The Doctor

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. After 5 years in DC, finally made my first excursion to Annapolis Friday afternoon. I decided to lose my crab innocence at Cantler's. I was not disappointed. It's as much entertainment as it is eating. I went with two out of town guests. We started off with some soup and crab dip. Their soups rock. I personally went with the cream of crab. That may have actually been the tastiest part of the meal. We decided to continue with an order of the softshell clams -- something I'd never tried before. Apparently they're also known as "pissers." I was actually quite turned off by these. One member of the party sucked them down like coca-cola, but their appearance and taste just didn't do it for me. But all was forgotten during the main course. We went with a dozen larges for the three of us. It was the perfect amount. They were $53 a dozen. Our neighboring table advised us that the extra larges weren't worth it at like $75 a dozen. As sides I chose the hush puppies (yum) and a corn on the cob. The crabs were delicious. Luckily after all the starters I wasn't starving, so I enjoyed taking the time to crack these babies open. I think the seasoning (old bay?) they serve on the side is an acquired taste, but a hint of it on the crab after being dipped in vinegar tasted mighty fine. So, we're at the height of the season. Go now!! You won't be disappointed.

I've never been to GB's, but I did really enjoy Southside 815 in Old Town Alexandria. Are the two comparable?

Well, we're getting closer, and I think my lineup is coming together. In addition to my plan to visit Ceiba, a look at Tosca's RW menu just pushed that establishment up to be my next choice. Does anyone else know of any other places that offer a large selection? That's more important to me than atmosphere. Since I'll be going with a group, I'd like to be able to sample everyone else's dishes as well. It would help if everyone isn't having the same thing I am. For example, anyone know anything about Poste?

Well, last night went off without a hitch. Arrived a little after 5:30, not crowded at all. I'm not sure if it's because I usually go later (after 11), or if the items were served colder than I'm used to, but the goods tasted unusually fresh last night. Had some Wellfleets, Kumamotos, and Island Creeks. The shrimp were also more outstanding than I'm used to. But the biggest pleasant surprise of the night came from the regular menu. Their crabcake entree, normally $24.95, is on special this month for $16.95. These are some of the densest, high-crab content cakes around.

I didn't have my first oyster at Old Ebbitt, but I'd certainly recommend it as someone's first time. as inferred above, the sheer volume of the production probably makes it the most unique oyster experience in town. Plus, their selection is huge, with usually 6 to 7 varieties per day. If you ordered a half dozen you could try one of each to see what tickled your fancy. Plus you can chow down on some of the biggest shrimp you'ever seen. I'm t-minus 2 hours for my excursion tonight!! I've always been an Old Ebbitt supporter. I think due to the times I've visited, I've largely avoided the tourist crowd. You get a macrocosm of people there. I remember one late night in the back bar, it was almost a sitcommy smattering of business stereotypes. There were power brokers with ties loose and sipping their martinis, schmoozing with single 40-something women dressed to the nines, who were hanging on their every word. A lone Japanese businessman sat in the corner smiling and trying to catch the affections of the women. By the end of the night all of them were falling down drunk looking quite disheveled.

There are three bars in total at the place, and the special is good at all of them. There's the main bar, the 'corner bar,' which is in that room off the left side, and the back bar, which is in a room back and to the left of where you walk in. Aside from a lengthy wait or two, I've always had pleasant experiences there. For my outing tonight, we used opentable.com and got a res. for 5:30. There was bathroom trouble yesterday? The men's room has always been fancier than your standard restroom fare, but I can see how heavy traffic can dirty even the nicest outhouses. And no, summer probably isn't the best time for this special, because it's not really peak oyster season, either. But I love 'em! I can't get enough!!!

It's just Monday through Thursday. And talk about good timing. I get a call from a friend last night, his parents are coming into town tonite, and want to take us out for half-price oysters!

All it takes is a little research and R.W. is a phenomenal experience. My first one was just this January, at DC Coast. I made sure to find a place that didn't have so many restrictions on the menu. This time around I'll stick with the same restaurant family and try to hit Ceiba. We've had a handful of these things now in DC, so word of mouth is getting around as to which establishments try to bring in new customers with these deals, and which treat their patrons like cattle.

A good/bad correction: The half-price discount doesn't begin until 11 (in addition to 3 to 6), but no matter which walrus platter you order, it's always customer's choice. A combination of Wellfleets and Kumamotos has always been a top pick for me. And the Glidden Point Flats when they happen to have them. I like to get a nice east/west coast balance. I've never seen a raw bar with more fresh selections. I have friends who visit from out of town who always take Friday off just so they can come in for the discount Thursday night. Already have the next trip planned for the 22nd of July. And, I learned one of their tricks last time -- if you order an assortment of varieties and lose track of which is which, they're always arranged clockwise in alphabetical order, starting at the cocktail sauce.

I had a delicious cuban sandwich at Breadline (17th and Penn) a number of weeks ago. However, since it was the first such sandwich I'd ever had, I can't say if it was just a tasty sandwich or an authentically good cuban sandwich. Ceiba also has a cuban sandwich on their lunch menu, and I can't imagine how it would be anything but good.

I'm going to take the Larry David approach here, and say I support whatever policy happens to suit me best that night. Waiting with a pager somewhere is the pits (although my karma is usually good on getting a table quickly). However, I RARELY know when I'll be eating out somewhere more than a day in advance. Thus, if I call a place that does reservations, usually there'll be no tables left.

Well I'd just like to chime in on behalf of Rockland's. I'm willing to entertain the fact that it may not be the best out there, but I would argue it's the best in the city. Capital Q and especially Old Glory don't even compare, in my opinion. More below. Outside of the city, I haven't heard anyone mention Planet Wayside. I've heard nothing but good things, and it's next on my list of places to try. Have to set aside the time to get out to Leesburg, though: http://www.tackytreasures.com/tackyhtml/places-wayside.html Talk about a shack. But that's what I think of when I think "good BBQ." And back to Rocklands, it has its strengths and its weeknesses. The sides are hit or miss, with the exception of the macaroni and cheese and texas corn pudding, which are always outstanding. The brisket is the bomb. Sometimes I've had average ribs there which can be a little chewy, but more often than not the meat melts like butter in your mouth. What I usually like to do is split a chopped pork sandwich and a belly buster with someone else -- that way you pretty much get to sample every meat except the lamb and fish of the day: pork, brisket, sausage, ribs and chicken. And the wall of sauce is something no bbq joint should be without. (For the record, I'm basing all my opinions on the original on Wisconsin Ave.)

I'm at 15th and L, so National Geographic is pretty close, but since I'm not a member, I don't think I'll be visiting soon.

Wow, good discussion. Does anyone know if the Brookings's cafeteria is open to the public? It's probably the next closest to me after the NEA.

Within the last few months, I was introduced to the cafeteria at the National Education Association building -- at 16th and M streets, NW. When you walk in they give you a little visitors' badge so anyone can go in to eat. Although not dirt cheap, they give you a lot of high quality food at reasonable prices. Their sandwiches (at $4.95 incl. chips and pickle) are so dense I usually split it over two days. At $5.25 they also have a grill that cooks up hearty meals, usually high quality meats with two sides. They have a good pay-by-the-pound salad bar as well. I was there last Friday and they had a Haagen-Dazs booth set up and they were practically giving the stuff away (well, compared to what it usually costs). I was wondering if there were any similar good-bang-for-your-buck places like this in the city. I'm told the World Bank has a phenomenal set up, but you need to have somebody on the inside to get in.

Well, as I type this, I'm enjoying my Shasta orange soda from Eastern Carryout. I guess they mean business when they say you have to spend $15 to get the two free sodas, because my total came to $14.86 and I only got the one. For my return visit, I followed up with just the Sesame Chicken and Beef with Scallions. The Sesame Chicken was a little disappointing (to me). Each piece contained hardly any chicken, and the meat that was there wasn't very good. However, the sauce and the chicken's crunchiness made it a reasonably nice treat. The beef w/ scallions should have been called scallions with beef, because there wasn't much meat and it was in tiny pieces. The sauce was decent, though. I'm still giving the top dish award to the Lo Mein. That's the only dish that I'd go back for. I've been trying to get away from Chinese food in the last few years, so it's hard to remember if it beats all the others I've tried in the city. I also see it's one of their lunch specials for $3.50. Maybe I'll take a sick day so I go over and get some. How's the other food there? I notice they're practically giving away the Buffalo wings.

Then a brand new one, with no sentimental value, is hardly a replacement, is it? Cheers, though, to Nectar for righting a wrong. But note to the $500 umbrella guy: You won't get any more rain protection for the extra $475 you spent.

I've only been to the DC location, but I give it two thumbs up. Have yet to have a disappointing experience. So far my favorite dish is the aforementioned gway tio (as they spell it on the menu). Tried it with the shrimp mussles pork combination on Sunday for the first time and it was delicious. I like the space, too. The chairs upstairs are muy comfortable.

OK, I finally tried what will probably be the first of two experimental visits to Eastern Carryout. Overall, I was not wowed, but it's not a bad place by any means. It's probably the cheapest Chinese place in the neighborhood, and they certainly give you more food per entree than any other establishment. Plus I got two free sodas with my order! I decided to get the Kung Pao Chicken and Chicken Chow Mein dinner specials with an order of the combination Lo Mein. I thought this would feed me for maybe three days at best, but I'll be eatting for a week with all the food they gave me. I was most impressed with the Lo Mein. If I want some quick Lo Mein from now on this is my place. The Kung Pao was just OK. I think I've been spoiled by Mr. Chen's. No one can top their tasty goodness. The Chow Mein was average, yet still pretty tasty. I'd get it again. Also, the combos came with some fried rice, which was pretty forgettable. Next time, I've got to try some beef with snow peas and the sesame chicken before I pass final judgment. So basically, Mr. Chen's I think is still my number one spot, but if I'm craving chinese and want food quickly and in mass quantities and I'm pinching pennies at the time, it looks like Eastern Carryout will be my #1 backup. I'll report back after my second visit.

will do, though it could be a while.

Hmm. Very well, my next chinese take out order will be from Eastern carryout. You're right, Blue Diamond is utterly forgetable. As is North Sea, and that Peking Something that opened last year next to Staccato. Though I think I prefered the latter of the three. I feel so disappointed that I have to order from Mr. Chen's when these three are so close to my apartment. And City Lights is a tad too expensive, even with their tasty sesame chicken. Could Eastern Carryout be the light at the end of the tunnel? DCMark, what do you recommend on the menu? To test a chinese food place, I generally like to sample the sesame chicken, lo mein, chow mein, fried rice, and beef with either snow peas or broccoli. -Todd

Wait, Eastern Carryout has good food? I have always been afraid to try.

I've only been to the Old Town location have been very satisfied. This news of the expansion outlets is disturbing indeed. Make sure you get the full sized double burger, not the single patty. They also do their french fries in peanut oil. Very tasty.

I just had the fried oyster po' boy at Bread Line the other day for the first time. One of the tastiest sandwiches I've ever had. It was well worth the $9. And speaking of oysters, what's with this new trend of topping them with liquor slushies? Was at DC Coast a while back, where they serve them with a pickled ginger-vodka ice. Then last month I was at the Voodoo Lounge in Vegas, and they offered them topped with a frozen bloody mary concoction. Tasty, though.

Yes, it is Monday Through Thursday. I'm not sure if it's 3 to 7 or 3 to 6, though. It's also from 11 pm till close, which is the only time I've ever done it. Well worth it. Their #4 Walrus platter, normally $50, is only $25! You get 12 oysters of your choice, 12 clams, and 10 colossal shrimp. Their oyster selection is always rotating, too.