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bonaire

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Everything posted by bonaire

  1. bonaire
    I certainly hope so! Has anyone seen dates anywhere? (for the cupcakes, saw early Dec for yogurt)
  2. bonaire
    Go here. Get the pumpkin/gingery cupcake. I think it's a special offering. You won't regret it. Well, maybe you will if you eat two in a row, like I did.
  3. bonaire
    Hi everyone. I'm attempting my first quiche this weekend. As background info, I'm a terrible, terrible cook. I'm only doing this to test out a recipe for an impending visit from my boyfriend's mother -- she's an excellent cook. I'm looking for both broad suggestions on how to not make this a disaster AND specific recommendations on a good pie crust I can purchase to use, as I don't think I'm competent enough to make my own crust! Any suggestions on good extra ingredients to add in are welcome too -- what are people's favorite quiche recipes?
  4. bonaire
    I'm not a Michelin expert by any means, so please factor that in as you read this. However, I just wanted to say that my favorite restaurant on the list (as a sushi fiend) is Jewel Bako. It's such a beautifully decorated space and the limited number of seats ensures that you get exceptional, graceful service every time (or at least I have). And of course, the food is exquisite. I don't know if it's been on the list before, but I'm pleased to see it there now. Oh, and last time I went I sat next to the Counting Crows.
  5. bonaire
    I just want to reiterate that the mussel chowder here is to die for. Out of this world. Creamy, but not in a "OMG I just drank a bottle of half and half" kind of way. Crisp vegetables, perfectly cooked mussels, and incredible flavor. I almost had to assault my SO w/ a utensil to get th bowl back.
  6. bonaire
    I just can't dislike this place as much as a lot people on the board seem to (and that's not meant a criticism, just an opinion difference!). In fact, it's grown on me during my few return trips. My burgers have been pretty consistently medium (although it would be nice to be able to request a level of doneness as I like 'em rare) and I've really enjoyed them to the point of actually having a craving for them one evening. I think the meat is well-seasoned, the service is pretty decent and the shakes are yummy (if not a wee bit sugar-high inducing). I know one criticism has been the fast-food patty style of the burger, but I actually appreciate the size as I don't leave feeling like I'm about to explode! My own criticisms are the pricing (which Spike can control) and the lines (which I think are kind of out of control). I agree Spike's pre-opening comments were pretty ostentatious, but I think his offering has improved dining on the Hill and provides a nice burger option, which this city has lacked until recent openings. He's not the food-god I'm guessing he thinks he is, but he's also not this guy.
  7. bonaire
    I second (third?) that. I live in the neighborhood and love the idea of a relaxed place with some outdoor space! I just sent the Sietsema link to my S.O. who I think will be pacing outside of the place til it opens....Sounds like it could be a great addition to the neighborhood.
  8. bonaire
    I absolutely love the mussel chowder. I know it's summer and you may not be in the mood for something warm, but if you can handle soup in summer I'd give this a try. It's pretty filling too, since you're looking for "entree replacement" type appetizers. The gougeres are a must, although not terribly filling and you'll want about 10 orders of them. I agree w/ your saving room for dessert philosophy. I get that banana split every time I go. I always swear I'll share it nicely w/ others but have come dangerously close to spearing my dining mates with my spoon when they take what I perceive as too many bites. That malted vanilla ice cream is so damn good. I really love this restaurant. I'm going back for lunch on Monday and have been thinking about it since I made the reservation a week ago!
  9. bonaire
    I actually appreciated the size of the burger (although I agree the price may be an issue, I don't know enough about burgers to make a valid comparison). I just can't eat a huge hamburger in one sitting and find that leftovers are rarely as good. Something about it being too rich for me. Mine was slightly bigger than a Mickey D's burger and it was just about the right size for me. All of that being said, perhaps part of my problem was my attempt to conquer that massive shake!
  10. bonaire
    Went by here last night after bocce. I liked my burger -- it was a simple cheeseburger w/ just the "special sauce" and a pickle. It was about medium rare, which is how I like it. Boyfriend's burger, however, was quite well-done -- fortunately, he likes it that way. He got the some sort of double bacon cheeseburger concoction which he believes is far better than Five Guys. He's actually going back tonight for more. I'm not sure I'd have liked my burger that much if it had been well-done. I will be interested to see when I go back if a request for a level of "doneness" can be accomodated (I didn't ask this time, just lucked out). I also had the toasted marshmallow shake. Now, I'm a sweet lover, so I really liked this -- thought the whole toasted marshmallows in the shake was a nice touch. However, I'd plead w/ the power that be to offer smaller sizes! I adore sweets and couldn't even get down 1/3 of this shake. All in all, good meal, but this will be a "drop by if in the area" place rather than a "I MUST DRIVE AN HOUR RIGHT NOW FOR THIS BURGER" place. Unless they make tinier milk shakes, then I may have a problem....
  11. bonaire
    Went to Marvin for dinner on Saturday. There were some highs and some lows. Highs -- had great service. Our waiter was really friendly without being intrusive and steered us away from some dishes he thought we may not like. Really liked the frites, although the sauces served with them looked as though they had been sitting out for awhile. Also enjoyed the appetizer ribs. Could have been a little more rare but overall they were really good - the bbq sauce was a nice sweet sauce. The grits that went w/ the shrimp and grits were really yummy too. Not oily as some grits can be but very creamy and with a nice cheesy flavor. Lows -- our lows were all decor based. The banquette seating along the far wall is a little odd at the points where they have inserted partitions to break of sections. I sat on the banquette and there is a pillar/pole that sticks out about halfway into the seat, so you have an uneven back -- part of it is recessed and then part of it is pushed forward. It's very uncomfortable. It appears that all two-seaters along the wall have this problem, although I may be wrong. Also, those partions have lighting on them that hits at about chest height. My boyfriend, who was sitting in the outside seat, was "sort of blinded" by the the light coming out of the partition. He could only fix it by leaning up against the partition and blocking it. Overall, we enjoyed our trip. I think we'd just ask to be seated somewhere different when we return.
  12. bonaire
    I've done the Diamond Club a few times. Some thoughts (and apologies if this is a bit late).... When you first walk in, get your ticket "validated" so you can spend your $35. They'll give you a little wrist band that says "I'm Special!" Ok, maybe it just says that in your head.... The buffet looks big but it's actually three setups of the exact same thing. Usually a pasta, a chicken, and a red meat, along with some sides. There is also a big desert section w/ massive cupcakes and baseball shaped iced cookies (generally). It costs $24.95, I believe. Not sure it's really worth it, but fun to try once. They are stingy on the red meat -- it's usually carved by an employee who only wants to give you 2 tiny pieces. Fight him on it. The left over ten bucks won't buy you much. Just a glass full of pop and ice costs $4.95 and I believe a beer is $6 or $7. If you don't want to do the buffet, you can spend your $$ on a la carte items either at the big bar or outside w/ seat-side service. I've never tried to spend my $$ outside the Club, so not sure if you can do that. Break away from the Club when you can and get a Nathan's pretzel. Beats the pants off of anything you'll get inside. In general, Diamond Club is fun for it's bathrooms, good bar service and great seats. The buffet? Eh....
  13. bonaire
    Perhaps my pizza palate is not sophisticated enough for the board. I'll work on it, but I still like my greasy cheesy pizza from Manhattan Deli....
  14. bonaire
    I have to recommend Manhattan Deli by the Archives/Navy Memorial metro stop. Crappy place, but goooood pizza. May not be totally New York-ish (crust may be a little too thick for that) but it's got delicious cheese and the crust is a nice crispy/chewy mix.
  15. bonaire
    Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions! I've gotten a few good ideas in posts and through PMs, so I'm going to try to nail down a place this weekend. Thanks again! Anne
  16. bonaire
    Saturday. Friday if we must, but us older girls get tired by week's end!
  17. bonaire
    Hi all -- I'm looking for recommendations for a private room for a birthday party for a few 30-something girls. We're looking for a bar, not a sit-down restaurant (although a restaurant with a large bar or private room would work). It'll likely be between 40 and 60 people. We're hoping for something kind of laid back (not chi-chi, frou-frou, or pricey-pricey). We're not crazy, nor are our friends, so it'll be a pretty low-key event. NoVA or DC ok, not MD. Any suggestions? I thought that there was a separate thread with discussion of places w/ private rooms but couldn't find it. Please move this if it exists! Thanks so much in advance! Anne
  18. bonaire
    I'd say that there's likely a difference depending on party size. Large ones should have to confirm -- that kind of lost revenue can be a big deal. As for parties of 2 or 4 or 5, I'm not thrilled when I have to make an extra call to confirm but it doesn't raise my hackles the way other things do (like, say, requiring a credit card). This would be a non-issue if people were more respectful of the restaurants they visit. One can't just treat a restaurant reservation like it's a movie that you may or may not go to. It's a commitment that you are making, just like the commitment you make to attend a dinner party or other hosted event. Just because you may not know the proprietors doesn't mean you can treat the commitment you made to them any differently. Learn to call and cancel if you can't make it. Then, maybe, we wouldn't all have to suffer these confirmation calls to compensate for the idjits out there....Yes, idjits.
  19. bonaire
    Capital Grille -- it's around the corner from my office, their cocktails are strong and the food excellent and Sylva, Rachel and Sue are some of the best bar server buddies in town.
  20. bonaire
    Went here last night for dinner. I will definitely go back, multiple times. I had to keep reminding myself that I COULD go back and so it wasn't necessary to order one of everything. I haven't seen anyone mention the potato leek soup -- I had it last night and it was fantastic. It had a very smooth creamy base and had a nice saltiness without being overwhelming. The potato chunks were perfectly cooked -- not too mushy, not too hard. We also shared the mussels gratin. Definitely save some of your bread to soak up the liquid that's left over after you devour the mussels. For my main, I had the trout with capers. My only "miss" of the night -- I found the taste on the char on the fish overwhelmed both the fish and the capers. Those who like char will love this dish, though. Finished up with the pear tarte. It is insanely good if you like really sweet things (which I do). The ice cream (cinnamon honey) was a nice balance to the warm pear and caramel sauce. If you go, make sure you ask for salt (even if you just want a touch). They bring you a beautifully presented dish with three compartments each holding a different kind of salt. One looked like a traditional sea salt, the second was a purple Hawaiian salt of some sort and the third was a very finely ground other type that I can't remember. I found that a few grains of the Hawaiian salt (they're pretty big grains) on your bread and butter added a nice flavor. Our service was perfect -- we had a nice young guy who gave us some good menu tips. It was only two of us so we were sat in a nice nook that accomodates two two-person tables. I will say, it's hard to have a personal conversation sitting so close to two other people, but it wasn't a big deal at all. I'll definitely be back, sooner rather than later.
  21. bonaire
    Am headed to Boston tomorrow for work very last minute. Have to pull of a moderately expensive business dinner for three tomorrow night. Any suggestions on good places that might not be booked full? We'll all be in the city proper, on the waterfront by the convention center. Thanks in advance for any help!
  22. bonaire
    When I worked on the Hill, the Audubon Society handed this out to staffers. I've had it in my purse ever since. I've actually politely asked restaurants where certain fish come from. Generally, I get a blank stare from waitstaff unless it's at a place like Oceannaire.
  23. bonaire
    I read this article when it came out. I completely agree w/ Kliman. I eat A LOT of raw tuna (so much so that my father thinks I must have mercury poisoning). It's hard to find anything worth the price you pay these days -- it just doesn't have any taste. I will say that I try to go to Oceannaire at least once every other week. They regularly get Big Eye in (I need to ask how it's fished, I suppose) and I get it sashimi style. They give you a typical Oceannaire sized portion and it's wonderfully textured, flavorful fish.
  24. bonaire
    Also check out Teatro Goldoni. Their website says they have a risotto w/ mushrooms and black truffles, and I bet you could ask them to alter one or two of their other varieties.
  25. bonaire
    I'm headed here tonight. Has the menu changed yet with the new chef? If yes, does anyone have recommendations on what's good?
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