Washingtonpost.com: Live Online

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.

Tom Sietsema: Good morning, chatters.

I won’t be here next Wednesday, Nov. 13, but I’ll be back in the hot seat again the following week, Nov. 20, and even the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, a couple of ideas for those of you who would prefer to leave the bird to the pros this year: Chef Geoff’s, with locations on New Mexico Ave. and 13th St. NW, will be serving turkey and trimmings Nov. 28, from noon til 8 p.m. The menu is $39 a person. And Ardeo in Cleveland Park is offering a three-course meal (take your pick from traditional holiday fare or standing menu items) from 2-8 p.m. for $26.95.

If any other restaurateurs want to share their plans with me, I’ll pass them on yet this hour. Now, on to your questions.

Washington, D.C.: Ruling out the Inn at Little Washington, where would you go for one really special meal in this area? Don't have the same level of affection for Palena that you do. Would consider an inn within a couple of hours of D.C. Love the chats. Thanks.

Tom Sietsema: Everyone I took to the Inn at Easton continues to talk about what a fun time we had. The service is warm and thoughtful, the cooking is delicious and interesting. And you can’t beat the charm of the intimate dining room.

I’d go back there on my own dime anytime.

Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: Tom,

On the online search engine for restaurants, could I suggest a couple of things that would be a big help? 1. Putting dates on all the reviews, 2. Putting the dollar amounts you report in the reviews on it (not just the $$$ signs, which often tend to be WAY off, 3. Being able to look restaurants up by recently reviewed, and by "Our Picks" so we don't have to troll through them all to find what we're looking for, 4. When you look up Asian restaurants, apparently it often does not include those labled as Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese etc.

Thanks for everything -- just thought I'd send these suggestions.

Tom Sietsema: Consider your ideas passed along to the powers that be.

Arlington, Va.: Visiting Salt Lake City in a few days, any recommendations on places to eat? As I am there for a week, suggestions for any meal and/or price would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

washingtonpost.com: Tom's Postcard from Utah, (Post, Jan. 6, 2002)

Tom Sietsema: Thanks, Ms. Producer!

Ashburn, Va.: Tom,

I am submitting this very early because I work in poliics and may well be sleeping through the chat on Wednesday.

My wife and I will be in Philadelphia this weekend are looking for one good place to go to dinner. We aren't necessarily looking for the most expensive or elegant place, just something with good food at about $20 per entree and maybe some local feel.

If you have already done a Postcard, a link would be great. Thanks.

Tom Sietsema: I haven’t been to Philly in awhile, but my food pals have good things to say about Vetri’s (Italian) on Spruce St., Morimoto on Chestnut St., and, for neighborhood charm and great cheesesteaks, Tony Luke’s on E. Oregon Ave.

Also, Pasion! supposedly is a hot purveyor of nuevo latino cooking. It’s on S. 15th St.

Washingotn, D.C.: Tom, your words seem to translate to action by restaurants good enough to make your list. Did you see the advertisement by Sorak Garden though? In their rush to get an ad in The Washington Post magazine, they forgot to double check the picture, and if you look on the upper left hand corner, you will see a fly enjoying their sushi platter.

Tom Sietsema: You are, let’s see, the 65th person to tell me about “The Fly in the Sushi Photo.” I would quickly like to add that the photograph was not taken by anyone on the editorial side of the Post.

Without going into great detail, I understand future ads for Sorak Garden will be bug-free.

Silver Spring, Md.: Last week you commented on the good sandwiches at Ba Le, a little Vietnamese restaurant on Piney Branch Rd. near University Blvd. However, I noticed that you hadn't reviewed this place. Why is that?

Tom Sietsema: It’s really tiny and just does a few things. Frankly, it was also a bit “unkempt.” But those sandwiches nevertheless are a satisfying deal.

Alexandria, Va.: Tom,
Keeping in mind value and selection, what are your top five choices for best restaurant wine lists in Washington?

Tom Sietsema: Unfortunately, I don’t have any current lists in front of me at the moment. But in the past, I’ve praised the winning wine programs at (in no particular order) the Ashby Inn in Paris, Va.; Maestro in McLean; DC Coast; Jaleo; Johnny’s Half Shell; Melrose; Kinkead’s; Restaurant Nora; Michel Richard Citronelle; and the Inn at Easton. That's a start.

Washington, D.C.: I love your reviews, their style, your appreciation for budgetary restraints and diverse flavers. Keep it up and remember that your readers are as diverse as the restaurants you cover.

Tom Sietsema: Thanks for the kind words.

And now, a missive from someone who doesn't think I'm working hard enough:

Washington, D.C.: Why can't you give a full review to more than one restaurant a week? For those of us who have real jobs, this level of productivity would bring about layoffs. Why not do two full reviews a week. If you are really eating so many meals out, then what are you doing with all the knowledge gained from the meals not at the restaurant you are reviewing this week and next. Get to work, I say.

Tom Sietsema: Let me try to address each of your questions.

I have in the past served up two reviews in a single column, though not regularly, and plan to do so in the future (make that Dec. 1). I usually visit restaurants at least three times per full review, sometimes more, and that translates into a minimum of six meals for one column.

Keep in mind, I am always working ahead from a list of about 70 restaurants for Magazine purposes, including the spring and fall dining guides; and I also visit places for the Weekly Dish column in Food. And let’s not forget those Postcards for the Travel section!

You don’t always read about the places I scout but never bother to write about. I mean, do you REALLY want to hear about the low-profile, mediocre restaurants where I occasionally find myself? Fortunately, this forum is one way for me to share (mis)adventures as well as success stories.

Finally, I have three deadlines a week, sometimes more. And (he writes, getting a bit huffy) who else do you know who comes in Sunday to answer the dozens of email he gets from readers because there generally isn’t any time to do so during the week?

Believe me, I keep plenty busy. (But thanks for keepin’ me on my toes.)

New York, N.Y.: I got through on the phone, only to be told that the French Laundry is closed for most of January. I'm hoping you can mitigate this punishing disappointment. What's the next best thing in the San Francisco area? Seafood, delightful. Cost, no object.

Tom Sietsema: I feel your pain!

Probably the best seafood restaurant in SF continues to be Michael Mina’s luxe Aqua (415-956-9662). It is a hard reservation to snare, but undoubtedly easier than the FL.

Silver Spring, Md.: Tom,

The VA person who asked about matzoh ball soup might try Chutzpah, the fairly new deli in Fairfax, Va.

Tom Sietsema: No longer so new, but a reliable spot for soup and a few other deli dishes, it's true.

D.C. Dessert Lover: Tom,
Love your chats! Can you recommend a cozy place to go just for dessert? I'm looking for some romantic spots with better than average sweets to top off an evening.
Thanks!

Tom Sietsema: How about the lounge at Tabard Inn, which has a very good pastry chef (and a fireplace to boot)?

Washington, D.C.: I find that sometimes when I write an e-mail, the tone of the comments are not effectively conveyed. The person receiving the note, thinks I am upset, or joking, when the opposite is true. Have you ever written a review intending to be positive, but the public or a restaurant has taken it to be a hatchet job. Or have you ever intended to not recommend the restaurant, but when the review came out, it seemed to hint the other way?

Tom Sietsema: Interesting question. Honestly, I worry more about what goes out here, given the short time for reflection, than I do about my dining column, where I am able to sleep on a review, then tweak and massage it the next day. My copy also goes past multiple crack editors – a real luxury – who would be quick to point out any discrepencies, bad jokes, whatever.

Washington, D.C.: I wanted to commend you on your dining guide. It was full of great suggestions. I enjoyed dinner at Singh Thai last weekend, and had a great meal at Cordoroy as well. However, I wanted to hear why you liked two other selections that I find to be vastly overated.

1. Sushi Taro. It offers a good selection of very fresh fish. I had great gyoza there. However, I find that there is almost no innovation at the sushi bar. Also, it is more expensive than its competitors. I would rather go to Kaz Sushi Bistro or Sushi Ko anytime, to see what they have on the specials lists, and for equal quality fish at lower prices.

2. TenPenh is completely overrated. In a city with good Asian Fusion cooking (SF, Seattle, NYC), it would already be closed. It has no entrees that I can say I would recommend (I have tried most, as I work nearby). It is a stylish place with good service, but the food is completely average.

Any comments?

Tom Sietsema: Glad you like the guide. It was definitely a team effort.

Actually, I left Sushi Taro out of the guide this year, in part for the reasons you list.

As for Ten Penh, I’ve probably eaten the entire menu over several seasons of visiting the place. In my mind, it ranks up there with the pan-Asian food I’ve had at say, AZ in New York or Azie in San Francisco.

Tom You Slacker: Here's a suggestion on what to do with all those horrible experiences you have but don't show up in the reviews--how about an occasional column (or even special chat) about the really awful restaurants and service you've been subjected to?

Tom Sietsema: This week would have provided perfect fodder. Just about every place I visited was "between menus" or "between chefs" and, to top it off, the place I wrote about for Dec. 1 just got rid of its chef!

In the cubicle: What is your take on the impact of the election results? Is there an impact on restaurants for example, Dems eat out more than Repubs? Will we see more meat and potato places now that the Hill is swinging conservative? Who can we elect to get a decent Jewish deli?!?!!? And please don't suggest Lieberman... Thanks for the discussion!

Tom Sietsema: That's a tough call. Some restaurateurs have told me that Dems are more adventurous in their dining habits but Reps spend more.

Personal opinion now: I am disappointed that Bush doesn't eat out more than he does, and when he does, it is invariably to predictable restaurants, such as Morton's or the Chinese place in Northern Virghinia that his father favored (for some odd reason; it's not very good).

RE: Your workload: Isn't it funny how people always think someone else's job is much easier than it is? How can they know everything you do to get ready for a review? Same thing always happens to poor Carolyn Hax. God forbid she takes her time to really think before she answers a question. She gets bombarded with "Why so slow today?". I appreciate how hard you work to keep us informed of the culinary happenings in this city...

Tom Sietsema: I mean, really, just putting on the fat suit takes a good 45 minutes before dinner ....

Alexandria, Va.: What constitutes a sports bar?

My boyfriend and I were in the bar area of Southside 815 a few weeks ago on a Saturday night -- they had 10-12 televisions on various sports games, but they would not change ANY of them so 3-4 of us could watch developing news on the sniper case (this was the night of the Ashland, Va. shooting). (By the way, this was a television no one was watching, we even asked around to make sure it was okay to change it.) One of the jerk bartenders said, "No, we're not going to change any of the televisions to the news. This is a SPORTS BAR."

Well, I thought it was a restaurant, it is advertised as a restaurant, there is no sports memorabilia and one of the co-owners says it is a restaurant (I asked him after the fact).

I think the jerk bartender just wishes he worked at a sports bar. How would you have handled this? Oh, just to make this food-related: they have GREAT wings!

Thanks!

Tom Sietsema: I would have taken the results of your mini-poll of consumers and presented it again to the grouchy bar tender. If that didn’t work, I’d enlist the aid of a manager. And if that didn’t work, I’d call the next day, give the owner a dispassionate account (sweetening the gripe with nice words about the good wings).

And if THAT doesn't work, and if you don't mind going public, I'll consider the problem for my Ask Tom column.

Matzoh Ball Soup!: Don't forget Felix in Adams Morgan. I love to sit at the bar with a steaming bowl. Good stuff.

Tom Sietsema: Yep, yep.

Alexandria, Va.: Tom -- one of my very most favorite appetizers is Michel Richard's artichoke terrine. And, no, I don't work at Citronelle or I wouldn't be writing you. The problem is it's only on the menu when artichokes are abundant and that's not much of the time. Is there any way you could get him to give you the recipe? And then pass it on?

Tom Sietsema: Hey, Michel, can you give us the recipe?

Let's see if this works.

Washington, D.C.: Local 16 -- Since I've seen a few people ask about it, and since you've said you wait a few months before reviewing a new place I thought I'd post a quick report on our experience there. I live just a few blocks away so we decided to give a try for Friday night dinner. We really liked the atmosphere, casual and cozy, but still kind of classy - nice first date atmosphere in my opinion. No raves on the food, but no complaints either. The roast chicken I had was tasty, as was my husband's soup. I was also pleased to see they had several wines at $5/glass - something I don't see very often any more. The service was friendly and prompt. While I wouldn't say it's a "must try", I certainly found it to be a pleasant place for a nice dinner on a night when we didn't feel like cooking.

Tom Sietsema: Apparently, Local 16 doesn't feel like cooking, either. It just dropped its chef, Ricky Stokes.

Adams Morgan Mama: Hi Tom,
I want to relate an unfortunate dining experience at the Grill from Ipanema. I am wondering if this is common practice. My party of three and I made a reservation for 8 p.m. We hustled in about five minutes late, and were brushed off by the hostess, who told us that she'd given our table away. She made no apology and didn't even suggest a seat at the bar--even though there were plenty of empty tables! We lingered around for about 20 minutes until she finally decided to seat us someplace.

How long do restaurants typically hold reservations? Was this rude or am I too sensitive? It really colored my opinion of the place (plus the food seemed overpriced for what we got).

Tom Sietsema: Fifteen minutes is the usual grace period for seating late-comers. There's no excuse for a rude hostess, though.

Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: Any ideas for good hole in the wall Chinese in D.C.? Personally, I find City Lights' reptation undeserved. Other than the to-go places like Yum's (which works fine at 2 a.m.) is there anything to be had in DC? (if we have to go to Chinatown, so be it, but closer to Dupont would be swell)

Thanks!

Tom Sietsema: The name escapes me, but I like the underground spot off Conn. and Calvert --Mr. Chen's or some such, and it claims to use organic ingredients.

Washington, D.C.: So is Local 16 was the planned Dec. 1 review that just dropped its chef you mentioned above? What do you do in that situation? Will you still publish the review?

Tom Sietsema: In a situation like that, I cry for about two minutes, get on the horn to round up my always-ready troops, and race to get to someplace new.

Then I type really, really quickly on deadline.

Silver Spring, Md.: For good Chinese -- Mr. Chen's Organic Chinese on Connecticut Ave, under the Baskin-Robbins. I was there on Sunday and the food was excellent.

Tom Sietsema: Thanks for the confirmation there.

Great Falls, Va.: Hi Tom,

I enjoy reading the chats & reviews! However, I read a review of a Korean restaurant where you described the small dishes of vegetables, etc. that come with most Korean meals as 'appetizers'. I have tried to find your email address to correct this misperception. Those small dishes are actually accompaniments to the meal and intended to be enjoyed with the meal itself. It may sound odd to the Western palatte, but that's how Korean meal is eaten!

thanks,
one of the many Korean-Americans in DC

Tom Sietsema: Really? I wouldn't knowingly call the saladlike snacks (panchan) that precede a Korean entree "appetizers."

Ashburn, Va.: I just had a deer smack into the front of my car last night. Do you know who serves the best venison in the area? I think it will make me feel better to eat some.

Tom Sietsema: Um.

Um.

New Heights has venison on its menu.

No Poste Haste?: I work near Poste and was wondering if you could give us an update on their chef-status ... its been months now and I am waiting to try it until they have someone at the helm

Tom Sietsema: The hotel restaurant is doing a pretty nice job without a top toque in place. A number of chefs have auditioned for the lead part, but no one has been signed on. In other words, the search continues.

Mr. Chen's!: I love this place. Who knows if it is really organic but it is less greasy than a lot of chinese take-out (and I know, as New Yorker) and the veggies are seem fresh. Can't beat the price either. Did I mention speedy delivery? I sound like an advertisement for the place but really I just live nearby and prefer it on the nights I don't want to cook.

Tom Sietsema: Consumer review No. 1.

Mr Chen's: NO NO NO!
I became horribly sick after eating there, and the smell in the subterranean room was horrible!
What about Yenching Palace?

Tom Sietsema: Consumer Review No. 2

Korean Food: I agree with the poster. The tidbits that come before a Korean meal are intended as accompaniments to meal, they just bring them out before the entree, as most are room tempurate. Husband has spent quite a bit of time in korea and stipulates this.

Tom Sietsema: Then we're all in agreement here: panchan are not appetizers.

Falls Church, Va.: Tom,

Entered the chat late so I'm a little out of sync. As for a great little Inn less than two hours from Washington, try the Tilghman Island Inn at Tighlman Island. They really do an exceptional job of eveything there. And the prices are quite reasonable. -- Tell them Blanch sent you.

Tom Sietsema: Thanks, Blanche.

Arlington, Va.: Re:Southside Sports.

As a bartender at a local restaurant I ran into the opposite problem. The developing sniper story ran against the World Series, and when I tried to put on footage of the FBI in Seattle, both my manager and many customers were upset the WS wasn't on "1" TV. Even though we have 10, and the place isn't a "sports bar".

People always want us to juggle whatever is on our multiple TVs, and every time we change a channel, someone you didn't know was watching gets in a huff. The best course, if you have to watch TV while you are out, is to ask a manager first. Bartenders have more important things to worry about, and managers aren't usually doing anything--and have the final say either way.

Tom Sietsema: Thanks for the advice.

Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: with regard to panchan -- they don't really "precede" a meal. It often happens that way in restaurants, but the best way to enjoy them is to use the little tastes -- often intense flavors (very pungent/spicy/sweet/salty/whatever) that would be overpowering in bigger portions -- as accents and counterpoints that enhance a whole meal.

Tom Sietsema: Enough already with the panchan! They tend to come out before the entree (right?) and tend to stay on the table for the meal (right?) That's the way I've also experienced it in most Korean restaurants.

Herndon, Va.: After many years I'm still sentimental over AV's on New York ave. But at times I feel the plates are rushed and not given their due. What is your opinion on it's fare?

Tom Sietsema: Funny you should ask. I was there within the past month. It's a dark, oddly charming, old-fashioned place (Caruso singing in the background!) with pretty mediocre Italian food. As in, no one finished his or her food. And no one wanted to take home the substantial leftovers.

Thanksgiving: Does your intro mean you no longer recommend 1789 for Thanksgiving? Based on your past raves I booked a reservation for my family. Would you rather someone take you to that or to Chef Geoff's or Ardeo?

Tom Sietsema: No, no. 1789, as I've mentioned before, is a perfect choice for Turkey Day. I simply wanted to include a few places that sent me press releases on the topic.

Mr. Chens: Another unsolicited rave for Mr. Chen's. It is FABULOUS. It's especially great if you are trying to be health-conscious. You can order brown rice at no extra charge, and you can request the sauce on the side. Plus, the veggie dumplings are to die for!

Tom Sietsema: Another Chen's fan weighs in.

Wheaton, Md.: Hi Tom,

We're thinking of visiting the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory in Middletown, Va. (with kids). We'll want to go out for lunch. We hear that actor Robert Duvall owns a restaurant that might be nearby. What do you know? Any other ideas?

Tom Sietsema: I believe Duvall is no longer involved with it, but the Rail Stop in The Plains would be a nice place to take the tribe. The number is 540-253-5644.

Silver Spring, Md.: Tom,

Many of us go to certain restaurants only for specific dishes. Overall we might not give a place the highest ratings, but if you order the right things -- some say that the original Crisfields in Silver Spring has mediocre crab cakes and clam chowder, but their stuffed shrimp, particularly with the great fries and coleslaw, makes it worth a visit. Any thoughts on this and suggestions??

Tom Sietsema: Your philosophy is what keeps food critics, whose job it is to sift the good from the bad, in business. There are a lot of places that are worthwhile for just a handful of things.

Washington, D.C.: I hate the restaurants on Capital Hill, in Old Town, and in Bethesda. Why do all the good places flock together and the average ones end up in certain areas? Is this a conspiracy? Are you in on it? Is there any hope?

Tom Sietsema: There is indeed hope. As in the Majestic Café in Old Town, Jaleo and Raku in Bethesda, and Montmartre on the Hill.

Really, I have no idea why their neighborhoods don’t attract and cultivate better dining venues, because there’s plenty of educated, monied people living in those Zip Codes.

Anyone else care to weigh in on the topic?

Falls Church, Va.: Forty-five minutes to put on the fat suit, that's nothing -- it took me over 12years. I'm still trying to find that damn zipper!

Tom Sietsema: LOL

Arlington, Va.:
The Caucus Room has and amazing venison entree on its menu and the wine list is fantastic as well!

Tom Sietsema: Caucus Rom would garner my vote, too.

Philly Dining: I was just there this weekend and had an excellent meal at Continental, on Market & 2nd. A very eclectic menu with something for everyone. We had the seared tuna, wasabi mashed potatoes and something like Pad Thai but with bigger noodles. And took home enough leftovers for another dinner. Reasonable cost, about $40 with one drink and tip.

Tom Sietsema: And here are some more suggestions from the gang today:

Washington, D.C.: For the person seeking recommendations for Philly add the following: Alma de Cuba, Tequila's, and Tangerine. They are all fantastic and very hip. A side note: it's difficult to get reservations at Morimoto and I doubt the entrees are in the $20 range. Vetri is quite good, but also extremely small so a reservation is absolutely necessary.

Washington, D.C.: Tom...I'm surprised you haven't done a Postcards from Philly. Philadelphia has one of the better restaurant scenes...I think even better than D.C.
I would try one of the many wonderful restaurants in Olde City or one of Steven Starr's concoctions. The new Jones is supposed to be good. As for flavor, there is a great Italian restaurant in the heart of the Italian market called Vila di Roma.

Reston, Va.: Re: Morimoto's in Phili. Although I am hoping to try it out in December, have heard less than stellar reviews from some foodie friends. They felt that some of the food combinations he had created just didn't work well (and they are fans of traditional Japanese food).

For Philly Diner: I really enjoyed dinner at The Plough and the Stars downtown just a few blocks from Independence Hall. Nice Irish flavor to the place.

Time is up. Thanks for joining me today. Remember, I'm off Nov. 13, back again Nov. 20 and Nov. 27. See you then.

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