Chris Cunningham

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! There are a lot of angry and judgemental people when it comes to "Celebrity" food and their restaurants. Lots of Haters as well...which is equally pathetic and sad Too many people , in their own minds, are the greatest armchair quarterbacks of food....... Unless you've actually eaten the food at any of Spike"s places ...you should keep your mouth shut...until you have actually tried the food. I have never been to any of his places, primarliy becuase I dont go over to Cap Hill much and I'm at my own place enough I do plan to try both places at some point and at that time only after I HAVE EATEN the food, shall I render a verdict....and either keep it to myself or share it in whatever forum. It is very sad that many people want to hate the place becuase of some perception of the guy....So unless you've actually met someone in person or tried their food, I recommend that you all keep your opinions limited..becuase I don't come to the bowling alley and tell you how to do your job

Pizza and burgers are such huge staples in our society and are so ridiculously subjective, that I actually dread hearing about them all the time

Took one of the bikes and one of the GF's up to Skyline Drive this weekend for a getaway. The scenery is quite wonderful...the rooms are pretty decent...the food is...a crapshoot

Aramark runs the concessions for the whole park and they've sold their soul to Pespi..which sucks ass..Yep..I'm a COKE guy

one night, we started in the Taproom with just drinks and an appetizer of Nachos....picture tri colored corn chips, cold melted cheese, crappy guacomole, sour cream and salsa....seriously the WORST nachos ever..and I wasnt even drunk...YET Moving upstairs to the main dining room, we started with fried mozzarella and a wedge salad----Decent and hard to screw up....even for ARAMARK

Mains were Fried Chicken and prime rib.....Chicken was pretty darn good..mash pots, not so much. Prime rib was cooked as ordered- med rare and baked potato was about 20 mins past its prime...$62 for that a a few beers, so all in all..edible and filling

Next day fiasco at the wayside store/carry out/ sit down dining was hellish. walked in around 11 am..just after what appeared to be a mass breakfast exodus..to a completely dirty and un bussed dining area. I felt for the servers..for many reasons..not limited to their working conditions, education and hand dealt in life but they are just very nice, hard working people, doing their job as best they can..and I cannot fault them for that, even when I make a condescending joke at their expense. It took about 15 mins for someone to come over to us and say hi...she handed us menus and took our drink order. breakfast was over and a limited, no frills lunch menu was available. GF went with chicken sandwich, I went with Va ham sandwich. Both had fries and both were served on a ciabatta bun. Mine was great, as I love Va ham..hers was pretty bland and tasteless. Fries rocked!!!! Asked for check and chatted up the server as to what seemed like a hellish morning for her..she explained that they only had 2 servers and a trainee..I felt for her and she actually remarked that my gf didnt eat her food...I told her that it just didnt taste like anything...so she removes it from the check. That server had more common sense than most of the waiters I've encountered here in DC when noticing unfinished food. She got herself a great tip and we went on to enjoy a beautiful, if not scorching day coming down the mountain

Ok..it's been a while since I've posted and swear that I've posted before about Hunters Head, but the search function doesnt bring up the restaurant..so I'm starting it again. Went to HH after returning from 2 days on Skyline drive and Luray caverns. I had made 7 Pm reservations and requested my usual table. I miss living in Middleburg so very much and I love this place. My GF and I had drinks earlier at my favorite biker hangout- The Red Horse INN...took a back road to show her our old house and looped around to Upperville. Walked in to a crowded restaurant and even the courtyard was half full..hot, but not unbearable. Happily, my fav table is inside. We started with goat cheese salad and a wedge salad- delicious!!!!! Mains were fish and chips for her and Pork Tenderloin for me. I also ordered the Bubble and Sqeak...mash potatoe pie baked with fresh veggies..corn, broccoli, onion, and peas....AMAZING AS ALWAYS The pork tenderloin was perfect with spices and a mustard / apple glaze. The freshly baked bread and farm fresh butter are pretty much unbeatable...and I love eating of of pewter plates. I rank HH as one of my all time favorite< romantic, consistent and top 10 places for meals

I grew up in Alexandria..and there is nothing Good nor Original about this location or the food

Went to Pete's tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. The space was quite nice and open, lighting was perfect and no unruly children ruling the roost. Staff actually seemed happy that you were there.....COMPLETE OPPOSITE of 2 AMY's Pizza can be hit or miss even the best of places..but we got a whole pie with different toppings on half. Crust was perfect as was the flavor. The ceasar salad was tasty, yet a dissapointing size for $7.95..not enough for two. Boylans soda on the fountain is a great touch. Looking forward to going back and ordering delivery!!!!! Will still go to 2 AMY's occasionally, but not anytime soon.

The guy seems to have moved on. Its a shame because he was good. I tried the Pollo a la brasa. It wasn't bad.

You sir, are misinformed I don't know when you were out there last but Ron is still out there on Saturdays and Sunday's not withstanding a blizzard or really bad weather. He was sold out of food by 4 pm this Sunday and packed up by 4:30pm. Rest assured that he will be out there most every weekend...so don't be eating any other BBQ because he is out there grilling away. PS the smoked chicken salad is to die for!!!!!!

When in doubt folks....CALL RON and reserve an order or ASK when he will be out there

YELP is crap...pure and simple

Went to Wagshal's today and had the Holy Trinity....shrimp salad, Whole roasted chicken and finally got to try the Smoked Brisket sandwich...OMG-that sandwich is one of the all time best I've ever had. Full of Flavor, moist, melts like butter and just the right amount of grease This sandwich could def be habit forming!!!

Have never been here, but it sounds good....I will go pimarily because of the name Kam Fong...which was the name of the actor on HAWAII FIVE-O who played Chin Ho Kelly There's a lot to be said for a name and if he's good enough for McGarret, its good enough for me

It was a crazy bitter cold wind blowing in our area on Sunday and even colder out in Middleburg. I went out to check on a couple of our horses and called to see if Ron might be out there cooking as well. Sure enough, he and his son were out there in their Uhaul keeping warm while the BBQ was smoking!!!!!! Due to the weather of the past month, this was his first time out in 4 weeks. But he said that if you tell people that your going to be out on the weekends throught the winter then you have to show up and be true to your word. Sales were slow, but people were out there buying what I seriously consider to be the best ribs and sides in the area...STILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has also made a new smoked chicken salad that is quite tasty. If you want the best ribs and chicken available in the area..do yourself a favor and drive out on Sat or Sunday and support a genuine guy who loves what he does. Call ahead if you want tomake sure he is there and to hold an order.

I actually knew this before it even happened, as the GM is a friend of mine and told me what was up....but it didnt even register for me to say anything. She said the restaurant had closed but they were trying to make a go of the upstairs bar only...so it kinda closed and it didnt as well Sorry!

Just want to let everyone know that ALLIANCE TAVERN is now officially up and running..RIP ENOLOGY (for now). The beer taps are flowing as is everything else. WE are open today so come on up and celebrate the new year.

Location, Location, Location.....they say location is everything

I wanted to let everyone know that the Enology run will be ending, not on a bad note, but on a different note. After 17 months of riding out a recession, making enough $$$ to get by and evolving with the neighborhood, Enology will be morphing into "ALLIANCE TAVERN".

Getting by financially is just not good enough and combined with who our neighbours are and what they seem to want, we have decided to transform ourselves into what I hope will be the perfect corner tavern. If you've stopped by lately, you will notice that I have recently repainted, decorated, added 8 TV's, a new menu and 8 Draft beers are on the way next week. Enology was a great concept, just not for that location. We will be relocating Enology or a hybrid there of consisting of old and new world wines, great cocktails, beer and food bites to another location next year...perhaps the West End

Change is not always a bad thing, and while it is a bit frustrating, it is better to be able to adapt and alter one's course than not be able to continue at all. We were considering waiting a bit longer to make these changes, but there is not going to be a metro coming my way anytime soon, or a pro business neighboorhood group that wants change (EX. Giant redevelopment).

Johnny has assembled a great menu that is welcoming to all, including kids as well. We will still have over 60 great wines by the taste, glass and bottle that will change as often as I see fit (especially by going to a 2 page menu as opposed to the old 30 page one and getting rid of all bottles that are not available by the glass) still have Jamie Stachowski's great meats,and a great line up of beers that include Starr Hill, Goose Island, Stone Mill, Full Cirlce etc.

The new awning and name should be going up soon, other than that, we have already changed everything else without any down time or closure. I also did away with reservations and Open Table....so our seating is come as you are and first come.

I hope that you all drop by and check us out when you can. I will also let you know when we will reopen in another location next year.

Back in 1987 John Petrone opened Papa Patrone's in spingfield...He had the take and bake concept and it was quite delicious. John used incredibly fresh ingredients and would then place the pizza on its baking pan and cover it with a shrink wrap. He gave you a card with baking instructions for the oven or the grill. He also made fresh pasta's and sauces as well. It was one of the best pizzas I have had to date...especially for a take home pie. I think he stayed afloat for about 10 years. Great guy and a good concept at the time. He worked at the Childe Harold for years back in the day...

Hello to all...I just finished counting my inventory the other day and I don't want to spend that much time counting bottles anymore ....So here's the DEAL OF THE DAY- TONIGHT ONLY...ANY BOTTLEs THAT IS NOT ON THE BY THE GLASS LIST ARE HALF PRICED!!!!!!! EXAMPLE---MAGNUM OF FAUST CABERNET- USUALLY $150= $75 TONIGHT!!!!

I did this deal last night while I was talking to a guest, as a result, they bought the last 3 Sine Qua Non syrahs for $125.00 as opposed to $250 Let's consider it my version of the Pre Macy's Thanksgiving sale..but with Wine!!!

remember also that you can take it with you if you don't finish it!!!! SEE YOU TONIGHT!!!!

I think people in general go through fazes where they post or dont. This board is just like any other activity in life...sometimes you just have enough, dont care anymore or find other avenues. Facebook is a prime example...I was all into it when I discovered it in Dec, and I might post once every few weeks now. It can be especially boring to read about the same threads or restaurants over and over. The Ray's empire is always good period...so how much more can a normal person take of the same praises or repetitive questions about it?????? The additudes of some of the self anointed "foodies" and their postings are enough to make me not even log in for long periods...eventhough I usually tune in daily to see whats going on. Self promoters on this board are also quite draining at times. People take a break from all types of relationships and communications and this is no different. The world will not come to an end, nor will the site (hopefully)

I remember reading that Geoff Tracy and his brother opened a sandwich shop recently. Does anyone know the name of it, where it is located and how it is if you've been????????????????

I remember reading about the huge portion size or a 2 lb cheesburger or something like that

Anyone

What is wrong with Teddy? Multiple personality disorder? Now I have no desire to eat at Granville Moore's knowing that he's a pyscho.

Son...if you're going base your dining choices on personality traits or perceptions than you should just stay at home and eat where its safe Cause most of us in this business and some of the best chefs in this city and the world are "pyscho" If you haven't eaten Teddy's cooking, you are doing yourself a disservice

Just got back from a day of riding and had called Ron earlier today to hold my order for me. Got the last rack of ribs and a couple of potatoe salads..HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually started working on bottling Ron's sauce for him....we are going to call it "Holy Mother of BBQ" sauce.

Ron had sold out of everything by 3:45 today...45 racks of ribs alone!!!!

Glad some of you are making it out there to pick up his BBQ...It is simply the best around.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but does anyone know if they sell half rack of ribs? All the comments/reviews I've read have made me really hungry to try their food, but there's no way I would be able to finish off a full rack Thanks.

There is no dumb question.....other than "do you have a nice White Zinfandel"

Yes...they sell them by the half as well. They will be there Sunday, but go early or call to place and guarantee your order. I was there at 3 today and they only had 6 more racks of ribs (3 of which were mine). They had sold out of the BBQ sandwich and the Chicken, as well as the cole slaw. I did get a BB beans and a potato salad....Both were Excellent

Not at all--psycho ants, yes (come picnic time); but sycophants, no.

The community here is, however, too knowledgeable (paradoxically and counter-intuitively), too sympathetic and too forgiving to be a useful tool in discovering and measuring a restaurant's shortcomings and failures. (This is a great place to find out what you are doing right, but not a great place to find out what you are doing wrong. Of course, many would argue that my strong arm tactics and intimidation, and those of my adherents, are largely to blame for this, which is unfortunate and also the subject of a different debate).

The people who post on the Post or send comments to Tom, on the other hand, are too dishonest, hysterical, hostile, and vengeful.

HERE! HERE! You sir....are CORRECT

Damn.....I looked at the website, but should have paid better attention to the frickin hours as I headed out there today only to see that they r CLOSED Mondays

My own fault

I drive by every night on the way home....can never figure this place out...just a few cars, if any most times...think they're running numbers or just playing backgammon

I stopped by a few months back and was one of those guys who was out of luck as they had just run out. Gonna have to come up with an excuse to get out there again. How does the place compare to something like dixie bones? (best local ribs IMO since Ben's left us).

Honestly....There is no comparison, and I used to like DBONES, but consistency is an issue ....Pit Stop blows them away!!! Flavorful, meaty, juicy, smoky and spiced just right.

Just a note to let everyone know that this Saturday from 4-6, I am teaching a "intro to Mixology" class at Enology. Cost is $40 PP and is limited to 20 people. I have about 9 spots left and it is a great way to start your Sat or a new career Food, drinks and a great gift bag are included. Just go to our website EnologyDC.com to sign up. Look under events and click on the Mixology class to get your form. I really enjoy teaching these classes and guarantee you'll have a fun time.

http://www.enologydc.com/wp-content/upload...logymadness.pdf