Mother's Day brunch

[mhberk]

Give them another chance for lunch.      Breakfast/brunch doesn't sound like their forte!

Jenny,

You're probably right. One day I WILL eat there again. It's just that I live in Howard County and only make down to D.C. once or twice a month to visit my mother who lives in Cleveland Park. The visit ALWAYS includes a lunch or dinner at a restaurant of my choice. I just feel that there are too many restaurants in D.C. to waste my time going to if the first meal I have there is sub-par. Unless I've heard really exceptional things about a restaurant, they usually only get one chance to win me over.

But I'll tell you what, next time I'm down in the Friendship Heights area doing some shopping or seeing a movie, I will make it a point to go back to Chadwicks, order a burger and soup, and eat it outside (I love to people watch) and then report back to you.

Speaking of Friendship Heights, has anyone been to Kron Chocolatier in Mazza Gallerie? The truffles there are THE BEST I have ever had!! UNBELIEVABLE!! Do yourself a favor and get a sample the next time you're down there.

In the immediate vicinity, there aren't many great food choices IMHO. Really, it's pretty much Chadwick's, Panera (chain), Chipotle (chain), Cheesecake Factory (chain), Maggiano's (chain).

We usually just hit Maggiano's or The Cheesecake Factory. Is Clyde's still over there?

[bbq4meanytime]

If your mother in law isn't into great food don't waste your time at the Ashby.  Instead, wait until she offers to take the kids for a weekend and go for brunch with Scott.

Maybe you have had better luck with Ashby then I have, but I have found it to be lacking both for brunch and dinner. I have given a couple of chances for both and will probably never go back. A better choice for dinner in this area is Auberge Provencale. I think Ashby benefits from the fact there is not alot of competition out here. Alsop Four and Twenty Blackbirds is wonderful for both brunch and dinner.

The ambiance at The Ashby is really nice part. The food is (in my experience) was satisfactory, some courses being below avergae and some being very good.

You and I differ on L'Auberge Provencal. I didn't like it at all, especially given the price. Now, I like 4&20 Blackbirds. Four & Twenty Blackbirds might offer a good balance ambiance, quality food and a reasonable price, if one could get Mothers Day reservations.

[Mrs. P]

I think the clyde's closed due to the renovation they are doing of that whole block with Giant, marvelous market, etc. Last time I passed by it looked like the whole place was shut down and they were going to put in a medical office building or something, end date 2006. Does anybody know what they are doing with that space?

[hillvalley]

If your mother in law isn't into great food don't waste your time at the Ashby.  Instead, wait until she offers to take the kids for a weekend and go for brunch with Scott.

Maybe you have had better luck with Ashby then I have, but I have found it to be lacking both for brunch and dinner. I have given a couple of chances for both and will probably never go back. A better choice for dinner in this area is Auberge Provencale. I think Ashby benefits from the fact there is not alot of competition out here. Alsop Four and Twenty Blackbirds is wonderful for both brunch and dinner.

The ambiance at The Ashby is really nice part. The food is (in my experience) was satisfactory, some courses being below avergae and some being very good.

I have only been for brunch, but have enjoyed it both times. The gardens are beautiful setting, especially if you get one of the small tables in the garden.

The food is not the best around, but certainly worthy of the trip. The last time I was there they had a beautiful cured salmon. The bloody mary's are also delicious.

[Ted Task]

As an OLD foodie,I understand the angst of finding a place for a once a year somewhat special meal. May I suggest...go to those places that you usually frequent beforehand , 'splain the circumstance and let them take good care of a REGULAR>

Having said the above, I can't believe people NOT knowing Blacks in Behtesda....VERY talented Chef owner . Good food, good ambience.

Ritz in Tysons has a SUPER brunch, however it is $61 per (must be less for children) , last time there we sat down at 10:45 and got up at 2:45..simply put, a great selection of well done foods, from a to z.

Don't know if Gregg Hill at D&G (21st and M) is doing brunch, but for MANY years he did the best brunch in the whole world (ok, maybe I missed one) while exec chef at The Barcelo Hotel. Worth a phone call.

[hjshorter]

Gabriel has a new chef, has anyone been? Their brunch was super, I lived down the street and went quite a bit.

And Ted, I agree about Blacks. We like it (and it's sister place Addie's) quite a lot.

Edit to say: good advice, but we have small children. We aren't regulars anywhere interesting.

Edited April 27, 2004 by hjshorter (log)

[hillvalley]

Happy Belated Mother's day!!!!

How did it go?

[JennyUptown]

I ended up in NYC for Mother's Day so I canceled my Ardeo res.

hjshorter?

[hjshorter]

Thanks for asking.

We had an OK brunch at Tower Oaks. Mrs Bilrus is right, it's a glorified Clyde's, but the food was competent. The highlight was definitely the oysters which were delicious. The space is HUGE, but subdivided nicely and it's surrounded by woods.

My complaint was the service. It was, shall we say, leisurely. Which is fine sometimes but not when dining with a 2 year old. It took so long that Emma nearly had a meltdown and she's normally pretty patient.

[hillvalley]

I have had the same problem with service when I have gone for happy hour. And it wasn't that busy.

Glad to hear the oysters were good. My mom and I had mediocre ones in Annapolis.