Capital Icebox Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 Tom's Dining Guide chat from today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Gastreaux Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 Tom's Dining Guide chat from today Tom must have haad trouble filling space today. I mean, what's the deal with posting all the complaints about the magazine section arriving in shreds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 And a lot of stuff that wasn't actually about the Guide. Mostly compliments, with a couple anti-Guide rants, and the obligatory "what's with the new half-star thing" so he could explain that a half a star means somewhere between one star and another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr food Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 My recent meals at Black Salt were outstanding. I don't think anyone else in the area does seafood better.. I found the dining guide less than thrilling. He's done it better in the past, IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmwine Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Re dissing Bethesda: Nobody does it better than Eve Zibart in her review of Le Vieux Logis from August: You don't go to Bethesda to dine at Le Vieux Logis: You go to Le Vieux Logis to escape Bethesda. The post-Metro Bethesda, that is, that gold-rush restaurant town with its colored drinks, its BlackBerry dinks and its X-treme garage sports. 'Nuff said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted December 13, 2005 Share Posted December 13, 2005 Lots of stars to lots of members of this website. Congratulations to all! And after an initial skimming, I've found one big mistake: the entry on the very, very last page of the book should have four stars instead of one. Cheers, Rocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwertyy Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 What's the listing on the last page??? [And just in case any Washingtonpost.com administrators are reading, I'll whisper this question... Does the book offer anything different than what's already archived on the Post's Web site?? Should I bother to buy it?] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Landrum Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 In the bold-face highlight that accompanies the Ray's The Steaks review, Tom offers the highly unusual insight that "you and your sewer can wear jeans." One can only guess as to the depths of his Delphic wisdom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelGold Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 (edited) In the bold-face highlight that accompanies the Ray's The Steaks review, Tom offers the highly unusual insight that "you and your sewer can wear jeans." One can only guess as to the depths of his Delphic wisdom. The font is most definitely curvy...sure it isn't a "rv"????? It's a fun read and definitely worth the $12 (perfect stocking stuffer for foodie friends & family). He's updated a lot of his reviews & thrown in some new ones for good measure. The multiple listings by category in the back are helpful - now I know where to go at 1:45 AM if I have a hankering for some Ethiopian food! Edited December 14, 2005 by MelGold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiral Stairs Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 Lots of stars to lots of members of this website. Congratulations to all! And after an initial skimming, I've found one big mistake: the entry on the very, very last page of the book should have four stars instead of one. Cheers, Rocks Just picked it up. At first, I looked up the last restaurant listed and though, "Hmm. Zola gets 2.5 stars. What was Rocks talking about?" Then, I thought harder and figured it out. Clever, clever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Johnston Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 When is the interactive version that poses our collective views against Tom's going up on the website? Now i would pay for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 The font is most definitely curvy...sure it isn't a "rv"????? Looked at it over lunch. It definitely says "server". However, Michael's interpretation is much more amusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilrus Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Tom Sietsema: Ken, I owe you dinner at Washington's next four-star restaurant! LOL in my fall dining guide this Sunday! Does this mean we can expect a newly anointed four-star this Weekend? Any guesses? Does Restaurant Eve pick up an extra half star? Does Citizen leapfrog Eve by picking up its fourth? Any other possibilities? Or am I just bored this afternoon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 All of the above? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I was wondering the same when I saw that post...my guess is CityZen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSE Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Does this mean we can expect a newly anointed four-star this Weekend? Any guesses? Does Restaurant Eve pick up an extra half star? Does Citizen leapfrog Eve by picking up its fourth? Any other possibilities?Or am I just bored this afternoon? Wow- consider Tom's comments parsed, suckas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe H Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Really interesting discussion since the Lab is no more there may be "space" for another four star. I would suggest CityZen for several reasons: "pedigree," fair amount of national publicity and particular location. There is also the very real expectation that with its "seasoning" under its belt it would realize what I believe to be one of the goals when it started: among America's very best. Not just D. C.'s very best. If CityZen has a weakness, for me, it is the "polish" of its service (particularly, it's wine service) that is a strength at Eve. Regardless we are fortunate to have both restaurants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Ox Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 And here we go! First thing that jumps out to me is *** to Jaleo.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 *sigh* Johnny Monis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 *sigh* Johnny MonisAdorable. Tweaked was right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Fun format. Surprised by a lot of the three stars. I just don't think Zatinya is a three star place; I would have thought that 2 Amy's natural limitations would have kept it to two. Haven't been to Jaleo lately, interesting that it outscored Atlantico and almost equalled Minibar. I guess Oblisks' rehabilitation (on the sense of apreviously exiled politburo member) is complete, which I am pleased to see. And Rasika lays down it's marker as best Indian in the city. Hmmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 First thing that jumps out to me is *** to Jaleo....Downtown has been fairly consistent over the last few years, but our meals at the Bethesda location have been no more than average. Interesting.Was Buck's three stars at one point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Gastreaux Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 The thing that jumps out at me is the elevation of CityZen to 4 stars. And I don 't see 2941 mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 The thing that jumps out to me is the use of a three dollar system that puts the likes of Agraria, Black's and Corduroy in the same price class as Citronelle, Maestro, CityZen, and the Inn at Little Washington. $$$ = Average entree > $21 as a top range? You gotta be kidding me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Hitchin' Post!!! Upon closer reading, I am seriously pleased to see that my favorite (formerly) secret soul food place made the guide as a neighborhood treaure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackers Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 The thing that jumps out to me is the use of a three dollar system that puts the likes of Agraria, Black's and Corduroy in the same price class as Citronelle, Maestro, CityZen, and the Inn at Little Washington. $$$ = Average entree > $21 as a top range? You gotta be kidding me! I agree: putting Ray's the Steaks in the same $$$ price category as the Inn at Little Washington is absurd. And Ray's the Classics is listed as $$ - huh? And unless I missed it, not a single Ethiopian place rated a mention in "Ethnic Standard Bearers"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLB Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I like the format this year. I am glad to see that Cityzen made it to four stars, I made a reservation a couple of weeks ago for my wife's 30th birthday. I am excited to see what has changed since our last visit in July 2005. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 The 2006 Dining Guide Breakdown: Upgraded: CityZen: 4 stars from 3 stars Palena: 3.5 stars from 3 stars minibar: 3.5 stars from 3 stars Jackie's: 2.5 stars from 2 stars Montmartre: 2.5 stars from 2 stars Huong Que/Four Sisters Restaurant: 2.5 stars from 2 stars Breadline: 2.5 stars from 2 stars Unchanged: Maestro: 4 stars Michel Richard Citronelle: 4 stars Inn at Little Washington: 4 stars Restaurant Eve's Tasting Room: 3.5 stars Inn at Easton: 3 stars 1789: 3 stars 2 Amys: 3 stars Komi: 3 stars Zaytinya: 3 stars Jaleo: 3 stars Cashion’s Eat Place: 3 stars Bangkok 54: 3 stars Sushi-Ko: 3 stars Rays the Steaks: 2.5 stars Oval Room: 2.5 stars Tabard Inn: 2.5 stars Colorado Kitchen: 2 stars A&J: 2 stars Layalina: 2 stars Downgraded: Buck’s Fishing and Camping: 2.5 stars from 3 stars Kotobuki: 2 stars from 2.5 stars Corduroy: 2.5 stars from 3 stars Le Mannequin Pis: 2.5 stars from 3 stars New additions (not appearing in 2004 or 2005 guides): Rasika: 3 stars Obelisk: 3 stars Vidalia: 3 stars Black's Bar & Kitchen: 2.5 stars Blue Duck Tavern: 2.5 stars Ray's the Classics: 2.5 stars Cafe Atlantico: 2.5 stars Bamian: 2.5 stars Kinkead's: 2.5 stars Artie's: 2.5 stars David Craig: 2.5 stars Del Merei Grille: 2 stars Hank's Oyster Bar: 2 stars Hitching Post: 2 stars Cuba de Ayer: 2 stars El Chalan: 2 stars Yechon: 2 stars Back on the list (included in 2006 and 2004 guides but not 2005): Komi Zaytinya Corduroy minibar Mannequin Pis Jaleo Cashion’s Eat Place Huong Que/Four Sisters Restaurant Breadline A&J Montmartre Perennials (included in 2004, 2005 and 2006 guides): Ray's the Steaks Restaurant Eve Maestro Michel Richard Citronelle Inn at Little Washington Buck’s Fishing and Camping 2 Amy’s Sushi-Ko Palena Inn at Easton Colorado Kitchen Not included (there in 2005, gone in 2006): Johnny’s Half Shell Samantha's Charlie Palmer Steak Thai Square Urban Bar-B-Que Company Bob Kinkead’s Colvin Run Tavern 2941 Circle Bistro Capital Grille Lewnes’ Steakhouse Al Tiramisu Amici Miei Osteria del Galileo Poste Occidental Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant Ceiba Delhi Club Aster Oyamel Cocina Mexicana Black Market Bistro Cafe Saint-Ex Gom Ba Woo Mandalay Etete Jerry's Seafood Taberna Del Alabardero Mitsitam Café Nirvana Vegetable Garden I may have miscounted or mistyped some things, if so let me know and I'll be happy to correct them. Note that upgrades/downgrades are based on previous dining guide ratings only, not regular reviews (for example, I've listed Rasika under new additions even though they were upgraded from 2 1/2 to 3 stars). Many of this year's changed ratings are to restaurants last reviewed in the 2004 dining guide, so some may be more a reflection of the 1/2 star update than of a change in quality. Jose is back in a big way. Though Oyamel drops off the list (expect to see it back next year, post-relocation), Jaleo, Zaytinya, and minibar are back on and Cafe Atlantico is a new addition. Apparently all three branches of Jaleo qualify as 3 star restaurants, giving Andres a total of 18 stars. Michael Landrum is the only other owner with multiple establishments in the guide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrescentFresh Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Corduroy: 2.5 stars from 3 stars As if we believe it..... As if we care..... Rock on, Tom and the gang.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 The only quibble that I have with Maestro's review is the last sentence: Andrea Bocelli and opera are two different things! Maestro is a great restaurant. Bocelli is not a great opera singer. Silly quibble. Carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilrus Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 As if we believe it..... As if we care..... Rock on, Tom and the gang.... Tom's treatment of Corduroy is one of my quibbles and it has been since the first review. OK, so it's on the second floor of a midrange hotel, and it doesn't look like the typical Adamstein & Demetriou design, but it isn't exactly Oooh's and Aaah's either. Why does he need to bring it up EVERY TIME he mentions the place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 it doesn't look like the typical Adamstein & Demetriou design This is one area where I find myself increasingly in disagreement with Sietsema. OK the spaces might look great, but on the whole I don't find them to be people friendly. Compared with their work I have no idea how, for example, he found the back room of RTC to be "impersonal". Take a good look around Zaytinya if you want to talk impersonal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jparrott Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Tom's treatment of Corduroy is one of my quibbles and it has been since the first review.OK, so it's on the second floor of a midrange hotel, and it doesn't look like the typical Adamstein & Demetriou design, but it isn't exactly Oooh's and Aaah's either. Why does he need to bring it up EVERY TIME he mentions the place? Well, maybe every time he's there, Monique, lackadaisi, and Jlock are replaced in the bar by loud conventioneers drinking Miller Lite. That would make it seem very much like an airport lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Tom's treatment of Corduroy is one of my quibbles and it has been since the first review. Seriously, I like the dining room at Corduroy, and they have made some modest changes over the years that have improved it. It's one of the few places where I dine where you don't feel like you are piled on top of your neighbor. I find it to be serene, you can concentrate on your tablemates and of course the food. Not bad when you consider the restaurant is next door to the hotel gym Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Not bad when you consider the restaurant is next door to the hotel gym Best change they made was to frost over that window so you can no longer see people sweating it out as you waddle towards the restrooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Countdown to a Supernova 3... I do not need the Hubble I do not need a score for me to tell Vidalia from Bangkok 54. 2... A Martian went to Artie's he heard that it was swell he thought he'd find a Corduroy but found pig slop from Hell. 1... The Pleiades, M45, are seven sisters bitchin because they dined at Huong Que and not Colorado Kitchen. Ka-boom And Jackie's is as good as Ray's? Jaleo equals Komi? The critic's great, his writing too; the stars themselves can blow me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica Bhide Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Don - I want what you are drinking. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deangold Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Countdown to a Supernova the stars themselves can blow me. Talk like a pirate day was last month... and its "blow me down matey!" I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsadler Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 That 360 degree panorama of the CityZen kitchen is pretty wild. Click and drag the photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadya Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Amazingly, review of Bistro Bis still sports the picture of Cathal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 It's nice that Cashion's got a mention as a "neighborhood" place, but it seems silly to call that neighborhood "Dupont Circle." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camille-Beau Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 Seems that a restaurant needs to be in a hotel in order to earn 4 stars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilrus Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 Seems that a restaurant needs to be in a hotel in order to earn 4 stars. It doesn't hurt. Hotels have the ability to sudsidize that extra "something" required to make the jump into the 4 star level. Sort of like a loss leader, as it has the ability to draw people who will also spend moeny on rooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deangold Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 It doesn't hurt. Hotels have the ability to sudsidize that extra "something" required to make the jump into the 4 star level. Sort of like a loss leader, as it has the ability to draw people who will also spend moeny on rooms. It all depends on the structure of the hotel and the restaurant. A Kimpton property gets all sorts of tax breaks and incentives to build out the hotel and restaurant. But then Kimpton is the management company and the restaurant must make money on its own. If a restaurant underperforms, it is changed out pronto. This has happened at numberous of their properties over the years. No loss leader there. Other hotels are just looking to cover the variable costs and consider the value of the investment in decor and space to be the same kind of expense as investment in lobby, amenities or bathrooms. Other restaurants in hotels make their money on catering. There is no one answer and each financial arrangement is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Ox Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 Seems that a restaurant needs to be in a hotel in order to earn 4 stars. Not always though, in '04 the Lab was a 4* joint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 My complaints: The categories are silly. Why is Palena in "Washington Originals" and not in "Neighborhood Treasures" or "Hot Spots" or "Delicious Deals"? Why is Komi under "Chefs to Watch" and not "Hot Spots"? What does "Hot Spots" even mean? And an "Ethnic" category with not one Ethiopian place, in Washington, is preposterous. The separate categorization under "Restaurants by Cuisine" on p. 33 lists Palena under Italian, which is stupid. The glaring omissions. I think 2941 and Marcel's are without question among the best restaurants in the area. I really like, for example, El Chalan, but not at the expense of Marcel's. I feel better now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 My complaints:The categories are silly. Why is Palena in "Washington Originals" and not in "Neighborhood Treasures" or "Hot Spots" or "Delicious Deals"? Why is Komi under "Chefs to Watch" and not "Hot Spots"? What does "Hot Spots" even mean? And an "Ethnic" category with not one Ethiopian place, in Washington, is preposterous. The separate categorization under "Restaurants by Cuisine" on p. 33 lists Palena under Italian, which is stupid. The glaring omissions. I think 2941 and Marcel's are without question among the best restaurants in the area. I really like, for example, El Chalan, but not at the expense of Marcel's. I feel better now. Don't think too hard. Tom could just rank the restaurants and put out the guide, but he spends a little quality time highlighting restaurants by intriguing categories in order to turn the spotlight on what he considers worthy spots. It's easy to assign a rating and have everyone in Washington look down the rankings, from four star to none. It's more interesting, though, (for example) to take El Chalan and Hitching Post and say "among the thicket of two-star joints, these deserve a little extra interest." It's a device, but in a world of "objective" quantification, and interesting, amusing an worthy one. Agree with you, btw, on the Ethiopian and Marcel's points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 The separate categorization under "Restaurants by Cuisine" on p. 33 lists Palena under Italian, which is stupid. Really? Define Italian cuisine for us. Isn't the dining guide a representative sample of restaurants in the area and not meant to be all encompasing? There are always restaurants that are left out of this list. Sure some Ethiopian should have been in the Ethnic section, but it is not like he doesn't talk about them regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 Isn't the dining guide a representative sample of restaurants in the area and not meant to be all encompasing?It's what he wishes to highlight this fall, but not the only recommendations.Listing Komi under "chefs to watch" made sense to me in light of Johnny's "Rising Star" RAMMY. And "Hot Spot" = buzz, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giant shrimp Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 And unless I missed it, not a single Ethiopian place rated a mention in "Ethnic Standard Bearers"? maybe tom ran into some bad injera heading into this publication. i can't imagine anything worse. actually, he wasn't able to recommend a single ethiopian restaurant on one of his recent chats. etete still seems solid to me, although there was one occasion in the summer when their electrical wiring was burning, not a good smell, and power going on and off. so who knows what he might have run into that turned him off. not too much behind-the-scenes information is conveyed from this source, although the chat is the best place for the cues. It doesn't hurt. Hotels have the ability to sudsidize that extra "something" required to make the jump into the 4 star level. Sort of like a loss leader, as it has the ability to draw people who will also spend moeny on rooms. i am not so sure that being in a hotel is a good thing for notti bianche, circle bistro or dish, although judging from what has happened to majestic cafe i guess investors breathing down your neck can be a common irritant. a hotel wasn't much help to poste either, as far as making tom's list. but the decor in the hotel is wild, and it makes a positive contribution. and then there's firefly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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