plarkins

Had a light dinner at Hibiscus Thai Cuisine in the same shopping center as Reston's Home Depot. It was our first visit. The inside looked nicely appointed and clean, but the the patio was an easy call on a beautiful evening. We split spring rolls and had salads. I had the spicy beef and +1 had the crispy duck and sweet mango. Both had a lot of flavor, acid, and spice. I haven't run across fried duck slices in a Thai salad, but it was pretty good. Looking forward to trying more of their menu as it'd be nice to find a good local Thai place. We're a little too far from Thai by Thai to go their with any regularity.

I burp smoke for days after eating here and I mean that as a compliment.

Jeff actually added some Raepheus to the '13 petit manseng to balance the acidity. Thought that was pretty interesting. Don, I was referring to Virginia as a whole, although I've had many more viogniers than petit mansengs. Personally, I've been drawn to higher acidic and mineralarity in whites lately. I agree with Dean, you just don't get the acidity in Virginia's viognier as you do with petit manseng. I've had good viognier at Delaplane, Veritas, Zephaniah Farm, and Chester Gap (after some aging for CG). If i have to pick between Deplane's viognier or petit manseng, pm is the easy choice though. Other places have made good viognier I'm sure, but more often than not they will be like Dean stated. Zephaniah apparently grows petit manseng, but I don't remember tasting it. I can't recollect who else grows/makes it, but again I agree with Joe, no pm will match Jeff or Jim's in VA. Virginia is for Viognier is easy to market and there's more of it planted, but hopefully petit manseng gets more attention. I can't speak to how it behaves in the vineyard versus viognier, but that could be a factor. Also, viognier is from Rhone vs lesser known regions of SW France for petit manseng. Not that that should matter, but folks probably have gravitated to viognier after hearing its a Rhone varietal.

drifting off target, but I'm glad you mentioned petit manseng. The '13 at Delaplane is awesome. And recently tried Glen Manor's '13 petit manseng too. Jeff's wife, Kelly, paired it excellently with candied ginger in the tasting room. Currently, I much prefer the pm's over Virginia's viognier.

My wife and I visited Charlottesville over this past holiday weekend. It was our first prolonged visit and really enjoyed it. I wish I had gone to Grace Estates. Ended up going to Keswick, Barboursville, Pollack, and Afton. Nothing really stood out. Reinforces my opinion Linden, Glen Manor, and Delaplane are the best all-around vineyards/wineries in the state (RDV too but I haven't been). I know Barboursville makes great wine not available for tasting, so I'll give them a pass...considering they set up their tasting room for quanity over quality (zoo over zen). I did like their pinot gris and Italian reds (I regret not buying some since they turned out to be the better wines of the trip). After doing their tasting, I had terrible palette fatigue so I didn't enjoy Pollack and Afton's wine as much as I would have probably. It is a beautiful area, the whole region. I guess I'm just biased to Jim Law and his apprentice's wines. We did do Ivy Inn and enjoyed the food a lot. However, dining out on the patio was awkward. Its a rectangular brick patio that is obviously shaped well for larger events. For normal dining, it was a bit too spacious and we were sat at a table with leaves extended. It could have sat 6 people, so it also was awkwardly spacious. The meal started with a tasty amuse bouche of pimento cheese on a cracker. We split an app (crispy fried holloumi cheese), salad (local heirloom greens), one pasta (gnocchi with Polyface chicken and Rock Barn andouilli), and a dessert (peach crisp w/ ice cream). Everything was very good. Just wish we could have tried more dishes, but we were still carrying lunch in our stomachs from the destination worthy BBQ Exchange in Gordonsville. An easy stop if going to Barboursville, Keswick, or other nearby wineries. Other places we ate at were: Petit Pois - wife raved about the trout amandine and I had a very good pork loin not listed on the website menu. Portions were fairly large. Blue Mountain Brewery - really nice but large, busy setting. Beer was alright. I had the kolsch but have enjoyed better ones locally (Mad Fox). Food was more than adequate for a brewery. Shenandoah Joe - wife enjoyed her pour-over. nice, spacious interior. I don't drink coffee so can't add much. Carpe Donut - all organic doughnuts with originally one flavor (cider cake donut rolled in cinnamon sugar); initially sold from a food truck or catering now with a tiny storefront in an interesting refurbished (faux?) low density industrial park. They had two new flavors in the store (maple glazed and bourbon), but preferred the original. The donuts were a bit spongy for my taste. One donut was cooked longer/hotter and had a crispier exterior than the others, so that one was the best. Bizou - nice setting on the mall, but no tables with shade so we ate inside. Perhaps a bit outdated of an interior, but the food was surprisingly very good. I hadn't reviewed this place prior to our visit. It was brunch so had an excellent vegetable frittata. really fresh and little dots of roasted red pepper sauce made it stand out. one more note on wine. I was surprised how cheap bottles of VA wine were at the restaurants. Generally not more than 50% additional cost from retail..most seemed less. Lots to choose from too. Cville really does take local to the next step.

Based on other reports/posts, my visit on Friday, June 27 may have been an aberration as far as wait times. If you showed up at 630pm on the 27th you would have gotten a seat, however I don't think its the norm. I would expect there to be a wait, however going solo increases your chances enough so that its worth the shot. If you show up at 5 or earlier, you'll likely have your pick of seats. Obviously, I'd recommend the kitchen bar.

Sums up my thoughts on Rose's, especially after my visit this evening. I first went back in November with my wife and MIL and loved it. Since then I've been anxious to return and have the pork/lychee salad all to myself. My wife is OOT this week so I made the trek into DC to treat myself. When I arrived at 430pm, the line was about 15 deep but was only about 20 at opening. I sat at the kitchen bar and the stool next to mine remained empty my entire time there. When I left just after 7pm there were 4 open spots at the bar and a few open tables outside. Maybe a few other tables were open but I don't remember. Just a FYI, for those anxious about wait times and no reservations blah blah. On to the foood So I got all I could eat and drink (and still drive home) for less than $125! No rooftop setting, but the kitchen bar was pretty cool. My wonderfully pleasant server, Elizabeth, and/or combination of staff added two gratis dishes, so I had to waddle out the door at the end of the meal. 2011 Gard Riesling (Lawrence Valley) pork/lychee salad -> as good as I remembered. went well with the riesling grilled asparagus -> I'm usually a "if its yellow, let it mellow" kind of guy, but not after this dish 2007 Cupertinum Negro Amaro gnocchi -> gooey parmacheesy goodness. went well with the Negro Amaro strawberry-tomato pasta (gratis) -> Back and better than ever! now with in-season berries and more spice. If I recollect accurately, the expediter nearest me mentioned they'll keep this dish around longer but swap out strawberries with cherries... honey glazed carrots -> I ordered this only out of gratitude since I was getting full but I actually really enjoyed this dish. the carrots were a little firmer than expected. heirloom carrots with honey, dill mascarpone, and matzo crumbs for texture. the unheralded menu item? Or maybe I just really like carrots. stracciatella gelato w/ strawberries and baked meringue -> was told there was red (or cayenne?) pepper in the meringue but couldn't discern it. great dessert, loved the macerated berries fois gras french toast w/cinnamon ice cream (gratis) -> they must have wanted my liver 'cause I was stuffed. I love sweet and savory and Rose's does it so well. thank you to a gracious staff. it was a pleasure to watch you all work with excellence.

Thanks for the post. i knew i'd be miffed about the restaurant selection after deciding to move to Reston last November. But I knew Herndon ethnic food might have a chance to fill that particular culinary hole. I've been to a few other Indian places nearby (Paradise, Angeethi, Karaikudi, Aditti Spice) but haven't been to Hyderabadi. I think I noticed it at some point but it fell through the cracks. Hope to try this in the coming days.

I was surprised too as I don't associate half the gold medal-winning wineries as top tier in the state. I suppose more wineries are making better wine but I also wonder if the results are more of a reflection of who's entering instead of representing the best wine in the state. Barboursville, while still making top wine, has a higher production level than the smaller high-quality wineries. I don't think any winery has received three gold medals since the Cup was revised, so that is impressive. Its amusing to see some higher-production wineries carpet bomb the Governors Cup with entries and come up a little short. Regarding the 4 wineries Joe mentions, I imagine its the amount of cases they have to commit that prevents them from entering, at least year after year. Also, they don't need the Cup's press to sell their wine. However, if the Governor's Cup can't attract some of the best winemakers in the state then it loses its relevance...to me at least.

I did the tasting menu w/o pairings on Chef Tarver's last night back in September and then had the tasting menu w/ pairings on Dec 20...so I've been negligent in posting a review. These were the only times my wife and I have been to the Inn and both were excellent experiences. There wasn't a significant difference in the dining experience other than going with the wine pairing the 2nd time around. A fairly seamless transition...at least after 3 months! I will say there were less molecular gastronomy/modern twists with Chef Dunlap. I thought Chef Tarver struct a good balance, but the December dinner was more traditional prep and plating, albeit with the same skillful execution. No more meat on a rock, cooked at your table at least that night. I've forgotten/lost the September menu but managed to hold on to the December menu. Its below with a few brief notes in plain text.... I) Snacks -> comtè gougère light as air. II) Cream of chestnut soup, applewood smoked bacon, pickled cabbage, brioche crouton / Foggy Ridge Sweet Stayman NV -> loved the soup and was my favorite pairing of the night. The light, slightly sweet cider sliced right through the rich nutty soup, complementing and enhancing the flavors. III) Pickled beets, valencia oranges, beet foam, blue cheese beignet / Leitz, Riesling Trocken, Rheingau, Germany, 2012 -> we both enjoyed this but the details have faded with time IV) Octopus carpaccio, sauce verte, chorizo vinaigrette, black olive / Odysseus, Garnatxa Blanca, Priorat, Spain, 2011 -> not a octopus fan but the chorizo vinaigrette was all I tasted V) Braised veal tortelloni, pumpkin, hazelnut, brussels sprouts, pickled red onion / Qupé, "Bien Nacido Hillside", Roussane, Santa Maria, CA, 2010 -> great dish with lots of rich flavors, textures, and the wine again sliced through the richness and made the dish dance. This was the most expensive wine of the pairing: $35 retail/$40 at the winery VI) Seared pekin duck breast, date purée, ginger, blood orange, quince / Grochau Cellars, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR, 2012 -> our fav dish of the night. the sauce was lick-your-plate-in-public good. The side items combined to make a tangy sauce that was so good with the duck. When I daydream about the past year's meals, this dish and Rose's lychee salad are at the top. VII) Triple chocolate mousse cake, over the grass farm honey ice cream / Taylor Fladgate, Late Bottled Vintage, Porto, 2005 -> my wife loved it. i'm not a chocolate mousse fan, but the ice cream was good. Mostly still thinking about the duck. VIII) Mignardises -> A fancy s'more: chocolate truffle on top of a toasted marshmellow with crumbs of presumably graham cracker? Memory is fading, but looks about right according to the photo...only one I took during the meal. Everything was on the main menu except the tortelloni, duck, and the s'mores. Only one local wine/cider in the pairings, thought there would have been more. Though the complimentary port in the room was from Vint Hill. Tasting menu $99 + $60 wine pairings = $159pp before tax/tip. Strictly a special occasion destination for us, but will continue to highly recommend the Inn to friends for weekend getaways.

I've done seconds for apples and peaches. At least a few farmers will have seconds at the market in a separate box off to the side or by the truck. I noticed a few vendors were selling tomato seconds last Saturday at the Falls Church farmers market. They still want money for them, but its discounted. Varies per farmer I suppose. You don't need to call ahead unless you want to buy a couple boxes. Its prime season now. Seems to be a good year for tomatoes, relative to last summer at least. My CSA is full of tomatoes and the FC farmers market was overflowing with red fruit this past Saturday.

I had post-Honeymoon reservations (B&B & dinner) in December, so I just booked a dinner res for Sept 6. I also was surprised by the availability in Open Table.

Went two weeks ago and used the above mentioned Groupon. We got the Palak Anar and agree with Sthitch. Needed a bit more sauce and I think much less batter. I haven't tried Rasika's version so can't compare. We had two entree's off the 'Seven Wonders' section of the menu: Kofta Curry and Chicken Badami. Portions were huge as each dish came with rice and a side of chickpea stew. YMMV, but we were stuffed with 1 app, 2 entrees, a side of naan and we got 4-5 more meals out of the leftovers. My +1 and I both thought the Kofta Curry was the winner. The ground lamb balls were covered in a tomato-based sauce and everything was nicely seasoned with the ginger and cilantro. The boiled egg in the middle provided a nice texture change-up. The chicken badami was good as well, but thought the gravy flavors a bit muted. The chicken chunks were ample, yet the breast meat further limited the potential of the dish. In the end, quality and quantity together make this worth a repeat visit even without a coupon.

Looks like Thai. Bangkok 54?

meh, I walked into a Chick-fil-a once when they were doing the Father-Daughter date night with I think a princess theme. It was done tastefully. These events are geared more towards young adolescent kids and younger.

if anyone is still trying find the '10 Hodder Hill, Whole Foods in Clarendon has some. There was no price on the shelf, but it was $30 at the register when rung up. That's nearly $20 less than what I paid at the winery.

I ducked in before work to order the chicken biryani to go. While waiting, I had a samosa and the chotpoti. Enjoyed both, notably the chotpoti which was flavorful, had a nice heat, and good texture. The base is boiled chickpeas and potatoes contrasted with uncooked red onions and pieces of papadum (I think) for crunch. The biryani was as Don described it. Pretty simple, but thought it more flavorful than Gharer Khabar's predecessor, La' Jawab. Having short term memory issues, I had trouble ordering since the only menu is on the chalkboard as you walk in. But the folks are friendly. When asked how I heard about them, I mentioned DR.com and TC; they seemed to recognized both. It was a rushed meal, so I'd like to go back and eat through more of their menu. And it is definitely silly cheap. .

I'm glad you mentioned this as I've been poking around the wine sections of my nearby Safeways looking for the '07. I took an interest in local wine after most of the '07's were gone, so I was pleased to find 5 bottles of the '07 Octagon ($43/bottle for 6) at the Safeway in McLean (Chain Bridge Rd). There are now four.

Great idea. I'm in. Being that this is a DMV-centric forum, perhaps a VA/MD wine could be selected at some point.

Definitely Glen Manor and Chester Gap as stated above. I also think Hume Vineyards and Chateau O'Brian are worth a visit. Both are quite different as CO'B takes themselves a little too seriously and Hume is up & coming, warm and welcoming. Both have unique spaces and good wine. If there is enough interest, perhaps a DR VA/MD wine tasting could occur at the Spring Picnic or elsewhere. I'd have some VA wine to contribute...though I can't remember when the picnic is or if I can attend. I'm on my phone and don't feel like checking....

The '10 Hodder Hill was available to the general public in a limited release starting around the end of February. The email sent to club members did not specify how long the wine would be publically available. I would definitely call the winery to doublecheck.

I like rankings and numbers, so I added a leaderboard at the bottom. porcupine's bruschetta: Grape + Bean (solved by Pat) DonRocks' mask: Mitsitam Cafe (Josh Radigan) John William G's almond cake: Volt (Choirgirl21) porcupine's trifle: Seasons 52 (booklovingbabe) porcupine's ravioli: The Majestic (goldenticket) goodeats' squash tempura: Burma (JimRice) Scott Johnston's octopus: Pizzeria Orso (Mulligan) rockcreek's salad: Wildwood Kitchen (LauraB) DonRocks' Two Belles sign: District Taco (Nervous Eater) JimRice's sashimi: Yo! Sushi (DonRocks) lperry's drunken noodles: Bangkok Golden (DonRocks) porcupine's bread board: Birch & Barley (WWZ) WWZ's turnip cakes: The Source (DonRocks) plarkins' flowery sugar-on-snow dessert: America Eats (ALB) porcupine's Himalayan Karahi and Aloo Tama Bodi: Himalayan Heritage, Bethesda (jandres374) booklovingbabe's breadless salmon sandwich: Fishnet (DonRocks) booklovingbabe's lamb shank: Central (cheezepowder) B.A.R.'s Indian deity photo: Woodlands, Fairfax (DonRocks) DonRocks' kitschy American painting: Old Ebbitt Grill (Craig Erion) DonRocks' fried okra and Asian Buffalo wings: Maple Ave. Restaurant (WWZ) darkstar965's Hering Hausfrauen Art: Old Europe (JuneBacon) JimRice's Szechuan Beef Noodle Soup and tofu-peanut-cilantro salad: A&J (cheezepowder) Simon's rabbit roulade: Range (cheezepowder (Damn, girl!)) porcupine's suckling pig and polenta: The Ashby Inn (thetrain) darkstar965's cheeseburger and fries: Victoria Gastropub (DonRocks) DonRocks' turkey sandwich and chili: Earl's Sandwiches, Ballston (VikingJew) porcupine's blood orange salad with La Tur: Fiola (DonRocks) DonRocks' Cathal pan-frying steak: Society Fair (weezy) JimRice's goat stew with mini mofungo ball: Mio (cheezepowder) TheMatt's Ethiopian vegetarian platter: Enat (plarkins) DonRocks' palows: Panjshir (TheMatt) cheezepowder's fried chicken: Ray's To The Third (DonRocks) darkstar965's sashimi: Kotobuki (DonRocks) cheezepowder's corn cake with short ribs and fried egg: Ris (LauraB) porcupine's pork carnitas taco platter: Baja Fresh (lovehockey) cheezepowder's empanadas: Panas (stevep) booklovingbabe's beef teriaki: Yoyogi Sushi (cheezepowder) JimRice's Char Kway Teow: Malaysia Kopitiam (qwertyy) DonRocks' Barcelona banner: La Choza (thetrain) John William G's pork, hushpuppies, and kale: Trummer's On Main (DonRocks) porcupine's steak tartare: Bistro Bis (The Delicious) cheezepowder's tapas: Boqueria (darkstar965) cheezepowder's shakshouka and bagels: DGS Delicatessen (thetrain) plarkin's brioche pudding: 2941 (Sundae in the Park) DonRocks' pescado frito: Pupuseria Doña Bessy (thetrain) porcupine's Meyer lemon posset: Palena (Jonathan) DonRocks' tara shirako: Kaz Sushi Bistro (Jim Rice) booklovingbabe's chili: Chubby's (DonRocks) darkstar965's brisket and collards: Urban BBQ (LauraB) lperry's chips and salsa: Taqueria El Poblano, Arlington (Fishinnards) lperry's beet salad: Jaleo, Crystal City (The Delicious) porcupine's potato gnocchi with lamb Bolognese: Proof (cheezepowder) John William G's Arctic char and shrimp: The Majestic (DonRocks) JimRice's Vietnamese salad: Rice Paper (DonRocks) DonRocks' light fixture: Boundary Road (frogprince) Simon's bucatini with clams: Ancora (AlexC) porcupine's Chinese lazy Susan: Grace Garden (DonRocks <--- that would be 3 out of the last 5) porcupine's lamb meatballs and polenta: 2Amys (booklovingbabe) DonRocks' charcuterie platter: Range (DanielK) DonRocks' triad of pizzas: Urbana (thetrain, in a photo finish with TheInsider) goodeats' roast turkey sandwich: DGS Delicatessen (LauraB) jandres374's fresh meat: Red Apron (LauraB) goodeats' bubble tea: Jumbo Jumbo Cafe's Bubble Express (cheezepowder) darkstar965's tako wasabe: Izakaya Seki (Rhone1998) Rhone1998's rijsttafel: Satay Sarinah (cheezepowder) Top 3: DonRocks - 14 cheezepowder - 8 LauraB and thetrain - 5

insightful interview with Chemel a year into their new format

In..with at least +1...depending on time/day.

Tallula