eating out

Thanks for the back-up plan Recs. Luckily, I didn't need them. Tried a couple new drinks - the Big O, and the Eamonn's Cocktail - IMHO, neither is as good as the incredible Grog. I could drink that all night long (and day by the pool!) Big O (I think thats what it's called) had a very fresh citrus taste, but was ultimately too strong and too bitter for me. As for the Irish, I didn't like the taste of the Yuzu Air, nor the drink itself - also bitter, and maybe it's because I thought it tasted like Gin, and I don't like Gin. Just my palate's experience, not trying to knock the drinks. And no, I didn't say anything at the time. I'll stick with the Grog for now on - or maybe an Irish Flip. We sat in the Blue Room, and overall I didnt like it as much as my experience in the front room - the blue room is pretty dark, and with a small group (4) and no one else in there, it was kind of cavernous and dampened the mood a touch, as opposed to being more intimate, which I thought it would be. Also, in the blue room, because you're out of eye sight from the waitress and the bartender, the waitress definitely came in a bunch of times to check on only the 4 of us - and we were pretty much just set on nursing our drinks, so it was a little awkward as we continually told her we didn't want anything yet. I think the Blue Room is probably better with a large group, or with other people in there. Next time I'll aim for the lighter and more lively front room or bar area. More fun to see the mixmasters at work. p.s. Please don't harangue me for this post as I'm just trying to give my experience at PX which while wasn't as awesome as my first time, I'm in no way trying to bash the place or the drinks or the waitress or anything - Just relaying my experience and maybe providing a tip or too to potential PX-goers. I hope this won't be taken as threatening PX's livelihood. I will most definitely be back again, and again - I really like PX. p.p.s. Hmph, kind of sad that I felt the need to write a disclaimer such as above, hopefully it will prove unneccesary...

I'm heading to PX in the near future, and while I'm hoping getting in won't be a problem, one never knows. So, I want to have a back-up plan in place. I'm not familiar with Old Town, so I'm wondering if anyone could give me a rec for another bar within walking distance in case PX doesn't work out. I know Restaurant Eve's bar is not very far away and I'd love to go there, but I'll be with a small group and we're looking for more of a bar/hangout than restaurant bar. Thanks all!

I'm interested, of course Happy New Year!

Despite the fact that it's only open Wed - Sat, my understanding is that you would not be let in if you were wearing jeans and a t-shirt, either together or separately. I think men have to be wearing a jacket and look somewhat snazzy - and jeans are a no (unless they're black jeans? I don't really know). Could be wrong, but that was my impression. Also, sneakers are out... Just trying to help, wouldn't want you to show up there all excited for a drink and be turned away due to your attire!

Woohoo, I'm glad I made the cut! But, unfortunately, I'll be out of town I look forward to the next gathering, though... Happy Holidays!

I thought I'd chime in because though I've never been to the IALW, I have experienced service that has been top notch and pretty much fulfilled all the above comments relating to what service should be like at a restaurant at this pricepoint - it was at Gary Danko in San Fran, and it was less than half the price of IALW, for food that probably is of the same caliber. It was a special meal, the restaurant made us feel like we owned the place (we were the youngest guests there - this is especially nice for us), it wasn't pretentious, the servers were knowledgable as opposed to scripted, it just simply was the best service I've ever experienced at a restaurant. I'm from St. Louis, and have been to Tony's a number of times - when I was little, I used to love testing the Professional Servers by turning my knife just a little crooked, and they'd jump in and set it straight right away (okay I still like to do that ). I find the kind of service at Tony's to be very attentive and professional, but stiff, and while I still like it, to me it wasn't on the level of Gary Danko's (obviously, these are very different restaurants). From these recent reviews, it seems to me I should not feel badly that I haven't made it to the Inn yet, and celebrate my special occasions at Maestro or one of the other great restaurants we have around town (or fly out to San Fran again).

Had dinner in the bar on Saturday night, was craving the burger. Started with The Eleanor, a very crisp and refreshing Champagne Cocktail w/ blood orange juice, though immediately wished I had ordered the Sidecar. Ordered the Broccoli Raviolini w/ Mussels and the Burger, +1 had the Polpetti with meatballs. Also added 2 glasses of the Jessie's Grove Zinfandel, which is a very tasty and reasonable option for a glass of red. The Broccoli Raviolini and Mussels dish was the star, one of the best dishes I've had in '06. Huge, plump and fresh tasting mussels accompanied by little bundles of broccoli raviolini that were melt in your mouth good and chopped up broccolini heads scattered throughout. And the broth! Sopped up every last drop with the bread - I wish I was better at explaining flavors and could truly do this tomato-based broth justice - but all I can say is it was real good Another thing that I haven't noticed being mentioned is the consistent deliciousness of the butter plate at Palena. I rarely butter my bread, but at Palena, it's rare when I don't just eat the butter by itself - nevermind the bread! Polpetti was good but nothing special, just well-made pasta and okay meatballs. Sounded better on paper than it was on the palate, I thought. As for the burger, I don't remember there being the layer of crumbled cheese? or cream cheese? or whatever it was on the bun opposite the one with the great mayo. It was too much for me - too rich, and to be honest, really took away from my impression of the burger as a whole. I finished half of it and forced myself to take another couple of bites. It really gave it a heaviness that I felt was unneccesary, and overpowerd the flavor of the meat. Next time I'm lookin to the burger, I'll be sure to request they leave out whatever this stuff was... I like mine with the medium rare meat and the mayo (and maaaybe sometimes just a touch of ketchup). As for dessert, though I was hurtin' from the burger, I couldn't leave without something - so we got the cookie plate to take home. Another thing I haven't noticed being mentioned often - those caramels are ethereal. For someone who's more of a fruit person than a sweets person, to me it's almost worth the $9 alone just for those 2 caramels. Anyway, on nights when I'm sad that Restaurant Eve and RTC aren't neighborhood jaunts for me, I reassure myself with the knowledge that I can easily go to the Bar at Palena whenever I'm looking for a great meal close to home. Love the food, love the desserts, love the being able to order from the whole menu at the bar, and love the great prices

It's almost Channukah time, and that means potato latkes (pancakes)! My +1 is allergic to potatoes, so this year I want to try and make a batch of sweet potato latkes - anyone have any experience with these? Have a recipe? Thanks, Happy Holidays!

I'm in too! Week in between xmas and new years works for me as well...

Hey, that's me! Thanks for thinkin of me hillvalley, I was hoping I could join you guys too

Neighborhood Gatherings is a great idea - I'm sorry I'm just South of Cleveland Park! Anyone out there in Woodley Park/Adams Morgan?? Could hit Bourbon...

True, but perhaps not for long.

Okay, I'm starting to feel slightly discouraged... Is there aany food in the Vegas Airport?!

Heh, yeah I'm thrilled with all the opinions! I don't know, it's all dependent on the time and how i'm feeling, but I sure would like to make it work. What is it about Lotus of Siam that makes it so amazing? Right now I'm leaning toward trying to make it there or to Table 34 or Todds. You can understand though how bummed I'd be just to have to sit in the airport for 3 hours on a Friday night right outside of Vegas? I know it's crazy, but if the timing works out, I think I'll give it a shot!

Yep, I did post to Chowhound as well - but since I live here in DC, this is my local board and I trust rockwellians Burger Bar is an interesting suggestion - I will definitely gauge if I'm feelin a burger that day, and would probably go here over In 'N Out - I wasn't that thrilled with INO when I had it - to me it's just a fast food burger - granted, a whole league different from the gross chains, but still, just fast food done very well. I think I was expecting a mind-blowingly tasty burger. Actually, I was just home and and thought I'd take a Steak n Shake Frisco melt any day over the double double animal style. What I really want to try sometime is Fat Burger. And, if you're a burger afficionado, IMHO, the best burger I've ever had is in Boston at R.F. O'Sullivans. The Black Jack Burger. oh man how i miss that. So, I'm looking into restaurants at the MGM and Mandalay now, that aren't on the too pricey range and that I can be in and out of in around an hour!

Hello all - I've got a 3.5hr layover in the Vegas airport, and have no idea of the airport's relation to the strip/main action. So, I'm wondering if there are any tasty restaurants (not tooo pricey), either on the strip or not, within short taxi distance from the airport, that I could go to and spend a hour or so, then come back for my flight. All recs appreciated! Thanks!

I would LOVE a Rockville Pike crawl... also am very interested in the Peruvian & Eden Center... Would U Street be an Ethiopian crawl of sorts? I might be in to that with some experienced Ethiopian diners...

I'd be in for this, for sure. Great idea... I love food crawls.

NewFoodie - whenever I am outvoted and must go to Rosa Mexicano, my order is simple. Stick with the guacamole. Even though the table gets one, eat that, and then when they order entrees, you order another bowl of guacamole for yourself. I actually do think the guacamole is really good, not to mention the only thing there worth eating. Though a friend once ordered the seared tuna salad, and it *looked* promising. Gluck!

Welll, even though I read this review, I decided to try Snap anyway since I walked right by it and I was craving boba. Tried the passionfruit bubble tea, and yeah, I probably would not order this here again... the boba were totally mushy and even might have had a slightly bitter taste? it was weird. the tea was sweet and fruity but had no discernable tea taste. Because I was craving it, I ate them all anyway. Refrained from subjecting the flora to what remained, probably a good decision - the shrubbery nearby did seem to be dwindling somewhat... I'm hopeful that the place at 15 and M will come through...

I'm looking forward to trying this place, once the service chills a bit - anyone know if/when it'll be open for lunch? Def. sounds like it'll make a good $20 Tuesday.

Would Bebo count as a $20 Tuesday?

So, what are the chances of getting in here on a Friday night around 9pm? Should I make a reservation? I'd be making the trip to Old Town specifically to have a drink here, so want to know if the reservation is necessary... thx!

Braved, and I mean braved, the food last night at Stetson's. I was going to write what I thought the Buffalo wings actually tasted like, but thought it best just to say: If you must order wings, stick with the BBQ sauce... Also, the cheese fries were like reheated frozen fries covered in shredded cheese and put in the microwave for too long. Greasy, tasteless, and not even any guilty pleasure. This is too bad, because I really like Stetson's. I'm not going to give up hope that somehow, someday, their kitchen might come around... But until then, I'll try to stick with the beer, thanks.

For me, what makes a good deal is excellent quality/taste that I *have* to keep going back for, at a price point that I can afford, without wincing too much. China Bistro fits that bill for me. It's more the fact that the dumplings are soo good, there are soo many of them so I don't have to order anything else, and the price isn't steep enough to keep me from coming back often.