kirite

Traveling in NYC doesn't suck. Most people don't have cars. And for those who do, traffic isn't that bad since the lights are properly staggered! Driving in DC sucks now because you hit every single stop light for no good reason. If people all live in urban areas, there'd be a lot less wasted energy.

No, traveling in NYC doesn't suck, because most people ride "in the hole in the ground" as Leonard Bernstein wrote many years ago. Can you imagine DC Metrorail coping with the consequences of no height restrictions?

I've eaten at the 14th Street and Shirlington locations multiple times and both are consistent with regard to the slow service. The waitstaff are very pleasant...just don't be in a hurry.

The food is mediocre at best. I've eaten from the breakfast and lunch menus and nothing is executed well and frankly, I don't much like eating there any more.

I think the draw is the vibe of the place and the fact that it's kinda European in feel...you can sit for as long as you like...no one is pushing you out.

No posts here about B&P in more than three years. Before enjoying the new Woody Allen movie--"To Rome With Love" (his best work since "Match Point" imho)--we had an exceptional al fresco lunch at the Shirlington outpost. We shared a hummus appetizer that was very good but not as subtle as Nostos. Entree #1 was a nicely prepared grilled panini sandwich with havarti, avocado, arugula, and roasted red pepper on superior multi-grain bread. Entree #2 was a deceptively complex dish of beans and wild rice with guacamole, pico de gallo and grilled chicken. Wait staff was friendly and professional. Nothing was OVERSALTED. B&P derserves a shout out. By far the best restaurant in an admittedly hurting Shirlington.

There's currently a Groupon for this place. Would it be worthwhile to buy one?

the business failed, get over it. No explanation needed. Simply put, we have no idea why or what happened and no one should have to explain.

Absolutely. This isn't government where citizens rightfully demand transparency. This is private enterprise with the emphasis on private (as in "balls").

Wow, the noise was overwhelming. My server was unable to hear me and brought one instead of two entrees. We ordered the shrimp and vegetable fajitas. It was OK. The shrimp were very fresh with no hint of iodine, but the veggies lacked variety. Too much zucchini and the tomatoes tasted like they were canned. But the big takeaway was the noise. Is Eventide the only quiet restaurant in the Wilson/Clarendon corridor?

Our Nationals going to the All Star game! Ian Desmond, Stephen Strasburg, and Gio Gonzalez. (and maybe Bryce Harper if he gets voted in as the last selection).

Andy, Barney, and the Fun Girls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGwQ3hqOh18&feature=relmfu

I watched this show when it began in 1960 and watched it for years in my comfortable white middle class community in New Jersey. It never occurred to me that Mayberry, a southern town, had no African-Americans. (at least not on camera). Shame on me.

Don Rockwell is a front end to ma belly.

In today's chat TS noted that chefs seem to be pouring more salt into their dishes and inferred that it might be related to smoking. I have no idea since I don't smoke and don't know anyone who does, but I've also noticed a surfeit of salt in the last year or so. Is it just my imagination running away with me?

My vote goes to Crystal Thai. We are regulars there. As soon as we sit down, they have already delivered a Wild Turkey on the Rocks for me and a sparkling water for my husband. When I ask for tofu tod not too crispy and pad see ew not too salty, they do exactly that. I am spoiled for any other Thai restaurant.

My vote goes to Crystal Thai. We are regulars there. As soon as we sit down, they have already delivered a Wild Turkey on the Rocks for me and a sparkling water for my husband. When I ask for tofu tod not too crispy and pad see ew not too salty, they do exactly that. I am spoiled for any other Thai restaurant.

I'd add The Oval Room and Corduroy for the city and Nostos for the suburbs.

I went here for a birthday dinner and thought it was alright. I'm glad I went, but wouldn't go again.

It is a great place to go for vegetarians since it has so many options and the service is warm.

inasmuch as you wouldn't go again, can you be a bit more specific about the items that you didn't like?

We are exactly the same way. We hadn't been to Sunflower for months until we went last week and found beer and wine on the menu. One of the beers was O'Doul's (I think) and listed as non-alcoholic, another was Beck's (no mention of N/A) and there were several wines listed, too. We were surprised and happy and thirsty for beer and veggie food so we ordered a Beck's. Of course, we were seriously disappointed when the server told us all the beers were non-alcoholic. He said it as soon as we ordered, so I have a feeling he'd dealt with many disillusioned customers before. Then we asked about the wine - alcohol is alcohol, right? They're all non-alcoholic, too.

We eat vegetarian at home several evenings a week. We have tried Sunflower but agree that most (all?) of the entrees are covered with the same thick, uninteresting brown sauce. Why can't Sunflower offer a variety of sauces?

I couldn't get enough Food Lion cole slaw a couple weeks ago in NC. Mr. MV loves any grocery macaroni salad!

We were really tired after a trip to the NGA for the fabulous Joan Miro exhibit, so we threw dinner together. Sauteed asparagus, red pepper, carrots, garlic, and lobster pieces, angel hair pasta, fresh basil, and fresh parmesan. Very satisfying.

6 years later.. I went to Sweet Ginger and had the sushi sampler (ok) and the cold udon noodles that came with tempura shrimp and vegetables. The noodles lacked flavor, perhaps being cold. The tempura shrimp was tasty and the veggies were good (ignoring the broccoli - something Prez Bush and I agree upon). My wife had spring rolls and chicken satay, both of which she liked. The spring rolls came in a clear glass with a fancy arrangement. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and will go back. The menu is quite varied. I did not like the chardonay I ordered, though.

This place is rated #1 in Vienna by Trip Advisor. Talked to the fish guy at Balducci's today in McLean who told me he's soon to become the sous chef because the fish is so fresh. Has anyone been there more recently than torrmundi last August?

salade niçoise

homemade bread, toasted

A salsa of diced red peppers, diced nectarines, diced red onion, diced jalapeno pepper, and lime juice

Grilled swordfish with lemon pepper

Baked sweet potatoes with butter and pepper

To my executive MBA students who graduated today!

To the Nats for their sweep at Fenway.

Would drinking to the Girl Scouts be improper? I don't think so. I drink to them often.

To Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for tonight's wonderful season finale at beautiful Strathmore Hall.

Does anybody know if this Farmer's Market still exists? We went a couple of times last year, but there were only about 5 vendors and very few customers.

According to the Fairfax County Farmers Markets website, the one in Tysons is no more.

I'd have drank the beer, paid a nominal tip (15% sounds about right to me), and probably not given it another thought.

I would have complained to the manager and asked to have it compted.

You can cook frozen spinach?!?!

Very,very slowly.

It's a little irrational. Seemingly, corn is evil but soy merely bad.

...

Don's question needs an answer. Soy is the new corn. IMO. Where is the outrage? Enough about corn!

-Patrick

Is there any downside to using garbanzos as the primary source of protein?

Hi kirite - you misread my post. The last time I was there, I saw no bugs inside the restaurant and had fine service; my server was very attentive and answered questions I had about the menu. I enjoyed my fried plantains with sour cream and my tacos without issues. I do hope you give it a try, although parking is a bit tough around that area. I was merely pointing out that I saw a number of stinkbugs in Arlington around the time of that last post. Thanks!

You're absolutely right. I did misread your post and now plan to dine here soon.

For those trying to stick to a vegetarian, or vegan, diet you would be wrong. Tofu and soy sauce are consumed in large quantities in our house and, I suspect, in the homes of people trying to cut down on red meat but not protein. I'll just say that it's a very good thing that neither Dame Edna nor I am allergic to either soya beans or gluten. We have become quite familiar with all types of miso, soy sauce, and tofu in all their various forms. And, my vegan "sausages" are made with gluten and soy. If we had to avoid either soy or gluten, we would be up the proverbial creek without a paddle.

Half a cup of tofu has 15 mg of sodium, but soy sauce is loaded with it. What happens in the fermentation process that adds so much sodium?

I have seen multiple stink bugs still alive in this area, even though it's quite cold. Maybe it was them? If so, they're always best left alone or sucked up by some huge vacuum.

Having said that, it's rare that Seanmike complains so it's a valid point, BUT having just dined there last Friday night and no sign of bugs (slight better service than you but could be because it was two lovely ladies) if chalk it up to bad luck ?

Kliman included it again in his Cheap Eats just out today. I've never dined here, so I'm torn between his review and your reports of crappy service and lots of bugs.

Correct. Though I offered non-sinister options, as well.

Switching subjects, yesterday someone (not me) who loves PassionFish complained about Tom's thumb's (yes, I know) down and noted that she had taken clients and family there regularly for years and loves the place. He was quite defensive, addressed her as "madam" and continued to diss PF based on two recent visits with "friends." IMO, PassionFish and Black Salt are the two best fish restaurants in the DC area.

Are there any good fish--not shellfish as in Freddy's--restaurants in Bethesda? Thanks.

Thank you for telling minorities and groups to which you do not belong how to react to life and the world.

Racism, homophobia, sexism, ageism, transgender hatred, (ir)religious intolerance, and I'm sure I've omitted others who have suffered great pain because they were a minority. I wish that the world were a better place.