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collije

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Everything posted by collije

  1. collije
    Agreed, Gina is a draw for me to drink there.
  2. collije
    Finally got around to stopping by Commonwealth for dinner last night. Reading the feedback on the Fried Chicken I took an order of that, along with Bubble & Speak on the side. The chicken is still excellent, two nicely spiced & juicy [thanks for brining ] huge breast portions with a very healthy amount of mashed potatoes [and tasty gravy, but perhaps a little too salty imo] and biscuit. If I wasn't starving [no real lunch that day] it could've easily been a whole breast for next-day lunch. For dessert, I tried the Lemon Trifle w/ Berry Sauce, quite nice as well [although I prefer a wee bit more tartness]. Portions are quite generous as others above have mentioned, I sat at the bar next to the kitchen & saw a # of other meals which were healthy portions as well. And Fried Chicken is a huge hit it seems. They couldn't stop making large batches of the stuff while I was there lol, tons of orders. Oh, & let's not forget the beer list, pretty good offerings!
  3. collije
    Ears perked up. Philly-style? And one of my favorite Philly bakeries Sarcone is the bread! I need to stop by sometime soon.
  4. collije
    It's been a good week for me eating out Joined a friend for drinks and small plates at the bar this week. Chatted up Mo the bartender [still affable & accommodating], nice live piano playing that night. Looks like Chef Bobby has been improving the bar menu since I last ate at the bar. For small plates we enjoyed sharing the Denver Lamb Spareribs [sweet chili-garlic glaze, sweet potato pommes frites] and Sea Bass Tostadas [tobiko caviar, tomato, avocado, sour cream]. Considered getting Dessert, but in review of what they had it didn't seem much different than when Bobby originally took over as Chef [and they weren't anything to write home about back then]. I supposed quality has improved, anyone try their desserts lately?
  5. collije
    I appreciate Tracy as well when eating at the bar! Always enjoyable to talk with him while getting a meal. Ate there yesterday w/ a friend and enjoyed the Braised Beef Cheeks w/ Tagliatelle. Quite rich, paired well w/ the pasta. For dessert, couldn't resist their Chocolate Bar [i.e. the Kit-Kat bar, still good].
  6. collije
    I didn't see bacon on the menu for the burger. I'm sure you could gently ask & easily get it. Oh, & on my final training day I stopped back for lunch again. This time I had the 1/2 sandwich & soup special for $11. For soup I had their delicious Wild Mushroom Bisque w/ Sage Oil & Parsley [quite rich & flavorful, nicely surprised that they made it with a bacon base ... rendered bacon fat, of course it's good!]. And for the sandwich I did their Grilled Turkey Reuben w/ Gruyere. Nice combination. For a side I couldn't stop from ordering the Fried Mac 'n Cheese balls [oh so not healthy ... 5-cheese fondue sauce used, but tasty!]. Glad I worked out that day to make me feel better Good pricing, nice space. Must remember to keep Willow as a regular dining option & expose more friends to the place.
  7. collije
    I've eaten at Litteri's multiple times over the past 2 years. It's pretty good, but I don't think it's better than what I've had at the Italian Store. And I grew up on fantastic subs/hoagies in the Philly area [i'm pretty picky about subs]. If you're in the District [& especially in the Cap Hill/Eastern Market area], by all means stop here for a good sub. As my own preference, I personally would trek out to Italian Store.
  8. collije
    I'm in Ballston this week taking an end-of-year training class, and haven't been to the neighborhood lately so this was a perfect time for lunch at Willow. Sat at the bar, & enjoyed a nice conversation w/ Alison who was behind the bar. I ordered a medium-rare Hickory Smoked Double Willow Burger [2 patties, 8 oz. total] with Caramelized Onions, Red Wine Mushrooms and Havarti and includes Hickory BBQ sauce on the side and a nice amount of wedge potato fries. Deee-lish and served at a perfect medium-rare temp. I forgot how much I enjoy the food here. Had a nice glass of 2005 Ribera del Duero to accompany the meal. Might come back on Friday to try something else!
  9. collije
    Thanks guys! Will be be shopping around at these locations over the next 2 days. Appreciate the help!
  10. collije
    Hehe, it's a multi-hosted party so I can't go purist. Really it'll be a Latino/Spanish themed party. Someone had the idea of catering by Jaleo or Rosa Mexicano after enjoying a Sunday night of live Flamenco music/dancing @ Vinoteca [1/2 off Spanish & S. American wine!], myself & a couple of others who cook put the kabosh on that & insisted on cooking Speaking of which, Vinoteca's putting out some nice Tapas dishes nowadays.
  11. collije
    True. I can always stick 'em in a wrapped up paper bag & expedite it as well. These will be for some sweet dessert-type fried plantains I'm also doing Tostones, so bought a # of greenies along with some moderately yellow ones from Shoppers. Thanks!
  12. collije
    I've got volunteered into helping cook for a "Spanish Tapas" themed party this weekend Considering making a plantain dish, but wondered if anyone knows a good local source for truly-ripe [i.e. read BLACK or near-black on the outside] plantains? Unsure if this time of year it'll be a challenge...
  13. collije
    Would love to go, but I have tickets for the Improv that night. Enjoy this event guys!
  14. collije
    Yeah, that's my observation as well. This is trickle-down economics for ya. Greater # of folks are more mindful of excess expenditures.
  15. collije
    Oooh. Breakfast @ LE was something I've been missing. Will have to stop by sometime soon.
  16. collije
    Was going to have a relaxing night home tonight but after checking out this thread I stopped by Oro Pomodoro to sample me some pizza. I ate at the bar & chatted up the pleasant staff manning the bar area. I tried the Carrettiera [smoked mozz, sausage, & rapini]. I experienced good, soft & flavorful crust as others stated above [decent amount of char, I would have preferred a little more] and there wasn't much flavor in the sausage as I hoped, but nice pie overall. I bypassed Appetizers this time to experience something on the Dessert menu, the Fantasia di Limone [layered sponge cake w/ lemon cream & lemon glaze, topped w/ sliced strawberries flavored w/ limoncello]. Too sweet for me, had hoped for a faint amount of tart/bite of some kind. Didn't work for me. Presentation was decent enough. I'll be definitely back for another pie [perhaps Appetizers, else try another dessert]. Maybe a lunchtime order of Pasta sometime soon as well. Don't know if I'll head out to Rockville just for this regularly, when I can get to Mia's quicker in Bethesda. But nice to know it's there if I'm around the area [& want something else than Crab Cakes from Bobby's].
  17. collije
    Add another fan for the BGE. Alas if I owned I would have bought one already [just too dang heavy]. So in the meantime I'm doing fine w/ the 22" Weber and a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker [gasp, no the horror! lol]. The BGE's can hold temp fantastically for smoking & I think it sears steaks great. If I want to upgrade from these w/o buying a BGE, I'd fall to the also fantastic-4-smoking Weber Smokey Mountain as plunk mentioned. The new 2009 models are a bit improved over prior generation, and they now sell a 22" version!
  18. collije
    If eating a meal, I've always like Cafe Saint-Ex on 14th & T. [they should still have an always-running 3 course for $30-ish]
  19. collije
    You can say that again! Woo-hoo to this one as well, thanks Michael!
  20. collije
    Very nice small group meal on Wednesday. Took advantage of the extended Restaurant Week deal [full menu available till 8/30, you should go if you haven't gone yet]. For starters, many of us tried the Tuna Sliders [spicy tuna tartare on petite Parker House rolls with cucumber and cilantro salad] and the Mussels in a wonderful Rosemary, Ale and Mustard Broth. For entrees, the Pan-Seared Lamb Round Bone Steak [w/ roasted eggplant and fava bean ragout, preserved lemon and mint vinaigrette], Sauteed Scallops[w/ Yukon gold potato mash, haricot vert, wild mushrooms and a sage emulsion], and the Cornmeal Crusted Rainbow Trout [w/ roasted yellow corn, watermelon and cilantro relish and baby spinach]. And for dessert, the Beingnets [w/ chocolate sauce and raspberry jam] and Chocolate Souffle Cake [w/ Bourbon Cream] put many of us over the edge food-wise [think the Beingnets had more fans between the 2]. Great compliments by my dining companions & a few more converts to the restaurant. Some pics I captured from the meal:
  21. collije
    Haven't had one in about a year, & I loved it as well. Maybe something to get w/ a Tripel next time I stop by.
  22. collije
    Guess I'll give that a go when I come back soonfor the ribs & more cornbread!
  23. collije
    Seeing this bumped reminded me that I tried out KBQ a few weekends ago for takeout. I really liked what I had. We tried the Pulled Pork, Brisket, and Smoked Chicken. Ah, actual smoke ring to the meat. Very tasty, didn't really even need the sauces [their "regular" and a sweet/spicy version, liked both but not particularly wow by themselves; the regular was a bit better imo]. We also ordered a half-sheet of their Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread. Yum yum! Those hit the spot. No Ribs the 1st time, but it's just an excuse to visit again Great hours & local in Bowie [easy to get from via 295]. Good place to support.
  24. collije
    I'm in! Looking forward to this Dean.
  25. collije
    Guessing Taqueria Nacionale too far from your office? I can always eat their Fish Tacos there & drink their horchatas and sugar-cane Cokes.
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