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arlvahome

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Everything posted by arlvahome

  1. Well, actually I’ve been to Ray’s many times, although not in the wheelchair I now use frequently. The space is flat, but maybe the entry is too narrow or the space too confining for wheelchairs. I do know that the past two editions of the Washingtonian’s 100 Best have listed Ray’s as having “No wheelchair access,” and if that’s a typo the owners haven’t bothered to fix it. Many restaurant goers rely on Washingtonian and the entry definitely discourages wheelchair users from visiting Ray’s. My point was that when talking about the Fran O’Brien’s controversy, people shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the restaurant and many others in the area aren’t accessible. I also think Fran O’Brien’s was clueless to host dinners for disabled vets when they didn’t even have an elevator and question why they found it acceptable to carry wheelchair users down the stairs.
  2. Michael Landrum, I appreciate your starting this discussion but help us understand your outrage. Are you angry because some people with disabilities can’t access Fran O’Briens’s or are you reeling solely at Hilton for not renewing the restaurant’s lease? My bet is the later, since Ray’s the Steaks is advertised as having “No wheelchair access”: http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/Profiles/rayssteaks.html. Do you turn wheelchair users away at the door? Restaurant owners using leased space share some responsibility for making their restaurants accessible. I realize that for a variety of reasons, namely cost and structural issues, this isn’t always possible—or legally required. But owners often try to get out of minor renovations with the excuse that they don’t own the building, which doesn’t always get them off the hook. And personally I wouldn’t choose restaurant space that couldn’t be altered to give everyone access. Fran O’Brien’s clearly had good intentions by offering free meals to disabled vets. But there’s nothing remotely dignified about being “carefully wheeled” down a flight of stairs into a restaurant, as today’s Post article describes. These servicemen deserved access to an elevator that would bring them into the restaurant independently and without fanfare. Yes, Hilton’s refusal to renew Fran O’Brien’s lease is disgraceful if it was done, as a VA official suggests, to “eliminate the spectacle” of hundreds of disabled soldiers. And Fran O’Brien’s may have done everything it could to push Hilton to install an elevator. Another outrage to keep in mind is that people with disabilities are denied access to hundreds of restaurants around the DC area. (And carrying people doesn't equal access.)
  3. I had dinner at Tabard Inn for the first time on Friday night and overall it was a great experience. For some reason, I was expecting a stuffy, blueblood atmosphere but instead discovered a place with a funky, welcoming vibe. As appetizers, the grilled calamari and monkfish skewer and the lamb bolognese with gnocchi were standouts. The crab cake and short ribs with tagliatelle were good entrees; however, the mushroom ravioli, which I believe came with just three pieces, was a little stingy. The poached pear tart/cobbler was one of the best desserts I've had. The one real gripe I have is with the service. Learning that an 18% gratuity was added to our bill because we were a party of six explained a lot. I think the waiter knew he had his tip secured and just focused on other tables. He brought our wine after the appetizers; didn't bother to remember what any of us had ordered, instead calling out the names of the dishes and having us raise our hands to claim them (when just two entrees remained he guessed wrong, giving me my husband's food); and never came back to check on us, leaving us to flag him down. I guess we could have complained, but after spending $150 a couple and having a great time despite the server, I think we were reluctant to end the evening on a sour note. But when the food and wine are this exceptional we're willing to try a place again and hope for a different server.
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