I wanted to chime in on the SS review here since I've been to Jackie's and Mandalay's recently. Samantha's is on my hit list for next place to go to in SS as is that tropical ice cream place I always forget the name of (right below the beltway... Troy's?) I went to Jackie's about a week ago and got a little preview of the decor from the flashy website, so I was prepared for all the pink. It's kitchy but fun. I did not have drinks at the bar, so I can't comment on that. Service was good, albeit a little slow, but it wasn't a big hinderance. For the money you're being charged, I expected the food to be better. We started with an order of the trendy mini-burgers, and the pimento cheese didn't sit well with me at all. The burgers themselves were fine. I got the halibut with beet salad and mache and my date got the hangar steak (how I wish Ray's were up and running!) The halibut was good and so was the beet salad mix, but the mache was quite unappetizing. Tasted like it had been soaking up frying oil or something, I'm not quite sure. The steak was "alright" at medium rare. I think we got out of there for $60 after tax and tip, no drinks involved. I'd rather have gone into DC and spent that money at Corduroy or Palena, honestly. I'd go back to try the drinks at the bar, but that's about it. Mandalay's on the other hand is great. Nice variety in the menu, great food, and spotty service at times. My key pet dining peeve is having the main course served minutes after the appetizers come out, and that's what happened there. Everything was hot enough that it didn't dampen the evening however. With Ray's coming to town, I'm glad there will be more options for a Saturday night dinner right down the street. Let's not forget the Royal Mile right up the street in Wheaton for a decent selection of taps and Scotch tastings! Also, where is Mi Rancho?
