WaPo Ask Tom?

[Anonymous]

This is why we can't have nice things - how about people don't use this opportunity to be rude and instead take advantage of Tom's responsiveness in answering genuine questions?

Thanks for sharing your time with us Tom!

[TomSietsema]

Happy to oblige, although i have my own online forum for reader questions and I can't camp out here for long. (Deadlines are calling.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why we can't have nice things - how about people don't use this opportunity to be rude and instead take advantage of Tom's responsiveness in answering genuine questions?

Thanks for sharing your time with us Tom!

+1.

There seem to just be one or maybe two posters here who are extremely critical of Tom. Tom, do you have any competitors or enemies who may be posting here under the cloak of anonymity? Maybe someone who would like to take your place at the WaPo?

[Anonymous]

Hi Tom, thanks for coming on here. You have some pretty good suggestions and some duds. Not too bad of a record though. I would say that your writing could be a bit livelier.
I went to Le Diplomat twice for special occasions and was disappointed both times. Seemed nice but food didn't taste great and was way overpriced for what you get.
Rasika is good but also seems overpriced and overhyped. I like when you review off the beat unknown non-fancy restaurants to mix things up but I guess that is more Tim Carman's territory. Went to Arroz based on how much you rave about it and it was very good but small servings for high prices. I wish you would be a little more sensitive about price and value for those of us not on expense accounts. I don't mind paying $$$ but sometimes it feels like one gets fleeced unnecessarily. I had lunch at Kith and Kin and it was good but very expensive and the plates were small. I paid $40 for lunch for one person and still left feeling hungry. I really like Fiola, it was expensive but great food and great service.
You gave Millie's a good review but it is also so-so and very overpriced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi Tom, thanks for coming on here. You have some pretty good suggestions and some duds. Not too bad of a record though. I would say that your writing could be a bit livelier.
I went to Le Diplomat twice for special occasions and was disappointed both times. Seemed nice but food didn't taste great and was way overpriced for what you get.
Rasika is good but also seems overpriced and overhyped. I like when you review off the beat unknown non-fancy restaurants to mix things up but I guess that is more Tim Carman's territory. Went to Arroz based on how much you rave about it and it was very good but small servings for high prices. I wish you would be a little more sensitive about price and value for those of us not on expense accounts. I don't mind paying $$$ but sometimes it feels like one gets fleeced unnecessarily. I had lunch at Kith and Kin and it was good but very expensive and the plates were small. I paid $40 for lunch for one person and still left feeling hungry. I really like Fiola, it was expensive but great food and great service.
You gave Millie's a good review but it is also so-so and very overpriced.

He was recognized at le diplo. Prob at the others too

[Anonymous]

We tried Arroz for our anniversary dinner after reading his review and it was great. Would like to go back.

I like Rasika but it’s too much of a pain to get a reservation these days. Plus we live in the burbs now so frequent Woodlands. Less ambiance but yummy food. The weekend brunch is fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Lots of questions/comments here, and I'll address a few:

Jose Andres has done some good/excellent work in DC and his (consistent) restaurants address a number of diner wishes. Lest anyone think I've *not* criticized his empire, I gave minibar two stars a number of years ago when I felt the formula hadn't changed much. I keep tables on 100 or so restaurants. I wonder when the last time some of you have ben to say, Jaleo, and found it disappointing? I go at least five times a year.

My precedecessor was in the job almost 24 years. I'm not the only critic in the country to be in the job more than a decade (see: Alison Cook in Houston, Michael Bauer in SF, J. Gold in Los Angeles). One way I try to stay fresh for myself and for readers is to write other than straight reviews. See: my survey of chain restaurants, my year-long tour of the best food cities, my rant on tight tables, my feature on the unsung heroes of the kitchen: dishwashers.

I frequently acknowledge when i'm noticed in restaurants and have gone incognito to many of the most popular restaurants in town. I'm not surprising anything (as some posters seem to suggest).

Before we had a full-time cheap eats columnist, I regularly filed dispatches from all over the DMV and at all price points. But as part of the Post's move from local to national stage, I'm focusing more on restaurants of wider interest. That said, my guides and my regular dispatches regularly include different cuisies and price points. Just the week, i wrote about a fast-casual indian restaurant (Rasa).

Feel free to join my online chat (every Wed. at 11 a.m.). I welcome questions and feedback.

So many folks have told you about disappointing meals and service at Jaleo, but you keep highlighting it. And then we find out that your friends with Jose. Don't you think your readers would find that problematic?

+1 We used to go pretty frequently to the location in Bethesda. A few years ago they changed the menu and it has never been the same. wasn't worth the time or the money.

[Anonymous]

He trashed Nobu. Maybe they didn't give him any freebies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Lots of questions/comments here, and I'll address a few:

Jose Andres has done some good/excellent work in DC and his (consistent) restaurants address a number of diner wishes. Lest anyone think I've *not* criticized his empire, I gave minibar two stars a number of years ago when I felt the formula hadn't changed much. I keep tables on 100 or so restaurants. I wonder when the last time some of you have ben to say, Jaleo, and found it disappointing? I go at least five times a year.

My precedecessor was in the job almost 24 years. I'm not the only critic in the country to be in the job more than a decade (see: Alison Cook in Houston, Michael Bauer in SF, J. Gold in Los Angeles). One way I try to stay fresh for myself and for readers is to write other than straight reviews. See: my survey of chain restaurants, my year-long tour of the best food cities, my rant on tight tables, my feature on the unsung heroes of the kitchen: dishwashers.

I frequently acknowledge when i'm noticed in restaurants and have gone incognito to many of the most popular restaurants in town. I'm not surprising anything (as some posters seem to suggest).

Before we had a full-time cheap eats columnist, I regularly filed dispatches from all over the DMV and at all price points. But as part of the Post's move from local to national stage, I'm focusing more on restaurants of wider interest. That said, my guides and my regular dispatches regularly include different cuisies and price points. Just the week, i wrote about a fast-casual indian restaurant (Rasa).

Feel free to join my online chat (every Wed. at 11 a.m.). I welcome questions and feedback.

So many folks have told you about disappointing meals and service at Jaleo, but you keep highlighting it. And then we find out that your friends with Jose. Don't you think your readers would find that problematic?

+1 We used to go pretty frequently to the location in Bethesda. A few years ago they changed the menu and it has never been the same. wasn't worth the time or the money.

NP. I have never had a bad experience there and agree with Tom, and go multiple times a year. Like all things, some people will unfortunately get a bad experience but Jaleo is a universally liked stalwart in my circle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Lots of questions/comments here, and I'll address a few:

Jose Andres has done some good/excellent work in DC and his (consistent) restaurants address a number of diner wishes. Lest anyone think I've *not* criticized his empire, I gave minibar two stars a number of years ago when I felt the formula hadn't changed much. I keep tables on 100 or so restaurants. I wonder when the last time some of you have ben to say, Jaleo, and found it disappointing? I go at least five times a year.

My precedecessor was in the job almost 24 years. I'm not the only critic in the country to be in the job more than a decade (see: Alison Cook in Houston, Michael Bauer in SF, J. Gold in Los Angeles). One way I try to stay fresh for myself and for readers is to write other than straight reviews. See: my survey of chain restaurants, my year-long tour of the best food cities, my rant on tight tables, my feature on the unsung heroes of the kitchen: dishwashers.

I frequently acknowledge when i'm noticed in restaurants and have gone incognito to many of the most popular restaurants in town. I'm not surprising anything (as some posters seem to suggest).

Before we had a full-time cheap eats columnist, I regularly filed dispatches from all over the DMV and at all price points. But as part of the Post's move from local to national stage, I'm focusing more on restaurants of wider interest. That said, my guides and my regular dispatches regularly include different cuisies and price points. Just the week, i wrote about a fast-casual indian restaurant (Rasa).

Feel free to join my online chat (every Wed. at 11 a.m.). I welcome questions and feedback.

So many folks have told you about disappointing meals and service at Jaleo, but you keep highlighting it. And then we find out that your friends with Jose. Don't you think your readers would find that problematic?

+1 We used to go pretty frequently to the location in Bethesda. A few years ago they changed the menu and it has never been the same. wasn't worth the time or the money.

NP. I have never had a bad experience there and agree with Tom, and go multiple times a year. Like all things, some people will unfortunately get a bad experience but Jaleo is a universally liked stalwart in my circle.

I cringe when people say this. Everyone says the same thing about Founding Farmers.

[Anonymous]

[quote=TomSietsema]Happy to oblige, although i have my own online forum for reader questions and I can't camp out here for long. (Deadlines are calling.)


Dear Tom - I've been a follower for years but live in McLean. Could you do a little more in the NoVA area? I read all of your Maryland reviews but never find myself "over there".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Lots of questions/comments here, and I'll address a few:

Jose Andres has done some good/excellent work in DC and his (consistent) restaurants address a number of diner wishes. Lest anyone think I've *not* criticized his empire, I gave minibar two stars a number of years ago when I felt the formula hadn't changed much. I keep tables on 100 or so restaurants. I wonder when the last time some of you have ben to say, Jaleo, and found it disappointing? I go at least five times a year.

My precedecessor was in the job almost 24 years. I'm not the only critic in the country to be in the job more than a decade (see: Alison Cook in Houston, Michael Bauer in SF, J. Gold in Los Angeles). One way I try to stay fresh for myself and for readers is to write other than straight reviews. See: my survey of chain restaurants, my year-long tour of the best food cities, my rant on tight tables, my feature on the unsung heroes of the kitchen: dishwashers.

I frequently acknowledge when i'm noticed in restaurants and have gone incognito to many of the most popular restaurants in town. I'm not surprising anything (as some posters seem to suggest).

Before we had a full-time cheap eats columnist, I regularly filed dispatches from all over the DMV and at all price points. But as part of the Post's move from local to national stage, I'm focusing more on restaurants of wider interest. That said, my guides and my regular dispatches regularly include different cuisies and price points. Just the week, i wrote about a fast-casual indian restaurant (Rasa).

Feel free to join my online chat (every Wed. at 11 a.m.). I welcome questions and feedback.

So many folks have told you about disappointing meals and service at Jaleo, but you keep highlighting it. And then we find out that your friends with Jose. Don't you think your readers would find that problematic?

+1 We used to go pretty frequently to the location in Bethesda. A few years ago they changed the menu and it has never been the same. wasn't worth the time or the money.

100% agree

[Anonymous]

TomSietsema wrote:I love it when I can shine a light on the work of other than white males. See: my reviews of Centrolina, Smoked & Stacked, Himitsu, etc. Who behind a review-sorthy place (new or otherwise newsworthy) am I missing?

Chase the Submarine: 132 Church St. NW, Vienna, VA; www.chasethesubmarine.com
Drink Company (Columbia Room, Eat the Rich, Mockingbird Hill, Southern Efficiency): www.drinkcompany.com
Himitsu: 828 Upshur St. NW, DC; www.himitsudc.com
Kyirisan: 1924 8th St. NW, DC; www.kyirisandc.com
Paisley Fig: 3232 11th St. NW, DC; www.paisleyfig.com
Red Hen: 1822 1st St. NW, DC; www.theredhendc.com
Ripple: 3417 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; www.rippledc.com
Ris: 2275 L St. NW, DC; www.risdc.com
Smoked & Stacked: 1239 9th St. NW, DC; www.smokedandstacked.com
Tail Up Goat: 1827 Adams Mill Rd. NW, DC; www.tailupgoat.com
Ten Tigers Parlour: 3813 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; www.tentigersdc.com

[Anonymous]

Wonder how many times he'll recommend Jaleo, Arroz, le dip, P&P, or some other place he was recognized or is friends with the chef

[Anonymous]

Tom discusses DCUM in his recent chat:

Q: Comments from "DC Urban Moms"
Hi Tom - I'm not a regular poster in this chat, but that link to the DC Urban Moms chatroom really bothered me: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/699666.page. First off, Rasika is amazing - what are you supposed to say when a chatter asks you to recommend a great Indian restaurant in DC? Somehow name a better one? ...I'll wait. Secondly, for all of those questioning your credibility after naming Timber Pizza Company as one of your Top 10, I'd like to present you with Exhibit A: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-pizza-2017...or is Bon Appetit also considered not a credible source either?? Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, just make sure you do your homework to avoid making empty accusations. I mean come on, how more "credible" can you get as someone with 17+ years of experience as a food critic for a nationally acclaimed news source in one of the greatest food cities in the nation? Once again...I'll wait.

A: Tom Sietsema
I have no problems with anyone disagreeing with me, but I think it's important to know the experience of some of my anonymous critics. Regarding Rasika, have they ever been to India? When did they last eat at the establishment? And how many times? Also -- and I may catch heat for this -- just because someone is from India doesn't make them an expert or especially discerning. They may just like what they like, or what they grew up with.