Restaurant news: Carlyle Club, La Famiglia and Juniors
Sometimes I have more things to tell you than I have time to post.
I was at the Ambassador last night for my annual Christmas dinner with friends. (I know we're a little behind, but with the Argentina and Florida trips and my mother-in-law's death, this was the first time we could schedule it.)
While I was there I asked owner Keir Singh for news about the Ambassador's sister restaurant, the Carlyle Club, which has been closed for renovations since the end of January. (Paul R, I thought it would be better to post an answer to your question separately.) ...
Mr. Singh told me that there had been water damage from one of the apartments above the dining room, and the carpeting and ceiling had to be replaced. He wasn't sure when the repairs would be completed.
I asked if the Carlyle Club would still be a Lebanese restaurant when it reopens, and he indicated that was still under discussion, but probably not.
I didn't say "if and when it reopens" because I was a guest in his restaurant, not a reporter, when I talked to him. But with the closing of the third restaurant in the group, the Spice Company, I wouldn't be surprised if the owners decided to retrench in this economy.
I saw no indication that the Ambassador might close. The main dining room was pretty empty, but the beautifully decorated sunporch with two fireplaces was filled. Not bad for early in the week before Valentine's.
As for the nearby La Famiglia, the new Italian restaurant where Brasserie Tatin was, I thought I'd reprint the info Kevin gave us in a comment. Although he didn't tell us his relationship to the restaurant, he seems legit. Several people have e-mailed me asking for the phone number, so I'm guessing 411 doesn't have it yet:
You can find a temporary blog post with photos, hours, address and phone number [here]. New phone number is 443-759-8112. Thanks for your interest!
Finally, while I was on vacation, Sam broke the news about Juniors Wine Bar in Federal Hill being sold. It will become an Italian restaurant. I was waiting until I talked to the new owner myself to post something; but I wasn't able to get hold of him until this afternoon, and it's beginning to seem like old news. I finally tracked him down and we set a time to talk tomorrow morning.
And I haven't even told you what I learned about Sullivan's Steakhouse yet, which opened Monday in the Verizon Building downtown.
(Photo of Carlyle Club by Andre F. Chung/Sun photographer)
Comments
Mekong Delta, at Cathedral and Saratoga, opened Monday. I haven't been in yet. Lunch specials posted the last couple days outside seem to be in the $3-5 range.
Posted by: Lissa | February 11, 2009 5:39 PM
I'm liking the name of that place, Lissa. Please review when you do check it out! I'd love to have authentic Southeast Asian cuisine!
Posted by: Joyce W. | February 11, 2009 7:54 PM
We had dinner at the ex-Juniors the other night. It's being called Test Kitchen for the time being. I think they're just trying to use up the former owner's inventory before starting again. The place is bare, with all of the paintings and some of the fixtures missing. Apparently, the closing was very abrupt.
Posted by: Pigtown | February 11, 2009 8:04 PM
For sure, Joyce. I didn't mention it Monday, because I haven't been there yet. I'm trying to corral some co-workers to try it.
Posted by: Lissa | February 11, 2009 8:20 PM
So...what *did* you learn about Sullivan's Steakhouse, EL? The one up in Wilmington, DE is pretty good and reasonably priced, as these things go. Inquiring minds want to know!
Posted by: daa2202 | February 12, 2009 9:48 AM
A friend of mine had a gift certificate to Junior's that she never got to use! What a shame.
And I'm so curious about Sullivan's. It just seems like such a weird spot -- I guess it's meant for tourists and hotel guests, but who comes to Baltimore to eat a big old steak (as opposed to seafood)?
Posted by: pomme de terre | February 12, 2009 1:08 PM
I thank god Sullivan's is opening soon. It's so hard to get a steak in the harbor area.
Posted by: Jon Parker | February 13, 2009 11:06 AM
Ok, Joyce, I got to Mekong Delta. They have $4.75 lunch specials. The summer rolls were not bad, nor was the peanut sauce. My Vietnamese pancake was quite good. It was an eggy crepe stuffed with veggies. The lemongrass chicken was perhaps a tad boring, and the rice was of mediocre quality.
We got a cold soup of lichi, lotus root and some kind of nut (ginko?) for dessert. I liked it, but it wasn't sweet enough for others. Unusual, not for everyone, to be sure.
The lunch menu is quite limited. They have a much longer menu for dinners and the weekend. There is pho, and I'll be back to try it soon. The dinner prices looked quite inexpensive - pho was $8-9.
I enjoyed it. The room is bright with interesting artwork of Vietnam. The owner was willing to explain dishes and make recommendations. Plus the only other place in the area you can get a good lunch for under $5 is Bouillabaisse Cafe.
Posted by: Lissa | February 13, 2009 1:27 PM
Lissa, can explain the rice issue? Was it poorly cooked? If it was an issue with the raw materials I can say I learned something new since I was unaware of quality differences in rice. At Asian markets I normally see rice being purchased in huge bags. The inexpensive rice I have purchased in bulk has always measured up well against the much more expensive rice I have purchased in small plastic containers at conventional grocery stores. What am I missing here?
Posted by: Elite Elephant Lover | February 13, 2009 1:48 PM
The rice was properly cooked, it was just a lower quality than I like. I am, admittedly, a rice snob.
Rice varies hugely. I purchase my rice in huge bags in Asian markets, and it is nearly always far better (and often less expensive) than anything I can get in a regular grocery store. I'm not educated enough to explain different types of rice and different qualities.
Different cuisines use different rices, of course. I tend to prefer Japanese rices, so I could be unfairly knocking the Mekong Delta rice.
However, since most Anglos don't worry about rice quality (and that included me until a few years ago), it would be a very reasonable place for a restaurant to economize.
One of the reasons I knock Indian food around here is the rice quality (the other is I'm not fond of American-style northern Indian food). 80% of my grade when eating sushi goes for the rice, as long as the fish is reasonably fresh.
It is a hang up of mine.
Posted by: Lissa | February 13, 2009 2:34 PM
Thanks, Lissa. I look forward to trying it out myself soon (I hope). I'd forgotten about summer rolls - I haven't had any in quite some time - looking forward to having some again soon. Thanks for reviewing!
Posted by: Joyce W. | February 13, 2009 2:55 PM
The number you list for La Famiglia is not in service. I got the following number from the staff at the Broadview Apartments: 443.449.5555. It works - I just made a reservation!
Thanks. The owner told me that they had been having a terrible time with the phone lines and that number was temporary. This must be the new one. EL
Posted by: Rebecca | February 20, 2009 10:21 AM