Sundae in the Park

Yep, the classic bubble tea is mighty fine, just what I was looking for. When it's busy, the takeaway window is genius, and I can attest that potstickers don't suffer any for being scarfed in a car...

How's the bubble tea at A&J? Anybody had it recently? I've had a few bad ones lately (not around here), so would like a sure thing next time I give in to a craving... Thanks!

My usual order is the spicy garlic eggplant hotpot and the diced fish with pine nuts. The hot pot is packed with asian eggplants, chicken?/pork? strips, garlic chunks, black fungus, and scallions, all swimming in chili oil (this is a good thing). The fish is extremely mild, almost boring, with random white fish and cucumber chunks in white sauce, sprinkled with some pine nuts. I'm not sure I would recommend these dishes separately (or more accurately, by themselves, as they both need tempering, which is, after all, the whole point of Chinese food); however, I LOVE them paired together, as they complement each other very well. I last had this combination a couple of weeks ago, and based on these dishes there was no reason to think that the kitchen's cooking has changed in the past few months.

I LOVED EATING IN VANCOUVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After poking around in the thread, on egullet and on http://www.eatvancouver.net/, I devised a list of must/want/might eat-at places. Walking around, there were hardly any neighborhoods where I didn'y spot a place I'd read something about. There were so many great food experiences. We were in the West End on Robson, so our block already had a wonderful array of choices. Some highlights: izikaya at Guu, Goyza King, and Hapa Izikaya authentic ramen at Kintaro Ramen many, many cones at Mondo Gelato dim sum at Kirin fish and chips and amazing fish tacos at Go Fish on Granville Island lots of street crepes from various vendors sushi pretty much everywhere Oddly enough, our least favorite meal was at West. Probably a case of inflated expectations, and the service and setting were rather magnificent. The food, however (summer tasting menu)...each course was slightly not to our taste. Maybe the pickles overwhelmed, the fish paired with flavors that that didn't quite match (for us, anyway), and creme brulee was NOT improved by freezing. (I did enjoy the risotto, but couldn't detect much seafood flavor, which pleased me but not my shellfish-loving dining partner). All the ingredients were fresh and the presentation was lovely, but overall, I was underwhelmed, which made me sad because I'd looked forward to the meal all week! Our favorite meal was at a cute little Malaysian cafe (Banana Leaf) on Denman - we stoped in for lunch during the Pride Parade (I could still watch out the window) and we ordered the tasting menu. Small tastes of pretty much everything on the menu we wanted to try- puffy, chewy roti, chicken satay, excellent seafood curry, bright, tart fruit/vegetable salad, succulent beef rendang, fiery vegetables, and something like tempura-fried bananas served with ice cream (I thought I wouldn't like this but it was scrape-the-bowl FANTASTIC). We had to roll out of there and barely had room for a late dinner that night (but managed somehow, of course!).

We're going to be in Vancouver and Victoria for a week or so (staying on Robson street in Vancouver), and trying to plan for some fantastic meals. If anyone has any suggestions for cheap or moderately-priced meals, I'd really appreciate it! We're probably going to try and hit West and Tojo's for our pricier meals. Is Feenie's still a good place to go if we're thinking of skipping Lumiere? We're also planning on late night izakaya and ramen eats - any favorite spots? Thanks!

What's the texture like after they've been frozen?

There's a new one in Fairfax (City?), off Route 50/29 (right before the split) in a not-yet-fully-tenanted or finished development on the right (heading West). I haven't been, but the coworkers keep going back, and it's only been open for a couple of weeks! Fairfax Market Place 10940 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030

Same here. I've driven by it a zillion times, thinking that it would be great for weekend afternoon treat, or a cute place to take out-of-town guests for a look at the rapidly (re?)emerging Old Town Fairfax.

Their tiny baklava are nut-n-honeytastic!!! And very cute! (They would be great to bring to party, as they are delicious, pretty, and already apportioned.) I remember being less than enthusiastic about..a felafel sandwich?, though. Obviously not particularly memorable.

I tried them, but can't really get past the freeze driedness. I think so much to the mangosteen is the custardy texture and maybe could have gotten into a dried fruit, but the crispy crunchy is a bit much. The flavor translates spot on, though, and the dried nut is neat. Maybe a candy would be good?

Rabeing and Born (in Vienna) are out, too. Very sad YES! They've introduced them and created a demand, so now can sit back and grin evilly like Mr. Burns. Unfortunately, they are right, because the mangosteen are delicious and fresh! and new! and now I waaaant it. So Wegmans and D&D it is. I'll have to try and find the dried ones at my TJs, too - I've never noticed them before. Oh, and put Bali, Thailand, and Canada on my travel list...

No more mangosteens at Born, either. All gone

Ah, good to know. We'd been thinking about going back this weekend, both for another dose of the great food but kinda sorta mostly for another crack at a mangosteen. The other night we were seated upstairs, where I'd never been before. It's a very pretty area with dark wood and a wall mural (and fun when you are overlooking the restaurant), but sort of perilous-looking to see your food being walked up those stairs. Poor servers!!

The Pineapple-Passion Fruit is one of the delicate, jammy chocolates, much like the raspberry chocolate. I personally like the raspberry better, but only because I *love* raspberry. The taste is not overwhelmingly fruity and pairs well with the chocolate shell. The pecan buttercrunch is awesome, highly recommended for anyone who likes toffee or brittle - heartily rich and deeply butter-flavored. Yum. There is also a new item - crispy bits with dried cherries and nuts? It's about the consistency of and eats like trail mix (lots of little bits). It hasn't been named yet (there was a contest during the open house) and apparently, he plans to rotate the stuff added to the "krispies." It's a lot of fun to eat! The new honey pine nut is divine - there are actual chunks of pine nuts buried in the chocolate and the flavor is so...decadent, and a little bit surprising (I've never paired pine nuts with chocolate before!), lightened with a touch of honey. A must try!

Thanks for your gracious hospitality, Jason! The chocolates (and YES, THE BROWNIES) were delicious and I like the new flavors. I still favor your caramels, though, ummmm...salted butter crack... Let us know what name you pick for the new crispy things!

Note to self - A&J is not a great place to take a picky and suddenly noodle-hating (I was counting on those noodles!) pescetarian. Oh well, more dumplings for me! He did like the pan-fried vegetable bun, though.

Thanks, I may have to look into (i.e., haunt) all those tips. I'm seriously considering going out to Thai again tomorrow to get another mangosteen. It was ridiculously good. What's the scale on the obscene price, by the way? Obscene for fruit? Good chocolate? Truffles?

I just had my first mangosteen and I'm in love. Where can I find this wonderful fruit around here? Anybody spotted them for sale, or should I starting trolling/begging the local Thai restaurants?

Haven't been back to my favorite Thai place in awhile, but I ventured back through 7 corners to Rabeing courtesy of Thai restaurant week. The food was lovely - the chili roasted cod tasted just like I remember, a smidge of hot, rich, and salty all mixed together; the dressing on the squid salad was bright and fiery-tart; and the rice noodles chewy and deeply flavored. We also tried a special for the event - sea bass with a salt and pepper sauce turned out to be a generous hunk of fish, expertly battered and fried (light but CRUNCHY!), in a tasty but mundane brown sauce with scallions and greens. Very nice, but my precious chili cod still takes the prize! The service was pleasant and efficient, even though they were more-than-ordinarily-busy for a weekday night. The best part, however, was the complimentary plate of exotic fruits. I got to try my first mangosteen and I have to say that I LOVE THEM!!! Sectioned like an orange, tasting vaguely of ripe mango, white and creamy with no hint of pith, and cunningly packaged in its own casing "dish". Adorable and delicious! I asked, but the restaurant folks said that they are still impossible to find. Tell me it isn't so??!! Where can I find/buy/beg mangosteens in the area? Anybody know? Please help!!!

Curry fries and a couple pints of cider at 4 P's always put me in a good mood for shows at the State.

Where else can you get shrimp and lobster and felafel and breakfast and sandwiches and pasta in the middle of the night...in Vienna? The food is not amazing, but I've only had decent to middling fare, and I love their philosophy of giving their customers the run of the menu 24 hours a day. Though I will take the advice about the staleness of the baked goods at night. I've been tempted because they look so pretty, but, for a treat, always end up with a "fresh" milkshake instead

I used to live withing smelling distance (during all times of the day) of the Arlington Crisp and Juicy. On the nights I didn't eat it, pure torture.

YES! I loved the lamb and spinach I had on Saturday. Our dinner at Corduroy was the one bright spot in an extremely trying day, and we were able to relax and thoroughly enjoy the blissful perfection of our meal. Oysters, beet salad, scallops, hazelnut bars, and creme brulee - all wonderful, with extremely friendly and efficient service! I hope the move goes smoothly and they will be able to reopen in the new location soon!!!

Inspired by the Post's pupuseria crawl article a few months ago, I finally trekked down the street to: Pupuseria El Buen Gusto 10012 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 703-218-3489 We tried all of their pupusas (cheese, refried bean, pork and cheese and lorocco), which sell for $1.75 each. They came with a tangy, salsa-ish sauce and a big bowl of cabbage slaw (sweetish and lightly vinegary). We liked all except the loroco, which is a green flower bud that doesn't have much of a distinct flavor (my companion: I thought he said flour!). This place is a great option for a cheap eats snack or meal (2-4 pupusas should do the trick, depending on your appetite)! The restaurant is tiny (5? tables), on the side strip off Main Street in Fairfax City, and seems to cater to a predominantly Salvadoran (I assume) crowd. There is a picture menu available of their other offerings, which I hope to try on another visit - soon!

Though I've been many times for the weekday buffet and dinners (Fairfax location), I'd never been to the weekend buffet until this weekend. There are MANY more choices than during the weekdays and hardly any of the same items. There were many dishes that I didn't recognize, but I particularly liked the lovely bone-in (watch out!) dark-colored goat curry and a fluffy chicken biryani. Lots of breads - naan, dosa shells, poori, and the circular white bready-things. Some spicy falafel-like fried rounds, and many spicy and mild curries and sauces. Sorry I can't be more specific. Everything was quite good, and not as searingly spicy as I'd expected, which is a good thing. Some items were hot, some were mild, and everything I tried tasted different, which is nice for a buffet offering.