| Ask Tom
Hosted by Tom Sietsema
Washington Post Food Critic
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2002; 10 a.m. ET In a city loaded with diverse restaurants, from New American chic and upscale Italian to sandwich shops and burritos on the run, finding the best places to eat can be a real puzzle. Where's the best restaurant for a first date or an anniversary? Father's Day? What's the best burger joint? Who has the best service? Ask Tom. Tom Sietsema, The Washington Post's food critic, is on hand Wednesdays at 11 a.m. ET to answer your questions, listen to your suggestions and even entertain your complaints about Washington dining. Sietsema, a veteran food writer, has sampled the wares and worked as a critic in Washington, Seattle, San Francisco and Milwaukee, and can talk restaurants with the best of 'em. Tom's Sunday magazine reviews, as well as his "Ask Tom" column, are available early on the Web. The transcript follows. Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Washington, D.C.: Regarding The Weekly Dish in today's Post -- it is my understanding that Ten Penh assistant pastry chef Jason Andelman has actually created the desserts to accompany Chef Tunks' new menu at the Jefferson. washingtonpost.com: The Weekly Dish, (Post, Oct. 30) Tom Sietsema: That wasn't what Jeff Tunks told me when I spoke with him last week, but I always like to give credit where it's due. (Are you an insider?)
Thanks for showing up an hour early today, chatters. It’s back to 11 a.m. again for next week’s discussion.
Washington, D.C.: TS: I am staying in the South of Market area of San Francisco -- do you have any recommendations (your postcards don't seem to have any restaurants in SOMA) Thanks Tom Sietsema: Try any of the following: Azie for splashy French-Asian, Bizou for lusty French fare, Fringale for solid bistro cooking, Hawthorne Lane for an innovative California menu in handsome environs or Restaurant Lulu for its bustle and wood oven-fired dishes.
Virtually here: Tom, I don't mean to dis you. But gee, when Walter Nicholls reviews a place, I go there! He opened up the mystery of Joe's Noodle House to my office last year and we had already been contemplating a visit to Strike Bethesda. I like reading your reviews but I never go to the restaurants. For one thing, they're too hard to get in! I think Walter should have a more regular column! (Don't get me started on Eve). The New York Times has, what, three at least! Tom Sietsema: I’ll pass this on to Walter, who has filled in for me several times when I’ve been away. (I, too, am anxious to try my hand at Strike Bowl.)
Stealing flowers for restaurants: A new low in the D.C. food world: One morning last week I watched a guy steal flowers from my neighbors for, I assume, arrangements in a restaurant. Or maybe for a caterer, I can't know which one for sure. He wore the unmistakable garb of the commercial kitchen-employed, complete with apron and black check pants. My neighbors HAD a breathtaking row of hydrangea bushes, and this jerk walked four blocks from Metro, cut off all their blossoms, and hauled #%$ right back to the Metro carrying an enormous armful of flowers. Oh yes -- he took various alleys to get back to the subway with his loot, not streets. Tom Sietsema: Now THAT'S a first in this forum. I’m curious why you chose not to confront him?
12th Floor Metro Center: You fooled me in Sunday's magazine. I was reading the review of Strike Bethesda and thought it odd that you would be reviewing a bowling alley. Then when I got to the end, I saw that it was another staffer! Would you ever consider reviewing something like the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse? Tom Sietsema: Sure! I like to write about a wide range of dining venues. In fact, when I took this job several years ago, one of the things I told my editor was that I'd like to review good food wherever it might occur, "even in a bowling alley."
A steady diet of the same thing week after week would get pretty tiresome for readers and writer alike.
Clinton, Md.: After five years of dating, my boyfriend's dad and his girlfriend will finally meet my dad and his wife. Included in the group is two vegetarians (one vegetarian loves hot food), one omnivore allergic to milk and milk products, one wine lover, and one omnivore who does not have an adventurous palate (usually sticks to American, Italian, Chinese, and French). Any suggestions for a Saturday night dinner in D.C. or the surrounding suburbs? Tom Sietsema: Yanyu in Cleveland Park has much of what you’re looking for, in a very attractive space to boot. Good luck!
Sun Valley question: Third time to ask, hopefully this will be the charm. Parents off to Sun Valley, Idaho, for their anniversary and mom's birthday. I'd love to get them a gift certificate for a wonderful celebratory dinner (38 years!). Any suggestions from you or the peanuts? Money no object -- excellent food and service is key! Thanks Tom! Tom Sietsema: I’ve never been to Sun Valley. Can any posters help out a fellow chatter?
Washington, D.C.: Tom, I really enjoy your reviews and annual dining guides. I never try a new place without checking the washingtonpost.com Web site first to see if you have covered it. So, it is unfortunate that when restaurants are included in your dining guide, the full review that was published earlier seems to be removed from the Web site. I understand the perils of dated reviews, and of course take the date into account when evaluating your recommendations, but the full review provides much more useful information than the brief dining guide entry. Ironically, the places you select for the guide get the short treatment, while less desirable places retain the full review indefinitely. Apologies for the rant, and maybe I just don't know how to find what I am looking for. Any suggestions, or solutions? Keep up the good work! Tom Sietsema: Thank you, and let me mull that one over with my editor and my colleagues at dot.com. You raise a good point there.
Washington, D.C.: A bit of advice to vegetarians in answer to a question in last week's discussion. Some restaurants may have little vegetarian choice on the menu, but be very flexible in preparing vegetarian dishes. Nora's often has only one vegetarian entree on their menu, but they will allow customers to pick and choose from appetizers and sides to create another vegetarian option of choice. I've seen them serve their liver with mushrooms and onions sans liver to a very happy vegetarian. Tom Sietsema: Helpful of them, but isn’t that kind of like serving a banana split without any fruit or ice cream?
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.: Hey Tom, The chats are fantastic! Can I pick your brain? My parents and grandparents from upstate New York are coming down next weekend. They can handle Italian, Arabic, Greek, American and fish -- Indian, Ethiopian and Pan-Asian are too exotic for this crowd. Also, somewhere quiet would be very helpful for the grandparents' hearing aids. Got any ideas inside the Beltway? Thanks! Tom Sietsema: Sure, check out the link to my dining guide, where you can find reviews for Al Tiramisu (Italian), Mykonos Grill (Greek), Johnny's Half Shell (seafood) and Little Fountain Café (American), among other answers to your questions.
washingtonpost.com: Annual Dining Guide
Cashions: Tom, I think they know what you look like. You always rave about the place. I've gone a couple time, as has my wife, and many of our friends. None of us plan on returning. Our food has just been average. As much as you rave about it and recommend it I would expect it to knock my socks off. I think they know when you are there and make sure your dish is the best, but let us other common folks eat from the same bucket. Tom Sietsema: Really? I send friends, unknown to the staff, there all the time and very rarely hear anything negative about the cooking. What specifically don't you care for?
Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: For my birthday this year, I decided that Mimi's would be a great place to have a celebration. A week before the event I made reservations for 12 for the evening of my birthday. The day of my birthday, about an hour and a half before the reservation time, the owner of Mimi's called me at home to inform me that a mistake had been made when my reservation was taken. Apparently Mimi's was booked for a private party that evening, and wouldn't be able to seat my party. Andy, the owner, promised me a free meal for two at some point in the future to make up for this horrible error. I had dinner at Jaleo that night (I was able to round up my friends before they went all the way to Mimi's), and it was great. Since then, however, Andy hasn't returned any of my phone calls or inquiries about my free dinner. It's awful that the owner of a restaurant would be allow such a mistake in the first place, but it's really unbelievable that he has yet to follow up with me. Is there anything else I can do, besides avoid Mimi's in the future? Tom Sietsema: Mistakes happen. But I'm surprised that the owner, a very conscientious sort when I've talked to him, wouldn't return your messages.
Alexandria, Va.: I also have been very frustrated by the deletion of the previous reviews. I do not generally print them out or keep copies of the paper, so I count on the details to be on the Web. It has been quite annoying not to be able to find the details about things to avoid that I know that I have read but to which I now do not have access. Tom Sietsema: I'm listening, I'm listening.
Washington, D.C.: While were on the subject of Tunks, would you take an out of town visitor to DC Coast or Ten Penh. Both good, but which is better these days? Tom Sietsema: Ten Penh feels and tastes the most appealing to me these days. I really like Cliff Wharton's cooking, the seamless service, the buzz of the crowd, the design of the place.
Fairfax, Va.:
Tom, I'm wondering how you stumble across many of the places you review? I recently dined at Temel in Fairfax (which was fantastic) and although I had driven past it every day for years, I would have not known it was there. Any other holes-in-the-wall you can recommend out this way? Tom Sietsema: I've had pretty good luck in Fairfax over the years (though I don't think Temel is as good as when it opened, I hate to report). That particular review was the result of a tip from a Northern Virginia baker of Middle Eastern background.
Not all reader tips pan out. I've spent a great deal of time and money chasing leads that are, well, less than successful. I get ideas from all over -- local newsletters, driving around on my own, cab drivers, store clerks, friends. It really varies.
Somewhere quiet would be very helpful for the grandparents' hearing aids: And you recommended Johnny's Half Shell? Though I love the food, I can barely hear myself speak in there and I don't need hearing aid! If it were my parents and grandparents, I'd pick among Corduroy, the Oval Room, Equinox, Cashions in DC. Or Majestic Cafe or Bilbo Baggins in Old Town (even though Bilbo Baggins wasn't on your list, parents love the place). Tom Sietsema: I suggested Johnny's for seafood. Corduroy would be my pick for a quiet spot.
Annapolis, Md.: Tom -- for the person looking for a place in Sun Valley: you can't do better than Felix, in Ketchum. Mainly Spanish, with a French accent. We've been there three or four times over the course of several trips to SV to ski. Elegant but friendly service, great food. (one caveat, if that's important - they only have a beer and wine license). I really recommend the lamb or the osso bucco. Tom Sietsema: Sounds worth checking out. Thanks for the tip, Annapolis.
Annapolis Grill?: Worth the trip from Northern Virginia? Tom Sietsema: No.
U-Street, Washington, D.C.: Tom,
I have an easy question for you: Why oh why (by the way, I quite enjoy your other reviews) do you pan Nora's as being over-the-top expensive? My husband and I dine there every once in a while and don't find it any more expensive than other good restaurants in D.C., and certainly still under others like Palena and Citronelle. It is the average of top priced places. What on earth makes you say this? We regularly get before dinner drinks, wine, appetizers (both of us), main courses, dessert and coffee. Can you explain? (and no, I don't work there!) Tom Sietsema: What can I say? I almost always leave the restaurant feeling as if the quality of the cooking, some of which is very “casual”, doesn’t match what I'm paying.
Farragut Square, Washington, D.C.: Tom, I am wondering if you have noticed an increase in general pickiness in the dining public. For example, you are constantly getting requests for places to eat that would be agreeable to someone who does not like this, is allergic to that, or is on some kooky diet that forbids something else. I personally have found this to be a bit of a disturbing trend -- I can hardly go out to dinner with friends because of this general pickiness. Thoughts? Tom Sietsema: I wrote about this very subject in a Food section story several years ago. Yes, I think people are much more vocal about what they want to see (or not see) on their plate. I can understand allergies, but some requests are just downright inappropriate.
The guy from the princess bride:: Tom A friend told me about an incident with Wallace Shawn of "The Princess Bride" fame. He asked her how she was going to get out of her seat in a crowded restaurant when she got up. Have you ever bumped elbows with any celebs while eating, or is this question inconceivable? Tom Sietsema: I sat next to Michael Douglas at a bar once and shared food and college tips with Henry Winkler (who was her to check out scholls for his daughter). I see congressmen and TV anchors and the occasional White Houser now and then -- DC's version of celebrities, right?
Local 16th: Have you been? Have heard mixed reviews. Tried to get in one night, but there was a long wait. Looks nice -- a lot nicer than Julios! (And any clues as to how they chose the name?) Tom Sietsema: The name refers to the chef's wish to buy from local sources and to its location, at 16th and
Del Ray, Va.: Tom, I was in San Francisco recently and had a great Vietnamese/French sandwich called I think "Banh Mi" at a little hole in the wall place. Is there anywhere in the D.C. area that you know of that would have that? Tom Sietsema: In Silver Spring, right around the corner from Samantha's on Piney Branch Road, there's this little Vietnamese market that sells delicious (beef/vegetable) sandwiches for an amazing $2. Alas, the name escapes me, but it's Ba something or other.
Washington, D.C.: Any ideas on a good place to celebrate a divorce? Tom Sietsema: Are you looking for a long or short meal?
Takoma Park, Md.: Tom, my question is more about attire than food per se. Am going to Little Fountain Cafe tomorrow to celebrate a 30th birthday. Although I want to dress up a bit, the person I am taking prefers to dress casual. Any guidance on appropriate clothing? Thanks for your input! Tom Sietsema: LFC is one of those wonderful places where one of you can be in jeans, the other in suit and tie (or dress) and no one cares either way.
Re: Cashions: I ate a Cashions a few weeks ago, and had a fabulous time. They treated us like royalty! And we are a couple of mid-20somethings. They got on our good side immediately, when we ordered a glass of white wine to split before we decided on a bottle, they brought us two glasses "on accident." The food, ambiance, everything, made for one of the most enjoyable nights on the town in a long time. We eat out on occasion, and I feel that the more we interact with the server regarding the food and wine, the more enjoyable the dining experience is. If you treat the server with respect, they will (hopefully) do the same for you. I love dining in D.C.! Tom Sietsema: Well put.
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.: Some fellow politicos and I are looking for somewhere fun to watch election returns on Tuesday that doesn't have sticky floors and $2 Buds. Know of any nicer restaurants or lounges having Election Night parties? Tom Sietsema: I bet Caucus Room (owned in part by pols) will be staging something appropriate to the day.
Alexandria, Va.: Tom: Going to Boston this weekend and was wondering if you would attach the link for your "Postcards from Boston" please. washingtonpost.com: Postcard From Tom, (June 2) Tom Sietsema: There you go. And lucky you. Boston is a terrific restaurant town.
L Street: A quickie...where can I get the best bi bim bop around? Tom Sietsema: Sorak Garden in Annandale and Cho's Garden in Fairfax both offer a good version of that Korean classic (which is a sort of rice casserole with beef and vegetables, accented with chili paste).
Like to plan ahead: Hi Tom! How early is too early to call restaurants with reservations for New Year's Eve? Any previews about what's going on? So far I've yet to have a great NYE, and thought I'd try something different. Tom Sietsema: From what I hear, a lot of places are waiting to see how the next few weeks play out, in terms of business and headlines, before planning anything. I’m forecasting a subdued New Year’s Eve for many people this season.
Georgetown: Local 16? If you want a mini-review here it goes. Please understand that I am criticizing only because I WANT them to do better. I live 1 block away. I am also an aficionado of Red, Dragonfly, ESL, so the attitude potential does not impact me. Went last Saturday at 10 p.m. No reservations allowed. Very loud. Not a surprise really.
Bread: Stale beyond stale. Next batch was not much better.
Mussels: Decent but way over-salted and too much garlic. Yes, you can add too much garlic!
Shrimp Appetizer: The shrimp were nice, tempura style. But $8 for THREE lousy shrimp. That is just unacceptable.
Chicken Breast: Dry. How can you serve dry chicken? It was terrible.
Service: It seemed like there were more servers than patrons but the result was not very good. Food arrived before we were finished with the last course. Wine took forever. Basically, this place needs to put a little more effort into the food and less into the 'scene'. I suspect that there are significant differences between running a hot club and a great restaurant, and the new owners need to learn that. Tom Sietsema: Unlike critics, readers don't feel compelled to wait for a new place to settle in before paying it a visit.
Thanks for your raw footage of the place.
Vietnamese sandwiches in Silver Spring: I believe the name of the place you're thinking of is Ba Le. It is on Piney Branch just off University Blvd (west of University). I haven't been but drive by often. Tom Sietsema: Thank you!
Re: Restaurant to celebrate a divorce: To paraphrase Cindy Adams, "Only in D.C., kids. Only in D.C." Tom Sietsema: I bet the couple won't be doing any "canoodling" as Ms. Adams also likes to say!
Washington, D.C.: Do any of your peers around the country host a weekly chat like you? What do they think of you being amused and abused by your readers every Wednesday? Tom Sietsema: No one else (that I know of, in the world of print)does this on a regular basis. (Smart people!)
Some Wednesdays, this forum is re-energizing. Other Wednesdays, I feel I need to buy a flak jacket. But it is never, ever dull. And I thank all of you for that.
Seriously, this hour is one of the highlights of my week. I only wish I had more time to go into greater detail -- and re-read my responses before they go out to the world.
Fairfax, Va.: Tom -- You gotta admit that I have perseverance. Have you ever eaten at the Taj Mahal Indian restaurant in D.C. or in Springfield, Va.? If so, do you recommend it? We especially love the vegan Thali platter! Tom Sietsema: Sorry, I haven't been there. (See, it works!)
Rosslyn, Va.: Since I am nursing the first cold of the season, my thoughts are of really good, home style soup -- preferably chicken with matzo balls. Who has decent soup that is worth getting out of bed to go fetch? The thought of the canned stuff makes me shudder. Tom Sietsema: Will you settle for turkey noodle at the Breadline? Mixtec in Adams Morgan makes a nice chicken soup, but no matzo balls, as you might suspect.
Washington, D.C.: I really enjoyed the dining guide this year. It was nice to see some new places crop up and I'd love to see more of your "best of" categories -- perhaps this could become a food section feature. I completely concur about York Castle Tropical ice cream. Their ginger, mango and rum raisin ice cream has been a staple in our house for years! Another surprisingly great ice cream place is the National Gallery espresso/gelato bar in the East Wing Waterfall Cafe. Their hazelnut ice cream is divine and along with a shot of espresso is a perfect pick me up during a day at the museum. Tom Sietsema: Great tip! (And I think you just helped plan MY weekend.)
Thanks for another fun hour everyone. I'll be back next Wednesday at the usual 11 a.m. for the usual rants and raves.
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