Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray Alexandria
It should be no secret to our loyal readers that We’re Out of Here are huge fans of Anthony Bourdain. On one recent episode of his show No reservations, Bourdain explored the outer boroughs of his hometown of New York City. In keeping with the theme of copying everything Tony does, we decided to explore some of the lesser known “outer boroughs of the DC area. First up in this series is Del Ray, Alexandria. Read More
Flushing's Chinese supermarkets are the real deal
When it comes to Chinese food there’s different levels of authenticity. There’s Chinese takeout – those white paper cartons of greasy fried rice. There’s dim sum and Sichuan places that are packed on Sunday with Chinese families ordering from the secret Chinese menus. And then there’s Flushing, Queens, a place that so eerily resembles Beijing, it inspired flashbacks. Read More
I love Gabriel Brothers, the discount department store with a cult following. The regional outlet stocks oversized polyester pant suits and wrinkled sweaters. But look beyond that, and you’ll find Ann Taylor, Anthropology, the Limited and plenty of other mall brands for prices far cheaper than any other of its breed — TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Filene’s Basement. I’ve walked away with $10 dresses, $5 shoes and $2 shirts.
However, not all Gabriel Brothers are created equal. As the cheapskate I am, I make a point to stop at any Gabes outlet in my path. Here’s my rundown on where to find (or not find) the best bargains in the Mid-Atlantic area:
Hit theses shops:
Cumberland, MD
This is the most upscale Gabes I’ve ever visited. Everything since has been a disappointment. It’s lightening and relative orderliness put it on par with higher-class bargain outlets, such as TJ Maxx. However, its prices are just as low. It’s also remarkable for having a lot of Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft clothes. I still wear the black, Ann Taylor shirt dress I snagged here for $10.
12101 Winchester Rd.
Suite 23
Lavale, MD 21502
Clarksburg, WV
This Gabes is off the shopping mecca called Emily Drive. It has every chain store and chain restaurant imaginable, and it’s not missing a Gabes. This outlet has a particularly strong men’s section. The other half of We’re Out of Here walked away with a polo, Gap pants and a Calvin Klien button down for $30.
134 Thompson Drive
Gabriel Brothers Plaza
Clarksburg, WV 26330
Skip these shops:
Parkersburg, WV: While you should always expect Gabes to have a few racks of camo and overalls, this outlet had one hillbilly outfit too many. The men’s department was overrun by XXL sweats and hunting getups. The women’s section, though, was mysteriously empty. The racks were far apart and not well stocked. I wanted to chalk its bad performance up to the changing seasons; it was late August when we visited. But other Gabes aficionados agree that this branch is one of the weaker outlets. It’s worth driving on to Clarksburg.
280 Park Center Drive
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Winchester, VA: The closest store to my home in Northern Va, was a disappointment. Like the Parkersburg branch, this outlet suffered from a mysteriously lacking women’s section. There were far too many polyester dresses, ratty overcoats and garments stocked only in size 2 and 18 – but nothing in between. The normally prominent Ann Taylor section was stuffed into a corner and looking like it had just survived WWIII. However, strong men’s (French Connection coat = $20) and home wares (Corningware set = $12) sections almost made up for it.
130-3 Delco Plaza
Winchester, Va. 22602
Going to the Outer Banks for the weekend. Any suggestion on out-of-season activties?
Man vs. Food in DC tonight. Episode = obligatory visit to Ben’s Chili Bowl, Horace & Dickies Seafood-Chicken, and Chick and Ruth’s Delly.
Corn maze this weekend:http://www.winterbrookfarms.com/. Why won’t it stop raining!
Washingtonian visits Top Chef’s boring brother’s restaurant in Frederick: http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/travel/13643.html
New Post: beer and scenery in Westchester County, NY: http://bit.ly/KD4rN
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Omnivore’s 100: Venison down, 99 more to go
Omnivore’s 100
A friend recently forwarded me the list of the 100 foods that every omnivore should eat in his or lifetime. The list, compiled by a British food blogger at Very Good Taste, runs from the ridiculous (road kill) to the standard (a Big Mac meal) to the pricey (Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant).
Scanning down the document, I knew it was my chance to join the herds of bloggers who decide to take on a task and blog it to completion. Yes, I’m sure you’ve seen the blogs or read the books or seen the movies of those trying to, say, cook all of Julie Child’s recipes, have sex every day for a year or live a waste-free life. So, for the next year – or however longs it takes – we will eat from one to 100. I will try to go in order, but I’m making no promises.
Venison
First up, is something I’ve long wanted to try: venison.
It took me two weeks to track down venison. At Yelpers’ recommendation, I tried Whole Foods and then the expansive gourmet grocery Wegman’s (there’s one in Fairfax and off 95 in Woodbridge). Whole Foods told me that they stopped carrying venison because they “we’re sure where our vendor was getting it from.” Wegman’s did have it. But at about $30 a pound, I decided to save my funds for food I knew tasted good.
Fortunately, we went to West Virginia last weekend – a state where everyone apparently keeps a steak (or side) of venison in the freezer. In hunting season – the height of which is next week – school kids have vacation so they can join their parents in the woods with a rifle.
Considering this, I’m not too surprised I was served venison not once – but twice – in one weekend.
The first was the tenderloin cooked with honey and truffle oil. It was a bit like pork, dry and dense, but not unpleasant. The second time, we had a leg – or at least that’s what I think it was judging from the bone. It was stringy like jerky. After a few bites, when the hostess wasn’t looking, it went under the table for the dog. She enjoyed it.
Next up: Nettle tea.