TV Social
Recent Comments
- She Stinks!: I was disappointed Alicia didn’t get her ass whooped hard and long....
- KRB: WCS – You are correct, it does just look better AC – That is possible, but that still puts her at an...
- labowner: She doesn’t have her card? How is that possible?
- sweetblondie: LOL…yeah, I must’ve been in a mood that day.
Probably something my... - labowner: Square I do believe the make watches for kids with GPS for that very reason.
- Classy Drunk: @labowner that’s what I’m saying. Shannon was pulling people...
- AC: Great recap. My roomie pointed out that they may put Zendaya in sneakers because they don’t want her to be...
- kassel: I really enjoyed your recap and the screenshots! Loved how you captured...
- blazergirl: Cheri, you aren’t recapping All Stars? No!!!!!!! I understand you...
- blazergirl: @Gypsy, does she get any points for screaming “don’t you know who I am?” at the...
-
TVGasm Investigates: Brunch at Top Chef Restaurants
Watercooler
Saturday, January 12, 2013
1:10 pm
11 Comments
Again, though, we were not there for the booze and freebies. We were there for brunch. As this was Big Volt, and he loves his tasting menus, I chose that, minus the wine pairings because even I can’t justify making someone else pay $90 + tip so I can get sloppy drunk at brunch.
So we’ve ordered and we’re eating our fancy rolls and biscuits when the main server places a plate with what appears to be nipples on a spoon. A real, live amuse bouche. I thought that was a joke, but no. The nipples were actually apple-butter filled meringues and started the meal off nicely, but this was going to be hilariously posh for my fambly. Seriously, my niece and I were dripping on our clothes and dropping food on the floor. Can’t take us nowhere.
As for the meal itself, it lived up to my expectations. Lush and meticulously prepared, I tried things I’d never had before, like kampachi sashimi and sturgeon, but it was beautiful and delicious and the service was beyond impeccable. Everyone was courteous, friendly and helpful, no one pointed out what a bunch of hayseeds we were, and the food was every bit what you’d expect from a “destination” restaurant.
Big Volt is very much the earnest and thoughtful restaurateur he seemed on TC and he built something lovely in this little Maryland city. He’s expanding his mini-empire in the mid-Atlantic (he also has a sandwich shop and family-style restaurant in Frederick), including a brand new, 300 seat restaurant at the Chevy Chase Pavilion called Range, but if you ever find yourself in the DC area and are looking for a memorable dining experience, get thee to Volt. They even give you presents.
Yum!
I wish I could have been an asshole about it, but I can’t. These were two of the best meals I’ve ever had. Maybe I should have gone to Isabella’s restaurant. Or Spike’s. I’m sure Spike’s little dog and pony shows suck. But Street and Volt? Not so much.
So, yeah. If you’re looking for really good food go to Street and Volt. You may need to save up for Volt but it’s worth it. Or make your family take you. That way you can get good and liquored up, too.
To get the funniest quotes from TVgasm recaps as they’re posted, follow us on Twitter. You can post your favorite lines right back at us. If you want to play games and socialize, like our Facebook page! We’re also now on Pinterest and Tumblr! Thanks for being a part of the gasm!
11 Comments
I want to go to Bitter Jen’s restaurant (if it ever opens) but I am so jealous you got to go to Volt. I have been dying to go.
A real amuse bouche? I thought those were rare, like unicorns!
Super jealous!! Brian was my favorite that season – he was robbed of the title!
Color me 50 shades of jealous! That is awesome.
I loved me some B-Volt, so I’m pleased it was so great.
Jealouss….I’ve been wanting to go to Volt, but I’m scared because I have no class and don’t want to get thrown out.
Plus it’s hard to convince my friends to grab a zipcar and go all the way out to Fredricksburg, only to pay $35 for a brunch that isn’t bottomless or all you can eat. Even I shudder at the prospect, although everyone says the food is incredible.
Drunken gluttonous philistines, the lot of us.
Where do you live Chaos? Frederick’s an hour from me. We ought to have an East Coast ‘Gasm TC restaurant tour. Doesn’t Isabella have a place in DC? Not that I want to give that douche my hard earned cash.
I had an amuse bouche in NYC in December. Went up there to meet a friend for the weekend and we went to a Swedish restaurant that we frequent. Thanks to TC I realized it was an amuse bouche when they served it to us.
I’m going out to the LA area in May. Perhaps I’ll make it to Street.
Some of my professional friends (ie friends from the work) have been on Top Chef. One of them even won. I hate to say it, but some of them can really cook and are amazing. But others have a great PR team/agent and that is how they got on the show (they don’t have that much skill in the kitchen but they have a personality that works on tv). Some of friends I knew before they went on tv and some I met after. It is interesting to see how different people react to the 15 minutes of fame. Some try and change into a TV chef, others use it to start a business or try and launch a cookbook, others just use it draw in patrons.
Generally the contestants on Top Chef Masters are going to be better than regular Top Chef simply because they are more established in the food world.
I live in DC, so also about an hour away by car.
By public transportation (my primary method of getting around) it’s almost 4 hours. x_x
Isabella does have a place here, Graffiato.
Again, I’ve never been, but it’s on the list. He is a giant douche, but not to the point where I won’t let him feed me, especially when there really are not that many places in DC where you can get delicious and affordable food. Beggars can’t be choosers.
A foodie tour with the gasmii would be too much fun.
@carol, which of your friends won?
I’m so jealous that you went to Volt! When I lived in VA we kept saying we were going to go there but we never did. Now I’m really sorry we didn’t go. I liked B Volt his season and hoped he would win.
I doubt I’ll ever get to LA but the food sounds great at Chiclet Teeths place. Again, SO JEALOUS!
Good Stuff Eatery (Spike’s Dog-and-Pony Show) actually makes some damn fine food. Their village fries with dipping mayos are awesome and their burgers are about the best I’ve ever had. I’ve eaten at 10 different Top Chef restaurants and can say that Spike’s is the third-best (behind Girl and the Goat and Hubert Keller’s Vegas restaurant.)
Oh, and Blaise, who talks shit like his mouth and his butt were accidentally reversed at some point, has a burger joint in Atlanta that is DEFINITELY not as good as Spike’s. So yeah, Blaise, take that.
Why is there a cartoon drawing of a penis pointing down on that chalkboard Street menu? Weird.
Good Stuff Eatery is delicious.
Bonus: It won’t make you poor.