Tim: Panjshir / Audacious Aleworks Brewery

 Background: Andrew and I compiled a Google Doc of restaurants for this project from just looking around on google maps as well as marking interesting looking places that we have seen but never checked out. Right now that list sits at 42 restaurants. However, instead of using that list for this week's outing, we settled on Panjshir, an Afghan restaurant in Falls Church. While meeting with a friend from out of town earlier in the week at Audacious Aleworks Brewery, I couldn't help but be intrigued by the restaurant next door with a haphazardly thrown together outside dining area and absolutely zero customers. I also really liked the vibe of the manager who repeatedly would come outside, arms folded, and glare disapprovingly at some unruly drunk customers of the brewery that were causing a scene. I mentioned the spot to Andrew, and after two minutes of him looking at the list and being overwhelmed by options, we settled on Panjshir for this week. 


Audacious Aleworks: Andrew and I decided to stop here first for a flight before dinner next door. My visit earlier in the week was my first time here and I was very impressed. This outing was no different. Great selection of beers, super friendly staff, and complimentary popcorn that rivals some of my favorite movie theatres (RIP). Outside seating area is nice and was not too crowded on either occasion. Although this time a lot of people brought their young kids who were running amuck while the parents talked loudly to eachother across tables with Andrew and me in between. And on the previous visit had some drunk boiz causing a scene after another customer tapped their license plate while backing up to leave. Accusations of racism were thrown around, there was a cat on a leash, it was quite a time. While I have not yet tried their food, I thoroughly enjoyed all beers I have tried. Highly recommend scoping this place out, and it is now my current favorite brewery in the immediate area. 



Atmosphere: 5/5 - brewery chic inside,  and outside area is nice and does not look randomly thrown together. 

Service: 5/5 - super friendly/helpful staff and complimentary popcorn

Clientele: 2/5 - obnoxious people on both occasions

Beers: 4.5/5 - excellent selection, and not a dud in the bunch that I tried

Price: 4/5

Overall: 4/5 - new go-to brewery in the area


Panjshir: After our drinks, we walked two steps over to Panjshir. Unlike earlier in the week, there was a small group eating outside, but still not a single customer inside. The group outside looked to be a meeting of the FCGDC (Falls Church Grandmas Dining Club). Again due to covid precautions, we opted to sit outside at an uncomfortable little two seater table. The manager was very friendly and responsive. 

I have never had Afghan food before, but my boi from out of town recently had spent some time in Afghanistan and recommended "Kabuli Palao".  I didn't see this on the menu, but Andrew reckoned that Quabili Palow was probably the same thing. One look at the description and the words 'raisins and almonds' had me regretting even bringing it up. Andrew's pick of Quorma Palow (Sauteed chunks of meat prepared in tomato sauce, seasoned with garlic, onion, and Kashmiri masala) sounded more appetizing. Andrew, being the gentlemen he is, offered to switch orders, and me, being the baby boi I am, eagerly accepted. 

We decided we had to get an appeteaser, and right of the bat, the first thing on the menu called to us. Bulanee-Kachalu (Turnovers mixed with seasoned potatoes & ground beef, serve with homemade mint hot sauce). 

We also got a half bottle of wine to split. Andrew picked, but they didn't have his first choice, so he opted for something else. I didn't take note, but I think it was a pinot noir. 

Food came out quick, and entrees very soon after we finished the appetizer. Andrew placed a to go order for his wife which was brought out right when we were ready for the check.  Service was on point.

In terms of atmosphere, the inside looked nice, but as mentioned earlier the outside was a little lackluster, and the music and patrons of the brewery next door bled over somewhat annoyingly. The children of the customers at the brewery continued to irritate by coming over and asking us repeatedly what we were eating. 

Bulanee-Kachalu

The appetizers were delicious, with the hot sauce being the critical component.  Complimentary bread was tasty on its own, but when drizzled with a bit of the hot sauce, ooooo daddy. 



When the entrees arrived, we scooped a smidge of each other's onto our appetizer plates so we could try both. The second the Quabili Palow touched my tongue, my taste buds tingled with pleasure and regret at being a bitch boi who wiped his butt with the ethos of FCB DC by being too scared to really explore new things. My meal only tasted like embarrassment and shame afterward. Although still pretty tasty (as shame can sometimes be), it was definitely not as flavorful as the Quabili Palow. 
Quorma Palow

Andrew and I agreed that the ratio of rice to meat/sauce was off, and I ended up with an unfinished lil mountain of rice. I got lamb as my meat, and Andrew got chicken with lamb being the clear cut winner. So ultimately we both recommend the Quabili Palow with Lamb. 


Atmosphere: 3/5

Clientele: 5/5 - can't beat no other customers except our rival dining club

Service: 5/5

Price: 2/5 

Food: 4/5 - really enjoyed the appetizer and components of both entrees

Bathroom: N/A (Didn't use theirs, but I give my bathroom a 1/5 after what this meal did to my guts)

Overall: 3.5/5 - Enjoyable, pleasant, and tasty experience. Would return, but not go out of my way.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tim: The Casual Pint

Image
  Disclaimer: Andrew had to bail last minute for this outing, but FCB must go on.  This week, our special guest, Chef Donald Link-in-Bio, chose Wild Tacoz, but as the day drew near, it was clear the weather would not be optimal for uncovered outside dining. I quickly scrambled to find a restaurant with adequate coverage that was also new to us, leading me to The Casual Pint Falls Church. I had never heard of it before, but it seemed chill, and I was hopeful that I had maybe discovered a new go-to spot. Spoiler alert: I absolutely had not.  Now to be fair, I will note that we visited during a transition time as Virginia was lifting Covid restrictions, meaning a sudden influx of customers with limited staffing still. There was one bartender/server working at the time. But also to be fair, that does not excuse everything.  I arrived about 5 minutes before Donald, and spent the time looking at the typical chalk drawn board of beer options. There were many, and I thought ...
Read more

Tim: Choong Man Chicken

Image
 "Choong Man Chicken" I awaken suddenly, drenched in sweat. I see the familiar shadowy figure standing at the foot of my bed. Originally frightened by this unnerving situation when it began three weeks ago, this time I find myself nonplussed. Although just a silhouette, the toned outline of the thighs give the identity away. I rub my eyes and the demonic vision of Andrew's spirit dissipates. I grab my phone from the nightstand to check the time. I see I have a text from Andrew. All it says is... "Choong Man Chicken" It's time.  From the moment we decided on this project, Andrew has consistently mentioned Choong Man Chicken, a Korean chicken joint close to his house. It only took two outings until we gave in and decided to try it out. I knew nothing about this restaurant, but a quick glance at the reviews alerted me to the apparent 5 star quality chicken wings. So after all this buildup, how did it hold up? Godamn this is some good chicken. Not only that, but...
Read more

Andrew: Luzmary

Atmosphere: 3/5 Food: 4/5 Drinks: 3/5 Service: 4.5/5  Bathrooms: N/A Overall: 4/5 ---- This place hit the mark for me in a lot of ways, but I'd say most importantly it is a place I probably never would have gone save for FCBDC, despite it being 5 minutes from my house. It's a shining example of how spoiled we are with small, independent restaurants stuffed in every shopping center (and there's a lot of shopping centers here). Shaun joined us for this outing. None of us had ever had Bolivian food and had no clue what to expect. We walked in and flagged down the lone waiter and asked to sit outside, under a tent which managed to make an otherwise hot day quite pleasant. We pondered a menu that offered few clues on what to expect. One thing we knew going in--thanks to some intel from a friend of Tim's--was to try the saltenas, which in turns out are a baked pastry filled with a stew-like combination of potatoes and meat that is oddly sweet. Tim's friend was right. They...
Read more