Rovers2000

They also recently announced they're going to have a permanent, dedicated, draft line at Jimmys Old Town Tavern.

They certainly do the "hazy" new england style IPA well. Their double orange starfish holds its own nicely against some of the best in the style from Tree House, Trillium and other well known NE breweries. Additionally - while they're not as available due to their diminished quantities, they make some great stouts.

When looking at Serious Eats today, I saw this article and before clicking thought: I wonder how this will compare to the stuff I've seen from Julien on DR.com...to my surprise, it was an interview with him! Its nicely done and as many of his blogposts and posts on here do - fills me with wonder regarding just how amazing his work is. http://www.seriouseats.com/2017/11/obsessed-julien-shapiro-pate-en-croute.html

The roasted pineapple ice cream at 2 Amy's is the single best ice cream I've had in my life. I've only had it once, but I greedily look every single time I'm there to see if it has returned.

I've used Wirecutter (and its affiliate the Sweet Home) to support quite a few purchases. They actually just had an article on this: The Wirecutter Medical Alert Systems website

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary there earlier this month and I definitely noticed that our server was more like a glorified buser than anything else...that said we ordered the tasting menu - but there was very little in the way of description from the server. However, what saved that was we had an INCREDIBLE experience with the beverage director / SOMM (can't remember the name, but he had a grey beard and was just flat out terrific). My wife is VERY pregnant (we're expecting twins) and he went out of his way to make custom non-alcoholic* pairings for her. When he delivered those pairings he tended to discuss how they specifically paired with aspects of the dish we were being served - so while I was underwhelmed with our server, he more than made up for it. *if a restaurant serves "prisecco" (a non-alcoholic sparking wine) - my wife will likely go out and find it going forward, as she loved it

As a student - I (and frankly my parents) liked Fuel and Fuddle for what it was. Granted this was a decade ago but it was always solid for a couple beers and sandwiches / pizza. Its not upscale but my parents never turned their noses up at it. I agree with Tessaros and would add Church Brew Works (a brew pub in a church) if you're going to venture over the Bloomfield (I think) bridge, which is still pretty close to campus. Breakfast at Pamela's was always good as well.

This was my gateway pizza here - and its one of my favorites so I'm always happy to debate it . Its been said up thread and I would recommend it based on how much you seemed to enjoy the more blistered parts of the crust - order the pizza extra crispy. I'd also potentially suggest you try the Etna. Its my other favorite. But agree - the strongest points are the sides / antipasti. Also on the bread front - I normally ask for an extra side of it when I order Burrata and other delicious treats and they're always happy to oblige.

3rd the Glen Manor rec. Jeff and Kelly are absolutely wonderful and their wines in my opinion are some of the best in VA. Its also my favorite atmosphere - its small and even when its packed, it never feels crazy like some of the other vineyards. Delaplane is nice - though I feel like the quality of their wines has been slipping of late.

I can't put my hands on the link at the moment - but Dogfish is actually leading the charge in terms of removing their RateBeer footprint. It appears quite a few breweries are following their lead.

I too am a fool for that sauce - and thank you for the idea of getting it with the croquettes!

I used Leslie Wilder and her team (www.3wilders.com) when I purchased my home in Arlington (Ballston) and could not have been more pleased. They also support folks looking for rentals - and I give them my wholehearted endorsement. Happy to provide more detail if you'd like.

I'm heading to HHI for a golf trip that, unluckily for me, overlaps with the Caps / Pens series. To that end, does anyone have any good recommendations on potential Sports Bars that are worth heading to?

I am finding myself in need of a new corporate head shot. While my company provides them - many of my colleagues haven't been thrilled with the quality. Does anyone have a photographer or company they would recommend? While Arlington / Northern VA would be preferred, I'd be open to suggestions downtown as well. Thank you!

The total wine in Ballston had it for about a week and a half (2 bottle per person limit). They seem to have dropped quite a bit more this year than last (I believe total wine in sterling got some more today - 1 4-pack per person).

Agree that 2017 is a particularly good batch and is worth picking up. For reference, I also recently opened at 2016 bottle that I had aged, and it was tremendous. The barrel notes had softened nicely and there was still a prevailing taste of coffee - these definitely hold up over time.

First trip to Napa: - Sweetie Pies - This bakery was in / next to our hotel (Napa River Inn) and provided breakfasts with our room each morning. The "AM Bun" was a wonderful cross between a croissant and a sticky bunn, the apple / cheese danishes were delicious, the scones were light and airy and the quiche of the day was custardy and wonderful (bacon and spinach versions). Really impressed and definitely a nice way to start each day. - Gotts - First night in, walked over to the Oxbow Public Market. After a glass of wine, decided that a burger to cap off a long travel day was in order. Wife had the Texas Avocado Burger and I had the Green Chile Cheeseburger. We both liked the fact that these burgers had a pretty low "sloppiness" quotient. Each was well assembled, cooked appropriately to order, and had a wonderful blend of each ingredient in each bite. Nicely executed and I get the hype. Both Fries and Onion Rings were excellent renditions. - Oenotri - lived up to Don's commentary upthread. Orecchiette with rabe and sausage was very nicely done. Burrata with grilled radicchio was probably my favorite dish of the evening. I prefer 2 Amy's crust from a pizza standpoint, but the version here is quite nicely done. The meyer lemon cake with torched merengue was a nice end to the meal. The place was hopping at 8pm and though they were packed, I thought the staff moved folks through the small bar area nicely. - Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen - Showed up for a 730 reservation at 630 (didn't realize everything in St. Helena would be closed at 5-6) and they didn't bat an eye and sat us immediately. Nice bottle of rose suggested (one of the cheapest on the list, which I thought was nice) and carried us through the whole meal. I had a Tex-Mex chicken dish with black beans that was excellent and my wife had a wonderful "spring" risotto. Despite not needing it, had the "s'mores" Sunday - excellent. Great casual vibe with upscale food. I really enjoyed this place and would definitely go back. - Bouchon - Don't get me wrong, the food was great. However, I was unimpressed with the service. Long times where our waitress disappeared, when I asked for her opinion I got a variant of "everything is good", etc...I realize its a bistro, but at a Keller place I guess I expected more. Started off with a fig old fashioned that was one of the best cocktails I've had in awhile. I had the French onion soup to start, wife had a salad with goat cheese. She had the steak frites and I enjoyed the Parisian gnocchi which I always like - these were no exception. In terms of the steak frites the steak was perfectly cooked and the frites were so good that I had to ask the server to actually take them away. We were so full we didn't push ourselves with desert and instead took a nice after dinner stroll. - Giugni W F & Sons Grocery (Giugni's) - Went here on a suggestion from our host at Ehlers. Was not disappointed by this old school deli. Cash only. Excellent breads. Had the roast beer on soft sour roll with horseradish, mayo, giugni juice (oil, vinegar, herbs), lettuce, onions and tomatoes. Just a wonderful little spot - we ended up here twice and could have been more. Easy sandwiches to pack with us to picnic with. - Culinary Institute of America - Greyscale - Stopped in here to visit their small deli. Had a great Cuban sandwich and a nice sized side salad for 7 dollars (!). Service was a little slow, but its run by students so it is what it is. Couldn't believe the value and the sandwich was very tasty.

I tend to order the Guacamole Greens salad with no tortilla chips and double chicken. My wife loves the Harvest Bowl.

Realm was on my list...I'm actually debating which wines from my allocation to purchase. Would love your thoughts on the winery itself and which wines you've enjoyed from them since it would be my first time purchasing.

Congrats Don (and obviously to Clemson)! That was one hell of a game.

Appreciate all the advice! I also had a family member recommend the Napa River Inn to me - which based on my research may be a really solid option for us. It also looks like I can use the copious amounts of points I've accrued this year towards it which is a nice side benefit .

Thanks Don (and belated happy holidays) - I think the double tree is probably a little below where I'm looking to stay. I don't want to go crazy (500+ per night) but I'd be comfortable between 200-350 (and that probably would've been smarter to include in my original post). Duly noted Oenotri - it is on the list now.

I'm in the process of planning my first trip out to Napa with my wife for the last weekend in February (Thursday - Monday). It'll be our first trip sans our 17 month old little one so I really would like to pull out as many stops as I can without going completely off the wall financially. To that end - does anyone have any lodging recs they would pass along? I'm fine with larger hotels, boutiques, BnB's or even Airbnb or HomeAway options. Thanks in advance!

There are a number of bourbons better than Bookers at its current price much less at its future $100 price point. Part of this, I think, is driven by the success of their limited edition Bookers Rye (retail, $300). In my opinion it is one of the most unique (and best tasting) rye's I've ever enjoyed - and now that it has won numerous "whiskey of the year" awards - the secondary tariff is approaching $550 a bottle. That said, its also my understanding that this was a one off "experiment" for this first batch of rye.

Agree with everything Don mentions above - however, if you're looking for something a bit more traditional, I have the Oxo reviewed below and have really been impressed. Feb 8, 2016 - "The Best Coffee Maker" by Cale Guthrie Weissman on thesweethome.com