schnyder

Corks may, in fact, be a good restaurant. But if I were the owner, I would be reluctant to post a photo of the storefront on the web site.

I really liked Corks the one time I went. But you're right, that photo is far more shabby than chic.

I also like Black Olive for very fresh fish (as in, you pick it out on a bed of ice, and one still had the hook in it...).

Question: Can anyone recommend a decent but not upscale Italian place in Baltimore (a la Bethesda's Pines of Rome)? I've never heard great things about any one restaurant in Little Italy...

I gotta put in a good word for the Spice Market. I just got back Tuesday night, I met a friend there on Sunday for lunch. wow! try the chicken samosas and definitely have one (or three) ginger margaritas...

sounds good. Is that the place in the meatpacking district?

I went into a great deal of detail in my earlier "review" of Comet from October 21 with specific criticism of the pizza (tomato "sauce" is squirted from a plastic bottle, etc.) as well as a number of points that I felt they should consider. Rockwell eliminated most of the text but this is particularly relevant to your comments:

"There are no prices listed anywhere-although the metal framed blackboard used to list the pizza options is copied from Pepe's. A carafe of decent Chianti was a surprising $26.00. We also wondered why they didn't open earlier than 6:15, not at the announced 6:00PM. Perhaps they should have a sign outside-any sign to let someone driving, even walking by know what this place is. They might also answer their phone with the name of the restaurant rather than just "hello-" when they decide to answer which is not very often in the daytime. Of course when they don't answer there is no recording. Frankly, it almost seems like an affectation of sorts to me that this restaurant has no sign, opens later than announced, rarely answers their phone in off hours (while regular hours are shorter) and doesn't list their prices anywhere.)"

Whether a joint or a restaurant a bit of consideration to the public would go a long way.

The big COMET neon is now up. I love this place, but I gotta complain...

Last night, driving home from a banquet dinner that had nothing to offer my wife to eat, we decided to stop at Comet for a pizza and a PBR. After all, it was only 9:40 pm. We walk in, all the tables are empty, but there are about 15-20 people hanging around the bar. A nice young waiter stopped us and said, "Sorry, kitchen's closed." Sure enough, you can see the kitchen workers breaking down and cleaning up. It's 9:40!! I'm not asking for NYC hours where you can get anything anytime, but 9:40??!! Is this an early-bird-special-only joint catering to the retirement homes up and down Connecticut? No, it's a pizza joint! Very disappointing.

What did you have?

I have been to 2 Amy's, Comet, and Pizzaria Paradiso in the last month, and Comet was the clear winner. PP didn't impress me at all, and my 2 Amy's pie was terrible.

PP is not what it used to be. Disappointing the last time we went.

2 Amy's can be excellent, and there's a nice variety of kinds of pizza. Plus it's better for kids.

But I loved Comet for its crispy crust and unique atmosphere. It's like I'm home from college at a friend's basement. I'm grown up, but still like PBR and don't have kids to worry about. Pure escapism on a thin crust.

Grappa Julia

They could use a sign out front. Not that I want it more crowded. I'm just saying...

They have much better beer -- Sierra Nevada on draft for one -- but sometimes I just crave that American beer (Schlitz, Budweiser, etc.) experience.

How much? No idea, my brother-in-law picked up the check. And with no menus or prices on the board, no telling much it all cost. Sometime ignorance really is bliss.

I went last night. I really liked it. The crust was crispy and slightly salty. Everything tasted fresh and real. I got anchovies and ricotta. Loved it. Wife got "melted onions" not bad. Bro in law got smoked mushrooms and huge chunks of garlic.

PBR in a can. What's not to like?

As I said, I liked this place and will go back. It's not 2 Amys as it's not really for kids. When we bring the kids, we'll do 2 Amy's.

I find myself without dinner plans or companions on Monday night in New York.

I'm staying near Park and 28th, I don't mind wandering a bit, and my office is paying...

What's a girl to do?

Turn to her pals her for suggestions!

Thanks!

I don't know much about that part of town. Mesa Grill and Union Pacific are nearby, but I've not been to either so I shouldn't comment. I'm a big fan of Babbo, so I would hop in a cab and dine at the bar there--especially if I was alone. It's at 110 Waverly in the Village. The bar area gets really crowded, so go early or late (5:30-6:30 or after 9:30), or prepare to wait up to an hour. If there's not a seat at the bar when you get there, tell the host you'd like to dine at the bar. That way you're not fighting for a seat when someone gets up. That's just what I'd do. The food (and the menu) is that good.

Del Posto definitely has bar dining; Bruni did a piece on eating at the bar back in July in which Del Posto figured pretty significantly. The article in question..

Perfect, thanks!

Going to NYC next week. Does anyone know if Del Posto serves dinner at the bar? It's too late for reservations, but I'd like to pop in and try the food.

River Falls in Potomac (corner of River and Falls) and Upstream in Silver Spring (Georgia Ave just inside the Beltway) usually have fresh calamari. Not as cheap as the Asian grocery stores, but frequently much higher quality.

Thanks to all for suggestions. We ended up getting some at Balducci's. It was a frozen pack, but previously cleaned. Once thawed, it tasted fresh and worked great in the Babbo two-minute calamari, Sicilian lifeguard style. (which I highly recommend!)

Try this URL. It lists all Korean Grocery stores in the US :

http://www.koreanfeast.com/korean_markets_in_the_us.htm

Great, thanks!

Try asian grocery such as Han-Ah Reum, Grand Mart or Lotte. They carry fresh squids with good price.

Thanks! Can you tell me where they are?

HELP! We need to find fresh calamari for a dinner we're having tomorrow night. Can anyone please suggest where to find in DC/MD today? We already tried Balducci's in Bethesda. Thanks.

I would add Borschi and Santa Maria del Monte to the list. I like these on the rocks before a meal, with a twist of orange, or after a heavy meal. Cleveland Park has a nice selection.

Anyone know where I can buy 2005 gragnano grotta del sole? It's a fizzy red we had at 2 Amy's. A fun wine with pizza.

Went to Centro in Bethesda for drinks and appetizers. I asked if they could make a Dark & Stormy (our drink of summer...). The Italian bartender asked for help, someone came over (some kind of manager/expediter) and asked us what was in it. When I said "Gosling's black seal rum, ginger beer, and..." She interupted with "We don't sell flavored beers," and walked away. Okay. At least we got a good laugh out of it.

I will be in NYC soon and would appreciate information on the following restaurants-

WD-50

Thanks.

Hope it's not too late, but I would recommend WD-50. The food is innovative, to be sure. The presentation is so interesting and unusual that you're challenged because it doesn't look like good-tasting food should look like. But both my dishes (tongue, with the fried mayonnaise cubes, and pork belly with a thick and savory, but clear, sauce) were unbelieveably good. You're almost challenged by the appearance to disregard your vision and trust your pallate. The place in DC that comes closest to this is Cafe Atlantico. They're definitely creeping into innovative and unusual over there (and I haven't even been to Minibar) without call attention to themselves or sacrificing flavor or quality.

If you want to go traditional, WD50 not for you. It's in the Lower East Side (50 Clinton) but remember the cross streets (Stanton and Rivington), because both times I've been, the cabbie had no idea where 50 Clinton was.

Creme Cafe and Palette have both been mentioned on the board as having good Dark and Stormys.

Thanks, I've been meaning to try Palette anyway.

I'll have to try Bin 209, thanks. And I haven't made it to Dino yet, but it's at the top of my list!

Martini. Hendricks gin and Vya vermouth (and four onions, so techincally it's a Gibson). The Hendricks and Vya really make a perfect Martini.

I have recently had a dark and stormy at two places. 1) Ceiba. It was pretty good but the ginger beer did not have enough "snap". They also served it with a stalk of sugar cane which was a nice touch. 2) The better of the two was served at the Argonaut on H street. Ask Shannon to make you one and you will adore it.

Thanks for the tip! I will definitely try out Argonaut. If you're ever in Rehoboth, they make a great one at the Back Porch Cafe. Instead of ginger beer, they use their own fresh ginger concoction. It's not carbonated, but it's very fresh and very snappy.

Bell's is next to Camelot, and Pearson's is across the street from Good Guys.

Great. And thanks for the landmarks...

Bell's also has Vya, but since I bought the last bottle of extra dry about an hour ago at this point they only have the sweet.

I've been mail ordering Vya for a couple years now. Where are Bells and Pearsons?

I stopped going after this visit.

Sam Lek at Town and Country makes a much better Manhatten.

Not exactly "classic" but does anyone know who can make a Dark and Stormy (Goslings, ginger beer, and lime) in DC/Bethesda?

Tnx.