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Dr. Delicious

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  1. Dr. Delicious
    We hadn't been here probably since my last post in 2010, owing much to the fact that we have a disagreeable 5 yr old (when it comes to new foods). Anyway, we stopped by recently for some dim sum and I thought it was pretty good. I'll say up front that when it comes to "Chinese Food", I like it "Americanized", so YMMV. Anyway, the potstickers, pork shumai, fried szechuan noodles, and fried pork bun were all solid. There was some kind of taro dumpling in a birds-nest-style fried enclosure that was excellent. The sticky rice was flat out bad. We were there around 11:30, so the restaurant wasn't crowded, and we got great service, both from the cart drivers but also the water re-fillers. Also we got 6 items (maybe 1 more, I forget), and with tax and tip, got out of there for under $40. Not bad for 2 and a half people, with food left over. Oh, and we got the boy to try some new things, which he liked, so there's that.
  2. Dr. Delicious
    Location and Rates - Website This is a 15 story hotel, in an beautiful ornate building right across the street from City Hall. The lobby is small, but well appointed, and there were always many staff available to help. The car valet area is also small, given the corner on which the hotel is situated, and can lead to backups on the street. However, if you pull around the side, street parking has been set aside as a loading area for guests. Also, if you continue straight down Juniper for a block and a half, you can park in the convention center parking garage for over $10 cheaper per 24 hours than at the valet. Of course, you can't enter and leave for that savings, so you'll have to be prepared to leave your car there. This is no problem due to the location of the hotel, which is central to many of the sights. We walked to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, etc. We walked to the Italian Market. We walked to South St. We walked to Reading Terminal market. I think we could have walked to the Rocky Steps/Art Museum. Anyway, you can't beat the location. There are 3 elevators, and given the size of the hotel and the speed in which they move, the hotel could stand to have 1 or 2 more. Be prepared to wait. Also, for safety reasons, you need your room key to get above the 2nd floor, so make sure you get plenty of keys when you check in. The room was "recently renovated", and included 2 queen beds. Neither large nor small, it adequately accommodated 4 adults and one 5 yr old for a 1-night stay. The room was modern, black and white color scheme, and had comfortable beds and pillows. The shower and toilet were separated from the sink area, making it easier for multiple people to get ready at the same time. Free wifi, with the option to pay for enhanced speed. Working and responsive thermostat. There's also a small, but useful, 7-11 one block away.
  3. Dr. Delicious
    Hmmm, I don't believe so. I have an email into the restaurant to see if I can get the name. I'll edit when I hear back.
  4. Dr. Delicious
    Best of Philly noted Whetstone Tavern for its kids menu, saying that they're thoughtful about it, and that the kids items are as freshly made as everything else. This is no doubt true, yet this description does this excellent restaurant a disservice. All the food appears to be fresh and house-made, using simple ingredients but with close attention to detail. They have some good happy hour specials, which the wait staff was quick to point out, even tho it ended soon after our arrival. I had a very tasty pilsner draft that the server was nice enough to pronounce three times, yet I still can't remember. Oy! I had an order of pierogies, which were clearly made by hand on the premises, and included beef cheeks, onion, and other stuff. They were delicious and a meal unto themselves. I also got pappardelle, sausage, and kale dinner, and the noodles were also very fresh, solidly al dente , with ample crumbles of sausage and pieces of kale, among other ingredients. Oh, and the prices can't be beat; father in law got the hanger steak and it was $21, most expensive thing on the menu. The food was fantastic and we had excellent service (2 waitstaff taking care of a small, but not cramped, dining room). This is a great neighborhood restaurant.
  5. Dr. Delicious
    We almost left because the menu was more traditional than we were expecting, and we weren't sure we could find something that we liked. There are no combination plates or fajitas here, it's all sorts of things that you ain't never heard of. Anyway, I'm glad we stuck it out, because the food was fantastic. Everything was very fresh and appeared to be made in house. They brought over a cup of blue corn tortilla chips and a green and red salsa. It was the best salsa verde I've ever had. Or maybe it was just the first fresh version I've ever had. Either way I could have eaten it with a spoon. I got an order of tamales, which, again, were clearly made by hand on the premises, and filled with crumbled cheese, and different kinds of meats (chicken, maybe chorizo). Very tasty. The mother in law got a Cuban sandwich that was enourmous, and delicious. This had a chicken cutlet, Mexican sausage (their description), ham, various sauces, tomato, and other stuff I couldn't identify. This is the type of place where I would like to go through the entire menu. Note: cash only.
  6. Dr. Delicious
    Well, I was hoping to report on 2 cheesesteaks during my 2 day trip, but unfortunately only managed one. Damn relatives. Anyway, we went to Dalessandro's upon our arrival to the area. The place is small, counter on one side and long tables on the other, with an aisle in the middle for people to place and pick up orders. We showed up during the lunch rush, and it was sort of a shit show. By the time I made it to the counter to order, told them it was "for here", the person taking orders yelled down to the waitress at the counter, and had us stand aside waiting for stools to open up. People get their subs, eat, and leave, so it didn't take long for even 5 seats to open up. We were clearly tourists and noobs, but there was none of that bullshit about how you're supposed to properly order a cheesesteak. I had selected this particular place because I read they chopped up their steak quite a bit. I ordered a cheesesteak with onion and mayo. I did not specify cheese, wanting whatever the house usual came with (also, I thought it was cheesesteak 1 of 2, and so thought I had a wiz opportunity ahead of me, alas). I was served a large sub, 12 inches (?), with very finely chopped steak, American cheese mixed in, topped with chopped (tho not finely) grilled onions, on an excellent piece of bread (and mayo). I eagerly took the first bite and... burned the roof of my mouth, hah! I was not to be denied, however, and plowed through that sub like it was my job. It was everything I hoped it would be. The service at the counter was excellent, with multiple soda refills and several inquiries into our well being. There's also a wide variety of condiments and accoutrements on the counter for people to use as needed. Note: cash only.
  7. Dr. Delicious
    I went to Chase the Submarine for lunch, and as i was pulling into the parking lot, I saw that The Pure Pasty Co. was right there. So, after an excellent sandwich, I stopped by and picked up 4 items: original, chicken cordon bleu, chicken masala, and sausage roll. After he packed them up, he listed them on the box with a marker, and i jokingly asked if he could label the pasties themselves. Then, he showed me the most remarkable thing: each pastie had a symbol baked in, and the box contained a key for these symbols, as well as easy to follow re-heat instructions. Wow! It's the simple things, folks. Oh yeah, the pasties...they were good! The bleu and masala were the best, mostly because they kept their juice the most after another half hour in the oven. The original had a good taste, but was a little dry. The sausage roll was solid, if plain. That said, I'm just not a pasty guy, so I probably wont go back (if I'm in the area and am hungry, I'm grabbing a sub).
  8. Dr. Delicious
    We just got back from our first meal here, and it was very good. While I'm headed off to Phily in less than a week, i couldn't stop myself from getting the cheesesteak. It was as good as Ferris noted above, and I'd add that the bread was excellent as well. We got an order of fries, which were crispy and tasty, and my 5 yr old loved them and he typically doesn't like things with visible herbs. They're beer battered, so he may also just be drunk. We also split an order of the creme fraiche wings. I thought they were delicious; a really unique taste for wings, not too spicy, that worked very well. In fact, I liked the sauce so much, I was dipping my cheesesteak in it (purists be damned!). It was busy, but there was no wait on a Thursday at 1pm. Of course, it is right around the holidays. Also, they could use more seating: several single barstools, all 2 tops against the main wall, only one 4 top table, and only one 8-top that can be shared. Parking appears to be hit or miss on the street, tho we parked (illegally, i guess) in the lot next to the building without a problem.
  9. Dr. Delicious
    I'll be in Philly next week, and am eager to hear any other thoughts. I'll also make sure to post my own. My current plans are to hit Dalessandro's and Jim's Steaks South St.
  10. Dr. Delicious
    **Bump** I'm headed to Philly for 2 days, one night in late December, and am wondering if there are updated suggestions for dinner. Note that location isn't really an issue, but I will have a (well-behaved) 5 yr old in tow. And, if you'd care to convince me as to where i should get a cheesesteak, I'd love to hear your arguments! I prefer a well-chopped meat, which I believe points me in the direction of Dalessandro's (given what I've read). Still, while location isn't really an issue, I am curious to know if there's an equivalent more centrally located.
  11. Dr. Delicious
    Yeah, the denial caught me off gaurd, as the company is usually sympathetic to my plight as a frequent travel. Moreover, we have a $300+ million dollar endowment, so a couple hundred bucks means nothing. Oh well!
  12. Dr. Delicious
    My CFO denied my request for reimbursement for the annual membership cost for Clear, alas. So, I won't be able to serve as the group guinea pig.
  13. Dr. Delicious
    Yeah, my work pays for it or I'd be right there with ya! if you see me around 730 ish, get my attention and I'll try to bring you in!
  14. Dr. Delicious
    This place is a great pit stop for those out on a weekend joy ride. I was with a couple friends, and not one of the MCs or riding groups, but everyone was very friendly. And there were some fantastic looking motorcycles to check out (my own not included). Also, props to the young lady behind the counter that snarkily answered my sincere question about the difference between a malted milk shake and non malted milk shake, with the answer being malt.
  15. Dr. Delicious
    Hey, me too, which is why I'm asking. That's probably a point in its favor! And I'll be there tomorrow morning, likely up at the AA club, so say hi next time!
  16. Dr. Delicious
    Tl;dr ... anyone using "Clear" at DCA? I'm considering it. I'm already a GE/Precheck member, fwiw
  17. Dr. Delicious
    I got a chicken pita sandwich that I thought was a ripoff compared to their salads, due to the small pita and chintzy application of spreads. Or I could just be being pissy. Who knows at this point.
  18. Dr. Delicious
    CLT Note that Whiskey River took the cheesesteak off their menu, which is unfortunate as it was the only thing that ever appealed to me (and was tasty to boot). Instead I had some generic BBQ Burger that wasn't very good and a side of tater tots that had no crunch. I'll never go back. It's Phillip's Seafood or bust from here on out. Oy vey! DAY Also, I go thru DAY several times a month and am a Max & Erma's expert at that location. Some quick notes: they can be slow, so mind your time. say hi to Craig at the bar. avoid the house salad, which varies in quality. french onion soup is surprisingly good for an airport (tho could spend an extra minute or 2 under the broiler). if you get the quesadilla, ask them to plate it without the wax paper. all the burgers are solid. the cheesesteak is very good, particularly due to the steamed bun. if you go black bean rollups, get them fried, but skip the pico de gallo "dipping" sauce (which doesn't work with the item as it's not dip-able), and ask to substitute something else. you can find a good club sandwich here. great blue cheese dressing.
  19. Dr. Delicious
    DCA - Terminal C I'm a regular at the American Airlines club, DCA, C Terminal. As reedm notes about most lounges, it's a comfortable and quiet place to sit and relax, but that's about it. I'm mostly there in the mornings, and the breakfast options are pretty meager (Lenders-style bagels, bread loafs, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, other misc items). They have an automatic espresso/coffee machine that makes mediocre coffees, which I suppose is to be expected. Yet, they have a full bar, staffed full time, and so it seems like they could easily put a real espresso machine behind the bar, and serve real coffee drinks. Oh well. Still beats sitting at the terminal for an hour +.
  20. Dr. Delicious
    How many people are the "For the Table" selections expected to satisfy?
  21. Dr. Delicious
    My buddy recently gifted me a bottle of Eagle Rare, which I've never had before (or heard of, to be honest). Sweet and oaky, it's a fine tasting bourbon. I will enjoy this bottle.
  22. Dr. Delicious
    We had a bad dinner experience the other night. One item we ordered was a pork tenderloin sandwich, with a bacon jam, served on a brioche bun. What we got included a buttered hamburger bun, mayo that was supposed to be a bacon aioli, and deli slices of pork tenderloin. Anyway, a sandwich that was completely different from what was listed on the menu. When we questioned our waitress about it, she too was confused, and thought that at least it would consist of slices of pork tenderloin. She also noted that it was a new menu item, and they haven't served many of them. My wife didn't want it, couldn't eat it, and though the waitress recognized this (and daresay understood it!), she made no offer to amend our check accordingly. It was very disappointing dining experience. I had ribs that were solid, if unspectacular, and the salad bar, which was pathetic. I'm afraid this was our last trip to Shamrock.
  23. Dr. Delicious
    BTW, when I revisited that Pozole last night, it was so salty that a lesser man might not have been able to stomach it. It was certainly a salty dish to begin with, but not to the extent it was last night, no doubt due to stewing in its own juices for a few days. Be forewarned!
  24. Dr. Delicious
    My mother-in-law found the Antigua condo, but doesn't remember the website on which it was listed, or how she got to that particular listing. She's not terribly internet savvy, so I would imagine that a Google search along the lines of "condos for rent ocean city" will find it or other options in that building. It was $1800 for the week. Pool is heated. Oh, and no wifi in unit #603! (There is an xfinity hotspot there that you can sign into if you are an xfinity customer.)
  25. Dr. Delicious
    Nope. I will add that the reverse (overdone top, soft crust) is a problem when doing everything above the same, but cooking in the oven in stead of on the grill. We made the switch to the grill 6 months ago, and it changed our lives.
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