ktmoomau Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Wow that took it to a whole new level of weirdness. Do you think they told the server that? I wonder what type of dish it is, dessert, or like spaghetti? I don't want to know, oh but I do, oh no no no I don't. In my professional line of work I come across a lot of weird stuff, that one, nope can't say I have ever heard that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Are there any other inquiring minds out there who want to a little more about this? And are slightly frightened of finding out? It was the "intimately" that did it for me. It's not that odd for people to order an extra dish to take home. They know they won't have time to make lunch/dinner the next day or something, or they're going to be up all night working. That's not what this seemed to be. The wording was interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 It was the "intimately" that did it for me. It's not that odd for people to order an extra dish to take home. They know they won't have time to make lunch/dinner the next day or something, or they're going to be up all night working. That's not what this seemed to be. The wording was interesting. I haven't read this yet, but I often over-order, knowing what I'll be having for lunch the next day (or, depending on how much I have to drink, what I'll be having at 1 AM). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiantiandFava Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I've been googling but I can't find a restaurant that offers a raw cucumber covered in whipped cream as an entree. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.A.R. Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I've been googling but I can't find a restaurant that offers a raw cucumber covered in whipped cream as an entree. try it with yogurt instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toogs Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 nevermind, the techies at wapo just suck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tujague Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Maybe I'm just in a junior-high frame of mind, but I'm not sure which made me snigger more in this morning's chat: the person who was excited that their "top" was taking them to dinner at Rasika, or Tom announcing, "My computer went down on me twice!" Or maybe editing a deadly dull manuscript just makes me more susceptible to innuendo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsDiPesto Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Did you see the nastygram someone sent into his chat yesterday, March 26? Q. Time for someone newIsnt the Wp giving early outs? If so why dont you take one so subscribers and readers can enjoy someone new. Someone who isnt so prissy and pretentious and has a clue about food. Its time for you to start checking out assisted living communities. "“March 26, 2014 11:15 AM Permalink A. Tom Sietsema : Have a nice day! "“ March 26, 2014 11:18 AM My reply would not have been nearly as gracious as Tom's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 I saw that too and wondered why he even bothered posting it. And talk about a pointless complaint. I would have liked to see examples of how he is prissy, prententious and has no clue about food. Instead he basically said "you're old and you suck". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 I saw that too and wondered why he even bothered posting it. And talk about a pointless complaint. I would have liked to see examples of how he is prissy, prententious and has no clue about food. Instead he basically said "you're old and you suck". I think he posts this stuff to show people what kind of crap he has to put up with generally. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsDiPesto Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 I think he posts this stuff to show people what kind of crap he has to put up with generally. You are probably right. Compare the comments section of the NYT (thoughtful, insightful) for any story to that of the WaPo (hillbilly cage match). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 You are probably right. Compare the comments section of the NYT (thoughtful, insightful) for any story to that of the WaPo (hillbilly cage match). You're insulting hillbillies with that comparison. Most of the ones I know also know not to get into the WaPo comments section (or, at least, most of them - the weather gang and Carolyn Hax comments seem pretty okay.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deac Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Tom, please find another word to describe fish than "silken," especially when referring to the black cod at Rasika. I think that word always accompanies that dish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Rieux Posted May 6, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted May 6, 2015 He just posted this, and I almost died. Q: Annoying Waitstaff Hello Tom. I am a reasonably attractive female (so I am told) who dines alone in The District fairly often because of my schedule. I went to what I would consider my favorite restaurant one night last week and the food was tremendous as usual, but a new waiter just about spoiled my evening. Have you ever encountered a situation where your server was so intrusive he/she tried to be the focus of the meal instead of the food? Thankfully, his actual service was top notch, but I was constantly battered with jokes and attempts at humor. Maybe he was just trying to pick me up, but one time, after a silly play on words he even gave me a rimjob - like that would make me get the joke and laugh for once! Should the restaurant know about this kind of behavior? I am sure I will return because it's a great place, but I will definitely make sure I am not seated in "Servando's" section. Love your chats! A: Tom Sietsema RimSHOT, honey. When someone tells a joke and pretends to hit a drum, it's called a rimshot. But I digress. Did you try the old airplane trick and bury yourself in a book or on your smart phone to send a message you didn't want to interact beyond a sentence or two? 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lackadaisi Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 I definitely think she should report the attempted rimjob to management! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rieux Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 A rimjob would make ME laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmoomau Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Maybe she should peruse urban dictionary while eating would provide two benefits, but apparently she gets some pretty good benefits while dining already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtureck Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 What do you tip for that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tujague Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 I dislike brown-nosing waiters, but that really takes it too far. What do you tip for that? Um, I think she's the one who got the tip. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 I loved this response from Tom this week when someone was complaining about his spring dinning guide. It was part of a thread in which a couple different posters asked questions about the guide and the star system. I guess he reached a breaking point.Q: Rating System ï‚‚ At the prices the places in your dining guide charge, I'm not interested in a restaurant that is simply "good." And Volt is a bit far afield for someone who lives in the city and has no car.A: Tom SietsemaThen read another critic."” May 20, 2015 11:55 EDT 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 I loved this response from Tom this week when someone was complaining about his spring dinning guide. It was part of a thread in which a couple different posters asked questions about the guide and the star system. I guess he reached a breaking point. Q: Rating System ï‚‚ At the prices the places in your dining guide charge, I'm not interested in a restaurant that is simply "good." And Volt is a bit far afield for someone who lives in the city and has no car. A: Tom Sietsema Then read another critic. "” May 20, 2015 11:55 EDT Which was an incorrect answer. The correct answer would have been "Then you should read donrockwell.com". 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 This chat has been brought to you by José Andrés and Mike Isabella. I count "Andrés, ThinkFoodGroup, Oyamel, Jaleo, or Zaytinya" mentioned *15* times in this one chat. I count "Isabella or Kapnos" mentioned 8 times. Jeez, Tom. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tujague Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 This chat has been brought to you by José Andrés and Mike Isabella. I count "Andrés, ThinkFoodGroup, Oyamel, Jaleo, or Zaytinya" mentioned *15* times in this one chat. I count "Isabella or Kapnos" mentioned 8 times. Jeez, Tom. As you frame it, it does seem excessive. But in the context of the questions being discussed, I think it's less so. Some of this had to do with the lack of dining options in Shirlington, and TS obviously reached out to two prominent restaurateurs who one could reasonably think might consider opening places there to get their responses (and made a civilized response to a later snarky comment about Andres). And plugging his new review of Kapnos Taverna is to be expected. While one might want some more imagination, which can fail anyone working on the fly, the recommendations were reasonable given what was being asked. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 As you frame it, it does seem excessive. But in the context of the questions being discussed, I think it's less so. Some of this had to do with the lack of dining options in Shirlington, and TS obviously reached out to two prominent restaurateurs who one could reasonably think might consider opening places there to get their responses (and made a civilized response to a later snarky comment about Andres). And plugging his new review of Kapnos Taverna is to be expected. While one might want some more imagination, which can fail anyone working on the fly, the recommendations were reasonable given what was being asked. I agree with this - I didn't realize he reviewed Kapnos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 It wasn't just the "let them eat cake" response (" Taskrabbit for instance, is one of multiple services offering human place-holders") to the cranky yet somewhat persuasive folks who wrote into complain about the lines at Little Serow (my last visit suggests it should have demoted in the Fall Dining Guide rather than upgraded, btw) and Rose's, but the way he tenaciously held to the point after being challenged a couple of additional times. I don't think it would have killed him to admit a restaurant essentially telling you: "sorry about your arthritis, granny, but if you want dinner you have to flip a Benjamin to an unemployed English major before you can even get your name on the list," is maybe not the most hospitable welcome a restaurateur might extend. I think the guy may be getting jaded and out of touch -- he's more interested in novelty, buzz and interior design and less concerned with actual dining out these days. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 It wasn't just the "let them eat cake" response (" Taskrabbit for instance, is one of multiple services offering human place-holders") to the cranky yet somewhat persuasive folks who wrote into complain about the lines at Little Serow (my last visit suggests it should have demoted in the Fall Dining Guide rather than upgraded, btw) and Rose's, but the way he tenaciously held to the point after being challenged a couple of additional times. I don't think it would have killed him to admit a restaurant essentially telling you: "sorry about your arthritis, granny, but if you want dinner you have to flip a Benjamin to an unemployed English major before you can even get your name on the list," is maybe not the most hospitable welcome a restaurateur might extend. I think the guy may be getting jaded and out of touch -- he's more interested in novelty, buzz and interior design and less concerned with actual dining out these days. I think his response was absolutely the correct one. If he were to go down this slippery slope, should he also downgrade pricy restaurants such as Inn at Little Washington for being beyond the financial reach of most people? Or any restaurant without a substantial vegan-friendly selection for being hostile to vegans? And should I be retroactively upset that my grade school cafeteria made me wait in line (no cutting!) for lunch rather than offer me the option to reserve my space? And should I be picketing the food trusts since they often require substantial standing waits for their food? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 There were a lot of good comments in the (shocker) "comments" section of Tom's chat going back and forth about the idea that having to wait in line should disqualify from a 4 star rating. A few of good ones on both sides were: 1) people wait in line all the time for things they consider "worth it" like concert tickets or a museum exhibit and 2) being an out of town visitor to DC, I'm not going to spend a few of my precious few hours waiting in a line to eat a meal and 3) if the place wasn't worthy of the high praise, there wouldn't be any lines to worry about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 One of Sietsema's most idiotic comments in this discussion: I don't recall waiting in lines in other cities, but I *do* recall the hassle of buying * tickets* for popular restaurants in Chicago and San Francisco, among other markets. The online system is worse, to me, than standing in line. I guess he'd much rather go stand in line at the box office than order theatre tickets online, too, since the online system is so much more of a hassle than waiting in line at the box office. Recall what Mark Furstenberg said last year on this very website, in reference to his joint project with Frank Ruta: I find it barbaric to ask people who want to come to your restaurant to wait in the street. We are going to have at Bread Feast one menu, one dinner. People will be able to buy a seat (or seats) first-come-first-serve on the Internet. No waiting, no line. Who are you going to go with, Mark Furstenberg or Tom Sietsema? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsdc Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 For me, it is akin to when TS downgrades a restaurant for the interior decor yet the food is outstanding. Standing in lline is a "part" of the whole experience, and a restaurant that chooses that as their model should not earn 4 stars from TS, based on his history of reviewing restaurants, IMHO. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 For me, it is akin to when TS downgrades a restaurant for the interior decor yet the food is outstanding. Standing in lline is a "part" of the whole experience, and a restaurant that chooses that as their model should not earn 4 stars from TS, based on his history of reviewing restaurants, IMHO. Aria Bizet Carmen Someone pass the Habanera Sauce, Raw Cecum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deac Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Is Tom getting burned out? He's frequently missed chats this year, including last week and next week, has been doing his "Best Food Cities in America" piece, which sends him away from DC for weeks at a time, and this week his "review" (other than his LA food city article) is a Q&A, which includes a snippet from a recent chat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericandblueboy Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Is Tom getting burned out? He's frequently missed chats this year, including last week and next week, has been doing his "Best Food Cities in America" piece, which sends him away from DC for weeks at a time. I don't think he's burned out. I think he's enjoying his best food cities tour too much. Personally, I don't see how one person can rank cities based on dining at a few restaurants (nor do I see the utility of such ranking....it's not going to change anyone's mind). This seems to me to be mostly an excuse to travel on Wapo's dime. I suppose it does benefit those readers who don't like to research restaurants in other cities on their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr food Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I had to laugh when I saw he is in Houston. Wrong Texas city, Tom. San Antonio is where it's at these days foodwise.. There's a reason the CIA opened a branch there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 He sort of addressed the "why Houston" question in the chat. Not the "why not San Antonio" question though. Q: Interesting to see Houston on your itinerary I don't have anything against Houston, but as someone who lived in Texas for many years, I was a bit surprised to see it on your list. Without spoiling your story, would you mind sharing how you decided to include the city in your travels? A: Tom Sietsema You don't say when you lived in Texas, or where, but the food scene in Houston has taken off in the past five years or so. The city reminds me of Los Angeles, with its many immigrant restaurants. I would have been remiss to leave Houston off a list of significant food markets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Jeff Bezos is trying to position the Post as one of the national newspapers of choice, even offering a free 6 month subscription of the online edition to Amazon Prime members. I wouldn't be surprised if this is part of his plan to appeal in other major cities. This is certainly one of the most high-value production series I've ever seen the Post roll out. Or, they are trying to get Sietsema a James Beard Award. Just two theories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtureck Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Jeff Bezos is trying to position the Post as one of the national newspapers of choice, even offering a free 6 month subscription of the online edition to Amazon Prime members. I wouldn't be surprised if this is part of his plan to appeal in other major cities. This is certainly one of the most high-value production series I've ever seen the Post roll out. Or, they are trying to get Sietsema a James Beard Award. Just two theories. Or, Washington is filled with people that travel constantly, and appreciate his take on food in other cities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Or, Washington is filled with people that travel constantly, and appreciate his take on food in other cities. That's too obvious a reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScotteeM Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 I confess, I grabbed the Food section yesterday, saw that nearly everything in it was about dining in Los Angeles, and stuffed it right into the recycling bin. Not what I want to read about in my local newspaper. I can read the LA newspaper(s) to get that info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tujague Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Despite my misgivings about the "top-ten" premise of the series, I've enjoyed the articles themselves, which I think feature some of TS's better writing in some time. I wonder if he's the beneficiary of having a different editor in the Food section from who he has in the Post Magazine. I regard them simply as nice guides to the food scene in many different cities from one critic's perspective at this point in time. As such, they are neither definitive nor do they necessarily have a long shelf life. The top-ten conceit basically is bowing to listicle culture, but the articles are more substantive than what one would expect from that (which is to say, I don't give it much credence). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deac Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Adding more fuel to the fire: someone elbow wrote this week's First Bite and Tim Carman is writing the full review this week. But can't wait to learn about where to eat in Houston! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deac Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Well, Tom concludes his top food cities series this week with DC, which means it makes his top 10. And lo and behold, this here community gets a shoutout on the sidebar under "Community" 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericandblueboy Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 For some reason I can't copy and paste the chat in my office (shit happens when you compute in a cloud), so I'll just summarize the complaints. 1. Uncomfortable chairs. Boo hoo, maybe the restaurant doesn't want people to loiter for hours because the chairs are too comfortable. As far as I'm concerned, if the food is good, I can eat it in a box or with a fox. 2. Menu with tiny font. Whip out your iPhone and turn on the flashlight, go get Lasik, or put on reading glasses. 3. Fork & Knife etiquette, eating with fingers, licking fingers. I eat with my fingers all the time. And when there's a sticky sauce, I lick my fingers too, before wiping with napkin. If I ever eat with Tom, I'd make sure to lick all of my digits, perhaps even my toes. 4. Restaurant directions. Seriously, why doesn't the chatter look at a map on the interwebz so they know where the restaurant is, instead of calling the restaurant for directions. I have too much free time today.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dracisk Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 I was very confused about the HOA organizing a date night at a restaurant. What is that about? (I know what an HOA is, though I thankfully don't have to deal with one.) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deac Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 maybe I'm young and just don't care, but can we have a moratorium of the "OMG why are restaurants so loud these days?" questions that pop up in every chat? most any restaurant with designs of being popular will feature hard surfaces which promote loud environments, it's just the way things are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 4. Restaurant directions. Seriously, why doesn't the chatter look at a map on the interwebz so they know where the restaurant is, instead of calling the restaurant for directions. I get this one. It wasn't just directions but it was in relation to coming out of the metro station and there being more than one way out. "Go right out of the metro station" may work for some stations and some restaurants, but not most. If you do it right, you can come out of Gallery Place just across the street from Zaytinya, but you can also end up a block and a half away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr food Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 1. Uncomfortable chairs. Boo hoo, maybe the restaurant doesn't want people to loiter for hours because the chairs are too comfortable. As far as I'm concerned, if the food is good, I can eat it in a box or with a fox. Disagree, how can you enjoy anything if you're uncomfortable?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericandblueboy Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 In theory, you are correct. Suffice to say that I've never sat on an uncomfortable chair for a meal. If you can't sit on a backless bar stool for a couple of hours, it's your problem and not anyone else's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 In theory, you are correct. Suffice to say that I've never sat on an uncomfortable chair for a meal. If you can't sit on a backless bar stool for a couple of hours, it's your problem and not anyone else's. I'm guessing you've never had back problems (or known anyone who has) I'm also guessing you don't work in the hospitality industry I'm also guessing you're young and strong and your vision and hearing and physical body have not deteriorated in any noticeable way. Well, the joke's on you my friend, because Father Time is undefeated and unscored upon. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reedm Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 For some reason I can't copy and paste the chat in my office (shit happens when you compute in a cloud), so I'll just summarize the complaints. 1. Uncomfortable chairs. Boo hoo, maybe the restaurant doesn't want people to loiter for hours because the chairs are too comfortable. As far as I'm concerned, if the food is good, I can eat it in a box or with a fox. 2. Menu with tiny font. Whip out your iPhone and turn on the flashlight, go get Lasik, or put on reading glasses. 3. Fork & Knife etiquette, eating with fingers, licking fingers. I eat with my fingers all the time. And when there's a sticky sauce, I lick my fingers too, before wiping with napkin. If I ever eat with Tom, I'd make sure to lick all of my digits, perhaps even my toes. 4. Restaurant directions. Seriously, why doesn't the chatter look at a map on the interwebz so they know where the restaurant is, instead of calling the restaurant for directions. I have too much free time today.... Overall, I think Tom has allowed his chat to devolve into pointless bickering about finger licking, napkins, leftover boxing, etc. A shame, really, since some of the other discussions about noise, uncomfortable seating, and even food, are far more useful to most of us. I'd bet there are a number of trolls, attempting to evoke a response with their fictional comments/questions. It's not unreasonable for people to know a bit about restaurants before they go, and noise level is a consideration. I recall reading about Mike Isabella's fondness for very loud spots. Great if you're up for it, but not so great if you're looking for a quiet evening. Missing Todd Kliman's less structured, but usually more substantive chats. d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericandblueboy Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I have 3 bulging discs. I have a stent in my heart. I'm 46. There's no doubt I've had physical setbacks. But those are my problems. I just don't think every restaurant needs to cater to me. If I don't like some place, I simply don't go back. In the mean time, I do my daily exercises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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