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StarStraf

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Everything posted by StarStraf

  1. StarStraf
    Thanks so much - right now just looking at options might decide to do hotel / riverboat and then would be looking at catering instead - or might just elope <g>
  2. StarStraf
    Yeap it finally happened - after 21 years of being together Pooch and I are engaged! So just starting to think out options but since we like food we have thought of doing a short ceremony at a restaurant and then have a wonderful meal with our friends and family. So far I've found Chart House in Old Town can host 80 Clyde's Marc Center can host 150 Jaleo in Crystal City can host 200 Ruth Chris in Crystal City can host 100 Has anyone done a big group event somewhere in Alexandria / Arlington / National Harbor or close? Pros/Cons? Other places?
  3. StarStraf
    Have gotten both Coney Island and Not your fathers at Giant's in Alexandria Would LOVE to try sprecher! Picked up some hard orange cream soda - to try after off diet (march) --- Henry's Hard Soda (jbag57)
  4. StarStraf
    Car Provisions isn't a joke - We keep box of granola bars in the car for just such an situation
  5. StarStraf
    John Cardoza - My sweeties Debate Coach, mentor, and patriarch of the tribe. Diagnosed with liver cancer in December he passed last night - over the last 4 weeks many of his former students flew in to Stockton Calif to say their goodbyes. He was always the one to turn to for travel advice for all over the world. He will be missed by many.
  6. StarStraf
    Again from Red Brick town "Don Taco Restaurant and Tequila Bar Coming to Old Town" RE: "changeover from Flat Iron Steak & Saloon to Don Taco Restaurant & Tequila Bar. One of the owners, Scott Parker, reached out via email. "While we had a good 2.5 years at Flat Iron, we never felt that the concept was successful enough. We know we can do better and provide something that the people of Old Town can enjoy more and on a more regular basis. We hope to open by February 15th as construction is moving along quickly. The new concept will have a bar on the first floor, as well as one on the second floor with tables for seated dining on both. Diners can expect a concept that is based around tacos, beer, and tequila. There will be a few other Mexican-American items but tacos will be the bulk and the highlight of the menu."
  7. StarStraf
    Per Red Brick Town: "Hunting Creek Steakhouse Has a New Owner"
  8. StarStraf
    John Cardoza - My other half's debate coach / God Father / Patriarch of the tribe who has found out he has about 3 months left - we are off to California for a final gathering of the tribe Wednesday night. He loved good food - took him to Vermilion last time he was in town http://www.cahssa.org/public_relations/john_cardoza
  9. StarStraf
    We went much more often when we had a regular waitress (Agnes ) but she's no longer there and we don't go as often. I agree service is hit or miss
  10. StarStraf
    Blacksalt looks good - will check with everyone - thanks
  11. StarStraf
    So trying to pick a restaurant (ideally Friendship Heights / Bethesda) for a dinner for 4 but 3 of us are going to be high maintance ordering I assume this is really annoying ot the restaurant so I try to ask first from the email on the web site if they can accomodate us (and if not I understand and we will go there once we are no longer on diet and with other people). But I am curious what restaurants think, what is the best way to order, should I do like I do and eamil in advance, and finally any suggestions for restaurants. #1 No food restrictions #2 Gluten Free #3/#4 on very restrictive diet (no sauces, no butter in prep) Olive oil and salt fine, protein and veggies (and limited selection at that) I know Chart House in Alexandria does fine with all this as this grouping has eaten there before.
  12. StarStraf
    We went to the U Street location on Friday night, our companions had been there before and really liked it . We ate down in the tequileria which you get to be being lead thru the upstairs restaurant down the stairs and thru where the security staff takes their breaks with a server that is impatient if you are slow on the steps. Drinks: The tequilla / mescal list was a major selling list on why we went there - but two or three times the server took the order and then came back 5 mintues later saying they didn't have that item and to pick something else (Though once when he brought the backup choice he said they found some if we still wanted. Another server came by later and said argument with supplier and some haven't been available for 3 months - THEN MAKE A NOTE ON THE MENU, or tell the servers. Margarita was average, Red and Smokey was 'still wonderful like last time', and the house infused tequilllas were fair to bad (and the waiter said that he didn't realize I was ordering the smaller 3 for 21 version so when I ordered three at once I was charged $9 each and wouldn't change the tab. ) Appetizer and wait We startppers added - ed with the Chapulines Guacamole that was mashed tableside and he verified we wanted the grasshoppers added (Why would we pay extra for the same dish with them if we didn't ?) Then we had the long wait - the table of 8 that was seated after we had put in our food order got served, the table that was seated as they were getting served got served we stopped our server 3-4 times 'oh coming right out' Food: I had the Pipian Pork Belly Tacos which was the best dish of the table - though when I ordered as I am not familar with pipian sauce I asked if it was very spicy as I am spice wimp and prefer mild, and was assured this was not spicy - it was not , but it is served with jallapeno peppers on the tacos, an observent waiter woul dhave mentioned that. Others had the Chile Relleno, Braised Short Ribs in Mezcal Mole and not sure what other was - none of them were especially good - we tried them all and everyone agreed that mine was best (It was quite good). For some stupid reason (much tequilla?) we decided to have dessert even though the food wasn't that great. If the 'Banana Tres Leches' had been called bread pudding it would have been good, but it wasn't tres Leches. The Caramel Flan was average. Over all no reason to go back. Grandma: NOPE - to many stairs, dimly lit, and tacos fall apart so she would have trouble eating them.
  13. StarStraf
    We took Grandma to Magnolia's last night and she loved it - updates from the grandma viewpoint. There is no parking on that block of King Street, and the surrounding blocks are all two hour parking, the closest longer parking is a block and a half away so next time remember to drop her off at the door first then park. There is one step going in/out but it is well light so easy to navigate, they were able to keep her walker near the table (Many places move to coat check and then she gets embarrassed if has to goto bathroom) Bathroom easily accessible, clean, and towels (she hates the blow dryers). Restaurant is very pretty and nicely lighted so she was able to see, She though the staff was very nice and was impressed that Chef Brian came out to the table to say hello. She had the Chicken Pop Pie, and also tried Sweetie's Shrimp and Grits and my Duck Breast. Meal was filling but not overwhelmed with to much food. She wants to go back.
  14. StarStraf
    I found SpotLuck from their demo at the Metro Cooking show and they just added Alexandria so much more likely to actually use it - silly aspect of 'wheel of fate' to where to eat (the place selected gives you the best discount) and there are bad weather bonuses and such. Seems to be all smaller non-chain restaurants so for Alexandria there is Overwood, Lost Dog Cafe, Bastille, ... Other areas Ballston, Georgetown, Capital Hill, Silver Springs http://www.spotluck.com/ (If you want a bonus spin when you sign up and I get one also use my code STA3750 )
  15. StarStraf
    I've been to the New Bob & Edith's - it is a solid diner I'll second City Diner (Grandma loves it but tables are tight so have to leave walker in car and taker her via my arm) also plug for Barnside at Beaureguard and Little River Turnpike
  16. StarStraf
    My experience from the bar to the waitress to the busstaff wasn't planned corporate drone feeling at all, my experience had a 'real' spence to it, so hopefully you hit an off night ( and not me being the luck to just hit an on night)
  17. StarStraf
    Last night we were deciding on dinner and both had a craving for BBQ so went to Pork Barrel again - and once again was exactly what we wanted - Split a 3 meat combo (St Louis rubs, burnt ends, pulled pork) with cheesy grits, creamy cole slaw and corn bread. This is one of the few places that this Kansas City girl sees those smoke rings that make me so happy. Quick, yummy, easy parking in back, defently in our rotation. Have taken Grandma here in the past and she loves it also 'feel like I'm back in Kansas City'
  18. StarStraf
    Don't watch the show but my other half loves the magazine.
  19. StarStraf
    Not a fan of Indian food in general but after reading reviews here I'm willing to try 'the best' we have a new friend that is just learning the joys of good restaurants so I picked this for us when she suggested Bethesda for December as I know here husband loves Indian food.
  20. StarStraf
    The times I've been in Waterfront (once for lunch and once for Wine/Paint night) it was okay but not great, I think a full service restaurant will do better there - though it is nice to have a quick lunchplace to direct my tourist friends to.
  21. StarStraf
    We went before Captian Gergories once, wasn't impressed, haven't been back
  22. StarStraf
    Tried the restaurant again - Chef Brian has found his rhythm and it is wonderful. Girls Night Out with the Southern Friend again and we decided to try out the restaurant at Magnolia's again and very very pleased. They were booked solid but we got a sofa with table in the bar area (which was half tables with reservations) Bar menu is about half the size of full menu but the dish I had seen on web site and wanted was there. Tonight I was drinking LAVENDER ROYALE : citadelle gin, elderflower liqueur, lavender syrup, lemon, bubbles - usually not a gin fan but have learned to trust Zac the bartender and was interested by the lavendar syrup - they were good, had a few. Started with HOT PIMENTO CHEDDAR DIP: cream cheese, local cheddar, diced pimentos, hot sauce, served with mini biscuits - I was concerned that the hot sauce would make to spicy for this wimp but the wait staff all knew ingredients and able to describe the heat level (low) - very yummy and great biscuits. Although the food is very improved I have to say the best improvement was the staff - it was easy to catch the eye of a staff member (and all in branded shirts so easy to find) and they were all helpful, kept water filled, replaced dropped items, ordered next course, All attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. Dinner I had the PAN SEARED DUCK BREAST: duck fat and buter poached maple leaf duck breast, whipped potato gratn, white trufe/ bacon crème, wild mushroom bread pudding, caramelized shallots (served medium) - WOW this was amazing - every thing went together, portion size was just right, couldn't tell you which part was my favorite as they were all wonderful. Friend had the WAGYU BURGER* wagyu beef, brioche bun, peach preserves, fontna cheese, smoked bacon, garlic conft & rosemary fries - she raved at the nice mix of peach preserves on the burger - I had a bite it was wonderful. Desserts were both great APPLE, RHUBARB and FENNEL OAT CRISP fresh apples, rhubarb and fennel, local honey, ginger gelato - apples were crisp, ginger in gelato not over powering. COCONUT RUM CAKE fresh grated coconut, dark rum, toasted coconut, cream cheese and rum glaze, pistachio gelato - WOW so moist and yummy. Chef Brian stopped by the table to make sure all was to our liking and we mentioned that things were much improved from our last visit. All around improvement from staff, to food, to selection (not everything was focused on hot sauce). This has been added to the regular rotation of dinner spots in Old Town! Definitely taking Grandma there. Dinner with Drinks (2 each) was $140 before tip, If going on weekend I recommend reservations (They use Open Table) as we got there at 7 and first opening was at 9 (but we were able to grab a spot in bar area as someone else left so worth checking out upstairs for a spot) Dinner Picture:
  23. StarStraf
    possibly interested
  24. StarStraf
    We were there on Sunday - sorry I didn't glance here before. I agree, to much hot sause, we also went I think 4 years ago. no tasting event or celebrity chefs for me (but did watch demo at Ikea / james beard stage) I agree that seemed fewer vendors then before - but that might have been layout - last time the wine area was in center and vendors all around (especially kitchen tools/gadgets) - so more walking done. Most interesting thing was an app SpotLuck - which is a restaurant picker - you enter the area and it spins and one restaurant gives you a bigger discount then the others, reminds me of old app I had on my palm pilot years ago. Did pick up first holiday gift (Jalepeno Maple Syrup) for father in law, and lots of cards, but not sure how many will ever get used.
  25. StarStraf
    I've been once, and plan to go back again, but have a number of other restaurants for a first visit. Rogue 24 is in the once a quarter part of the budget so takes a while to go thru the places on our list to get a second visit. I didn't mention I was on the DR board when I was there as it would never occured to me to do so unless it was 'saw this mentioned on DR' when asked how found out about a restaurant. I likely will mention when make reservations next time since it would get me a discount
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