ad.mich

Since this has turned into a 'name your favorite other srirach-alikes' I'll just say that Apinya is local and very good.

I got my Sansaire a few weeks back (again - don't ever expect a kickstarter on the projected delivery date) and after several weekends of travel I broke it out last weekend.

They warned us that a few units had been coming back from the first batch as defective.  I got one.

I will report when I get a working unit!

Anybody seen any bottles of BMH with age statements (aka not the 'small batch' orange label) in the area?

I wonder, how many of the media folks were local bloggers?

If my own experience at events like this is any indication, probably 99%.

But I mean, if this is the status quo in this town at this point, why not go to this one.  The food looks awesome.

For what it's worth I was just discussing it with some friends who went last year.  They said they had fun, eventually left full, but said they wouldn't be going back this year.  They said they felt like the price was that high because they were floating the costs of every media person who was comped (and loudly proclaiming their VIP status).

Pictures sure look awesome though.

Three nights in Orlando this week, snow flight permitting... anyone been recently?  I've done Cask and Larder a few times (pretty solid) but thinking I might finally drop in to Ravenous Pig.

To confirm - I had the mullets last night and they were killer.  As were the oysters.  And everything else I tasted.  I expected to enjoy the cocktails but a lot of people (not DR) are sleeping on the quality of food coming out of this kitchen right now.  This is a real, serious restaurant masquerading as a bar. Keep up the great work over there Julien!

I can't speak for anyone else, but I feel like I've ran into Hopslam for sale and/or on draft a lot more this year than I have in the past.  Not sure if more came our way, if distribution was more spread out, or what.  I have seen a ton of bodega Hopslam around DC though.  

I can live with no reservations as long as it's done fairly.  Estadio, for instance, does have reservations.  They even have a computer that keeps reservations.  Except that it's only for VIPs.  I've been in there and refused a table with 2-3 tables open and no line.  It's the same nonsense at their sister restaurant Doi Moi.  Either have reservations or don't.  You basically take a crap on your customers when only certain people can get reservations.

Directly from their website:

Reservations for seatings until 6:00 pm may be made on OpenTable for parties of up to 6. In addition, reservations for parties of 6 to 8 throughout the evening may be made by calling the restaurant a 202-319-1404.

I don't doubt for a second that VIPs can play by their own set of reservation rules and (as someone who is far from a VIP and not even much of a regular anywhere these days) that's probably as it should be.

One day, I envision Bank of America having a "Swipe As You Enter" system that alerts the staff that a VIP (I use this term very loosely) is in the house. Kind of a creepy thought, huh? This is, of course, countered by the rise of internet banking and the fall of actual banks.

So... kind of like the Passion Food Loyalty Card?

That is one hell of a stretch.  At least you qualified it with the word "most"; otherwise this puts you at about the same as the op, but in the opposite camp.

I'm not saying it's everyone.  Plenty of good people (including many from this forum) would prefer that they have reservations.  I would never make that kind of statement without a qualifier.  I'm a bad writer, but I'm not that bad.  It's just that the most vocal dissenters can't help but let it slip just how cool or important they are.

But I will say this without a qualifier: there is no other town in this country that would respond as comically to actually decent restaurants holding a no reservations policy than DC.  Places like Pasta Mia?  Sure, fine.  But a place that could impress a date or clients not bowing to whims?   Time for 20 think pieces and hot takes.

The original talk of 'family style' was not just large plates like what is on the menu now.  From this preview...

A month or two down the line, Silverman plans to use that nook table for family-style dinners where guests will pay a fixed price and the kitchen will continue sending out food and wine until the table says stop. A similar $56 prix-fixe food menu will also eventually roll out for the rest of the dining room. "You can say if you want all fish, all meat, you want a three-courser, you want a 10-courser, whatever you want," Silverman says. "Basically, we're going to create a menu and cook for you, and we're going to say, 'Hey, if there's anything you really want, let us know, we'll incorporate it in the menu.'"

From Kilman's most recent chat:

Reservations also give a restaurant an idea of what to expect that night. Making we wait for 1 to 3 hours for a table is not taking care of me since I know a Benjamin will resolve this issue within 20 minutes or less. My bro was out with clients and the clients wanted to hit Rose's. They went and my bro paid the toll to move to the head of the line. Lets see how long the buzz last for Rose's when they are no longer the talk of twitter and folks arent willing to wait any longer for a seat. This happens all the time.

(takes a deep breath...)

Apologies to the people who don't live in the area, or have kids/jobs/dogs/lives that will make it tough for them to get to RL, but asshats like this are exactly why I'm more than happy RL, Toki, Serow, etc. don't take reservations.  Sorry, maybe I'm naive, but I would say there is absolutely zero chance this guy's 'bro' actually tried this or was successful.  He probably tried to front like he did to his buddy the next day when he was in a huff about having to wait like some commoner, but no. And if he did?  Then I hope it's because the hostess knew there were seats at the bar, took their money, and walked their dumb asses there.

That being said, this is a perfect encapsulation of the mindset of the people most up in arms about no reservations in this town.  A very special bullshit gumbo of equal parts entitlement, arrogance, and a demand to be VIP sight unseen ("take care of *ME* I am an important special lobbyist snowflake with *CLIENTS* who told me an hour ago they'd like to come here").  Basically you want all of the credit of going to a place with some shine without actually having to put in the effort it takes to make it happen.  There are plenty of buzzy places taking reservations.  Plenty.  But even those tend to have some kind of limit/catch to them (like Estadio's model).  It's no one's birthright to get to eat somewhere.  I think I love the predictions of doom and gloom most of all though.  I bet they agree 100% up at Two Amy's.  

You should probably just take your clients to Milano next time, Bro.  It's not the restaurant you want, but it's absolutely the restaurant you deserve.

Like I mentioned upthread, before RL opened their plan was to roll out a 'family style' dining option for larger parties, which I believe was going to be the way you'd be able to actually book in advance.  Given the overwhelming response there hasn't been a peep about that starting in a while, sadly.

The waves of entitlement regarding no-reservations establishments in this town always blows my mind.  Yes, I would visit RL more if I could make a reservation.  But I also am happy to know this system is working for them, keeping prices where they are, keeping the neighborhood pleased, and keeping the place packed.  If a few meals of mine are sacrificed elsewhere to keep away reservation horders and "don't you know who I am" table demanders then cool by me.  I know those are just the bad apples, but there are enough of them in this town to spoil it for everyone.

Don't think it's Graffiato - those look like roll-up garage doors, which I'm pretty sure they don't have (although the glassware looks similar as I recall).  Also, that would mean a VW bus found parking across the street from the Verizon Center on Valentine's Day Friday night.  I can believe a lot of things but that's a bridge too far for me!

I have had pretty spotty results with baguettes from Lyon Bakery at Union Market - something that was hammered home by the still-warm LeoNora baguette I scored from Arrowine last week.  I'm not saying Lyon is selling day old bread on Sundays, but if that was confirmed it wouldn't surprise me.

In-N-Out is closer to expanding nationwide than ever before.  Their whole thing was that they wouldn't open a location that was further than 500 miles (aka one day's truck) from their processing plant in California.

Well, after all these years they now have a second processing plant in the Dallas area.

I can certainly think of another region that would be prime to open a lot of locations in a 500 mile radius...

It ain't cheap, but if the stuff being made in Georgia will surprise you with its quality and peppery-ness.

This place is worth it for the freezer stocked with Sun Noodles alone.  But man, every inch here is used, and used well.  

In DC it's Ben's.  And it's not particularly close given the criteria.

In Nashville it's Loveless or Prince's.

In Seattle, it's probably grazing at the market to be honest.  Or Elliott's.

Sundevich has two fantastic lamb sandwiches on their menu: the Athens (with cubed lamb chunks) and the Istanbul (with ground lamb/beef grilled on skewers).

As for Isabella, G is good, and Graffiato is totally fine/ok.

Of those Top Chef guys, I've always said that if Voltaggio was Pearl Jam (creatively and commercially successful), Isabella was Stone Temple Pilots (easy punchline but actually underrated) and Spike was Creed (Creed).

Calcasieu was the right choice.  I've used them and they were fantastic.

Walking down Barrack's Row looking for a late(ish) meal last night 4 of us figured we'd be idiots if we didn't at least try Rose's.  At 9pm there were 6 open seats at the bar as well as a couch and chairs.

I don't have a lot to add that other's haven't already mentioned, other than the brisket here is the best I've had outside of Texas.  People who say they don't "get" smoked brisket should really give this a try.  It is serious business.

Our server also mentioned that they are now doing brisket sandwiches (topped with slaw and served on a whole loaf of the potato bread) in the bar only.

Anyone heard any updates on when they'll be rolling out the family-style option?

I had the same urge recently and these are a pain in the butt to find.

It took me two visits (sold out the first time) but Bazaar Spices at Union Market carries them.  Made a riff on the Szechuan pork, greens, and noodle soup on the cover of last month's Bon Appetit - an awesome recipe.

Their head brewer has left.  Maybe not a huge loss as it's hardly uncommon to see brewpubs of all sizes see turnover in this department.  Still, kind of weird to see it happen so soon after opening.

Abura Tsukemen, Toki Classic, and Red Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies are all still going strong here - the Hakata style broth is especially nice now that the weather has turned.  By definition, the broths at Toki have a heft that their new competition around town lack.  Apples and oranges I know, and the other guys are not without their charms, but if I get a craving for a bowl this is the stuff I'm thinking of 99% of the time.