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Blue Cross Sux wrote:There were only two other tables dining when we were there. I'd hate for this unique and special place to die on the vine for lack of business.

Let me tell you how slow things are....

Today we went FIVE HOURS without a table -- except for one woman who had a glass of wine while waiting for the rain to pass. The place across the park (the new Garden's Edge) told their cook to go home at 5pm yesterday. I went past Juan's this evening at 8pm and saw only about six people at various tables (we had about the same in our place, thank God).

The higher-end joints are hurting worse, since they have larger staffs and more daily overhead. It's tough right now all over in this city, except for the dogdoo joints in the Quarter.

Is this normal for August? Too much heat and humidity?

Schuarta wrote:Is this normal for August? Too much heat and humidity?

Pretty much normal. I hear the same thing every year.
Kids getting ready to go back to school or back in school.
New routines & money being spent elsewhere.
Some folks trying to get in a few days of R & R before the school year starts.

Perhaps it's a good time for diners who eschew dining around the wee ones to hit the restaurants!

Like you, I am still pondering my answer to this question.

Duke wrote:Let me tell you how slow things are....

Today we went FIVE HOURS without a table -- except for one woman who had a glass of wine while waiting for the rain to pass. The place across the park (the new Garden's Edge) told their cook to go home at 5pm yesterday. I went past Juan's this evening at 8pm and saw only about six people at various tables (we had about the same in our place, thank God).

The higher-end joints are hurting worse, since they have larger staffs and more daily overhead. It's tough right now all over in this city, except for the dogdoo joints in the Quarter.

I hear ya, Duke. I haven't been pitched a shutout, but it's been dismal the last week or so. Can't be anything I'M doing wrong, so I'm choosing to blame Michael Phelps.

Well, it always comes back together. Despite the five hours with no one yesterday, the last 90 minutes were pretty strong. Today they spaced themselves out better, so we always had a table or two and the overall day was better. I used to think it was Just Me -- but discussions with others in the neighborhood show it's all of us. Just that time of year, I guess. Next year I'll know to put more in reserve to cover. This was our first year, so I didn't know what to expect.

We had a unbelievably elegant dinner at Stella in the spring that was awesome. The only downer was the waiter, who I swear was channelling John Cleese from "Fawlty Towers". So condescending as to be funny!

CommonWealth Gastropub-

We ate too much of..
Scotch eggs
Blood Pudding
Fish and Chips
Pig's Trotters
Cornish Pasty
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Crispy Pig's Ear
Yorkshire Pudding
(some dishes fell flat, but they get props for serving the best parts of the hog AND they're right around the corner from my apt.)

Also...Hollywood East
Brilliant Chinese

Stuffed pig's foot with minced raw garlic
Spicy Intestine with Sour cabbage ( amazing)
Jellyfish salad
Pea Tendrils with garlic
great Dim Sum

Hi PeteV!

Great to hear from you again. How's life in Washington treating you? We miss your input. Welcome to the break-away board.

Art

Sal and Judy's the other night. YUM

I would have to say Justagirl's birthday/Renegade eat club at Pelicanno and a special night at The Pelican Club.