plarkins

That's too bad. I went a few times when I lived nearby 3 years ago. The chicken karahi was really good I remember.

I'm not sure of any restaurant/bar that would have staff available to provide a decent walk-through/explanation of the wine or tasting how-to's. Going to an actual winery came to mine, but might be too far of a drive. So, then I thought maybe a winery with a tasting room in the city. That brought Boxwood to mine. They have a number of locations around the area. Boxwood's wine is solid VA grape, but they have plenty of other wine to choose from, plus light pairings/snacks. Not sure if they have enough staff to provide a personal walk-through of the wine, but there's a chance...at worse, they would know their wine well enough for a good tasting.

it was mentioned much further up thread, but its worth bumping....Don't forget about the smoked chicken salad. It wasn't always available, but I think he's making it more often these days.

Being the newbie, I was told to post first about Saturday's demo dinner. I was bit delayed however, as we happened upon PX while walking around the block after dinner. Didn't get home until 330am and I'm now recovering from the night. Glad Darkstar didn't wait to post .

I think he's the resident expert on the demo kitchen experience, so I won't add much. It was my first DR event as well and really enjoyed it. Warm bunch of folks. Sorry I didn't meet Ktmoomau as we were on opposite ends of the bar. I'll add a few details and perhaps some pics later.

-the first wine with the olives was a blend of two spanish white grapes I wasn't familiar with. John said it was only $11.5/bottle, so yes quite enjoyable at that price.

-my friend and I were most delighted by the pickled rockfish (loved the ribeye, but both of our stomachs can't handle rare/med. rare meat very well). The fish, radish, and the mustard all on sliced pan-toasted baguette...so good. Great textures and flavor and the Santorini wine was very nice pairing.

-the greens with steak were mizuna

-the dessert was awesome. i thought this was the best pairing, but I'm a sucker for dessert wines.

Thanks again, Darkstar, for organizing!

so all of the golds were 90

I find that very interesting. I'm surprised there weren't a few wines that would have stood out more from the pack. I could believe the Hodder Hill would have based on the '08. I haven't had the '09 yet. Does this mean there are some very good wines in VA, but not many that really separate themselves? (I know Rdv and a few other wines would have completed well). I know very little about wine judging. Perhaps Dave McIntyre could chime in on why the average scores plateaued at 90.

This past week I dined in and did take out on two seperate occassions. I always order the pizza specials. I tried the meatball pizza (there was more to it...can't remember) and it was okay. Nothing spectacular. I did take out next and got the butternut squash pizza. Wow. Go eat this pizza. Butternut squash puree is the 'sauce' with more unique textures and flavors provided by the Brussels sprouts, pine nuts, and porchetta. Blindfold the kids if you have to, everyone should try this pizza!

Good afternoon! So, I'm looking for the '07 Glen Manor Hodder Hill. I really enjoy the '08 and would like to try the previous vintage. I've searched online and called some retailers without success. I'm pretty confident no retail location has it in stock anymore, so I'm curious to know if anyone has any spare bottles. I'd be willing to pay a good price for it, especially if its been stored well. I'd offer a trade, but my cellar is young; mostly filled with easily procured local wines.

Cheers

In Amissville (where something's not quite right - LOL!) there is a little tiny place called the "Lom-Bar-Dy". I wish someone would go in there and report back, I've passed it a million times and always wondered how a place that small stays in biz..

a bit of a hijack...but glad you mentioned Lombardys! Yelp says it's closed now, but I haven't been in 3 or 4 years. It is/was a quintessential greasy spoon. The bathrooms were out back in a 'shed' and it's a tiny place. I don't remember the food being bad; but we always ate there after hiking in the Shenandoah's, so I wouldn't be a good judge. Its very local and worth a stop for the experience.

Unless convinced otherwise, I've narrowed down my Restaurant Week selection to 2941 or Willow. Willow's prix fixe menu is slightly larger than 2941; but I haven't been to either restaurant, so I'm ignorant in how they compare. This all assumes I can get a res. at 2941!

Willow's RW menu

2941's RW menu

Appreciate any feedback

Hi all! I'm looking for some interesting places to cover on my way to Charlottesville and once I'm there. I have my high-end dining covered, but I'd love some recommendations in the way of country stores, BBQ joints, greasy spoons, etc. Any suggestions? Thanks!

There is excellent ice cream on US-29 between Warrenton and Culpepper -> Moothru

Dropped by The Pit Stop today around 1pm; steady business it seemed and a writer/photographer was there from Northern Virginia Magazine...so expect a nice write up at soon. I ordered a 1/2 rack of ribs ($13) and a pork sandwich ($6 sans slaw) plus a gatorade ($1). The picnic table was full, so I just drove home. I poked at the pulled pork at stop lights. Wow, pretty good. I'm from Eastern NC, so I'm biased...but this was good Q. Sure, it had lots of sauce, but its a great flavor. Nice smoke, and quality meat. Half the pulled pork I saved for dinner and once I got home, I immediately attacked the ribs. Yes, they travel well...still very warm. Again, great smoke, excellent sauce and meaty. I don't eat ribs often, but recently had Hill Country's ribs. Yikes, there's no comparison. I'll never eat ribs at a restaurant again.

I think the pulled pork was probably the best I've had in NOVA. Better than Willards, and likely better than B'z...but its been awhile since I've had B'z..so I need to try them again earlier in the day than before. The Pit Stop is a must try if you're a BBQ fan. Follow them on Facebook to make sure they're smoking.

Thx. Have to say that perhaps we have different definitions of "local" as mapquest shows the trip from my home in Arlington to Thurmont to be 63 miles/1hr & 20 minutes; to Paeonia Springs is 35 miles/50 minutes. Rocklands and RH&B are both 5 minutes and we occasionally breakdown and get takeout from time to time. I mentioned Famous Daves only because someone else did earlier and I've eaten at the one near Potomac Mills a few times when down that way. If the stars align and I'm by either of your suggestions, I'll give it a try.

Part of the charm of of someplace like Beans BBQ & the Shenandoah Valley is how different it is from the DC area. We like both, but it's a great change of pace and people. YMMV of course.....

Has anyone been to The Pit Stop in Gilbert's Corner? It'd be a little closer than Paeonia Springs.

I drove by it once, but couldn't stop. Looked like it had potential and FWIW has good reviews on Yelp.

Has anyone been? Good article over on ARLnow. Curious to try the wiink burger

I just signed up for Bigg Riggs' CSA, which picks up at Maple Avenue Market in downtown Vienna. The farm is in Hampshire County, WV, so the distance isn't very green...but the pickup time and location in Vienna are ideal for us. Maple Avenue Market also does their own 'CSA'. You basically buy $400 store credits for $300. Pretty good deal as they have a nice variety of regional goods plus seasonal produce from their farm in Great Falls, VA. Does anyone have any familiarity with Maple Avenue Market or Bigg Riggs CSA?

I'm having a hard time visualizing where there could be a beer garden at Westover Market. Isn't it part of a commercial strip surrounded by street, driveway, and parking lot? Where's the garden?

I believe its between Westover Market and the post office within the fence -> see street view image here

walking between home and work, yesterday evening and this morning, I did not see the cart at Lynn and Wilson

Anyone know their hours?

Yesterday evening, a Halal cart was at Lynn and Wilson. Their lamb gyro is pretty good. I think its the cart I see parked in front of La'Jawab

walking between home and work, yesterday evening and this morning, I did not see the cart at Lynn and Wilson

Anyone know their hours?

Yesterday evening, a Halal cart was at Lynn and Wilson. Their lamb gyro is pretty good. I think its the cart I see parked in front of La'Jawab

hi,

my name is peter and i'm just making my first post.

i'm glad to have found another solid online source for local restaurants and looking forward to being able to access the guide now!

I'm not a big city person, but I've learned to appreciate having access to a wonderful variety of food in the DC area. My favorite dining experience has been eating at Thai Xing. I enjoy taking friends to good ethnic restaurants, often a new experience for them.

I'm originally from eastern NC, so I appreciate and miss dearly good vinegar-based bbq. Unfortunately, that doesn't exist in the DC area

regards....