Bella Bites

Yo-what?

2011-03-20T20:45:00.000-07:00

The only question you'll be asking at D.C.'s Yola ($) is for seconds. This new café is a twist on the typical coffee shop. There are muffins, coffee, and Wi-Fi. The biggest draw to Yola is their yogurt bar. Don't worry- it's not yet another frozen yogurt shop. Yola only serves fresh, seasonal yogurt.

Choose between the all organic yogurt flavors, including strawberry, black cherry, peach, maple, natural Greek, or plain. Servers scoop up your choice of flavor into a tall plastic cup. Now, for the fun part...toppings. The best part? You get an unlimited amount (as long as it all fits into the cup).

I chose natural Greek yogurt with agave nectar, blueberries, coconut shavings, kiwi, raspberries, strawberries, granola, and dried dates. I would've chosen more had there been room! Other toppings include bananas, mango, almond slices, muesli, walnuts, and even savory flavors such as cucumbers and dill.

Greek yogurt with Granola, Fruit, & Agave Nectar

The café itself is very charming, with exposed brick and wooden tables strewn throughout for the ultimate coffee-shop vibe. Yola offers other tasty treats, such as pumpkin muffins and veggie pesto sandwiches on foccacia. It's definitely worth a visit if you are in the Dupont area!

Siroc's Sister: Vento Restaurant

2011-02-22T14:42:00.000-08:00

Vento ($$), a restaurant owned by the same people as one of my favorite's, Siroc, is a cozy Italian trattoria in West Dupont. Like Siroc, Vento is known for their homemade pasta. The pasta is made on-site at Vento for both restaurants. Vento is dimly lit with dark mahogany furniture- perfect for a romantic night out.

The food did not disappoint. Fresh focaccia and olive oil hit the table first. I couldn't help munching on the fluffy bread while I waited for my appetizer. The hand rolled gnocchi were out of this world. At first, I was apprehensive about the Gorgonzola sauce the dish comes with because sometimes Gorgonzola can be overpowering. The sauce was light and not at all what I expected. It perfectly complemented the baked Bosc pear, which sat on top of the pasta. One great deal that Vento offers is half and half portions of their pasta. If you are like me and cannot decide which one to order, this deal allows you to try more than one for the same price.

Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Sauce and Baked Bosc Pear

The Lamb Steak with a Roasted Garlic Aioli was perfectly tender and seasoned. It was some of the best lamb I've had in a while. Vento does not hold back on portion sizes here, so come hungry! The lamb came with roasted fingerling potatoes. The strip steak was also great, although next time I would order it medium-rare instead of medium for more flavor. The steak was served on a bed of arugula alongside roasted red potatoes.

Lamb Steak with Roasted Garlic Aioli

Strip Steak with Cracked Pepper, Marinated Tomatoes and Arugula

For dessert, I was tempted by the spoonfuls of homemade Tiramisu, but with the recommendation of the waiter I ordered the Chocolate Ganache layered with Crushed Biscotti and a Raspberry Cream. This hit it out of the ball park. The ganache was so rich and the crushed biscotti cookies were a nice crunchy surprise. The dessert came with fresh raspberries on top.

Chocolate Ganache Layered with Crushed Biscotti and Raspberry Cream

I will without a doubt be coming back soon (they can't keep me away from that Gorgonzola gnocchi!) Their brunch menu also looks appetizing, with Pancakes with Roasted Bosc Pear with Ginger-Pear Syrup or Poached Eggs with Crabmeat on Brioche with a Spicy Hollandaise Sauce. The brunch prices are very reasonable, which is a relief in D.C., ranging from $4.00- $16.00. Vento is conveniently located near the Dupont metro. It is in an up and coming area on P St., where a lot of new restaurants are moving in. Reserve quickly before word spreads about this new Italian hot spot!

Fish Lovers Unite for Black Salt

2011-02-17T15:54:00.000-08:00

Black Salt ($$$) sold me at its name (who needs love at first sight when you have restaurant at first name?). This fish restaurant is tucked away in the Palisades of D.C. I never would have heard of it had it not been for a friend who visited D.C. and gave it rave reviews. As a fish lover, I was excited to find a place that specialized in seafood dishes.

You would never guess how nice of a place Black Salt is upon entering. There is a big fish counter and a hoard of wooden tables casually thrown together. Ten feet behind this room is their dining room, with white table cloths and all. The room is bright and beautiful, with very spaced out tables (this always wins me over). Even the chairs are comfy. The funny thing is that the menu is the same for the upscale dining room and the casual eating area.

This was my last Restaurant Week stop, but it was the restaurant I was most excited to try. After taking a good twenty minutes to decide what to order (everything sounded so good!) I decided on a Squash Soup with Spiced Mascarpone and Toasted Sunflower Seeds. Soup seemed like a silly choice to order in a seafood restaurant, but I decided that it matched best with my entree. Boy was I glad I ordered it- this has to have been the most incredible soup I ever tasted (Sorry, mom!). It was sweet, but savory, and the sunflower seeds gave it a nice crunch. I could easily eat that soup every day for the rest of my life.

Squash Soup with Spiced Mascarpone and Toasted Sunflower Seeds

Next up was their Provencal Seafood Stew, which came with shrimp, fish, mussels and a saffron white wine broth. It was equally delicious as my appetizer soup. The broth was really light and the saffron highlighted the fish flavor. The seafood was moist and only had a simple seasoning. My only wish was that there were more shrimp!

Provencal Seafood Stew

My friend had Louisiana Poached Eggs with crab meat and a spicy cayenne hollandaise sauce. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better than poached eggs and crab meat- it was on top of toasted corn bread. I have to say that the combination was incredible. The sweet corn bread balanced out the spicy hollandaise sauce.

Louisiana Poached Eggs with Crab on Cornbread

For dessert, we split the Chocolate Chambord Truffle Cake with a raspberry compote and a Key Lime Pie with blueberry compote. While the Key Lime Pie was tart and tasty, the chocolate dessert took the prize. It was so rich and moist- I was licking the plate clean.

Key Lime Pie

Chocolate Truffle Cake with Raspberry Compote

Overall- A+. I hate to bump Zaytinya out of the number one spot for restaurants in D.C., but Black Salt definitely won me over. Their normal menu can be a bit pricey, but they have lunch specials, which includes a 18$ three course meal during the week.

Cream + Butter= La Chaumiere

2011-02-17T09:38:00.000-08:00

This homey French bistro was my second Restaurant Week stop. La Chaumiere ($$$) is a classic French Country style restaurant in Georgetown. It is upscale and attracts an older crowd, but is still a great spot to eat on a cold night. There is a fireplace in the middle of the restaurant and empty old wine bottles line the wooden beams. It's a cozy space because all of the tables are so close together.

Top of Fireplace at La Chaumiere

To start, I ordered the baked mussels. Anything covered in melted parsley butter and garlic is a winner in my book. I was hoping that the taste of the mussels would be more highlighted, but nonetheless ce sont magnifique!

Baked Mussels with Parsley Butter and Garlic

For the second course, I split Marinated Salmon in Puff Pastry with a Champagne and Dill Sauce and a Spice Crusted Cornish Game Hen. The salmon was very rich and filling. It was cooked very well and was not soggy or overcooked in the pastry. The game hen was not my favorite dish because the breading was overwhelming. The sauce that was served with it, though, was excellent. Both dishes were served with some of the creamiest mashed potatoes I've ever had- so how could they be anything but amazing? Butter and cream seemed to be the theme of the night.

Salmon Marinated in Puff Pastry, with Spinach & Dill Sauce

At last, dessert! I had the profiterole, which is undoubtedly one of my favorite desserts so I could not resist ordering it. The soft vanilla gelato melted into the puffed pastry. I scooped it all up with their homemade chocolate sauce and it was perfection! My only complaint was that it was too small.

Overall, La Chaumiere was great. Their wait staff was a little rude- but perhaps they are trying to truly imitate the French demeanor. If you decide to go, prepare for one rich and heavy dish after the other. But, if you can handle your butter and cream, go for it!

Southern Comfort is Good for the Soul

2011-02-16T18:55:00.000-08:00

At last, I am able to delete Vidalia ($$$) from my list of "Restaurants I Want to Try" (to the right). Vidalia has graced the Washingtonion Top 100 list, among many other publications, so it would be a shame for me to leave D.C. without going. This upscale Southern restaurant satisfied my comfort food craving.

I went for D.C.'s Winter Restaurant Week, which offered a three course meal for $35. I was impressed at the start with Vidalia's bread basket, which, in my opinion, is one of the most important parts of the meal. A vidalia is a type of onion, so Vidalia aims to include vidalia onions in most of their dishes. The bread was no exception as a warm, onion focaccia was promptly delivered to our table. A sweet onion butter was served alongside it and both were simply phenomenal.

To start, I had the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, with a sweet corn salsa. I have to tip my hat off to the chef for packing so much crab meat into the appetizer. Most restaurants skimp on the meat and overcompensate with bread crumbs. The meat was combined with a savory, salty seasoning, which complemented the sweet corn salsa.

Crab Cake with Corn Salsa and Crab Butter

For my second course, I had the Beef Short Rib with a root beer jus and potato purée. Initially, I was skeptical of the root beer jus because I am not a fan of root beer. I was happily surprised because the jus was very subtle and actually went well with the tenderly cooked short ribs. The ribs themselves were not as flavorful as I hoped, but the potato purée was creamy and delicious.

I ordered the Lemon Chess Pie for dessert, even though this choice seemed a bit on the boring side. Who can hate on a classic if it is done well? Fortunately- it was excellent. The pie was tart and creamy. It went perfectly with the sweet berry compote and chantilly cream that came with it. This was definitely the highlight of my meal. I also tried Vidalia's signature Peanut Butter Crunch cake, which was incredible. Then again, you can't go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate. The cake was layered with chocolate ganache cake, chocolate cream, peanut butter cream and topped with a milk chocolate feuilletine.

The ambiance of the restaurant was very nice. The tables were spaced nicely and the decor was simple and clean. Vidalia is always changing their menu so I plan on returning soon. Some other dishes I hope to try include their Shrimp & Grits, Spiced Crusted Duck Breast with a Fig & Duck Confit Bread Pudding, and their Baked Macaroni with smoked ham. I am also excited to try Chef Buben's other restaurant, Bistro Bis.

Busboys & Poets

2009-10-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

Busboys and Poets ($$) is one of the must-sees in all of the D.C. tour books, so I thought I would give it a try to see what all of the fuss was about. This U St. restaurant is known for its clientele of writers and artists. There is a book store in the restaurant, with books pertaining to black history and culture. The restaurant is surprisingly spacious. There is a stage in the back of the restaurant where poets, authors, and musicians read or perform.

Hot Chocolate

Now for the good part..the food! I ordered a mixed green salad with poached pear, caramelized onions, pecans, goat cheese, and a balsamic vinaigrette. It was delicious! I would definitely order it again. My only critique is that it was over-dressed, so maybe next time I will order the dressing on the side.

Poached Pear Salad with Goat Cheese, Pecans, Caramelized Onions, & Balsamic Vinaigrette

A friend ordered the Oaxaca Omelet, with black beans, cheese, pico de gallo, and guacamole. It looked very appetizing! Next time I visit, I want to try the avocado and havarti cheese panini or the peanut butter and banana with agave nectar sandwich. Agave nectar is one of my new favorites- it is similar to honey, but even better!

Busboys & Poets is an eclectic hang out spot that is definitely worth stopping by, whether it is for a coffee, a book reading, or a complete meal.

Try Tryst!

2009-10-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

Hello again! Bella Bites is back!

The first post of the semester is of one of my regular coffee houses in Adams Morgan, Tryst ($). Think of Central Perk, from the TV sitcom Friends, but even better- with breakfast all day! The ambiance and set-up of the restaurant is the best part because of the big comfy chairs and couches. The only catch is that it is impossible to get a seat! Despite the informal array of chairs, Tryst is still a full-service café with table side waiters and all.

Granola with Fresh Berries & Milk (*also offered with yogurt)

Tryst offers a variety of pastries and quality coffee drinks. They also have waffles, bagels, salads, and sandwiches (including my favorite- the Chicken Salad Sandwich with apples and walnuts). They have fun small plates, including strawberries with nutella and apples with caramel sauce.

Last time I went, I ordered the waffle. Be warned, Tryst does not serve real maple syrup! This was a deal breaker for me so I do not think I will order the waffle again. The granola was tasty and served with strawberries and blueberries.

Waffle with Fresh Berries, Whipped Cream, and Maple Syrup

Tryst is a great place to meet your friends for coffee and a snack. Go on off hours so you do not have trouble finding a seat!

Hiatus

2009-05-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

Bella Bites will be taking a 3 month hiatus because I am on summer vacation back in California. I will keep you posted if I decide to do Bella Bites California!
D.C. Bella Bites will be back in the Fall. Thanks for Reading!

-Ariana

Old Glory: A Taste of the South

2009-05-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, I get in the mood for some good ol' Southern cooking. My friend Jimmy is from the South, and he decided to take us all to Old Glory ($$) in Georgetown for his birthday. This restaurant embodies the South with its massive portions, unlimited Sweet Tea refills, and eight different types of Barbeque sauce.

Baked Potato stuffed with Pulled Pork, Cheese, Sour Cream, and the Works

I ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of corn and Cole Slaw. Pulled Pork is my weakness. I was a vegetarian for several years until at a BBQ the host cooked Pulled Pork, and since then I've been a red meat fanatic. This sandwich lived up to my standards! I poured their sweet Georgia BBQ sauce all over it as well as my side of Cole Slaw (because really, what good pulled pork sandwich is without Cole Slaw?). I took bites of everyone's dishes, and everything was tasty. My friends ordered the ribs, pineapple glazed chicken, and pulled BBQ chicken. Everything came with sides of mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or collared greens. I do have to say that I was not a huge fan of the rub on the ribs, but besides that Old Glory will be my new stop- that is when I am incredibly hungry and prepared for portions that could feed an army.

Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of Cole Slaw and a side of Corn

Teaism

2009-05-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

Teaism ($$) has become one of my regular stops in D.C. since I've moved here. There are three locations, conveniently all within 20 minutes from my dorm in Dupont Circle, Chinatown, and Penn Quarter (Note to tourists: the Penn Quarter location is close to all of the Smithsonian Museums so it is a convenient spot if you plan on going). Teaism is an Asian tea house, with full sized meals as well as smaller snack items. It is a great place to study or hang out for hours with a book because they have free refills which gives you a reason to be there for an extended period of time!

Iced Black Assam Tea with Lemon

Curried Chicken Salad with Apples, Celery, and Dressing on top of a bed of Lettuce with Tomatoes

My favorite dishes there are the Thai Chicken Curry (which is very spicy so make sure to grab at least two extra glasses of water when drinking), the Curried Chicken Salad, and the Salmon Bento Box which comes with brown rice, edamame, and a cucumber-ginger salad. They also have desserts such as Coconut Rice Pudding, Ginger Scones, and their famous Salty Oat Cookies. Okay, I know salt on a cookie may not sound that appealing- but there is a reason these cookies are their signature item. Now of course- the tea. Their Japanese Sweet Green Tea is my favorite, and the Assam Black Tea is a solid option. Their Ginger Limeade and Chai Shake are also great refreshing drinks.

Chicken Apple Sausages with a side of Naan and Raita (part of their Brunch Menu)

Thai X-ing

2009-05-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

In my quest for a decent Thai place in D.C., I stumbled upon Thai X-ing ($$) on Yelp.com because of its rave reviews. I was intrigued and decided to check out the place with a few friends. We went to the restaurant and were happily surprised when we realized that this place is actually a man's home. There are two small tables, and the kitchen is visible where the owner, a Thai man, is the only chef. Unfortunately, the place was booked seeing as he could only cook one dish at a time and we would have had to wait hours, so we agreed to order take out in the future.

Tonight we made the trek out to Howard University to pick up take out (even though we would have loved to eat in his living room, we had to study). We ordered Shrimp Panang Curry, the Pad King Tofu, and a Chicken Stir Fry. We arrived and he poured out all of the dishes right from the stove, because he had just finished making them. The curry was so creamy and spicy, we scarfed it down. The Pad King Tofu came with fried tofu, fresh ginger,onions, black mushrooms, in a bean sauce. It was tasty, although light on the bean sauce. The Chicken Stir Fry with Chinese broccoli, onions, and sauce was also very good. Our take out was served in banana leaves, which was a nice touch.

Panang Curry (a spicy peanut, basil, and thai curry sauce) with Shrimp, Red Peppers, and Snow Peas

This authentic gem is well worth going. Next time, I hope to eat at the actual restaurant. It's right near the Howard University metro, so it's convenient!

Zorba's Cafe

2009-05-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

Zorba's Cafe ($$) is a casual Greek restaurant in Dupont Circle. Located right on the circle, Zorba's has a fun atmosphere with a comfortable outside patio. While Zorba's may not have the best Greek food in town, it's inexpensive and pretty decent. The service is fast paced, as customers order at a counter and pick up the food. It is great for large parties and late night bites.

Spanakopita (Spinach, Feta Cheese, and Onions wrapped in Phyllo Dough)

After visiting an art gallery in Dupont, a few friends and I were wandering around looking for a quick place to eat and we stumbled upon Zorbas. I ordered a Greek salad and rice pudding, Kelsey ordered the Spanakopita, and Nikesh ordered the Souvlaki plate with pork skewers. While my salad was not the best I'd ever had, Nikesh's skewers were delicious. The marinated pork tenderloin was perfectly seasoned, and all of the juices from the skewers soaked into the pita bread they sat on top of. For 12 dollars, he got the skewers, pita, a side salad, and fries--a great deal! The rice pudding was not the best, and my greek salad was nothing great. I wouldn't order either again.

Souvlaki Platter with Pork Skewers (and a side of Greek salad and Fries)

The Latest Trend: Georgetown Cupcakes

2009-04-30T08:21:00.001-07:00

Every few months a new food trend sweeps across the United States, such as tart frozen yogurt (seen at Pink Berry, Red Mango, and even Haagen Dazs) and cupcakes- the latest fad that has taken over D.C. Georgetown Cupcakes ($) takes the gold in D.C., as their mouth watering moist cupcakes with creamy frosting beat Baked and Wired and Hello Cupcake's selections.

Chocolate Cupcake with Vanilla Butter Cream Frosting

Georgetown Cupcakes is a small bakery on M St. that stands out because of the permanent line of people that circles around the corner. I could probably eat one dozen of these cupcakes in one sitting, but for the sake of my figure I refrain. I am a fan of the classics, so the chocolate cupcake with vanilla butter cream frosting is my favorite. I also love the carrot cake cupcake with cream cheese frosting, and I am dying to try the coconut cupcake or the lava fudge one. The bakery has specials for every day of the week, which you can find listed on their website, but this little shop should be designated a D.C. landmark because it is THAT good!

All-American Restaurant: Clyde's

2009-04-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

My friend Helen came down from Baltimore for Easter Sunday, so we decided to wander over to Georgetown to grab a bite to eat. We did not make reservations anywhere, but passed by Clyde's ($$) and I remember being pleased with a meal I ate there before so we decided to get some brunch.

Vegetable Frittata with Carrots, Asparagus, Onions, Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, and Pico de Gallo (Salsa)

They had a special Easter Brunch menu which had a tempting Breakfast Burrito with eggs and Chorizo sausage as well as Strawberry Pancakes and Challah French Toast. I eventually decided on the Easter Vegetable Omelette with Jack and Cheddar cheeses, asparagus, carrots, onions, and Pico de Gallo. Helen ordered the Chesapeake Eggs Benedict, which is the classic Eggs Benedict with an English Muffin, poached eggs, bacon, and hollandaise sauce but with a twist- crab cakes on top. While we waited for our food, we received complimentary Hot Cross Buns which were delicious. They are moist buns with dried fruit inside, topped with sweet frosting. Our food arrived, and my Fritatta was good but did not blow me away. It was cute because it was prepared in its own individual skillet. Helen's dish looked very appetizing and she said it was delicious.

Chesapeake Eggs Benedict (Poached Eggs, Hollandaise Sauce, Bacon, and Crab Cakes on an English Muffin) with Spiced Potatoes

Clyde's is a fun, casual all American place that is good to go in groups. I've had the Lobster Bisque there before which was tasty, and I've heard overall good things. It's conveniently in Georgetown near Wisconsin & M St.

Le Pain Quotidien

2009-04-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Le Pain Quotidien ($$) is a popular French chain which is located in Georgetown. It is known for its common table, as it has one long table in the center of the restaurant where different parties can sit (although there are individual tables available). The restaurant has a variety of dishes ranging from tartines to soup to cheese platters. Le Pain has a seasonal Pear and Gorgonzola Cheese Tartine (an open-faced sandwich) which is out of this world, and a Praline Butter spread that they serve with the freshly baked brioche buns.

The Bakery "On-the-Go" section in the front of the restaurant

Le Pain is a good place to have a sit down brunch or dinner, but I frequently go for their bakery section ($) which is fast and convenient. My favorite dessert here is the brownie because of its rich chocolate flavor and moistness. They also have mini Belgian Waffles covered in sugar for on-the-go which are delicious. I want to try the granola they sell and the 8-inch wide chocolate chip cookie.

Chocolate Brownie

Manouch: The Legend

2009-04-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

The famous hot dog stand on George Washington University's campus is home to the one..the only.. Manouch. Everyone knows his name because of his delicious late night hot dog stand. His stand, located on the corner of H and 21st St., is only open from 9pm-3am on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights to appeal to the wandering drunk students with munchies. There is always a line of 20 people or more outside the stand throughout the night, but it moves quickly. Manouch is a comic attraction himself because he talks to students offering them dating advice and inquiring about their lives. Of course, his hot dogs are the best around which also accounts for the lengthy line.

Hot Dog with GW Sauce, Ketchup, and extra Relish

He has a famous secret recipe, the GW Sauce, which I would best describe as a spicy relish. He pours on the sauce in addition to any other topping you prefer onto your 3 dollar hot dog, making the experience quite a messy one. Manouch clearly is an experienced hot dog maker as he can cook up five dogs in less than one minute to keep the line going. The GW Sauce and Half Smoke Hot Dog are must haves.

GW's very own celebrity is well worth a visit.

Zaytinya

2009-04-09T16:11:00.000-07:00

Zaytinya is a Greek Tapas restaurant that was recommended to me by two different people in the same week- so I had to go check it out. This modernized Greek restaurant is located in China Town, and is always bustling with people. They have small slightly over priced (but worth it) plates of a variety of unique vegetable, meat, and seafood dishes.

The attentive waiters immediately brought the fresh, and most importantly free, pita bread to the table. The pita was warm and puffed up because it just came out of the oven, and it was absolutely divine. I think I had a good two baskets of the bread by myself. For dinner, I ordered two different dishes. I had the Kabak Köftesi, which are squash and golden raisin fritters with a walnut pistachio sauce. The dish came with four of the veggie fritters, and they were very tasty. The raisins on the inside gave the squash a nice burst of sweetness. I also ordered the Adana Kebab which was skewered lamb with roast tomatoes and sauteed onions. The lamb was shaped like a sausage, and had red pepper flakes inside which made it spicy. Delicious! The two little tapas were enough for a dinner, along with the baskets of bread, and Zaytinya is definitely worth the trip.

Sadly, I did not get photos, but I promise this place is worth the buzz.

Update (with photos!)

Fresh Complimentary Pita

I recently revisited Zaytinya, and it was even more fabulous than the last time. We ordered a Tzatziki, a yogurt and cucumber dipping sauce, for the table.

Tzatziki (yogurt & cucumber) Sauce

I ordered the special (which I sincerely hope they add to the menu permanently!) which was crispy brussel sprouts. The brussel sprouts were lightly fried and mixed with red pepper flakes and a garlic yogurt sauce. They were to die for. I also ordered the braised short ribs in a spiced tomato stew. The meat was so tender it melted in your mouth. The sauce was a perfect compliment. I was tempted to lick the plate clean!

Crispy Brussel Sprouts with a Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Street Food: Pedro and Vinny's

2009-04-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

Pedro and Vinny's is a small burrito stand on a street corner in Farragut Square. Kelsey read about it online, and we instantly recognized the stand as we approached 15th and K St. from the 20 person line that stood in front of it. If that many people are willing to wait in this line during their brief lunch hours- then you know this place must be good!

John making the burritos freshly in front of you as your order

John Rider owns this stand, and he opens only during lunch Monday-Friday. The stand is worth going to just for him because he is very sweet and charming! He has dozens of different types of hot sauce, and he makes recommendations based on one's spice and sweet vs. savory preferences. Kelsey and I had the Georgia Peach Hot Sauce because we asked for something on the milder side that was fruity. This sauce made the burrito.

"Black and Tan" (Black and Pinto Bean) Burrito with Guacamole, Sour Cream, Jack Cheese, Salsa, and Georgia Peach Hot Sauce

Pedro and Vinny's is a vegetarian vegan stand, but don't let this scare you away! He has a plethora of toppings, including homemade guacamole and spicy salsa. You can get the "Black and Tan" which is black beans and pinto beans in one burrito. There are different flavors of tortillas, for example tomato or chili, and he piles on the cheese. The burritos are huge, and better yet cheap (4-6 dollars)! You can eat chips and try the hot sauces while you wait in line, and you get a free peppermint patty with your burrito.

Simple Menu at Pedro and Vinny's

Now, while nothing can compare to our authentic Mexican food in California, Pedro and Vinny's is a great option for burritos in D.C.

On-the-Go: Pret a Manger

2009-04-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

The on-the-go British chain, Pret A Manger, just made it's way into the U.S. and happens to be right down the street from me in DC. Pret A Manger has breakfast and lunch items for people who are in the rush and want to grab something to eat quickly. Everything here is freshly made, and the staff is very friendly. Now for the food..surprisingly very tasty! I had a hard time choosing between the baguette sandwiches, the colorful salads, and the homemade smoothies Pret offers. I decided to get a Chicken, Walnut, Blue Cheese, Tomato, Dried Cranberry, and Apple Salad on top of Mixed Greens. For dinner later, I grabbed the Brie, Tomato, and Basil Baguette Sandwich.

Salad with Chicken, Tomatoes, Walnuts, Cranberries, Apples, and Blue Cheese
Brie, Basil, and Tomato Sandwich on Baguette

I want to go back to try the Egg Salad and Bacon Sandwich, the Honey Yogurt drink, or the Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Word on the street is that the coffee is superb in addition to their muffins and breakfast items. This place beats other on-the-go chains like Au Bon Pain and Cosi. The British know their stuff!

Second Weekend Trip to NYC

2009-03-31T08:43:00.000-07:00

One of my best friends, Joyce, was coming from Berkeley to visit the East Coast so Ruth and I decided to go up to New York for the weekend. It was a brief trip- two long bus rides for less than 24 hours in the city, so we had to make it worth it by naturally squeezing in as many meals as possible.

We arrived past midnight on Friday due to a four hour back up at the Delaware Bridge, but fortunately I wrote down the name of a restaurant that was near where we were staying and was open until 3 am. Inoteca is a trendy Italian restaurant in New York that caters to the late night crowds. Their menu has a variety of original paninis, salads, and bruschetta (with fun toppings such as fig mascarpone, truffle oil and eggs, and fennel pepperonata). We all ordered paninis- Ruth and I had a prosciutto, mozzerella, and arugula pesto paninis and Joyce had a Mushroom, Spinach, Fontina Cheese, and Truffle Oil Panino. Perhaps it was from starvation from not being able to eat for 9 hours on the bus ride, but these paninis tasted like the best thing we had ever eaten. My panino came with a tomato and onion jam that went so well with the mozzarella, and Joyce's came with a cauliflower mixture that was also very delicious.

Prosciutto, Mozzarella, and Arugula Pesto Panini Mushroom, Spinach, Fontina Cheese, and Truffle Oil Panini

For dessert I ordered an Affogato (vanilla gelato with espresso poured over it), and Joyce ordered a Nutella Panino. Inoteca hit the spot- this place was fantastic, convenient, and everything we were hoping for.

Affogato (Vanilla Gelato with Espresso) Nutella Panini with Apricot Compote

The next morning, we woke up and headed over to the Lower East Side for brunch. I read about a place located in the Essex Market called Shopsins, which is known for it's never ending menu. We arrived and noticed a long line wrapping around the wall, which was of course for Shopsins. This brunch place had literally five tables, hence the line, but everyone around us assured us that the wait was worth it. One hour later, we were seated. I ordered the "Moe 2", which consisted of two pieces of French Toast filled with maple glazed bacon and topped with two fried eggs. It was insane- I think that meal goes into my top 5 brunches of all time. Shopsins had real Vermont Maple syrup and I happily drenched the sandwich in it. Joyce ordered the "Auntie" Omelet which came with blue cheese, avocado, spinach, and whole wheat toast. I had a bite of this, and the eggs were perfectly cooked. Ruth ordered their famous pancakes, with chocolate chips and toasted coconut. Some of the best I've ever had! Overall this place gets 5 stars. It was definitely worth the wait.

Moe 2- French Toast Sandwich with Maple Glazed Bacon and Two Sunny Side Up Eggs

"Auntie" Omelet with Blue Cheese, Avocado, Spinach, and Whole Wheat Toast Chocolate Chip and Toasted Coconut Pancakes

Shopsins happened to be two blocks away from the famous Il Laboratorio de Gelato, and I've always wanted to try it- so to make the day worth it we ignored our calorie limits and walked over. They had a range of unusual flavors, and I decided to try Cinnamon based on the recommendation of the worker there. Absolutely delicious! I finally got to see what the hype was all about. Ruth ordered Chocolate Amaretto Crunch and Mango Sorbet, and Joyce ordered Vanilla Saffron and Rosemary Ice cream.

Cinnamon Gelato

After doing some shopping in Soho, we stopped at the touristy but worth it Rice to Riches. This place is fun because instead of being an icecream shop, it is a rice pudding shop. There are dozens of different flavors of Rice Pudding, ranging from Rocky Road to Banana Coconut to the classic Cinnamon Raisin. Joyce had never been, so we went and all split a cup of the Pecan Pie. Yum!

Mascarpone and Chocolate Chip Rice Pudding

Retro To-Go Containers Rice Pudding is served in

After Rice to Riches, Joyce went to the airport to go back to California and Ruth and I headed up to Central Park. We ordered the most expensive latte I have ever had at Via Quadronno, and wandered around Central Park until making our way to dinner. After our nine hour bus ride, we justified an expensive dinner on the Upper East Side. My friend Maddie once recommended Park Avenue Winter, so we decided to go.

This restaurant was adorable with comfy white chairs, candles everywhere, and leafless trees inside. This restaurant changes the entire menu, name, and decor every season. We caught the restaurant on it's last night of Park Avenue Winter, because the following day they were going to remodel for Park Avenue "Spring". We sat down, and immediately received complimentary Parmesan Fritters which were cheesy balls covered in bread crumbs that melted in your mouth. The waiters were very friendly and made a bunch of recommendations until we finally decided what to order. I had the Scottish Salmon with Parsnip Puree and Pickled Red Onions, and Ruth had the Seared Yellow Fin Tuna with Avocado, Grapefruit, and Ginger.

Scottish Salmon with Parsnip Puree and Pickled Red Onions

A side dish was recommended because the fish plates were small, and one immediately caught our eye- Broccoli and Cheetos. It sounds like the strangest, and most disgusting, combination but the waiters assured us it was worth it. We figured an Upper East Side restaurant would not serve Cheetos unless the dish was perfected, so we were intrigued and ordered it. Every part of this meal was superb. The fish was so moist, and the parsnip puree had a unique flavor that worked very well on the plate. Now for the Broccoli and Cheetos.. they were unbelievably delicious. The broccoli was sauteed in garlic, white wine, and with some Gouda cheese. They were topped with the Cheetos, and frankly I could not stop digging in for more. Overall, this restaurant was incredible. It was worth the huge dent in my bank account.

Broccoli Sauteed with Garlic, White Whine, and Gouda Cheese topped with Cheetos

The number of meals we squeezed into this 24 hour period made the trip worth it! We had a fantastic time.

Week in California

2009-03-23T20:10:00.000-07:00

My Spring break was this past week, so I decided to go home to visit family and friends in California. I went to two new restaurants-Three Seasons and Calafia.

Three Seasons is an upscale Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Palo Alto, which I wanted to go to for years but never had the opportunity. My dad and I went and split a number of different dishes. To start, we ordered the Summer Roll Spring Roll. This Vietnamese roll comes with crab, avocado, a ginger soy vinaigrette, mint, cilantro, and lettuce. It was a cross between a California Sushi Roll and a traditional spring roll. It was light and refreshing- perfect for an appetizer. We also ordered a Honey Quail Satay, which was seasoned with lime juice and pepper. I thought it would be fun to try something new, but alas quail tastes exactly like chicken. Nonetheless, the satay plate was very tasty!

Summer Spring Roll with Crab, Avocado, and a Ginger Soy Vinaigrette
Honey Quail Satay

For the entree, we split Pork Ribs and Tamarind Prawns. The pork ribs were small and fried, with a thick tamarind and green onion sauce. They were crispy and covered in the sweet but tangy sauce. The prawns were sauteed with pineapple, scallions, chili peppers, and a special tamarind sauce. They came with brown rice, and were crunchy and succulent although the sauce was on the sweeter side which was slightly overwhelming. The pineapple and shrimp went very well together.

Pork Ribs with Tamarind Sauce Tamarind Prawns with Pineapple and Brown Rice

Overall, Three Seasons lived up to my expectations. I hope to go back to try their famous Roasted Crab with a side of garlic noodles.

I also had the chance to go to Calafia, which recently opened in Palo Alto. I was excited because it was started by the former Google chef, so eating at Calafia partially fulfilled my dream of eating at the famous Google cafeteria. This restaurant prides itself with its "slow food" cuisine, which is quality local organic food. Calafia was adorable, with wooden floors and clean white tables. My little sister and I went for lunch, and we ordered Duck Dumplings, a Chinese Chicken Salad, and the Daily Omelette.

The Duck Dumplings were recommended by the waiter, and they exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed them so much that we ordered a second plate to split. The dumplings were fried, and were filled with shredded duck, shitake mushrooms, scallions, garlic, ginger, sake and tamarin.

Duck Dumplings with Special Sauce

We split the Chinese Chicken Salad, which was a deviation from the typical Chinese Chicken Salad. It came with a five spice chicken, toasted almonds, crispy rice noodles, pea shoots, and shredded lettuce. The dressing was a very light rice wine vinaigrette. The salad was light and crunchy, with the nuts and rice noodles. The dressing was very plain, so the focus of the salad was on the fresh ingredients.

Chinese Chicken Salad

We also split the Daily Omelette, which came with ham, mushrooms, and swiss cheese. The omelette hit the spot, as it was packed with the creamy cheese which complemented the smokey ham. The omelette came with a side citrus salad, with blood oranges and a tangy vinaigrette.

Swiss Cheese, Ham, and Mushroom Omelette with Side Citrus Salad

Calafia was great from the ambiance to the fresh food. It is a great option for lunch.
Overall, my week in California was a success!

Rasika Indian Food

2009-03-06T15:20:00.000-08:00

It was Ruth's birthday, so she decided to go to an upscale Indian restaurant named Rasika to celebrate. The restaurant got excellent reviews, so I was excited to go. There was an overwhelming number of people on Yelp who raved about the Palak Chaat, so we decided to split that as an appetizer. Ruth then ordered the Tandoori Chicken Tika kabobs, and I ordered Gohbi Mattar which is a vegetarian dish consisting of Cauliflower, peas, and spices.

Gohbi Mattar (Cauliflower, peas, and spices) with fresh Naan bread

The Palak Chaat was incredible and lived up to the reviews. It was crispy spinach with a sweet yogurt, date chutney, and tamarind. The flavors worked together so well. I was scraping the bottom of the bowl! If you go here- you HAVE to order this. It sounds a little strange to mix spinach and yogurt, but Rasika perfected the recipe. Ruth's chicken kabobs were delicious (I stole a piece), and came with a mint chutney. My Gohbi Mattar was delectable, but extremely spicy. The waiter had to fill up my water glass every two minutes to keep up with me! The naan was fluffy and went well with the cauliflower.

Overall, Rasika was a great experience. The service was excellent, as was the ambiance and the food. Be warned- it is very expensive, so save this restaurant for a special night out.

Weekend Trip To New York City

2009-03-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

For less than 15 dollars each way, Tyler and I decided to take a little trip up to New York to visit his sister. It was nice to get away from DC for a bit, and naturally I was very excited to explore the restaurants because the crowded, cultured city has every kind of food you can imagine!

Upon arriving, we decided to check out Chelsea. There is a building called the Chelsea Market, which my friend Maddie recommended. This building has a variety of shops, all with different specialities such as bread, juices, cheese, or soup. It is similar to the Ferry Building in San Francisco. We decided to stake out at Amy's Bread for an hour. This place had so many different breads, pastries, and treats.

Freshly baked breads at Amy's

We had a mini feast that consisted of Almond Brioche Toast, a Brie and Tomato Baguette sandwich with a little spicy mustard, ham and cheese grilled on a fresh cheese biscuit, and focaccia twists filled with anything from chocolate, to Parmesan, to herbs. It was a feast of everything you could come up with bread- but everything was absolutely amazing. The focaccia twists, for one dollar each, and the almond brioche toast were my favorites.

Tomato, Brie, Spicy Mustard on Baguette Sandwich

Almond Brioche Toast

After the Chelsea Market, we headed to Soho to do a little shopping and exploring. Next, we headed up town to his sister's work- which is at Fortune magazine!! It was really cool meeting the staff, exploring the building, and looking at the archives which goes back the the 1930s. We headed to the Upper West Side, and decided to do a casual night at one of Jessica's favorite places- Shake Shack.

Shake Shack is a casual burger joint known for its quality burgers and creamy frozen custards. I ordered a hamburger with the works and the Shake Shack sauce, with a chocolate frozen custard. The Hamburger was juicy, and the special sauce was delicious (for you west coasters- it was similar to In-N-Out's special sauce). The frozen custard was just like a chocolate milkshake, and I slurped it down quickly!

Shake Shack Hamburger

The next morning, we woke up and stood in line at Good Enough to Eat for brunch. The food was well worth the wait. The restaurant was adorable, as the tables were set inside a white picket fence and there were wire heart sculptures hanging from the ceiling.

Good Enough to Eat tables

We ordered a plate of eggs with onions and potatoes for the table, then we each ordered individually. Jessica had cinnamon raisin swirl french toast, Tyler had waffles, and I had the special of the day- Banana, Blueberry, and Granola Pancakes. The best part of the meal was the freshly made biscuits with homemade strawberry butter on the side. My mouth still waters thinking about this meal. The restaurant was true to it's name- as everything was (more than) good enough to eat!

Onion and Potato Omelette with a side of Biscuits and Strawberry Butter
Banana, Blueberry, Granola Pancakes with Strawberry Butter and powdered sugar

After brunch, we decided to wander around the busy streets of New York. We went to the Met, walked around Central Park, then headed down to the East Village. We stopped at a little cafe called Sweet Revenge to get some coffee and to avoid the cold. Then we ended up at a place Jessica heard of called Supper.

Fresh Ciabatta Bread served with a cannellini bean, olive oil, and red pepper flake sauce

Supper is a cozy Italian restaurant with communal tables. It was almost entirely lit by candle light. The kitchen is visible when you walk in, so you get to see them making all the pasta and various dishes. We sat down and pondered the menu for a while until we finally decided. For the table, we got an arugula, fennel, and Parmesan cheese salad with a lemon vinaigrette. For dinner, I had the Salmon Tagliata that came with a fresh pea relish on a bed of arugula. The relish was sweet and fresh, and perfectly complemented the salmon. Tyler ordered tagliatelle with prosciutto, tomatoes, and cheese. Jessica had bucatini with a pancetta tomato sauce with a mint garnish. Both loved their dishes.

Tagliatelle Pasta with Tomatoes and Prosciutto

Salmon Tagliata, with a seasonal fresh pea relish

Bucatini Pasta with Tomatoes, Pancetta, and a Mint Garnish

Good Ol' Ben's Chili Bowl

2009-02-27T08:49:00.000-08:00

Ben's Chili Bowl is a historical diner that has earned a spot in every D.C. travel guide's restaurant section. The restaurant is fun because it is covered in framed pictures of their prestigious customer base, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nat King Cole, Barack Obama, and their number one customer - Bill Cosby. The casual restaurant is adorned with diner booths and counter seats. The cooks and waiters are always laughing and chatting up the customers. Ben's is most popular with the late night weekend crowd, as they are open until 4am Fridays and Saturdays.

Ben's Chili Bowl- "A Washington Landmark"

Everyone comes to Ben's for of course- the chili! You can not come here without getting their famous chili dog. I ate my first chili dog, and certainly not my last, at Ben's. The restaurant also has great thick milkshakes, burgers, and fries. Don't expect to find anything green on the menu- it's all quality deep fried deliciousness.

Chili Dog with the Classic Mustard and Onions Topping

Chili Cheeseburger with the works

J'adore Adour!

2009-02-24T15:54:00.000-08:00

I have been excited for weeks about going to renowned chef, Alain Ducasse's, DC restaurant Adour. For those of you who don't know who Alain Ducasse is, he was the chef at the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower and he owns a numbers of restaurants around the world. My friend, Kelsey, and I made a reservation weeks ago to catch the low prices during Restaurant week. Adour filled up so quickly that they extended their restaurant week special for another week. Dressed in our finest, we entered the extravagant and well decorated restaurant located in the St. Regis Hotel in downtown D.C. I was slightly intimidated by the upscale crowd and finely trimmed waiters, but eventually relaxed in my white cushioned chair. From the hostess, to the table presentation, to the overall appearance of the restaurant- there was a great attention to detail.

Inside Seating with White Cushioned Chairs

We excitedly reviewed the menu, and both decided to start with the Sunchoke Parmentier Soup with Bacon Foam. A sunchoke is a cross between a potato and a sunflower seed. The sunchokes were pureed with presumably a heavy cream and seasoning. The waiter served our bowls with two spoonfuls of foam, crispy bacon bits, and small croutons. Immediately I thought to myself, That's all I get?, but the waiter proceeded to pour the pureed soup, from a vase, over the foam right in front of me. The soup was absolutely mouth-watering. I scraped every last bit from the bottom of my bowl. The bacon foam complemented the sunchokes perfectly, and the crunchy croutons and bacon were nice little surprises.

Sunchoke Parmentier Soup with Bacon Foam and Croutons

Our next course was grilled hangar steak medallions, with Yukon gold potatoes and wilted spinach. The presentation was very well put together, as the rare steak was topped with a creamy horseradish sauce and the potatoes had some type of onion topping. The steak was perfectly seasoned and it was delicious with the horseradish sauce. The potatoes and spinach were also very well done.

Steak Medallions with Horseradish Topping, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Spinach

Finally- the dessert. We ordered a coffee cremieux with a Marsala Sauvignon sauce. It essentially was a dark chocolate covered coffee mousse with whipped cream in the center. The dessert was superb. The consistency was so light and fluffy that it melted in your mouth. The flavors blended very well together, and there was the strong liquor sauce on the side that wonderfully accompanied the dark chocolate.

Dark Chocolate Covered Coffee Mousse with Marsala Sauvignon Sauce

From the service, to the decor, to the food- Adour was fantastic.

Restaurant Week Part 2: Agraria

2009-02-21T20:08:00.000-08:00

I was apprehensive about going because Agraria did not have the best reviews, according to Yelp.com (My favorite review website, where I find all of my restaurants!). My friend, Ruth, assured me it would be delicious because she had been before. Agraria is a spacious restaurant on the waterfront in Georgetown. The atmosphere was nice as it was right in front of the Potomac River, and the tables were lit by candle light. Agraria offered the Restaurant week 3 course prix-fixe menu this week, but I decided to order off of the regular menu. I ordered the grilled salmon with sauteed mushrooms and wild rice. Ruth ordered off of the prix-fixe menu and she got fried green tomatoes, New York strip steak, and the carrot cake.
I tried Ruth's appetizer, and it was very tasty. She had the fried green tomatoes, which came with a goat cheese flan (which was essentially a cube of mild goat cheese), a creamy basil pesto, and a tomato jam. The tomatoes were coated in cornmeal and Japanese panko breadcrumbs (Side note: if you ever coat anything in breadcrumbs- try panko and you will never go back! They are the best!). I have always wanted to try fried green tomatoes, especially after seeing the movie, but this was my first time and I was very pleased. They were sweet and crunchy. My favorite combination was the tomatoes with the tomato jam and a bit of arugula on top. These filling savory bites are a must-have.

Fried Green Tomatoes with goat cheese, tomato jam, basil pesto, and arugula garnish

Moments later, our entrees arrived. My salmon had a very basic seasoning comprised of only salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of parsley. The salmon was satisfactory, but nothing to call home about. I like a kick in my food, whether it's sweet or spicy, but the only word I can think of to describe this salmon is plain. I wish it had another ingredient to make it a little more flavorful. It sat on top of wild rice and sauteed mushrooms and a creamy, white sauce. The rice was moist, but like the salmon I think it could have been better if it had a little more flavor.

Grilled Salmon with Wild Rice, Sauteed Mushrooms, and Cream Sauce

Ruth's steak was very juicy and enjoyable. It was served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a house steak sauce. The serving was huge! Ruth could barely eat half of it.

New York Strip Steak, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and House Steak Sauce

Overall, our trip to Agraria was a positive experience but not necessarily worth the steep prices. I would not mind going back and getting some of those tomatoes, but I do not think I would order the salmon again. This restaurant seems ideal for people, like Ruth, who enjoy simple uncomplicated dishes. For those of you like me, who like innovative variations of traditional dishes, Agraria won't blow you away.

New Restaurant in Town..Siroc

2009-02-19T22:51:00.001-08:00

Now, I can not say enough good things about Siroc. This contemporary Italian restaurant is out of this world. The ambiance was simple and classic, and the wait staff was very nice. I went with Tyler for Restaurant Week in DC (35$ for 3-course dinner, 20$ for 3 course lunch), and we savored every last bite.

All of their pasta is freshly made
(picture is from Siroc's website- see link above)

I was tempted to order from the original menu because of the ravioli filled with lobster, chervil, and roasted fennel with a sweet corn sauce. Also, the Veal Ossobuco served over Parmesan polenta sounded delicious. I will have no problem paying the 30 dollars for one of these meals in the future- but tonight, we stuck with the 3 course menu.

At the table, they bring you fresh foccacia with olive oil. For the appetizers, we split an arugula salad with Gouda cheese, poached pear, pine nuts, and a black pepper vinaigrette. The vinaigrette is true to it's name as it was very peppery, but as long as you eat it along with the pear to give it a sweet and salty contrast it is fine. We also split the appetizer of Rabbit and Black Truffle Sausages served over Parmesan polenta. I licked the plate clean off of this appetizer- it was amazing and I highly recommend it if you come.

Handmade Black Truffle and Rabbit Sausages served over Parmesan Polenta

For dinner, we split two courses: Gnocchi with a braised lamb, carrot, and tomato sauce and a Beef Tenderloin with string beans and a garlic potato puree. Both dishes were incredible. The gnocchi was light and fluffy with the perfect amount of sauce on top. The beef was the most tender cut of meat I have ever eaten, perfectly seasoned, and perfectly complimented the sides. It was a little rare for my taste- but none the less, delicious.

For dessert, we had a chocolate covered tiramisu and poached pears with ginger ice cream. Both dishes lived up to the other meals as they were superb. The tiramisu was fluffy and came with an orange nectar sauce on the side. The pear was soaked in a thick sweet liquor and complimented the ice cream perfectly.

Chocolate covered Tiramisu

Overall, an A +. This restaurant is new in town, and lucky for us not many people know about it yet so it was no problem getting a reservation. I have a feeling that will change in the upcoming weeks when the word spreads, so reserve quickly!!

Good Stuff Eatery

2009-02-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

Good Stuff Eatery is a casual burger joint belongs to Season 4 Top Chef's Spike (shown in the picture to the left). I heard about this place from a friend, and it's located in SE DC near Capitol Hill. The menu is simple with burgers, fries, salad wedges, and milkshakes.

I had a sudden craving for hamburgers, so Tyler and I hopped on the metro and walked to the restaurant. I ordered the turkey burger with avocado, sprouts, muenster cheese, and tomatoes on a whole wheat bun. It was good- but it tasted like there was lemon zest or lemon pepper in the meat and I felt like it overpowered a lot of the other taste. Besides that, the burger was tasty. Tyler ordered the "Good Stuff Melt" with melted cheddar and muenster cheese, caramelized onions, and mushrooms with Good Stuff sauce. I had a bite- and this was delicious. We ordered a side of onion rings which you HAVE to order if you come here. They are chunky, and there were multiple slices of onions in each fried shell with the perfect seasoning. Another must-have is the Black & White milkshake. This is a vanilla milkshake with chocolate fudge swirled and we were scraping the cup until it was all gone. Apparently the toasted marshmallow milkshake and milky way malt are also very good.

Black and White Milkshake

There is also a sauce bar with the usuals, mango mayonnaise, chipotle mayonnaise, and others.

Different sauces

Overall, it was fun! Very casual- you order at the counter and bring it to your seat, but good food and a good place to go with a large crowd.
** Unfortunately, the pictures of the hamburgers did not turn out well so I did not post them, Sorry!

Breakfast for Dinner

2009-02-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

So I know this is not a restaurant in DC (although for the right price I'm sure you could pay him to cook you anything)- but I wanted to show off the V-day dinner that my boyfriend, Tyler, cooked for me.

Banana Pecan French Toast, Feta Basil Ham Scrambled Eggs, Turkey Bacon, Fruit Salad

He made banana pecan french toast with the bananas soaked in maple syrup and rum with pecans, whipped cream, and a mint garnish on top. The eggs had feta cheese, ham, and basil inside. He put a side dish of turkey bacon, fruit salad, and champagne mimosas. Now I know I have to say this because he's my boyfriend- but no lies, this was one of the most delicious breakfasts I have ever eaten! (It was breakfast for dinner- my favorite)

Here are the recipes:
Banana French Toast
Ham, Feta, Basil Eggs

In the Mood for Seafood...The Maine Ave. Fish Market

2009-02-14T19:13:00.000-08:00

The Maine Ave. Fish Market is a huge fish market filled with an abundance of seafood shops. My friend, Katherine, heard of it on Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" show so we decided to give it a try. It was our second Bourdain success! (For the first, see my post on Song Que Vietnamese) We hopped off at the Smithsonian metro and followed the fish smell in the air to the Potomac River Port. I am a huge seafood lover so I was very excited. Of course seafood is ridiculously expensive and my college budget can not afford to get fish on a regular basis, so I was pleased to find out the inexpensive prices. The prices here were rock bottom- and there was no shortage on quality.
We approached the market where there were open stands with fresh fish, shrimp, oysters, lobster, and my favorite- crab. A few stores had cooked crabs and other prepared food like crab cakes, clam chowder, fried catfish, grilled tilapia, and other delectable bites.

One stand had crabs cooked with a special seasoning on top (my guess is paprika, a little cayenne, lots of salt)- and you have your choice of male or female crabs. The best part- the price. You get one sample crab (yes, as in a WHOLE crab for FREE!) then any additional crab is one dollar. Katherine and I cracked them open right there and scraped out all the meat!

Steamed Male Crabs with Secret Spicy/Salty Seasoning

The next place that caught our eye was Jimmy's seafood because a man (whom we believe is Jimmy) was standing in front handing out samples. In addition to the prepared seafood dishes that Jimmy offers, they have a plethora of baked goods- which did not look too shabby themselves. We had a sample of some delicious strawberry short cake. After pondering over the menu for a good 15 minutes, we decided to split a platter that included two crab cakes, yeast buns (we thought that was funny because of course the buns have yeast!), and two sides. For the side dishes, we decided to get corn pudding and mac and cheese.

Crab Cakes with Lemon

Left: Mac and Cheese, Right: Corn Pudding Side Dishes

The verdict: Delicious crab cakes. Very fresh and well prepared- I would definitely go back. The corn pudding was sweet and although it did not look that appetizing (photographed above) it was very good. Mac and cheese was like any other mac and cheese. This platter with all sides included cost $9.95. We quenched down the sea food with sweetened ice tea- which yes, I thought deserved a spot on this blog because it was not too bitter and not too sweet, which is a hard thing to accomplish in my opinion!

Katherine drinking the Ice Tea

Overall, the Maine Ave. Fish Market hit the spot. It's open 8am-9pm Mon.-Sun., and is a 5-10 minute walk from the L'Enfant or Smithsonian Metro (1100 Maine Ave SW). Be warned- for the crabs bring your own nut cracker or be prepared to dig and smash with your hands. Also we could not find many seating areas (we assume in the summer they put them out)- but seeing as it is February don't expect to have a table to eat off of.

Cafe Deluxe..not so deluxe

2009-02-08T12:22:00.000-08:00

Today, Ruth and I had our weekly brunch at Cafe Deluxe in Bethesda. It was like any other restaurant, but we decided it was nothing special. It's a fine place to take the family because they have paper table cloths to draw on and a menu that will appeal to most. Our food was fine, and the atmosphere was fine- but we were not blown away. Overall, not a must-go.

They had a breakfast menu, but we both decided to stick with lunch items. Ruth got the Ahi Tuna Tacos and I had a cherry tomato Parmesan salad.

Ahi Tuna Tacos with Side Salad

Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Parmesan Cheese

Looking for a good classic deli? Try Loeb's!

2009-02-06T09:34:00.001-08:00

Last year, I was in the mood for some matzo ball soup so I searched the Internet and found out about Loeb's. Thank goodness for that- because I am obsessed with this NY deli! It is a block from the White House, and a family owned restaurant. My friend Kelsey and I are regulars here, and the owners know us by name. They even know our "regular" order!

Turkey, Lettuce, Tomato Mayo on Challah Roll
Cross Section of Turkey on Challah

Loeb's has all of the classics including matzo ball soup, potato pancakes, lox, and sandwiches with three inches tall of freshly sliced meats. A few sandwiches that are good are the Central Park (beef brisket and Cole slaw), the Walter Special (pastrami, cheese, slaw, and russian dressing) and my usual- Turkey on Challah Bread. Go on the early side, because the challah twist rolls always run out! The matzo ball soup is really good- it has chicken, celery, carrots, broth, and one huge matzo ball in the center.

"Walter Special"- Pastrami, Muenster cheese, Coleslaw, and Russian dressing on Pumpernickel Bread

For dessert, they are famous for their bread pudding (which runs out immediately, so unfortunately I've never had a chance to try it) and their apple strudel.

Go Monday-Friday before 3:30, and say hi to Steve and his siblings (the owners)- they are so nice! Also bring cash, unless you have an AMEX card, because they don't accept other credit cards.

Vietnamese Deli: Song Que

2009-02-05T21:27:00.000-08:00

Anthony Bourdain recommended this Vietnamese deli in Virginia called Song Que. It is a mini market that is fun to browse because of the random foods ranging from Asian candies to pork skins to bean paste patties. There was a selection of sticky rice- including corn flavored (it tasted like cornbread in rice form), bean, taro root, and banana.

Candies, Bean Patties, and Meats on display in the store

There is a deli where they are reputed for their sandwiches and bubble tea. I went with my friends, and I got the Grilled Pork Sandwich. The best part was the price- three dollars! The sandwich was on a roll with the grilled pork, sliced cucumbers, carrots, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, and mustard. It definitely had a spicy kick to it with the jalapenos.

Grilled Pork Sandwich

I also got a Mango Bubble Tea. I'm usually not the biggest bubble tea fan, but this was like a slushy smoothie so I decided to try it. It was funny because the bubble tea cost the same price as the sandwich. It was pretty good! I think it could have been a little more mango-ey.

For dessert, my friend Katherine bought a box of coconut butter biscuits for the table. Light and delicious!

Overall, a must go! Even if you don't like Vietnamese food- it's worth a try. It's kind of far from the metro (East Falls Church), so I wouldn't recommend going here when it's cold unless you have a car.

Weekly Brunch: The Tabard Inn

2009-02-01T11:53:00.000-08:00

Every week, my best friend Ruth and I meet up for brunch. She goes to a university 20 minutes away from mine, and we know eachother from high school. We are obsessed with brunch food, and always find good places to go to- but this week we stuck with a usual, the Tabard Inn.

The Tabard Inn is a cozy hotel in Dupont Circle with a restaurant in the back. I love going here for brunch- but be warned that you should make a reservation at least a week in advance. This restaurant is packed all the time! They have the most delicious complimentary bread baskets (these baskets alone make the trip worth it). They are filled with homemade mini muffins (today ours were blueberry and carrot raisin), lemon scones, savory cheese bread with peppers, and raisin walnut bread.

Tabard Inn Bread Basket

Tabard Inn has famous freshly fried donuts for $1.50 each, so Ruth and I decided to try them out. (We justified buying the donuts because they were the restaurant's specialty and all!) The donuts come with freshly whipped cream and berries, and melt in your mouth.

Freshly friend Donuts with Sugar and Whipped Cream

Close up

4000 calories later, our entrees came. I decided to get the Eggs Benedict and Ruth got the Huevos Rancheros. Their menu changes every week- but this week it included a mushroom, scallion, and brie omelette, sweet potato pecan french toast, and toasted coconut waffles with a pineapple mango compote. Yum! I decided to stick with a classic, but hopefully that french toast will be served in the future because it sounds delicious.

Eggs Benedict (English muffin with ham, a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce)

Baked and Wired

2009-01-31T15:19:00.000-08:00

Baked and Wired Coconut Cupcake

Baked and Wired is a small, chic, and oh-so-crowded bakery in Georgetown. Don't expect to leave the store without gaining a good 5 to 10 pounds! It is filled with pastries ranging from cookies to cupcakes to freshly baked pies. There is a WiFi zone in the back with a seating area and a coffee bar. I had the Coconut cupcake, and it was delicious! It was as good, if not better, than Georgetown Cupcakes.

Apple Caramel Bars and Espresso Chocolate Brownies

Breadline

2009-01-29T17:32:00.000-08:00

Breadline is my all time favorite sandwich place. Fortunately for me, it is only four blocks away from my university's campus- but it is very accessible to the Farragut West metro! Breadline is always bustling with government workers on their lunch breaks. They make the bread on site so it is always fresh, and their menu is simple but they have delicious specials every day like the Shrimp Po'Boy or Portobello Fontina Cheese piadine (italian flat bread). My favorite sandwiches include the Chicken Guacamole, the BBQ Pork sandwich, or the Prosciutto on Walnut Bread. If you are a chocolate lover, try the brownies--to die for! If you are a Challah Bread fan- Fridays they sell 5 dollar challah loafs, so you can make challah french toast saturday morning!
Their policy is to get you in and out in no longer than 7 minutes, so don't worry about long lines.

Breadline Egg Salad, Sun Dried Tomato, and Arugula Sandwich on baguette

Cheap Eat: Super Tacos & Bakery

2009-01-28T12:26:00.000-08:00

Tacos Pepitos Bakery Dos: (now named Super Tacos & Bakery)

Now as a Californian, I think I know my Mexican food. And to be frank- Baja Fresh and Chipotle just don't cut it. This hole in the wall bakery/taqueria is authentic, cheap, and delicious. What more could a girl ask for? I highly recommend the tacos- $2.50 each. The pork carnitas tacos are delicious, and the chicken taco (gringo style) is my favorite. This restaurant is located in Adams Morgan, but for those of you who aren't up for the trek- they deliver!

Hours: Mon-Thu 8 am-10 pm; Fri-Sat 8 am-11 pm; Sun 8 am-10 pm
Address: 1762 Columbia Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20009
Ph: 202-232-7121

Bella Bites Index

2009-01-28T12:04:00.001-08:00

American: Agraria
American: Busboys & Poets
American: Cafe Deluxe
American: Clyde's
Asian: Teaism
Bakery: Baked and Wired
Bakery: Georgetown Cupcakes
Brunch: Tabard Inn
Burgers: Ben's Chili Bowl
Burgers: Good Stuff Eatery
Coffee House: Tryst
French: Adour
French: Le Pain Quotidien
French: La Chaumiere
Greek: Zaytinya
Greek: Zorba's Cafe
Hot Dog: Manouch
Indian: Rasika
Italian: Siroc
Italian: Vento
Mexican: Super Tacos Bakery
Mexican: Pedro & Vinny's
Sandwich: Breadline
Sandwich: Pret a Manger
Sandwich: Loeb's New York Deli
Seafood: Black Salt
Seafood: Maine Ave. Fish Market
Southern: Old Glory
Southern (Upscale): Vidalia
Thai: Thai X-ing
Trip: California
Trip: New York 1
Trip: New York 2
Vietnamese: Song Que
Yogurt: Yola