LittleWing

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hear, hear !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soooooo many good suggestions. please, keep them coming! i've been to New Big Wong, Basil Thai (actually, found out about it from jamison when i worked with him (thank you!) ), Sette, Cashion's (though not in quite a while), Melrose, and Le Bureau ()... never heard of Bourbon's.... I just stupidly assumed most of your suggested places were closed on Sunday's, (maybe b/c the restaurant where I work is closed...) but this sunday, as per your instructions, i'm likely to try Ray's, Bardeo or 2 Amy's. or Sushi Ko (thanks don) anyway, yes, please tel me more, tell me more! And I'll let you know where we end up going this sunday

Thanks Mark, that's a great list... I love Cashion's and New Big Wong (thanks to John and Alex), and I've been wanting to try Ray's the Steaks for a while. But I forgot to emphasize - nothing very expensive. I'm a twenty-something waitress. I go to the nice places, but only when I have some money to burn or its a special occasion. So, preferably something equal to or less than $60 for two people, not including wine and drinks. Where is The Guards? And Ray's? Are they in the District or Metro-accessible or not too much cab fare from Adams Morgan/Columbia Heights? Oh, and please include places that do carry-out (good quality carryout) for when I don't want to get out of my pajamas on my day off Thank you people!

Chives on EVERYTHING! SOme restaurants sprinkle chopped chives atop every dish they serve. It may look pretty, but unless it has a purpose as far as the taste of the dish, it ruins my dinner. I know this thread is old -- I guess I'm just late to the party. Couldn't refrain from adding my gripe...

So it's Sunday night again, the only night that my boyfriend and i both have off from work (yes, in restaurants) and we both love food and want to go out to dinner. Where can we go eat (and be home in time for "The Wire" )? The only reqs are that it is in the District (we have no car) and good. Alberto's and Ben's are nearby, and I love both, but pizza and cheese fries are getting tired - especially when those are our only after-work options! I want some good , delicious, interesting, not-too-expensive food! :teardrop-slowly-sliding-down-my-cheek: So where do you all go to eat on Sundays?

I admit that I had the same initial response as RobinAustin. You should all check out the article in the latest Food issue of the New Yorker by Malcolm Gladwell - "Personality Plus: How corporations figure out who you are." Unfortunately, after going to the website, I don't think that article is online. But bascially, it talks about why we like certain foods more than others, mostly using ketchup as an example. More related to our topic, it also talks about Coke manufacturing its product using the same types of taste trials as Gallo. The researchers discovered that, with Coke, all of the separate flavors combine, so you can't pick out a single one, while the supermarket brand has flavors that are identifiable (aka vanilla, nutmeg, etc.) - one stands out above the others. Since Coke's flavors amalgamate in this way, Coke has a taste that always outperforms generic colas in taste tests. Try to find the article anyway, even if you don't care about the taste trials, because its one of the best food-science articles I've read in a while. I love Malcolm Gladwell. Ok, back on topic - I'd rather have Dr. Pepper with my pizza than swill wine. But I have yet to taste Red Bicyclette, and I probably won't buy it. Maybe because I'm a snob, but I think its because I can find better wines out there for the same/similar price. Check out the Amano Primitivo (Italy)- i believe i bought it last week for $9.99. PS. If we are having a cheap tasting in DC, I'm there.

definitely interested for 1-2, but it depends on the date. If only I didn't work at a restaurant, I'd be able to dine out more often

I second this. The Muja Rioja Reserva is a great deal - but more importantly it is sooo delicious! I just ventured into the wine forum and I'm very glad to have found it... I will definitely check out the other wines you tasted; thanks for posting your results (edited for bad spelling.)

Maybe this will help?: I've had migraines since I was a child, and also regularly taste wines for my job as a server/bartender. There is a whole list of foods/bevs (given to me by my neurologist) that may or may not trigger a migraine headache. Any item on this list could affect one person but not another. For example, aged meats and cheeses might give someone else a migraine headache, but not me. And coffee or chocolate might affect me (because of the caffeine) but not someone else. There are about 50 things on this list - and wines are included. In addition, I get migraine headaches from raw oysters, as well as some wines. I am under the impression that it is the sulfites in raw oysters and wine that might, for someone who suffers from the condition of migraine, induce a migraine headache. Tannins are also a trigger - I have never be warned by my doctor about copper, but I'm sure its possible. However, even my doctor admitted that migraine is a condition that is still relatively uncharted - so basically, its all a crapshoot. I also still imbibe, partly because I have to but mostly because I love wine . I am partial to red wines, but they are worse triggers for me than white. Maybe that's because of the tannins, I don't know. I don't alwys get a migraine headache from wine, especially if i don't have more than a glass. The dry quality of the wine (and therefore, tannins) hasn't been that much of a factor in whether or not I get a migraine headache. Other people who have migraine might fare better, or worse- it all depends on the individual. Just wanted to (possibly) make some sense of this sulfites/tannins/migraine issue.....

This is also how the falafel is served in Israel. If you're getting it from a street cart, they ask if you want tahini, hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, pickled radishes (or something along those lines) and delicious frites. Whatever you choose, they put in the pita -- including the frites. I never saw salsa, raita or cabbage though. I've never since had falafel as good as I had in Jerusalem. AND I've never found anywhere in the States that serves french fries w/ the falafel - in the pita - either. I'll be heading over to the falafel shop soon to check it out since you all seem to like it a lot. OOOoh I'll be so excited to actually find some good falafel..... now all they need to add is shwarma

When i get off work (at 1 am, typical server style) there is not much food to find for my dinner. (dinner at 1 am.... :sigh:). Ben's Chili Bowl is open til 2 on weekdays, 4 on weekends, (i think - feel free to correct me if i'm wrong) and has the best cheese fries ever. and David always recognizes me and doesn't make me wait in line, which is a plus. also, last time, he made a fresh batch of fries for me. yay! this is all a result of going a couple times and tipping well. if you do that enough, someone wil take you as their "regular" and start hooking you up. (waiting in line for 30-40 min can really suck after waiting tables all night long). i also like a chili cheese dog, split. (you can get them split in half if you want). supposedly they have good breakfasts too - even tho i live close by i never get up in time for breakfast or brunch...

Oh, and Nora's was the first certified organic restaurant in the country, and it was organic when it first opened in 1979 However, while Asia Nora is not certified organic, it is mostly organic (good salmon there, too ) edited for bad spelling. im no good at typing fast....

I have never been there and probably should try it, but the Washingtonian magazine was posed the same question last year. Their explanation was that the food quality was never consistant and therefore left off the recommended list. If I am wrong on this post please feel free to correct me. A lot of these articles, etc. are about Nora. Just remember that they are two different restaurants. Nora Poullion is the Executive Chef at both, but Haidar Karoum is the chef de cuisine at Asia Nora - he's the man behind the curtain. The staff is a different staff as well, and whenever I've seen them at Asia Nora they've been friendly and full of smiles, very attentive (without being intrusive), willing to give you as long as you'd like without rushing you, and (IF you call ahead of time) will make you a big fortune cookie with whatever message you want for a special occasion. I don't neccessarily think the articles about Nora are right - but regardless, they (as well as the Post chat and babka's dinner) are about Nora, not Asia Nora. And for the record, I agree with Jared. :biggrin::biggrin:

Lately, when getting off work, I've been craving pasta - Anyone know a place that serves (good) pasta late at night? Sette Osteria serves only pizza after midnight (I called last night at 12:08 ). Anywhere else? Near DC proper only - i get around by scooter, and so I can't get to VA, and only so far into MD. thanks! Edited for bad spelling....

Thanks for all of the tips, I have so many places to choose from now!! As far as Marche in Eugene, I know the owners opened up Bamboo (an Asian Fusion place in 5th St Market (i think its called that..), where Marche is) a few years ago.. Do you know if it's still open, and if so, how is it?? Sevice-wise, and food-wise? (Leaving tomorrow for vacay so post soon, please please please!! ) Thanks

Ok, i'll finally admit that i went (with one of your favorite bartenders no less) to the opening of kripsy kreme at 4:15 am. i only admit this to clear up some of your questions : As far as the incentive for going to the opening, they said there would be prizes for the first 100 people. by going at 4:15, i though we'd be #1 and #2. Nope - #86 and #87! The first 25 people got a free dozen donuts a month for a year, and spiffy t-shirts. the next 75 people got a donut and tshirt. as for our "prizes" - the donut was cold, and not passed out in order of the line (therefore, everyone who was waiting for an hour for this incredible "prize" got donuts after the people who got there at 6 am). The tshirts were cheesy. I thought we'd at least be able to buy a proper donut and coffee, but no, the shop wasn't open yet. just cold donuts. some people got coffee but it wasn't passed out in any order either. oh, and there was also supposed to be "The Dancing Donuts". Nope nope nope. we got screwed. played like a fiddle. used. they didn't want to give us prizes, they wanted free publicity! what burden, my naivety.... the donuts ARE shipped from virginia, and glazed at the Dupont location, because the dupont store isn't big enough to make them there. (we asked the krispy kreme people) As far as the "what's the big deal" factor - there are very few places to get a donut in dc proper. there's Universal Donut, right near Visions. There's Amernick, on thurs-sunday, but only limited hours. And there's Komi, and Tabard Inn on weekends for brunch, but you can't go in pajamas to grab a quickie from Komi or Tabard. (I did get them to go at Tabard once, but they're really for dining in.) So its exciting finally to have a donut shop, for all of those times you gets a craving. Even if they're bussed in.

Asia Nora is closed for two weeks for its annual summer vacation (starting this Thursday) and reopens Fri the 10th (i think.) Usually you can call the day of, for a reservation on the weekdays, and a couple days in advance for the weekends. However, when they reopen this fall, they are particularly busy. I'd say call a week in advance. Hopefully that will work. I hope that giving out the info I get from my boyfriend (assistant manager at AN) isn't like insider trading...I don't want to bunk with Martha... :raz: :raz:

Another looooooong post: In no particular order, the best meals I've ever had (in DC...): Nectar (Fall 2003); Citronelle (Summer 2002) (where they also cooked off the menu for us.. all 13 courses ); Maestro (Late Fall 2003); Palena (Late Summer 2003) and Asia Nora (last week.) Everything that we had (with the exception of the shrimp galangal) is very similar to the items on either the ala carte or tasting menu -- maybe just the accompaniments or the set-ups were different. The tasting menu costs $58 right now for a very generous-sized five courses. The cost changes but is usually within five dollars of the current price. Actually, I ended up drinking my kir royale with the first course, and with most of the second, too. (No matter what I do, I have a low tolerance for alcohol. So I drink slowly, and not too much.) We chose the wine because we wanted a half bottle (see previous parenthetical statement ) and because my dining mate knew how amazing the Beaune Greves tastes. I did taste the wine with the first two courses, though; I wouldn’t necessarily choose that bottle to pair with the food. However, the wine wasn’t completely overwhelmed by the flavors. If it were left completely up to me, and I could have any bottle I wanted with those courses (what a wonderful world that would be! ), I would choose something like the Vie di Romans Sauvignon Blanc, the Heidi Schrock Pinot Blanc or the Alzinger Gruner Veltliner instead. However, the wine worked wonderfully with the scallops (the sauce, although kaffir-lime and tomato, was quite a bit mellower and just a subtle accent to the scallops and potaters) and the duck. Sooooo well with the duck. Hallelujah and glory glory for desserts and dessert-makers. (So many questions! ) I haven’t been two TenPenh in a couple years, but it’s definitely on my list of places to revisit. (It’s a shame that, as a server, I can’t go out to dinner more often. ) TenPenh was good. I think their differences lay mostly in mood and approach. Asia Nora’s ambiance and setting is smaller, more intimate and inviting. And romantic, when you want it to be. TenPenh is a self-described “hot new restaurant” (from their website), and “on the power corridor of Washington.” It’s bigger and sleeker -- more along the lines of Zaytinya or Zola. I think it’s just a matter of personal preference or what you’re in the mood for. As far as food, the most obvious disctinction is that Asia Nora is organic and TenPenh isn’t. Otherwise, I happen to like Asia Nora better - I think its cuisine is more inventive and just plain tastier. But again, it all comes down to personal preference. I don't think they are the same and I think each can stand on its own, not just in comparison to the other (as in, Asia Nora is good and TenPenh is not, or vice versa.) Knowwattamean?

Haven't been to Dish, but Nectar is one of my ten favorite DC restaurants. And definitely shouldn;t be missed. Chef Jamison Blakenship and Sous-chef Alex Lo are two of the most talented chefs around and the wine list is unique (in addition, every wine they have is available by the glass, half-bottle and full bottle). The service is impeccable, although a little pretentious. I'd say that that pretentiousness is my only gripe. But even my dad -- a jeans and steak kind of guy -- loved Nectar. Go there -- its only a block away from The River Inn and you will love it. Ps. Alex's soups are to die for... Try whichever one is on the menu in October. Hopefully they will put the Butternut (or pumpkin ?) puree with crispy sweetbreads back on this fall... hint hint. :wink:

So, Thursday night, dinner at Asia Nora - one of the top five meals of my life. Asia Nora and Chef Haidar Karoum don't get enough props and I think its time they did. The quality of service, the ambience and the absolute deliciousness of everything they do there are unassuming and unpretentious, yet always impressive and, most importantly, delicious. (full disclosure: my boyfriend works at Asia Nora. But this has nothing to do with him - he wasn't even working on Thursday. Although he is incredible, too.) Anyway - the food: A kir royale whilst deciding what to eat. Eventually settled on the five course tasting menu -- Haidar offered to cook for us (off the menu.) Needless to say, we eagerly accepted. Chose a half bottle of 1999 Beaune Greves (Bouchard Pere et fils; Vigne de l'enfant jesus; Premier Cru) (I probably messed up the order in which that should be written). It is named "Vine of the baby Jesus" because it is supposedly as soft and supple as the baby Jesus. It is true to its name. This pinot noir was liquid velvet - so smooth, rich, silky, lush.... yet still elegant and layered – not so soft as to be mushy and weak. Perfectly aged and balanced; subtle notes of olive and black cherry; and a lingering finish that changed shape even after leaving your mouth. Every time I took a sip I had to close my eyes and "mmm mm mmmm MM MM." Course 1: My dining partner was served beef tenderloin carpaccio, with pickled red onions, thai chilies (from the chef's garden!), and a light dressing with citrus notes. Topped with crispy shredded wontons, which added a nice variation in texture. The beef practically melted on your tongue, and the whole thing was SPICY. I was brought shrimp in a galangal- coconut curry sauce. Curry had basil, tomatoes, something else (?) shredded on top. Delicious. Course 2: Heirloom tomato salad, dressed with a ponzu-olive oil vinaigrette. This was by far one of the most beautifully plated dishes I've seen. So simple, yet perfect: a large, round, black matte bowl/plate with four stacked tomato slices. The bottom layer was bright orange, topped with the reddest tomato I’ve ever seen, topped with a two-toned striped green one, topped with a bright yellow slice. The tomatoes were Valencia, Cherokee Purple, Green Zebra, Striped German. I think. Course 3: Seared Maine diver scallops over a potato puree, edamame, sunburst cherry tomatoes, pickled ramps and a kaffir lime-tomato emulsion. The tops of the scallops were crosshatched and perfectly seared. They tasted so sweet and succulent – as a result of the light seasoning used, the natural flavor of the scallops truly stood out. The sauce was tangy and sweet and the potatoes were buttery, rich, and oh so smooth. Course 4: Five-spice roasted duck over potato-chive gnocchi with chanterelles, wilted (?) baby arugula (could also have been baby spinach) and a yuzu-butter emulsion. Talk about rich! This was fantastic – probably my favorite savory dish of the evening. The duck breast was sliced into about 6 or 7 small, thin pieces (perfect for eating with chopsticks) and the skin was good & crispy. The five-spice flavor was subtle but noticeable; the gnocchi were more like little flavor-packed dumplings; the chanterelles were buttery deliciousness; and the smattering of sauce was creamy and supple with just the right hint of citrus to cut through the richness. Course 5: Dessert. The portions are a little larger here than several other tasting menus I’ve had (though not huuuge) so we were definitely ready for dessert. We shared: 1) Lemon verbena citrus crème brulee, dusted with orange sugar. MMMMMM. The light lemony flavor made the crème brulee, which could be another rich dish, much lighter and carefree. (Is that too precious, calling a crème brulee “carefree”? oh well.) Texture was perfectly silky. Couldn’t get enough of this creamy goodness. 2) Spearmint-lime granite. Double MMMMMMM. So refreshing and delightful. The mint and sweet citrus, combined with finely shaved ice, cooled and at the same time perked up my tongue. Made me feel like I was on vacation somewhere at a beach, in a hammock with slight breezes…. Plus, it cleansed my palate so well that I almost forgot I’d eaten an entire meal. So we ordered two more desserts. 3) Chai panna cotta with a thin little ginger snap. Again, creamy bliss. The panna cotta was thicker than a custard and its texture was uniformly smooooooooth. Chai spices, with cardamom, nutmeg, ginger (?), etc. were warm and inviting. Felt like a cozy blanket on a cold, rainy night (which it was.) Imagine, two whole climate changes in one course. (notice my use of these silly smileys gets more and more frequent as I get deeper and deeper into the meal… Hmmm.) () 4) Grilled banana with pineapple-banana bread and caramel-ginger ice cream. I was not the one who ordered it – this type of dessert was a little heavy for me by now. Though I have to admit I took many many many tastes. It too was heavenly – the caramel-ginger ice cream was simultaneously sweet and spicy, the latter due to the tiny bits of crystallized ginger in the ice cream. The grilled banana was tender and soft and the whole dish was sweet without being sugary. To top off the meal, we slowly sipped two glasses of the Kurt Darting Eiswein. In a word, luxurious. Silky. Sumptuous. Spectacular. Oops, that’s four words. Well, that dessert wine deserved four thousand more. By far, my favorite that I’ve tasted. I’d go back just for a glass. But, if I did, I know I’d end up ordering the entire menu. I know I’m gushing but really, it was that good. Bravo, bravo, bravo.

I agree with a lot of what people are saying here. I'm also a server/bartender (fine dining), and I too expect a high level of service when dining out. Service can be just as important as the food in creating one's dining experience. If something is not as I'd like it, I ask my server to fix it. That said, I like to think I'm forgiving of human error as well. So how can one make his or her dining experience better with a server who is obviously "having a bad day," (even though that should be no excuse)? I agree that being nasty or rude in return will just make the level of service worse. However, if the message is being sent by a lousy tip or lack thereof, this doesn't give your server any opportunity to fix the problem(s). It is possible to respectfully ask your server to fix something without being nasty. And, by being aggressive, you might elicit even more nastiness from the server. You know the expression "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"? Well, if the server is rude, I'll usually say something along the lines of, "You seem stressed. Has tonight been very busy?" That (or something like it) should politely send the hint that you are not being given the consideration you deserve. Of course there is always the chance that the server will be rude and disrespectful in return, but at least you know that you gave him or her a chance. In all, there's a better way to let the server know that you are unhappy before leaving a small or nonexistent tip -- communication between both parties will result in greater satisfaction on both ends.

Ginger Reef and Ginger Cover are the descendants of Hibiscus (used to be in G'town, on K), right?

I lived in Eugene a few years ago (but only for a short time) and am headed back next week for a two-week vacation - will be in Portland (for fun) and Eugene (for a wedding). Anyone have any restaurant recs in either city, or anywhere in between? I love the Glenwood, so I'll already be headed there. Where else? Thanks...

i've been to Tsunami a few times and its pretty good. Definitely the best restaurant in Buffalo but I've had better elsewhere (now live in DC). Its Asian Fusion, with an emphasis on fish (from when I was last there, at least, which I admit was a year or two ago.) It was inventive and very very tasty. Buffalo has never seen anything like it.. But if you ever get to DC, try TenPenh or Asia Nora and you'll find similar style, but much more consistent and much better results.

anyone know of anything else in the Southern Tier? I grew up outside Buffalo (now live in washington DC) and am coming back to Rushford, NY for a quick vacation at my family's cabin. Not much food around there (about 45 minutes northeast of olean). Is there anywhere anyone knows of within about an hour or so from there?