Conversations / Live Q&A

This is not a good week to answer the question, not after the last several dispiriting meals I've had in the area. I'm thinking about the cloying Korean cooking at the renovated Palace Kitchen in Annandale; the gloppy Chinese fare at a previous favorite, X.O. Taste, in Falls Church; and the disastrous Turkish dinner I experienced just last night at Ezme in Dupont Circle, where the iskender -- shaved slices of  dull meat and torn dried bread topped with a catsuplike tomato sauce --  sent me running for another restaurant.

Where does DC rank? Right now, and I think the economy is partly to blame, I'd put the city behind New York, Los Angeles (where the regional Chinese, Mexican and other cuisines are tops), San Francisco, Chicago, Portland and Seattle (in that order, more or less).

What sayeth the crowd today? And where have you dined recently around town that's been good? (I liked the new We, the Pizza on the Hill.)

We're chatting at noon today, trying to avoid the hiccups that have accompanied my last few 11 a.m. food chats. With luck, we'll return to the normal routine next week. Thanks for your patience on the matter.

Lots of questions today. Let's begin.

For Restaurant Week (Aug. 16-22), you should consider places that would normally be a splurge. J & G Steakhouse certainly falls into that category, and it happens to be as good now as when I reviewed it shortly after it opened. 

I like Againn, but I haven't seen its RW menu yet. I'd skip Kemble Park Tavern, though, and my last meal at Masa 14 was just OK.

Other places you might consider:  Bibiana downtown, Eola in Dupont Circle, Montmartre on the Hill, New Heights in Woodley Park and the Oval Room near the White House.

Tell me more about what you're looking for, food- and setting-wise.

 Excellent question. The problem isn't just with the high-end places, either. Up and down the range of restaurants, I'm experiencing more middling food than in recent seasons.

Could it be the heat? The sluggish economy? Too many young chefs taking time off to be new parents? (Not that that's a bad thing, but my timing hasn't been great in regard to the last scenario.)

Annapolis is not a hotbed for great places to eat. Of the less expensive, non-chain places, however, The Rockfish in Eastport might suit your needs. Focus on the oysters, the crab cakes and the Asian-style wings.

Sante, in the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, is getting some good press (Michelin awarded it a star last year). And according to the San Francisco Chronicle, Douglas Keane continues to deliver four-star fare in Healdsburg at Cyrus, which I enjoyed immensely a few years back. For something different -- Portuguese -- keep the rustic La Salette, in the town of Sonoma, on your to-do list.

Any chatters care to weigh in?

I wouldn't say nobody is going there. It's been fairly active on my visits. Did you know that there's already a new chef? Ed Witt, briefly of Morso, took over from Adam Longworth recently.

Carry ear plugs? Ask to be reseated? It's hard to complain  about noise/conversation when it's happening outside.

I like Plume a lot, but it hardly compares to the Inn, which has a dreamy country setting and star chef Patrick O'Connell  to its extensive credit. Plus, don't Seven Deadly Sins in a pretty garden sound more enchanting than a cheese plate eaten indoors this time of year?

My service has been both great and not. You're right about those milkshakes.

What movie was playing when you were in? So far, I've seen (parts of) King Kong, Streetcar Named Desire, Some Like it Hot ... Love the fact I can multi-task at Ted's.

Hate to say it, but I had a seriously underwhelming dinner at Jackie's a couple weeks ago: tough empanadas filled with near-raw summer squash, dry meatloaf and a waiter who just went through the motions of serving my party.  Love the groovy vibe there, but the cooking isn't where it should be. Bummer!

Your best bet is to stick with the foreign mom & pops, places like Mandalay for Burmese and Samantha's for Mexican and Salvadoran.

My big problem at Zaytinya is what to leave out;  there are *dozens* of things you don't want to miss on the restaurant's epic menu of dips, salads, fish and meat.

Among the many hits are the apricot-carrot fritters, the squid with lemon sauce, beer-battered skate, the falafel, the lamb chops, the refreshing fruit drinks  .... I could go on and on.

More and more, I prefer a handful of well-thought-out choices to a bunch of "stuff."  Part of the reason I like to eat out (aside from the fact it's my JOB) is the chance to experience what a chef thinks might be best or most interesting or true to the season or whatever.

One of the most impressive meals I had recently was culled from a menu with fewer than 10 dishes -- total. Unfortunately, it occured in Providence, RI, rather than here in town. (Yes, you can expect a Postcard from Providence later this month.)

Let's see. Artie's serves a rib-eye steak (along with prime rib Thursday through Saturday) . You could start with the spinach-artichoke dip and segue into a meatless pasta or salad.

 Now THAT grabbed my attention! Pray tell, where can we find this restaurant in Key West with roaming roosters?

A preview: One of the best restaurants in Providence is actually in Bristol. Ever heard of Persimmon? Delightful.

Good to know. Thanks.

Spoken like an insider. I think you're right.

Ah, let me make myself clear. A few places I've been to recently were without their top toques (new dads tending to freshly minted offsprng), which resulted in some less-than-stellar meals.

I always though it was CATS I needed to watch out for down there ....

For starters, we can only hope some of these chat transcripts are read aloud at restaurant staff meetings.

Thanks for the idea.

It might not be as big as ours, but Portland's dining scene is really exciting right now. (It helps to have building blocks, like great wine, nearby.) Happy to hear Le Pigeon is still delicious. 

No. I was there for only 60 hours or so (but I managed to fit in 9 meals).

I wish the hour wasn't winding down. This is interesting stuff.

I like to support the home team, but ... seriously?

Oregon. (Sorry.)

There are certainly exceptions. Michel Richard's Central and Cathal Armstrong's Majestic, etc., come to mind.

Cafe Divan (Turkish) near National Cathedral? Seventh Hill for pizza on the Hill? Perry's in Adams Morgan for the rooftop fun?

Let me try to help by jogging your memory. What about the vegetarian platter at the new Ethiopic? Sushi or grilled skewers of meat, best enjoyed at the counters of the trendy Kushi? A delicious taste of England at Againn?

 Have you made the acquaintance of Michael's Noodles yet? If not, you should.

I barely made a dent in its 250-item menu when I reviewed the place last year, but I can vouch for the shredded pork with dried bean curd, the snack of tiny fried fish with peanuts and hot peppers, the steamed rockfish and ground chicken with sour cabbage, a Taiwanese dish. 

Hope to get Wai Wang on the phone; she's the best guide in the place.

Thanks for chiming in. My experience with 8407 so far is very mixed (but I dig the decor).

You should find a few ideas in my recent Postcard from Philly.

Thanks for a lively hour, gang. See you back here next week (maybe at 11 a.m., perhaps at noon).