doctoro

I went to Martini Beach and really enjoyed the atmosphere with the singer, and the delicious martinis. I will say that the porterhouse special I ordered was a little pricey for the size. And I ordered it Med rare and it came Med well on the other hand our appetizers were excellent and the salad was nice. I didn't complain about the steak because I was hoping it would be more tender towards the middle but it was not to be. My guess is the waiter probably brought out someone else's steak. Because I did see a customer return their steak to the kitchen to be cooked more. Oh well I should have said something but I was in to good of a mood to deal with adversity. The Lobster House was nice to, fresh seafood how can you go wrong. The oysters were the star of this show. Fresh as rain water and had a nice salty taste. We also ate at Oyster Bay, was quite good but not spectacular. All in all we loved the food in Cape May even the fudge was great! And my reuban at some bar in the Mall was quite fresh. I will dine in Cape May again and thanks for the suggestions.

Hi I am traveling to Cape May on Sunday and staying until Wed June 2 Where are some memorable seafood or just plain good restaurants I can try. I know some of the Victorian b&b's must have nice places, but are there any other things that might not be to expensive but have a fairly dedicated staff? Best Pizza In Southern Jersey? Best Breakfast in Cape May? Best Italian In Southern Jersey? Best restaurant near the ocean? You get the picture, any experiences will be appreciated. Thanks a bunch and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Old ebbitt is where I always go for the great selection of oysters at the peak of freshness. Plus the atmosphere is the best. All of the newer places just haven't seen the things that the Ebbitt has seen. I love the old bar and Teddy Roosevelt's moose head. Anyway, if you're having a craving in the burbs, I'd stick to McCormick and Schmicks they have a good selection and also have a happy hour in the bar area. Legal Seafood has an oyster festival in June but I can't imagine why in June? There is also an oyster festival on the Eastern shore in Md. can't quite remember where and when...a trip to google might jog my memory. I think it is in Chestertown. But not sure. Gotta run.

Oh Geez! In no way was I comparing Wegman's to Wal Mart. There is no comparison, for one thing Wegman's offers things that not only any average Joe can buy, but they also cater to the experienced foodie or culinaire, with a staff that has been trained and is knowledgeable about what they are selling. In Wal Mart you're lucky the employees can even speak English. All I was trying to say is that Loudoun County has gone from being the Boonies... to a very affluent and populated area, with alot of people who are willing to support a store as unique as Wegman's. And yes, I realize that the structure Wegman's is was not the old Walmart, it was gutted. Same location and much different store. Good Day!

I have been fortunate enough to be at Wegman's on numerous occasions. I have eaten many different things in the cafe, and have been impressed. It is kind of like being in Las Vegas at one of those buffets that are new and improved. That said they go the extra mile that other supermarkets fail to achieve by offering quality at reasonable prices. Some things are a bit pricey but other things like their generic brands are very reasonable, also much better than the generic brands of other stores. I like the fact that the store remains well stocked and organized even after a month of frantic hordes of anxious shoppers and one major holiday. I shop there once a week and have eaten there many times. My favorites, 1 Sushi and fresh fruit bar. 2. Fresh prepared Salmon Club 3. Wokery buffet 4. The prepared foods you can heat up on your own " sensory overload" 5 Desserts Desserts Desserts! Yum! Chocalate Dome is awesome. I will now give all the new Loudounites a little history lesson on Loudoun County. First and foremost. Wegman's used to be a Wal Mart. When that store opened in the early 90's it was considered a big deal, when Giant opened up in Purcellville this year it was like the invention of electricity, if one considers IGA and Food Lion a place to buy healthy food for you family, well I guess you wouldn't feel good about Wegman's. Loudoun County until the early 90's and even as late as 95-96 was mostly farmland west of rt. 28 But that has changed with the Dulles Greenway opening up and people selling off their farmland to developers. When the Leesburg Outlets opened about 5 years ago the writing was on the wall. Private Golf Communities and upscale public golf courses helped legitimize the bloated real estate market...but I think the fact that Loudoun is now the fastest growing county in the country, and Ashburn and vicinity have alot to do with that, What better place to open a store that caters to a middle to upper income bracket with families on the run and Mom's with lots of mouths to feed. MCI and Aol is a huge factor to. Kudos to the Wegman's planners they hit a homerun with that location, call it boonies or whatever, but Loudoun property tax is now higher than Fairfax County. Average home costs over 550,000 dollars, that is some expensive boonies!

It seems to me that this restaurant is getting alot of feedback, so I must assume that they are doing quite well in their prime location. I know alot of foodies on this board don''t have many nice things to say about poor Rosa....but they must be making mucho dinero. I ate there and I don't think that they are up to some of the nicer Mexican or Latin restaurants in that area but they aren't terrible either. They just need to hire less servers with no experience and more people in the kitchen with experience. But that is usually the case in any big place in a high visibility area like the MCI Center. My short ribs were pretty good and the Guac Rocks! But after awhile the entree started to taste a little generic. Thats about all I can say about Rosa's place, except like I stated before in a previous post, the sinks in the bathroom are crap!

I think Tom had a right to rage on anyone who calls him dog, if you want my opinion, Lauriol Plaza is a place to be seen, but not to enjoy good food. Maybe the dog who posted his opinion works there or has never eaten in good Latin places. There are alot in the area.

I remember when Clinton was first elected he would go jogging and stop at McDonalds, then when Bush was first elected he sparked an onslaught od BBQ openings. I doubt if Either offer much in culinary expertise but Clinton must have opted to go kosher, while Bush is eating alot of crow! The Doctor Is Out! Clinton did dine out often sometimes at Filemenas in Georgetown. Also went to Chinatown.

I am starting to think that the only people that read the food section are 5 star chefs??? Or at least think of themselves in that light. I think Tom does a great job of serving up a mixed bag of responses to his chats. This from someone who has not had the majority of his questions addressed on the board. But I am at least in the realization that there are a million or so people that eat out everyday in this area, and read the paper. So I don't think Tom should only limit himself to the kinds of questions that only chefs and foodies on this forum want to have answered just for the sake of taking an opposing view or looking for a confirmation of their view. Alot of people are looking for a good place to dine, and aren't very knowledgeable about food. Maestro and Citronelle aren't the only two places to eat in this town. So even though I like to hear what experts in the foodservice industry are saying, I think in a public forum you have to address the masses in a less specialized way, hoping to cover all food and dining issues. Besides I get more of a kick out of hearing about the hidden gem up on U street or out in the Burbs, than I do about hearing whether or not the risotto at Maestro's is on par with what Roberto Donna is doing in one of his Laborotorio's! Please! The experts who eat there shouldn't have to hear it from Tom! They should already know! The Doctor Is Out!

I will definately check that place out, I just like the name of it. No need for the fancy stuff as long as the meat is cooked right. Pulled is the way I like it... Goin' to have to pig out at the Pig! The Doctor is Out!

It seems to me because we are in such a transient area, that the opinions on good bbq are varied, from the casual diner who seems to enjoy mediocre food as long as it resembles bbq, to the bbq afficionados who don't think there is really anything as good as what you find in the Carolinas or Tennessee,etc. I am sure that most of the privately owned places in the area have some of the best bbq, but can also be the most inconsistant because they're probably not staffed to handle extreme situations as say places like Red Hot and Blue or Rocklands, etc. But I myself prefer taking a risk and going to places that seem to take how they prepare BBq more seriously than the chain place. As far as chain eaterys are concerned, I tend to gravitate towards places that people have built up long before Washingtonian or the Washington Post does. One place comes to mind. Houston's in Rockville and Bethesda. Not the best ribs but very good ribs. I like their steaks and salads, a little pricey but always a good meal. And when you want something cooked rare they always seem to come through. This place is always crowded and is for a reason the Q and the food are consistantly good. I have heard of some places near Warrenton and the Richmond area with excellent BBQ, but I can't remember exactly what or where??? The Doctor Is Out!

Well on my way home from a nice brunch at Tuskies in Leesburg we ventured into Wegman's around 4:30pm, and the place was still very crowded, we didn't bother to grab a cart, since we live in Sterling and would come back at a more sane time. Just walking around was a chore, but I have to say that if all grocery stores paid this much attention to what the consumer likes and wants, everyone would be volunteering to do the grocery shopping, we still managed to spend 80.00 dollars on wines and cheeses for an evening get together with friends and family. I started to understand why this store has such a loyal following. Well we were in the store for at least two hours looking and listening to the people that worked in each station or section. Quite impressive. I can't wait to try some of their prepared items in the cafe. Go Wegman's!

This Wegman's thread is very informative and entertaining at the sametime. I can't believe it is not even noon and we have two posts already. Reviews of the store. I haven't seen this kind of following since Jerry Garcia died. BTW, do they have Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia? Do Wegman's groupies travel accross the country selling T Shirts and sampling black truffles at the sametime? I think the Black truffle afficionados will have to drive a ways to buy them here. Because as discussed in the Dulles Corridor thread, the epicurious culinaires are few far and between in this area. People pumping out babies and buying inflated priced homes, rarely have time to prepare anything with black truffles. Maybe I'll start my own Nanny business and require all nanny's to be graduates from the C I A, so they can prepare meals with all of the specialty gourmet items that Wegman's offers, like the missed irradiated ground beef, don't want the little ones to miss out. Well I don't have kids and I like to cook and look forward a nice cut of beef, and a decent beefsteak tomato this spring. I hope all goes well with this Wegman's, I'll be there when the crowds die down.

Oh my God, I don't know what is getting more hype Wegman's or the new Mel Gibson movie! I am curious, is Wegman's a publically traded company on the exchange? If so I can't believe they go for all of these extra touches. But I live in No.Va. and it will be interesting to see if they live up to the expectations of our loyal egulleteers. I think I'll have to drive over there and check this place out. I am salivating just thinking about what kind of blue cheese I am going to have with my pears! Cheers! The Doctor Is Out!

If you go to the Old Ebbitt after 3.00 on weekdays they have an awesome happy hour raw bar for half price. Mon thru thurs. excluding holidays. The food is average Clydes fare, but the place is fiiled with history and is one property that reeks I'm proud to be a Washingtonian! If that is to late the Express might do. Good on the run pasta dishes. For the nice lunch with more history, the Occidental next to the Willard is nice for special occasions. I guess I am a sucker for old buildings. the Doctor is out!

I think Steve brings up alot of good points, seeing that this website was designed with the foodlover in mind. But I think if you broaden your scope realizing that the perfect combination of artistic skills in the kitchen, ambiance, independent free standing, and creative thinking, run establishments are very hard to come by no matter where you reside, I lived with chefs who ate at McDonalds when they got off work because they were burned out creating over a 100 meals a shift. I also have worked in many types of restaurants. I have dealt with chefs who refused to alter their masterpieces for any request, and I have worked in a restaurant that caters to customers requests, now you tell me which place is going to make it and which is not! Yannick Cam went back to DC, because of these things, and now La Relais is being bought by the owners of Il Cigno, he hired a chef from Italy to oversee the menu. I think when you have so much expansion like you have seen in Western Fairfax and Loudoun County, the restaurant scene is a little slower to react. Alot of chefs also prefer to work in the secure confines of hotels where job security is higher. There are a few places dotted in and around this area with a nice menu, but alot of them don't last because business is so inconsistent. I think Steve hit the nail on the head when he said most diners go for power, conservative, family friendly restaurants. The steak house seems to do quite well here. I love to drive downtown for a culinary quest, but parking is a drag, and I hate fighting traffic. I have also eaten at places I don't consider any better than the average waiter owned French or italian restuarant in Vienna or Herndon. I hate Kinkeads, and I am tired of all the hype that Goldoni's and places like Cafe Milano receive. they create some very nice plates but tend to gouge you for a little artistry, I'll take my art hanging on the wall thank you, it's free for all to see.

Wow! I live in this area, and I can't believe all of the names of places I have never been to. I have been to Sylvanas, it is in old town Herndon, and I like their pizzas and Gyro platters, also a nice salad bar with a pizza is a good lunch or a quick dinner. In the Dulles area I like Pacific and Chengs over in Countryside. Sweetwater always does good by me. But I think Wegman's is opening up Feb. 29, and that actually might be your best dining experience if you happen to live in Ashburn. They have an upstairs dining area that looks promising. Emilios is my pizza stop For wings I think Clydes has the best, even better than the buffalo wing factory. Exactly where is SBC Cafe? I have heard good things about the place. What a name for the restaurant!? Hopefully some restaurants will open up in this area with the diner's needs and wants in mind, this is a rare trait in the suburban areas of Northern Va. in the Dulles corridor. The Doctor Is Out.

Thanks for some of the feedback, I agree that the Reston area is kind of void of any real standout restaurants, I wouldn't say they are all bad just nothing to go out of the way for. BTW, The veal chop mentioned earlier was a recipe the owner stole from Da Domenico's in Tyson's Corner, a family owned Italian restaurant with almost an identical menu to Zefferelis in Herndon. I think Euro Bistro is a nice little place in Herndon the chef is Austrian and prepares nice german and french fare for those who don't want to drive to the traffic laden beltway areas for good European fare. Once you get to Ashburn you should just cook at home! I have found a very good wood burning pizza place on rt.28 next to the Golds Gym and a rug and flooring store, called Emilios's they have been open for quite sometime and I love the way they prepare their wood burning pizzas. The owner is Iranian but lived in New York and has brought that knowledge to Virginia. Ironically they have been making wood burning pizzas long before Matchbox and some of the other trendy places in the Metro area opened. Believe it or not Jimmy's Tavern does a nice plate of buffalo wings and has decent stick to your ribs type of food. But I need something to jump out and say, Come Here Again!!! I haven't really found it. The Doctor Is Out.

Just a quick quip, I would like to know someones favorite places in Reston or surroundings for great dining experiences or not so great. Formal or informal Pizza or steak, Chinese or Sushi, Ethnic or American. Get the picture... Some of my picks are, Peppers BBq, Jasmine Cafe, El Cigno, El Mannetial* Metropolis ( not a big buffet fan but they do a nice one with the fresh sushi.) Primo Italiano for sandwiches,soup and Pizza Whole Foods for salads Fast bites...Chipolte* Town Center dining all around experience McCormick Schmicks,Clydes. Herndon offers, Euro Bistro Best Breakfast: Virginia Kitchen Pub Food: Jimmy's Tavern Ethnic, Russia House, Zefferellis Disappointments: Morton's, Paolo's, *Some spellings may be wrong.

If anyone ventures out to Chantilly Va. Right near the Dulles Expo Center, there is a place on Willard rd. Next to a Mini Mart. Called Willards BBq, we ate there and were expecting a suburban type of bbq, but they do a really nice job. Very good red beans and rice, Good homemade slaw and salads, nice smoked catfish burritos to. Give it a shot you won't be dissapointed. I'll go there again. The Doctor is Out!

I like the concept of this highly anticipated Wegman's. I have lived in Reston, and Oakton and now Sterling near the Fairfax parkway. I have seen the advent of the Fresh Fields in Reston, now W Foods. I have even seen the gourmet giant renovations in the early 90's. I have seen the beginning of Sutton Place Gourmet. I have now experienced the opening of Harris teeter in Reston. I even buy at Costco. Now here comes Wegmans. I can honestly say that there is advantages and disadvantages to shopping at all of these stores. I can not honestly say one is better than the other. I feel that a store is successful if it is managed well. I have been at average to bad Giants, I have been to good Giant stores. The same is true for Whole Foods, and Sutton Gourmet. I have bought lunch meats at Sutton I was not impressed with, I have bought desserts at Sutton that I was not impressed with. I have bought prepared foods at WF that I didn't like, but I have also raved about the place. I think choice is a freedom we take for granted. I bet you that the Russians are reading this right now and saying, "those lazy spoiled Americans, ehh." I can't wait to see the offerings of the new Wegman's. But I remember when I grew up I thought Giant was a gourmet store. Now we have all of these stinkin' choices. Well, don't sell the Saabs,or the BMW's folks, just give thanks that we live in a country where we can complain about a grocery store that doesn't bake bread as good as the "Breadline" or make prepared foods as good as "Sutton Place Gourmet." I appreciate good food and top of the line just as much as anyone else. But I don't think I'll bash a qaulity company just because they don't sell artisan breads. Trader Joes sells artisan breads, and they always seem to go stale the next day. I keep shopping at Whole Foods for that damn good tomato, and righteous salad bar. But I think I'll go crazy driving to 3 to 4 stores just to do my food shopping. Maybe I'll open up my own store and sell artisan waters,breads, and salamis, with a drive thru, so you can get to the next grocery store in less than 20 minutes...What do you think??? The Doctor Is Out!

Chengs is like a Suburban Chinese place with a little more things on the menu. It is not bad nor great, but the service is fast and professional most of the time, and is a nice quick stop before the Caps game. I like Chinese food and am not into the trendy Thai stuff as much as some people. I like to go to places that have a big selection. Chengs seems to accomadate on that aspect. It isn't my favorite, but overall, I have been satisfied after dining there. Go to Chengs and enjoy either room. The Doctor Is Out.

I ate there and was left feeling that we overpayed for what we got, but I will say that the food was not terrible, but way overpriced. They try to give you an authentic upscale Mexican experience, but seem to miss the mark on alot of things. Some tweeking needs to be done. First, the waiters need to be a little more synchronized with their service. 2nd. Spend some time hiring bartenders and training them on how to make drinks that are worth the money you're paying. 3rd. The 10.00 guacamole tableside is nice, but the chips are average. 4th. The menu is well thought out, but needs to be executed less like a chain restaurant and more like Rosa would. 5th. GET RID OF THE TRENDY BATHROOM ELECTRONIC SINKS WITH NO FAUCETS TO PUT YOUR HANDS UNDER WHAT THE HELL IS THAT. THE MIKE BRADY DESIGN FROM TRENDY HELL! Other than that I had a pretty good time, and would go back again, but be a little more selective, however, if Cafe Atlantico was closer to the MCI Center, I would much rather dine there, it's not Mexican but who cares. The Doctor is Out!