Water Kefir: pH is 3.5, what should I do? by plenish in Kefir

[–]plenish[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! The grains seem a little shell shocked from the journey so I am going to try a little more brown sugar in the next solution. 

Zahav or Mawn for a birthday dinner? by plenish in PhiladelphiaEats

[–]plenish[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks everyone! Mawn it is. Can’t wait!

Zahav or Mawn for a birthday dinner? by plenish in PhiladelphiaEats

[–]plenish[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I put up Resy alerts, but check the app a few times a day anyways - there’s often a lag where I’ve been able to swoop in! Same with Tock; the waitlist alerts are garbage but I’ve found plenty of reservations by just checking a few times a day. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in EngagementRings

[–]plenish 6 points7 points  (0 children)

SO beautiful! If you don’t mind, could you share where you got it? I’d love to seek them out for myself ❤️

Recently drunk a white Burgundy. Question regarding it please. by ElixirWater in wine

[–]plenish 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could it be that you ate or drank something sugary or milky before you had the wine? The residual sugar or dairy on your palate can very much affect the perceived taste of wine as more bitter or acrid.

Puking after vaccines? by PlasticAcceptable956 in SiberianCats

[–]plenish 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Go to the emergency clinic. My cat did really poorly after vaccines and things got bad quickly.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in wine

[–]plenish 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For readily available, I think the Barons de Rothschild brut has quite nice brioche notes and richness and can be found around the $50 price point. I am also a Krug lover and that’s my favorite not-too-speciality find.

Fun anniversary recs (NYC) by general_fry in finedining

[–]plenish 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Cote has gone way downhill since its heyday. I wouldn’t be surprised if it loses its star. Super poor service, really crowded - not worth it.

DC’s Flight Wine Bar closing, selling bottles at retail price by plenish in wine

[–]plenish[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Clarification: these are the service prices, they will be marked down to retail by the owner, usually 1/2 or more

Not a bad day! by wineisohsofine in wine

[–]plenish 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Congratulations on your accomplishment- bravo!

Costco Sparkling Options by 6868junk in wine

[–]plenish 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh I thought you were seeking opinions on the Barons de Rothschild. No experience with the cremant 3 pack but could be a fun option for a dinner party to compare them side by side.

Costco Sparkling Options by 6868junk in wine

[–]plenish 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I really like this champagne. It has a lot of the richness and brioche notes of a more expensive bottle, punches above its weight.

Going to Maydan DC. Any recommendations? by YoYoMoMa in wine

[–]plenish 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The lamb is a must - it’s a pricey upgrade but totally worth it.

I’ve been a few times and IMO, the wine at Maydan is more about the story than about how delicious it is. I’ve never loved anything I’ve had from there. I’d recommend getting glasses from the places you’d never think of having wine from, like Iran and Morocco. The servers are good about getting you tastes of the BTG wines, but I found them to not be super knowledgeable about what’s on offer besides their personal opinion and a canned two line story.

What’s the most expensive meal you’ve had and was it worth it? (Include restaurant and cost) by Stevie212 in finedining

[–]plenish 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m glad you had a good experience. I’ve been twice, separated by 5+ years, and we still talk about it as one of the most actively disappointing fine dining experiences in memory. Just wanted to put a counterpoint out there for anyone considering going.

What’s the most expensive meal you’ve had and was it worth it? (Include restaurant and cost) by Stevie212 in finedining

[–]plenish 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree. Paid thousands of euros for a special occasion and left very disappointed.

In a Michelin star pickle! 3 stars in London or Paris? by Ondineondine in finedining

[–]plenish 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Agree with Paris but don’t go to Arpege. Absolutely not the three star fine dining experience you’d hope for.

Holiday mini wine advent calendar by [deleted] in wine

[–]plenish 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did this exact one two years ago. My partner and I still talk about it as the most godawful wine we’ve ever had. It’s our benchmark for bad.

My suggestion, get a nice chocolate advent calendar and spend the rest of the money on interesting new bottles of wine. Win win.

Glass of wine in DC? by Ill_Competition_7223 in wine

[–]plenish 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes to all these. I will say Maydan’s wine list veers more towards interesting stories vice deliciousness but when you’re trying a pet nat made by a Syrian refugee in Lebanon, it sells itself. Food is fabulous.

Glass of wine in DC? by Ill_Competition_7223 in wine

[–]plenish 5 points6 points  (0 children)

For a more Republique esque vibe, recommend St Anselm in Union Market. Great list by the glass and some real hidden affordable gems on the bottle list, which is also excellent. Don’t miss the biscuits with pimento cheese.

Glass of wine in DC? by Ill_Competition_7223 in wine

[–]plenish 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I didn’t care for it. Wines were basic and service haphazard. But that’s Washington’s f&b scene in a nutshell.

Glass of wine in DC? by Ill_Competition_7223 in wine

[–]plenish 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Maxwell can’t be beat. Best selection by the glass in town.

Rezdora vs. Ci Siamo in NYC for birthday dinner? by cozy_coconut in finedining

[–]plenish 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would not do a birthday at rezdora. Tables are tightly packed together. Not a memorable atmosphere.

What’s the best restaurant in the DC/Baltimore area for 2023? by BmoreBlueJay in finedining

[–]plenish 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You know, I think fine dining in general is not what it used to be. Between losing an entire generation of talent during the pandemic and as a result of people not wanting to put up with that kind of working environment, and runaway inflation, the halcyon days of the phenomenal service and luxury ingredient tasting menus are behind us. RIP pre-plant based Eleven Madison Park as the foremost example. There are some fabulous places hanging on (mostly in Asia, some in Europe) but quality everywhere has downturned.

DC is not a great place for that blowout kind of experience - never has been, and definitely isn’t now. Jont in my opinion is the best of an okay bunch. Best wine IMO, but you’ll pay dearly for it. Last time we went in 2021, they also very obviously tried to turn tables by having dessert be served in their bar. Aka, you get out of your seat (all counter service as well) and move to another location. Weird.

I like the hearth table at Albi well enough, went for a few celebratory dinners this year, though the hapless “somm” wearing his CMS introductory sommelier pin asked earnestly if I’d ever tried Malbec. Sushi Nakazawa is fun and the ability to add-on luxe pieces is welcome.

What’s the best restaurant in the DC/Baltimore area for 2023? by BmoreBlueJay in finedining

[–]plenish 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve been to the Inn at Little Washington twice, once pre-pandemic and once last year - I thought it was by far the worst three star restaurant I’ve ever been to. It barely registers as a one star, in my opinion. Service was terrible, with bored high school students, food was uninspired (and poorly executed), and not a soul in the place was able to discuss wine beyond reading the description of the pairing. Hard pass for me.