eats news

Some oldish news bits from last week:

Word on Eater and ARLnow is that Michael Landrum is once again tweaking his mini local empire of eateries! Oy. Ray's the Steaks expands to include Retro Ray's.

(photo cred: ARLnow)

Sad BVBC-related news: Capital City Diner has closed. The diner was the venue chosen for our first BVBC brunch. Sad to see it go, especially after reading a Denny's has opened up nearby, which probably contributed to Capital City's hard times.

good thymes

...Good times indeed at Rosemary's Thyme Bistro! This past Sunday was BVBC's second brunch gathering and it was a big success! Thirteen of us convened in the spacious and comfortable side room at the corner bistro, chosen for its varied menu, accommodating seating and close proximity to the originally chosen brunch location that won't be named but you can click on that link and this link to find out - Tabard Sucks. (Oops- I named it. Read the first reviews of each link for my shared sentiment.)

We all got to sit at one big table. Bloody marys, coffee and mimosas were ordered and conversation ensued! Not sure about everyone else's but my blood mary was bloody weak and could have used a bit more booze. Dishes ordered included:

 (photo cred: me)
Eggs Florentine (with home fries, arranged adorably into a smiley face)

(photo cred: S.L.)

Huevos Rancheros (ordered by two people, served over refried beans)

(photo cred: S.L.)
Lamb Shish (served with rice, beans, mixed vegetables and tzatziki)

• Pancakes with eggs and bacon or andouille
• Turkish omelette (served with home fries and fruit)
• Mediterranean Pide (with eggs)
• Kiymali (Turkish minced meat) Pide (with eggs)
• Adana (ground lamb and beef) kebab (served with rice, beans, mixed vegetables and tzatziki)
• Mediterranean pizza (without feta)
• and one more (sorry Grace - what'd you have?)

The pides (PEE-deh), or Turkish style pizzas, were topped flatbread that were folded on the edges so it looked like a boat (sorry no pics, but here's one from Yelp of another pide).

(photo cred: Pastrima pide by Patrick H on Yelp)

The pides were sapid - really tasty and runny with the eggs on top. The adana kebab was tasty as well, but the lamb shish was a bit tough and dry. One of our brunchers expressed some disappointment when he compared his huevos rancheros with those he had in New Mexico. I'm not sure about everyone else's thoughts about the food (I was too busy wolfing down my pide), but I think the general consensus was 'decent.' Although the food was not particularly spectacular, I think it's safe to say everyone was comfortable and the company was excellent (if you guys are reading, feel free to leave your comments below). Even the super-well-behaved kiddies were able to change seats for a change of scenery when needed. The service was friendly, but disappeared for long stretches at times, though this did allow us to enjoy each other's company at our own pace. To their credit, the waitstaff was patient with us, as we seemed to be super-spacey when our food arrived. (I even poked the egg yolks on the wrong pide. I know. Faux pas.) When the check did come, we rewarded the waitstaff nonetheless, because BVBC is so awesome that we were $10 over (yes, over!).

The restaurant is located a pleasant walk away from the Dupont north metro exit and the street parking is limited, though our few drivers had pretty decent luck finding a spot nearby. The take-home: excellent place for big groups and kids with enough food options to please anyone. (I'd like to return to try their tortilla espanola.) Convenient location allows for many nice and leisurely post-brunch activities.

On another note, there was a question of whether or not there was a restriction to ordering only brunchie items, since this is brunch club. The answer is NO! Sillies.

Thanks for making brunch #2 a success everyone! Hope more can make it next time! (Oh - and guests and restaurant suggestions are welcomed.)

Yours in brunch,
me

gavel gavel! BVBC post-brunch review

The inaugural BVBC brunch took place yesterday at the Capital City Diner and it was a success! Seven of us convened in the outside area behind the diner car for a lovely meal in the summer heat (but it wasn't so bad because we were under umbrellas and the good company distracted from the warmth). The ordered dishes included:

• strawberry-topped waffle
• biscuits & gravy platter
• corned beef hash platter
• chicken & waffles (Capital City Diner's specialty)
• hash brown platter

Our waitress was flustered but friendly enough. I ordered the hash, and wished my hash was a bit more crispy - it could have spent a few more minutes on the griddle, but my side pancake was fluffy, tasty, and I appreciated the option of adding just one pancake to my platter, rather than the popular stack. My eggs were perfectly over-easy. One of the reviews for the chicken & waffles was "I think Creme's (as in U St's Creme Cafe) is better, but this waffle is good." We had a cx&waffles virgin, so I'm excited to see him order it at future BVBC gatherings to develop his cx&waffles tasting expertise.

Despite the diner's super tiny size and no reservations policy, there wasn't a long wait at 1130am on a Sunday morning. There is street parking available and H St is nearby should you want some post-brunch drinks from some of the neighborhood's newer establishments (Capital City Diner being a traditional diner, there is no alcohol served).

All in all, it was standard diner fare that fulfills that brunch-time hunger and provides enough midday calories to fuel a great afternoon nap. Given its location and accessibility, I would probably only return if a) I was already in the area, b) it was a convenient meeting place for others, or c) I had other plans in the area.

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it!

One more thing - 2 items have been added to the terms & conditions (at the bottom). This is a trial-and-error process, so if you think of anything else, let me know!

See you next time!

REintroducing the BON VIVANT BRUNCH CLUB

OK - so planning brunch isn't so easy. Here is the updated terms and conditions. Thanks for bearing with us while we figure it out.

The BON VIVANT BRUNCH CLUB

For those of you who received a coveted invitation, welcome. The Bon Vivant Brunch Club (BVBC) is an invitation-only gathering of convivialists who share an appreciation for good food and good times (and the joy of going home to a nice nap afterwards). 

You will find all the terms and conditions in this posting. Confirmation for the first gathering will be distributed via email.

How this is going to work:

1. BVBC will be held every last Sunday of every other month unless noted by me or G (ie if we're busy, out of town, lazy, etc..). I'll work out the schedule and post and/or email it.

2. BVBC locations will be determined by a vote.  Suggested locations (chosen according to number of people expressing interest) will be sent to those who have expressed interest..  The place with the most votes wins. Suggested additions to the list will be considered, but selection is not guaranteed. (Disclaimer: most of the restaurants chosen will be new to us, so if they suck, you can't blame us.)

3. BVBC will convene around the same time every brunch day - 1130am. If reservations are not taken on a particular week, an earlier arrival time may be needed and will be noted in the email of details that will go out before brunch day (see 4. below).

4. Reminder emails will be sent out every first Sunday of each brunch month (with the exception of the first gathering). These emails will ask for a head count of those interested. RSVPing to these emails guarantees a seat. Details regarding arrival time, reservations, price range, gratuity charges, crowd conditions, back-up plans, RSVP deadline, etc will be in this email.

5. RSVP by email by the Sunday before brunch day (one week before brunch day - this is subject to change depending on popular places that require booking weeks ahead). RSVP only if you are attending - no need to let us know if you can't make it (hope to see you next time!).

6. Depending on the restaurant, there may be a maximum number of people. This is due to the desire to keep brunch day intimate. It would also be easier to get a table at places that don't take reservations with a smaller group. 

7. Post-brunch reviews are welcomed.

8. If you know of someone who would like to be added to the BVBC mailing list, let me know!

9. If you would like to bring a friend, just let me know when you RSVP for a brunch day. All are welcomed, as long as you RSVP early enough in the case of an imposed cap (see items 4 and 6 above).

Did I leave anything out? If so, let me know! Also, email me or G if you don't want to partake in the fun that is BVBC (our feelings won't be hurt, but we'll miss you).

OK - fingers crossed! I hope this works!

BON VIVANT BRUNCH CLUB Schedule

As promised, here is the schedule of brunch days (they're all Sundays, at 1130am, unless otherwise noted):

July 31
September 25
November 27 (but probably not because this is Thanksgiving holiday weekend)

...what? Only 2 for-sure brunch days for the remainder of the year? Hmm... we may have to consider making this every month. If so, here are the other days:

August 28
October 30

REintroducing the BON VIVANT BRUNCH CLUB

OK - so planning brunch isn't so easy. Here is the update terms and conditions. Thanks for bearing with us while we figure it out.

The BON VIVANT BRUNCH CLUB

For those of you who received a coveted invitation, welcome. The Bon Vivant Brunch Club (BVBC) is an invitation-only gathering of convivialists who share an appreciation for good food and good times (and the joy of going home to a nice nap afterwards). 

You will find all the terms and conditions in this posting. Confirmation for the first gathering will be distributed via email.

How this is going to work:

1. BVBC will be held every last Sunday of every other month unless noted by me or G (ie if we're busy, out of town, lazy, etc..). I'll work out the schedule and post and/or email it.

2. BVBC locations will be determined by a vote.  Suggested locations (chosen according to number of people expressing interest) will be sent to those who have expressed interest..  The place with the most votes wins. Suggested additions to the list will be considered, but selection is not guaranteed. (Disclaimer: most of the restaurants chosen will be new to us, so if they suck, you can't blame us.)

3. BVBC will convene around the same time every brunch day - 1130am. If reservations are not taken on a particular week, an earlier arrival time may be needed and will be noted in the email of details that will go out before brunch day (see 4. below).

4. Reminder emails will be sent out every first Sunday of each brunch month (with the exception of the first gathering). These emails will ask for a head count of those interested. RSVPing to these emails guarantees a seat. Details regarding arrival time, reservations, price range, gratuity charges, crowd conditions, back-up plans, RSVP deadline, etc will be in this email.

5. RSVP by email by the Sunday before brunch day (one week before brunch day - this is subject to change depending on popular places that require booking weeks ahead). RSVP only if you are attending - no need to let us know if you can't make it (hope to see you next time!).

6. Depending on the restaurant, there may be a maximum number of people. This is due to the desire to keep brunch day intimate. It would also be easier to get a table at places that don't take reservations with a smaller group. 

7. Post-brunch reviews are welcomed.

Did I leave anything out? If so, let me know! Also, email me or G if you don't want to partake in the fun that is BVBC (our feelings won't be hurt, but we'll miss you).

OK - fingers crossed! I hope this works!

introducing the BON VIVANT BRUNCH CLUB

For those of you who received a coveted invitation, welcome. The Bon Vivant Brunch Club (BVBC) is an invitation-only gathering of convivialists who share an appreciation for good food and good times (and the joy of going home to a nice nap afterwards). 

You will find all the terms and conditions in this posting. Confirmation for the first gathering will be distributed via email.

How this is going to work:

1. BVBC will be held every last Sunday of every other month unless noted by me or G (ie if we're busy, out of town, lazy, etc..). I'll work out the schedule and post and/or email it.

2. BVBC locations will be drawn from a predetermined list of restaurants.  Suggested additions to the list will be considered, but selection is not guaranteed. (Disclaimer: most of the restaurants chosen will be new to us, so if they suck, you can't blame us.)

3. BVBC will convene around the same time every brunch day - 1130am. If reservations are not taken on a particular week, an earlier arrival time may be needed and will be noted in the email of details that will go out before brunch day (see 4. below).

4. BVBC locations will be revealed every 1st Monday of a BVBC month by email (with the exception of the first gathering). Details regarding arrival time, reservations, price range, gratuity charges, crowd conditions, back-up plans, RSVP deadline, etc will be in this email.

5. RSVP by email by the Wednesday before brunch day. I may or may not send out a reminder email. RSVP only if you are attending - no need to let us know if you can't make it (hope to see you next time!).


6. The maximum number of people per brunch day is 12. This is due to the desire to keep brunch day intimate. It would also be easier to get a table at places that don't take reservations with a smaller group. 

7. Post-brunch reviews are welcomed.

Did I leave anything out? If so, let me know! Also, email me or G if you don't want to partake in the fun that is BVBC (our feelings won't be hurt, but we'll miss you).

OK - fingers crossed! I hope this works!