94 replies to this topic

[liamdc]

Has anyone else been to Bistro Bis since Rocks' post in early November?

Don Rocks' post

[smayman]

Banducci's which is only open Monday through Friday.  I like their thin crust pizza.  Don't expect fabulous service, but the place isn't usually packed anyway.  It's located at 601 2nd Street NE (2nd and F).  Upstairs they have seating - it feels like you're eating in someone's house.

I've been curious about this place. Do they do carry-out? How's the pasta?

They do a lot of carryout. The pasta is okay. For some reason I find it hard to get really excited about pasta, but what I've had there I've liked. I've has penne with asparagus, pasta with grilled eggplant. It's a good place to go for a mellow, inexpensive evening.

[iamthestretch]

Has anyone else been to Bistro Bis since Rocks' post in early November?

Don Rocks' post

I've been a couple of times, but only to sit at the bar for a glass of wine and a snack. I do like the tartare there and can also certainly recommend the cheese plate, which is both well-chosen and substantial.

[iamthestretch]

Moving along, does anyone else (Vandyhoo?) have any more info about the Ugly Mug place mentioned on the miniburger thread as opening mid-December in the 8th St. area of the Hill with Graig Gluflin's input? Mentioned it to a friend who lives around there yesterday and he immediately started shaking me violently and shouting questions like: "What? When? Where? Will it be any good?" Talk about pent-up demand in that neighborhood...

[Tweaked]

The only other Hill restaurant news I have is the bar Mickey's on 8th Street (by the Blockbuster) is closing and they are promising a Thai restaurant.

[oliveDC]

Looks like the Ugly Mug is opening Dec. 17 down by Finn Mac cool's on 8th St. 24 beers on tap with the infamous miniburgers as well as comfort food (meatloaf, country fried steak) and pizza on the menu.
Their Web site...

[Vandyhoo]

Looks like the Ugly Mug is opening Dec. 17 down by Finn Mac cool's on 8th St. 24 beers on tap with the infamous miniburgers as well as comfort food (meatloaf, country fried steak) and pizza on the menu.
Their Web site...

The opening has been pushed back due to construction delays.
The chef is Graig Glufling (Double G), formerly of Matchbox (and for full disclosure, also my little brother). He created the Matchbox menu and is bringing some of it over to the new Mug. The owners even put in a pizza oven for him!
When I know more about the opening, I’ll post it.

[bookluvingbabe]

Anyone been to Starfish Cafe lately???

I have a lunch meeting there this week--trying to figure out what to eat.

Thanks!

[Al_Dente]

Anyone been to Starfish Cafe lately???

I have a lunch meeting there this week--trying to figure out what to eat.

Thanks!

I can't imagine it's any different than what it was back at the top of this thread.

[bookluvingbabe]

Anyone been to Starfish Cafe lately???

I have a lunch meeting there this week--trying to figure out what to eat.

Thanks!

I can't imagine it's any different than what it was back at the top of this thread.

I was afraid that was the answer...

Sigh...

Jennifer

[banco]

Looks like the Ugly Mug is opening Dec. 17 down by Finn Mac cool's on 8th St. 24 beers on tap with the infamous miniburgers as well as comfort food (meatloaf, country fried steak) and pizza on the menu.
Their Web site...

The opening has been pushed back due to construction delays.
The chef is Graig Glufling (Double G), formerly of Matchbox (and for full disclosure, also my little brother). He created the Matchbox menu and is bringing some of it over to the new Mug. The owners even put in a pizza oven for him!
When I know more about the opening, I’ll post it.

We were at the Ugly Mug tonight. We live on the Hill and would love places like Ugly Mug to succeed because we are acutely aware of how bad the dining scene is here generally. And who wants to brave cross-town traffic to have decent food in a nice pub?

But, by the same token, who wants to return to a place that serves wet and sloppy martinis, bland chicken wings, and where the hostess-cum-server doesn't refresh your drinks or take your food order until you ask her to, and then does not return until you summon her again? (and then says, "Wasn't your server here?). The place was fairly full (good short term sign) but they had only one server for the whole floor (bad long term sign). The tables next to us as well, also Hill residents, shook their heads in that mixture of disappointment and frustration characteristic of the Hill restaurant patron. People do not return to places with flaws like this, at least not a third time, and we let people on hand know what was wrong (we were told the manager was not there). They were apologetic, said the place had opened way too early, etc. But in the end it boils down to one fact: people who have a bad first experience at a new establishment will return to it only out of generosity or neighborhood esprit de corps, if at all. That's a thin thread from which to hang the fate of a new restaurant--even on the Hill.

[bookluvingbabe]

We had a decent lunch at Starfish Cafe today. I wasn't wowed although my boss was.

The spicy hush puppies were a nice touch to start with.

I had the crab cake sandwich. More than a few bites of shell in there. A very nice saffron-lime tartar sauce that was sort of smeared on the roll--I would have asked for it on the side if I had thought of it-- was lost in the bread. The fries and cole slaw were just average.

My boss had the ceviche and was in heaven.

No dessers for us and now I'm left reading about the calzone special at 2 Amy's and wondering how much of a workout I would need to do at the gym to justify a second lunch!

Jennifer

[squids]

I will be either taking the Metro or cabbing from Farragut North area to the Folger theatre on Thursday--while there's lots of places to eat around my work, I'd rather eat in the neighborhood of the Folger, as I'll be meeting some folks around 6:45 or 7 to pick up our tix. Is there anything close by where I can get a quick bite before the show?

[bookluvingbabe]

I will be either taking the Metro or cabbing from Farragut North area to the Folger theatre on Thursday--while there's lots of places to eat around my work, I'd rather eat in the neighborhood of the Folger, as I'll be meeting some folks around 6:45 or 7 to pick up our tix. Is there anything close by where I can get a quick bite before the show?

I really like Tortilla Coast, across from Capitol South.

Beyond that much of the area around the Folger is a black hole...

Jennifer, in year 14 of working in the area....

[Tweaked]

what about Pete's Diner and the place next door Le Bon (or something like that?)

[bookluvingbabe]

what about Pete's Diner and the place next door Le Bon (or something like that?)

Le Bon usually closes at 5 or 5:30 and I think Pete's closes at 3.

Jennifer

[laniloa]

Its not that far a walk from the Senate side and Bistro Bis and Charlie Palmer's.

[Al_Dente]

Montmartre!!! Only about 5 or 6 blocks away.

Edited to cover up my poor French skills.

Edited by Al_Dente, 11 February 2005 - 01:42 PM.

[mnebergall]

Its not that far a walk from the Senate side and Bistro Bis and Charlie Palmer's.

I had lunch at Charlie Palmers a week or so ago and they still had the $20.05 three course lunch special on the menu.

[squids]

Its not that far a walk from the Senate side and Bistro Bis and Charlie Palmer's.

Thanks for all the suggestions...How far is "not that far?" 5 or 6 blocks will be too far, I'm afraid, due to the time constraints.

[garnish]

Capitol Hill is having its own Restaurant Week: Capitol Hill Restaurant Week Feb 21-Feb 27

According to a flier that I picked up (at the Ugly Mug), the deal is "buy 2 entrees and get the less priced entree free!"

Just thought I'd share.

Some of the restaurants participating:
TRATTORIA ALBERTO
Lunch Only
506 8th Street, SE
202-544-2007

CAPITOL HILL TANDOOR & GRILL
Lunch (not buffet) and dinner
419 8th Street, SE
202-547-3233

CAFÉ BERLIN
Dinner (up to $15)
320 Mass Ave., NE
202-543-7656

TUNNICLIFF’S TAVERN
LUNCH & DINNER
(up to $19)
222 7th Street, SE
202-544-5680

THE UGLY MUG
LUNCH & DINNER
723 8th Street, SE
202-547-UGLY

SZECHUAN HOUSE
Dinner Only
515 8th Street, SE
202-546-5303

LA PLAZA
Lunch and dinner
629 Penn. Ave., SE
202-546-5489

MEYHANE
Dinner Only
Turkish Cuisine/Tapas
633 Penn. Ave., SE
202-544-4753

WHITE TIGER
Lunch only (incl. buffet)
301 Mass. Ave., NE
202-546-5900

TAVERNA – THE GREEK
ISLANDS
Lunch and dinner (Sandwiches only)
305 Penn. Ave., SE
202-547-8360

[Al_Dente]

CAPITOL HILL TANDOOR & GRILL
Lunch (not buffet) and dinner
419 8th Street, SE
202-547-3233

Has anyone ever been here? If it has at least average Indian fare, I'll go. But, given that it's on the Hill, I'm skeptical.

[Tweaked]

I did take out from Cap Hill Tandoori and Grill shortly after it was open and thought it was the worst indian restaurant food I've had...seriously...I've had better canned Indian food...stick to the overpriced Aatish

your best bet on that list is La Plaza.

[banco]

CAPITOL HILL TANDOOR & GRILL
Lunch (not buffet) and dinner
419 8th Street, SE
202-547-3233

Has anyone ever been here? If it has at least average Indian fare, I'll go. But, given that it's on the Hill, I'm skeptical.

I've been there a few times recently and liked it, though I am not a connoisseur of Indian food. It's nothing special, but I would say it merits at least "average". The service is friendly and welcoming. White Tiger is better.

[smayman]

We were at the Ugly Mug tonight. We live on the Hill and would love places like Ugly Mug to succeed because we are acutely aware of how bad the dining scene is here generally. And who wants to brave cross-town traffic to have decent food in a nice pub?

But, by the same token, who wants to return to a place that serves wet and sloppy martinis, bland chicken wings, and where the hostess-cum-server doesn't refresh your drinks or take your food order until you ask her to, and then does not return until you summon her again? (and then says, "Wasn't your server here?). The place was fairly full (good short term sign) but they had only one server for the whole floor (bad long term sign). The tables next to us as well, also Hill residents, shook their heads in that mixture of disappointment and frustration characteristic of the Hill restaurant patron. People do not return to places with flaws like this, at least not a third time, and we let people on hand know what was wrong (we were told the manager was not there). They were apologetic, said the place had opened way too early, etc. But in the end it boils down to one fact: people who have a bad first experience at a new establishment will return to it only out of generosity or neighborhood esprit de corps, if at all. That's a thin thread from which to hang the fate of a new restaurant--even on the Hill.

We went to The Ugly Mug on Monday night. The decor is odd - typical Capitol Hill wierd bar. However, the booths are comfortable and the food was really good, so I'll be back. The beer mugs did smell a little of detergent - that should be fixed - but other than that the meal was good.

It is obvious that the restaurant is still very new. When my pizza came without one of the toppings I ordered, the waitress took it back to the kitchen, then came back to tell me they could remake it (like my dining companion was going to wait another half hour to eat his pizza which was already on the table) or they could just plop the topping on top of the existing pizza. I told her just to bring the pizza back and take the one topping off the bill. My pizza came back with the topping added, and the waitress said she removed the whole pizza from the bill. I thought I had totally scored until I just read the post above about Capitol Hill Restaurant Week.

I will go back to try their mini-burgers soon. I'm excited to have Matchbox-esque pizza in our neighborhood.

[bookluvingbabe]

Okay kids...It's RAINING IN my office right now. (Don't ask...)

I need a decent lunch. I have my car so I can drive somewhere nearby but I can't go far because the office is short-staffed today. I don't want to walk and get soaked....

Anyone been to Levi's on 8th Street SE on the other side of the freeway?

This is the kind of day where I need Sonoma to be open already.

Sigh...

Jennifer

[Tweaked]

never been to levi's...go to Montmartre, have some chestnut soup and the chicory salad with goat cheese...and if you still have room the pate.

[oliveDC]

I've been meaning to check out Levi's (as a former North Carolinian missing NC bbq) but haven't made it down there. Anyone know anything about their Oxon Hill operation?

Their Web site.

[rbh]

Went to Tapatinis on Thursday for drinks. Thursday happy hour specials were free wine for women, and all martinis for $5. I was wondering when we walked in why there were so many people drinking wine at a martini bar (and so many women, not that I was complaining) My friend did not avail herself of the free wine though, and we each had a couple martinis, which were pretty damn tasty, especially for $5. Service was atrocious - I couldn't tell if the holdup was the bartender or the wait staff, but I would see the wait staff just waiting around instead of going around and checking on us (i.e. we had empty glasses and wanted to drink more!). The only food we had were stuffed potato skins with zucchini, peppers, onions, and cheese, which was surprsingly quite good. The calamari that was going by also looked good, but my vegetarian-friend would have none of that - and we were also getting tired of the bad service. Overall, nice addition to the neighborhood, would go back if out that way - but not sure if I would make a special trip for it.

[mfkWisher]

Hello everyone,

I have a group I am bringing to DC for a meeting in the Fall. The first evening they will dine at the Inn at Little Washington.

The second evening they will be dining in/around the Capital Hill area as they will be staying at the the Phoenix Park Hotel. We will be around 25 people and have had a long day. I think they would like something/place casual, relaxing and of course exceptional food.

Oh and the rub is this is on a Monday. But I might be able to book it for a group...

Thanks savvy ones!!

Kata