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Caliente Mex-Sea Kitchen & Bar

Discussion in 'Area Restaurants, Dining and Food' started by SchwarzFamily, Feb 11, 2010.

  1. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    I like Cafe Opera, especially because we usually dine-in and the service is very friendly and accommodating. I think the total package of food, service, and atmosphere makes a difference even if one of those things by itself isn't outstanding. I can't comment on the others much either way.

    So, Genco, which restaurants in the Ashburn/Leesburg area would you classify as serving "really great food?" I'm curious, not sarcastic.

    The tortilla soup at Copper Canyon in Centreville is very good, but unfortunately not located in Ashburn.

     
  2. Genco

    Genco Active Member

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    I agree with Cliff that Anothai has some very good dishes and if they are not crowded the service is great. Overall I think that this area (Ashburn/Sterling/Leesburg) suffers from so many marginal and chain restaurants that when we do find a "good" restaurant we immediately rank it higher than it should be since its so much better than what we are use to. I have had several dishes at Palio in Leesburg and enjoyed them all but I did experience slow service and had to wait for awhile even though we had reservations. I think that every restaurant will have bad nights as it relates to service because you never know if the staff will show up. I put a higher value on the food because really good food is hard to find out here in the suburbs.

    Just my thoughts.
     
  3. JLC

    JLC Member

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    I think any list of restaurants would be very subjective. For example, I don't like Foster's at all. Someone who doesn't like Mediterranean food wouldn't like Mezza. (I do and I love Mezza). I think Cafe Opera is ok but not great. But then again, when I get Chinese take-out, I like the cheap stuff. I could go on...
     
  4. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    Two things, whether or not food is good or great is always opinion, not fact. I think these places are great compared to similar offerings in ashburn. If everyone liked the same food we'd have nothing but ihops... Lol

    Next, bad biz doesn't mean bad product. Several really good eateries closed in ashburn, not because thefood was bad, but either the location or landlord issues were. Cafe rumi,puccios,callaloo, bean scene... All great,all gone.
     
  5. gunzour

    gunzour "Living on the Edge"

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    We've had very good experiences at Caliente. I continue to be surprised by the negative comments it gets on this forum, maybe we've just been lucky there. :)

    I think Clyde's is the most overrated restaurant in the area. I've been there several times and have been disappointed nearly every time.

    Happy Chopsticks has the best Chinese delivery in the area, IMO.

    My wife and I are sort of regulars at Foster's. When their food is prepared right it is fantastic, but they have never been very consistent. Five Guys burgers and fries are *always* made right and very good, but Foster's has the advantage of beer and sports on TV.

    We ate at The Curry Club last week and found it very good.

    Mezza Grill is another favorite of ours, and in my opinion one of the most underrated restaurants in the area.

    Callaloo was good but the wrong atmosphere, in my opinion... before they opened I was hoping for a hole-in-the-wall dirt cheap but darned good type of Carribbean place, not the full service, elaborate decor, live entertainment that Callaloo was. I guess this area is too suburban to support the type of quick-service high-volume great-food place I am thinking of.

    I am not so quick to knock chain restaurants. I like Quizno's but both in this area have closed. Red Robin is good, as is Panera, Potbelly, and Moby Dick's, all chains.
     
  6. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    I rank Clyde's high in a large part to the beautiful buildings.

    I find Happy Chopsticks to be typical take-out Chinese. Since Cafe Opera opened, I don't go to any of the other ones anymore. Tried HC a few times and find it to be the same as the rest. None hold a candle to Cafe Opera.

    My problem with Foster's is the fact that you have to pay for a soft drink whether you want one or not. Even if I order a beer, I have to pay for the soft drink! This is a bad business practice and limits how often I go there. I don't like being forced to pay for something I don't want.
     
  7. Small Brancher

    Small Brancher Member

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    Agree that Clyde's is more about the attractive setting and the bar scene than the food, which tends to be mainly mediocre. I suspect that the presence of Clyde's does have a very negative impact on all of the other local restaurants, though have not seen any supporting data for that belief.

    For my money, Cafe Opera and Mezza Grill are the "quality" in Ashburn. But neither ever seems to be very busy. Talked to the owner of Mezza one night and he mentioned that they would be re-locating eventually, probably, I suspect, after his lease runs its course. Hopefully somewhere we can still patronize with a reasonable drive.
     
  8. Brit

    Brit New Member

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    Ford's Fish Shack - Love it
    Bangrak - great for curries and noodle dishes (never had much luck with their fish dishes, don't eat meat but hubby likes their Ka Prow)
    Clydes - Never had a bad meal.
     
  9. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    ? They have an itemized menu as well
     
  10. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Can't say I've ever come across this. I've eaten at two Foster's locations and have been able to get a burger and fries to go without having to pay for a drink...
     
  11. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Nope, not for me. Was there last month and had to pay for the drink even though I got a beer. Even asked if I could get some kind of credit but was told "no".
    I've only been to the one in Ryan Park. I also eat in, not carryout. Don't know if that makes a difference.
     
  12. Winston

    Winston Junior Mint

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    Foster's is awful. The burgers are dried out patties covered in grease. How they manage that? I'm not quite sure. But the food is great compared to the service. I always feel like everyone who works there hates their job.
     
  13. db0916

    db0916 New Member

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    Stopped by Caliente on Wednesday night for drinks and appetizers and it was very good. I will admit this place is hit or miss but on this night it was hit.
     
  14. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    I've never experienced that - the people all seem nice and helpful.

    As far as Caliente, I've only been once and the service was a bit slow and the food just mediocre. But that's just once.

    I think consistency is the key. For example, I like Main Street Wings in Ashbrook and we eat there fairly frequently but the quality of the food can vary. I love their homemade mac and cheese when it's good but I've had it a few times when it's been the bottom of the barrel (literally) and just cheese (not that that's entirely bad...). I don't know much about the restaurant business but maybe different chefs/cooks during different times and days really makes a difference.

    Did the Quiznos in Ashbrook close? I thought it was open but I didn't pay close attention last time I was in that shopping center.
     
  15. mwork

    mwork New Member

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    :happygrin:Heard a rumor that Caliente was moving out and American Tap was coming in! Heard it at my salon where one of the clients knows the prop mgr.
     
  16. gunzour

    gunzour "Living on the Edge"

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    They've recently started asking if we want the soft drink included or not, so maybe they've figured out that is turning people off.
     
  17. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    I don't know about the Quizno's by the Ice House but the one in Ashbrook near Harris Teeter is still open.
     
  18. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    guess what? you spoke- they LISTENED.

    i went to Fosters last week and the new ordering system is SO much easier- you DO have the option now of getting just the entree without having to get the soda and fries. you can also get a la carte items, and half orders of fries and onion rings!

    got a peek at the new ordering sheet that should be out soon if not already, and even though i found the OTHER way to be easy too- it's much improved now.

    i have a feeling there will be a FANTSTIC online sprouting up for them soon.... just a hunch. ;)
     
  19. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    Recently went to Caliente. Had to wait for the food 40 min. when the dining room was half full. Food was not impressive at all and the cost hight for what you are getting.

    Needs Improvement.
     

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