RSS FeedTaylor Gourmet II (Deli) Opens Tomorrow (485 K St NW)
Editor’s Note (Oct. 16): Our friends at The Triangle provide additional insight into Taylor Gourmet II’s offerings.
PQ Living was on hand to check out the pre-opening festivities at the second Taylor location called Taylor Gourmet II (485 K St NW) in the CityVista complex. The sixteen foot wide roll up garage door fronts K Street facing south; it will no doubt make good use of the sun during all seasons and when open will encourage pedestrian interaction.
The interior has an industrial feel to it featuring an ordering area, a pickup area around the corner and ample seating including a communal table. The menu is decidedly Italian deli – we went with the Church Street (sausage, peppers & onions and provolone) and a side of mozzarella sticks which both came out fine.
When does Taylor Gourmet open to the public? Tomorrow at 11 am.
Taylor Gourmet II (in CityVista)
485 K Street, NW
202-289-8001
http://www.taylorgourmet.com (H Street web site)
Best Brunch Deal In Town
This is the third entry in our Best In Town series, and we’re surprised it is the first time we’ve nominated a Jose Andres restaurant. One of our favorite chefs, the restaurants under Andres empire get better with each visit. But a recent Sunday visit to Cafe Atlantico for their latino dim sum brunch confirmed that this is the meal we should write about.
For the uninitiated the latino dim sum Sunday brunch at Cafe Atlantico can be ordered a la carte, just like you would from any tapas restaurant. But the title of Best Brunch Deal In Town is only earned by ordering the $35 per person chef’s selection. $35 per person gets you 14 bite-sized dishes that are as close as you can come to Minibar without the fight for reservations (or the additional cost). Each plate generally follows the theme of a multi-course meal; salad items are followed by the likes of fish, eggs, vegetables, meat, and dessert. And before the final sweet dish is brought out you may order any of the previous 13 dishes again.
14 bite-sized dishes may not sound like much, but the reality is that not all dishes are as small as advertised. Take the above photo which shows the pork belly confit with passion fruit oil; coconut rice, crispy rice & ginger; and the fried egg with mashed black beans & pork. On our recent visit after our first 13 courses we ordered seconds of three of items. 17 courses in all, $70 (before tax, tip, and beverages) for two people. We didn’t want to eat again for the rest of the day.
In our minds this is a clear winner for Best Brunch Deal In Town. Disagree? Let’s hear your nominees in the comments section.
There is also a $25 per person vegetarian tasting (12 dishes) which we considered for our promised Best Vegetarian Deal In Town. We’ll continue the search for the vegetarian deal.
High Rise Life: Tipping The Front Desk
We hate to say it but summer is gone, fall is here and before you know it holiday season will be bearing down fast and furious. The downtown Macy’s will rotate in their holiday window displays and cold weather will come knocking on your condo or apartment window. Whether it’s just giving you a hand to get that bulky package up to your high rise home or saying thank you for a job well done during the year, we’re interested in knowing what high rise residents do to say thanks to their front desk and front office. In our building, a sign appears in a conspicuous place towards the end of the year letting residents know they can contribute to a holiday collection that gets disbursed to the helpful staff that keep the building running. (We always kick in a couple of Jacksons.) Readers can vote using the poll in the upper right column.
Do you tip for a one off helping hand? Do you tip at the end of the year? If so, what amount is appropriate? Who gets the proceeds?
(Please remember our comment policy when leaving a comment.)
October DNA Meeting Tomorrow Night
The October Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) meeting will take place tomorrow night at the District Chophouse (509 7th St NW) between 6:30 pm and 8 pm. Who’s coming, you ask? The primary discussion leaders will be DC Attorney General Peter Nickles and Councilmember Phil Mendelson. The MPD from PSA (Public Service Area) 101 W will be there also to share the latest regarding safety. Refreshments will be available so try to arrive before the normal starting time.