StarStraf

Seems i forgot to post after our trip to London... Wild Honey 12 St George Street, London W1S 2FB - No longer has tasting menu except for early evening but is still a wonderful meal, the staff really knows their stuff and makes great wine pairing recommendations. I had the wood pigeon entree the Chocolate Soup dessert. both were wonderful! Salt Yard Goodge Street, London w1t 4na - Tapas for the win. Not sure I will ever be satisfied with tapas again, every bite was wonderful, the charcuterie was amazing. We walked in without reservations so were told they had a table until xx:xx time so if we would be done by then we could have it, Food at the Excel Center - The convention we went to was at the Excel center and we were pleased with the food - the center area is a collection of fast food, sandwiches, pasties, indian food, baked potatoe, there is even a 'changes every month pop-up' there is even the familiar Subway if you miss the US. for a sit down the Fox @ Excel was quite good (NOTE there are two Fox restaurants so make sure you know which one you are meeting people at - learn from our mistake)

I'm sorry to hear that restaurants hate open table (Can you explain why)? I have found a dozen places to eat at that I would not have stumbled across otherwise (things that are a block off the main road) especially when traveling.

Star Straf +1 Will ask the other half my cook what we are bringing.

Slow food, good booze, great friends = winning combo Went to Rogue 24 last night for the 10-course with wine pairing and had a wonderful time. We will be back. We did the metro to get there and I highly recommend having the little map from the web site with you when trying to find it. I was early so had a 'trust the chef-tender' - what a brilliant way to order booze - pick your spirit and how you like your drink - I had Rum + Sweet and first drink was mojito and second was a plantation rum mix that was amazing. Dale showed up next, and even though Pooch showed up right at our reservation time they asked if he wanted to sit and relax with a cocktail before moving to the table. All in all a nice slow meal which is so often missing. all of our cocktails were amazing, service was perfect, interaction with chefs was fun. It was not cheap, our booze tab over-ran our food tab and is in the realm of can only eat there once or twice a year (was about $550 + tip for 3) but was well worth it and we will be back to try the 24 course. The atmosphere was wonderful, we could easily have conversation (wasn't to loud) but was enough noise that we felt relaxed to laugh and have a good time. Pooch would have liked a better view of the prep (either higher seats or mirror over kitchen area) and I'm afraid this was even more expensive because he realized there are now small size immersion circulars and he made me take a pick of the model and wants one for Christmas. For those that follow my Grandma postings - this would not be a grandma place - to 'echo-y' for her to hear well, and the food would be to 'weird' for her, and her dexterity wouldn't allow for the variety of eating (large tweezers, tiny small spoon).

We got the Calphalon No Peek for Christmas to replace our 20 year old machine. He did a bunch of research before choosing that model and we have been very pleased with it.

We checked it out for dinner. Crepes are small, I recommend getting two, I had the Seafood Crepe (YUMMY) and he had the Chicken a'la Orange, I also had soup and he had caprice salad. Eric was very open to comments. Sturdy paper plateware makes it easy to take outside if you wish, small bistro tables are beautiful and you are surrounded by the wonderful artwork of Eric. And save room for the dessert crepes. I think they are doing a good job starting small and making improvements. And I just read today they are going to start doing Sunday breakfast brunch. This is a great location for those in the area, but for anyone coming from outside parking can be a pain. We did have some minor suggestions for improvement (Soup needed more flavor, salad needed more basil) and I admit I've become friends with the owners after stopping for chocolates since they opened here, so you might need to take my review with a grain of salt. But we will be back and I'm looking forward to seeing this improve with time.

Thanks for the Heads up...We ate at Mango Mike's new version Tres Hermanas tonight. I like the physical remodel, the brown and white coloring and the silver lights are nice and more booths are available. It has only been open a few days so some of the issues are going to smooth out with time, and there is a good reason that places do soft openings (though I expected a manager visit for feedback since newly opened) The menu is very small and all but one entree were spicy (Chili sauce, habanera, ...) I did ask and they will be adding more menu options (and some milder options) as time goes on. Stared with Margaretas - one house, one top shelf - both a bit to sweet for our taste, we both got on the rocks but they were a full glass of ice and thus not much margareta. Chips and three salsa's (the waitress didn't know what the different salsa's were), Green sause, mild red sause, and hotter red sause, nice to have variation. Letting each of our guests review their dishes here... Tortilla Stuffed Chicken Tender chicken breasts stuffed with a melody of cheddar, jack cheese and chilies then rolled in corn tortilla chips for an added crunch. They're topped with our cool sour cream and a red chili sauce, and accompanied by Spanish rice and borracho beans. -- Tortilla chips were barely noticeable (more like a few crumbs) and they need to work on the tenderness, was good but not great. Liked that the beans were not just the standard refried beans. Chicken Fajitas Marinated chicken grilled with sautéed peppers and onions. -- Very tender and juicy chicken, onions were overcooked and not much flavor, serverd with decent guacamole and three small tortillas (extra tortillas are $2). Taste was very good, though not the sizzling plate fajitas I'm used to. Fire Cracker Shrimp Fajita Sautéed shrimp tossed with a spicy sauce and topped with sautéed peppers and onions -- Shrimp were cooked fine, Veggies were not balances (more bell pepper then onion) and were a bit soggy, but there was a 'grit' seasoning which was off putting on the shrimp and veggies. I would order something else next time. Chicken Enchilada Verdes A Mexican classic: warm tortillas stuffed with chicken, onions and tomatillos topped with creamy cheese and a kickin' salsa verde. -- not very warm, a bit solid, chicken a bit dry but had a good taste overall. Salsa verde added flavor but I wouldnt' consider it "kickin'" ..... Overall the dishes were muddled, maybe missing some acidity to brighten them up (actually more limes would have been better in the margaritas also). Will likely give it another try in a few months

Our regular places in Alexandria Sunday Brunch - Alley Cat Dinner Overwood Eamonns Artfully Chocolate just started doing meals (mostly crepes) Fontaine Light Horse (especially the burgers upstairs at bar) Pork Barrel BBQ Holy Cow Burgers Los Cuates (New mexican king street) Special dinners Chart House Vermilion

Going thru some old post, Kansas City is where I'm from and Jack Stack is the first place we schedule when we are going to be in town. Next on the list is Stroud's Fried Chicken and then Minskey's pizza (which is more for nostalgia then for taste) FYI My friend Keith maintains a website of Kansas tourism here is the restaurant page. http://www.kansastravel.org/kansasrestaurants.htm

We had a good time, ate good food, had fun talking to Ron about Kansas City BBQ.

Summer is hit or miss for us but we are interested base on when this happens

I replied on other, we can go. Thanks for the Facebook nudge, I hadn't been on the board lately -crazy work and Grandma time sinks

Star and Pooch will be there. Will try to be there by 6:30

Realize no one has reviewed this and since I said 'would rather eat at Holy Cow' on my Burger 7 review though I would check here. We LOVE this place, When you walk in there are order forms and clip boards - you can either do a special burger or pick your own You pick cheese, bread, toppings, sauces and all sorts of combo As you order your burger you pick your charity to get your 25cents per burger (Would be good to have another list besides listing at register) Very good fries. One of the things that I often complain about for burgers is low quality buns, the bun should match the quality of the burger and it does here, holds up to the burger. Grandma evaluation (I often take my 96 year old grandma out to eat): Clean accessable bathrooms, comfortable seating, well lit, noise level can get high if busy. Kid friendly location 2312 Mt Vernon Avenue

Alley Cat is now doing Sunday Brunch Our local okay not great place to eat (walking distance makes up for a lot of things) is now doing a great brunch on Sundays, we have been 4 times now and the quality and diversity is consistently good, They cover the pool tables as the serving area and have a staffed area along the side. The staffed area is a standard omelet station also does waffles and eggs Benedict and roast beef. On the chaffing tables are scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast, biscuits and gravy, grits, and crepes. Then there is a more lunch type of table with pasta and usually a chicken dish and a potatoes dish. The other trays seem to vary week to week. Another area next to this (I think a 3rd pool table) is fruit, chocolate fondue, breads/bagles (with a toaster) and a dessert or two. Coffee is good and filled quickly, staff is polite and they have room for a large group. Conversation is easy (not to loud which is a plus when taking Grandma), easy parking, clean restrooms. They even handle special requests (They had apple pie and Grandma had to have ice cream with hers) All you can eat Sunday 10am - 2pm $13.99/person and $8.99 kids under 10 Location: 2 S Whiting St, Alexandria, VA 22304

Took Grandma to the Burger 7 in Alexandria Sunday. Would have rather gone to Holy Cow in Del Ray Burger was small, quality meat but uneven burger, so cooking was uneven (no option of how done you wanted it) Very good onion rings, good fries. Shakes were so thick where hard to drink with straw, and no long spoons available. Cute that they have multiple sauces on the tables. Most seating is at high benchs , about 4 tables with bench on wall and small (like low round bar stool but smaller) seats on other side.

From the Carlyle Post (the local business info site) Yves Courbois and Oyuna Badan are the co-owners. Yves was the former owner of Au Pied De Cochon, which was a Georgetown landmark for 30 years before Yves retired. Oyuna managed Cafe La Ruche, also located in Georgetown, before teaming up with Yves. We have eaten there many more times since my first review - their Breakfast is WONDERFUL, dinner is always good but never outstanding, service is slow but friendly.

We had a great time, thanks for all the great food Star & Pooch Chicago Deep Dish style pizza

We have a new place open up close to us so gave it a try. Yves' Bistro at 235 Swamp Fox Road in Alexandria is in the Hoffman Center near the AMC theater. They are open late (10pm weeknights, 11:30 weekends) and also have breakfast. We went Friday night and took advantage of their early dinner special (Before 6:30 buy one entree and second entree is free). The place is small but set up so dining is private with two levels with a wall between them, and there is a bakery glass case on one side. We had cocktails (well made) and a duck pate appetizer to start. I had the steak tartar with pome frites (isn't that just a fancy way to say french fries - but WOW were they good) and Pooch had the lamb curry, both good though the lamb curry could use a bit more heat. Dessert I had the creme brulee and Pooch tried the cannoli (great shell but filling was only okay). Total bill was $60 before tip (remember we got one entree free)

I think with just one maybe we will do something close to home. Maybe next time

So is this tonight? if so we can make it. Star & Pooch

Went before Fiddler at National Theater last week and were quite happy with our decision. The cocktails were perfectly made, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable and helpful, the booth was comfortable, the service was outstanding and the fish was delicious. I had scallops, Pooch had monkfish. Total was $165 with drinks and tip.

Yum - we have put it on the calendar

Coming from the land where BBQ prefrences have lead to friendships ending (Kansas) I will tread lightly. I'm not a Carolina BBQ fan, nor am I a fan of very spicy BBQ - this is a personal failing on my part but it is my prefrence. So I'm much more into the cooking of the BBQ then the sause, a good slow cooked rib with a nice flavorful but not spicy rub is just what I want. We saw a sign for Rocklands BBQ on the way home a few weeks ago (Just off Duke Street near Quaker in Alexandria) so the other night when Pooch had to work late enough that his bus had stopped running and I picked him up we swung by and grabbed some to go home. They started out with a bonus point for the "Ask us about dog bones" so the dog Teddy Bear thinks this is the best place ever since we had to let him try. We go a half slab of both the pork and the beef ribs. The beef was a bit fatty for me (Pooch's was supposidly bettter) but the Pork - wow - I have found my rib place I can stop looking now. Grabbing a half slab of port ribs on the way home will be come a regular addition to our food rotation. Star

Great meal at Jaleo at 480 7th Street. on a dreary and rainy early evening we were able to relax and have a great meal. This was my second trip there and will not be my last. Our waitress was wonderful - being able to adapt to the tables (the diners next to us had never had tapas and she made suggestions all thru their meal) for us when we were on course two or three she asked what we had liked best and made suggestions based on that. They kept our water and bread basket full (always a plus) we had a few selections off the special pork menu Jamon Croquetas Ham fritters - yummy Lomo cerdo Roasted pork - quite good Tortilla Chorizo Omlet not my favorite but Sweetie and guest liked it. Ensalada de coles de Bruselas Warm brussels sprout salad with apricots and Serrano ham Okay I don't even like brussel sprouts (too squeeky) but this was yummy Berenjenas a la miel Lightly battered eggplant with honey probally the low point of the meal - just not up to the flavors of the rest of the meal Buñuelos de bacalao Fried salt cod fritters with honey alioli I would not have ordered these but Sweetie did and WOW were they amazing. Pato con peras Marinated duck confit with pear sauce Good but a bit overcooked. pear sause didn't stand up to the duck Dátiles con tocino ‘como hace todo el mundo’ Fried dates wrapped in bacon OH YEAH one of my favorites. Aceitunas marinadas con queso Manchego Marinated olives and Manchego cheese pretty standard tapas fare We split one dessert Espuma de avellanas y chocolate Chocolate and hazelnut mousse torte which was good but left us wanting so we headed to the Red Velvet Cupcake across the street. one Sangria - good but nothing special Total for three was $93.50 plus tip.