Sundae in the Park

We had an unexpected RW dinner at Rasika this week -- friends of friends were in from out of town for one night, and we were invited to tag along. As mentioned a couple of times above, the Palak Chaat (I believe) was fabulous. That dish alone made me decide that we've simply waited too long to visit Rasika -- and that we shouldn't wait that long again. Tripewriter and I both enjoyed his Black Cod -- not too vinagery for either of us (to each his own!), and I loved the daal makhni with the lemon-cashew rice. On its own, it was very earthy -- not as rich and sumptuous as I've had it elsewhere -- but with the lemon rice, wow. I want more just thinking of it . All told, a nice meal in a really pretty spot (with comfortable bar chairs!) with good friends at a reasonable price -- and leftovers for lunch!

Seconded. Rasika is a beautiful restaurant and the service was very good. The palak chaat was amazing - now that is a salad for the winter! I actually ordered the Kingfish curry, but ended up being overpowered by the tangy sauce and eating most of my friend's cod. Different strokes! We also had a delicious lamb rogan josh at out table - the lamb was meltingly tender and the sauce has just enough kick to be mild but interesting. The desserts were surprisingly good; the traditional desserts - the honeyed cheese balls and the shaved carrot, um, pile, were sweetly spicy and better than my "safer" choice of pineapple-ginger sorbet (which was still creamy and nice). The prices are quite gentle for this part of town, the quality of food, and such luxe settings, and I think I'll be back for more sooner than later.

I'm sorry to hear you experience mirrors my own. The deconstructed servings, in particular, were attractively presented, but uninteresting apart.

For anyone going soon I will say that the black-eyed pea fritters were tasty and largely constructed when presented, and that the crunchy yucca couscous that accompanied the salmon was fascinating and delicious. And the morrocan beer was pretty good and at $4.50 a better value than the wines by the glass.

At Farrah Olivia, our service was prompt and attentive, especially for such a young restaurant, but I either didn't "get" or didn't particularly care for several of the items we ordered. Each of the ingredients in our dishes were fresh, carefully prepared, and beautifully presented, but I didn't enjoy several of the combinations of flavors and textures. I found the juxtaposition of the duck confit and the monkfish "foie gras" to be odd and slightly unpleasant, though fine when eaten separately (I wished for more deconstruction for my choices). The pasta/lobster bite amuse was difficult to eat and not very flavorful. My ($8 upcharged) patagonian toothfish (chilean sea bass are so out they're back in!) had crispy seared skin, but for me, it just didn't gel with the accompanying bean puree/squid ink "black" mustard sauce, though the vegetable (bok choy?) side was very good. It was a similar case for the quail dish. Actually, I liked the parmesan soup, which was extremely rich and well-leavened by the cinnamon swirl. I also got a nice 3-course wine pairing for $15. The desserts were very pretty, but nothing that focused my attention.

I'd say go and try it out for yourself. My issues were almost entirely related to my choices, which were, truthfully, inventive, and you may find something that surprises and delights you, which is the whole point of restaurant week. Just read up before you go!

BTW, if anyone got a press release saying Oyamel will be open for dinner in January ... it ain't gonna happen!

I just talked with Joe Raffa and they're not there just yet. BTW, congratulations, Joe!

Cheers,

Rocks.

Of the appetizers, the tempura was pleasantly light and crisp, unlike the age-dofu (deep fried tofu in a sauce of soy, daikon radish and ginger). A humongous yellowtail jaw broiled in teriyaki sauce was by far my favorite appetizer. The four of us picked every last morsel of sweet and moist meat off the bone.

Going to Farrah-Olivia tomorrow for dinner. Am I going to be the first? Any field reports?

Also looking for the scoop on Rasika (going for Thurday dinner). I did look at the RW menu, which is posted on the web site, but still looking for suggestions.

I got several boxes Jason's chocolates to give as holiday gifts and the natives have gone restless demanding more. I can understand because I am crazy addicted to the crack caramels!! Looks like I have the perfect repeat present...

Fish sandwiches at Negril! Try the mango and hot sauces! And the (soft, rich, bursting with rummy goodness) rum cake!! The fruit punch is homemade and has actual fruit in it, but avoid the lemon(crazysugarladen)ade. Sandwiches, desserts, and drinks for 2 for ~$15.

It's fun bringing people here for the first time. Usually, I have anxiety about bringing friends to new places, but here, besides the fish-n-chip goodness, there are deep fried candy bars. What's to worry about? With every group I try to convert, someone always says, "This is exactly the place we've been looking for!!"

For those worried about small portions, in my opinion, there is nothing skimpy about the large chips. They are more than enough for two really hungry, really good feeders.

But helped find an inspired wine (a Barbera d'Alba) that went with the table’s array of firsts and mains, and oh-so-patiently, sincerely and knowledgeably answered all our crazy (and numerous) questions.

I'd never been to 2941, but last night's romantic and pampering experience certainly made an impression! The ambience, both indoor and outdoor, is stunning, and the service was exquisite. The champagne cart is gorgeous! I covet it!

The chef definitely knows his food for the masses. We were bowled over by the fish dishes and the array of breads. My dining companion, a bona fide breadaholic, was in carb heaven. We tried the Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare and Seared Hamachi, which are flawlessly fresh fish pieces accented by avocado, green apple, and pickled chanterelles, as well as the Miso Marinated Chilean Sea Bass and a red snapper preparation that was doused with lobster bits and a sauce reduction that improbably and deliciously included valhrona chocolate. The snapper was supremely rich, as were the accompanying lobstered potatoes, but the sea bass was surprisingly light for such a heavy fish. The sea bass' coriander-lemon verbena consommé sauce tasted earthy and complex, yet light and almost of springtime, with peppers and jicama providing contrasting flavor and crunch. The chocolate bread had even me (the bread-avoider) licking my fingers and the bacon bread has actual chunks of bacon baked right in...need I say more? Wait, I can - warm butter!

It was a lovely evening and my commemorative baguette is almost gone, so I guess we'll just have to go back soon.

The Marie Rose is my favorite for the sauces that go (really, really) well with both the fish AND the chips. The curry sauce is fantastic on the chips, but I don't really like it on the fish. It's really hard to get away from these two, but I think next time I'll try to work in the Kitty O'Shea.

The cinnamon and sugar dusting on the fried candy (I love saying FRIED CANDY!!!) ain't too pretty, but it sure is tasty!

Yum, getting hungry again...

The previously mentioned Pho Thang Long, next to Micro Center (insert joke here) near I-66/Nutley, is firing on all (almost-as-good-as-Pho-75) cylinders right now. It's a hefty bowl, too, with almost too much meat. Yum.

Viet House on Little River Turnpike/Main street in Fairfax City has solidly good bowl of pho and FWIW, a mostly asian clientele. However; the pho place on Lee Highway in Fairfax (across the street from the K-mart? center), which used to be Pho 29, was not very good - weak, desert-inducing broth. However, it has recently been renamed Pho Today and I may have to swing by and see if management or more has changed...

In reference to Taberna del Alabardero's RW performance, my one attempt there was not at all impressive. Few choices, uninventively prepared, with disappointing service, and follow-up tales from subsequent RWs have not changed my initial perception. However, I 've heard that the regular service and food are rather extraordinary (which is why I wanted to try it in the first place), and that you can do well to eat tapas at their bar-ish area, especially (price-wise) during the happiest of hours.

And more memories... My favorite college snack - hot dogs microwaved until they explode dipped in Heinz 57 sauce. It has been a long time. Maybe I should stop at Giant on the way home.

Of course to make it authentic, I'd need to find someone to sell me a bag of pot, too.

I HEART microwave-exploded hot dogs! Haven't had one in years, though - I might have to stop by the store for a pack of Hebrew Nationals on the way home...

I've been a few times and the rather tame sushi that we tend to order has been consistently and beautifully fresh and appealing. Once we have our order in, however, I'm usually making little matchstick girl eyes at the other tables with what must be the Japanese specials, because they don't resemble anything on the regular menu. I need to remember to ask about the specials beforehand!!!!! If anybody in the know happens to go, could you post what specials you've had? It would be helpful to have an idea of what's on the sometimes menu...

Back in the kitchenless dorm days we would buy packaged cookie dough for the express purpose of eating it raw. Today, licking the bowl is still best part of baking.

Dried fish snacks. Makes for rather stinky breath!

Are you sure that it is a Mam Lucia? The website shows no such store, and the radio ads only mentions having Maryland locations.

Has anybody been to the Fairfax location? It's a tiny strip-mall joint in the Fair City mall (with the Cinema Arts theater) with walk-up ordering and a few seats. It was be nice if their pizza was decent...

This is my favorite Thai place in the area, and one of my go-to places for comfort food. Bad day? Mean boss? Really cold? Car crash? The roasted chili cod fixes everything!

My standard order is the chili cod (sometimes x2 for takeout, though I still get strange looks every time I do this), the pad se ew with beef, and the green curry with eggplant and chicken. Went on Sat night, and everything was great, as usual. The restaurant was nearly empty, which was a surprising first. I hope people are still going!

Other tasty items include the spicy cashews, the fried tofu, the sun-dried beef appetizer...em, pretty much all of the fried things. They really get good practice at frying food deftly with the weekend street food menu.

Oops, double post...

Hi Omesh, welcome!

I agree - it's great to try out the new dishes available at RTC, but it's awfully hard to pass up favorites. Before I even looked at the menu, I had a whole list of things I wanted to try from reading this thread. We had the olive puffs, devilish eggs, and the duck/parsnip spread, which were studies in bold/mild flavors - excellent, all. Those eggs are seriously addictive! The lamb was lovely, but I especially enjoyed the eggplant cake that came with it - the crispy/chunky/chewy mouthfeel was so different and SO good! Still, I have to say that the best item of the night was, per usual, the steak. My New York sister said that her (naked) steak was the best she's ever had. Add the key lime pie and the reappearance of the hot chocolate, and we were rolling out of there! Thanks, Michael! I hope to be back soon...

Won Tons in hot and sour sauce. The hand is mine!

What's this dish called? Looks yummy.

Thanks.

Get the curry sauce for yer chips!!!!!!!!!

I have a class in Old Town and this weekly trip for deep fried stuff is going to be bad for my get-into-better-shape-for-the-reunion plans...

I'm a clam, yay!

If someone recommends a better thai place, please let me know, as I would be more than happy to have my own little thai challenge!

It is too rare that I get the pleasure of the joys of their sun dried beef. They leave just enough fat on each piece to make this a rather sinful delight. As for the entrees, I have yet to have one that fails to delight my palette.

Also, the crispy basil and honey duck is awesome and effort-free, as they've removed all the pesky bones for you.

Gush, gush, gush.

Blah, blah, Tom-Power-is-a-(CORN!)soup-god-cakes.

Riotous joy that I finally got to indulge in the kit-kat bars.

(Keen) Observation of Corduroy's rightful standing atop the pile of those other sacred cows.