thetrain
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All You Can Eat Sushi
thetrain replied to hillvalley's topic in Washington DC Restaurants and Dining
I've had the buffet here twice and both times felt like crap afterwards - totally defeating the purpose of getting sushi for lunch. Did the takeaway pay per pound option too, so it wasn't from over indulgence. -
Neapolitan? A top three - any of which I'm sure would be good - Motorino's (LES and Brooklyn - a really good weekday lunch deal as well), Keste's (Greenwich village), and Paulie Gee's (Brooklyn). Another Neapolitan place that I've heard is good is Donatella Arpaia (Chelsea). If you might find yourself randomly in need of a NY slice, might be a good idea to bookmark http://www.sliceharvester.com/ to easily find the best place nearby.
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My humble abode does not resemble an old stable house, much less have a fireplace, so I guess we just have to agree to disagree.
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My point was if you put me in front of a fireplace in a cozy old riding house in the middle of the city with a gracious host and play some of my favorite music, you could serve me something slightly more edible than dog food and I'd be happy. Maybe that's just me. (I am in no way insinuating Iron Gate's food is like dog food.)
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Last night on my way to dine at Iron Gate I read this quote by Roberto Donna in the metro express; "Ambiance, look or service should never come first. If you go out to eat, you should go for the food. If not, eat at home; have a sandwich." I respectfully disagree. Due to hectic schedules, my date and I had missed the Oct. 31st dining deadline, but on the way to another restaurant it was discovered Iron Gate is open until Nov. 13th. Our plans were quickly changed. No, the food here is not revelatory. But ordering things that are hard to mess up (i.e. mussels, slow cooked lamb shank with homemade pasta, roasted chicken with mashed potatoes) and a bottle of french red wine procured a good meal. Sitting in a cozy restaurant 3/4s full, we could easily hear each other and the Paul Simon/Cat Stevens mix playing in the background. The ambiance was perfect. My date's Grandmother went here often during the early 1940s (!!) and I'm sure she will be so glad we got a chance to share a meal here. Last night was a meal I'll always remember. I am very glad I did not have a sandwich at home.
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Don is psychic.
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American Flatbread, Broadlands - Closed
thetrain replied to Al Dente's topic in Washington DC Restaurants and Dining
I have been meaning to get there for a while now, and having been disappointed by Rustico and Fireworks in the past, I'll put it at the top of my list next time I need pizza within walking distance. My guess as to the different patronage btw the three - not only is American Flatbread in a less visible place, the pricing structure is different (price is higher, pie is bigger) than places with a more personal sized pie (i.e. Liberty, Pupatella et al). -
A fairly scientific test supporting your theory.
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Cafe Mozart is a German/Austrian restaurant with a small store of German/Austrian foodstuffs up front - you may be able to call ahead and double check they have it in stock (its listed on their website). The Clarendon Whole Foods had it - but it was ridiculously priced compared to Cafe Mozart (same price but about a quarter of the size).
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The store at Cafe Mozart downtown (btw McPherson and Metro Center on H St) has it at the best price I've seen. Otherwise whole foods had it last time I was looking for it. Anyone seen Martin's potato bread stuffing at Harris Teeter or Giant recently?
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Deviled Eggs Crab cakes (low carb recipe) Mushroom caps are another possible toast substitute.
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The kitchen closes at 10pm Mon-Thurs. Fairly certain its open until 11pm on Friday/Saturday nights.
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Anyone else spot this new channel/show on their over-the-air tv? Only caught a second of it, looks similar to WETA programs. http://www.nbcwashington.com/station/as-seen-on/NBC4-Washington-Launches-NBC-Washington-Nonstop-105880528.html
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Recently I was on Yelp and noticed a particularly egregious review from a Yelp "Elite" and I clicked on the profile for the person. They had joined Yelp in late June, 2010 and had close to 100 reviews. This person averages nearly 1 review of a new place everyday. Personally I use yelp merely as a source of information about the restaurant - especially up to date info on VA happy hours that can't be advertised online.
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Still packed from the Post Dining guide, but it is fairly easy to grab bar seats. More importantly, the pizzas are still as good as ever despite the crowds and the staff is performing well under pressure too. Glad to see Orso become such a success!
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Bloody Marys and good East Coast seafood (I'm thinking oysters, crab, lobster?)...Clyde's Gallery Place, Old Ebbitt and Johnny's on the Half Shell are the closest best bets. Unfortunately, no half priced raw bar on Saturday. Old Ebbitts has been packed when ever I go during daylight hours and I'd make a reservation if you choose any place near the mall.
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Had the sweetbreads appetizer on a recent visit - described as Crispy Veal Sweetbreads with Mushroom Ravioli, Grilled Maitake Mushrooms & Creamy Potato Emulsion - but I also tasted some truffle in the ravioli. I really enjoyed it and it was a sizable portion for a starter. The bar area here has a lot of friendly, local regulars; if someone is looking for a place to eat a nice solo meal at a bar and not feel awkward, this is the place. My only gripe is the lack of draft beer - but they do make a good martini and pour it dangerously full, so its a minor quibble.
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Our crust was heavy on the trans/saturated fat...and then the chicken filling one was heavy on the cream...I'm guessing several days worth. At least. I'd stick with non-cream based fillings if its an issue.
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I actually had to make pasties in my brief stint as a pantry chef at a Scottish restaurant run by a native Scotsman. I agree the main difference I saw btw a pasty and an empanda is the crust - ours was similar to a puff pastry. We also precooked our filling; who knows whats authentic, but I can't imagine the logistical/consistency issues if the filling wasn't precooked.
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Dino is not a fan of this practice.
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The reasonably priced beer list and the service, especially for a newly opened restaurant, were excellent. The food (calamari and their version of a supreme pizza) was 'meh' - not bad, but not particularly great either. Hopefully just an off night; be back when I'm thirsty for beer and hungry for something other than chili covered tots and vegan hot dogs.
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Sort of - Lebanese not Syrian. Usually do carryout at Lebanese butcher and I have been meaning to get to Laylina - I read they serve kibbah nayee only on the weekends? Laylina also doesn't seem to have meat (preferably lamb) grape leaves which is another nostalgic favorite of mine that's hard to find that Lebanese Butcher does well. Damn vegetarians.
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I agree - Lebanese Butcher has by far and away the best Kibbeh Nayyeh around - the closest to my grandmother's I have ever tasted. Not impressed with Zaytinya's at all and there are too many other things worth ordering on that menu to waste a dish on average Nayyeh.
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Matchbox, Clydes, Carmines...
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I recently ordered a regular little ol' cheeseburger at Wendys in the middle of nowhere on a road trip. It looked like a burger you'd see on a billboard, perfectly assembled, and tasted quite good. I had a mild case of carsickness before I ate and the burger cured me. Oddly, the last Wendy's cheeseburger I ate over a decade ago gave me a mild case of food poisoning. I'm hopeful, but I doubt, that my local Wendy's will produce such a great little burger.