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Tom Sietsema, the esteemed Washington Post food critic (whose job I so envy) reports via Twitter that Frank Morales has left Jackie’s Restaurant already. Tom’s tweet (in 140 characters or less):

Every critic’s nightmare: Chef leaves before review runs. In other words, Frank Morales is gone from Jackie’s (& I have no column for 2/28).

After, what, a couple of months? This can’t be good. Stay tuned for the backstory.

In other news…
This photo from the Paul Sarbanes Transit Center Project was sent in by that hackjob reader Bonifant More Sinister Than Thayer:

While I knew this was happening, seeing a sign like this is 10,000 kinds of awesome. We must get good video of the blasting action to post.

There’s been some buzz recently about Mayorga moving somewhere in Silver Spring, once they announced they were closing their Georgia Avenue coffee shop. Word has it, though, that they’re bailing on Silver Spring for the time being and setting up shop in the People’s Republic of Takoma Park. Assuming this is true, this surprises me some and none, all at once.

None, because it’s close, the people of the Republic tend to treat local businesses well, and nothing goes better with the scent of patchouli than coffee. On the other hand, I rarely drink coffee without a big slab freshly seared foie gras. They go so well together. But they frown on that there. And they don’t like me anyway because I think East Silver Spring should not designate itself as an historic district, much like the one those people came in and pushed at an ESSCA meeting some time ago.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m happy for Mayorga. I really am. But for the sake of the people in Takoma Park, I hope that the food is better, they provide more vegetarian and vegan options (because nothing tastes better than fried vegans), and the service is less sucky than what I’ve experienced over the past several months. I will say it could be a great complement to Mark’s Kitchen, one of my (seriously) favorite places in the greater DC area. And I hope they continue to serve the booze. That was a bonus. I might actually trek down there for that.

Otherwise, it’s Highland Origin for me.

Yeesh - has it been that long? Shame on me. No, I haven’t died. I think it was just the tryptophan. At any rate, I’m back, and a lot is going on in the ‘hood these days…

Mayorga Blogger Mayhem
As you have no doubt seen from The Gazette, the plethora of blog posts, and the press release from the horse’s mouth, Mayorga’s fuel-injected enterprise is coming to a close. (Props to SoCo Eats for being the one to sent the InterWeb into a flutter with his mention.) As everyone has mentioned, things have been going downhill there lately. The food had become subpar, they took the French Cuban sandwich off the menu, and servie was spotty at best (bar notwithstanding).

And as a parent, I can say this: Mayorga is NOT the place for parents to sit and chat while their children run wild, yet that’s what it turned into many weekday mornings. At any rate, it will be interesting to see where the daily campers with their computers end up. And if you never went for beer pong (sponsored by Hook & Ladder), you really missed out.

In Less-reported News…
On or about November 23, Montgomery County Police reported an arrest was made for drugs at Red Lobster in DTSS. How this did not make the wider gossip circle for ridicule, I’ll never know, but I’m gonna push it. I, for one, have never eaten at that Red Lobster, but my wife and I continue our threats to go in order a drink, ask for several baskets of Cheddar Bay Biscuits, chow, and leave. Stay tuned to the Twitter stream for up-to-the-minute action.

But I digress. What drugs? Patrons or workers? Dealing or using? The mention in the crime report, of course, contains no details, but the place always seems to have a pretty good crowd. And for the record, searching Google images with the keywords “lobster” and “drugs” brings back some interesting results.

Have a slice. Don’t cost nothin’.
Silver Spring’s new pizza joint, Flippin’ Pizza (8517 Colesville Road, across from Discovery), is having their Grand Opening on Tuesday, December 15. You can score two free slices (cheese or pepperoni) and a drink for free from 4:00 to 7:00pm. Expect a big honking queue for that one as it gets RTed all over the Twitterverse over the next five days.

Celebrity Panhandler
There’s been much hullabaloo on the listserv about some guy (white male) panhandling from door to door in the neighborhood. He’s apparently making up stories about needing to get somewhere or his mother being sick, or some other such nonsense. Everyone and their mother has called the cops on this guy, yet he continues to evade apprehension. Theoretically, walking up to someone’s door and asking for money is not against the law, but I can see the public nuisance issue. Posts about his exploits have become so ubiquitous on the listserv that someone busted out the term “Our Neighborhood Celebrity Panhandler.” (Well done, Jerry!) I can only hope this guy surfs the Web from the library or something from time to time and recognizes his status.

On a serious note, if you run into him or he comes to your door, call the Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency Line at (301) 279-8000.

I walked by the Fractured Prune this afternoon, and the door was actually open. I walked in and asked the status, and they’re waiting on one more inspection. It could happen this afternoon, in which case they’ll open up this afternoon. If not, they should be open tomorrow.

Hooray for donuts!

I heard some disquieting news this morning: Last night was Nicaro’s last night of operation. The Georgia Avenue restaurant had been a hot spot of fine dining in Silver Spring for what seems like a couple of years now, attracting the likes of Lebron James. News reports have it that the business was sold, and Executive Chef/Owner Pedro Matamoros is opening a new restaurant in the former Luau Hut near the Silver Spring Metro and will offer a similar menu.

Hope to have additional details soon, but please feel free to comment if you have any other news.

Things have piled up since the election and the Zombie Walk, and I finally have some downtime to address some all-important community news…

Hook & Ladder
I had a fantastic opportunity to meet with the staff of Hook & Ladder Brewery at their Fenton Street offices. The one big takeaway: I *need* kegerators at my office. Things are moving along with permits and such for the buildout of the brewery, so expect some action at the old firehouse early next year. Had the chance to taste some fantastic new beers, including Pipe & Drum Irish Ale and the Ember Amber. Fantastic stuff.

Look for these new variety packs at a store near you. They include the aforementioned beers, plus the classic Golden Ale and the oh-so-tasty Backdraft Brown. I would bet they all go great with turkey. In an effort to support local business, please reach for these guys first. Not only will you support the local economy, but you’ll also be supporting the Hook & Ladder Firefighter Burn Foundation.

And speaking of buying local…

Buy Local Silver Spring Guide
The Buy Local First initiative has set its sights on Silver Spring’s CBD. Early next month, a brochure will be distributed highlighting reasons for buying local and a comprehensive listing of local businesses in the area. Hats off to Emily Adelman of LEDC for her outstanding work.

“A Cracker Barrel with Good Food”
That’s how they described it. Everyone’s favorite food writer, Tom Sietsema, gave a nod to an upcoming Silver Spring restaurant in this week’s “Dish” column on washingtonpost.com. Chef and owner of the District’s late Colorado Kitchen, Gillian Clark, expects to open the General Store this month near the Seminary on Post Office Road. The menu “will feature ‘American road food’ and include chicken and dumplings, casseroles and chili.” Can’t wait.

In the meantime…
A Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Alert reader bonifant more sinister than thayer (who might actually be on to something) sent a discussion forum post saying that Michael Landrum (of Ray’s The Classics) has opened Butcher Burgers (aka Ray’s Hell-Burger) in the same Arlington strip mall that houses Ray’s the Steaks. From the horse’s mouth:

We will be serving one thing only–10 ounces of our secret blend of premium and prime aged beef, char-grilled over an open flame. This is the same single-breed, farm-raised beef that we use at Ray’s The Steaks and Ray’s The Classics, aged in house ridiculously long, hand trimmed to the same exacting standards as all of our steaks, and ground fresh daily, several times throughout the day.

Free toppings include: sauteed mushrooms finished with sherry and brandy, grilled red onions, sauteed peppers, charred jalapenos, vine-ripened beefsteak tomatoes, roasted garlic, and dill or bread and butter pickle chips. Applewood-smoked bacon (the same that we use for the grilled bacon app at Ray’s The Classics) and guacamole are available for an additional charge.

In addition to the regular quality cheeses on offer (’Merkin, aged Vermont white cheddar, imported Swiss, imported Gruyere, aged Danish Bleu/Italian Gorgonzola, smoked mozzarella, Monster, Brie, pepperjack) we wil also be offering a changing selection of specialty and artisinal cheeses–currently, Epoisse, Rogue Creamery Smokey Blue, Queen Anne Stilton, Pa Noble Cave Aged Amish Cheddar, Chimay a la biere, Taleggio, and Bel Paese.

If we can’t get a Five Guys within walking distance of downtown, the least Landrum could is pay more homage to Silver Spring by putting one of those here. (Photo courtesy of flikr user mimisip)

In other news…

Mancuso-Suzda Project at Blues Alley
Silver Spring’s own experimental jazz duo Mancuso-Suzda Project has landed a gig at the venerable Blues Alley in DC on July 21 (showtimes at 8pm and 10pm). I saw these guys perform at the Strathmore Mansion and they’re just incredible. I mean, who doesn’t want to see someone play an amplified cactus?

Blogging the Bloggers
Yes, there are a lot of blogs in the area, but I’d like to call your attention to another newcomer to the scene: SoCo Eats (that’s South of Colesville, btw). Good food news and reviews from the area with a focus on locally-sourced stuff. I encourage you to check it out.

In Venti Retreat
Is it any surprise Starbucks is closing 600 stores?

Once again, Washington City Paper has bestowed its distiguished “Best of D.C.” honors to several Silver Spring establishments. I couldn’t agree more with (most of) them:

BEST HAMBURGER: Quarry House Tavern
I was one of the ones that thought the post-Jackie’s burger was subpar to the original. Nothing beat the old school burger-and-onion-rings basket, even though I wasn’t a big fan of PBR or wine from a jug. To be fair, I haven’t had a burger at QH in some time, preferring to indulge in the fantastic draft beer and excellent whiskey selection. But I have had my fair share of tater tots (washed down with the aforementioned beverages), and they’re money. After the review, I’ll have to pump $20 into the jukebox and give the burger (medium rare, with bacon & blue cheese, please) another whirl.

BEST RED-SAUCE ITALIAN RESTAURANT: Olazzo
I couldn’t be happier for this Silver Spring newcomer. As many of you may know, I’m a fan of the Tuesday night martini specials at Olazzo, but I haven’t delved all that deep into their menu. Now I’ll certainly explore more. The food I’ve had has been excellent, the staff is top-notch, and we’re hoping for bigger and better news from the Pietrobono boys very soon. (You’ll know it when you hear it.)

BEST DELI: Parkway Deli & Restaurant
A short time ago, Silver Spring Penguin espoused the virtues of our Deli to the West. Sure - it’s a little bit away from DTSS proper, but it’s one of my favorites and worth plugging here. The reuben is awesome, and the pickle bar, so choice. We’ve tended to hit Woodside Deli recently for such a fix, but now it’ll be back to Parkway.

BEST STEAK HOUSE: Ray’s the Classics
When looking strictly at a cost benefit analysis, this is a fantastic choice: Great, perfectly cooked steaks at affordable prices. But I still miss Michael Hartzer. And the pastry chef they used to have. And the good bar service. And having the bar stock Hendrick’s gin. The absence of the sausage biscuits and other appetizers, as well as some of the key desserts, really took this place down a notch or two in my book. As a special occasion place, it’s nice - but if I want a good steak now, I tend to fire up the charcoal in the backyard, visit with the neighbors, and relax on the porch.

BEST DIM SUM: Hollywood East Café on the Boulevard
Yeah, it’s in Wheaton, but it’s worth the drive, and Wheaton could always use a little love. I haven’t set foot in the Triangle since El Pollo Rico went all Cheech and Chong on us, and I’ve found myself standing in line outside Oriental East more often lately. But having spent three years on Dennis Avenue in the shadow of Wheaton and digging on Hollywood East since they opened, they certainly deserve it.

What about the others?
I’m proud of Bombay Indian Restaurant (which I’ve never tried but plan to remedy), and happy about the pupusas from Sabor Carry Out, but I really don’t care that much about some of these places on the periphery. Not my hood. And the places I mentioned from outside my immediate vicinity are ones I know I like and want other people to know about. Want to promote those? Get your own blog.

Sorry for the long delay, but my snafu in the upstairs bathroom necessitated some time off to replace sheet rock in the ceiling of the downstairs bathroom. And the new Xbox 360 hasn’t helped in maintaining proper priorities. But I guess it’s really just a matter of what one might consider “proper.” (Note to self: Don’t play Bioshock in the middle of the night with all the lights off.)

Hip New Shops?
There was a bit of a launguage barrier when I asked one of the workers what was going in at (what I thought would be) the much coveted corner store between Cakelove and My Eye Dr. Suffice to say, it’s going to be a clothing store with “New York” in the name, or at least that’s what I made out.

Goodbye, Sausage Gravy
Tastee Diner has evidently tried to get ahead of the curve and become compliant with the trans fat ban by the beginning of the new year. My splurge: biscuits and sausage gravy - both of which are affected. It just makes me sad. And what’s worse, when NBC4 decided to do a story on the county ban, they went to the Tastee Diner in Bethesda. That’s so bogus. Do they know nothing of what a real Tastee Diner is?

In Other Restaurant News
Silver Spring Penguin reports that the shuttered Ray’s the Classics is only a temporary thing, making way for renovations and upgrades. And with the trans fat ban, I suspect they’ll never bring back those tasty suasage biscuits they had on the menu when they first opened. And when is Landrum going to find a replacement for Hartzer? Ever?

Coming Soon
More updates on development at 814 Thayer are floating around the listservs. Will try to gather intel on that and the empty lot across from Safeway.