Deepa C.'s Profile

For those of you who don't know, my mom is kind of a big deal. She is at the top of her field, raised two awesome kids, and recently summited Kilimanjaro. Once she puts her mind to something, she masters it.

About 20 years ago, she mastered the apple pie. Her apple pie is amazing. The crust, the apple slice size, the seasoning, everything is perfect. Not too soggy on the bottom, not to dry on the top. My family doesn't order apple pies when we are out or buy them at the store, since everything else is just subpar.

Cut to Sunday, when I stopped by Petsi Pies to pick up something to bring to a SuperBowl party. I wasn't in a berry mood, so apple it was! I knew the hosts were making chili and thought apple pie might be a good complement. But then we left early (bed time for baby!), and my friend insisted that I take the pie too.

We didn't touch it Sunday, since we literally collapsed in piles of gluttony. On Monday, however, there was nothing in the house for lunch... pie it is! Imagine my surprise when I took a bite and it tasted EXACTLY like my mom's. Sharp flavors, perfect crust, lots of filling. Then I had another piece, and another...and... umm... I refuse to tell the internet exactly how much of that pie is left...

I also got some small savory pies. I liked them, but they weren't Flour's quiche so I probably won't get them again. The filling to egg ratio was a little high, but the flavors worked together really well.

Service was very friendly and open. I will definitely be back!

I think Foundry On Elm is trying to do what Back bay Social Club (see previous review) does so well.

The decor is great (nice long bar, Gaslighty-tiles, Union-esque dining tables and chairs), it has a good location (not many upscale establishments in the area - a nice option for those who want more than Annas but less than Gargoyles), and has a decent crowd (young but not students, old but not geriatric).

They have everything on the menu they should, they have the right drink list, the serve a nice spread with the bread. Everything looks good on paper but something just didn't click. When you get the bill at some places, you nod understandingly at the total, knowing that, sure you are paying a lot, but it was worth it. Josh and I were both a little surprised at our check. Sure the food was good, but it wasn't THAT good.

I do want to go back and give it another try, since it could have been an off night, or maybe my South End obsessed expectations were too high (Franklin, Pops, Union, Aquitaine, BBSC etc). Another night of small portions, pedestrian flavors, and slow service may keep me away for good, however.

Waffles? Awesome. What's not to love? Fried chicken? Bring it. Combine the two with a maple-flavored gravy, and i am yours for life. BBSC, you had me at gravy.

Let me back up a bit. A few months ago, the Yelp Brunching Book Club settled into BBSC for brunch and a book discussion. I don't think I can say one bad thing about the meal we had. The service was so friendly and prompt, the bloody marys were perfect for those of us that were hung over (you know who you are...:) ), the portion sizes were ideal, and the kitchen delivered on taste. There were no towering piles of artfully stacked food with dots of sauce. Oh no, Just plates full of clean flavors and warming combination.

I went back a few months ago for dinner. I was an hour early and my dining companions were an hour late, so it was just me, my book, and a small bar table by the front window for over two hours. The hostesses were so friendly, they made sure I was comfortable, they sent over little bites for me while I waited, they made me feel welcome. Not many places have the ability to do that. When my friends arrived, they made space for us right away, and didn't put us in the back of the line, which was also nice.

Dinner that night was the roast chicken. Just like brunch, it was nothing fancy, but simply and wonderfully prepared. Dessert, drinks, bread, everything was just what we wanted at that second.

It's not cheap, but for what you are getting, it is really not that expensive either. BBSC is a great addition to the area, giving us a go-to place when we are in the area and need a bite or just need some comfort food - or drinks.

I have been here a handful of times and have been pleasantly surprised each time i go.

The service is great, the food is better than most pub food you come across in the area (I am looking at you, Johnny D's), the space is cozy and inviting - what more do you want in a local bar?

Wednesday nights, they offer $10 soul food (entree and two sides), which looks like too good of a bargain to pass up. If you are a football fan, they offer 10 cent wings on Mondays during the game.

If you are in the area, I feel like it is either this or the Winter Hill Tavern, which looks BEYOND skech. Go with OMS; a great local pub that welcomes regulars and occasionals with the same greeting.

EASILY one of my favorite places in DC. Calming, refreshing, serene, the perfect place to either daydream or be along with your thoughts.

I also like that is is not too big - it is spacious while still feeling intimate.

If you are doing any kid of sight-seeing in DC, you will most likely come within a few blocks of the gardens. It's great for a sightseeing breather, a break from the tourists, or even just a nice way to end your day.

They also had a nice, interactive kids garden when we visit, which was a nice break from the "do not touch" vibe in the rest of the garden.

The whole family went down to DC for a wedding last summer. Our first big trip with our then 1-year-old. In a word: disaster. He didn't sleep, we didn't sleep, then he would nap, and we would be driving around to see friends, etc. Needless to say not much sleep was had by the two adults.

We were staying with friends, and since the zoo opened so early (8), we decided to take our adorable early riser to the zoo when it opened, let our hosts sleep in, get some coffee, maybe some breakfast, meander, all that good stuff.

Well, the zoo does open at 8, but the vendors don't open until 10. Cut to me and Josh, wandering around like zombies, counting down the minutes until we can get coffee. Besides several other zombie parents with strollers (the resigned smile and shrug is a staple with the toddler set, i have found), we pretty much had the zoo all to ourselves.

All three of us loved it. We walked, watched, and we were the only ones at the fence at most of the areas, so we weren't fighting for a view. The zoo itself is amazing. Clean, inviting, largish enclosures for the animals, a great monkey exhibit, elephants, lions, tigers, everything you would want to see at a zoo.

When the restaurants did open, the food was nothing special and insanely overpriced. I would have brought a picnic (breakfast and) lunch had I known what we were up against.

Next time we will probably still be there super early for the privacy, but we will stop for coffee and bagels first and pack a lunch. Other than that, all you need are comfy shoes.

If you have small kids, early is better, since they won't have to compete with the 8-11 year-olds for fence space.

Once upon a time, I would only go apple picking if that was all you could do. No bouncy castles, no goats, no nothing. Trees, apples, a scale and a register. If they happened to have cider, fine. The end.

Then I had a kid. The pick and go was not going to cut it, sadly. Luckily, Honey Pot Hill has everything I have avoided int he past, which, of course, my son loved.

A hay ride
A hedge maze
Donuts (ok, fine, i liked them too... I guess...)
Pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits
A guy in a honey bear suit (well, he was a little scared, but still).

A wee bit pricey. The animal area was free, but you had to pay extra for the hayride and hedge maze (and donuts of course). Perfect if you have kids, a nightmare if you want to pick apples with no frills.

Get their early! The parking lot fills up fast.

This is a great park. I used to come here all the time when I lived in Murray Hill. While you can't sit on the grass, it was closer to me than Central Park was and near the Bait Shop. Yum.

Recently, I made use of the playground area. Nice work, MSP! Open spaces, swings, slides, a water area. The patrons were also reasonable and took turns, which was refreshing.

If you are in the area and need a break, this is a great pit stop. Read a book, get some food, and if you have a kid with you, make use of the playground. It's a nice one.

Getting a membership to the Children's Museum is a great deal. I just didn't factor in the $10-$15 I will be spending at Flour every time we visit the museum.... ah well.

The quiche. It's aaaaaaall about that quiche. How do they make it taste so good? The egg is so moist and firm and the crust is so crisp. How? The balanced flavors and the vegetables. How? I used to get one to share with my toddler, but found that he can put a piece away by himself, so now we get two. Luckily, they are only $5ish.

The treats are amazing, the coffee is good, the service is friendly and firm.

I can't dock points for it being crowded, but watch out during lunch/afternoons on the weekends. It is overflowing with kids. If that is not your thing, avoid or take out.

Came here on a recommendation from a friend. I hadn't been to the dentist in over 5 years (i know...) so I was really nervous. In the end, it was a (relatively) good experience.

The admin was really good about how clueless I was about my insurance. It was two weeks after my appointment before I got her all the right information, and they didn't' send me a bill or notice or anything. They were also very helpful in figuring out where I could find everything.

The dentist was nice. I only saw him for a bit, but got a good impressions.

The hygienist was thorough but kind. She wasn't judgmental about my non-flossing, and kept up the banter the whole time. I did have a rough cleaning, but that really was my own fault.

Friendly staff, clean space, nothing there to turn me away.