Kev29

6 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

My gut feeling is that gentrification has been moving west-to-east, and hasn't gotten much further than Shaw. H Street NE is *way* further east than the general migration of NW DC residents, and will either need to become its own destination (if a star chef moved there, for example), or a boundary of the moving populace - for now, it's sort of its own entity, inhabited by intrepid souls willing to risk a long-term housing investment.

Hmm, not sure I agree on the gentrification and long-term housing bits. If someone bought there in 2006, their investment doubled long ago. The neighborhood below Trinidad and above Maryland Ave is now very much established in desirable residential terms. 

14 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

It's a neighborhood in transition, packed with people in their 20s. It will take some time for the restaurant scene to mature into fine(r) dining, but it's moving along nicely.

How long does a transition take though? Joe Englert started opening up bars on H 11 years ago. 

Just my 2 cents but I think 1) it's been tagged with the 'nightlife district' label which (is so DC) makes people assume they need to eat before showing up to bars at 10pm and 2) other neighborhoods have passed it by in terms of being multi-dimensional all-day places (Barracks Row, Ballpark/Cap Riverfront/Navy Yard, even NoMa for the day traffic). 

H Street Stalwart Boundary Road Closes, Bar Elena Opening In Its Place
Eater DC
by Adele Chapin  Jul 21, 2017, 9:40am EDT

Quote

What’s new is an expanded bar and arcade games, including pinball machines. Bar Elena is slated to open in late August.

Is the 'H St is lacking in sit-down restaurants' discussion still alive in 2017? Is it a 'nightlife district' problem?

To me, at least, Wheaton has always started at Plyers Mill to the south. Below that is generic Silver Spring (Forest Glen, etc). But everything is a guessing game in lower Montgomery unless you live in actual towns like Kensington or Takoma Park. 

12 hours ago, DonRocks said:

BTW, it might have had a 20902 zip code, but calling this "Silver Spring" is stretching the limits of reality - I just can't imagine this as anything but Wheaton

As the kids would say, that's Wheaton af

OK this is a journalist's photo from a phone during a press event at Santa Rosa but

those tacos do not look very good to me

Um, guys...

"from Mexico, Spain and other Latin American countries"

13 hours ago, goldenticket said:

Or maybe not, as the Pike and Rose location is reported to be closed, too.

Is this the first casualty at Pike & Rose? 

Seems like they've narrowed the concept a little bit since this first report on their opening:

Lina’s, a French Diner with a Twist, To Open in Downtown Silver Spring
BY JOE ZIMMERMANN 
Bethesda Magazine
Published: 2017.04.28 11:20 

Thanks so much to everyone above for the recommendations. Got a good list of spots to hit. 

4 minutes ago, lion said:

Any kind of particular foods?

Hmm, 

Decent deli sandwiches
Noodles/ramen
Thai/Vietnamese/SE Asian
BBQ
Indian
A good burger

I'm not picky  Thanks in advance

This is specifically Town Center related, but I'm now working in Reston -- does anyone have any up to date tips? Dining Guide has only two italicized for Reston and Herndon.

Edit: This isn't specifically Town Center related

Do they still bother to do any of the dynamic, market-shaped beer pricing they did when they first opened?

3 hours ago, funkyfood said:

They make some of the best drinks in the city, in a great space, with friendly bartenders, at below-market prices considering the quality of ingredients and craftsmanship.  

You're not alone in praising their bar set up

City Paper Best of D.C.
Best Bartender
Tyler Hudgens

We really enjoyed her cocktails and company during our 10th anniversary dinner there earlier this year. Wonderful bar.

38 minutes ago, dracisk said:

Any updates on crowds? I'm thinking of trying again Friday morning.

Unfortunately I can't see anything on crowd sizes there. But searching for 'Mason Dixie' in Twitter shows you how many people think that's the name of the historical north/south dividing line 

1 minute ago, zgast said:

I like the place - so now we're at 99.91%.  Worried the Bethesda location won't make it, though.  That place is never very full.

I think they do a pretty decent carry out business. If I was running the place I'd replace the aluminum stools and make the bar a more inviting place. Though there's suddenly a lot of competition for places on the stuffier side of Bethesda to post up for a good beer -- with World of Beer off to a popular start down the street. 

I really like the wings at Pi. Have not had them at the F St location but they're good in Bethesda. 

There's too much restaurant/retail space in Rockville Town Square for the low density surrounding area + tons of competition on the Pike, Kentlands, King Farm, Downtown Crown, etc. 

6 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

Hmm ... so which side of the page do I believe?

Ha. I think Google's data on the right just hasn't gotten up to speed on the places. I believe Tropical Ice Cream Cafe was the old, now shuttered business (that was supposed to sell Gifford's recipe York Castle ice cream but reneged long ago). Islands Tropical Ice Cream is the current spot with legit York Castle ties. 

Any reports from Islands Tropical Ice Cream (which I believe is the proper name)? Assuming the ice cream is good if it's still coming down from York Castle, but interested to find out if the savory food is any good. I've been craving Jamaican for ages and this is just down the road from home. 

Closing on the Hill; new Mendelsohn taqueria will replace it; Bearnaise concept may open somewhere else in town. 

Spike Mendelsohn Will Close Bearnaise and Open a Taqueria in Its Place
Washingtonian
Jessica Sidman
April 24, 2017

Spoke to Jon recently at CS -- he says the NY takeout shop should open around May 1st. No delivery for awhile as they get their bearings. 

1 hour ago, Bob Wells said:

Wow. That's such a big change I'm going to email them about it.

Update: I heard back from Taylor. Their response: It's on hiatus...it will return!"

Question: why put your best-known menu item "on hiatus"?

Maybe part of Jacob Hunter's menu refresh?

Dirty South Deli Chef Is Now Behind the Hoagies at Taylor Gourmet
By Jessica Sidman on March 15, 2017
Washingtonian

11 hours ago, Pool Boy said:

Gulf Coast Kitchen, in Bethesda (now Black's) used to make some very respectable poboys. Anyone, and I mean anyone, make a respectable poboy locally? I gots ta know.

I used to enjoy the shrimp po' boy at Johnny's on North Capitol. Pricey, but Leidenheimer bread and the shrimp was always well cooked. Good remoulade. Bit of an elegant version. It's on the brunch menu at the new (old) location in Adams Morgan, have not tried it there though. 

http://johnnyshalfshell.net/menu/brunch-menu/

On 3/16/2017 at 8:40 PM, DaveO said:

The NCAA's are going on right now. Md is on TV and ex coach Gary Williams is leading cheers.

Guess we now know the new #1 U MD sports bar!!

Sorry for the short-lived party.
- Xavier grad