DaveO

6 hours ago, DaveO said:

As I walked by Ray's this morning (6/17) every table setting was set --as if they will be serving dinner tonight. 

A little later I ran into someone who was there during the "havoc" of the last two weeks.  He loved the restaurant and said the last meal might have been the best.  Upon finishing they gave the customers a small free dessert but also "rushed them out" to get another couple at the table.  He hopes they survive.

A little after 5PM I walked by again.  The place is dark; there is no FOH staff.  Meanwhile every table remains set with plate, silverware and a drinking glass.  The setting includes a napkin and Ray's type silverware with a knife and steak fork.   My gut is that "something is occurring" though I don't know what.  I wouldn't be shocked if something occurs...though what and when is above my "payscale".  

My gut is that "something" is occurring....but what is .....to be determined...............

Cheesetique Ballston just closed.  I always get a kick out of the commentators, though I doubt one of them had a sense of the place.

22 hours ago, dcandohio said:

To my Dad, who left his earthly body today, on Father’s Day, at age 91. He was brought to this country as a very young child as an immigrant.  His parents died when he was very young, and he was shuttled from foster homes that went from bad to worse, until he escaped to live on his own as a teenager, and then joined the Navy.  He earned a masters degree and was a gifted teacher. He had an amazing head for numbers.  He adored my mother, he doted on his children, and he was an engaged grandfather.  My dad liked good food, red wine, and a martini with Tomolives.  He had a big personality, and a zest for life.  I am comforted knowing that when he arrives on the other side, Leah Chase will be cooking a meal for him, and Dr. John will be playing music.  Tonight I will raise a glass of red wine to Leonard. 💔

An absolutely beautiful tribute.  My condolences.  Very well written and it sounds like a full life.

My dad passed away 20+ years ago, my mom a little over 6 months ago.  They inhabit some of my thinking virtually every day;  my dad for over 20 years now.  Its really amazing.

As I walked by Ray's this morning (6/17) every table setting was set --as if they will be serving dinner tonight. 

A little later I ran into someone who was there during the "havoc" of the last two weeks.  He loved the restaurant and said the last meal might have been the best.  Upon finishing they gave the customers a small free dessert but also "rushed them out" to get another couple at the table.  He hopes they survive.

12 hours ago, DonRocks said:

Consecutive seasons. Parker: 17, Stockton and Malone: 19.

Yeah, yeah.   The two teams, and the critical players during their respective long successful runs had clear similarities, but other differences.  What was similar was their very long term success via very specific players which included playoff runs.   Stockton and Malone did play in 19 playoff series, mostly together. 

The team similarities during the two runs is both unusual and pretty remarkable.  One team's success began to terminate as the other team's success took off.  Put them together and from the latter 1980's to the last couple of years of the 2010's either the Jazz or Spurs were in the Playoffs with all time stars, who themselves had amazing longevity.    All around amazing relative to basketball and any team sport.

Still of the "big 3" of the Spurs, the amazing thing about Parker was his ability to score from in close.  He was a penetrating master.  The video above provides a nice sample of his best work. 

Now from the perspective of a Bullets/Wizards "fan" do you know what is amazing?   Both those teams had multiple 50 win (plus a healthy number of 60 win) regular seasons....a lot of them during those runs from the 80's to the last few years of the 2010's.  How many did the Wizards/Bullets have in that period???--> Nilch, Nada, Nuttin, ZERO.  

(Its too bad I would fall asleep in front of late night west coast BB games.  The Western stars played much better basketball)

According to this thorough review of NBA playoff career leaders:  

Duncan has played in the 2nd most games all time;

Parker is 6th all time and Ginobili is 8th.  That trio simply dominated the NBA playoffs for a long time.  Parker and Ginobili (and Duncan) kept playing season after season, sometimes losing in the first round, sometimes going all the way.   (By reference: Duncan at 251, Parker at 226, Ginobili at 218 and Malone and Stockton at 193 and 182 respectively).   The San Antonio team simply remained superb for close to 20 years.  They did that in the West with superior competition.  They did it winning over 50 games a year, every full season.

All that being said, Parker evolved from a quick young guard to one of the best point guards in the league in his heyday, and possibly the best at scoring down low. 

In any case while I had enjoyed watching San Diego over a long period, the spectacular example of their play came in the 2014 championship against Miami and LeBron James.  They won 4 of 5 games and they blew out Miami in their 4 victories each by 15 or more points.  Secondly it was a prime example of how San Antonio, both kept its championship "chops" over the years but did it with a changing of the guard, as Kawhi Leonard was the Playoff MVP.  All that being said, there was a period during which Tony Parker was one of the exquisite point guards in the NBA, and one with a spectacular drive to the inside; a play that has befuddled point guards for decades.

On 5/30/2019 at 6:50 PM, Genevieve said:

Takeshi Sushi and Ramen has had a soft opening in Courthouse, at the corner of Wilson and Barton (under Rooftop and next to Delhi Dhaba), where the Subway was for years.  We are likely to be regular customers for their terrific tonkatsu ramen.

Finally got around to the ramen.  It was quite good and I'd simply repeat what was said above.  I'll be back.

I"d throw in Fireworks/Arlington Pizza.  It has always had terrific, ingenious, tasty, excellent toppings.  Possibly 4 years ago it dramatically improved its base pizza.  I frankly think it is a positive now.  

I have no idea about all the pizzas in the region.  I am NOT or no longer all that enthused by 2Amy's.  There are others I like better.   But I'd definitely give Fireworks/Arlington kudos.

In fact try it.  FW/Arlington has a tremendous variety of beers, a tremendous inventory of beers under the sun and great pizza.  You won't regret it.

2 hours ago, Tweaked said:

Highlight package as USA beats an over matched and outplayed Thailand.

A couple of tasty match ups today (6/12):

Germany v. Spain at noon

France v. Norway at 3pm

On Thursday (6/13) one of the bigger games in the opening rounds as Australia takes on Brazil at noon.

 

Watched the replay till I got tired of watching goals.  That was the A team playing the C team.  A lot of goals.

@dracisk I wouldn’t call myself an expert or a regular at Bertha’s though it did hit me that I’ve been there each of the 5 decades they have been in existence.  It also hit me that I couldn’t recall the last time I was there.

It’s a dive, downstairs at the bar, nicer upstairs with tables.  I’d get the basic, with garlic.  Bread is very plain as noted above. Get extra.  

Mussels beer and bread are simply one of my favorite comfort foods.  I could eat them several times a month.  Enjoy Lancaster, enjoy the game, and enjoy yourself at Bertha’s if that is where you land.  Are they the best?  I’m still tasting.

Tony Parker retired from the NBA yesterday.  With that retirement there goes the last of the San Antonio Big 3:  Tim Duncan, possibly the greatest "Big Forward" ever, Manu Ginobili who I suppose is the greatest basketball player from Argentina, and Parker, a French/American, who is the last of the Big 3 to retire after 18 years in the NBA; 17 with San Antonio.

That group of 3 won more games than any other big 3, won 4 NBA championships, and established the longest running, best franchise in the NBA, from the early 2000's till today, a record with no equal.

Parker, a short quick guard from France, made the Spurs with his quickness, but needed to improve.  That improvement took place in the early 2000's and by the mid 2000's he was easily one of the best point guards in the NBA, and possibly the best at penetrating and scoring.   Here are Parker's best moves down low, where his quickness, foot control and ball control were unequaled:

Over the last few weeks I've had mussels at Bertha's in Baltimore (been eating mussels there since the first year they were open), Fireworks/Arlington, The Local Oyster (in Ballston Quarter) (no review yet;  another Baltimore mussel/seafood joint), and Dino's in DC. 

Okay, mussels, beer, and bread to sop up the liquid are a favorite food of mine.   These days I don't have a huge favorite from among that group although I'd probably opt for the Fireworks in general and the Fireworks 1/2 price special on Mondays. 

Seems about time to get back to Bistro du Coin, as per the G.R.V above

From a quick look it appears there are about 40 people lined up to get into Ray's at about 5:35 with some already sitting.  It looks too crowded for me to get into there tonight.  I'd suggest getting into line early for those that wish to have a farewell dinner Saturday or next week.

On 6/6/2019 at 9:34 PM, DonRocks said:

Name this Hall of Famer:

Don:   So I cheated...using google image search.   The relevant descriptive element is that this "guy" was skinny...all arms and legs.   Who was he??

Your guy, Brooks Robinson.   Like his compadre, Frank Robinson...a high school basketball star. BTW:   The photo comes from what must be a great book.  Did you reference it?   Here is the link to the page that describes the earliest interactions between Frank and Brooks and how terrific the Orioles, under Brooks, were in welcoming Frank.   A great story.

Per the comments of a former commentator here Rays was jammed yesterday.  I suppose that means you will have to rush to get in during Ray's last week.

4 hours ago, Ericandblueboy said:

IIRC, it was like $135.

thanks.  I haven't been there in about 25 years.  (so my life changed a little).  I think last time I was there I think it was about $100/person --maybe $120/person.  Ample wine.  Great meal and fun.  The price has gone up significantly since then.  Wonder if it is better??

1 hour ago, dcs said:

Citizen Burger Bar Has Closed in Clarendon, by Airey, June 4, 2019, on ARLnow.com.

Well I liked your post, DCS, but that news just sucks.  Arlington just lost two of the absolutely best burger joints in the region.  Admittedly I hadn't been there often.  Last time I went was around the last time I had a "Landrum burger" (at Ray's--last summer).  The Citizen Burger was different but equally as good; and those two were among the best in the region.

Big loss.

3 hours ago, DanielK said:

Washingtonian reporting that Landrum is closing RTS.

Well that sucks. imho

One of our grads provides this half pint bloody to patrons.....and they sell at Sunday brunches....

@Genevieve  Thanks for the reference.  I had their sushi the other day, during its first few days of operation but have not had the ramen.  I will give it a go.  Nice review.

This was the reference when I wrote about "Your Restaurant Lease" 

The landlord absolutely "snookered" the tenant on signage.  The tenant acknowledged it in those first few days.  Great signage is worth $$$. 

I'll be back to try the Ramen.

Estadio is going to help:

Quote

Juniotónico: a Gintonic Festival at Estadio: The basic gin and tonic may have been created by British army officers in India, but the quintessential summer cocktail has been revolutionized by the Spanish, who carefully mix-and-match gins, tonics and garnishes to create a drink that’s more than just a highball. Estadio celebrates the “Gintonic” with a month-long festival that includes rotating house-made tonics (think strawberry and coconut or melon and cucumber) paired with just the right gin. At least 60 rare Spanish gins are available for tasting — beverage director Adam Bernbach hosts a Gintonic tasting and seminar on June 15 — and guest bartenders will bring their own flavors every Monday night. Through June 30. Admission free for all events except the seminar, which costs $15.

Never stayed there, but I have stayed in hotels in Baltimore.  That is a lovely room at a great price, an excellent deal and intimately close to Little Italy and the Baltimore Harbor.  Well worth it.

I am familiar with the reason(s) certain hotels hate the web middle men such as hotel.com.  On the other hand there could be strategies and hotel booking rates that are very different.  This might be one:

Quote

 it's right on the border of Inner Harbor Tourism, and because of that, is a huge bargain for what you get for the money.

On this stay, I booked The Liberty Room (midweek price usually $225) for a very low price of $122 on hotels.com - I don't like hotels.com, but in this instance, it was *by far* the lowest price for this property - of note, the same room is available right now on hotels.com for the same price.

That is a crazy great price, much lower than what is on the web for the B&B direct.  A price for this upcoming weekend is similarly much lower than what is on the website.

I think I'd also check the web beyond what the hotel offers.  There are amazing deals out there. 

Assuming a 15% surcharge by the hotel booking company that is a net of about $105 to the hotel vs the $200+/night bottom line the B&B is quoting.   Hmmm.   That is quite a differential.   I would be using hotel.com and other services for certain rooms.

6 hours ago, Steve R. said:

And yet they lost to Toronto??!

The Giannis we saw in earlier years is not the Giannis who had to get by 2,3, or 4 players.  It took a lot to expose his weaknesses.  

He did look surprised and without answers during some of those double/triple teams.

I thought Kawhi Leonard was better and Toronto moved the ball better than Milwaukee 

18 hours ago, Ferris Bueller said:

Enjoyed an impromptu dinner here (Sterling/Cascades) this evening.  Fireworks pizza and garlic knots with a nice milk stout was all we ordered, but service was fast as was food prep too.  Decently priced for what it is.

I find the personal pizza’s to be excellent.  When Fireworks first opened in Arlington the toppings were terrific and the pizza was not—the pizza imho was horrible.

They fixed that long ago.  Now the pizza is good and he toppings might be better— really good.  I had a tartuffo off the Arlington menu the other day with lamb sausage.  It was excellent.  That makes one of (at least) several, possibly the majority that are worthwhile.   

Excellent alternative.

On 4/17/2019 at 8:48 AM, cheezepowder said:

Closing on April 21 and moving to Arlington (PoPville, Washingtonian)

Opening tomorrow:  Article