Noodles opening at Woodmore in Lanham (with a babe)

Who can complain about free food near your home, especially if you live in PG County? We weer invited to celebrate the opening of the new Noodles and Company at the Woodmore Town Center near the new Wegmans. Already a huge fan of the Wegmans, we were happy to combine a shopping trip with a free dinner!

We've been to many Noodles before, even many years ago back in Colorado where they originated. I've always liked the idea: I love noodles of all sorts, love the idea of fresh and tasty "fast food" and like the service concept of order at the counter but get food delivered on real plates with real cutlery. But somehow, it often falls short, and the opening was no exception.

It seems weird to say this nowadays, but I think their portions are too small. Now, I am a nursing mom, but I'm usually more than happy (or more typically overwhelmed) by portion sizes elsewhere. Secondly, they have WAY too few vegetables. My udon noodles with broccoli (and carrots) had only one teeny floret of broccoli. I want piles of vegetables with my dinner.

This dinner was no exception. But I would tend to just order a salad and a main course and this wouldn't be a problem-- but for the opening we just got a main course, so it was more obvious. All of that said, the food is tasty and it is made fresh. The real bonuses come in with you dine with children since this restaurant clearly caters to kids, with tons of great noodle options, plenty of high chairs, changing table in the women's room, and a good child friendly atmosphere.

All that and they are in PG County, which gives them some major bonus points. If you live in PG, you'll check them out sometime either way, just remember to order a bit extra.

Firefly feels ho-hum (with a sleeping baby)

It was already a bit of a frustrating night, thinking that we could get into either The Blue Duck or Westend Bistro early on a Wednesday night. Both were full. So, we wandered around a bit, looked at Ris (way too quiet for a baby)and then came to Firefly . Local ingredients? Child-friendly? American comfort food? Sounds great for a cold night with the babe.

It was a lovely, cozy space and they were able to seat us right away with a high chair. The lit tree in the center of the room gave it a fun and friendly feel. We started with the two soups, a vegetable soup and a matzo ball soup. Both were fine, if a bit over priced, and nothing I can really remember. My husband had gnocchi with a boar ragu, which he enjoyed. And I had the worst salad I have ever had.

Sigh...the "Roasted Squash" salad...It sounded great. Roasted squash, nuts, yum. Hearty, tasty, robust and delicious, right? What arrived was 4 tiny pieces of cold roasted squash, no flavors with the skin on. Topped with some wet, flavorless, leaves of lettuce. Then some almonds. Did I say it was $11? Need I say more?

Firefly has a great idea: a cozy, family-oriented fine dining restaurant. But until the food meets the mark we won't be back.