Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery - Ballston

4238 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 516-7688
www.rockbottom.com

Visited: May 28, 2010



Man, time sure changes a place...

Had I reviewed RBB two to three years ago, I would've given them a SOLID 4 stars. Their food was delicious, the service was great, the beer was amazing and the servers were all cool. Plus the crowning part of the "old" RBB was that the Wednesday pints were only $1...what a friggin bargain!

The wife and I are members of their Mug Club which periodically puts $5 to $10 on our Mug Club card. They recently put $5 on each of our cards which was the driving reason to visit RBB before the $10 expired at the end of this month.

We stopped by the RBB in Ballston this past week and didn't notice any difference in the decor layout...but it felt different, something had changed. Opening up the menu, some of my old bar favorites were still there...but the descriptions had changed. The wife and I were HUGE fans of their nachos which were always too big for us to finish as they were topped with generous amounts of chicken, guac, sour cream, refried beans, onions and tasty jalapenos.

Thinking the food was the same, we ordered the nachos and waited anxiously for our food to arrive. In the meantime I ordered my old favorite brew (Mother Martha's Light) and the wife tried out a Dark Vanilla flavored beer. The wife's beer was good, it was dark and creamy with a good kick and a deep vanilla flavor. On the other hand, my Mother Martha's Light tasted odd...it wasn't the same full bodied flavor I remembered and it left a weird aftertaste in my mouth.

Finally the nachos arrived! The serving vessel for the nachos was no longer a huge hot porcelain plate, but a thin piece of wood topped with a piece of was paper. The size of the nachos was noticeably smaller and the biggest change was in the chips. The chips were no longer a rainbow of blue red and which chips, they were all thin white chips.

The toppings had change too. Refried beans...no longer! They were replaced by scant scatterings of black beans and the chicken had a "pre-cooked bagged" flavor to it that wasn't too appealing. Most of the serving tray was taken up by a huge oval shaped salsa dish and again I was just disappointed at the small size of the nachos. The guac wasn't up to par and parts of it had a brown color that made it less appetizing.

There was some melted cheese, but the chips were so thin that any attempt to pick up a single chip was met by a broken chip or picking up a huge mass of chips stuck together by the cheese. Its as if the new chips didn't have the strength to stand up to the melted cheese and also broke if you tried to scoop up some guac or salsa.

Ugh...major disappointment...

We asked the waiter why they had changed the nachos and he informed us that the new management was pushing for nacho chips made in-house. Great selling point to make in-house nacho chips, but they are too oily and just waaaaaay to weak/thin. Our waiter (a very nice fellow) also shared our disappointment in the decision to change the nacho recipe...especially in altering the toppings and the discontinued use of the multi-colored chips.

I also noticed on the menu that the Wednesday $1 pints had now changed to $1.50. Hmmm...if the nachos, changing menu and change in beer quality (and prices) says anything about the RBB under new management...I don't think its worth my time and the trip to come to this RBB. Hopefully the other RBBs (the one in MD) are still decent and haven't changed their nacho recipe too.

Just not a fan of this place anymore...sorry RBB. Had some great times in the past, but now i'm all grownz up and I'd rather head somewhere with better beer and much better food. But if you decide to visit RBB, sign up for the Mug Club and keep an eye on your emails for free money.

So for now, hasta la pasta RBB! At least until you put some more money on our Mug Club cards. :-) Maybe we'll try the MD RBB next time.

Chick-Fil-A - Germantown, MD

19945 Century Blvd
Germantown, MD 20874
(240) 686-1110
www.chick-fil-a.com

Visited: May 26, 2010



Blah blah BLAH!!

So take note servers and establishment owners. How can a server / member of your staff lose business for you and drive away repeat customers? Crappy crappy service and an odd sense of being too important to help your customers.

On my way to an off-site office which took me across the river into Maryland and had me drive 30 minutes down i-270...I decided to stop for some breakfast. I had rushed outta the house without grabbing my morning toast and homemade latte in order to get to this off-site office by 6:30am. In doing so, my stomach was growling and asking for some sacrificial food to be tossed into the pit of my stomach to satisfy my hunger.

With little to no gas left in the car, I pulled into this Chick-Fil-A location which was down the street from my off-site office. I parked the car, went inside and looked at the breakfast menu. I had never ever eaten breakfast at ANY Chick-Fil-A, so I took some time reviewing the menu to decide what to order.

This Chick-Fil-A was empty and no other customers where in line and I was the lone person standing at the front counter. Heck, I even stood away from the counter in the event a customer walked in after me and was in a rush to place his or her order. The lady at the registers asked me, "Can I take your order?"

"Ummm" I said still reviewing the menu, "I'm still looking" now feeling a bit rushed and like a dunce trying to figure out what I wanted. I decided on the chicken, egg and cheese bagel sandwich and approached the counter.

"I'll take the chicken, egg and cheese bagel please."

"What drink do you want?"

"Umm...pardon me?"

Server rolls her eyes and speaks louder as if I didn't understand her. "What DRINK do you want?"

"It comes with a drink? I just wanted the sandwich.."

Server sighs heavily as if I'm inconveniencing her. I looked at the board and see that for sixty cents more I can get a drinks and tater tots with my breakfast sandwich. "I'll take an orange juice."

She places the order and sticks out her hand saying, "Seven twenty five".

I hand her a twenty dollar bill and she asks, "Do you have a quarter?"

"No ma'am, I do not have a quarter."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure...if I had a quarter I would've given you a quarter."

Her eyes roll and she gives another "f*ck you idiot" sigh as she pulls out a roll of quarters, cracks them on the counter (and thankfully not on my head). She counts out three quarters, two one dollar bills and a 10 spot and hands it back to me.

Taking out a box or orange juice she leaves it on the back counter and walks away. Another server walks up, picks up the orange juice and ask, "Who is this for?" The server that took my order points to me and walks into the back room. The 2nd server hands me my sandwich and thanks me.

I walk over to the seating area, already annoyed by the 1st server's attitude and those friggin' sighs. All the tables and seats appear to be dirty and one table across from me has some huge liquid spilled all over the table.

Finding the "cleanest" table in the area I sit down and open up the box holding my bagel sandwich. Ugh...futher disappointment. The bagel is okay; a whole wheat bagel which is covered in melted cheese and some folded piece of egg. The chicken patty was the most disappointing part of this sandwich as it was almost 2 sizes smaller than the bagel or even the folded piece of egg (Picture an 8"x8" piece of paper folded in half twice).

Where's the chicken? Taking two bites of the sandwich on the chicken side, my fat ass completely ate the small piece of chicken. Two bites? Seriously? That small? I had been to Chick-Fil-A for lunch and their sandwiches aren't huge, but if memory serves right the pieces of chicken are large enough to fit the bun/bread. Total disappointment.

As I finished the rest of my sandwich (which was now nothing more than an egg and cheese bagel), I kept looking at that table with the huge spilled liquid. I wondered if anyone would come to clean up that spill. During the time I sat there eating my sandwich no one came by. Looking around me at the chairs I saw little pieces of food and now-dry liquid on most of the chairs.

At 6:30am I doubted it this mess wasn't from a huge wave of early morning messy patrons. It had to be from the night before and due to the close proximity to the children's play area I was guessing (having my own experience with my two monkeys) that all this mess was from the night before.

Why was this place so messy? Why hadn't they cleaned this up last night? If the attitude and lack of customer service shown by the 1st server told me anything, it was that the staff of this Chick-Fil-A location probably didn't take pride in their job.

Hey Chick-Fil-A off Century Blvd, make sure you find staff or make your staff care. Personally I will never return to this location and now have a bit of a sour feeling towards other Chick-Fil-A's. Boo!!!!!!!!

Steve's Prince of Steaks

7200 Bustleton Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19149
(215) 338-0985
www.stevesprinceofsteaks.com

Visited: Summer 2009



What makes a man embark on a journey?

The inexplicable drive to explore?

The urge to experience one's own "Hero's Journey" described by Joseph Campbell?

In my experience, my own journeys have not been fueled by the need to discover or to be heroic, but to satiate the Grendel like beast within my tummy....a ferocious beast I call "the hunger".

In my book, any place that will have a fat boy pack up the mini van with the kids and wife for a steak-n-cheese sammich gets 5 stars....especially when its almost 3 hours away and two states north. Yes the steak-n-cheese sandwiches are THAT delicious! Fueled by hunger and the need to satisfy this steak-n-cheese urge the family and I have been known to make the trek from the DC area all the way up to North Philly just to visit Steve's Prince of Steaks.

Its the kind of trip where I would have driven non-stop before the birth of our monkeys, but now the diaper changing/let-the-boys-run-around breaks only delay but further fuels my hunger for a great steak-n-cheese. When we finally arrive in front of Steve's, we quickly hop outta the mini van, pick up the monkeys and make an eager beeline to the ordering counter.

What do I normally order? Steak sandwich with provolone cheese, grilled onions and grilled mushrooms. Friggin' heaven! The meat is tender and freshly cooked for you as soon as you place your order. The bread is the tastiest most fresh bread which perfectly holds all the meat, onion and mushroom juices...preventing them from escaping down your hand as you stuff your face.

Steve's has a do-it-yourself type pepper and pickle area where you can choose from pickles, banana peppers, jalapeno peppers and other picked toppings. I myself opt for some banana peppers but often will enjoy my first sandwich sans toppings to enjoy the full flavor of the meat, provolone cheese, grilled onions and mushrooms.

That's right kids, I said my FIRST sandwich. Do you honestly think I'd drive all the way up here for just one sandwich? You gotta be outta your freakin' mind!

As soon as I finish my second sandwich, I'll waddle my fat ass back up to the counter and order another steak-n-cheese treat. Why don't I just order two at the same time? Obviously you don't listen kid...they make them F-R-E-S-H to order! Unlike Pat or Geno's that has a mountain of cooked meat sitting on the grill, Steve's staff cooks 'em up fresh..and nothing in the world tastes better than a freshly cooked steak-n-cheese sandwich.

The other things that separates Steve's from the poo poo Pat and Geno touristy steak-n-cheese places is that the steak used is top top top. The steak is tender, thinly sliced beef goodness that is NOT chopped up into small cat food like pieces. These wonderful meat slices are beautiful as they are stacked upon the aforementioned fresh bread...friggin' amazing.

I may not be from Philly and yes...as a DC area resident I consider myself a novice when it comes to steak-n-cheese sandwiches. But I'll tell you this, I'll happily stuff the wife and two kids into the van, drive 3 hours north for Steve's steak-n-cheese sandwiches, something that I would NEVER do for Pat or Geno's sandwiches. I know what I like, and I loooooove me some Steve's steak-n-cheese sandwiches.

Five big f'ing stars for Steve's Prince of Steaks for making me this fat boy an addict of their steak-n-cheese sandwiches. Hmmm...I think its almost time for a run up north. Wonder if the wife would be up for a weekend stuff-your-face roadtrip.

:-)

ACKC Cocoa Bar

2003 Mt Vernon Ave
Suite A
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 635-7919
www.thecocoagallery.com

Visited: May 25, 2010



So today I cheated on my sweet love...
I took another mistress, a "part-time lovaaaaaaaah"

Sing it Stevie Wonder!!

Yes, I cheated and I wanted to use this forum to come clean...

I had forgotten that my sweet lover, my Dairy Godmother wasn't open on Tuesdays...and I fell into the arms of another sweet thing, another sweet lover...

She is dark, silky, lovely and full of cocoa treats that have won me over...

What would my other sweet love say if she knew I had taken a lover just a few blocks down from her, on the SAME street? I'm sure that after all the pulled hair, scratches and yelling they would fall for each other...

It's okay, I love you both...each for different reasons. There's a place in my belly for each of you. And ACKC Cocoa Bar, you now own a little bit of real estate in my fat belly...a belly shared by my frozen custard lover and my other DC love Locolat...

I love you all my sweet temptresses...so don't fret...there's plenty of this fat boy to go 'round for you all. Just keep the sweet treats flowing and continue to love me now matter how fat I become. Fat means more of me, which means more for you...and then more of you will make me even bigger. Oh this lovely codependent relationship...who wouldn't love to take on this sweetness?

ACKC Cocoa Bar is neatly decorated with artwork, stained glass and tables created by the owner. The staff at ACKC was a lone young lady who was so friendly to the boss lady and our two monkeys. She happily shared sample of their ice cream (we had gone to Del Ray for ice cream and I wanted ice cream dammit!!) and was one of THE nicest people I have ever met!

My wife and this young lady chatted for quite awhile while the monkeys ran around the shop marveling at all the candy and "kah-ko-leh" (chocolate) in the display cases and on the shelves. As I snapped up some pix to post on Yelp, I couldn't help but marvel at their variety of chocolates...

We had some ice cream (toasted coconut) and the wife indulged and shared some delicious macarons. The ice cream was tasty, an okay substitute but no replacement for the Dairy Godmother. The chocolate selection was AMAZING and I did my best to control my drooling.

What made this place outstanding was the kind young woman behind the counter who filled us in on some upcoming events and tastings. She treated the boys to some tasty treats and happily engaged them in some playful games with a little desk bell. Apparently ACKC gives free ice cream to local students that get more than four A's on their report card and often have free tasting of chocolate or pastries to people on their email mailing list.

The wife signed up for the email list and we promised to return very soon. Sometime tasty treats are made even more delicious when the service is so outstanding. Great job ACKC in finding such a wonderful person to run your store as she and your tasty treats are the main reason we'll return. Ummm...chocolate and tasty treats...

2 Amys

3715 Macomb St NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 885-5700
www.2amyspizza.com

Visited: May 22, 2010



Okay, so let's use the following formula to kick off this review:

2 Amys + 1 Fat Daddy = A ménage à trois of pizza goodness

Über-Yumness to the Nth degree...

Throw in some beer, the wife, two monkeys and our friends with their cutie little baby girl....and the experience becomes even better.

This wasn't our first time at the 2 Amy's, but my fat ass finally got around to writing a well deserved review. From our first visit, I was impressed with the quality of the food, the tasty brews and an environment/restaurant that didn't wince at the arrival of two adults with children....nay, they rejoiced and welcome us with smiles and high chairs.

If you're a "breeder" (a loving term given to us people that have shared DNA in order to create little ones by those without their own monkeys), then you'll enjoy the 2 Amy's. Not only is the food tasty and creative, but the restaurant welcomes parents with kids. You'll look around and see families after families enjoying their tasty pizzas with their younger DNA-combos sitting right next to them.

Anytime we arrive at the 2 Amy's our boys are given crayons and paper to keep them busy while Mommy and Daddy scan the pizza menus and while Daddy chooses a tasty brew. The pizza is cooked in their oven to perfection; the crust is always crispy and fresh tasting while the ingredients of whatever pizza ordered is top top top quality.

On this most recent occasion I ordered the Etna pizza which was topped with (pulled directly off their website's menu) Eggplant confit, olives, capers, oregano and grana....can you say UMMMM!??!?!?

The boss lady ordered a pizza (don't remember the name) with zucchini flowers, thin zucchini, squash and beautiful blobs of mozzarella cheese bulbs that to me (on first look) appeared to be small quail eggs. Her pizza was beautiful and who's beauty was only surpassed by the flavor.

Both pizzas were delicious and I'm glad that I hadn't listened to my wife who initially wanted to share a single pizza. We each destroyed our pizzas, sharing a few slices of one another's pizza to taste the other pizza. OMG...I missed you two gals...my 2 Amys.

We'll definitely be back and will happily make the multi-light heavy traffic voyage into the city for some pizza goodness. :-)

Burrito Brothers - Falls Church

7505 Leesburg Pike
Idylwood Plaza
Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 356-8226

Visited: May 22, 2010



There's nothing truly special about the food at Burrito Bros, then again its not bad either. It's one of those places you can easily hit if you're simply DYING for something "Mexican" that's NOT Taco Bell-ish...and have less than an hour for lunch.

The food tastes fresh, but the flavor just isn't the most authentic I've had. I do give them a pass as it is a chain and they are not your local "Mami and Papi" type shop dishing out tacos and burritos to local patrons. Despite being part of a chain, this location boasts great customer service as the manger happily greeted all of us as we came through the door.

My boss who had brought us to this particular location comes here often enough that the manager came from behind the counter to pay his respects. In my book, they also get kudos for serving meat that's not ground beef in their tacos and burritos as well as having some tongue tacos. I friggin love tongue...

Anyway, the food is good, you'll enjoy it but I honestly don't think you'll make the effort to come here. As much as I hate to say it, for the area I'd rather visit Chipotle but if I had a bit more time I'd make the trip to Arlington to hit El Charrito Caminante for my authentic taco and burrito fix.

Dickson Wine Bar

903 U St NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 332-1779
www.facebook.com/DicksonWine

Visited: May 15, 2010



What else to say but coooooooooooool. In fact, it seemed too cool for a geeky guy like me, but thankfully I was in the midst of some great company; namely the boss lady, the wonderful G to the K and some Russian mobster goon. :-)

Not knowing how "it" works, I had to follow the lead of our gracious friends who talked to the hostess, put down a reservation for four, gave their cell phone number and then walked back down the steps. We headed down the street to The Saloon for some brews to wait for our reservation to come up.

After a few drinks and many laughs the V-man's phone rang. It was the Dickson Wine Bar (DWB). Time to act cool, wipe the sweat off the brow and head back up the street. I was excited to see what was inside this dark mysterious building, my inner enthusiasm barely masked by my calm exterior. "Stay cool Snoopy, stay cool Daddy-O. Don't act dorky in front of your friends and the wife" I told myself.

We walked up the large concrete steps that lead to the entrance of the DWB and I was impressed. The interior decor screamed, "I am a wine bar ya punk ass b*tch and don't even THINK of ordering a beer!". The walls were creatively covered in numerous bottles the design of which was augmented by the cool lighting and shadows. The place was nice, damn nice...

Our table was upstairs and we left the main bar by heading up some narrow steps. From the new vantage point we looked down on the first floor patrons high atop our 2nd floor table. The decorations were even more noticeable from this top floor and the people below seemed immune to the fact that our little group sat in the shadows looking upon...observing them almost in secret.

The server brought us menus and we scanned the card trying to decide on some wine. Being a wine connoisseur, I delegated the wine ordering duty to the boss lady who ordered a generous glass of red (I don't remember the name). Our friends ordered a glass of red and a mixed drink who's actual ingredients I had no idea (yes, I am so useless).

The drinks arrived, each one in some very cool looking glasses. We sipped our wine, chatted and enjoyed the evening as best we could. The table we sat at didn't allow for great conversation as we all sat in a single line which along with the acoustics of the place made it difficult to hear what everyone was saying. Despite this, I enjoyed myself and allowed the red wine to fill me with that warm glow perfect for ending the night.

My eyes continued to feast on the beauty and architecture of the DWB interior, and I was thankful that our friends had brought us to this beautiful wine bar. As I sat there sipping the last of my wine, I leaned over to the wife and told her we had to return some other time. The best part of sitting upstairs was being able to see all the food ordered by the patrons on the 1st floor below. I knew I wanted to come back to try out the food as it looked delicious and would probably pair well with our wine.

Major thanks to our friends G K and V-diddy for bringing us to the DWB. It was a wonderful end to a fun evening. :-)