I was a little disappointed they didn't provide a sampler option, like they do at Lebanese Taverna. Would I be willing to go back? Definitely. Will I likely seek it out? Probably not.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Me Jana (Arlington, VA)
We went here for a mid-week meal and sat outside to enjoy the Summer weather, ordering mostly the classics: tabouleh, kibbeh nayah, falafel, and lahem be ajeen (ground lamb on a baked pita). On the whole, the food was good, although it was a bit pricier than Lebanese Taverna (what I have to assume is its biggest competitor).
I was a little disappointed they didn't provide a sampler option, like they do at Lebanese Taverna. Would I be willing to go back? Definitely. Will I likely seek it out? Probably not.
I was a little disappointed they didn't provide a sampler option, like they do at Lebanese Taverna. Would I be willing to go back? Definitely. Will I likely seek it out? Probably not.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The Frog Bar & Grille (Ocean City, MD)
There's mention on at least one website that The Frog Bar & Grille appeared on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" based upon its mushroom and swiss burger (served with an entire marinated portobello mushroom cap), though I cannot seem to locate any reference to the specific episode it appeared on...perhaps it was filmed, but didn't make the final cut?
Anyway, their slogan -- have a brew with a view -- is apropos, as it is located at the south end of Ocean City, overlooking the inlet and Assateague. We shared the clam strips based upon an online review, and were not disappointed. Fresh, with a hint of saltiness, and lightly breaded. Delicious.
But the star was the burger. Served atop a fresh brioche roll, the burger is topped with locally sourced fresh vegetables. I had mine with bacon, swiss, and ranch -- and man was it good. Even if there wasn't a great view, I'd return for the clam strips and the burger!
The house margarita, however, was overly sweet. The lesson to be learned, of course, is to do what the locals do -- enjoy a BREW with a view.
Anyway, their slogan -- have a brew with a view -- is apropos, as it is located at the south end of Ocean City, overlooking the inlet and Assateague. We shared the clam strips based upon an online review, and were not disappointed. Fresh, with a hint of saltiness, and lightly breaded. Delicious.
But the star was the burger. Served atop a fresh brioche roll, the burger is topped with locally sourced fresh vegetables. I had mine with bacon, swiss, and ranch -- and man was it good. Even if there wasn't a great view, I'd return for the clam strips and the burger!
The house margarita, however, was overly sweet. The lesson to be learned, of course, is to do what the locals do -- enjoy a BREW with a view.
Waterman's (Ocean City, MD)
A well-known Ocean City seafood and fried chicken joint, we went here for a birthday dinner. I had the cream of crab soup (outstanding) and the fried chicken (thick and crispy, without being greasy) after learning of the reputation for high-quality fried chicken on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
The all-you-can-eat meals (consumed by two at our table) looked impressive -- blue crab, boiled shrimp, fried chicken, hush puppies, and corn on the cob -- and offered a diverse array of all-you-can-eat options. I would note, however, that the cocktail sauce was frozen.
The double chocolate cake (ordered by someone else at our table) got "blah" reviews.
The all-you-can-eat meals (consumed by two at our table) looked impressive -- blue crab, boiled shrimp, fried chicken, hush puppies, and corn on the cob -- and offered a diverse array of all-you-can-eat options. I would note, however, that the cocktail sauce was frozen.
The double chocolate cake (ordered by someone else at our table) got "blah" reviews.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Galileo III (Washington, DC)
We went to Roberto Donna's newest (and currently only) restaurant to enjoy his take on the rustic cuisine of the Piedmont area of Italy. While the food was good to outstanding -- burrata with roasted red peppers and pickled eggplant, raviolini del plin with roasted veal and prosciutto in a veal jus, brown butter sage sauce, sauteed Moulard duck breast with sour cherries and balsamic, and a chocolate-hazelnut semi freddo -- I came away questioning whether it is worth a return trip.
While the raviolini was a revelation, delicate overstuffed pasta in a sauce of impressive depth, Roberto Donna was not in the kitchen (on a Friday night!) and the main dining room never reached even half capacity. Add in the fact that the decor did not pair well with the warmth I associate with rustic Italian cuisine, and I came away conflicted.
While the raviolini was a revelation, delicate overstuffed pasta in a sauce of impressive depth, Roberto Donna was not in the kitchen (on a Friday night!) and the main dining room never reached even half capacity. Add in the fact that the decor did not pair well with the warmth I associate with rustic Italian cuisine, and I came away conflicted.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Best of DC Metropolitan Area (2011)
Inspired by the Washingtonian's "Best Of" issue, but interested in the opinions of my friends and family, I sent around an email requesting people to provide me their favorite restaurants for several categories of food.
The following list represents the results of this study. In some categories, only the winning restaurant received multiple nominations. In other categories, a number of restaurants received multiple nominations. When a restaurant received multiple nominations for "Best Of," but neither won nor finished as a runner up, that restaurant received an honorable mention commendation.
I look forward to checking out the restaurants nominated and expect to post my thoughts on those experiences on this blog. If (and when) my favorites for these categories change, I will update the same in the column on the right.
The following list represents the results of this study. In some categories, only the winning restaurant received multiple nominations. In other categories, a number of restaurants received multiple nominations. When a restaurant received multiple nominations for "Best Of," but neither won nor finished as a runner up, that restaurant received an honorable mention commendation.
- Best Deli/Sandwich: Italian Store (Runners Up: Wisemiller's and Chutzpah's (tie))
- Best Diner: Metro 29 (Runner Up: Amphora; Honorable Mentions: The Diner, Steak and Egg, Tastee Diner, Tune Inn)
- Best Brunch: Boulevard Woodgrill (Runner Up: Tabard Inn; Honorable Mentions: Birch & Barley, Blue Duck Tavern, Carlyle, Belga, Brasserie Beck)
- Best Burger: Ray's Hell Burger (Runner Up: Central; Honorable Mentions: Good Stuff Eatery, Five Guys, Morton's)
- Best Sports Bar: Crystal City Sports Pub and Carpool (tie) (Honorable Mentions: Four Courts and Cleveland Park Bar and Grill)
- Best Outdoor Bar: Sequoia (Runner Up: Cantina Marina; Honorable Mentions: Poste and Cleveland Park Bar & Grill)
- Best Cocktails: The Gibson (Runner Up: PX; Honorable Mentions: Columbia Room and The Majestic)
- Best Quintessential Bar Food: Carpool and Jay's Saloon (tie) (Honorable Mention: Dogfish Head)
- Best Food Cart: El Chilango
- Best Wings: Hard Times (Runner Up: Glory Days; Honorable Mention: Buffalo Wild Wings)
- Best Pizza: Italian Store (Runner Up: Two Amy's; Honorable Mentions: Matchbox, Fairlington Pizza, and Pizzeria Orso)
- Best Sushi: Kaz Sushi Bistro and Sushi Taro (tie) (Honorable Mentions: Sushi Ko and Tachibana)
- Best Steak: Ray's the Steaks (Runner Up: Morton's; Honorable Mentions: Acqua al 2 and Flemings)
- Best Mexican/Tex-Mex: Guajillo (Runners Up: Rio Grande, Picante and Guapo's (tie))
- Best Chinese: Peking Gourmet Inn
- Best Indian: Rasika and Tandoori Nights (tie) (Honorable Mentions: Sangam Restaurant and Jaipur (tie))
- Best Thai: Thai Square, Rein Tong, and Sawatdee (tie)
- Best Vietnamese: Pho 75, Four Sisters, and Mihn's (tie)
- Best Italian: Ristorante Tosca (Runners Up: Da Domenico, Filomena, and Dolce Vita)
- Best Seafood: BlackSalt (Runners Up: Hank's Oyster Bar and Kinkead's; Honorable Mention: Passionfish)
- Best Restaurant (Overall): Komi, Rasika, Chez Francois, Restaurant Eve, Tosca, and Central (tie)
I look forward to checking out the restaurants nominated and expect to post my thoughts on those experiences on this blog. If (and when) my favorites for these categories change, I will update the same in the column on the right.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Guajillo (Arlington, VA)
Located on Wilson Boulevard next to Ray's Hell Burger, Guajillo is one our two "go-to" restaurants when craving Mexican and/or Tex-Mex, with Guajillo meeting our Mexican needs and Rio Grande meeting our Tex-Mex needs. But this post is about Guajillo...
The salsa at Guajillo is freshly made throughout the evening and, man, does it pack a (pleasant) kick. This place does not cater to the masses by producing mild (or flavorless) product, but rather, puts out solid Mexican standbys.
And it's one of the few places in the area that I have found to put out a delicious Mole. Having had the Mole atop chicken (the house specialty) and enchiladas, I felt compelled to try it as served atop the Flautas Mojadas. While the Mole was excellent, as usual, I think I will be returning to the chicken or enchiladas presentation in the future.
I've also heard that their tostadas are outstanding, so that's also on the list of dishes to try at Guajillo.
If you haven't been, you may be missing out on some of the best Mexican food in the area. Go now. Thank me later.
The salsa at Guajillo is freshly made throughout the evening and, man, does it pack a (pleasant) kick. This place does not cater to the masses by producing mild (or flavorless) product, but rather, puts out solid Mexican standbys.
And it's one of the few places in the area that I have found to put out a delicious Mole. Having had the Mole atop chicken (the house specialty) and enchiladas, I felt compelled to try it as served atop the Flautas Mojadas. While the Mole was excellent, as usual, I think I will be returning to the chicken or enchiladas presentation in the future.
I've also heard that their tostadas are outstanding, so that's also on the list of dishes to try at Guajillo.
If you haven't been, you may be missing out on some of the best Mexican food in the area. Go now. Thank me later.
Hollywood East Cafe (Wheaton, MD)
We went out to with some of our close friends at this highly-rated dim sum restaurant, and were not disappointed. While I'm not sure we would make a special trip to Wheaton for this dim sum (in light of the proximity of Fortune's), Hollywood East offered an incredibly diverse number of plates, including TWO separate steam carts with unique offerings.
What I liked best about Hollywood East, however, was the fact that freshly cooked vegetables, seafood, and other assorted dishes were brought around by a server (about a 15 year old kid) who would hock his fresh-from-the-kitchen food. As dim sum plates can be lukewarm after being carted around the restaurant for ten minutes, I definitely respected the importance placed on the food being hot at Hollywood East. Of the fresh from the kitchen dishes, I particularly enjoyed the fried squid with jalapenos (touted as "like calamari, only better") and the Chinese broccoli.
If we find ourselves in Wheaton during the dim sum hours, I am sure we will return.
What I liked best about Hollywood East, however, was the fact that freshly cooked vegetables, seafood, and other assorted dishes were brought around by a server (about a 15 year old kid) who would hock his fresh-from-the-kitchen food. As dim sum plates can be lukewarm after being carted around the restaurant for ten minutes, I definitely respected the importance placed on the food being hot at Hollywood East. Of the fresh from the kitchen dishes, I particularly enjoyed the fried squid with jalapenos (touted as "like calamari, only better") and the Chinese broccoli.
If we find ourselves in Wheaton during the dim sum hours, I am sure we will return.
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