Rock It Grill - Old Town's Frontier

At the corner of King Street and West Street in Old Town Alexandria sits Rock It Grill, a karaoke haven for an alternative crowd. On weekend nights the din of classic hits from ages past escapes through a fog of cigarette smoke, out the front door and onto King Street. There, cult followers congregate, waiting to gain entrance.

Rock It Grill is a unique venue in an otherwise “chic” town. And like any frontier, the atmosphere can be a bit rugged. Bikers, locals and undergrads--usually adorned with tattoos--sling pitchers, play pool, and smoke butts. It is crowded on the weekend and there is always a chocked-full list of wannabe performers. In fact, a frequent complaint is that nepotism determines performance order. It is a tough and boisterous crowd, but patrons are there to have fun, and the karaoke IS entertaining. If you can stick to beer and jagerbombs, and can stomach the smoke, Rock It Grill makes for an entertaining evening and provides for a good change of pace from predictable King Street culture.

BRABO Restaurant - Upscale and Cosmopolitan

After visiting their tasting room recently, it was mandatory that I dine at their restaurant next door. And although I enjoyed the experience, I definitely like the Tasting Room better—more for the livelier atmosphere than anything.

BRABO is everything that you would expect from an upscale restaurant. The food is delicious and the service is impeccable. From the free valet parking to the informed and punctual wait staff, BRABO delivers the lavish experience that you would demand from a chic and fashionable establishment. The menu is a bit pricey, but comparable to its upscale counterparts.

The atmosphere is ultra cosmopolitan, reminiscent of the trendy restaurants that you might find in Manhattan’s more corporate neighborhoods. This makes sense, as it is conjoined with the Lorien Hotel & Spa and thus caters to their clientele. The ambiance is subdued, and relaxing—with dim lighting complemented by spa-like sconces. The chocolate colored walls with apricot accents further a feeling of tranquility. The elongated booths and leather chairs are distinctively lounge like, but are curiously juxtaposed with light blue Windsor chairs, which seem inconsistent with the otherwise comfortable décor.

The food was excellent, albeit the portions were a bit small. The Citrus Pepper Seared Ahi Tuna was a crowd favorite among my company, and there wasn’t a complaint to be heard--fresh, delectable and cooked to perfection. I had the Jumbo Asparagus with Maltaise Sauce for a side dish. The portion was small, and I question the use of the term “jumbo” but nonetheless it tasted good. Rave reviews were also had regarding the Grilled Lamb Tenderloins and Brabo’s inventive approach to the everyday Caesar salad, as they wrap it in prosciutto. For dessert, the Lemon Tart and the Triple Chocolate Mousse Terrine were exquisite.

Overall, I give them an A. The food and service are stellar, but if I had my pick, I would rather enjoy them next door at the Tasting Room where there is more action.

DC Bar Challenge Update

It was a great first weekend in the NiteNetwork DC Bar Challenge. Nellie's took on Bugsy's Sports Bar in the opening round of the tournament and scored a decisive victory 55-25 to advance to the second round.

Bugsy’s just didn’t have the goods to compete. The antiquated televisions and lack of game coverage gave them an atmosphere score of 10/20. The service was questionable as my chicken parmesan sandwich magically morphed into an order of buffalo wings. Moreover, there was a substantial wait for beer refills. As a result, they scored a mere 5/20 on service. The bar was not packed, and many seemed indifferent about the games, perhaps disappointed with the lack of Hockey coverage. In fact, in seemed as though they had their consistent draw of regulars, rather than an influx of college basketball fans. They get a 5/20 score for patronage. And finally, there was a Bud Light Promotion, but it was a feeble attempt at drawing a crowd. The Bud Light cheerleader was selling 5$ Bud Light drafts. That’s right, one dollar more than the Miller Lights I was drinking. The plastic basketball hoop was more of a distraction than an allure, and so they receive a meager 5/20 for intangibles, giving them a total of 25 points.

Nellie’s Sports Bar, on the other hand, was equipped to handle a much larger crowd, with far more flat screens. The university banners in the back added to the collegiate tone. They earned a 12/20 for atmosphere and backed it up with consistent and punctual service (15/20). The cheering and interest in the games earned them a 13/20 for patronage and I gave them a 15/20 for intangibles. As a result, they scored 55 points, en route to a runaway victory over Bugsy’s 55-25.

Nellie’s advanced on to the second round where they played valiantly against second seeded Crystal City Sports Pub. Crystal City, however, had too much firepower, edging them out 62-55. They had too many televisions, all visible, and had posters advertising the game line-ups. The state-of-the-art sound system puts patrons courtside for the games and so they earned a 17/20 for atmosphere. The service was impeccable, as both my hands were full throughout the evening, and despite the lack of tables, a bartender actually set up stools for our appetizers. For service they received high marks (17/20). As for patronage, it was evident that collegiate basketball fanatics regularly congregate here. The noise level and enthusiasm earned them a 15/20 for patronage. And finally, I gave them a 13/20 for intangibles, enough to solidify a 62-55 victory and advance to the championship.

For complete reviews of these venues, you can check out my previous reviews.

Bugsy’s Sports Bar
Nellie’s Sports Bar
Crystal City Sports Pub

Bugsy's Sports Bar - Upstate VA?

When I stepped into Bugsy’s Sports Bar, I was immediately transplanted from Old Town Alexandria to upstate New York—for better or worse. You would think Washington DC is a hockey town judging from this old yet cozy watering hole. If there is an ice hockey game being played, you can be sure they will be tuned in. But don’t expect to be watching it on upgraded plasma as their televisions are one step removed from necessitating a converter box. Bunny ears and tin foil anyone? Maybe this adds to the small town hockey atmosphere for some, but I enjoy actually seeing the puck go into the net.

Old sports memorabilia adorns the walls, most with local flavor. The owner is a former NHL player for the Washington Capitals (among other teams) so it makes sense that the bar would pay homage to the sport that he loves. The walls are brick and the wood flooring, barstools, and tables are all worn. There is a certain rustic charm that you cannot ignore, despite the need for electronic upgrades. The clientele? It is pretty much who you would expect to find at a Hockey game. Fans, clad in jersey’s or old t-shirts and jeans, down pitchers and smoke cigs. You don’t need to dress up, and the atmosphere is more-than-casual. The occasional late night argument between rival enforcers is not unheard of.

The food is good—standard bar fare, not expensive, but tasty. Also, you can choose to dine at the Pizza Restaurant downstairs if you so desire. The bartender is friendly, there seem to be a host of regulars, and with the Caps having their best season ever, why not?

March Madness Bar Challenge

The brackets are set up for the first Annual 2009 DC March Madness Challenge. Six qualifiers will battle it out to determine which is the best college basketball venue in the city. The preliminary rankings were determined by the NiteNetwork Drinking Establishment Committee (NNDEC). Committee members include Me, Myself, and I.

After heated debate, Buffalo Billiards earns a first round bye after picking up the number one seed. Their solid performance during the pro football season coupled with key screenings of marquee boxing matches enabled them to win the highly touted Northwest Conference and receive an automatic bid. They will face the winner of Rhino Bar and Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, ranked 4 and 5, respectively. Both venues scored at-large bids, falling short in the Northwest Conference tourney. Solid college football representation combined with a binge-drinking inducing atmosphere gave them high RPI ratings and their difficult strength of schedule(SOS) merited that they go dancing. Will one of them be this year's Cinderella Story?

In the bottom part of the bracket, Crystal City Sports Pub snagged the number two seed on mere hearsay. I have never been there, but I am told it is a premier venue for a sports fanatic. Will they live up to the hype? They will take on the winner of Nellie's Sports Bar and Bugsy's Sports Bar, ranked 3 and 6, respectively. Bugsy's earned an automatic bid by winning the lowly Alexandria Conference, and Nellie's is currently the only team in the "Alternative Lifestyle" Conference. They will do battle this weekend to take on the supposed perrenial powerhouse, Crystal City Sports Pub.

In order to bring some sort of objectivity to this competition, I will be adhering to a strict limit of fifteen drinks per evening so as to give each establishment their rightful review. Venues will be judged on four important criteria; atmosphere, service, patronage, and intangibles. Furthermore, they will be judged solely by me and my vast expertise in March Madness Hosting Technique. For my complete review schedule reference my earlier blog. Tipoff starts at Bugsy's on Thursday at 7pm.

O'Connell's - Alexandria's Authentic Irish Pub

Everybody loves an Irish Pub, especially when it is authentic, and this is exactly what O’Connell’s offers --authenticity. The wait staff and bartenders are predominantly Irish, and the décor is charmingly antiquated. Their vintage bars are over two hundred years old and there is endless antique paraphernalia adorning the walls, such as a turn-of-the century cigarette dispenser usptairs. Even the cupboard that stores the liquor bottles was recovered from an old Irish pharmacy. These relics must have cost a small fortune, but they augment the old fashioned Irish atmosphere. Three wood burning fireplaces complement the dark mahogany and exposed brick prevalent throughout.

O’Connell’s is located on King Street two blocks from Old Town’s waterfront. The colonial brick exterior belies its dimensions. From the outside O’Connell’s appears to be quite cozy, but upon entering, you’ll find a labyrinth of bars, dining rooms, and corridors. It almost feels as though you are navigating through an ancient castle. There are four bars, situated throughout restaurant, interspersed among the dining rooms. The main dining rooms are located upstairs and connected by an open corridor that overlooks the bar below. On fair-weathered days you can eat outside on the sidewalk, or enjoy a few cocktails on the patio overlooking King Street.

I have not eaten at O’Connell’s but their dining area is always bustling. The menu looks a bit expensive for Irish Pub fare, but again, this is personally unsubstantiated. For a drinking venue, O’Connell’s is excellent. There is always a lively crowd, and with four bars it is never overly cramped and always convenient for throwing back a few Guinness pints while watching your favorite football team on the tele.

BRABO Tasting Room -- Bravo for BRABO

From the man who brought you Brasserie Beck and Marcel’s, Robert Wiedmaier now presents BRABO in Old Town Alexandria, and he delivers once again. Specifically BRABO Tasting Room, adjacent to main dining room, is a perfect place for congregating with friends.

As you enter the tasting room you cannot help but notice that everything is brand new. A pristine stainless steel and brick oven greets you upon entering. The walls are painted pure white, contrasted by the black nautical decorations—simple yet sleek. There is nothing superfluous about BRABO. It’s brick flooring combined with the unadorned décor create the perfect balance of contemporary and rustic. I felt as though I was being entertained in a magnificent Tribeca loft as the ambiance and service are that personal.

Situated in the middle of the tasting room is an elongated table at which patrons stand, eat, imbibe and socialize with friends. Private booths offer a bit more seclusion and look out onto King Street. But don’t visit the tasting room if you are seeking quiet conversation. The atmosphere here is electric, and at times a bit noisy. But this only accentuates the tasting room’s purpose--a casual and lively dining experience with friends. Those looking for a more romantic evening can visit the main dining floor next door.

The service is impeccable; formal and considerate but also friendly and engaging. Our meal was brought out in a timely fashion and we actually enjoyed our dialogue with the waiter. It is a rare experience to be served not only a delicious meal, but meaningful discourse. For an appetizer we split the signature mussels, steamed in a classic white wine garlic, shallots, and parsley sauce. It was a meal in itself, and the perfect social food for those who are just as interested in conversing as eating. For my entrée I had the Five Onion soup and the Oven Roasted Chicken sandwich. Both were amazing, and so filling that I opted out of desert. To drink I had a Westmalle Trapist Tripel, a thick-headed Belgian beer. I must have enjoyed it, as I ordered three.

I look forward to dining at BRABO, in their main dining room. But for a social get-together with friends, the atmosphere, the service, and the food at BRABO Tasting Room are all A+. It is a must visit.

March Madness Bar Challenge

It's that time of year again folks. Break out the tourney sheets and prepare for the bracket-busters and buzzer-beaters. March Madness is upon us. This year I have decided to run the gamut of DC Sports Bars so as to find the best college basketball venue(s) in the city. I will review a total of at least six establishments. The schedule is below. I may add to these based on recommendation--additional reviews will take place on Sunday, a day I have initially kept free for "liver recovery."

Schedule

Thursday, March 19th @ 7pm

Bugsy's Sports Bar, Old Town Alexandria

Friday, March 20th @ 7pm

Crystal City Sports Pub, Crystal City

Saturday, March 21st @ 5pm

Nellie's Sports Bar, U Street

Thursday, March 26th @ 7pm

Buffalo Billiards, Dupont Circle

Friday, March 27th @ 7pm

Rhino Bar & Pumphouse, Georgetown

Saturday, March 28th @ 5pm

Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, Penn Quarter

Who will be crowned the preeminent venue in DC for March Madness? Stay tuned.......

Layla's Lowly Lebanese Restaurant

Hungry and cold, my girlfriend and I wandered east on King Street looking for a restaurant where we could recharge and dine. We happened upon Layla’s, a Lebanese restaurant on the corner of King and Alfred. Having never eaten Lebanese food, and my girlfriend being an advocate, I decided to give it a go. Big Mistake.

The red neon sign reading “open” should have been a harbinger. It is the type of marketing practiced by gas stations aimed at getting the attention of night-weary passer-bys. Little did I know, that by the end of my meal, I would be craving a pre-made sandwich from the Exxon station. Layla’s was THAT satisfying. Please don't mistake my negativity for naivete. Because although it was my first Lebanese experience, my girlfriend assured me that it was also the worst meal she has ever tasted.

As you walk into Layla’s, there is a small bar to the right--besieged by putrid yellow pastel walls. Since my visit I have made it a point to glance in when I pass (because I am dumbfounded as to why anyone eats there) and the bar is usually occupied by one or two unkempt patrons watching television and chain-smoking. The walls are complemented by the tacky purple curtains separating the bar area from the dining room (whose walls are decorated in a slightly more tolerable orange).

The décor isn’t even the problem at Layla’s—it’s the food. We ate only an appetizer, unable to stomach the thought of an entrée. We ordered “Layla’s Special Appetizer Platter” thinking it would provide enough of a variety to enable me to learn more about Lebanese food. The platter consisted of Hommos (dip made from chickpeas), Baba Ghannouj (dip made from eggplant), Tabouleh (chopped parsley, crushed wheat, tomatoes and onions), Grape Leaves (vine leaves stuffed with rice and parsley), Spinach Pies (bread dough turnovers with chopped spinach leaves), and Falafel (deep-fried chickpea patties).

The platter looked and tasted as though it had been sitting out for a week. The Falafel was so dry that it had the consistency of hockey pucks. The Grape Leaves had no taste whatsoever and looked like they had been rolled on the floor. The Hommos, a dipping paste that I usually enjoy, had a soupy consistency and was bland. The Spinach Pies were not terrible, but after having tried the other “un-appetizers” I couldn’t even eat them. My girlfriend and I, embarrassed at not even denting the stale mess in front of us, took to hiding the appetizers in the Baba Ghannouj so as to make it appear to the waitress that we had eaten.

I hope that our visit was an anomaly, and that the waitress accidentally served a platter from the prior evening. Perhaps their entrees are better than their appetizers. And maybe I am giving Layla’s an unfair rap. But I won't get the chance to find out as I will never eat there again.

Landini Brother's

Situated off of King Street, one block from the waterfront, Landini’s is a good lunchtime reprieve from Old Town shopping. The exposed brick walls, flagstone floor and dark mahogany trim produce a quaint Tuscan experience. There is a sense of family--it seems all of the waiters know each other, and all have a similar, and sometimes difficult to understand, accent.

Downstairs provides a spirited atmosphere, catering to larger groups. Upon entry, there is a perceptible smell of cigar smoke, lingering from the night before. The non-smoking area to the left is set-apart from the main floor. And, the noticeable red ductwork hanging from the ceiling provides the necessary ventilation, alleviating the smell for its non-smoking patrons. If you are looking for a quieter or more romantic venue, you can sit upstairs adjacent to the wine room, containing a host of Italian favorites.

The food is good. For lunch I had the “Pollo alla Griglia”—a grilled chicken panini that was tender and tasty. I washed it down with a couple of Peroni’s, nothing fancy. On a dinner occasion, I had the “Suprema di Pollo alla Bolognese”—a chicken breast sautéed in butter and white wine, topped with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce—for my entrée. It was excellent, but the portion was a bit small for what I have come to expect from a family Italian Restaurant. Perhaps I was spoiled from my visit to Filomena’s in Georgetown only days prior.

All in all, I cannot complain about my experiences at Landini Brother’s—the food and service are good, it is not overly-expensive, they have an ample selection, and the atmosphere is vibrant. I will go there again without hesitation, but for a really special dinner or celebration, I will probably search elsewhere as it lacks that extra “wow” factor.

Bilbo Baggins -- A cozy Bar for Beer and Buddies

There is a comfy local restaurant in Alexandria that lies off King Street’s beaten path. Walk north to Queen Street and follow it towards the Potomac. On your right, you will find a warm and cozy watering hole named Bilbo Baggins.

The atmosphere inside is incredibly warm—worn wooden tables complement the fireplace and the delightful demeanor of the wait staff. I would liken the ambiance to that of a ski-lodge. Patrons come in tight knit groups to enjoy each other and an ample selection of wine and beer. Bilbo Baggins boasts a selection of over 150 wines and a number of micro-brewed imports. Personally, I am always drawn to the Belgian Ales-- Chimay, Duvel, and Delirium Nocturnum. They are relatively expensive, but after you taste them and feel them, you will know where that money went.

Bibo Baggins is great for a group of friends, old or new. The atmosphere is not conducive nor does it cater to the local singles scene. It is a cozy place to “catch up” and if the conversation wanes, look no further than the Trivial Pursuit cards stacked in rocks glasses at the bar.

Bookbinder's - Steak Heaven

5. Wolfgang's 4. Bobby Van's 3. Smith & Wollensky's 2. Peter Luger's and the number one place to order a filet mignon, medium rare.........Bookbinder's. That's right, I still can't believe I am ranking an Alexandria Steakhouse above the Mighty New York Four--but I am. Bookbinders' filet is the best I have ever had; crispy and sweet on the outside, tender and succulent on the inside--cooked to perfection.

Bookbinder's of Old Town delivers in all aspects. Their steaks and lobster are top notch, and their steamed asparagus, al dente, with Hollandaise, is excellent. And as good as the food is, the ambiance is even better. The exposed brick, spiral staircase, and iron chandeliers are all charming. A small outside alcove is perfectly romantic. Shaded by a large tree and saturated with potted ivy, there is a distinctive garden feel. It peeks out onto St. Asaph Street, one of the quaintest streets in Old Town, famous for its colonial flavor.

Bookbinder's is a great place to take family, friends, or that special someone.

Tiffany Tavern - Live Bluegrass Differentiates this Old Town Pub

Tiffany Tavern --It has your staples of the average watering hole. They have beer and booze. The bar is old. The food is standard pub chow. But every Friday and Saturday night they have live Bluegrass, no cover charge, and it is worth checking out.

For five hours the relatively dark and dank setting transforms. The band plays at the front, visible and audible from King Street, beckoning in a crowd looking for entertainment and fun. It permeates the venue, from the front bar, to the dining area in back. Smiles abound among a diverse age demographic, ranging from twenty-somethings to retirees.

Spending Friday evening in Old Town Alexandria? You might want to drop by Tiffany Tavern.