petercarrjones

So many great memories here. The last few times I went, things didn't seem the same. Not sure if it was me or them. Maybe I just missed beloved staff who'd moved on to new adventures.

On 7/1/2022 at 1:11 PM, Pat said:

If you just want a beer and bar snacks, Solace Outpost at Navy Yard has a great view of the Douglass Bridge. Lovely place just to sit outside on the water. (Salt Line as well, but that's more expensive.)

I haven't gone anywhere fancy

This is very true. Great beer and one of the best views from a "beer joint" at night.

1 hour ago, Ericandblueboy said:

Their online menu shows 5 items.  Is that all they're serving?

If you go to the "online order" section they have a real time list which is usually more extensive than what's on the menu page.

Didn't see a topic for Makan, the new Malaysian restaurant to open in the former Meridian Pint space at 11th and Park Ave NW in Columbia Heights. 

We got takeout from them on Thursday night. We ordered chicken skewers (Sate), Curry Mee noodles, and the Nasi Goreng fried rice with shrimp, sausage, etc. Everything was well spiced, well cooked, and interesting. I haven't had Malaysian in years since.. Malaysian Kopitiam was around. But this was tasty and interesting.

All the meat was very tenderly cooked. Deduct points because they forgot to include the peanut sauce with the Sate. Add points for the helpful reheat instructions on the soup and noodles. the Nasi Goreng was my favorite and I look forward to trying some of the other mixed rice dishes. Sietsema gave them a nice, brief writeup.

I also got the Junglebird cocktail in a pouch. Pretty good, though maybe expensive for $25? Who can tell what are properly-priced to-go cocktails in a pouch? The bitter compari-based "national cocktail of Malaysia" contrasted well with the salty fried rice.

Though we did takeout, they have what feels like a reasonably safe set up if someone wanted to dine on location. They've take over the parking spaces on 11th and added tables that were half full on Thursday night. Inside, they have opened the garage door/windows on the upstairs with lots of fans going. Had to do a double take on the decor after years of patronizing Meridian Pint. All of the staff was masked up, as were patrons not at tables enjoying food. The gentle rumble of traffic kind of ruins the ambiance, if the DC summer didn't, but seeing multiple servers and bussers working was such a welcome sight. It was one of the first times I saw a restaurant humming in what looked to be a safe way. Maybe this is what sustainable dining is now? Still probably 66-75% of the patrons I'd expect at Meridian pint on a Thursday, using 150% of the real estate thanks to free public space. Not what most restaurants can physically do, but it's something.

We got Queen's English as a special treat for my wife's birthday. Their 3 course meal for 2 was not cheap, but very delightful with several nice touches to try and bring the restaurant experience to your home. Food was quite good- interesting fermented bean curds with fish roe salad. The tofu skins filled with chicken-ish pate was very interesting and tasty. Baked chicken was well seasoned, juicy, and tender. Asparagus Chinese bbq style were smoky, great quality of produce really showed. Mangoes were delightfully overripe and a nice summer dessert. 

They included a summer-y funky natural Portuguese white from Bairrada. Tasting notes included "fermented bananas, elmers glue" and it was weird, but was tart enough to work with the meal. Plus a small sip of aged jinha (Portuguese brandy plus spices) as a digistif. 

They also threw in a fancy homemade candle and a spotify playlist, plus a nice note. All in all, a pleasant experience and nice service from afar. 

On 3/27/2020 at 4:22 PM, Ericandblueboy said:

Thought it might give each other ideas based on where and what you're ordering for take-out or delivery.  

We got Pappe tonight. Wife and I were in general bad moods, and couldn't decide on a takeout choice. This arrived and everything was delicious, so totally turned our night around. Salmon entree and yellow daal plus garlic naan. All so good. The Gobi Manchurian was excellent and the surprise standout. Well, the salmon was the standout, but the Gobi was as good as Bombay Street Food, which was a surpise.

We got on doordash with no issues around 8 on a Saturday (superhero level).

On 3/27/2020 at 4:22 PM, Ericandblueboy said:

Thought it might give each other ideas based on where and what you're ordering for take-out or delivery.  

So excited that Great Wall Szechuan on 14th is back open! Our regular order (ma la wontons, Dan dan noodles, ma la kung pao chicken) last week was epically good.

Partly because I believe the owners are older and at risk, they do contactless pick up only from a table in front of the entrance. No outsiders allowed inside (all orders/payment via phone, no delivery services/drivers).

This was our regular Friday night ritual at least 2-3 times per month. Eating it again was deeply comforting to us and hopefully to the proprietors, May Kuang and Yuan Chen, as well. So grateful they're back open!!

On 3/28/2020 at 12:56 PM, Rieux said:

We ordered the fried chicken dinner from Annies and some thai from Beau Thai Mt. Pleasant.  While it would be great to order stuff we can't usually get we are prioritizing ordering from the local neighborhood places we go to all the time, that we value having around, and that we want to see survive the crisis.  While the fine dining/special/trendy places are great, and I love them, I am more concerned about having the local workaday places make it.  Those will be harder to replace.

I tried Beau Thai Mt P last night and they were closed per their phone message. Any news?

On 2/21/2020 at 10:20 AM, petercarrjones said:

the 12 piece Omakase as reservation only at the counter, $50. Which sounds like worth a shot to me. Will try to report back if I learn/taste more.

Sorry for the delayed report back.. hopefully restaurants will eventually re-open and this review will be useful.

This was basically my first omakase experience and it was pretty cool. They did tuna in a variety of ways- ahi with the fatty and lean sides and another type which I'm forgetting, different types of mackarel. It was very cool to compare and contrast the different cuts and types. Plus, the experience of eating amazing quality of fish was great. The decor and everything about the Chinatown location was no frills. You walk in to a basement with minimalist decor, they grab your coats, confirm you want the omakase, pour some water, and start eating fish.

I didn't expect the high efficiency of the operation. Prepping each bite for my wife and I was very quick. Just about the fastest way to eat through $50 that I've ever experienced. But at the end, I did feel fully satisfied and would go back. Really wonder how it compares to other elaborate operations like Sushi Taro and Sushi Nakazawa.

On 1/28/2020 at 3:17 AM, DonRocks said:

I just don't know, and haven't been willing to drop a buck-fifty to find out. Anyone?

Recent yelp reviews (Chinatown location) describe the 12 piece Omekase as reservation only at the counter, $50. Which sounds like worth a shot to me. Will try to report back if I learn/taste more.

On 11/25/2019 at 9:36 PM, DonRocks said:

A reminder that in cases like this, it's a good idea to click on the Sushi tag, and flip through the pages - we've covered most every sushi restaurant in DC, and it's a good place to start your quest.

🙌!!

On 7/16/2018 at 8:47 AM, dslee said:

 

Dan Fogg, baker for Paisley Fig, Ellē just posted on Instagram.  From a post the day before, he mentions Sourdough bagels.  Limited batch of Sourdough Everything Bagels!

 

Still technically no bagel sandwiches, but plenty of everything bagels (only flavor) baked daily. Had one with cream cheese today. Not transformative, but very good. Everything isn't my go-to flavor, so possibly biased against, but would probably still choose Bethesda Bagel. That said- well-made as far as crust and texture. Pretty dense, salty, lots of very strong poppy, sesame, onion seasonings, AND CARAWAY! Heard good things about their breakfast sandwich, so will have to close my eyes and shell out the $9 at some point. 

Yessssss!

Super excited to spend all my money here. Still desperately awaiting bagel sandwiches.

On 3/24/2018 at 2:02 PM, monsterriffs said:

Haha, why is anyone surprised? Has no one been to Woodberry Kitchen or Artifact Coffee, where you are destined to eat nothing but root vegetables during the entirety of winter.

This is a very good point and note to self.. wait until late summer to try it.

This closed ..maybe a year ago? It's recently reopened as Lucky Buns from Alex McCoy who did several pop ups at Alfie's in Park View. One can only try so many fast-casual burger "start ups" before being jaded by a new burger restaurant opening. Fortunately, this is the real deal, food-wise. Crazy thai-influences, New Orleans-influences, all mashed together as spicy, unique drunk food in burger form. Solid cocktails and drinks list.

The service is very similar to my previous visits to Alfie's. Super long, unexplained waits, forgetting/mistaking orders, and random menu changes. Right when you are so fed up that you're about to leave, a glorious platter of food arrives and the hours of hanger-ness evaporates. Another formerly mediocre restaurant with a social scene is now a beacon of amazing and unique food in Adams Morgan.

Sadly, appears to be closed again.

It's been Taqueria de los Compadres for a few months now. It seems to be some of the same people in back of house, but definitely under new management. The menu's a little more streamlined, but still with lots of great taco options. Food seemed to come a little quicker, a little better managed (no "credit card not working" signs for weeks), and consistently busier. Hopefully, all good signs for a long tenure in a competitive neighborhood.

16 hours ago, franch said:

"i'll go later", I said.

"it'll always be there", I said.

"the lines will die down", I said.

crap.

Super glad that I waltzed in on a late Saturday night and got someone's canceled reservation about 8 months ago. #HipsterCred

Best seat in the house is the upstairs bar. More quiet than downstairs, has a great view down Florida Ave, and sit under their beautifully restored Victorian Turret. Delightful.

This is really sad news. My wife and I have celebrated several special moments here including many early dates when we enjoyed it's romantic atmosphere and fine dining (on a budget). I even celebrated my 30th birthday here. Lot's of great memories. I will definitely have to get back a few times before the end of July.

The always delightful John Oliver on Johnny's Half Shell at 4:14 - 

Further proof that Washington occasionally gives DC's dining scene a bad name.

Also they do have a bartender and full on more adventurous cocktail program. Looking forward to trying it out soon.

Per Don's suggestion, here is his PM to me on the thinking behind Bad Saint's ranking and some of the how and why of list algorithms:

But I update the guide every day, and just by chance, I happened to notice last night that I initiated the ranking WAY too low based on what I've heard, so I raised it as high as I could raise it without putting it in Italic (which I'm sure I will, AFTER I go for the very first time, or after I see another 1-2 posts like yours - honestly, if you think it should be, I may do it right now because I can sort of "feel it" - about 1 out of every 5 (non-chain) restaurants is in Italic, so the requirements are stringent, but not *that* stringent, and I'm pretty sure this is going to be a no-brainer).

Tim Carmen interviewed Fig and Olive's president. The questions were pointed but appropriate. Then Greg Guly offers the greatest non-apology apology ever.