Minister of Drink

The Old Ebbitt happy hour deal is a great bet. I've been slurping their oysters for over 10 years and they have always been top-notch fresh fresh fresh. I went there last Friday with a friend & think I may just leave work early one day this week to smash out a Walrus Platter and some appropriate drink(s)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you are correct -- it was something limey. I'm sure they'll figure it out in time... maybe even change the dish to chop the clam and combine with the ceviche marinade and lose the froth??? That being said, I did enjoy almost everything I tasted and the service was great. What stands out are the delicious ox-tail tacos, a black bean/mushroom type of soup (sorry I forget the menu name) and of course all of Steve's amazing desserts (will edit my post once I get home and consult my notes). Overall, not bad at all for only having been open for a few days!!! I look forward to returning soon.

No, it was not a cilantro issue. The clam ceviche was a clam sitting in its shell topped with a froth of clam juice and what had to be the ceviche marinade. It looked cool but tasted kinda off. Edited for spelling

It's certainly worth the trip to VA. See Mark's suggestions on what to eat -- the ceviches (except for the clam ) and tacos are awesome!!!!

Wouldn't be a problem at the Arlington Fools store -- it would take you longer to park than do you shopping. At least Giants and Safeways always have that going for them!!!!

Throw in sum 15 round, pre-ban LE clips and weez in bidness! Word!

Good for you. You sound like you suffered a lot at the hands of these pushy, odd-toed ungulates -- it was time for some payback! The store should be called Whole Fools (for many of its clientele). Was this at the Arlington store by chance? Because that place is getting out of hand from almost getting mowed down in the parking lot to having people drive their shopping carts through you in the store -- I myself use a grocery cart simply as a buffer to protect me from orthopaedic or internal organ injury. Here's a little story from earlier this summer.... On a beautiful Sunday afternoon (much like today), I find myself in the Arlington Whole Fools at about 5:00 pm. I was shopping for the usual Sunday night wine boozing and random stupidity that occurs at the Ministry of Drink every weekend, when I came to the meat counter... There I witnessed an Arlington rube practically screaming at the guy behind the counter: Rube: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU ARE OUT OF FILET MIGNONS. HOW CAN THAT HAPPEN!" Meat Counter guy: "Well sir, we were really really busy all day and just ran through everything we had. And we had plenty earlier. I am sorry." Rube (now slamming his palms into that handlebar of his cart, shaking his head, and already walking away): "ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME THAT IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU RUN OUT AND I SHOULD HAVE COME EARLIER." Minister of Drink: Laughing my ass off in disbelief. All, I am not making this story up -- soon there will be gunplay at the Whole Fools in Arlington. Other Fools stores are still better but catching up to the Arlington insanity. I think the problem (especially in Arlington) is that these stores simply cannot handle the sharp increase in volume due to the increase in development as well as sophisticated tastes. I am sure they will figure it out sooner or later -- it's a balancing act and a learning curve. In the meantime, I'm wondering if one day I'll need kevlar gear and a Glock-19 just to buy a quart of that Horizon organic milk.

If you don't want to use it at the restaurant, why don't you see if they'll accept it at the Lebanese Taverna Market off Lee Hwy. in Arlington. You could get a roast chicken & a mezza to go -- the food is always fresh there -- better most of the time than the restaurants.

Derek -- welcome, rezpektz and a Ali-G snap out to you. John W.: Chen-qui

Another one that comes to mind is the turkey club on French bread at a place in McLean called "Sweet Stuff" (corner of Old Dominion and Spring Hill Road next to the 7-11). Simply unfucking believable!!!!!!

This past Saturday I laid waste to an Italian Store Capri sandwich -- one of my all time favorites (because it's generously layered with "gabagool" or coppa ham! With South Beach and Atkins destoying venerable traditions such as Twinkies, it would be nice to give the really good sandwich the support it so deserves in this militant climate of political correctness. (Imagine, at my Fresh Fields today I overheard a rube refer to a baguette as "carbs", not bread! Needless to say, a savage mauling was in order!) So, what other places make great sandwiches, heros, subs, etc.... just please don't say Quiznos or Subway!!!!

Michael.... are there plans to expand your liquor license (to include spirits)? If so, then how about the RTS dirty martini made with steak drippings instead of olive juice?

Michael, thank you so much for taking the time to make us those burgers from those very specially selected cuts of 50-50 sirloin which you finely chopped by hand. My withdrawal symptoms began the moment I walked out the door. MoD P.S. The clam-chowder is phat! Da bomb!!!!!! It will be a regular staple of my future RTS campaigns especially with colder weather!

The food at Layalina is definately prepared with a lot of soul and care. On a previous visit I was able to taste Lebenese/Syrian meatloaf (as a special) that the owner had actually made for her family... All I can say is that meatloaf with ground lamb is the bomb! I do agree that the desserts were weak the last time I was there -- but that shouldn't stop anyone from going there!!!!

This place is sooo off my list... See the Service in the Capital thread.

Stick to Peugot.... at home and in the restaurants They are the best and come in all sizes.

I forgot to mention Maestro as a place to go. I've heard nothing but great things in terms of service and food from the people in EG and outside of cyberspace. However, the experience will give your wallet a beast-raping... But it sounds totally worth it.

Hi Michael, Any chance of ever bringing back those sirloin tip/spear appetizers you provided to Hooligan, John W. and your arms-dealer patron several months ago????

Based on those two reviews and until I hear otherwise from enough people, these establishments are off my list -- and I don't care how f***ing ethereal the food is! The best product should come with great (if not the best) service... It's as simple as that! No excuses! It's up to the owners & management to inspire their staff and teach them good service. There exist a good number of other places with ass-kicking service (even though some might argue that the food is not on the same level as Galileo and Le Paradou -- who cares!) where I would rather shit out my hard earned dollar. Examples: Nectar (of course!), Palena, 1789 Restaurant, Rays the Steaks, and even the carry out sandwich place by my office -- Where my business is appreciated!!!

I see your point... I am more concerned with that fresh ground pepper is even offered at all!!!! Plus you can always call a server back.

I agree!!!! Not only because the food sometimes needs it, but also becasue fresh pepper just tastes great!!!!!!!

What on earth brought you to that hell-hole??? The smell emanating from that faux jungle should have kept you at bay. The lamest excuse for a local hamburger I recently attempted to eat was at The Front Page in Ballston -- a rectangular, thin patty kneaded up of the finest institutional grizzle and probably lips, ears and hoofs as well!

Some are slightly adjustable (to the size of the grain). Once you've had a Peugot (and some of the other better ones out there) you'll be able to easily recognize a bad one.

You’re right… they do need to have it somewhere. But it’s just a nice gesture and extra good service if the server offers to grind it for you. Then that restaurant went out of its way to purchase the crappiest peppermills money can buy.... If you ever want to check, look on the bottom of the peppermill to see the manufacturer -- if it's Peugot you've got the best!!! I have one that's more than 25 years old and still grinds like champ!

Last week at a business lunch at Jean Michel in Rockville/Bethesda, I was offered fresh ground pepper with my salad. I remember being pleasantly surprised by this gesture because more often that not I have had to ask at various other places (from the average to the very good). Am I just being picky when I think that restaurants should always offer fresh ground pepper for salad courses and other dishes? Obviously I could care less about the TGI Fridays or similar places…