Applebees Twitter/X Food Review

Riblets with Fries & Cole Slaw at Applebee's

More Is Less

Couldn’t wait for @Applebees All You Can Eat, but it didn’t take long to regret going. Surly service, excruciatingly long waits (done on purpose, we believe) and awful food plagued my first and last visit to this soulless corporate entity. Gross Cole Slaw with mystery greens, average fries & boneless wings (meh tenders dunked in buffalo sauce) are utterly forgettable. Sadly, it will be impossible to forget the worst Riblets ever made. Tender as an old shoe with an overly sweet honey BBQ glop & literally unchewable bits that I had to spit out not once, but twice ☹️ Great pretzel (minus 2 sauces) but overall, one of the worst meals I’ve ever had.

Grade: F

taim Twitter/X Food Review

Beef/Lamb Shawarma Pita at taim

Nippy > Fiery

Generous portions & fresh/unique ingredients rule the day at @taimkitchen. Ditto for fast & friendly customer service. This visit? Cold 🥶 as in after only five minutes. That hurt, especially since taim’s familiar flavors were still there (in abundance.) Beef/Lamb Shawarma ($13.99) packed a (harissa) kick, but way too many Moroccan carrots 🥕 which aren’t very tender & wound up overwhelming (texture-wise) my cucumber & tomato salads. Also, toppings were sharply sorted, with the meat up front (but nowhere else.) A mountain of (also cold) dirty/well-done fries were better, especially with harissa ketchup. A rare misstep but we’re still big fans.

Grade: B-

F1 the Movie Twitter/X Movie Review

Brad Pitt stars in F1 the Movie

Plan C for Combat

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Dubbed "the greatest that never was," Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1's most promising phenom of the 1990s, until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he's a nomadic racer-for-hire when he's approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He'll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team's hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny's past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition - and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone. Directed by Joseph Kosinski.

33rd Annual Giant Barbecue Battle Photo Recap

Heatstroke sizzles on the Pepsi Summer Grilling Stage

Is there such a thing as too hot? Yesterday's official temperature topped out at (just) 88* but it felt much hotter. I admit, it slowed me down a bit, but the Giant Barbecue Battle (celebrating its 33rd edition) is the type of event that draws really big crowds, no matter what the thermostat says. This year was/is no exception. I go to all sorts of events throughout the year, but the Barbecue Battle holds a special place in my heart. Great food, giveaways and music? Sold! Just in case you missed Saturday's non-stop fun, the BBQ Battle returns today along Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 3rd & 7th Streets. Tickets cost only $20 and can be purchased online or in person. Gates open at 11 AM and don't close until 7 PM tonight.

28 Years Later Twitter/X Movie Review

Aaron Taylor-Johnson & Alfie Williams (r) star in 28 Years Later

Kill It

IMDb Plot: A group of survivors of the rage virus live on a small island. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors. Directed by Danny Boyle.

Buffalo & Bergen Twitter/X Food Review

French Toast bagel with scrambled egg at Buffalo & Bergen

Now That's a Bagel!

I’m not a bagel 🥯 “snob” but @buffalobergendc makes a monster 👿 of deliciousness (French Toast bagel with scrambled egg) that is miles above any other bagel in the DMV. Sweet & crunchy, + jumbo sized A+ Not enough? Their $5 French Fries cinch the deal… Generous in number & well-cooked. Our lone complaint? More seasoning please. Solid B. 

Grade: B+

Cracked Eggery Twitter/X Food Review

The Stoney Burrito at Cracked Eggery

AM Perfection

Amidst average food of late (elsewhere) we’re proud to praise @crackedeggery for its otherworldly The Stoney Burrito, a delicious marriage of spicy Logan Chorizo, Scrambled Eggs, Pico de Galo & crunchy Tater Tots with a to-die-for Tomatillo Sauce on the side (only $12.) Best handheld breakfast in DC! 

Grade: A+

Fresh Baguette Twitter/X Food Review

Fresh Baguette's Petit Sunny Side Up Bacon Cro'gel

You can always count on great customer service at #FreshBaguette but I’m struggling to find much to sing about (the food.) Petit Sunny Side Up Bacon 🥓 Cro’gel ($6.15) is messy & moist, but bacon is measly & cro’gel… unremarkable. C- Raspberry Croissant ($5.85) looks good, but filling corner takes the cake. Spread it (equally) throughout and it would be a home run. As is, a B- with potential for more.

Grade: C (They're usually better.)

Materialists Twitter/X Movie Review

Dakota Johnson & Pedro Pascal (r) star in Materialists

Onwards & Downwards

IMDb Plot: A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. Directed (so to speak) by Celine Strong.

Contest: Win Passes to See Bride Hard

** Please note: One entry per person/household. Multiple entries will be deleted.

We're giving away 10 admit-2 passes to see an advance preview of Magenta Light Studios' upcoming Bride Hard, starring Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Anna Chlumsky, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Gigi Zumbado, Sherry Cola, Sam Huntington, Michael O’Neill, Colleen Camp with Stephen Dorff and Justin Hartley. The screening takes place on Tuesday, June 17th at Regal Gallery Place. It starts at 7:00 PM, but seats are first-come, first-served; so winners are encouraged to show up sooner than later (ideally between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM.) Seating is not guaranteed. Fill in the entry form below, and we'll select 10 winners to receive a pass for two (2.) Winners will be notified by e-mail. All entries must be received before June 12th at 11:59 PM EST, so act fast. Good luck!

The Phoenician Scheme Twitter/X Movie Review

Benicio del Toro & Mia Threapleton (r) stars in The Phoenician Scheme 

Mr. 5%

IMDb Plot: Wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) appoints his only daughter, a nun (Mia Threapleton) as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins. Directed by Wes Anderson.

Ballerina Twitter/X Movie Review

Ana de Armas stars in Ballerina

Bad Math

IMDb Plot: Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. Directed by Len Wiseman.