My upcoming trip to DC

[babyluck]

Sorry to bust in on your thread.

Bust away. I'd have never heard of Kozy Korner without you.

And without you I wouldn't have heard of RFD--I'm now very excited too although when I googled it I got a link to a Post article with pretty awful reader reviews. Link. Some recommend the Brickskeller instead. But I'm not complaining--never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be able to get an Old Thumper within 2 blocks of a convention center. Beats the concessions.

Darwin's Waiting Room--no way am I missing that.

I'm pretty sold on Zaytinya too. Sounds like a place to take the bosses & international folks--I'll save Marrakesh for my friends. More for the experience than the food. Definitely "best drunken meal" candidates but the one business dinner I had there was dullish and awkward. I did get a kick out of the fact that when my boss stood up after the bisteeya, he left two perfect shoe prints in the powdered sugar he had brushed off his lap.

VA is totally out. For the steak/Guinness meal, I care most about proximity to the Mayflower, then Guinness quality, and the steak last. I have had this meal in every conceivable setting and I enjoy the variety and the element of surprise.

I was interested in the Ethiopian places since it is something different from what we get in NJ but my sidekick would never go for it. If we end up going separate ways for dinner one night it's an option.

Anyone been to El Chalan? It is Peruvian and sounds really good, but will the squeamish sidekick be put off?

[hjshorter]

Kozy Korner?  Where's that?

I've never heard of it either.

You might want to check out Jaleo. Also, there is an Irish pub in between the convention center and MCI. I think it's Fado.

Kozy Korner is at 20th & N--apparently it's a real diner or close to it--the food is supposed to be good. Just the place for a late breakfast on my morning off after a hard night of entertaining.

Kozy Korner was one block from my old apartment. Despite the convenience I only had breakfast there once. For a good breakfast, I went to Luna Grill (think that's the name) on Connecticut Ave just south of Dupont Circle. Dunno if it's still there, but if it is I'd recommend it.

[Busboy]

Haven;t been to El Chalan in years. I remember mostly the pisco sours and the friend of a friend with one pinky fingernail grown long... Supposed to be decent.

[hillvalley]

Kozy Korner was one block from my old apartment. Despite the convenience I only had breakfast there once. For a good breakfast, I went to Luna Grill (think that's the name) on Connecticut Ave just south of Dupont Circle. Dunno if it's still there, but if it is I'd recommend it.

It's still there, although I haven'tbeen there in years. I wonder if the crepe place is still around?

[morela]

Friday

Dinner - Jaleo (it was either this or Cafe Atlantico...not sure how Jaleo won)

Be careful, tho. It's Friday and Wizards are playing La Clippers at MCI. Just be prepared for that...

[babyluck]

Kozy Korner was one block from my old apartment.  Despite the convenience I only had breakfast there once.  For a good breakfast, I went to Luna Grill (think that's the name) on Connecticut Ave just south of Dupont Circle.  Dunno if it's still there, but if it is I'd recommend it.

Thanks--it's closer anyway. Of course, when I say "breakfast" I mean a bacon cheeseburger deluxe at 11 AM--for early mornings there will be a spread in the hospitality suite and hopefully a coffeemaker in my hotel room.

Anyone know of a quick takeout place near the convention center? Both for myself and the breakdown crew--something communal like a bucket o' chicken so I don't have to take everyone's order works well.

It's funny how different my food experiences will be from slbunge's. Eating during a convention becomes somewhat of an obsession. If I were on vacation, I would never eat, say, at the convention center, but I also wouldn't be able to afford meals at some of the best places in town. I try to balance need vs. want and most of all find myself craving the divey-est places where normal people go. I like to get a breath of fresh air in the literal and figurative sense. I don't know how many times I've trudged along for blocks looking for a place to eat and ended up in the hotel with another Marriottburger. God, I hate that smoked bacon and those individual ketchups.

I'm considering writing The Misanthrope's Guide to Business Travel.

[syzygy8]

And without you I wouldn't have heard of RFD--I'm now very excited too although when I googled it I got a link to a Post article with pretty awful reader reviews. Link. Some recommend the Brickskeller instead. But I'm not complaining--never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be able to get an Old Thumper within 2 blocks of a convention center. Beats the concessions.

The beer selection is superb, but expect LONNNNGGGG waits to get a beer and between beers at RFD. I don't care if the place is empty, it's as if they want to keep the beer all to themselves and only reluctantly share it with the customers.

As for the Chop House, nice steaks (not the best in town at all) but no Guinness. It's all their own homemade brew. Some of which are rather tasty. They've got a hand-pulled bourbon stout that's far too sweet for my tastes but some like it. They used to have a second cask running with another selection of beer, but they got rid of it some time ago, much to my dismay. Now I'm left having their "velvet" selection which runs through nitrogen.

[babyluck]

Just wanted to share a story from the last time this same convention was held in DC. I was event planner at the time and I heard it from a sales exec at my hotel who heard it from a friend at the hotel where it happened, so I have no idea how much of it is true.

An attendee at the conference was put up at a luxury hotel with his family by an exhibiting company--all expenses paid, tours for the kids, penthouse suite, the whole shebang. One evening on one of the lower meeting levels, a staff member saw this guest sneak over to a utility closet and put a package inside. Hotel security was summoned to inspect the closet. Inside, they found a huge stash of freebie bags from the convention filled with hundreds of place settings of hotel china and flatware.

The guest was detained and the hotel management came down to discuss the situation. The guest claimed that they had no proof that connected him with the theft and that the staff member was a liar. The hotel stood firm and said that they would not press charges but that he was no longer welcome on the premises. They offered transportation to the airport and a plane ticket home--or anywhere else he wished. He remained belligerent, wanting to finish out his stay so that he wouldn't be humiliated in front of his son. The hotel said that they would of course be discreet and make up a cover story.

He finally agreed and was on an elevator up to his room with a security guard and the friend of my contact when he suddenly punched the guard in the face and tried to wrestle him to the floor. He was taken to the lobby where he was met by a very concerned wife and son and a couple of uniformed policemen. They arrested him, cuffed him, and escorted him out the front door while a room full of colleagues looked on.

[JennyUptown]

Kozy Korner was one block from my old apartment.  Despite the convenience I only had breakfast there once.  For a good breakfast, I went to Luna Grill (think that's the name) on Connecticut Ave just south of Dupont Circle.  Dunno if it's still there, but if it is I'd recommend it.

Thanks--it's closer anyway. Of course, when I say "breakfast" I mean a bacon cheeseburger deluxe at 11 AM--for early mornings there will be a spread in the hospitality suite and hopefully a coffeemaker in my hotel room.

Anyone know of a quick takeout place near the convention center? Both for myself and the breakdown crew--something communal like a bucket o' chicken so I don't have to take everyone's order works well.

It's funny how different my food experiences will be from slbunge's. Eating during a convention becomes somewhat of an obsession. If I were on vacation, I would never eat, say, at the convention center, but I also wouldn't be able to afford meals at some of the best places in town. I try to balance need vs. want and most of all find myself craving the divey-est places where normal people go. I like to get a breath of fresh air in the literal and figurative sense. I don't know how many times I've trudged along for blocks looking for a place to eat and ended up in the hotel with another Marriottburger. God, I hate that smoked bacon and those individual ketchups.

I'm considering writing The Misanthrope's Guide to Business Travel.

How do you feel about their cornflake encrusted french toast for breakfast?

I feel like most of my longer business trips have involved Marriotts so when you mentioned the tiny ketchups, I shuddered at the memory.

[babyluck]

I feel like most of my longer business trips have involved Marriotts so when you mentioned the tiny ketchups, I shuddered at the memory.

I find them positively unAmerican.

[babyluck]

Dinner - Jaleo (it was either this or Cafe Atlantico...not sure how Jaleo won)

Hey, I get to help you for once! I was just compiling my list and looked up Café Atlantico and realized I've eaten there. I went there with a friend on my last trip when Jaleo was too crowded. I thought it was good but not great and I think it is priced a little high for what it is.

[hillvalley]

If you are going to Atlantico then Mini Bar is the way to go. If you can get a reservation.

[Bmnixon]

For a Guiness and Steak, I would suggest the Irish Channel Pub on H Street. I haven't been there but my friends all recommend it.

[sregorda]

QUOTE (Miguelito @ Feb 3 2004, 09:58 AM)

People seem to be flocking to Ray's The Steaks in VA (as a result of mucho props from Tom Sietsema)

I was surprised to see in last week's chat that the chef there asked Tom to stop referring people to his restaurant.

--------------------

In today's chat, Sietsema clarified his previous comment by saying that he thought Michael Landrum was joking because the person Michael made his comment to (about Tom no longer recommending RTS) was Sietsema's brother.

Sietsema went on to say: "Ray's the Steaks is a small restaurant with a big fan base. I'm guessing the owner hates to say "no" to people calling for reservations (and yes, you better have one if you want to dine there). "

[bilrus]

I did see that. Nice to have some context. Unfortunately Tom can't use or or in his chats.

[danjryan]

If I could only eat at one restaurant in DC, it would have to be Kinkeads. http://www.kinkead.com/kinkead/kinkead.htm

Of course, only if you like seafood.

Dan

[bilrus]

If I could only eat at one restaurant in DC, it would have to be Kinkeads. http://www.kinkead.com/kinkead/kinkead.htm

Of course, only if you like seafood.

Dan

Welcome to eGullet.

Unfortunately Kinkeads is closed for renovations. In the Post chat today Tom said it was originally shceduled to be open next week, but I got the impression that wasn't happening.

I've never been but want to give it a shot once it is opened up again. It gets mixed reviews around here and I want to have my own opinion.

[babyluck]

Here are my tier 1 choices that I will try to hit. I have the rest of your suggestions in backup. I also read through the whole Zaytinya thread and jotted down all the recommendations. I was completely overwhelmed until I entered everything into Excel & mapped them in MapPoint. Now I feel better.

Restaurants:

Bistro du Coin, El Chalan, Jaleo, Johnny's Half Shell, Luna Grill, Malaysia Kopitiam, Trio’s, Zaytinya

Bars:

Brickskeller, Childe Harold, Dubliner, Firefly

Here are the suggestions I'm putting in the agenda for our staff. It was compiled by someone from a different division in Europe and I gave it to our guys as is. I'd rather pick and choose who gets the good stuff and who I wouldn't mind bumping into!

Angelo & Maxie’s, John Harvard’s, La Casona, Tosca, Ruby Restaurant, Andale Restaurant, Bistro D’Or, Capital Grille, Legal Sea Foods, Ten Penh, Signatures Restaurant, Georgia Brown’s, Matchbox Restaurant

Tomorrow night I'm hoping to convince my train buddies to go over to the Dubliner before cabbing to the hotel for my Guinness/steak. Friday night one of my buddy's sisters will be in town so we are all going out. Jaleo/Zaytinya would be perfect but I'm worried about the crowds & it would probably be better to stick around the hotel & go barhopping. I'm thinking El Chalan and then Firefly and see where that leads us. Saturday we have a party. Sunday will be Jaleo or Zaytinya. By Monday we will be exhausted & my colleagues will probably get room service, so I will go to Malaysia Kopitiam or Ethiopian.

Does Malaysia Kopitiam serve alcohol?

[hillvalley]

Although it has been a while since I was last there, I am a big fan of the Brickskeller. The beer selection is not to be believed and it doesn't have that meat market atmosphere.

Just be careful if they put you in a back room, it gets uncomfortably hot there.

[simdelish]

Just to "second" a few motions:

Zaytinya, Pesce, Nectar, Galileo for lunch or at the bar for dinner even is a less expensive way to get incredible food,

Someone mentioned Tabard Inn, one of my long time favorites... just got a nice review herein this week's Post Magazine might convince you

Jaleo on a Fri night, might be a bit maddening, but if you can go with the flow...

Forget Blackies, and forget Les Halles -- had a terrible dinner there (sorry Tony!), with even more horrible service. And for seafood... not sure about Sea Catch. Didn't even think it was still around.

[Bmnixon]

Sea Catch is definitely still around. Also, if you're planning on doing bar hopping around the Convention Center plan on cabbing to Firefly as it's on the other side of Dupont and would be a hike.

[slbunge]

Bars:

Brickskeller, Childe Harold, Dubliner, Firefly

Damn. I definitely need to do more bar research over the next two days. I had only one measly pub on my list.

Be sure to wave if you see us.

[hjshorter]

Although it has been a while since I was last there, I am a big fan of the Brickskeller.  The beer selection is not to be believed and it doesn't have that meat market atmosphere.

The Brick's selection is great, but unless things have radically changed in the past couple of years, everything is canned or bottled. RFD (same owners) has a large tap selection (lambic on tap!) in addition to a huge variey of cans and bottles.

If the upstairs is open at the Brickskeller I'd sit there. Less claustrophobic.

I have a soft spot for the Childe Harold, but only because I met my husband there. It's pretty forgettable these days.

Edited February 5, 2004 by hjshorter (log)

[babyluck]

Bars:

Brickskeller, Childe Harold, Dubliner, Firefly

Damn. I definitely need to do more bar research over the next two days. I had only one measly pub on my list.

Be sure to wave if you see us.

Absolutely. I guess it's only fair that since I know your name, I can show my face. These should help.

Picture me without the blinking Santa headband & you've pretty much got it: the two faces of babyluck.

[Miguelito]

Here are the suggestions I'm putting in the agenda for our staff....

Angelo & Maxie’s ... La Casona ... Bistro D’Or

Interesting list. Good mix of styles and price points.

A few things jumped out.

Angelo & Maxie's is closed (no big loss) -- McCormick & Schmick's is moving into that space but I do not think they have opened yet.

La Casona is not that good. I went there hoping for a pupusa but the closest thing they had on the menu was some kind of a doughy empanada. Major letdown.

I think "Bistro d'Or" is supposed to be Bistro d'Oc (near Ford's Theater), which I like.