thetrain

I've walked by Eventide a number of times when looking for something to eat. I like to drink there - though admittedly I haven't been there in a while - but the bar menu never made me want to eat there. It'll be interesting to see how it has changed, though the draft selections aren't exciting (they are, however, Arlington standards).

Ditto. The food menu wasn't very interesting, but its sad they are finally putting in draft beer and Blue Moon makes the cut.

Sundevich has great sandwiches - a little hard to find - its on Naylor Court alley parallel to 9th Street between N and O Streets. They don't open until noon but maybe you can call ahead.

Also I've heard good things about El Rinconcito Cafe on 11th - never been myself, but mean to go. Info - http://www.washingtonian.com/restaurantreviews/3111.html

No cocktails, but Bayou Bakery is an option with wine and beer. Otherwise Wilson Tavern is your best bet in courthouse...head bartender used to work at PS7s for what its worth.

Have you have you given any thought to giving out best of or some other kind of award? It could be members only voting, and you could hand out a silly sticker or award that would serve as promotion for the site. Restaurants will usually do the rest and at least mention it on their website.

I'd be interested in seeing who the winners would be and could promote good discussion.

Today it's been reported that Paula Deen's publicist resigned over her signing the deal with Novo Nordisk, which is reportedly bringing her in $6 million dollars over two years.

They updated that article to include "The Daily, the publication that originally broke the rumors that Deen was about to announce her diagnosis, last Thursday, is now reporting both that Paula has high blood pressure and that she will make $6 million over two years for her work promoting Victoza."

While diet may or may not be a cause of type 2 diabetes -- obesity is most definitely one. To the extent that obesity may be controled through a diet, and in the overwhelming number of cases it can, with exercise too, diet is a factor in developing type 2 diabetes.

[full disclosure: I have been at the tipping point for type 2 diabetes for nearly a decade, and it is a daily struggle staying on the right side of the precipice, so I hope y'all forgive me for a little rightious indignation -- diabetes is nearly epidemic in this country and it need not be]

Completly anecdotal - but on the Biggest Loser they have a mid season 'check in' with the doctor to see what losing a moderate amount of weight has done to their health. In every show I've seen, every diabetic no longer needs insulin and most are no longer considered diabetic. Insane.

In contrast, my grandmother is diabetic and my mother (not yet 60) is pre-diabetic. Niether are remotely close to what most people would consider overweight, they have 'normal' BMIs, but they put on 30lbs from what they weighed in their 20s. Is that weight alone enough to cause it? Who knows.

They just annouced the head brewer: Megan Parisi, former lead brewer at Cambridge Brewing Co. in Massachusetts.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-we-can-eat/post/parisi-named-head-beermaker-for-nrgs-new-brewery/2012/01/24/gIQAJ9DsNQ_blog.html

I wonder if it's possible for Tim Carman to write anything about Roberto without sounding like he hates the guy.

I wonder if it's possible for Donna to work at a restaurant and pay all his employees on time in full. (sorry couldn't resist).

The article states the facts and the quotes come from the Arlington's deputy treasurer for litigation - not Carman. Its not his fault there is a dearth of glowing facts about Donna that are newsworthy. I'm not sure what in this fact based article suggests he hates the guy.

I am looking for good, nearby places to source fish of all kinds as my goal is to eat more. I have a Whole Foods and a Balducci's close to where I live in Alexandria/Fairfax and so far, WF has been good for some seafood, and not so good for other seafood (mussels). So, I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion about Balducci's seafood department(s).

Any experiences?

Every time I've walked past the fish counter in regular grocery stores (including WF) and ethnic stores, I'm too nauseated by the smell to even think of eating fish for a week.

I've had good luck at the Glebe Rd. Harris Teeter - no smell and lots of times whats on sale just came in and its a lot cheaper than WF. Some is previously frozen, but not all.

Al pastor is thin slices of marinated pork stacked onto a vertical grill with slices of pineapple and shaved off as the outside of the stacked meat gets browned by the heating element. Carnitas is twice-cooked pork shoulder: braised in liquid and then crisped in the oven or sometimes deep fried.

I know the technical definitions, but in my experience some taquerias play it fast and loose with what they call their various fillings. Hence the cubed meat in my al pastor sopa later that day at Tacos El Costalilla (meat was meh but the sopas shell was great - would get birria instead next time). And why carnitas tacos are usually either dried out or super juicy, but rarely crispy and juicy.

I was in the area running errands and stopped here for a taco. I asked for al pastor and she said 'ah carnitas' - I do not care what its called - it was the best tasting pork I've ever had in a taco. There were crispy, not burnt bits mixed in with the shredded pork and the remaining meat was still juicy. The taco was dressed with onions, cilantro and a side of lime and the corn tortilla was good, but nothing special. But the meat - definitely special.

Just a reminder for VA businesses there are strict Happy Hour advertising laws -

"Licensees can not advertise Happy Hour in the media or on the exterior of the premises."

So basically, no business or any of their employees can send you happy hour information to post (media is interpreted to include online postings of any kind from what I've heard). However, we as individuals are allowed to self report and post these specials.

Fresh black eyed peas. Or, failing that, frozen ones. The dried ones are so grainy.

Noticed them listed in the Harris Teeter Circular under the fresh produce tab this week - worth a call.

An interesting article from WSJ about chain restaurants and how they are changing and broadening their menus.

"Over the past two years, Applebee's has changed about 80% of its menu. It revamped everything from its rice (instant is now long-grain) to the addition of more New Orleans-inspired dishes."

Maybe its less bad now? Although its disconcerting they were serving instant rice in the first place...

Recently went and had the new(ish) menu item, Fish and Chips. The fries were meh, but the fried fish was really great - definitely one of the best I've ever had. Fish was moist and (I think) fresh, outside was lightly battered and crisp. The homemade tartar sauce was also delicious and I'll be asking for an extra portion next time.

A fairly comprehensive list of Oyster specials. American Eats Tavern is one that isn't as well known. Make sure to read the comments, there are some more listed in there.

Last time I was at Applebees, about 5 years ago, I ordered the Quesadilla Burger. I figured "when in Rome." It wasn't bad; I've had worse meals at a food truck. And I got to dine surrounded by teenage couples dressed to the nines having the requisite awkward pre-prom dinner date.

District of Pi was pretty lame the one time I went, and it was overpriced, too.

Pizzeria Paradiso has reverted to the heavy, bready crust it had years ago.

RedRocks has never been great, but now it seems like it's not even trying.

The same with Rustico, which seems to get worse with each NRG restaurant.

Ditto. And I'll add that Paradiso, Redrocks, and Rustico use high quality ingredients on not so great crust (Rustico's especially is lacking), so they still make for okay pizza. Matchbox is in this category for me too.

In terms of omission, there are some pretty good pizzas left off this list.

There is one place I'm surprised didn't make it, not because its any good, but rather because its so popular - Fireworks. And I still think Faccia Luna (at least the Clarendon one) is underrated...much better crust than the majority of the list.

Also this reminds me I really need to try Ledo's.

This reminds me of a restaurant I read about many years ago in a guidebook to a small Caribbean island (maybe Saba, I can't remember). Some poor lady running a one-person restaurant had a bunch of bounced checks taped up by the cash register from locals who came in to eat but couldn't afford to pay for the food.

"I have heart like marshmallow," she said.

I'll admit the first time I read the original post I thought of the Seinfeld episode where Jerry had a bad check taped up at a bodega. Actually that is my favorite episode. But yea, I doubt this lady has the fortitude to post a list publicly of these derelicts...but she should.

Nota Bene - Kitchen closed before 1:30 for lunch on a federal holiday.

Sounds like Kat was working.

Ha! Yes. The all-female service staff had the hipster look down pat.

Based on what I ate I'd say its both Northern Thai and Issan - started with a lot of sour and spice and the last two-three courses mellowed into sweet, less spicy Burmese influenced dishes. Everything was excellent, but the highlights were the mushroom salad, the crispy rice/peanut/lime dish that was like a refreshing pad thai (tons of lime and chili), and the hammered beef. Drinks are very reasonable given the prixe fix price - $5 for beer, $40-42 for bottle of wine (really interesting selection - including a Rose Chinon)/$10-12 per glass (very big by the glass selection) and $4 small pours of Belgian/Imperial IPAs. Atmosphere-wise it skews young, minimalist farmhouse design and everyone appeared to be in their 20s-30s.

Any guy with a crush on Zooey Daschel will love the service....and if you don't have a crush the service is still great, attentive and casual.

Overall, this is Komi's cool little sibling - trendier and cheaper than Komi but with the same attention to detail.

Liberty Tavern, Mad Rose Tavern, now Market Tavern. I'm glad for another place with lots of taps, but I'm puzzled as to why they chose that name.

Ok, so I have to admit, I am one of those people who is very intimidated by NYC, the vast amount of choices just seem overwhelming and render me just feeling quite unable to make decisions. BUT my Mother and I are going to go to NYC for Thanksgiving and the weekend. I am hoping some people on here will take pity on me and help me out with some advice.

We will go up Wednesday night on the Vamoose bus. Won't get up till late, will probably eat before we leave.

Thursday my Mom would prefer not to have a traditional meal and wanted me to investigate eating Chinese in Chinatown (maybe Peking Duck, she loves Peking Duck?). I realize that the best Chinese isn't really there anymore, but let's be honest we are from the country and now live in Arlington and Annapolis and would be thrilled with something pretty good. We have no real plans for the day, not going to the parade, been there done that, etc. If anyone has suggestions for breakfast/brunch/lunch or things we should do?

Friday we will probably shop, might go to the fashion/bead district for me to get some supplies. We might also go to 5th Ave and shop and look at Christmas windows.

One night we are going to see a show at 8pm on Broadway. Probably Saturday night. Hubby told me we should go to the Planetarium.

I also want to go to Eataly, I know I know... Maybe we will do that on Sunday before we leave, if they are open. I think Mom would like walking the Highline too.

I would like to go to some places that are rather casual, but well executed food. Kind of like NOPA is SF or Liberty Tavern here and any great little ethnic joints are good too. We could do something a bit nicer too, but generally I am not looking at really upscale places. My Mom is adventurous and will eat quite a bit of things, although she doesn't like sushi. And would also love some recommendations for some bars/cocktail spots/wine bars if we just wanted to hang. I don't mind traveling a bit. And brunch/breakfast recommendations would be really appreciated. We really have very little familiarity with New York and are usually just happy kind of wandering and venturing into cool areas.

Thanks in advance.

Every time I'm in NYC I make it a point to go to Motorino in the East Village for pizza. Its better than anything I've had in DC and the appetizers are delicious as well. Its a small but cozy space and if you go in the afternoon you can definitely hang out for a while over a bottle of wine at a table. There is also an amazing lunch deal during the week from 11-4, a salad and pizza for $12.

Cafe St. Ex, Bistro Du Coin.

And while not always the greatest resource, yelp has TV or No TV info that has been reliable when I've used it.