DaveO

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I’m going to subscribe to the @washingtonpost just so I can read @ThomasBoswellWP’s column about this.

IMHO subscribing to the Post is a generally good idea.  I'm prejudiced pro Post.  Their reporting is excellent and they are probably doing the best job in ferreting out some of the crazy ship from the current administration.

And as to the game, I fell asleep before the Kendricks Kowabunga grand slam that won the game.  Kowabunga--> a memorable shot in Nats history.  I did see the "get your hopes up" back to back homers by Rendon and Soto.  Way to go Nats!!!!!

Being nosy I watched the buildout for Sfoglina in Rosslyn over time, and watched it closely as it approached opening.  Being extra nosy I spoke with some of the staff over the last two weeks before opening;  a significant number of staffers were present as the construction was finished and the staff added the final touches plus training on site and two nights of soft openings.  Its a lovely space.  Interestingly the Trabiocchi restaurants have a sizable level of corporate level staff doing a number of functions.  They are built to handle multiple sites.  That also means they carry a "heavy overhead" that you compensate for by opening multiple restaurants and having them do well.  Hence Del Mar, the Miami, and Italian restaurants plus Sfoglina Rosslyn all having been opened over the relatively recent past.  That is a lot of corporate work.  The fine touches at Sfoglina exemplify what a significant level of staffers can accomplish.

After being so nosy I couldn't help but stop by on opening night.  Over the years I have visited both Fiola's and Casa Luca a healthy number of times.  I have yet to visit Del Mar and this was my first visit to Sfoglina.  Casa Luca was one of my favorite restaurants in the region.  I visited while the menu was extensive and then in its final period when the menu shrank in anticipation of being converted to a Sfoglina.  The visit on opening night was spur of the moment.  I will return, though for some reason I was more struck by overhead and the feel of extensive costs, even as I never felt that concern at either Fiola or Casa Luca--even as they were more expensive, (for their time periods) then Sfoglina.   (Hmmm.  Go figure).

In any case the food is good.  The first visit was on my own and I opted to sit on the "outside bar" sitting in the lobby of the office building at 1100 Wilson Blvd.  I'll return and dine inside.  It is attractive and I'll get a better look all around from the inside.  I stopped by early...really early but it filled up rapidly both inside and outside. 

Sitting on my own I opted for the meatball app.  It reminded me of the meatballs from Casa Luca, which were a revelation for their taste and softness.  I asked if they were "the same" which was a stupid limited question.  I believe they were, but the Sfoglina version came in a sauce that was very strong and included a healthy portion of parmigiana.  Still the softness and tastiness of the meatballs were apparent if somewhat overwhelmed by the sauce.  I also chose the pasta in olive oil.  A simple but tasty dish including a very healthy amount of EVOO plus chilies and whatever.  A good dish.  Together they were both satisfying and ample.  OTOH, there is nothing utterly remarkable about Sfoglina's pasta that is that different or spectacular over other hand made pasta's from other places.  At $19 it appears a bit overpriced as did the meatball course.  The big overhead cost came with two shots of Ameretto.  I didn't see the brand.  The shots were neat and I assume one ounce each.  At $13/shot that is expensive.  If it was Disaranno that runs $30/750 liter at Virginia's ABC stores and there are 25-26 ounces in a bottle.   At 25 ounces that is $325 in shots per bottle.  (that is how you make a killing).  Bread with olive oil came with the meal and I finished it with a $4 cup of coffee.  (not great but okay coffee.   The meal was filling and it was of good quality.  I'll return.  Unfortunately I don't believe it will be in my regular rotation but it will be a place I visit over time.

48 minutes ago, Pat said:

We've gotten wraps  from the Roti by the ballpark to take into the two postseason games we've gone to. I hadn't been there before this month. It worked fine for our purposes. (We used to pick up sandwiches at Taylor Gourmet in the same row of stores.)

Last night I got a steak roti wrap with romaine, red cabbage slaw, cilantro, and garlic sauce. It hit the spot. All I'd eaten to that point yesterday was a few pretzels, so that could be a factor in the deliciousness of the wrap. I'm not partial to wraps generally, but it seemed the most portable and non-messy way to eat their food at our seats.

I was a little apprehensive checking the online nutrition calculator. I notice it doesn't have the lettuces you can add listed there, but they've got to be pretty negligible, calorie-wise at least. That wrap was 650 calories (not bad), but -- yikes -- 34g fat and 1142 mg sodium.

 

....and by the way, Scherzer pitched a great game with one early mistake, eating up 7 innings with only the one early run, and oft forgotten Ryan Zimmerman hit a towering homer to Centerfield.  That was a tall boy!!!  Then (my man) Rendon  (c'mon Lerner's, sign him up) made connection and brought in 3 other runs. 

You, btw, are a great fan.  Should we win in LA you will hopefully get to see more games in the next round.  Lets Go Nats!!!!!

On 5/11/2017 at 10:08 PM, cjsadler said:

Any reports lately?

I didn't realize New Heights had been the subject of so many posts going back so many years.  Frankly I was unaware of it.  As mentioned elsewhere I was intrigued by the name Gin Joint and had stopped by for drinks and dinner, and also because the new(ish) bartender, a grad of the bartending school, had recently gained a 5 star review on Yelp.

Dinner was highlighted by the branzino, somewhat different than on the menu.  This version came over snap peas and a very tasty pesto risotto.  Quite excellent with regard to all the elements.  I also had a bar dish and tried a few gins.  Kate the bartender got Umbi, the owner to meet me.  That was a pleasure.  He is very engaging and a delight to speak with.  Among his comments were that traditionally New Heights has been a restaurant that provides new up and coming chefs an opportunity to show off their wares.  That also means the menu will vary with each change of chef. 

Back to Kate the bartender.  She has a love of gin and has taken to become acquainted to their vast gin inventory.  If I were somewhat younger I'd equally try their vast array.  Its impressive.

All in all I can see why New Heights generated a lot of commentary.  A commendable restaurant.

Certainly the Washington Mystics deserve their own thread.  They are a game away from winning the WNBA championship.  Last season they lost in the finals.  They have a well developed offense with some big scorers, but more impressively a well developed offense with a lot of passing that gives everyone shots. 

Boy oh boy.  They are great shooters.

Their star Elena Delle Dunne is playing with a slightly cracked vertebrae.  She was limited in the last game, couldn't move well, restricted in her game, but still shot marvelously.  The team stepped up with everyone contributing to put limits on Connecticut's big center and ended up with a solid victory.

Their style of play is remarkable.  Here are 11 minutes + of some of the excellent play (by both teams) of the last game....

This year's Skins team takes the cake for being miserable.  Virtually bottom of the barrel miserable.  Going backwards miserable.  So many issues.  Out of curiosity, can the impeachment forces discover that Snyder was engaged in some tWimpASS illegality and throw him in jail?

11 minutes ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

I'm too lazy to look it up on another thread, but Helen Thomas was dean of the White House press corps, and she had a private table reserved for her at Mama Ayesha's. Helen Thomas was of Lebanese descent, and Mama Ayesha's was her place. When she died in 2013, Mama Ayesha's held a memorial for her at the restaurant, which was well attended by dignitaries.

Lebanese Taverna's flagship is the original location in Westover in Arlington. I was going there regularly when I moved to the area in 1980, before it expanded to include the place next door. It is and always will be the original.

Actually I'd take your advice over that of the "local".   Meanwhile I realized I hadn't dined in Woodley Park in probably over a decade, so walked around a bit to reacquaint with the commercial neighborhood.  In the latter 70's early 80's I had a close friend who with his close friend had purchased a townhouse and fixed it up on Calvert Street, just down a bit from Mama Ayesha's.  Dined at Mama Ayesha's a fair amount, plus that house created an easy starting point for us to explore the wonders of Adams Morgan.

55 minutes ago, Kibbee Nayee said:

Mama Ayesha's on Calvert is a solid taste of Middle Eastern food in an establishment that oozes history, right down to the mural of the presidents on the outside wall. I would go there before I would go to the Lebanese Taverna around the corner, but having said that, I would go to Lebanese Taverna in Arlington and Tysons Galleria before I would go to Mama Ayesha's.

But any discussion of serious eating in this area has to include Mama Ayesha's.

Coincidentally I was eating and drinking at The Gin Joint in Woodley Park and spoke with a long term local also at the bar.  He described the Lebanese Taverna at Woodley Park as their "flagship".  He also referenced Mama Ayesha's and referenced that the late Helen Thomas, evidently a former resident of Woodley Park,  was married there.    (Well to each his or her own)

Now as to the Gin Joint, I was referenced to it via.....

1.  A grad of the bar school landed a bartending job there two months ago.

2.  With a name like Gin Joint, it attracted my attention.

3.  I dwelt on it a bit due to the influence of the Gin and Tonic Project, referenced in this forum

4.  And noticed a recent 5 star review on Yelp wherein our grad Kate was highlighted.

So I meandered over.  I enjoyed it, both having two gins along with some bar food and a thoroughly delightful branzino presented above snap peas and a pesto risotto. from the restaurant

In any case if I wanted to expand my knowledge of gins, and enjoy the company of a delightful bartender along with a nice menu I'd give The Gin Joint a try.  Photos below show how the G&T's would be presented, along with the Gin menu.  That is quite formidable.  Kate the bartender referenced an aged in a wine barrel gin where in the customer mentioned he tasted the wines.

On 8/27/2019 at 4:25 PM, DaveO said:

So I have NOT had a gin and tonic at this place.  In fact I didn't know about this place.   Regardless a grad of the bar school is working there and raves about it.  She is a gin lover.  The reviews suggest if you are looking for an original G&T...this might be the place to visit:  http://www.newheightsrestaurant.com/babinga_bar/ 

aka....the gin joint.

...and there you have it...a purty gin cocktail prepared by your favorite barista....

Well I STILL haven't made it over there, but I did discover this terrific review from Yelp, published this past September 15 from a "Yelper" from California.  (might just have been a recent conventioneer staying at one of the two large hotels that impact the restaurant scene in Woodley Park).  In any case, Kate, a gin lover, is a graduate of our bartending school program and recently picked up this gig.  She and the owner were "stoked" by the review and they are looking for another grad to work that bar. 

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On the road again my wife and I thought we'd check out the Gin Joint late one evening and were greeted by our Gin-tender Kate. Lovely in every way, she knew her way around Gin and the drinks that go with it. We took on several of her recommendations and left feeling enlightened on Gin but not light headed. Kate was so kind and attentive that I will come back the next time I'm in town. As we were getting ready to leave we met the owner... what a nice gentleman!

Much more comprehensive article on the opening at Arl Now.  I've been fascinated by the construction process.  Its an attractive space.  The article goes into the design.  Opening is Saturday, 10/5  10% discount on food applies through 10/19.  The company has a lot of mid level staffers that have been there the last 2 weeks or so as the final touches have been applied.  They had a tight schedule and they've kept to it.  Watching them finish the build out has made me hungry.  I like forward to the opening.

28 minutes ago, Pat said:

That was nuts last night. I've never high-fived so many strangers in my life. It was my fifth game in eight days, and I was pretty worn out, especially with the late start time. My legs didn't want to hold me up any more and everyone in front of me was standing the whole game. So I was popping up and down from my seat. I'm thoroughly exhausted and don't have much voice left, but they did it!

Funny thing is I like to sit in left, behind where Soto plays, but the tickets I had last night were in right. Sitting out of place, I got quite a view of Soto's game-winning hit.

 

Good for you.  No great for you.  There are times when being a fan is FANTASTIC.  Last night was one of those nights.

4 minutes ago, theapg said:

Does Continental Beer Garden not count?

My oversight.  Yes it does count

10 hours ago, DonRocks said:

I'm certain we've discussed this before, but Woodley Park is a neighborhood whose commerce is entirely built around two tourist hotels: The Omni Shoreham, and The Marriott Wardman. Not only that, but reputable restaurateurs have told me that those hotels take, well, let me get my facts more current before I go down that path (in the meantime, look at their concierges' "recommended restaurant" lists which they hand out to clients. Suffice it to say that this pocket of restaurants is probably the worst in the DC area, probably even worse then 23rd Street South in Crystal City. RBeats, thanks for posting, and welcome to the community - do you by any chance rent rather than own?

Don:  I believe I've seen your comments that were somewhat critical of restaurants in the area and the process of tipping/compensating hotel staff/particularly concierges for suggesting/recommending certain restaurants in the area.

Having looked at this a bit were I to operate a restaurant in the area I'd absolutely try and advertise/market it to hotel guests.  It would be a major marketing thrust.   No qualms about doing so.  If I operated the hotel I'd look to gain advertising dollars from local restaurants, and if I were a concierge in one of the hotels I'd look to make money from restaurateurs. 

The two major hotels in the area provide 2000 rooms.  Overwhelmingly the (guess work on this number) the 1500-1800 hotel guests per night are going to dine out in a restaurant, most often immediately accessible to the hotels->Woodley Park.  As a restaurateur it would be incumbent upon me to advertise/market to that audience.  In fact I'd guess the 1500-1800 guests per night are more likely diners on a nightly basis than the 20 -30,00 or so who live in Woodley Park in a residence.

There are an enormous number of restaurants who do a large amount of revenues from hotel visitors.  There are savvy restaurateurs who make this an every day element of their marketing efforts.   And lastly if you read through reviews on yelp, google, and trip advisor, you will note how many reviews are written by visitors to the region

1 hour ago, horacebailey14 said:

We lived in Woodley Park for a while and I think you answered your own question: "conference attendees and zoo traffic." That's a lot of foot traffic and you've got to appeal to the masses.

We never went to any of the places in Woodey Park itself, wasn't worth it. Our only two exceptions ....and the Gin Joint back in it's heyday.

What about the Gin Joint now??

40 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

Dave, did they not pony up already? I didn't read the article but $30 million a year is a lot of money (plus, if he's playing with an unspoken injury, he'd be worth less to the Nationals) - I might be missing something here, as I'm reading this from afar, but this seems like an honest effort by the Nationals.

Arenado, also a third baseman, got $260 million for 8 years, a little better on face value than the Nats offer.  

Come on Lerner's stretch a bit more.

(Of course it's easy for me to say, it's not my money). 

Allow me to add something.  There are times when you want a deal "badly".  I think this should be one of those times for the Nats.  I don't think they have a killer third baseman in the minors.  There aren't a plethora of excellent third basemen if they lose him.  

Some more "gossip" on the BLT Prime side:

They had hit up the bartending school to recruit for staff.  Then management virtually completely changed hands and none of the applicants were interviewed.  So they hit us up again.  (they were initially thrilled with the number of applicants.)

One of our recent grads landed a bartending job there and will start momentarily.  (proudly he writes) He took our advice with responding to them.

BLT Prime pays quite well, evidently guaranteeing $20/hr.  That is around current high union wages as I understand.  Tips, of course, are their own, (or so I'm told).  Management were very clear to applicants that the restaurant is not tRump owned.  Meanwhile from the one grad of ours who works there, there are many many many trump supporters there; including the President on a fair number of evenings. 

We discussed this in house.  Some of our staff (all current or recent bartenders--all with good experience) would work there.  Others wouldn't.  Not sure about everyone but I'm pretty sure most of the school staff is anti-Trump.    Again, I can't speak to the food, but its definitely an "event" kind of place.

While "bigger things" might be going on in the rest of the world, it was revealed in the Washington Post that in early September Rendon was offered $210-215 million for a 7 year extension.  He passed on it.  It was mostly upfront money with relatively little deferred.  Unless Rendon, his agent, and the Nats make a deal in the next week or 2 he will be a free agent. 

All that being said I hope they retain Rendon.  I like his style and punch.  He has been one of the leagues best hitters for the last 3 years.  I also suspect he is playing with an unspoken injury right now. 

Come on Lerner's.  Pony up!!!!  Show Rendon the money.

17 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

I should know this offhand, but Uncle Julio's is still chugging along there, isn't it?

I believe the ex Willow space and Uncle Julio's space are virtually identical in size.  Uncle Julio's has survived the test of time.  The Willow space has gone through a LOT of tenancies in the same time period.  The building has to be about 30-35 years old.  I used to lease retail/restaurant space and did it over a couple of decades.  With doing that one adds the characterization of "real estate expert". 

I haven't the faintest idea why Uncle Julio's has done so well and Willow and the prior tenants didn't cut it.  When Willow closed among comments were that the vacancy in nearby office buildings had a damming effect on lunch and HH business.  It had to have impacted Uncle Julio's similarly. 

Those who figure out how to "meet the market" get gold stars.....

oh yeah, background from above:

On 9/4/2018 at 1:15 PM, dcs said:

Closed 3 years ago this month.  Landlord still searching for a replacement tenant.  I guess that Brian Wolken's comment that the landlord "has unrealistic expectations about what the space is worth on a monthly basis" has been borne out through time.

3 hours ago, dcs said:

Willow space remains empty now 4 years and running.  Given the center of gravity in the neighborhood is shifting towards Ballston Quarter, I'd say this is a condition not likely to change anytime soon.

On 9/11/2019 at 12:39 PM, DaveO said:

Spoke with a staffer at Sfoglina.  They are rapidly moving along.   The staffer mentioned Oct 4 or Oct 5 as an opening date.  The restaurant will serve customers inside, on the sidewalk AND in the very large expansive lobby at 1100 Wilson Blvd.  That is interesting as when you watch construction you see how much space is eaten up from the actual rental square footage.  The space has a visible pasta (making ) room that has windows on the inside and fronts the lobby at 1100 Wilson Blvd.  The lobby at 1100 is open 24/7 as it provides access to Channel 7 news and staff.....all of which means that it will provide dining in all kinds of weather...and plenty of space.  

On its own there is a reasonable population close to that site but I'm sure they want customers from "afar".  I wonder how many will go there vs downtown.   All parking in the area is going to be primarily in buildings and not on street.   Interestingly the Bethesda Bagel that opened in the area NEVER has a weekend morning crowd like all the bagel places with which I'm familiar.  Nevertheless it seems packed before work, and has a sizable lunch business.  Weekend mornings, wherein you can find long lines at other bagel shops, have a healthy but not terribly long line...its unusual.   I don't see Rosslyn or Crystal City, for that matter, attracting out of the area crowds for dining.

I've been following the internal construction.  The Sfoglina in house staff has been there a lot.  Its an attractive space due to open in a few days.  I received an update and am making a correction.  There won't be dining in the spacious lobby of 1100 Wilson Blvd.  Instead the relatively large bar will seat people both inside the restaurant and on the other side, extending to a counter that opens into the lobby.  I suppose one can dine at the bar in the lobby, along with drinks. 

Must admit I'm quite looking forward to its opening.  One point is that aside from hotels and the bar at Heavy Seas Alehouse (which went downhill) there is no place to drink in the flat area of Rosslyn just across from DC.  It is a major office market on its own, and has an ample population base, mostly in high rises.  I think the restaurant and bar at Sfoglina will start off well.  Probably in about 6 months Circa will open a restaurant and bar in the heart of Downtown Rosslyn.  Additionally there should be another bar on the "walk close to DC" side.  We'll see how things turn out once the competition gets a little more fierce.

2 hours ago, Ericandblueboy said:

You have no idea what Ilhan's political leaning is.  You are merely speculating and comparing him to Trump for no reason.  Are comparisons to Trump the new Godwin's law?  

Long after Trump is gone from the political landscape (and assuming we are still around) I think that the term "trumpian" will resound.  That is my opinion.  It might have NO political orientation.  It will reflect on his personality. 

I personally hate that personality type; self centered to the extreme, loyalty is a one way route; you 100% loyal to him-he not having an ounce of loyalty to you.  Selfish, demanding, completely oblivious to the "rule of law".  A world class liar.  ......need I go on?

When I worked as a commercial real estate agent I used to run into some disagreeable people like him.  They owned real estate companies.  They were self styled little kings in their own family businesses--the omnipotent one.  None displayed all of the qualities tRump has.

The opposite type of person might be reflected in this type of personality type and could handle other types of jobs:  Link

Over the past 6 months or more we have refined a method for getting people emergency bartenders.  Its certainly not our best attribute, though event staffers, restaurant operators and others value it.   Earlier today we got a call for a restaurateur who needed an experienced bartender for an event/party today.  About 6 hrs with the bartender being there at 3:30 Pm.   We don't have the technology to know who to assign  (have to know grads addresses/hrs of work for other jobs/availability, etc.  )   So we blast these things out.

Earlier today the bar school got one of those emergency calls.  We blasted it out to over 3500 grads reviewing "opportunities"  full time/part time, etc.   Within an hour and a half the operator called to have us "Turn Off" the opportunity.    And so we did.  The owner was "inundated" with applicants.  The owner/operator thanked us profusely.  The grad will get paid.  Not us.  Possibly it is our "best attribute"...that is for those with emergency needs.

If you need a bartender you can reach us at 703 841 9757.  That is our placement line

Mark Furstenburg was very good friends for many decades with Cokie Rogers.  His blog has a touching piece dedicated to her memory and their long friendship.

8 hours ago, DonRocks said:

Sep 24, 2019 - “Speaker Pelosi Calls for an Impeachment Inquiry. What Happens Next?” by Justin Fishel on abcnews.go.com

In a world of often bad news finally some fantastic news.  Fry that big bozo.  Let's see if a member of the GOP or two or more acts like an American rather than a member of the mob.

1 hour ago, Keithstg said:

To Robert Hunter. Fare thee well.

 

A friend of the devil is a friend of mine....

And.  What a long strange trip it's been....

Meanwhile I drink to impeachment.  This will be fun .

35 minutes ago, ktmoomau said:

So now they have more for sides than just cole slaw and fries?

I didn't do the ordering, and when I stop by there I haven't noticed more...but we got plaintains (excellent) and black beans (also good) white rice plus their fries.  (none of their rancid cole slaw).   The entire staff loved it.