| Bullet point on the Rt. 50 in Winchester, VA Applebee's
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| Old and Moldy Foodviews |
| With Apologies to This Restaurant I don't normally like to sit and write about a eatery that should do "no brainer" type things in their restaurant. So along comes a Mexican restaurant in Strasburg, VA called Christina's. Previously I had enjoyed a dynamite meal there with so much food we took another meal's worth home with us. It was flavorful, plentiful and all we asked for in a American Mexican restaurant. Enter two weeks ago. Upon my recommendation the restaurant team zoomed to Christina's. It is near the intersection of Route 55 and Route 11 across from the Strasburg Emporium. We were pleasantly greeted, ready for the meal and shocked by the "new menu". Combinations. None were combined as we previously enjoyed and frankly whomever dreamt up the combos was out of touch with their public. Fajitas! Outa here! My mate Trevor asked for the simpleness of a tasty fajitas dish but was told they had been removed from the menu. I ordered nachos. I received a liquid cheese covered " goop melange" with a helping of under sauteed' belch inducing onions. Our black beans looked the part. They sat on the fork as beans should but, it was like eating flavorless black round things of no distinguishable character. No one finished their meal. No one elected to take leftovers home. The margaritas were weak and cough syrupy, but a nifty shade of blue. They were out of Modelo Especial. My suggestion, someone at this place wake up, change the menu back and add some flavor to the food. Adios. |
| Places I've Been to This Week Copra- Baltimore: Service was pleasant but a little shaky. My meal was good, a special pizza with pesto, wilted spinach, Gouda cheese, bacon and lump crab. Anchor Steam Beer is served on draft. It is my favorite brew, thank you. Mick O'Shea's- Baltimore: Down about a half block from Copra's. My group loved this place and stayed until closing. It is friendly, laid back and the service was attentive. Good place. My pick o' the week. |
| Austin Grill in Bethesda, MD I sat by the large windows watching the people of Bethesda pass. This is strictly from my hour long observation but most men appear to be overweight, dress in a loose shirt slightly tucked in look with trousers hanging below an outstretched belly and topped off with unlaced shoes. Not all Bethesda males dress this way but I would stake my questionable reputation on it that many do. Those who weren't dressed such were equally attractive as the fair skin lad with laced bottom beige crop pants accented with attractive Crocks sandals, ankle high socks and a tucked in floral Hawaiian shirt. The ladies did not escape my stare. Most were pleasant looking. Some were fashionably dressed, others very casual but comfy. Outside and slightly to the south of the restaurant windows was a gentleman stationed on a step asking for change. He was polite and organized. He only asked for change once from us as we passed him three times prior to entering the Austin Grill. By the way, the food was excellent and our server was attentive. I had a groovey taco salad and the Mrs. enjoyed a guacamole taco. The iced tea was fresh and served with the appropriate amount of ice. |
| Go to this place. It has received the Patrick "two thumbs way up! " |
Bethesda boys Bethesda girls
| Vintage 50 Restaurant and Brew Lounge in Lovely Leesburg, VA Saturday was date day for Team Buddha. We set out for my surprise location hidden up Catoctin Circle in an office building. What further hid the establishment was the decision by the streetscaper to wash down the outdoor patio, remove and stack the outdoor furniture while planting flowers around the highly visible outdoor seating area. I say there is nothing better for business than on a clear warm Spring day than to make a mess for customers to see first thing upon arrival to the all ready hidden restaurant in an area they most likely would enjoy sitting whilst enjoying a house favorite, Point of Rocks Pale Ale. Needless to say I had to ask if the place was open. Yes the busy gardener with bad timing answered. We moved ahead luckily finding the hidden entrance inside the lobby. Our greeting. Luke warm The teenager working the hostess station would rather be some where beside this place. We elected to sit in the bar in order to partake of the Point of Rocks Pale Ale. Whoa!! Only two tops and bar seating on this side and a Mod 60's pit group to the left that looked hard and stiff. Okay dates we'll go to the dining room. Welcome to the Vintage 50 senior center dining area. I felt young and giddy in this room. We sat anticipating the delicious aroma and chilled delight of the Point of Rocks Pale Ale. We waited and waited and waited, memorized the menu and finally the only server arrived ready for action. We elected to go with the beer sampler which includes four beers from the brew pub menu including the Point of Rocks Pale Ale. Our server informed us there was no PORPA today. What!!!?? No PORPA!! We asked for a suggested replacement for the PORPA, as if there could ever be a beer that could replace PORPA. Our server announced she does not drink beer and had no idea. Oy. We chose other beers: Catoctin Kolsch- Aside from the strange smell and odd taste which bordered on unpleasant it was okay. Hefe Weizen- Pretty good. Pretty pretty good. Not great. No orange was served with the beer. E.S.B.- A table favorite. Red Ale- A mellow table favorite. Point of Rocks Pale Ale- Missing in action. Food. Clean decent. I enjoyed the wings, although they were billed as Thai Chili seasoned there was no kick and the sauce was just a regular duck sauce. Our winner was Lorena who ordered the Ahi Lollipops. She passed them around. The had great enjoyable flavor without a old fishy smell which said to me that I was eating fairly fresh seafood. My wife's hamburger was adequate and tasty. I also will mention the menu pairs beer with food items. My wings suggestion was , of course, the PORPA. Lastly, when I visit a brew pub, lounge, whatever I expect the beers to be the star of the show. There are liquor drink specials, wine specials with what I saw as a diminished attitude toward their beer. To sum up the experience. Do the cleaning and gardening earlier. Educate the server. Make the bar a place where groups of four can sit. Please for gods sake have the PORPA available. As for my new review rating system I give the Vintage 50 a: Two Taco Rating ( One Taco: the worst to Five Tacos: the best) , |
She wasn't at the V50. Although I
recommend they invite her.
recommend they invite her.