wlohmann

Bit of a long shot. Just arrived Kapalua in Maui and wondering if folks have a place in Lahaina or the west shore to recommend?

Just a quick note to my friends at DR -- tonight I'm running the 8th Annual "Banding Together" event, a Battle of Law Firm Bands (12 of them to be exact!), 100% of proceeds from which are used by Gifts for the Homeless to purchase clothing and winter items for distribution through DC's shelter system. The event is at the Black Cat on 14th Street and tickets are a miniscule $10 (though attendees are encouraged to "vote" for their fave band with donations to GFTH. The culinary hook for the event is the very tasty mostly-vegetarian fare at Food for Thought, now housed at the Black Cat (HIGHly recommend the veggie burger AND the chili). I would be overJOYED to meet some DR friends in person at last and honored to buy each and every one of you a beer! Stop by if you are in the neighborhood! Walt

Stopped for brunch on the Hill last weekend and had a terrific experience. Went early so no crowds. Service just perfect. Nice, knowledgeable, responsive server just chatty enough but not too much. One companion had a bloody Mary which I tasted and was from scratch and tasty (and we knew it as we could watch it made in the cool mirror above the bartender's station). I had the huevos rancheros with scrambled eggs and they were gorgeous to look at and delicious. Black beans, onions, I think some pico de gallo. The special that morning had chorizo in it and I chatted with very friendly cook on way from rest room and he suggested he could've put some of it in the 'huevos' ... Hmmm next time! Table shared a pan of cinnamon rolls that were light, airy and a bit reinvented with what tasted like a cream cheese frosting....addictive. All in all I got impression of a well-run place with a happy staff turning out well-executed comfort food.

The "coffee trail" came to an end this morning with a nice espresso and very welcoming friendly service at Dolcezza, one of three Argentine gelato shops in the area and the only one that features artisanal coffee. In fact, I was surprised, when I arrived, to see as much space dedicated to coffee service as there was. It's quite a small place on Connecticut Ave., just above R Street, and really only a (long) stone's throw from Filter. Just a few seats in the front window then a rather large communal table with a bunch of chairs around it. Staff indicated it gets quite crowded in the evenings (a mixed "gelato and coffee" crowd- -no liquor license here). Food offerings limited- -just pastries and breads. Probably a notch less formal/serious coffee-wise down from Chinatown but my espresso was prepared with care, accompanied by a glass of water and very rich and smooth. AND my streak of hearing really good indie-pop music playing as I chatted with staff and sipped my coffee continued, with a great song, Raised by Wolves, by a departed band called Voxtrot (but I digress)! I felt a bit nostalgic as I finished my chat with the staff and drifted out onto Connecticut Avenue........I've checked off my last box, sipped my last espresso...........but will be keeping my eyes open for newcomers and will duly report to my friends at DR! Walt

This morning, in need of renewal to start the week, I visited one of my favorites from my travels, Chinatown Coffee Company.......and it reasserted itself at the top of my list.........parking is easy right on 6th Street.....a nuisance to fish for quarters but some hyperconservative parker who preceded me left me 20 minutes.......shop was bustling but not crazy...........what has struck me and struck me today is the relaxed and casual friendliness of the staff.....when I ordered my espresso, I was treated with a really helpful description of the two offerings (Black Cat and Honey Badger)........I knew I had 20 full minutes so I tried one and then the other....both lovely (and darned if the Honey Badger) didn't resound first on the front of my tongue then smooth out into the back of my mouth as promised (power of suggestion?).....little shot of mineral water to go with each shot of espresso.....took a pic as I looked west on H Street toward the Chinatown Gate....see if I can't attach it below.......really cannot recommend this place enough.... p.s., no luck attaching image. W

After a brief hiatus, I hit the road again on Friday, this time to Filter, just off Connecticut on 20th St., NW. It's on a nice mostly-residential block and easy-to-miss if you aren't looking for it. Quite tiny--5 or 6 small tables along the wall, a cute patio in front with just a bench and one lonely chair (they've ordered more!). Good indie tunes playing not too TOO loud I had a pour-over and,since I sat and chatted with a friend for some time, was able to have an espresso before I left. Staff quite friendly, operation very efficient, quite a line had formed by 8:30. Food offerings very narrow in comparison to Big Bear, Mid-City etc No fruit or yogurt or granola etc., just breads. Both the pour over and the espresso were very nice-the pour overs come in two categories-mine was the lower and ran 2.50 for 12 oz. Espresso nicely prepared. A bit on the acidic end of scale for my taste but really just fine. Supplier is Cafe Pronto. All in all, definitely big giant step up from Sbux and Caribou quality-wise and free of attitude but a bit cramped and lacks the home-y atmosphere of a Big Bear, Sidamo or Sova. --- [The following posts have been split into separate threads: Coffee Nature (arcturus) Dolcezza (porcupine) Ebeneezer's Coffeehouse (saf) The Wydown Coffee Bar (TedE) Mug N' Muffin (twinsdaddy) Java Shack (daveo) South Block (RWBooneJr) Bump 'n' Grind (Kev29)]

What a great rundown, C&F!! Will make note of all those places......I am hosting a fairly big dinner tomorrow night at JG Domestic (one of Garces's places).......after having trying, and failing, to make it happen at Supper, Barbuzzo, Noble, Amada and Vetri...............have seen mixed things about JG but hoping the food decently passes muster for my party and atmosphere is nice and festive.

I think if there only two possible votes on Merzi, mine is a "no" (with plans for a second attempt ordering a bit more intelligently). Looking back, even though I researched a bit and FELT like I was prepared walking in, my strategy crumbled and I ended up with a (very LARGE) bowl of random vegetarian elements........none of them really Indian to any discernible degree.......overwhelmed by THREE different (very liberally ladled on) sauces and chutneys...........and, ordering as I did, if I closed my eyes and you told me I WAS in a Chipotle....from the food, I would've believed it.....it just ended basically a big gloppy mess.....also quite a bit of heat (some combination I think of the Hot Onion Tomato Masala and some peppers and red onions...but honestly there were so many things in the bowl, it could've been from anything).....so......trying to reconstruct...here were my errors: 1. Using the "chaat" as my base....then piling on the veggie toppings from along the bar - - probably better to simplify by using rice or lettuce as the base, or going for the Naan sandwich (though the naan has been much-criticized)........ 2. Piling on the non-Indian "toppings" along the way....the corn and the cucmbers in particular were a left turn i should've avoided........... 3. Saying yes to ALL the sauces and chutneys the staff (VERY and SINCERELY) pleasantly offered up......the "probiotic yogurt" they dish out isn't 'raita' as such....quite heavy and not seasoned at all that i could tell....the Hot Chutney came off as awfully mayonnaise-y......sort've a spicy russian dressing?.............but the Hot Sauce seemed a winner....like the sauce you'd expect on a butter chicken entree with a bit of extra heat.... So I guess what I'm saying is that there may well be elements on that bar that, if well assembled, would (a) preserve some semblance of an actual Indian cuisine experience; and (b ) permit individual elements to make statements and join into some somewhat structured flavor profile............I'm not CERTAIN that's the case....but I'd be willing to give it another shot. Other observations- -staff seemed very well-trained and friendly (though a bit heavy on the sauce)....all under a managers watchful eye.....my friend who got chicken said it was a bit cold.....decor quite cool and does make you feel like you're in a happening spot....price certainly was right....i think because I skipped the meat/fish protein, I came in at under 7 bucks for a VERY generous plate of food. W

Two friends and I stopped at Roti downtown for lunch and were MIGHTILY impressed. First impression was of, as others have noted, a "Mediterranean Chipotle" . . . VERY similar "fast casual" layout with the queue to the counter lined with instructional signs and enticing photos of the food. The line was long but moved quite quickly. Very efficient serving line with either sandwiches, plates, or salads prepped at the top and various vegetables and toppings available as you move toward the registers. The staff was extremely efficient and (notably, I thought) friendly. Lots of (sincere-looking!) smiles. I greeted the managers as I got to the registered and they seem bright and enthusiastic. Food was very tasty and all in my party enjoyed their meals- -I had a "mediterranean plate" with falafel (excellent some with good-sized chunks of chickpeas which I like), roasted vegetables, a very solid hummus and Israeli couscous. Housemade pita warm, soft and tasty. Sauces (I think, a raita, a red pepper aioli and a hot sauce) were good, especially the hot variety, which added a bit-of-a-needed kick to the flavors. Food not seasoned very aggressively at all....definitely light on the salt which I've found can be applied too liberally at restaurants in this concept. Portions quite generous (but, again thankfully, not OVERly so). Really an enjoyable and reasonably priced ($7.50 for what I ordered) and seemingly very well-managed place. Spoke briefly with assistant manager Shane, very nice guy, who seems very proud of the place and of the company's expansion plans in the DC area. In short, I think this cuisine appears to have been well-adapted to the fast-casual format and that Roti is a terrific option for downtowners looking for a well-prepared, reasonably healthful meal served quickly and with a smile.

Oh, sorry DaRiv!! My explorations of the local coffee scene were broken up by some travel in recent weeks (watch for reviews of Le Comptoir and La Verre Vole' in Paris coming soon!) and I never did GET to Filter OR Dolcezza! Soon I hope. But........relevant to this thread, when in Paris earlier this week, I had a chance to stop for espresso at "Cafeotheque", one of two artisanal coffee shops mentioned in a (relatively) recent NY Times article about the emerging coffee culture in Paris (led by a former Murky/Mid-City barista David Flynn!) (see link below). Anyhow, David works at Le Bal in Paris, one of the two places cited in the article and I enjoyed some TOP NOTCH espresso and a nice chat with him on my last visit. This time, my daughter (who, lucky girl, is studying in Paris this semester), ducked quickly into the PACKED AND BUZZING Cafeotheque (which is right along the Seine on Quai de Hotel de Ville near the Marais). There wasn't an empty seat in the house, very young/student-ish crowd chatted noisily, and the roaster was cranking away adding further to the atmosphere. In typical Parisian convolution, one must bypass the counter to get to the actual coffee bar in the back to order, then backtrack, tell the proprietor what you ordered, and pay. They do espresso to go (quite unusual as to ANY coffee in Paris other than Sbux) and I enjoyed mine very much. Ground and pulled with great care. Roasted on the premises- -and unlike my Swings experience noted above, it warmed both my hands AND my soul as I walked toward the river sipping it. W http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/ristretto-paris-coffee-improving-sort-of/

Well I did stop by. On the way to Dulles in mid afternoon. Just to take a look. And was briefly disappointed that they were closed. But was very pleased that the manager who was in the house, Gerry, welcomed me and chatted as I had a glass of brunello at the bar. Such a nice guy and his hospitality (and such a sweet brunello by the glass) bodes well for an actual dining experience there.

Yes just pull up tp 15th street entrance.

I like the VIBE of Swings- -feels like stepping into a time machine........but have only ever used theit coffee to warm my hands on the cup as I walked to an event! I say go for it at the Law Center! They're nice folks over there. FILTER tomorrow, I think!! W

Today, Sova....on what seems like one of the real happening blocks of H Street....a few doors down from the Atlas Performing Arts Center and the Rock n Roll Hotel music venue.....quite a nice space....coffee bar downstairs, wine bar upstairs........owner seems a nice guy doing exciting things........this is another place that "splits the difference" between modern and shiny and tattered and home-y.........my barista could not have been nicer- -working here at Sova while in an anthropology-related internship for the Smithsonian.......nothing overly special about the coffee....Intelligentsia, I think.......ground and pulled to order but without an artisanal approach (and honestly, that's okay!).........I think my caffeine tolerance is building these last couple weeks so did sample both a double espresso and a cappucino....both very tasty and workmanlike in preparation...........really vibrant atmosphere in the shop as the local Ward 6 councilmember was having a "meet the constituents" event and his staff was on hand awaiting his arrival.....so I was able to have a really interesting discussion with the staffers about Ward 6 (which is huge, comprising all the way from the SE waterfront to all of SW up to H Street and way over toward the Convention Center in NW....all four quadrants represented.......another lovely morning.......H Street still awfully beat up with the light rail construction but seems there is light at end of that tunnel and there will be no stopping that district once the construction finally finishes.

oh, amen to that! their red beans and rice (which I THINK is completely veg..) is amazing......good call.........

This morning had the pleasure of getting my coffee at Chinatown Coffee - - really my favorite place so far - - arguably cleaner than Big Bear but more comfortable than the somewhat antiseptic Peregrine - - VERY nice and welcoming baristas and a truly well-pulled shot of espresso (which, as the atmosphere was so friendly and music so good (Arcade Fire, Destroyer), I followed with an equally good pour-over Kenyan). Only downside is parking, which is prohibited on H Street in during rush hour. Didn't have much trouble finding a spot around the corner, though. Tomorrow, Sova I think!

A bit afield from Penn Quarter but Java Green is a great veggie carryout and is on 19th between K and L - - asian-influenced veggie and vegan things w/some dishes with faux-meat but many without! I love their food.

No but just checked it out online and will head there later this week!- -who would've known 5 years ago it would be tough to keep up with all the cool espresso places opening in DC- -it's quite wonderful. One other note (not sure if covered in any thread previously)........the barista I met at Big Bear yesterday told me I must try Grumpy Coffee in NYC and that, among other reasons to go, it would be worth it to see this newfangled "Clover" machine they have- -according to her the only one in NYC? Hard to believe....... but anyhow, I just checked it out online and found this. http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/magazine/16-08/mf_clover Looks quite funky (though a bit gadgety I guess....).

Today my coffee peregrinations took me, where else, Peregrine! The shop is on 7th, just north of Pennsylvania Ave., SE (don't be fooled by the Pennsylvania Ave. address). Decor is ultra-modern, reminding me just a tad of a frozen yogurt shop......but I think that's just my personal preference for dim lighting and moth-eaten sofas over bright lights and hard surfaces. No couches or easy chairs here- -no restrictions on electronics that I could see- -quite bustle-y this morning....barista's very friendly and accomodating (even when I found myself asking to charge my $2.35 espresso when I realized I was tapped out). Had a yogurt (same full-fat brand that seems to populate these places, I've forgotten yet again what it is....) and a nonfat cappucino (as I wanted some VOLUME to sip while I read). My drink was beautifully prepared and the espresso rich and smooth (marked contrast from the overpoweringly sour flavor of Sidamo's), but temp-wise was a little on the cool side..... The combination of my book ("Blood, Bones and Butter") being fascinating and the MUSIC in the shop being so cool (Got to hear Elvis Costello's "Living in Paradise" and Clash's "Lost in the Supermarket" one after the other) caused me to want to settle in a bit so (after swallowing my pride and asking if I could charge 2 bucks...) I got an espresso. Served with a little glass of water, it was (as are the shots pulled in all the artisanal places) small in volume....every bit as rich and smooth and comforting on its own as it was blended into the cappucino. Very very pleasant shot of coffee. Tomorrow, thinking of trying either the new Pound (right around the corner from Peregrine) or Filter up in DuPont.

I am on a bit of a quest for the perfect place for my morning espresso and newspaper fix. I've spent a couple of very nice mornings at Mid-City on 14th near S.......both pour-over and espresso - - each wonderful - - and developed a minor addiction to their full-fat maple yogurt with sliced banana's....Sidamo on H St (across from where it looks like Pound is coming in?) - - I love the purity of the all-African all-fair trade approach.....the couple that runs it seems very nice and the man is VERY VERY serious about coffee.....I did find the espresso a bit overpoweringly oily and flavor a bit beyond my (fairly broad) spectrum (i can't come up with an adjective for it at the moment)...but it's such a cute shop.......i will probably go back for a cappucino to cut the strength of the pure espresso......today was Big Bear, which I though was excellent....just perfect bare-bones decor....multi-cultural client base.....espresso right in my strike zone.........got talking to another customer who is part of the barista community in the city....she herself works at Dolcezza and, the way she describes it (business driven by gelato so barista's are free to be creative and push the envelope a bit without affecting bottom line), it sounds worth a visit.......she also endorsed Peregrine, Filter and Chinatown....I really enjoyed just hearing her real off names of different baristas who work at various places....the challenges of finding the right "fit" at a particular shop (and hence why they tend to move around a lot....).....I really gained an appreciation for the sub-culture that is developing here in DC......not to get sappy about it, but these are true artisans and we're fortunate to have a burgeoning community of them!

Other likely know better but calling them and mentioning DR helped secure me some specials that weren't on the menu (and a dollar off my lunchtime pork sandwich!).

I'm hosting tonight at Tonic @ Quigley's Pharmacy at 21st and G, NW from 5-9:30 and would love to greet and buy a cocktail for any DR folks! Still a few reservations available or just hang at the bar and support F&F!

We've enjoyed cocktailing in the downstairs bar at Eventide or just a glass of wine and a couple small plates at the bar in Tallulah, which overlooks the kitchen which is a fun show (not EatBar adjacent which is a bit of a zoo). Screwtop winebar is hectic but a fun and friendly kind've hectic.

Lots of great recommendations on the list for menu items- -they were really helpful when I took my wife there for HER birthday! As to wine, I found the list a bit intimidating in its focus on some less known (to me) regions and producers - - a little advance research would probably have helped me. Also, since then, I've become friendly with Walter (the very spiffily dressed Italian guy who I'm guessing will seat you). At first meeting, he comes off as a little stiff and intimidating himSELF but don't be put off; he is actually a prince and very knowledgeable about the wine list (and apparently encouraging chef to expand it a bit). If your visit is anything like mine, it won't be obvious who the sommelier is (or what single function ANY of the multi-tasking staff perform for that matter). So I think you should feel free to quiz Walter on the list and get a recommendation. Have fun!