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JonS

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Everything posted by JonS

  1. Totally agree. There are places in Bethesda that I associate with being loud (Gringos and Mariachis, I love you, but I'm looking at you). This is not one of them. Not our go-to for pizza, but it's certainly on the list and reliably good.
  2. It doesn't look like there'a a thread for it yet, so I wanted to start one for Bandoola Bowl in Georgetown, at 1069 Wisconsin Ave (just towards the river from M Street). Bandoola Bowl specializes in Burmese and southeast Asian - style salads, recently adding noodle and rice bowls as well, at least on a seasonal basis. Opened and run by the family that used to run Mandalay in Silver Spring. I am totally rooting for this place to succeed. Everything I have eaten here has been fresh and delicious, including the ginger salad, roasted pork salad (both the salad and noodle bowl), and chicken salad -- flavors and textures both great, and everything is customizable though they'll definitely make recommendations. All of the dressings I have tried have been excellent (the green "garden" dressing that comes on the chicken salad is a definite favorite - I asked what was in it, and the answer was lots of herbs). Everyone who I have come across that works there is unbelievably friendly and helpful. If you're a return customer, you'll likely be welcomed back with a smile and asked if you've tried something that may be new on their menu or a special. If you're new, you'll likely (based on personal observation at least, definitely) be offered tastes and recommendations. I totally love this place. It's unique in Georgetown, and the friendliness of the folks here is just overwhelming. https://bandoolabowl.com/
  3. Really mixed though overall underwhelming restaurant IMHO, and I think overpriced. For starters, the rice in the maki rolls was poorly done; for $12 - $14 a roll and for the caliber of restaurant they want to be, they need to do better. The grilled octopus app was good, tender, and shareable (and with some tasty potatoes), all a good thing at $24. The cioppino on their online menu shows $32, but if I recall, it was quite a bit more than that. The clams and mussels in the dish were well prepared, and the langoustine was a nice touch (though not particularly meaty). The halibut in the dish, unfortunately, was overcooked. And I don't at all get the oversized croutons in the dish that are virtually impossible to eat; they are too large to eat in one bite, but can't be cut and are so big that they don't even soften up in any reasonable period of time. Made me wonder whether the chef or anyone at the restaurant had ever tried eating it, because it wasn't even a close call that it didn't make sense. (You can see a photo of the dish, with the offending croutons, on the Washingtonian article on the restaurant from August.) The service was pleasant enough, but not polished. The space is huge, and was mostly empty when we were there. I always root for new, good dining options in Georgetown. But I'm a bit skeptical this one makes it for long.
  4. Anyone been to Dyllan's yet? In the old Sea Catch space in Georgetown. Been open a couple of months now I think, but no thread yet here and doesn't seem to be a whole lot of chatter about the place otherwise.
  5. Bethesda Bagels absolutely still had them last time I was there.
  6. Wife and I had an overall excellent dinner at Siren this past Saturday night. The salt-crusted branzino, stuffed with a swordfish mousse, and topped with a caviar sauce (buerre blanc?), and served with a salad on the side that cut through the richness of the dish nicely, for 2 was outstanding. Seriously one of the best fish dishes either of us had ever eaten, and definitely the highlight of the meal. We started with the "smoked" salmon belly and the yellowtail crudo. Both were nice, though I for the life of me can't understand the single tiny brioche roll that came with the salmon. I'd seen photos of variations of this dish where it looks like it was served with toast points (plural). The single tiny brioche roll, particularly with us having made clear that we were sharing both apps, just came off as inadequate and silly. If we'd not been a couple, sharing it would have been awkward. The same goes for the chocolates at the end. Other restaurants we've been to at this level, if they're going to give make the gesture of providing chocolates or some other similar lasting taste at the end, seem to give multiples of each different item, rather than forcing choosing or sharing. We were given one mint truffle and one chocolate shell. I know not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but again, if we hadn't been a couple this would have been extremely awkward to try to share them, and they weren't really comparable. Given the overall cost of the meal, like the brioche roll, it just seemed like this wasn't well thought through. The key lime cream for dessert was outstanding. The spice & fig dessert was strongly recommended by our server, so we got that too; it was ok, but I'm guessing we might have preferred either the chocolate tart or the pandan mousse dessert instead. Cocktails were well prepared - enjoyed the call of the siren (with herb infused vodka, lime, cucumber, and lavender syrup I think); and nice wine list with some reasonable enough options. Was surprisingly easy to get a reservation and the restaurant was not full on a Saturday night. Would go back for the branzino and key lime dessert alone.
  7. Their online menu says: "Servings for two 6 slices duck skin, 8 slices duck meat, 4 pancakes scallion, cucumber, maple syrup sauce, PKD sauce, sweet garlic paste."
  8. Thanks for the quick reply, Can. He helped provide sustenance for our kids in their early years. Great to know, and we'll absolutely plan a visit soon.
  9. We have not been yet, but am wondering whether Tetsuyasan came over from Perry's. We are old fans of "Tets" from Murasaki, so wondering whether we can find him now at Ogawa.
  10. OK, obviously this place has/had not garnered much attention over the years. That said, it became and has been our regular, reliable sushi joint since it opened (when we lived just around the corner). It's been closed for about a week and a half (apparently following a DOH inspection for issues that don't seem particularly unusual or difficult to remedy). Anyone have any further information (recognizing that a week and a half closure, a web site that is apparently down, and a phone that no one's picking up and doesn't have a message doesn't bode well)? We're somewhat in denial that it may be closed for good, but the signs are certainly not encouraging. ---
  11. Thanks, Nick. Appreciate that. And hear what you're saying. Knew you were on here, so a little reluctant to post, but always appreciate DR as an honest, open forum. Always tough when you don't know what a dish is supposed to taste like and maybe the issue is a dish just not living up to expectations (based upon reputation, past experience with your cooking, and a server's enthusiastic recommendation). But I do understand that, from the perspective of the restaurant, it's better for you to have the opportunity to make sure the experience was enjoyable regardless. We will plan to come back, as noted, for the chicken and waffles. And the beer.
  12. Having read Don's post, I have to say that we had a different experience at Barrel and Crow, which we'd been very much looking forward to trying, several weeks ago. On the plus side, the restaurant was incredibly accommodating to our son, offering him a waffle (from the chicken & waffles, sans chicken) for dinner if he wanted (which, like any self-respecting 8-year old, he did). The beer selection is, as Don notes, fantastic; and we really enjoyed the fried green tomatoes (with the homemade pimento cheese and other accompaniments). We found much of the rest of the food, though, a bit underwhelming. For my entrée, I took the waiter's very enthusiastic recommendation for the pork chop (his favorite dish, he said), but found the chop dry in parts and the gravy it was served with surprisingly bland. My wife's duck was better, but not to the level she expected given all the positive news we'd heard about the restaurant. When we saw (and smelled) the chicken and waffles being delivered to the table next to us, we both wished we'd ordered that instead. I think we'll give it another shot at some point, for some beer and fried chicken & waffles, but I have to say that our visit, with what we ordered, overall did not live up to our expectations. But it sounds like we are in the minority on that.
  13. I so want to like this place more than I do. But I find the St. Arnolds on Connecticut Ave so much better. I still think that the St. Arnolds mussels, on the menu at both places, are some of the best mussels to be found in the DC area. But I think the seating at Tyber is awful. Depending upon where you sit, either the tables are too narrow or the seating is too far away from the tables. We've sat in different places in the restaurant and have yet to have a comfortable experience there. I agree with pras that the mustard is inexcusable. And the service last time we were there was awful. Our server had no clue about anything on the beer menu (which, once it became apparent, should have been my cue to get up and take a trip to the bar). And best we can tell, our appetizer order (including the pretzel with the inexcusable mustard) was not put into the system until we asked (and not for the first time) where our appetizers were.
  14. Interesting. So hopefully that means my kids shouldn't hold you responsible for the changes to the kids menu there either. Had been one of their favorite Bethesda restaurants for a while.
  15. Just did "crispy" pork belly bahn mi take out. Not at all impressed. Good baguette. But very, very sad amount of meat, which, while good in and of itself, was not at all crispy, and was totally overwhelmed by the slaw (cabbage, carrot, bean sprouts, and dressing -- and I can't stand bean sprouts), pickled cucumber, and avocado. Didn't expect a traditional bahn mi based upon the fusion concept of the restaurant, but expected more, particularly as a fan of the earlier Bangkok Joe's. And terrible value, for what might as well have been a veggie sandwich. Anyone been and explored more of the menu? I work half a block a way, so want to like it. But totally underwhelmed by this first experience unfortunately.
  16. No, but I am still baffled that they still haven't managed to get a menu up on their website since the rebranding. It's said that the new menu is coming soon now for months. Between that, the ridiculous name change, and our last visit earlier this year, I'm remaining skeptical until anyone gives me reason to be otherwise.
  17. Not sure how to take your question, Don, but yeah. These are the guys that run St. Arnold's Mussel Bar in Cleveland Park and another in DuPont. Been to the one in Cleveland Park several times. Their eponymous mussels are one of the best mussel preparations I've found in DC (duck fat, garlic, shallots, thyme), and I have every reason to believe they're well sourced (I just don't remember where they told me they come from; may be PEI). They have a great Belgian beer selection, and are more than happy to provide suggestions and tastes - the impression I've always gotten is that they want to expose folks to different beers and make sure they're happy with what they're ordering. The basement there is a great place to catch a game (lots of tvs and fun vibe). And any management or staff that we've ever spoken with or been served by have been top notch. I presume Dean knows them given their proximity to Dino. So not that Cleveland Park is that far from us, but yeah I'm happy to see them come to Bethesda.
  18. It had been a while since I'd had lousy sushi. After last night's take-out from Kotobuki, I unfortunately can't say that anymore. Generally soggy--though it was the best of the bunch--salmon skin. (And, it didn't sit long, so I don't attribute it to the take out.) Fishy-tasting yellowtail. And a spicy scallop roll that was a total fail - with the spicy sauce they use not at all complementing the scallop; though perhaps, given every thing else, maybe the scallop wasn't worth complementing. And note to sushi chefs everywhere: your customers don't want to hear about how you've had a cold for the last five days. Well, at least this customer. Overhead one of the sushi chefs talking about his illness, in some detail, with another (apparently regular) customer who'd been fighting something as well. If I hadn't paid already, I would have considered turning around and heading out the door. I don't expect Sushi Taro or Sushi Ko when I go to Kotobuki. But I expect better than Kotobuki delivered last night.
  19. My wife and I went this past Saturday to celebrate our 15th anniversary. Did the full 24 courses, with the basic pairing. Will start by saying that it was fun as hell. Example: One of the dishes had a powder on it that I couldn't identify. I asked the server what it was and was told it was lemon ash, in response to which I asked what is lemon ash and how do you make it. He offered to check, and I overheard who I assume was the sous chef explaining to him that "We take lemons and burn the shit out of them." We cracked up, both at the initial response, and then our server's attempt to translate the answer he was given before we let on that we heard the original answer. Seated a great table looking right into the kitchen/prep area, so were able to see everything being prepared and interact more with some of the staff. And wish I had a caught our main server's name, b/c he was great and worthy of special mention. All around, thought the service was the perfect balance of professional and fun. Only downside to the service was a discussion with the sommelier when we asked about a mixed pairing (alcoholic / non-alcoholic), which I'd read that others had done, so I didn't think it was a big deal to ask about this. Well, the sommelier kind of acted like we were from Mars when we asked, which definitely took us aback. Overall, though, nice to have great food in a place that, while it obviously takes a great deal of care, time, and attention to everything, still can have fun and not take itself too seriously. Only one dish that really didn't do it for us (a hamachi dish, that maybe just had too much going on for us and we thought took aware from the fish itself, which we ordinarily love). Others were truly outstanding. Foie gras (with honeycomb) was the best, or one of the best, preparations of foie gras we've ever had. Meringues stuffed with chicken liver puree (the first dish) was another standout. Squab/quail dishes and snails (basil fed?!) also excellent. Too many to mention. Was worried about leaving hungry even a good way through, but left comfortable (actually nice to go to a great meal and not leave feeling like we just ate way too much) and not too tipsy. Nicely done, Chef Cooper and team!
  20. And, if you click on the link now, here's what it says. That said, I actually worked at a McDonalds when I was 15, and after seeing what McNuggets looked like before they were cooked, myself swore them off for quite some time. Sausage McMuffins with Egg, on the other hand . . . . FROM THE EDITORS: Hi folks. You may have come here expecting to see a McDonald's science video. However, our amazing users have found some real problems with it. We're in the midst of responding by filling this nugget with some actual useful information that addresses how we'll do a better job at vetting scientifically inaccurate content in the future. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!
  21. This was one of my favorite items as well. (Though if the dressing was somewhat reminiscent of Kraft Catalina dressing, I might have to pick some up on my next trip to Safeway. If I recall, the primary flavor for me was balsamic or perhaps sherry vinegar.) Pretty sure that the crumbles were fried bread crumbs. We also really enjoyed the gazpacho and the scallop pesto risotto, and, for dessert, thought the hazelnut cake and affogato (although not anything like a traditional affogato - more like an amped up hot fudge sundae, with bits of a delicious hazelnut brittle) were both outstanding. Had a couple of other items as well, and the only thing we probably wouldn't consider ordering again was the cheese bread - nothing wrong with it - it was fine - but we didn't find it particularly special either. Bravo to Fabio and Casa Luca for offering the $28 wine list. We went on a weekday night when we might not ordinarily have ordered a bottle of wine, but the "everyday selections" made it reasonable for us to do just that. And with some interesting choices as well (we went with the Verdejo).
  22. Family was back this weekend. Lobster roll and some of the other menu items as good as ever. But continue to be very disappointed by the changes in the kids menu pointed out back in my October 2012 post. And two bucks for a small bag of Lay's potato chips (no more Cape Cod's even?) for one of the kids to go with the clam strips we ordered for him off the regular menu struck us as a bit much (not to mention unfortunate).
  23. This is one of our go-to's at Jaleo as well. The sauce was new to us on this visit, and with no indication of it on the menu (Bethesda), we thought it was a mistake. The vinegary, mustardy sauce totally doesn't work with this dish. While it was on the bottom of the plate, it did attach itself to some of the dates. Since there was no indication of the sauce on the menu, we actually sent the dish back for a new one, without the sauce. Let's hope that, with the frequent tinkering with various menu items (I'd like to see the sangria go back to its previous form as well, and understand they will be changing it again, although unclear how), the restaurant will get rid of the sauce on this dish.
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