Editor’s note: The Penguin has not confirmed these claims. — JD (Oct 19, 2009)

JOHN EMMANUELSON PLEASE COME BACK !

Editor’s note: The Penguin has not confirmed these claims. — JD (Oct 19, 2009)

Service was really spotty: slow, forgetful, inconsistent, almost oblivious. Water glasses never refilled, beer bottles never cleared, missing utensils, taking way too long to bring the check and process the credit card. I’m pretty tolerant if a restaurant is busy and short-staffed, but nobody on staff really seemed to care or make an effort to be attentive.

Salads were okay, but under-dressed, if not at all.

Feeling adventurous, I ordered the macaroni n’ cheese pizza. This was a big mistake: the translation of macaroni n’ cheese on to pizza was just too literal. The penne (penne? really? couldn’t use a smaller noodle?) could’ve been crisper, the cheese was bland, and the bottom of the pie was ashy and burnt – plus the whole thing was way too salty. The boyfriend ordered the sausage and pepperoni pizza, which was much better – flavorful sauce and the shaved red onion was a nice touch.

When I told the waiter that we wanted to take the rest of our pizzas to go, he handed me a box, so the ashy and burnt bottom of the pizzas got all over the table and my hands.

For dessert, we split the espresso creme brulee. Accompanied by a cappuccino that was topped with a liberal sprinkling of cinnamon (yuck), it hardly qualified as creme brulee: the top was barely crystallized, the inside was akin to a runny pudding with barely any espresso flavor. The couples on either side of us got the brownie and the bread pudding, respectively – those both looked great. Funny, while we were eating, I noticed one of the managers repeatedly explaining to the sous chefs how to prepare certain desserts. I know that Kirsten’s Cafe prides itself on desserts, pastries, et al., but until Red Dog gets some of its kitchen and service issues worked out, maybe scaling down the dessert menu to a few things that they can do really well would be better.

For a bill totaling sixty-five bucks, you’re bound to have certain expectations – unfortunately, this place hardly met any of them. The prices had definitely gone up and the menu has expanded, perhaps a little too much. As with the desserts, I’d rather see a focus on a few dishes that are really good instead of a smattering of mediocre offerings. One thing I liked about Red Dog before was how the food was interesting, perhaps not something I’d cook for myself, but not over-the-top gourmet – it had a slightly upscale casual feeling that is perfect for a neighborhood cafe. I really hope that the new ownership doesn’t squander an opportunity like Red Dog.

On several occasions I mentioned this to the owner (not in a bitchy, complaining way but as a Silver Spring resident eager to spend his money on my neighborhood’s non-chain restaurant. His response was always one of disinterest (barely an “oh, I’m sorry”…more like an “oh, OK”)…with never any attempt to make things better.

I said enough is enough & swore the place off for the past year…that is until Kristin showed up a few weeks ago in my gym (Rock Creek Sports) passing out free snacks.

Eager to give the new owner a chance, I ate at RDC the next night. My pulled pork ripieghi was huge and tasty…as was the side portion of mac-n-cheese. Predictably, the service was slow…but now just moving at a tortise’s pace, which is better than the prior owner’s snail’s pace.

Let’s hope this owner gets the message and makes this place live up to it’s great potential.

In fact, we’re going to Red Dog tomorrow night, and I’ve been looking forward to it all week!