fuel for a small country. When all of its inside doors are
open and the vastness of Carmine’s is exposed, the sunny yellow interior with its sea of tables and old family photographs could pass for a set designed by Cecil B. DeMille. The doors slide and fold, however, to create more intimate spaces, as necessary. Chances are, your wine will be the
right temperature. The design includes coolers for the bottles, built into the walls. Although the gift shop upfront probably pegs Carmine’s as a tourist destination, at least the cookbook for sale includes recipes for meals you might want to replicate at home. I’d be more excited about Carmine’s
if the bread basket had more character and the cheese on its Caesar didn’t resemble flavored sawdust. And while I appreciate the kitchen’s generosity, it would be nice to have some scaled-back dishes to accommodate light eaters or solo diners. I felt wasteful eating fewer than half of the 12 baked clams in an appetizer by myself one afternoon; as good as the gratineed seafood was, I wasn’t going to let out a suit to finish it. Carmine’s is too loud and crowded
to be a date place, but it would be perfect for a reunion of relatives or friends who want something fun and filling and don’t mind sharing. (I’d almost bet $100 that no diner can successfully, and single-handedly, sink the ice cream dessert billed as “titanic,” built from flourless chocolate cake, five scoops of ice cream, roasted pineapple, cookies and whipped cream.) Service in this setting is more
personal than you might expect at such a giant business. One night, as I stood in a mass at the bar, I saw a genial bartender pause from his shaking and stirring to twirl and apportion an order of pasta for two guests. At lunch, when I casually mentioned to a manager that someone from my office would be eating my leftovers, she tucked extra napkins, utensils and even bread into the shopping bags. Carmine’s focus on bigness, it turns
out, extends to its heart. Ask Tom will return.
Not just an amazing meal. an amazing evening.
Enjoy Ruth’s Classics 3-course seasonal menu | $39.95
DC Convention Center DC Dupont Circle Bethesda Crystal City Fairfax Tysons Corner
Available at participating locations for a limited time. FINE LEBANESE CUISINE FINE LEBA
in Arlington” – Tom Sietsema
“A Welcome Addition
2300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 703.465.4440
www.me-jana.com Free Parking
Sushi GO ROUND D.C.’s First Sushi Belt Bar!
& TAPAS (202) 393-2825 |
www.sushigoroundatverizon.com
Located next to Verizon Center & Regal Theater Gallery Place: 705 7th St., NW
Lunch | Dinner | Cocktails | Happy Hour Late Night | Catering
“A Modern Home for Classic Thai” The Washington Post
915 E Street, NW 202.629.4355
www.asianine.com Dining with Tom Sietsema.
Every week in The Washington Post Magazine.
For information on advertising in the Dining section, please call Diane DuBois at 202-334-5224.
ThaiPavilionRestaurant.com
29 Maryland Ave • Rockville, MD 301-545-0244
Alexandria, VA 22312
Phone: 703-739-9600 Fax: 703-739-5809
www.RedCurry.us
RED CURRY 100 King St.
Rockville Town Square
Tysons Corner: 8142 Watson St. McLean, VA 22102 703-356-2288
Reston Town Center: 11964 Market St. Reston, VA 20190 703-435-4188
www.busara.com
“Great Food at a Reasonable Price” Since 1972
Anthony’s RESTAURANT
- Catering & Banquet facilities Available - Open 7 Days a week at both locations - Eat in or Carry Out
Fine American, Greek & Italian Cuisine Falls Church
7234 Centreville Rd. 703-361-1230
www.anthonysrestaurantva.com
309 W. Broad St. 703-532-0100 Manassas
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