In the Neighborhood: Afghan in Bethesda

Bethesda has a whole lot of trendy new-ish restaurants, but sometimes I think it's really worthwhile to go back to the smaller, more established restaurants for a great meal.  Bacchus and Faryab are two of my favorite Bethesda restaurants, and they have both been around for a while.  I recently went back to Faryab after quite some time, and it was as delicious as I remembered!  (I guess I'll have to go back to Bacchus soon to refresh my memory there as well!) 

Faryab is an Afghan restaurant, which means you can expect lots of lamb and yogurt.  However, the best thing on the menu is the pumpkin.  We ordered the side-dish version as an appetizer, and ended up ordering the entree version later - it really is that good!  The general consensus seemed to be that the side-dish version is actually better (it comes with a fantastic meat sauce, whereas the entree version is vegetarian), so next time I might think about ordering a double of the side dish, rather than the entree (don't get me wrong, though, the entree version is delicious also - but the meat really makes it!).  We ended up splitting a whole bunch of entrees so we could try some of everything.  One entree per person is good in terms of quantity of food (maybe with a few apps thrown in), but sharing allows for more variety!  We had the lamb with spiced rice (I'm skipping the Afghan names here - instead of butchering them, I just pointed to the menu while ordering!), the steamed dumplings, lamb with spinach, lamb with eggplant, and the aforementioned pumpkin.  Like I said, lots of lamb!  Everything really was delicious, but I am a sucker for eggplant (this dish inspired my eggplant stew) and pumpkin.  All of the entrees come with salad (uninspired, but you're not here for the salad) and bread.  There are chicken and shrimp entrees also, so you are not limited to lamb or vegetarian options.

The restaurant is pretty small, so I would definitely recommend reservations if you have a large party (large being more than four).  Service is quick and efficient.  As I said earlier, I definitely think sharing is the way to go, but be prepared for some complex maneuvering to get everything to fit on the table!  Faryab definitely has increased its prices over the years, but it is still pretty reasonably priced.  There is another Afghan restaurant near my house that I have not been to in a while - I may need to go visit soon, because now that I have eggplant and yogurt in my head, I'm going to be craving it for a while!

In the Neighborhood: Vegan Near Columbia Heights

The raw food diet has been getting a good bit of publicity recently (essentially, it is a vegan diet in which food is not heated above a certain temperature - I believe that temp is 118 degrees, but I'm not positive about that).  I recently heard about Everlasting Life, a vegan restaurant in DC that offers a huge variety of raw food options, and I went there for dinner last night.  I didn't entirely know what to expect, but I was really impressed.  The restaurant is cafeteria-style (you pick up your food in the back, pay, and then grab a table), but very cozy, and the food is fabulous!  I wish there were one in Arlington!!

I wanted to try as many things as possible, so I ordered a platter of four raw items - mung bean, marinated kale, spinach quiche, and mock chicken - and my dining companion had the veggie fried chicken sandwich and mac and cheese (those are not raw, but they are vegan).  We also got a cashew nog shake and BANANA PUDDING!!  The chicken sandwich and the mac and cheese really tasted like their non-vegan counterparts.  Both were delicious, and could easily be enjoyed by the vegan-skeptical meat eater.  The mung beans were fabulous and tasted like a noodle salad.  The marinated kale was my favorite - it tasted like kale and garlic, and really you can't get much better than that.  I found the spinach quiche to be the most interesting.  All of the raw items look like salads of one kind or another (using a pretty liberal interpretation of the word "salad"), so the quiche doesn't look like a quiche at all.  It has some great texture, however, that really is reminiscent of the textural contrast in a quiche.  You certainly wouldn't confuse it with a non-vegan quiche, but it was delicious.  Finally, the mock chicken tasted a whole lot like potato salad - very creamy, lots of mustard, finely chopped/shredded pickles and carrots - and would be another great option for any skeptics.  For dessert, the banana pudding was fantastic.  I have no idea how they make vegan pudding, but it was wonderful, with nice slices of banana and a layer of cookie/cake just like "regular" banana pudding.  The cashew nog shake was another surprise for me - I didn't really know what to expect, but it was delicious and creamy and had some lovely spice to it.

If this restaurant were in my neighborhood, I think I would eat there at least once a week.  The prices are comparable to a higher-end fast food restaurant, but the food is much tastier and much better for you.  Plus, the portions are huge.  I brought probably half of my meal home (granted, I then ate most of it last night, but there was some left over for breakfast today!).  It is definitely worth a trip up to Columbia Heights to visit this restaurant, and if you live in the area, you are incredibly lucky!

In the Neighborhood: Pizza in Clarendon

I adore pizza, and given the opportunity, I would probably eat it far more often than is appropriate.  I also love trying out the ever-increasingly pizza options in the DC area.  There isn't really a "DC-style" pizza, and instead we have a pretty good representation of all different styles - New York style, Neopolitan, California style...and New Haven Style!

Last weekend we (finally!) went to Pete's New Haven Style Apizza in Clarendon (they also have locations in Columbia Heights and Friendship Heights), and I was seriously impressed.  I think it is the closest thing to an old-school pizza parlor that I have seen in a while.  You order at the counter, take a number, and find a table.  There is not much in the way of ambiance (if it's nice out, eat outside  - perfect for people-watching!), but the pizza was pretty darn good. 

We had the Elm City pizza (white pizza, fontina cheese, grilled chicken, sauteed wild mushrooms, and caramelized onions), and it was delicious.  The toppings were incredibly fresh (and applied in appropriate amounts - they were not overwhelming), and the pizza was just fantastic.  The crust is thin and crispy, but the handle (is there another name for that?) is still deliciously soft in the middle - just the way I like it.  It is a little dangerous though, since thin crust + a moderate amount of toppings = I don't want to stop eating!

Pete's only offers 18 inch pizzas (you can order specialty pies or pick your own toppings), which are pretty massive.  They could easily serve four people - or leave you with lots of leftovers.  Speaking of leftovers, their take-away boxes actually have directions for reheating the pizza properly - in a covered skillet over medium/low heat (so the crust stays crispy!).  They also serve pasta, paninis, and salads, so you could easily go with a big group and find something for everyone.

If you are in the mood for seriously good pizza in a super-casual environment, Pete's is the place for you!  I know I will be back!

In the Neighborhood: European-ish American in Clarendon

I am always excited when a really good local restaurant is successful, and I am particularly excited when their success allows them to expand.  I have been a huge fan of Liberty Tavern in Clarendon since it opened, and when its success allowed the owners to open additional restaurants - Northside Social and Lyon Hall - I was ecstatic.  I have not been to Northside Social yet (it is a cafe and wine bar, and if I lived in the neighborhood I'm sure I would visit it often - but alas, I don't) but I have been delighted by Lyon Hall both times I have been there. 

My second trip was this past weekend, and I think this experience may actually have been better than the first.  I believe my first trip was on a Friday night, and the happy hour crowd was many hours into being happy.  The food was fantastic, but the place was definitely crowded.  This past Saturday they were busy, but not people-jammed-in-around-the-bar busy.  I also made a reservation this time, which I figured would keep us from having to wait for a table.  Unfortunately, the hostess couldn't find our reservation, but she was extremely helpful and we were seated immediately, anyway.  (Here I am going to devolve into a little rant about reservations.  I think Open Table is extremely convenient, but I feel bad that the restaurant is getting charged just because I don't feel like picking up the phone, so I make an effort to actually call restaurants to make reservations.  However, I have never had a reservation get lost when I made it through Open Table.  I realize I'm not really presenting a solution here, so I guess it's more of a plea to restaurant staff to take down reservations correctly!  Rant completed.)

The food was fab, as expected, as was the beer.  The restaurant has a German/Belgian/slightly French slant to it, and the beer list is extensive (as is the wine list, but I've never ordered wine there).  The menu features standards such as chicken, burgers, fish, and steak (standard, but well executed), and also has sections devoted to mussels, sausages, and charcuterie.  On our visit this past weekend, we all definitely focused on seafood, and I thought the scallops were the winner - perfectly cooked, and served with fantastic cream corn.  The rockfish was also delish, and came with unbelievable stewed eggplant that I will be attempting at home in the near future. 

I love that there is flexibility in planning your meal here - you could run in for a quick meal, or you could order a multi-course bonanza.  The restaurant's layout really encourages the full range of dining options as well.  There is a more-formal (but not formal-formal) dining side (we sat there last weekend), and then on the bar side there are high-top tables that are really casual (we sat there last time).  The full menu is available in both places.  Plus, the staff is great - friendly and responsive, but not overbearing.

In short, I could not more highly recommend Lyon Hall as a fantastic neighborhood restaurant.  The food is great but the restaurant isn't stuffy, and the prices are reasonable.  I will definitely be returning!

In the Neighborhood: Delicious, Locally-Sourced Diner Food

I hadn't been to the Silver Diner in quite a while (several years, probably), but I went for breakfast yesterday, and I was incredibly impressed.  Silver Diner is a small diner chain that can be found in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey.  I had always found them to be a great option for diner food - much better quality than the bigger chains - but this most recent trip really blew the "diner" concept out of the water. 

Silver Diner has started vigorously promoting the fact that they source local ingredients (I'm not sure whether they were locally sourcing before the big advertising campaign), and they have really proven that delicious, locally-source food can be sold at reasonable prices.  Often, the restaurants that loudly tout their local sourcing charge a huge premium, but Silver Diner proves that does not have to be the case.  The entryway features several boards that list the sources of various ingredients as well as special locally-focused dishes.  The menu also does a good job of highlighting local options (as well as healthier options). 

The menu features a huge range of dishes (several pages worth!), but of course...the breakfast options are the way to go, in my opinion.  I had the veggie scramble, which provides quite the smorgasbord - scrambled eggs loaded with vegetables, strawberries with a delicious cinnamon-sour cream sauce (it sounds weird, but oh my word it is delicious), and pancakes.  The most popular dish at our table was definitely the pecan sweet potato pancakes (again, it sounds weird, but they were SO GOOD!), which came with grilled bananas and the fantastic strawberries and sauce.  The menu options are plentiful, and feature some fun and inventive twists on traditional diner dishes.

The line when you arrive may look intimidating, but Silver Diner does an incredible job of keeping things moving (and yet, you don't feel rushed once you sit down).  It is definitely worth the wait, and provides an incredible example for other restaurants that want to combine great taste, local sourcing, and reasonable prices.

In the Neighborhood: Burgers and Pizza and Beer (Oh My!) in Silver Spring

Bar food (and even restaurant-within-a-bar food) tends to have a bad reputation, and often for good reason.  The food is usually fryer-focused and predominantly meat-, carb-, and dairy-based.  Last night, I went to Fire Station One Restaurant & Brewing Co. up in Silver Spring, and it really defied the bar food odds. 

The restaurant is located within an old fire station, and the interior is beautiful.  There are several floors, but they are stepped such that it is very open inside.  The restaurant really does give equal billing to food and drinks.  Two bars mean that there is plenty of access to the liquid half of the equation.  The drink menu is fairly extensive, without being overwhelming, and even features some local beers and wines.  I tried a local beer called They Made Me Do It, and it was delicious. 

Food gets some serious attention, too.  I had a veggie pizza that was topped with the freshest vegetables I have ever seen grace the top of a pie.  The crust was NOT super thin, which was fantastic since that meant the toppings did not go spilling all over the place when I picked up a piece.  My dining companions got a portobello burger (which sounded FANTASTIC and I seriously considered ordering) and a crab cake, which both were applauded. 

Service was incredibly friendly (and they seated me before anyone else arrived, which a lot of restaurants won't do), though there were a few snags.  Unfilled water glasses at our table got a few complaints, but otherwise I was really happy with the staff.  If you are a fan of live music, this is definitely the place to go, because they had it!  You'll probably want to be done with any chatting by the time it starts (it was pretty loud), but I can imagine this would be a great place to grab a drink (or dessert!) and listen to some music.

If you're in the Silver Spring area, I would definitely recommend stopping in for a bite.  Prices are very reasonable, and the menu offers plenty of options (some dishes can even be made vegan).  If you want to check it out, the website is http://firestation-1.com/.

In the Neighborhood: Tapas and Paella Around the City

Yesterday was a very Jaleo day.  They did a demonstration (and tasting!) at the farmers' market, and then our apartment complex had a get together at the Crystal City location.  The restaurant (along with Chef Andres' other restaurants) has been getting great publicity since Chef Jose Andres was just named Outstanding Chef of the Year by the James Beard Foundation.

I realize that this is almost blasphemous to even think around here, but I am somewhat ambivalent about the food at Jaleo.  On one hand, the paella is phenomenal.  I tried a veggie and olive version at the farmers' market and a chicken and mushroom version at the party, and both were unbelievable.  THAT is something I could eat every day.  In terms of the tapas, however, I just wasn't blown away.  It pains me to say it, because I really WANT to love everything there, but sadly it's true.  There were some really yummy items - fantastic chicken croquettas, beautiful shrimp sauteed with garlic, chorizo wrapped in a fried slice of potato - but then there were some options that produced a really meh reaction - an egg and potato omelette, a salad with beets and pistachios, endive leaves filled with goat cheese, oranges, and almonds.

I have eaten at both the Chinatown and Crystal City locations on previous occassions, and sadly I have had the same reaction in the past.  I am definitely NOT trying to insinuate that the food is bad.  I just don't think it lives up to all the hype.  With any given dish, it seems you've got equal chances of getting a great burst of flavor or getting something fairly generic.  Now, it does help that if you are ordering tapas, the volume of food you order will help ensure you get SOMETHING unique and delicious.

If you are looking for a great experience, Jaleo definitely delivers on that account (as do all of Jose Andres' restaurants at which I have eaten).  Service is incredibly friendly, and the ambiance is great (the Crystal City location seems to be less crowded than the spot in Chinatown).  It is definitely a great location to grab a drink and a bite with some friends.  But I would go with the paella for a guaranteed culinary delight.

In the Neighborhood: American Bistro in Cleveland Park

I never had the opportunity to visit Ardeo or Bardeo in their previous incarnations, but I definitely liked what I saw with the new (combined) Ardeo + Bardeo!  The upstairs patio is definitely the way to go if the weather is nice, but the interior space is beautiful (though a little dark).  The restaurant is pretty small and tables are close together, so be prepared that you might be getting cozy with your neighbors.

Considering that Bardeo used to be a devoted wine bar, I was expecting a decent wine list, and the list definitely did not disappoint.  No phone books here, though - the list is pretty compact, but provides a good selection.  There are plenty of wines available by the glass, and the bottle prices are very reasonable, so it is definitely a good option for a wine-happy dinner!

As for the food, everything was very fresh, and preparations were simple.  The menu is all over the place - cheeses, charcuterie, pastas, fish, even a burger thrown in there - which can be a blessing (there's something for everyone!) or a curse (it's pretty hard to masterfully cover all those different categories).  I didn't hear any complaints from my dining companions, but we were pretty focused on the pasta and vegetable selections, so I can't attest that all the bases are really covered.  The crispy brussels sprouts were FABULOUS.  They are paired with apricots, pistachios, and yogurt and were really out of this world.  I will definitely be doing some experimenting with this combination at home.  I also had the agnolotti with rabbit bolognese.  The sauce was delicious and the carrot puree was a really unexpected but delightful accompaniment.  However, the pasta itself was a bit thick for my taste, though it was well cooked.  Also, agnolotti are "pillow" pasta, but what I found on my plate looked more like bolster pillows than throw pillows.  Normally I don't get too hung up on doing things a specific way with food BUT in this case, if the pasta is so big that you have to cut it, all the filling comes out!  I ended up cutting each piece of pasta into thirds, and the middle had filling squirting out of it, while the ends were mostly pasta.  I am probably just being picky - it still tasted good!

Service was really fantastic - attentive but not overbearing, and all the staff were incredibly friendly.  I haven't spent a huge amount of time in Cleveland Park, but next time I find myself in the neighborhood, Ardeo + Bardeo will definitely be on my radar for a good meal!

In the Neighborhood: Brunch in Del Ray

I guess I should not be surprised that Mother's Day weekend turned out very brunchy.  The Washington Post Magazine Dining section yesterday did a feature on three brunch spots, and coincidentally, I was planning to share my new favorite brunch restaurant - FireFlies in Del Ray!  (Sadly, the Post did not feature FireFlies, but I am ok with that.) 

The food was delicious, plentiful, and reasonably prices.  The brunch menu really incorporates breakfast and lunch options, which is fantastic.  They have everything from eggs and pancakes to burgers and pizzas, so there is something for everyone.  Plus, they have a whole section of the menu devoted to different varies of Eggs Benedict - yum!  Yesterday, I had the Southern Benedict (buttermilk biscuits, chicken fried steak, poached eggs, and gravy!), which was delicious.  (Incidentally, I was thrilled to learn that there is someplace in the area that serves chicken fried steak - it is hard to find!)  My dining partners had the Best BBQ Burger (ham, cheese, grilled red onions, and BBQ sauce on a burger) and scrambled eggs and pancakes.  Everything was delicious!

The restaurant has a small stage, and it seems that they frequently have musicians perform.  Sunday brunch includes a bluegrass band, which was just fantastic.  The ambiance is very neighborhood-y, and the prices are such that I could envision coming back often.

In the Neighborhood: Tex-Mex in Del Ray

If you are in the mood for a BIG place of Tex-Mex, you've got to head over to Los Tios Grill in Del Ray (Alexandria).  The restaurant is big, usually packed, and loud, but I think that really just speaks to the popularity of the restaurant.  If it is a weekend (and ESPECIALLY if the weather is nice and you want to eat outside), be prepared to wait for a table.  The bar is large and the drinks are very good, however, so as long as you're mentally prepared to wait, it's not too bad.  The drink that you should not miss is the lemonade (non-alcoholic, so it's fun for the whole family.)  It is made in-house and is probably the best lemonade I have ever had.  Seriously.

The food makes the wait worthwhile.  As soon as you sit down, servers start arriving with chips and salsa.  The chips are fresh-made, and often arrive nice and warm.  The chips and salsa keep coming...so pace yourself!  Entrees are substantial, so try not to fill up on the chips!  The enchiladas are fantastic, and the spinach enchiladas are particularly noteworthy because so many other restaurants don't do them well.  Instead of stringy, cold spinach, the enchiladas at Los Tios are filled with well-cooked spinach that is well incorporated with the cheese.  Meat options are also delicious, and the meat is of good quality.  The chicken enchiladas might be my favorite option.  The chili rellenos are delicious, though on my last trip the batter was overly dense.  I really liked the tamals, though my dining partner was not a huge fan.  There was a wonderful spice note that I could not identify; it reminded me of Christmas (cloves, maybe?).  The accompaniments on the platters are fantastic (and extensive).  Platters come with beans and rice, sour cream, guacamole, and pico do gallo.  The beans and rice are particularly noteworthy: the beans are beautifully cooked, but still resemble beans, rather than a shapeless blob, and the rice includes pieces of carrots and corn - no bland white rice here! 

In addition to Tex-Mex favorites, Los Tios also features a large selection of Salvadorean dishes.  I seem to always be in the mood for Tex-Mex when I go there, but the huge menu means there is something for everyone!

In the Neighborhood: Brunch in Dupont

Eating breakfast out on a weekday is a fantastic treat, but finding good sit-down options can be challenging.  There are plenty of restaurants open for breakfast and brunch on the weekend, but few carry their a.m. enthusiasm through the week.  Hotel restaurants tend to hold the most promise, and the Tabard Inn in particular fulfills that promise.  The hotel is a tiny little building that you could easily walk right past; the lobby is very quaint (you have to walk through the lobby and a little sitting room to get to the restaurant); and the restaurant is likewise tiny and charming.  There is a bar, a small dining area, and a patio that looks fantastic - it was a bit chilly at breakfast time, but it looked like they were setting up the patio for later today; it is shaping up to be a beautiful day! 

The service was pretty slow (and my dining companion's cappuccino arrived cold, which was unfortunate), but the food more than made up for the wait.  I had an omelette with goat cheese and mushrooms and my dining partner had an egg white omelette with goat cheese, spinach, and tomato.  Both dishes were delicious.  The accompanying toast comes with a delightful raspberry jam, which has no seeds and the consistency of barbeque sauce - it sounds weird, but it was so good I could have eaten it with a spoon.  We also tried the applewood smoked bacon, which was fantastic - nice and thick and crispy without being burnt.

It can take weeks to get a weekend brunch reservation at the Tabard Inn, but it might be worth planning a little mid-week indulgence and going for the weekday breakfast!

In the Neighborhood: BBQ in DC (and MD, and VA)

For the best BBQ in the (DC) area, you've got to go to Rocklands.  I always go for a pulled pork (they call it chopped pork) sandwich, but the beef brisket is also delicious.  The BBQ chicken is also very good...and that's about all I can say about the meats.  I haven't tried the others.  Really, it is impressive that I ever made it past the pork.  As for the sides, Rocklands offers pretty standard BBQ options, and they are done very well.  The Texas corn pudding is their specialty, and it is very good.  The collard greens (I love green leafy vegetables!) are respectable (though sadly not as good as those at many Southern restaurants, they will satisfy your craving).  The side that is not to be missed, however, is the mac and cheese.  I have left many restaurants disappointed that the mac and cheese was not better than the version I make at home.  But this is not one of those restaurants.  Condiments abound at Rocklands; there is plenty of extra BBQ sauce, should you find yourself needing more (you probably won't NEED it, but you'll want it!), as well as a healthy selection of hot sauces, in case you want to amp up the spice. 

Last night was my first time visiting the Rocklands in DC (it is in Glover Park, and it is actually the original location), and any potential future visitors should be forewarned that it is very small.  The location in Arlington (the one that got me hooked!) is bigger and offers a lot more seating, so that is something to keep in mind if you are looking for a (very casual) sit-down meal, and especially if you have a large group.  Rocklands also has restaurants in Rockville, MD, and Alexandria, VA, and all of the locations offer take-out, so you can enjoy the experience at home as well!

In the Neighborhood: Thai in Westover

In trying to decide where to eat this evening, I started craving something crunchy and spicy.  Spicy, like I wouldn't be able to taste anything for two days.  In retrospect, I think my mind may have been...exaggerating on that last point.  I'm glad my dinner wasn't that hot.  Anyway, given my fairly specific craving, I started thinking "duck" and "Thai."  Also, I wanted to try someplace new.  Crystal City and Columbia Pike both have some great Thai restaurants, but I was kind of just looking for a change of scenery (but without having to go too far!).  A little research led us to Thai Noy in Arlington's Westover neighborhood, and it turned out to be a fabulous choice.  The restaurant is tucked away in the same little shopping area as Lost Dog Cafe (also a great restaurant).  We dined early, so I think we beat the crowds.  There was parking available on the street, and the restaurant was only about a quarter full. 

Walking into the restaurant was incredibly relaxing.  The interior is cozy yet beautiful, and it was fairly quiet.  The menu is pretty extensive; it includes standards such as Pad Thai and a variety of curries, as well as some items that were new to me.  We ordered the crispy rolls as an appetizer, and they came out so quickly that I had to wonder about their freshness.  They were respectable though; they were nice and crunchy, and enough to take the edge off our hunger so we could enjoy our entrees.  I ordered the Duck Chu Chee (crispy! and spicy!) and my dining partner had the Wild Boar Basil.  The duck was delicious.  The fat had been nicely rendered and the skin was nice and crispy.  Most of the spice was in the sauce, and it was not nearly as hot as I had anticipated (or hoped?) - the spice was pleasant without being overwhelming, and could be controlled by varying the amount of sauce in each bite.  Overall, the dish really hit the spot.  The Wild Boar Basil was not nearly as exciting as the name would imply (it was pork, not boar), but delicious nonetheless.  The pork was a little overcooked (it was cut into thin stir-fry-style strips, which would be super easy to overcook), but overall the dish was delicious.  It had three chili peppers on the menu (the spiciest classification), but was not overwhelmingly spicy at all.  Both dishes did a very good job of using spice to enhance the flavor of the dish, rather than to mask it.  That being said, in the future I would consider asking them to amp up the spice just a little. 

Throughout the meal, people were coming in to get take-out orders, so I would image this place is pretty popular with people living in the neighborhood.  They are lucky to have it, and I definitely think it would be worth a trip back in the future!

In the Neighborhood: Beachy Bar Food in Crystal City

On a cold and dreary night (like last night), the flourescent frontage of Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant is a welcome sight.  The menu is much more extensive than most bar offerings (it offers pastas, salads, and full entrees in addition to the usual sandwiches, burgers, and appetizers), and the food is pretty decent.  Last night our party went fish-heavy.  I had a salmon burger; I was surprised that a bar offered a salmon burger, but it was good!  I also got some tastes of the fish and chips, which were respectable - the fish was flaky and the coating was crisp, with a salty bite, and the fries were the nice thick-but-not-too-thick kind.  Salt seems to have been a challenge for the restaurant (last time I went, I had fajitas that were so salty I was unable to finish the dish - and it is RARE for me not to clean my plate), but seasoning seems to have been less of an issue this time.  Plus, salt keeps you drinking, right?  Which brings us to the real reason to visit Freddie's - the drinks! 

They have a decent selection of beers and some wines, but the real treat is the cocktails.  They tend to be (a) very colorful and (b) very strong.  The Green Monkey was sweet, with just enough coconut flavor to be refreshing without being overwhelming; the Rum Rita was SOUR, but somehow irresistable!  In a welcome change from many bars, the cocktail menu actually lists the ingredients in each (cleverly-named) drink, so you know what you will be drinking. 

No matter whether you stop in for drinks or food, be sure to stick around for karaoke.  Some of the performers are pretty hardcore (is there a professional karaoke league anywhere?) and really good (one guy sounded just like Nathan Lane).  However, the crowd is very supportive, so even newbies are welcome to rock out!

In the Neighborhood: Tapas in Midtown

Last night we went to Panache for a birthday dinner, and I left the restaurant surprised I had never heard of the place before yesterday.  The restaurant is a bit hidden - it is on a side street behind the Mayflower Hotel - so it could be overlooked pretty easily.   It is in a perfect location, however, if you either live/work in the area or want to grab a bite before a night out in Dupont.  The service overall was good, though there were some off moments.  The greeters were extremely friendly.  While we were waiting in the bar area for the rest of the group to arrive, the bartender managed to made himself pretty scarce, though it seemed like he was the only person serving that side of the restaurant so I'm sure he was super busy.  However, once we got seated (in a nice cozy booth!) and started ordering, things went smoothly.  We ordered tapas and they started coming out right away, and were nicely spaced so we could enjoy everything but still have plenty of variety on the table.  They must have had a run on wine last night because the server indicated they were running out of some of the offerings, but the bottles we got were good.

But really, the highlight of the evening was the food.  We ordered tapas so we could try a little of everything, and it turned out great.  The tapas menu is pretty extensive and includes both hot and cold offerings, so we were really able to find something for everybody.  If you like your food raw, they had some awesome offerings.  The tuna tartare was delicious, and the beef carpaccio was fantastic.  There were plenty of vegetarian options as well.  The zucchini purses were delightful - I am going to have to try to recreate them at home.  The grilled portobellos were good (anything with goat cheese is good in my book!), the wild mushrooms were delish, and the fattoush and grilled vegetable dishes was simple but satisfying.  In terms of fish, the crab cakes were decent and the rockfish was delicious.  The only set of offerings for which my overall impression was less than steller was the cooked meats.  We tried the chicken satay, beef skewers, and smoked pork; all were decent, but not worth a special trip.

If you are in the mood for tapas but do not want to deal with the crowds at some of the bigger-name tapas restaurants downtown, Panache is a really good option.  It is small, so you would probably want to make a reservation, but it is lovely and the overall experience was such that I would recommend it.

In the Neighborhood: Indian Food in Crystal City

There are a number of restaurants that I see all the time in my neighborhood but have not yet managed to try (sadly!).  I am making a belated New Years resolution to visit those restaurants.  I recently visited Sushi Garden, which turned out to be a delight, and I am happy to say the same is true for Kohinoor Dhaba.  This restaurant is located in what I am guessing used to be a house and is fairly remote from the other restaurants in Crystal City.  However, it is worth the trek.  They offer a buffet, which according to the sign outside is available all day (I went at lunchtime), and they have a full menu as well (and they deliver!).  I love a little variety, so I went for the buffet.  The spread was pretty extensive: Chole (chickpeas - and oh my word were they spicy); Bhindi Masala (okra - also lights a fire in your mouth); Chicken Tandoori, Chicken Tikka Masala (with a sauce I could have eaten with a spoon); goat curry (there's a way to get your adventurous eating fix - it was pretty good!); and Kadi Pakora.  I had never tried Kadi Pakora before, but I think it is now pretty high up on my list of favorite Indian dishes.  It includes vegetarian dumplings (chickpea flour and a bunch of spices, according to my research) in a yogurt sauce and was just delicious.  The buffet included standards such as rice, a green salad, and accompanying sauces.  They also had a spicy onion side (it lived up to its name!) and rice pudding, which sadly I did not try.

The restaurant is small and very casual (pretty much the way I prefer it!).  The staff is extremely nice and definitely on top of things.  The buffet is located right inside the front door, and when we walked in the server was on the phone so we just indicated we were going to have the buffet, seated ourselves, and got right down to the food.  The server disappeared for a few minutes, and then reappeared with fresh, hot naan for us - before we even asked!  I believe there is seating upstairs, though there was plenty of space on the main level while we were there.

I am thrilled to have this restaurant as a nearby option.  The food was delicious, and the environment was so friendly and relaxed that I would be happy to return again and again.  At about nine dollars per person, the buffet is comparable in price to their entrees, so if you are eating there, I say go for the variety.  I will have to try the take-out next, and I look forward to trying some dishes that were not on the buffet!

Farewell to an (In)famous Local Restaurant

I was saddened to learn today that The General Store in Silver Spring is closed.  Check out the Washington Post for the full story.  The restaurant was somewhat of a DC-area Food Network staple - Gillian Clark beat Bobby Flay in a fried chicken throwdown on "Throwdown! with Bobby Flay," and the restaurant was featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."  Meanwhile, a bit of a public outcry resulted when the restaurant's owners posted on YouTube a number of videos mocking their customers.  Despite the controversy, the fried chicken was pretty darn good (and the collard greens!  and the hush puppies!), the decor was...memorable (life-sized stuffed bear, anyone?), and the hot sauce selection was respectable.  Now I guess we will just have to wait for the Kitchen on K Street!

In the Neighborhood: Pizza in Penn Quarter

For last night's dinner (a very special birthday dinner!), we returned to our old stand-by, Ella's Wood Fired Pizza in Penn Quarter.  It has probably been a year since our last trip, and the restaurant was consistent as always.  Penn Quarter/Chinatown is an uber-convenient location, since we had people coming from MD, DC, and VA, and Ella's low-key atmosphere is always welcome.  Be prepared to wait, since they don't take reservations during prime dining hours (though you can call 30 minutes ahead of your desired time to get on the waiting list).  Yesterday, we were on the waiting list with a party of 6 for 7:00 and got seated at 7:20, which was not bad at all (and they let us sit without a complete party, which they usually don't do, so that was awesome).  Nights when there are events at the Verizon Center - especially Caps games - tend to involve larger crowds and longer wait times, so be prepared for that, but last night we got lucky and it was pretty quiet.

As for the food...their pizzas are really good.  I love the crust, I think they get just the right balance of crispy exterior and soft interior.  They have a great selection of toppings, and I have never been disappointed.  Last night I went halvsies on the Lombari and the Melanzane, which were both very good, though I think my favorite is still the Bosco (I love mushrooms!  and garlic!).  The individual pizzas are a good size for one person.  I have never tried anything other than pizza, but they do have menu options including salads, pastas, and calzones.

The drink list focuses mainly on beer and wine, though they have a full bar as well.  The beer and wine selections are varied and very good, without being overwhelming.  They have a Nero d'Avola by the glass, and any restaurant that can say that is automatically at the top of my list (I have been seeing it on more and more wine lists recently - so exciting!!).  Last night we tried the house-made limoncello, which I liked, though two-thirds of our party definitely did not like it.  If you like limoncello, though, you are in luck!

Overall, Ella's is a good option for consistently good pizza in a laid-back environment.  It's a little pricey for a pizza place, but pretty consistent with the neighborhood.  Ella's also has great happy hour specials, including $3.50 sangria, which run from 4-7 pm, so it is a nice happy hour option for those who work in the area!

In the Neighborhood: Sushi in Crystal City

I have lived in Crystal City for years and have walked past Sushi Garden more times than I can count, but I have just never gotten around to stopping in until today.  I didn't know what I was missing!  The place is tiny; it's just a counter in the underground with four seats - no door or anything.  At lunch they only serve pre-made sushi, but at dinner the chef makes it right in front of you (I will be definitely be going back for dinner!).  The selection is great and the rolls are HUGE.  The rolls are about the same price you would pay for sushi at the grocery store but infinitely better quality.  We tried a roll with shrimp in the middle and salmon on top, as well as a rainbow roll, and they were both delicious.  Sushi Garden would be great for take-out, since they have plenty of pre-made food, but it was really fun to sit at the counter and watch the world go by - and I bet it would be even better at dinner with the chef working right in front of you!

Hidden (Crown) Jewel?

I have been doing a little research into the Serbian Crown restaurant out in Great Falls, and I am not sure how this restaurant has not jumped to the top of some unspoken DC foodie must-visit list.  (Full disclosure: I have not actually been to this restaurant.  But I plan to visit!)  Specifically, I am flummoxed that people have not jumped on the wild game portion of their menu.  With offering such as emu, antelope, wild boar, and LION, I would think more people would visit just to try those dishes (or maybe everybody doesn't go out of their way to try unusual foods?).  Aside from these more far-out dishes, their menu  includes an extensive assortment of Russian and French offerings.  Apparently they take their vodka and their entertainment (they have a piano bar! and sing-alongs! and dancing!) very seriously.  Reviews of their service are mixed, from what I have read (but really, that seems to be the case with almost all restaurants on user review sites, which is what I was using).  At less than half an hour outside the city, I will be planning a trip soon!