helped us manage the fire. The event sounds great- maybe even worth the drive.
  20. Lori Gardner
    I've been to Graffiato twice for dinner, and maybe I've got a warped perspective after some high-end dining lately, but I don't find it overpriced. Small plates are around $10 pizzas around $18. I've paid that for pizza in many other places around town, and it hasn't been nearly as good. I don't think you will be hugely disappointed - far from it. The first time we went as a walk in on a Friday evening. We got in after 15 minutes. It's certainly a bustling place but not impossible to get in. But that may be changing as the buzz is growing.
  21. Lori Gardner
    I was at Medium Rare last week and enjoyed it but not racing back. My husband does not eat meat and I don't think there is any reason at all to bring him there. I loved the bread, thought the salad was a little barren, and liked the steak and frites quite a lot. My dining companions did not want dessert so I passed but was a little disappointed to do so. I try to restrict my red meat intake to once a week, so the experience was indeed a rare treat. Enhance the veggie option and I may be more compelled to return with my spouse.
  22. Lori Gardner
    Sensation #1a: mildly amused
  23. Lori Gardner
    I went to Sensorium and I enjoyed it. There...I said it. The food was excellent although the portions were miniscule. The entertainment was definitely over the top but if you go with the right frame of mind, it adds to the experience. I admit that I went with a Groupon, and this definitely was a factor in how I viewed this event. If I had paid full price, I would have been less than satisfied with the amount of food. But I think the harsh comments on this board are unwarranted. I sensed that the other guests who were there are the same time were enjoying themselves. There were three young women at our table paid full price, and they loved it. I invite you to view my blog for a full review: Been There, Eaten That Sensorium post.
  24. Lori Gardner
    There seems to be a lot of negativity here for an event that hasn't happened yet. I was ready to shell out $150 pp for this event because it intrigued me. I had a group ready to join me on the adventure. Then the Groupon came out this morning and I snagged one very early. None of my friends got it in time and now don't want to pay full price for newly opened dated. I am so much happier to have paid a lower price. I am hoping it's worthwhile in some way...food, entertainment, both?
  25. Lori Gardner
    I had dinner at Sabai Sabai a week ago with some friends. We loved our food which included mee krob (crispy noodles in sauce with shrimp and tofu), veggie mee krob, and lahb (minced chicken with herbs) for starters. The flavors were sweet and tangy and spicy and crunchy all at once. Our entrees were selected based on recommendations from Don Rockwell. In his February 15 review he declares his meal at Sabai Sabai "the best Thai meal I've had in years." We had the crispy duck with basil, crispy herbal fish, lahd na (chicken with wide noodles and Chinese broccoli in light gravy), and Sabai Sabai grilled chicken with papaya salad and sticky rice. The portions are nicely sized. The duck is peppery with hints of five-spice powder. It's topped with crispy basil. Delicious. The fish is cooked perfectly. There is quite a bit of burn in these dishes, but the smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors in the dishes offset the heat. The food was powerful but not overpowering. Each dish had intense flavors but were unique at the same time. Don had a follow-up review where he found the food "incredibly mediocre." I hope this was on an off night, as my meal was within close proximity to his and was quite excellent. My full review is on my blog at http://beenthereeatenthat-foodobsessed.blogspot.com/2011/03/sabai-sabai-simply-thai-is-not.html
×
×
  • Create New...