Washingtonian does a quick appraisal of Tru Orleans (400 H Street).
43 comments:
JJ
said...
Articles like this are really half-ass b/c they really don't say anything -- just "Hey, there's a Cajun craze in DC, this place is Cajun, they have gumbo and Hurricanes...also lunch coming soon."
How is this article an appraisal? Like, hows the food? Is it worth me plopping down $40-60 to go eat there?
The jpg of the crumpled up and coffee stained menu has gotten a ton of mileage. This place has been open for a month. Doesnt a cleaner digital version exist?
the lack of any real detail in this article speaks volumes. A odd set-up down stairs (bright lights much?), poorly ventilated upstairs (ok maybe it was ass hot those first couple weeks) and the worst type of non-local, frat/sorority, staffer crowd. With the exception of Jen upstairs, I gotta give this a pass.
It'll turn into a bar eventually if they dont tone down the prices and/or it'll change hands in a year once the new-ness wears off.
I just hope that the Big Board takes heed and rejiggers their formula.
Lots of staff standing around not being helpful, if not downright rude, empty tables in a/c downstairs but everyone gets funnelled upstairs whete it's hotter than Hades. The food is not very good and is overpriced. You will find more authentic food at Acadiana or heck even Popeyes! The upstairs has very poor ventilation and the fans are very inefficient. I was about to pass out so we asked for our food to be boxed up and they came out with four go-boxes and no bag to carry them in. When asked why no bag, they said they don't want to get a reputation as a carryout place. As we walked back down, those same tables downstairs where still empty. Geez, I think I already hate this place and I've only been three times (to abject failure every time). No more chances!
Chicken gumbo has chicken skin and bones in it.... as though they took an entire bird and chopped it slap happy style and threw it in a pot. 'Twas gross if not dangerous.
is everyone in DC a subject matter expert (in this case the subject matter being how to start a restaurant) or is it just blog-posters? Jeezus, give the place some time to amend and adjust. Went last night and had excellent food and service upstairs. Do they need to rework the air circulation upstairs, yes. Boycott if you like, more Abitas for me and wifey, mofos. Who dat!
I just read Big Board is getting their pole installed next week. West end likes them some pole-straddling hotties. High prices and poor service, not so much.
I'm kindof over the "it's a new place, give them time" mantra. Know what type of place I like? The kind that get's it right. Period. There are other restaurnats on H street that have been getting good reviews from day one, so why make an exception for this place? Once a cheater, always a cheater.
I was going to say "once a start-up restaurant with mediocre, overpriced food, poor service and tepid public relations, always a start-up restaurant with mediocre, overpriced food, poor service and tepid public relations" but it didn't have the same ring.
I guess my point is that first impressions count because that is when you see someone's character. So far, I have seen only bad things in Tru Orleans and the biggest problem seems to be the underlying attitude of the management/ownership.
why do I get the feeling that more than just a few of these negative posters are want to keep the negative vibe of Tru' Orleans alive whilst Pap Petey's 1.0/1.1_Toyland 1.0/1.1_Big Board_1.x tries to regroup and launch yet again? I think the owners of Tru are listening and amending/responding/adjusting etc. If you dont like it dont patronize. Its that simple. But to bash anonymously is a pussy move. My name is Jim and I not only endorse this message, I wrote it. Who dat!
In the age of Monsanto brand vat-grown meat, I welcome the occasional bone in my food.
I haven't tried Tru Orleans yet and don't have high expectations based on all of the reviews I've read, but I can't understand why people are slagging the place with such gusto. Subpar gumbo isn't a personal affront less'n you're actually from Louisiana.
I liked it. The andoulie was spicy. Could have been more beans in the red beans, but how can i criticize. I give away free cheese balls as a main course. tonyt The pug
Hey spicy tony, Strangely, the cheese balls are soon to have company. I'm not gonna hi jack this thread, but be on the lookout. As for tru orleans, why not wait until we see nipples and hear kid rock to get all worked up. If your food sucked, or the service was bad, complain and or don't go back. It's almost as easy as opening your own spot. Tonyt The pug
It doesn't matter to me if they get it right or not because I will not be spending my hard earned dollars at any of the establishments on H Street or any other street for that matter. I like to cook and can whip up something good in no time. I am also definitely a mixologist when it comes to spirits too so me+ingredients+grill+blender= dollars in my pocket. Everything seems overpriced to me. Doctors! Those that don't know tell, and those that know don't tell. Enjoy!
Mostly, it means i've got a new baby. I'm back to spending time in the rocking chair feeding and pleading for sleep. With my silly i phone in the other hand, all i can do is post on FT. I still pick up the occasional shift at the pug when i need to escape from my kids. When i do work, there is no way media assassin opens beer cans as well as i do. I do think on the nights i'm not workin, i'm gonna bring my triple wide stroller to tru orleans. Tonyt The pug.
"I do think on the nights i'm not workin, i'm gonna bring my triple wide stroller to tru orleans. Tonyt"
My hero. Let the dead-enders stew in their barrenness, I say.
Also, to the person complaining about gumbo having bones in it and being prepared with cut-up whole chickens: that's how it's supposed to be made. Grow up and smell the authenticity.
tonyt hasnt been around cuz he's been working on a venture with the spoiled and rotten kids lady on a punk (temporary) tattoo shop for kids by kids called "sharpies"?
Another item on the menu at the Pug? They better not mess with the cheeseballs. Those thing rock. When my kid gets a bit older, I'm going back out to the Pug for cheeseballs.
I'm for places on h st opening up. I like it when they have beer and good music. I like it when I can hang with my pals. And I like it if they are cool with little kids. I don't understand why some folks get so worked up on this blog. Relax. Enjoy what the neighborhood is and is becoming.
I think it's mainly a negative reaction to the meaning implicit in the parent-guy's statement; i.e., that you cannot live a full life without raising children. Plenty of assholes on both sides of that debate. And almost an equal amount of piss and vomit. I'll let you all fight it out.
OMG, so what, the more important issue is THEYRE USING WOOD inthe construction of those condos near Hettinger mall/starburst. We must organize a PROTEST so those future residents won't hear noise through their floors. We failed to protest when Argonaut painted itself GREEN and it resulted in our neeeding to COMPLAIN! And remember the mean, slick-backed-hair waiter at Sticky Rice back when it opened that everbody complained about and we all swore we'd NEVER return! And arent we still mad about TOYLAND?! It's an OUTRAGE! It's an INSULT! To ALL of us, black AND white AND gay AND Belizian AND delmarva penninsulan.
We went to TruOrleans yesterday afternoon for the first time. Everyone was very friendly to us and the service was excellent. We only had a couple of appitizers and sides but everything was pretty good. Not sure why there are so many negative service reviews but that was definitely not our experience.
43 comments:
Articles like this are really half-ass b/c they really don't say anything -- just "Hey, there's a Cajun craze in DC, this place is Cajun, they have gumbo and Hurricanes...also lunch coming soon."
How is this article an appraisal?
Like, hows the food? Is it worth me plopping down $40-60 to go eat there?
More substance please...
The jpg of the crumpled up and coffee stained menu has gotten a ton of mileage. This place has been open for a month. Doesnt a cleaner digital version exist?
the lack of any real detail in this article speaks volumes. A odd set-up down stairs (bright lights much?), poorly ventilated upstairs (ok maybe it was ass hot those first couple weeks) and the worst type of non-local, frat/sorority, staffer crowd. With the exception of Jen upstairs, I gotta give this a pass.
It'll turn into a bar eventually if they dont tone down the prices and/or it'll change hands in a year once the new-ness wears off.
I just hope that the Big Board takes heed and rejiggers their formula.
Lots of staff standing around not being helpful, if not downright rude, empty tables in a/c downstairs but everyone gets funnelled upstairs whete it's hotter than Hades. The food is not very good and is overpriced. You will find more authentic food at Acadiana or heck even Popeyes! The upstairs has very poor ventilation and the fans are very inefficient. I was about to pass out so we asked for our food to be boxed up and they came out with four go-boxes and no bag to carry them in. When asked why no bag, they said they don't want to get a reputation as a carryout place. As we walked back down, those same tables downstairs where still empty. Geez, I think I already hate this place and I've only been three times (to abject failure every time). No more chances!
Chicken gumbo has chicken skin and bones in it.... as though they took an entire bird and chopped it slap happy style and threw it in a pot. 'Twas gross if not dangerous.
Serve a bunch of crap to keep the people away and then cry to the board about no money and the need for tittys to save the place financially.
is everyone in DC a subject matter expert (in this case the subject matter being how to start a restaurant) or is it just blog-posters? Jeezus, give the place some time to amend and adjust. Went last night and had excellent food and service upstairs. Do they need to rework the air circulation upstairs, yes. Boycott if you like, more Abitas for me and wifey, mofos.
Who dat!
6:59 --
I'm pretty sure I saw a stripper pole delivery truck parked out front of TruOrleans last night.
I just read Big Board is getting their pole installed next week. West end likes them some pole-straddling hotties. High prices and poor service, not so much.
I'm kindof over the "it's a new place, give them time" mantra. Know what type of place I like? The kind that get's it right. Period. There are other restaurnats on H street that have been getting good reviews from day one, so why make an exception for this place? Once a cheater, always a cheater.
6:59,
rest assured that's not remotely how the process works.
9:41,
exactly who's been cheating?
There are probably many reasons to dislike this place, but cooking gumbo with a whole chicken would not be one of them.
@Inked
I know weird, right?
I was going to say "once a start-up restaurant with mediocre, overpriced food, poor service and tepid public relations, always a start-up restaurant with mediocre, overpriced food, poor service and tepid public relations" but it didn't have the same ring.
I guess my point is that first impressions count because that is when you see someone's character. So far, I have seen only bad things in Tru Orleans and the biggest problem seems to be the underlying attitude of the management/ownership.
why do I get the feeling that more than just a few of these negative posters are want to keep the negative vibe of Tru' Orleans alive whilst Pap Petey's 1.0/1.1_Toyland 1.0/1.1_Big Board_1.x tries to regroup and launch yet again? I think the owners of Tru are listening and amending/responding/adjusting etc. If you dont like it dont patronize. Its that simple. But to bash anonymously is a pussy move. My name is Jim and I not only endorse this message, I wrote it.
Who dat!
In the age of Monsanto brand vat-grown meat, I welcome the occasional bone in my food.
I haven't tried Tru Orleans yet and don't have high expectations based on all of the reviews I've read, but I can't understand why people are slagging the place with such gusto. Subpar gumbo isn't a personal affront less'n you're actually from Louisiana.
I liked it. The andoulie was spicy. Could have been more beans in the red beans, but how can i criticize. I give away free cheese balls as a main course.
tonyt
The pug
hey tt-
how about some andouile balls?
@Bobby, Danny, Jimmy or whatever handle you use...how do i get a job with a pr firm?
anon 12:20-
I have no idea how to get a job with a pr firm. not my gig. i just know what i like and what seems fair.
I thought this place was okay. I was just glad it doesn't seem to be popular with the stroller set...
Hey spicy tony,
Strangely, the cheese balls are soon to have company. I'm not gonna hi jack this thread, but be on the lookout. As for tru orleans, why not wait until we see nipples and hear kid rock to get all worked up. If your food sucked, or the service was bad, complain and or don't go back. It's almost as easy as opening your own spot.
Tonyt
The pug
Do these posts from TonyT suggest that he might actually be seen in person at the Pug again? :)
It doesn't matter to me if they get it right or not because I will not be spending my hard earned dollars at any of the establishments on H Street or any other street for that matter. I like to cook and can whip up something good in no time. I am also definitely a mixologist when it comes to spirits too so
me+ingredients+grill+blender=
dollars in my pocket. Everything seems overpriced to me. Doctors! Those that don't know tell, and those that know don't tell. Enjoy!
Mostly, it means i've got a new baby. I'm back to spending time in the rocking chair feeding and pleading for sleep. With my silly i phone in the other hand, all i can do is post on FT. I still pick up the occasional shift at the pug when i need to escape from my kids. When i do work, there is no way media assassin opens beer cans as well as i do. I do think on the nights i'm not workin, i'm gonna bring my triple wide stroller to tru orleans.
Tonyt
The pug.
Why are there constant references to strip clubs and stripper poles in posts about this restaurant?
Congrats Tony!
"I do think on the nights i'm not workin, i'm gonna bring my triple wide stroller to tru orleans.
Tonyt"
My hero. Let the dead-enders stew in their barrenness, I say.
Also, to the person complaining about gumbo having bones in it and being prepared with cut-up whole chickens: that's how it's supposed to be made. Grow up and smell the authenticity.
tonyt hasnt been around cuz he's been working on a venture with the spoiled and rotten kids lady on a punk (temporary) tattoo shop for kids by kids called "sharpies"?
Congrats TonyT.
Another item on the menu at the Pug? They better not mess with the cheeseballs. Those thing rock. When my kid gets a bit older, I'm going back out to the Pug for cheeseballs.
so, as a gay man who will most likely not have children I'm to be minimized and discounted as a "barren deadennder?" Nice.
I'm for places on h st opening up. I like it when they have beer and good music. I like it when I can hang with my pals. And I like it if they are cool with little kids. I don't understand why some folks get so worked up on this blog. Relax. Enjoy what the neighborhood is and is becoming.
I'm for H st.
"Anonymous said...
so, as a gay man who will most likely not have children I'm to be minimized and discounted as a "barren deadennder?" Nice."
Puuuullllleeaaaasseeee... are you really searching that hard to be a victim today?
no harder than that earlier guy was trying to be a fatuous dick, it would seem.
It's weird. There's plenty of gay folk in my stroller set. What's fatuous mean?
Tonyt
Thepug
I think it's mainly a negative reaction to the meaning implicit in the parent-guy's statement; i.e., that you cannot live a full life without raising children. Plenty of assholes on both sides of that debate. And almost an equal amount of piss and vomit. I'll let you all fight it out.
OMG, so what, the more important issue is THEYRE USING WOOD inthe construction of those condos near Hettinger mall/starburst. We must organize a PROTEST so those future residents won't hear noise through their floors. We failed to protest when Argonaut painted itself GREEN and it resulted in our neeeding to COMPLAIN! And remember the mean, slick-backed-hair waiter at Sticky Rice back when it opened that everbody complained about and we all swore we'd NEVER return! And arent we still mad about TOYLAND?! It's an OUTRAGE! It's an INSULT! To ALL of us, black AND white AND gay AND Belizian AND delmarva penninsulan.
Oh man, as soon as I see that herd of strollers parked outside of a place, I avoid it like the plague.
Hey TonyT! Hope the bebe is doing well.
We went to TruOrleans yesterday afternoon for the first time. Everyone was very friendly to us and the service was excellent. We only had a couple of appitizers and sides but everything was pretty good. Not sure why there are so many negative service reviews but that was definitely not our experience.
@8:52 -
'delmarva penninsulan' made me snort coffee up my nose.
WTF? Tom Sietsma gave Tru Orleans four stars??!!
Has he lost his mind?
3:01
The references to stopper poles are because one of tru redding's other establishments is stadium club dc, a strip club.
Damn iPhone autocorrect! Stopper poles should read stripper poles. D'oh!
All the negative comments do have a sort of undertone to them a certain bite. I this if this were located in Georgetown it wouldn't be an issue.
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