foodgeek

Does anyone besides me think Four Sisters is waaaay overrated? I'm not even sure it's better than the place right next door to it. The Queen Bee of this decade? Is Queen Bee still open? I used to eat there regularly, and it was worth a special trip, but there are so many more Viet places open now... I didn't like 4 sisters. I tried Queen be a few weeks ago...and it was ok...but can't touch Nam Viet a couple of blocks away. Litte Viet Garden I didn't like. Dalat I've yet to try.

Firstly...Pho Xe Lua in eden center is much better than 4 sisters for pho. They even have chicken pho (w/chicken broth)...where most places use beef broth regardless. They have beef as well of course. I went once w/ a healthnut friend...and the owner asked if he wanted beef or chicken....and when he said chicken...he asked if my friend wanted it w/out the skin. My friend was extatic. Plus...we got interesting herbs. Yes, there was cilantro in the pho already, and basil on the side....but there was also tarragon...and what I eventually indentified as Long Coriander on teh side as well. Some of those herbs were given to us cuz one of us had chicken pho. Anyway...all the serve is pho...but its excellent. there is a guy selling books just outside the shop. My fav pho joint. :) If it has to be arlington...nam viet (Clarendon) has good pho...and the rest of their food is excellent. Also, try Viet Huong (eden ctr) instead of 4 Sisters for reg Viet food next time.

Please tell me you're kidding. I'm with you on that. And I had been told that those 2 restauarants aren't related.

...that you would you like to talk about here...but nobody asked you?

Try Greenfield Churascarria in (Corona) Queens. It's better. Don't try Master Grill (In Flushing). ick There are also small churascarria restaurants in Astoria, but Ive only tried Girasol, and wasn't impressed.

I did get to the Jaleo in DC again. So...my favs so far are the spinach with raisins and pine nuts, tomato bread w/anchovies, and the blood sausage. The garlic shrimp was good as well..but there is a slew of garlic shimp dishes I'm comparing it to. :) They had a great dessert with caramel mousse, nuts and chocolate. Their strawberry sorbet was good. I wasn't thrilled with the sangria. I'm not really on this site anymore...but you guys have been great with the suggestions so I wanted to make one followup post thanking you all. Thanks all. :) -Jayask (Jason)

I went alone for lunch yesterday after the Spy Museum (which was great, btw.) The tapas were excellent although I only tried two of them...the anchovies on tomato bread, and the blood sausage in tomato sauce with whole garlic. I ate the sauce with bread. :) We are probably trying the MD location tomorrow before or after seeing a movie at the art house. I need more tapas! :)

I have the issue, but not on me...so I can't look at it now. I have been to a bunch of the places listed...and they are good. Examples (by memory): I ate at Malysia Kopitiam again today. I had one of their curry noodle soups, yum. We had a very good meal at Nizam's (Turkish in NVA) last night. What they described at orange baklava...wasn't baklava...but was yummy. The rest of the meal was good as well. I can't remember if Jaleo (DC) was on the list...but i ate lunch there (alone) yesterday and was very impressed. We are trying the Bethesda branch tomorrow since I need to try more items. I know 4 sisters was listed but we had a lackluster meal there the one time we tried it. We had a nice meal at Tony Cheng's seafood once. Not the best chinese I've had, but it was good. They even whacked the crab in front of us so we knew it was fresh (alive). Bombay Bistro is very good. Not bad for only being in Dc one weekend a month, eh? I can comment on more places when I have the mag in front of me.

It's actually looking like I may hit both locations on different nights. Has anyone had their paella? how is it?

So the kaya buns I get at the asian bakery on 63rd drive in Rego Park (Goodies Bakery) are actually Malaysian? Ah. They are good. :)

Tahnks again everyone for teh suggestions. Update. I tried Ba Le's bahn mi. i enjoyed it, but dont have a reference to compare it to. I liked mykonos. The fish was good, as was the eggplant spread. The place is one of our regulars now. :) Place gets real busy prime time though.

I'm gettign ahead of myself since I'll try the DC location first but...is the Bethesda location just as good?

I found the spy museum info on citysearch Suzanne. Thanks. :)

I've never heard of the International Spy musem. I have the time. Have any info? I'll probably avoid the sausages and cheese since I have access to all that in NYC. I have idiazabal and manchego in my fridge as we speak. I even know a place (in queens) that makes their own spanish sausages which they sell to restaurants. I would be more open to getting a cheese or sausage sampler if I was dining with a group, but not alone.

You can't fault me for being a brisket freak.....can ya? I was actually heading to Capitol Q when I passed Jaleo. :) Well...I wasn't impressed with Capitol Q. Thats for the Jaleo suggestions. It sounds great.

I'm going to have some time to kill late next week...and was thinking of hitting the DC sights...(Smithsonian maybe) and getting some lunch. I've been meaning to try Jaleo's DC loaction. hich tapas do they excell at? The paella won't work since I'll be on my own (while my g/f is working). Last time I headed that way i skipped Jaleo in favor of that BBQ joint in Chinatown (which didn't do much for me.) Bad decision I guess. Thanks

Thanks for all the help guys. I wound up getting her a Breadman 2200 and the Gluten-free baking book. She has made 2 loaves of spelt bread so far. The first one (as I had been warned) was a little chemical. The second loaf was great, and she is happy with the machine. :)

I was given a Border's giftcard for Chanukah which i used to purchase (via Amazon.com): The Ethnic Food Lovers Companion, and The Fearless Diner (Travel Tips for eating around the world.) Add that to my present to msyelf: Latin & Caribbean Grocery Stores Demystified. I found it on both half and amazon zshops as overstock for $4 and couldn't help myself. i went with half for cheaper shipping. Yes, these are food books, and not actually cookbooks. I checked my wishlist and since I bought most of the cookbooks on it a while back..I only found this: Argentina Cooks: Treasured Recipes from the Nine Regions of Argentina. I guess its time to update my list.

Right. But something new in the thread just means someone has commented. I don't read every comment. This was new information....a new article. It really doesn't matter. *shrug*

I started a new one with a new article and information. I think it should be seperate..so people know it ia new info...but if the powers that be decide to merge it...I guess i can deal. :)

http://www.ny1.com/ny/TopStories/SubTopic/...tentintid=26455

I'm curious. What do you guys think of Bombay Bistro? I've been to the Fairfax location, and pass the Rockville one occasionally.

How is the DC Les halles? I like the steak frites at the NYC location (28th street). Theirs are the best frites! I haven't tried the (newer) downtown nyc location.

I get honey from a local producer (Fridays at the greenmarket.) I like their wildflower honey over tart apples such as mutsu. :) I was also using it on 20th century asian pears (which are a bit sour) when tehy were available. I like the flavor contrast. :) When I was in thw south a couple of months ago...I got some wildflower honey which ahd been produced in Berryville, Va. It tasted just like caramel (not butterscotch.) It must have had clematis in it. I was putting it on everything just as an excuse to have it. :) I like the random flavor aspect of wildflower honeys...and have had some great results purchasing them. :)

I like SE Asian desserts...although I don't think thats what FG is talking about. FG...Do you like the desserts at Sripraphai? I'm curios. How about Malaysian peanut (or banana) pancakes?