DC Eats

Mie N Yu "Social Underground" Blind Tiger Prix Fixed Menu

2010-06-06T14:12:00.008-04:00

I've done a write up on Mie N Yu, however it's been quite some time since I've revisited the restaurant. I recently got an invitation to try out the new "Social Underground" Blind Tiger Prix Fixed Menu. For $25 whopping dollars you get 3 courses. If you've ever been to Mie N Yu, you know the concept and theme of the restaurant is the Silk Road. It is amazing because they have trained and educated their staff extensively because they are quite knowledgeable about the topic, the restaurant and the menu. Despite the fact that I was invited to try the menu I will still give you my review the good with the bad.

When I walked in and checked in with the host she seated me and gave me a forewarning that I was going to have a waitress that had just started. (I believe her name was Karya). Despite the fact that she was new, she was knowledge, quick, efficient, and a pleasure to chat with. There is quite an extensive wine menu and I tried two cocktails on the cocktail menu. I didn't quite like the first one (Pink Pagoda) because it was just too sweet, but the second one (White Tiger) rectified their mixed cocktail menu.

The first course was an option of Zataar Hummus with Ful and the Sonomono Blue Crab Salad. My fiancee was with me so we tried both. We weren't fans of the Zataar Hummus with Ful. It was just a bit overwhelming and the spices actually took away from the Hummus. It was almost as if someone took all the powdered spices that are used in a curry, pan fried them in olive oil and just tossed it on top of the Hummus. The Sonomono Blue Crab Salad however, was AWESOME. The vinaigrette complimented the soba noodle salad quite well. The edamame, green veggies, soba noodles, and vinaigrette was well thought out, and a great cooling dish in these hot hellish weather days.

First course =)

Second Course Options - Char Masala Lamb Kabob and Beijing Style Lacquered Duck. Once again me and the fiancee tried both. The lamb and duck are both locally farm raised (in Virginia and Pennsylvania). The lamb kabobs were served with a roasted coriander yogurt sauce which went well with the gamey lamb. The duck had a sweet and spicy taste that had me craving for more. The flavor was really infused in the meat.

The Beijing Style Lacquered Duck

By the third course we were almost completely stuffed but we kept going. There are four options on the menu Pakistani Cinnamon & Ginger Striped Bass, Indonesian Scallop "Kare", Lamb Wild Mushroom & Tofu Fried Rice, and Indonesian Chicken "Rica Rica". We decided to go with the striped bass and the scallops. The striped bass is a MUST. The sauce was creamy, complimenting the spiced bass. I was in heaven with each bite. The scallops were surprisingly not as good as I expected them to be. I wasn't thrilled. The scallops seemed a bit over carmelized. I reiterate I HIGHLY RECOMMEND trying the bass dish.

Third Course

All in all the Blind Tiger Prix Fixed menu is not a bad inexpensive dinner option. The cost is recession friendly and dishes are palate worthy (plus or minus a few items). It's definitely a nice option to have, heck this is a great option for a large dinner party. With a few tweaks to the menu it could be superior. The decor, and options of seating on the Silk Road are a nice touch as well.

Againn

2010-05-31T17:01:00.011-04:00

Area: Downtown (suggest metro McPherson Square or Metro Center)
Location: 1099 New York Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001
Cost: $$
Website: http://www.againndc.com

It was a gray and cloudy afternoon when I met an ex coworker of mine for lunch at Againn. I've been wanting to check this place out for quite some time. Driving by in the evenings the dim amber lights emitting from the glass windows that adorn a majority of the restaurant seem so inviting, particularly to the bar. So I decided this would be a perfect opportunity to check it out. There was the option to sit on the patio area however, I was skeptical with the thick gray clouds hovering above, and as of late haven't really trusted the local weather forecast, so I chose the safe route and decided to sit inside. On the inside the restaurant looks like what I would assume a gastropub in England would look like with dark wood booths and tables. It's very simple and to the point. Farther back in the restaurant there is a vast selection of wines lining the wall and private "scotch lockers". It was cute, simple, and seemed like an upscale cafe.

The Scotch Lockers

Now let's get to the real deal...The FOOD! The cocktail and wine menu was quite extensive. The food menu was scaled down and to the point. Definitely pub food with a bit of pizazz. My previous co-worker decided on the crab cake sandwich with the Brussels sprouts with chunks of ham and I decided on the fish and chips with mushy peas with the pan fried bubble and squeak and organic greens for my sides (I opted out of the chips on this one, I was trying to make it as healthy as possible).

Fish sandwich and organic greens

Brussell sprouts and the Bubble and Squeak

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with the pan friend bubble and squeak but it was surprisingly good. It was like a flavorful hash brown patty. The fish was on a sandwich and it was quite interesting, it was a white fish and was a little mushy, but quite honestly simply one of the best fish sandwiches I have had that wasn't fried. The fish was buttery and fresh. The dressing on the organic green tasted homemade. I was only able to eat half of the sandwich (which was even better the next day) and half of the bubble and squeak.

My ex co-worker was thrilled with her crab cake sandwich and even ordered a second helping to take home for dinner. I did take a taste of the brussell sprouts and fries and if I wasn't so full from my own platter I would have demolished her sides as well. I also had the homemade lemonade, delish and refreshing.

I can't wait to come back and try out the rest of the menu and get a chance to check out the cocktails. The food is tasty, and the dishes are pretty awesome without all the fuss. I checked out their happy hour menu online and they have my kinds of deals on food and drinks. Againn, you will see me, well, again. This is a great place to hang with friends, or a great lunch spot for a meeting or just convening with friends and old colleagues. The patio area is now open, so add this to your selection of patio seated dining options. This place deserves all the rave reviews it has received. To top the food, the service was pretty good.

Oyamel

2010-05-24T21:36:00.004-04:00

Area: Penn Quarter (Archives Navy Mem'l Penn Quarters metro stop, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green line)
Location: 401 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Cuisine: Mexican
Cost: $$$
Website: http://www.oyamel.com/

During SnoGasm I had plenty of time to eat. On the first day of snow a girlfriend of mine and a friend of hers decided to grab something to eat for a late lunch. Her friend was from Brazil and highly recommended we meet up at Oyamel. I've always walked past it and noticed it was uniquely decorated with little skull clad looking dolls that are reminiscent of New Orleans Mardi Gras vibe.

Anywho I digress, I walk into Oyamel and noticed how interesting the decor really is! I love it, there are these really cute metal butterfly fixtures on the ceilings, the booths are intimate, and there is a party room in the back. The butterflies are a nice contrast the more dark latin theme, that is actually very festive (think Mardi Gras).

I strongly urge folks to make reservations for the restaurant. As they tend to always be busy unless you are coming in just after they have opened when business tends to drag for the first hour or so. However I strongly suggest making reservations. Well we were quickly seated. The servers are really good, I've had a few that took a little time getting to our table, but overall they all have been good at making suggestions. The first thing I HAVE TO ORDER is the guacamole, you can get it mild, medium or spicy. With my foreign roots I have to get mine spicy and they never fail to deliver.

The menu is fairly basic with tacos, salads, soups, and its meats, poultry and seafood dishes, but they have perfected having a diverse variety of flavors. There is also a very extensive vegetarian selection on the menu, which is a big plus when you are eating out with groups of people. People who have dietary restrictions to only Halal, Kosher, or vegetarian have no problem ordering food from Oyamel.

There are a few distinct items on the menu that make this place stand out: Grilled cactus paddles, beef tongue tacos, and grasshopper tacos. I wasn't brave enough to try he grasshopper but I did try to beef tongue tacos, and despite the fact that the texture is a bit tough, it wasn't so bad. I'm not a fan of the tacos, but the fact that they have unique types of tacos helps. The tortillas are pretty authentic though. I had the goat and that was probably the best out of the selection of the tacos. The chicken taco's were okay but not super savory.

The ceviche is awesome! I've had the tuna and the yellowtail ceviche and they are both so delish, I can't wait to try to the blue marlin ceviche. =) I highly recommend getting the scallops. They are savory and seasoned just right. The black bean soup is really, really good. The mussels are fairly decent, as well as the camarones dish. The tamales are small but are decent bite sized deliciousness. They have the right amount of seasoning and cheese where it's not overwhelming.

I'm sure there are more dishes that I tried but cannot remember. The plates are served antojitos (small plates) style so you definitely have to order more than one plate to fill up. It's pretty good for groups because you get a chance to try a little bit of everything but beware if you order the tacos, you usually only get one so there aren't too many to share, but if you don't like it you won't be stuck with eating more than one. Makes life simple. The plates are reasonably priced, however your tab can start adding up after order all the different plates.

One benefit of this place is the variety of non-alcoholic beverages. Don't get me wrong I like my liquored up beverages but my palate doesn't always require it so it is nice to have other options. Their menu has some very authentic drinks from milky spiced to the sugary sweet flavors.

All in all, if your craving some good Hispanic food and you want a nice atmosphere I would HIGHLY recommend Oyamel. You really can't go wrong. If your having a large group dinner plan it in advance and they can set you up with a prix fixed menu, however it can be slightly costly, but really worth your money (learned this from experience). And like all restaurants if they are busy expect the service to be a bit slow.

Lauriol Plaza

2009-08-27T16:37:00.003-04:00

Area: Dupont Circle (Red Line Dupont Circle metro stop)
Location: 1835 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009
Cuisine: Mexican
Cost: $$

Lauriol Plaza has had a LOT of hype. Ever since I have been in DC all I ever hear about is everyone going to Lauriol Plaza for happy hour to order their famous pitchers of margharitas. I must admit, they are DELICIOUS! I can probably finish one alone. But it is always more fun to share. Anywho, I'm transgressing. I've always heard so much hype about Lauriol Plazas drinks and their food. Now I definitely agree with everyone on the drinks part, because like I said the margharita's are a must have. They also offer some pretty decent selection of beers, if you are a beer person. Me, not so much.

Lauriol Plaza has outdoor seating outside, which is where I usually like to sit because I love people watching. There are two floors, a bar at the front of the restaurant, and an outdoor deck upstairs on the second floor. It is almost always a long wait to get a table. Oh, and parking is usually pretty bad, they have valet, but they usually fill up pretty quick. My suggestion, park far and just walk, use public transportation, or just save the Earth and walk.

The service can be iffy. Sometimes the waiters take forever but they are usually so on point you don't even notice it. As long as the margharitas are flowing I'm not complaining. They serve you salsa and chips to tide you over while you wait, which is always nice and I almost always end up asking for a second batch. The food itself, well it's pretty average. I'm not really a fan of the entrees. The mussells are pretty amazing, which is why I'm constantly being dragged to dine there, even against my will. The avacado salad is pretty good as well. Healthy, but fills you right on up. The tamales and enchiladas are okay, but your safer ordering the quesadillas. There is more hype to this place than the food is really worth. But hey if your the type to follow the hype, this place is definitely it, as it's always packed (all floors including the outdoor seating), and the drinks and mussells can con you into coming back time and time again.

Belga Cafe

2009-08-27T16:34:00.003-04:00

Location: 514 8th St. SE, Washington, Dc
Neighborhood: Barracks Row
Cost: $$$
Cusine: Belgan

I had an informal business meeting at Belga Cafe one evening. Reservations are strongly suggested as this place tends to fill up fast. It's small and quaint with romantic dim lighting and the chef's corner is visible in the back. I can't lie I was a little skeptical because I was very naive about Belgan food, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Well I'm glad I didn't have any reservations. I may have found a new love that evening. French fries with mayonaise? Absurd! But, AMAZING! The fries are hand made and they add a little something to the mayonaisa but, man those things were so good, maybe even better than my moms homemade fries. Next up for the appetizers were the mussels, and man Belgians sure know what the heck they are doing with mussels. I mean the creamy white wine sauce that the mussels simmered in made you want to keep digging for more mussels in the pot after you had already ran out.

The menu had a good variety. Duck, lamb, scallops, chicken, beef, were all offered on the menu. But the way they were presented and the sides they offered with the entrees had to have been carefully crafted by the chef gods themselves, because it took me forever to reach a decision on what I would order. I had the lamb, my date for the evening had the duck. I think I may have even offered to swap plates because his duck was sooooooo good. I have actually had cravings the past couple of weeks for this particular duck dish. The lamb was pretty good, perfectly seasoned and grilled to perfection. But I can't stop raving about the duck. For beer lovers, Belga Cafe has a pretty lavish list of Belgian beers on tap.

Don't be surprised if I take advantage of Belga Cafe and restaurant week, just hope my duck is as I remembered it...

Famoso

2009-04-27T10:24:00.005-04:00

Location: Chevy Chase/Friendship Heights
Nearest Metro: Redline Friendship Heights
Website: http://www.famosorestaurant.com/

This is what you call a place that has Hollywood Swank. How could you not when the restaurant is located next to Tiffany & Co. & Barney's Co-op. Don't be surprised when you see plenty of famous and infamous people here. On the warmer days the patio is available for seating. Decorated with a grand style bar and white formica chairs and tables. The servers and waiters/waitresses are decent.

Now onto the juicy good stuff, the food! I strongly suggest this place for brunch. It's perfect with an Italian menu crafted with pizza, pasta, salads, foccaci, and paninis. The brunch menu also includes breakfast items such as omelets and waffles, which are all very delectable. The food isn't as pricey as you would expect, but the presentation of the food would make you think that your pockets would cry when you walk out, but quite the contrary. The pizzas are AMAZING. Thin crust, fresh ingredients, you cannot go wrong ordering one of these creations. The other day for brunch I had the salmon and baby goat cheese foccaci with arugala. I must say not only was it larger than I expect, but it was awesome. I might have to sneak back and grab another one this weekend.

Sei

2009-03-16T10:25:00.005-04:00

Location: 444 7th St. NW, Washington DC, 20004
Penn Quarters
Nearet Train: China Town (red, yellow, green line)
Website: http://www.seirestaurant.com/

Sei is a new restaurant in Penn Quarters, that just opened in late January, by the same people who have produced Oya. When you walk in, you can have the same expectations of Oya. It's clean, modern, upscale, and has awesome service. The white walls and contemporary decor really take you outside of Penn Quarters and put you somewhere else. It's definitely noticeable that the management puts a lot of emphasis on customer service and it shows, good job. The bartenders were pretty good at making great drinks, and the saki menu is pretty extensive. The waitress was quite personable and so were the runners.

The menu is creative and keeps the basics of sushi with a flare. I enjoyed the appetizers they offered. Sei is a little pricier, but not unreasonable. I would strongly suggest this place for a happy hour or for a romantic date. Definitely need to check it out. I think it's the next IT Sushi spot.

Hank's Oyster Bar

2008-12-15T09:37:00.002-05:00

Location: Dupont Circle (Q & 17th st)1624 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Metro: Red Line Dupont Circle Metro Stop
Cuisine: Seafood
Website: hanksdc.com

So a couple of friends of mine planned a surprise birthday dinner at Hank's for my roomies birthday. It was a Sunday night, and they don't take reservations, you just have to get there to get your name on the list and wait. Since it was a Sunday night they weren't particularly busy, so it wasn't long before we could get a table. However while we were waiting for the rest of the group & the birthday girl to show up, we decided to grab a few drinks at the bar. Everything was going fine, UNTIL, a little bug decided to run around our drinks and nearly attack us. I grabbed a napkin and quickly killed the little fellow. I was HIGHLY disappointed with how the bartender reacted, he didn't even comp our drinks or grab a manager to let them know what just happened. It was a BUG on the bar!!! Right near our glasses. I was SHOCKED that the bartender didn't go out of his way to correct this one. This action made me skeptical about the rest of the dinner, but I was put to ease once we were seated to our table and we had the most patient waitress ever!

The restaurant is pretty small and fills up pretty fast. We had a party of 10, and I know from my own experience as a waitress, that waiting on large parties can be ANNOYING. You constantly have someone asking for something or making changes to their order, and it takes a lot of patience to work with. As the waitress gave us a chance to look over the menu (which isn't that extensive but sufficient) we were given goldfish crackers to snack on. I ordered 12 Malpeque oysters on half shells (@ $2/oyster, it's not bad although I wish I would have selected a variety of oysters), the lobster bisque, and a side order of collard greens. The oysters were pretty good, the lobster bisque had nice chunks of lobster and was seasoned pretty well. The collard greens were a bit on the sweeter side, but the quantity was pretty large, a dash of tobasco sauce was the solution so it wasn't too bad.

Anytime we needed anything the waitress was excellent at being attentive and quickly solving the problem. I like this place, and would definitely try it again. Everyone enjoyed the oysters (the toten's and sister oysters are pretty good) and the sauce they serve with it, are EXCELLENT! I strongly recommend this place, it's modern, casual, and cozy perfect for these cold winter days.

Hello Cupcake!

2008-10-02T12:48:00.003-04:00

Location: 1351 Connecticut Ave NW, DC
Cuisine: Desserts, Cupcakes
Price: $
Nearest Metro: Red Line Dupont Circle

So lately I've been having this sweet tooth and annoyingly haven't really had anything that would satisfy it. So I found out about this little spot in one of my daily email alerts from www.dailycandy.com saying that Hello Cupcake! was opening up. Well I figured why the heck not. A girlfriend of mine, her 18 month old son, and a mutual friend of ours decided to try this place out. Well when we got there (a Saturday afternoon around 3), it was a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG line leading out the door! Once we got inside there were clean pastel colors decorating the walls, and everything looked so clean and crisp and just made you feel so happy. So we patiently stood in line, unfortunately they were out of most of the cupcakes that I wanted to try (for you vegans and Gluten free dieters they also have something to accommodate you), so I decided to get real exciting and went for the hc Original with buttercream icing. I love white cake with triple coconut (I REALLY wanted the dulce de leche cupcake but I was told they weren't going to sell it until the owner perfected the recipe), but nonetheless I was not let down. I ordered the 24 carrot (carrot cake, get it) for my friend whose birthday it was (I did sneak a taste and it was AMAZING. I will caution you, these minicakes are pretty rich and you may need a glass of milk to top it off, so be prepared. They are so goood! Oh a little thing I forgot to mention they change the menu daily so try checking out the website before you make your way over there, some of the flavors are sold daily and some are sold on certain days. So if there is a particular flavor you want to try make sure you are visiting this cute clean shop on the right day.

http://www.hellocupcakeonline.com/flavors.html

Mourayo

2008-10-02T12:42:00.002-04:00

Location: DuPont Circle. 1732 Connecticut Ave NW, DC, 20009
(Red Line DuPont Circle Metro)
Website: www.mourayos.com
Cuisine: Greek Seafood
Price: $$$

During the month of Ramadan I caught up with a friend for dinner at Mourayo. Let me just say that during Ramadan, when you have a taste for something you will have great expectations of the food you eat when breaking your fast after a long day of stomach growls and hunger pains. My grandmother was Greek, and so I'm use to having really good homemade Greek food, and haven't had any Greek food in a while. So I figured on this particular day I would like to have some Greek food. So I called and made reservations that afternoon for 6:30 on a Tuesday. When i got there I fell in love with the seaman theme. It made me feel like I was really dining in a captains cabin for the evening. I almost felt like the restaurant might start swaying with the ocean =) I had to remind myself that we were still on land. Being that it was a Tuesday evening the restaurant had a few tables.

The wait staff was VERY efficient and friendly, the head person in charge (I want to say it was either the owner or the manager) was very attentive and hands on with the customers. Our glasses never went empty. So we were given the menus and the menu was pretty narrow, but everything looked so good, we couldn't make up our minds, but the staff remained patient. We finally chose the Ouzo Meze for the appetizer (seafood variety plate), there was octopus, mussels, anchovies, and a few other treats. The seafood was slightly salty and it was good, but definitely had that fresh seafood taste, so it kept its original flavor and taste, you could really taste each crustacean and fishes flavor and could distinguish them. For the entree we selected the Branzino fish (for the whole grilled fish you could either get it baked salted or grilled), we selected salted. I must say that it was an interesting display. After the fish came out it was displayed on a plate entirely covered in salt (looked pretty similar to the salt that you sprinkle on your driveway on snowy days). But it was quite a presentation, the manager/owner brought the fish to our table and began using a pic and axe sort of thing to chip off the salt from the fish. Once the branzino was finally revealed it was very moist and was tender, and surprisingly wasn't very salty. The appetizer and entree selection were pleasant for our break fast.

If your in the mood for some real seafood (not those super over seasoned and over cooked seafood), then I highly suggest this place. The fish tasted like it had just been caught on a line and was made by the fisher who caught the fish, and you can't get any fresher taste than that. There are also an extensive Greek wine selection to flush down your food with and to end your meal.

Station 9

2008-09-23T12:03:00.005-04:00

Location: 1439 U St. (U st. between 14th and 15th)
Nearest Metro: U St./Cordoza Metro Stop on the Green/Yellow line
Cuisine: American, Soul Food
Price: $20-up
Website: http://www.station9dc.com/

When you walk in Station 9 the first thing you notice are the massive light fixtures that accent the dark turquoise hues of the large restaurant, that are made of clear solo cups. Creative. Makes me wonder what else I could make out of Solo plastic cups!

Any who you are quickly and kindly greeted by a host at the host stand. Usually there isn't too bad of a wait unless it's a Sunday afternoon for brunch or a Saturday evening, than you may want to call in advance and get a reservation. I haven't really had any of the dinner meals, but the Sunday brunch, is pretty damn good. There are a variety of items that are apart of the brunch buffet. Make sure you don't forget to order the Chef T's bottomless mimosa's. They are so tasty, but be careful they will sneak up on you, and if get a little too rambunctious he will cut you off. So make sure if you order these, you won't be driving.

The brunch spread consist of a salad/fruit bar with a variety of breads and spreads. There is a whole cakes, pies, and desserts spread, which I always avoid because I always end up eating so much of everything else my tummy ends up being so full. The brunch station is where I stock pile my plate. There are cheese grits, which are my ultimate favorite, I don't even have to add anything to make them tasty. There are spiced apples, sausage, a seafood dish (I can't think of the name of it, but it is SO DAMN GOOD), rice, fried chicken (One of Chef T's specialties), and an omelet station. I know I'm missing a few other items that are included for brunch, but there is so much that is offered it's hard to remember it all. I really enjoy Sunday brunch here, for $25, you will definitely get your moneys worth. I normally go for smaller quaint little homey places for brunch on Sundays, but when I want to splurge, I hit up Station 9. You cannot go wrong. Usually it's pretty packed on Sundays, full of families, church goers, and post party people. It's a nice mixed up crowd and the atmosphere is really comfortable so you can loosen your belt a bit.

The lounge is really nice as well. The only bad thing is they are only open until 2am on the weekends, which can be a doozer, but appropriate if you want to get dressed in your best and look and feel sexy in an atmosphere that is as such.

Lavandou

2008-09-23T12:02:00.006-04:00

Location: Cleveland Park
Cuisine: French Bistro
Price: $$$
Website: http://www.lavandoudc.com/
Nearest Metro: Red Line Cleveland Park metro stop

I've lived in Cleveland Park for the past 2 years and walk past this restaurant almost daily. Lavandou is a rustic French looking bistro painted with oranges and yellows. When it's warm outside the windows in the front are open and inviting. The easel that sits outside the door invites you in with their daily specials, the one that stands out to me is the Tuesday special - $16.99 for all you can eat Mussels, prepared one of three ways. Finally I rounded up my roomie, her sister and a friend to try out this neighborhood icon that looks as if it should be housed on street with a brick road. The hostess and waiter were wonderful, they were patient, uber friendly, and very helpful in guiding us in our decision making. The waiter brought out bread that we devoured mercilessly. We chose a couple of appetizers, and what would a French dinner be if you did not order the Escargot Beurre d'Ail. There was plenty to go around. The sauced that housed these lovely little snail edibles was quite good, not too salty, not too bland, just right. The ratatouille was good, nice and hearty. I decided to go ahead and try out the L'Assiette de Frommage (assorted cheese plates). Although I'm not quite sure which cheeses were actually on the plate, they were pretty good (I think it was 3 or 4 different cheeses), I do know there was a brie that I just couldn't stop eating. The cheeses varied in flavor from the very salty to the more subtle. Being that everyone at the table decided to go ahead and order the all-you-can-eat mussels, I went ahead and tried the Jaret d'Agneau au Romarin (lamb shank in a rosemary sauce and pasta) which was great it wasn't overwhelmed with the flavor or the sauce and the meat was cooked perfectly. The mussels came in a variety of sauces (Provencale, pices et Basillique, and Safran et creme) I would have to say the Safran et Creme was THE best. The Basillique was okay but wasn't necessarily favored by the table.

I would have to say that this place is nice for getting together a few friends to grab a couple of glasses of wine and enjoy some nice homemade (the food was pretty fresh I must say), or even to go on a table and pretend that you are at a bistro on the French Riviera. The ambiance takes you out of DC and takes you to France and encompasses the nice things about France. I definitely would recommend at least checking it out once (suggesting that you go on Tuesday for the All-You-Can-Eat mussels, but if you want to take advantage of it stay away from the appetizers and go straight for the mussels, because they will really fill you up)

Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge

2008-09-09T16:45:00.004-04:00

Location: Georgetown 3116 M St. NW
Cuisine: Spanish Tapas
Website: http://www.bodegadc.com/

So one of my best friends decided to randomly tell me he was in town and we couldn't find anywhere to eat because it was Friday around 11ish or midnight. Everywhere else had pretty much stopped serving food for the night. But we were fortunate enough to happen upon this lovely little Spanish masterpiece. The walls were decorated with bold red and black designs and bullhorns on the wall. Lo and Behold! The kitchen was still open and our stomaches could calm their cries for nourishment. We were quickly greeted (there were a few couples and bar patrons present). The waiter was very very welcoming and seemed to be intuitive to our needs. He quickly filled our glasses with water and gave us a plate full of lemons upon our request (I only asked for one, but hey the more the merrier, I like when they give more for my refills).

After several attempts to get our order, because of course me and my best friend needed time to catch up, or shall I say he needed to brief me on his crazy love life status and all the players involved, we finally glanced at the menus. For our appetizers we ordered the Calamares Fritos con Ali-Oli (Calamari), Pulpitos a la Plancha (octopus fried and sprinkled with paprika). Both were really good, especially the Pulpitos a la Plancha. The presentation wasn't super amazing but it was literally piping hot when it was served and the waiter and busboy were very accomadating. They also served us some really good bread with an aioli sauce. For the entree we both split a Paella Marinera (seafood paella). I was happy because they didn't put chorizo in the paella! Woohoo! The appetizers were pretty great, the entree was a bit bland, but wasn't bad.

Definitely recommend this spot for a date if your on the way to the last movie in Georgetown.

Proof

2008-08-18T18:37:00.002-04:00

Proof
Location: China Town
775 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001.
(Corner of G St. & 8th St. NW
Price Range: $25-up
Website: www.proofdc.com
Nearest Metro: China Town Metro Stop

A friend of mine wanted to take me to a "late" birthday dinner. So I had heard from a friend we should check out Proof. Well I figured since they had a great wine menu I would go ahead and check it out. We walked in to a warm, rustic styled restaurant decorated with bottles of wine lining the walls behind glass displays. We were quickly seated by the hostess (it was a Sunday and not very packed). The feel of the place was warm, romantic and cozy.

The waiter came to our table and handed us the wine menu and the food menu. The wine menu was EXTENSIVE. It was immense. The wines are sold by the glass in different sizes 2, 6 and 8 oz that are automatically dispense. I was overwhelmed and wasn't in the mood to really experiment so I started (and ended) with a muscat wine. Sorta dry.

To start with we received complimentary pita chips with a sour cream dill onion dip, it was very light and very tasty. To start with I ordered the baby beet salad which was exactly what I wanted. My date ordered the meatballs and ravioli. He said they were very good had a hint of spiciness to it. I ordered the duck for the entree. And can I say it was AMAZING! The duck was flavored just right it wasn't too sweet, not too salty just perfect. The meat was succulent and I devoured it. The presentation was simple and simply done.

The server was really nice and friendly, however there was really no follow up after we received our meals and after we were done w the entree the blank plates just sat staring us in the face for quite some time. He walked by several times and still no follow up. A little disappointing.

I looooved the bathroom. It was really cool and was decorated with silver and pink wall paper and accessories. I loved it! So bright and vibrant. It was a complete contrast to the restaurant. The wallpaper was silver w a print of sexy pantyhose clad legs and lingerie from our grandmothers heydays.

For dessert I ordered the strawberry shortcake. (I have no idea how I was able to even eat, let alone, order, dessert. But I sucked it up and took one for the team and ordered it anyway. It sort of had the texture of a scone with strawberries on top and whipped cream. It was good, just different.

I strongly suggest this place especially for a date. It's a nice place to grab a glass of wine before a game or the movies with a bunch of friends. Definitely check this place out!

Zaytinya

2008-07-26T12:40:00.005-04:00

I've driven past Zaytinya and have worked with people that use to bartend at Zaytinya, and EVERYONE raves about this place. I never like getting caught up in the hype, but even the exterior decor captured my interest. I love Mediterranean food and I decided I wanted to go there for my birthday with a few of my girlfriends. When you walk in it is really modern and elegantly decorated. Even the bathrooms are really nice, but it still has a friendly comfortable feel to it. We had a short wait so we decided to grab a drink at the bar. I ordered the Pom-Fili cocktail and it was perfect. The bartender was a good bartender and knew what he was doing. Once our buzzers went off we were seated by the hostess and met by our waitress. She was quite patient because it took us forever to order since there were so many items on the menu that we wanted to try. We ended up ordering the Falafel, Grape-Leave Dolmades, Cretan Snail Skordalia, Octopus Santorini, Seared Salmon, Lamb Chops with Hommus Bil Toum, and the Rabbit Stifado. Mind you it was only 3 of us eating. =) We were skeptical about the Snails, but they were amazing. I would definitely suggests these to anyone as an appetizer. I realllllly enjoyed the rabbit and the lamb chops. I can't complain about any of the mezze plates we ordered. I mean I loved every single plate. Everything was seasoned perfectly not overly salty, all of the meats were savory and perfectly chosen. The only thing I would be mindful of the next time I go is that I ate so much that I didn't have enough room for dessert =( . It is definitely a place to go on a date or just with a few friends. It was amazing, and lived up to all of my expectations. Definitely a must!

www.zaytinya.com

Location: Penn Quarters
701 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
(Corner of G & 9th)
Nearest Metro Station: Chinatown Metro
Price Range: $15-up

Al Tiramisu

2008-06-22T15:03:00.005-04:00

Al Tiramisu
DuPont Circle
Italian Restaurant
Red Line
Website: http://www.altiramisu.com/

Ah, I've resurrected! And i've been hungrier than ever! On a late Sunday night around 9ish (almost past my bedtime) my sister who was in town, and I were looking for a place to grab some good grub. My roomie had given great accolades to this Italian restaurant called Al Tiramisu in DuPont. Well since we were both in the mood for Italian I figured hey why not. So we walk in and were greeted by a very tall, polite gentleman. The restaurant is sort of small and quaint, reminiscent of the restaurants in Italy, and was filled with couples. I was happy they were still open (it was about 10 at this point).

So we sat, and viewed the menu. It wasn't very extensive, but they had the usual pasta, salads, and anti pasta entrees. We both quickly agreed on the cheese and spinach ravioli. I took a glance at the wine menu and was surprisingly pleased. As I have said before I love wine, and they had two of my favorites. The wine list was more extensive then the food menu, not necessarily a bad thing. The food came amazingly quick which please me and my sister since our stomachs were literally growling at this point. The waiter asked us if we wanted cheese, and of course, I couldn't decline. We greedily ate our food and, I will say the food was decent, nothing to really write home about, but it was still filling and if it was a little cheaper I probably would have felt a lot more enthusiastic about it.

The dessert menu was pretty extensive as well, and I opted for the tiramisu (my fave dessert). My sister opted for a chocolate style gnocchi dessert that was served with ice cream. It's not on the website and I can't remember the name of it, but it was pretty good. I was a little disappointed with my tiramisu, I don't know if it was because I had extremely high expectations, it still hit the spot, but just wasn't what I was expecting. It was good just not the best. I would definitely suggest this restaurant if you want to stop for a swig of good Italian wine or for some yummy Italian dessert (just don't go in there with high expectations on the Tiramisu).

I might have to try it out again to see if I feel the rest of the entrees are worth the bang for the buck. LIke I said the food wasn't that bad, however if it was a little cheaper I might be more enthusiastic about it. The service however was fantastic, someone came by to make sure the water glasses were filled and to check and make sure everything was okay. I never once thought to myself "where is the damn waiter". That definitely made the experience pleasant. Wouldn't suggest this spot for large gatherings of friends, but if you want to opt for something a little more quaint and unpretentious.

ZOLA

2008-01-18T08:50:00.002-05:00

Okay so it's one of my favorite weeks of the year!!! RESTAURANT WEEK! Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to ravish it like I would like, BUT I did get to try out Zola's for lunch. So my co-worker made reservations at Zola on OpenTable.com for lunch. We left work and headed on over there. We got there and the atmosphere was really nice. The bar was to the left and I wouldn't have minded taking a seat over there and grabbing some drinks if the table wasn't ready. Its very inviting and has a very upscale mysteriuos feel. With wood interior, sleek designed walls, chrome, and frosted glass with blacked out images of people alluding a mysterious espionage feel, appropriate for a restaurant connected with the Spy Lounge. Very chic, modern and contemporary.

We were seated and I was excited because the whole menu was included in the Restaurant Week special. I ordered the House Cured Salmon Pastrami for the starter, Lobster Mac & Cheese for the Main entree, and the Basil Creme Brulee for dessert. I must say the Star Restaurants know what they are doing. The flavors, seasonings and mixes are made to perfection. The House Cured Salmon Pastrami was so delicisious if they had a larger portion I could have eaten it for the entree. The Entree itself was sooo creamy, with healthy CHUNKS of lobster, it was perfectly seasoned and the portion looked small but was actually pretty hearty, I had enough to serve two other people! After eating what I could of the entree I went ahead and broke my diet rule and had dessert (it's restaurant week, with these prices who could resist), and it was amazing!! The brulee wasn't torched too much, just slightly so it wasn't too thick and the basil added a subtle twist, the creme was just so smooth and light, and didn't make me feel guilty for eating it at all. I also had the ginger lemonade. It was pretty good a little tart and woke up my senses, but tasty.

Needless to say this restaurant is a winner! I loved it. I would definitely recommend anyone trying it. I will say it's a little pricier so more than likely if it wasn't restaurant week I wouldn't dine here on a regular basis, but it is definitely a nice place to splurge a little on a delectable meal. My next move is to try out their dinner on a date ;) This is a nice place to get dressed up and feel classy for dinner, definitely a nice spot to take a date!

Location: China Town
Price Range $30-up

Website: http://www.zoladc.com/

Thai Chilli

2007-12-25T13:33:00.001-05:00

Now this Thai restaurant is pretty snazzy. The interior is mostly black with a few hints of color that gives it a sleek modern look. This is a great place to grab some tasty Thai food. The curry is spicy, the drinks are delicious and I have yet to be disappointed. The staff is very friendly and on point. The manager even walks by and checks on everyones tables to make sure you are doing okay, a plus in my book. The curry is good, the Pad See Wa, and the Pad Thai are all yummy. They have a specialty drink that has pureed strawberries in it, it is so good, you have to order it (I have to remember what it is called), but its great. The prices are reasonable so it's a good spot to stop by if your in the mood for some good Thai food. The chicken satay must be ordered before starting your meal and pretty much any of the salads. The portions are pretty large for the price. It's definitely worth trying.

Location: Chinatown
Price Range: $10-20

Thai Chef

2007-12-25T13:19:00.000-05:00

Thai Chef is a small space with a bar and a happy hour on their sushi a few of the Thai entrees and rail drinks that begins from 4-7. They have sushi and Thai food. The sushi isn't all that great. The Thai Chef dumplings were okay. The people are really nice there, but the service can be shotty. The Grilled Jumbo River Shrimp are pretty good, but the Hawaiin Duck isn't so tasty even though the tomatoes and pineapples in the sauce were pretty chunky and good. Wouldn't consider this spot if I was in the taste for sushi, maybe for a Thai dish, but I'll update my review when I have had more of the dishes on the menu.

Location: Dupont Circle
Price Range: $10-20

http://66.34.56.214/thaichef/main.html

Mama Ayesha's

2007-12-24T15:07:00.001-05:00

Mama Ayesha's is a nice restaurant with an outdoor terrace feel indoors. The ambiance is nice and very Mediteranean with water fountains and beautiful tile art. It's a nice place with great food. A good place for large dinner parties, and nice quaint dinner dates. The food is really good. I went with a friend and we ordered TONS of food. We had the Grape Leaves and the Mezze (a sampler platter) for appetizers. For dinner we ordered the Combination entree with shish kabobs, kifta kabob, couscous, grape leaves and kibbeh over rice. The portion was large enough to share between two people. But my friend ordered a plate himself, and we had TONS of leftovers. But the meal was so good we both tried to stuff ourselves with as much as we could. The menu is pretty extensive and it took me forever to try to figure out what I wanted because it all looked so good. Middle Eastern food is my favorite cuisine, and this restaurant definitely satisfied my appetite. It's a little pricey, but you can always order a combination plate (for an appetizer since it has everything on it) and split an entree, and that would be sufficient and cost efficient.

Location: Adams Morgan
Price Range: $20-40

http://www.mamaayeshas.com/

Ella's Wood Fired Pizza

2007-12-19T19:02:00.000-05:00

I caught up with a couple of people after the Eid Celebration at this place during lunch. The place had a bar and reminded me of a more inexpensive and intimate styled California Pizza. The menu was pretty decent and had a few interesting mixes of salads and fire roasted pizzas. The table ordered the ella's cheese pizza, wild mushroom pizza, lombardi pizza, and the quattro fromaggi. Oh yeah, and a belgian & endives salad that was extremely yummy. The quattro cheese pizza looked amazing and was pretty good. The garlic was fresh and tasted like it. The person who ordered the Lombardi pizza (mostly carmelized onions) was excited because he is an onion lover. The ella's cheese was good but had more sauce than cheese.

This is definitely a nice spot to stop and grab a decent personal size pizza that is big enough to share with another, or to just grab a quick lunch. Definitely suggested if you are walking around Chinatown looking for something quick to eat or if your in the mood for a decent pizza that isn't super greasy.

Location: Chinatown
Price range: $10-20

http://www.ellaspizza.com/

Tony & Joe's

2007-12-09T18:48:00.000-05:00

I went to Tony & Joe's on a date after work one day. I was kinda scared when I first walked in because there were tons of men sitting at the bar, and everyone turned towards the door, and I felt like I just interupted a boys club meeting or something. But we were seated in the dining area and it was very nice. The waiters brought out bread while we waited for our food. Both of us ordered the Cream of Crab soup, which was delish. For an appetizers we had the Spinach Crab dip and we DEVOURED it, it was soooo good and it was such a large portion that we couldn't even finish it. I had to force myself to stop eating it so that I would have room for my entree. For the entree I ordered the Tony & Joe's Broiled platter. YUM! Unfortunately I ate too much dip so I couldn't finish the entire thing. But I tried to stuff as much as I could into my mouth that my little tummy would allow. I was very impressed with the food. The wait staff was very helpful and were like on cue with everything! It was like they had secret cameras that alerted them when we were done with our plates. I highly suggest this place if you enjoy seafood. There is a patio area that overlooks the waterfront, unfortunately it was too chilly to sit outside and enjoy the view.

Location: Georgetown Waterfront
Price Range $30-up
http://www.dcseafood.com/taj/index.htm

Zengo

2007-12-06T22:02:00.000-05:00

I have been to Zengo's on a date catching up with friends and business associates for quick eats and good drinks. The environment is really modern, hip and trendy. It's a perfect way to start the night, or a perfect way to end an evening. Zengo's is a restau-lounge spot. I would recommend coming dressed up, or at least casually cute. The first time I went, I was unaware of what the dress code was and wore jeans and tennis shoes, and felt so out of place. The chicken emapanadas are REALLY good. The sushi, eh, I wouldn't recommend ordering any of them except the Angry Zengo (which are pretty good). I went for my cousins birthday dinner and I think we ordered everything on the menu. The Tuna Tataki Salad (My fave) was devoured by everyone at the table. A couple of my friends ordered the Grilled Lamb Striploins and I swear within a matter of minutes their plates were absolutely spotless, I really think they licked their plates clean. The tuna belly tartare was okay the tuna is cut up pretty chunky but it was cooked a little more than I preferred, but it was okay. The drinks are really good and would recommend ordering any of them. Definitely a must stop spot =) Being that the restaurant is tapa style you can get caught up trying to order every menu dish on the menu and your bill starts adding up, so if your on a budget be cautious, this place can be dangerous on your pockets!

Location: ChinaTown
Price Range $25-up

http://www.modernmexican.com/zengodc/

Sake Club

2007-12-06T21:56:00.000-05:00

I have been here a couple of times and it never fails, I always enjoy my food. Gentlemen, for a first date, this is a MUST! I went here for a first date and fell in love LOL. The waiters bring out a bowl of miso soup (complimentary). It is a little pricey but the rolls are GINOURMOUS (Is that the webster spelling?) so it's well worth it. I usually get the Rainbow rolls, Philadelphia Rolls, and the Spicy Tuna, I know I've had a few others, but can't remember which ones. But they are all good. They have really good unfiltered saki and a pretty decent sake/drink/wine menu. I had some of the plum wine and it was pretty good too. The interior is really dark, and upscale, makes you feel like you want to wear some pumps or a pair of hardbottom shoes. It's a really nice place. During the summers its nice to sit in the patio area and people watch. The service is really good and the servers are great.

Location: Woodley Park
Price range - $30-up

http://www.sakeclub.net/

Mie-N-Yu

2007-12-02T16:16:00.000-05:00

I have always walked past this place and was intrigued by the waterfall theme in the window with a golden Buddha in the window and beautiful drapery. Finally some kind soul took me here for dinner. The decor is so ecclectic and pretty that its art for the eyes decorated with pieces from different ethnic cultures and countries from around the world. What stood out to me is the intimate seating arrangments, it makes it a nice place to go on a first date or with your beau. It would even be a good place to gather for an event such as a birthday. I strongly suggest making reservations before just stopping in.

They have a very extensive wine and cheese menu and they also have a menu and cheese sample specials that allow you to order a few cheeses and wines for your own pairing and tastings of your choosing. The menu is really diverse and would appeal to a variety of palates. We ate the smoked salmon bruschetta (AMAZING), Grilled Calamari Salad, and the Chili Infused Crab Cakes. It was so good! I was very impressed and left extremely full! The portions are filling but not large. However they will hook your wine glass up if you order a glass. After wanting to try everything on the menu it can begin to get a bit pricey, but it's well worth it. Another great place to impress a date.

Location: Georgetown
Price range $12-25

https://www.mienyu.com/

Aditi

2007-12-02T16:03:00.000-05:00

Aditi is decorated really nice and has a spiral staircase to the upstairs dining area. The waiters and waitresses are all very nice and helpful. It is an Indian restaurant and is decorated with the Gods and Goddesses and lots of elephants, but only slightly, and still looks classy.

The dishes are absolutely amazing. I went with a couple of friends during Ramadan, and we were trying to find something to break our fast after a long day of running errands and shopping in Georgetown. I can't remember the names of all the dishes we ordered (we ordered a lot), but it HIT the SPOT! I think our bill was like $50 for 3 hungry little Muslim girls who wanted to fill their tummies. The portions are just the right size, not ginormous, but enough to satisfy. We pretty much devoured everything we ordered. I think we had 2 appetizers and like 4 main dishes. Everything was devoured and we had NO leftovers or anything to take home. The garlic naan was REALLY good. I was happy with the food & the prices. I wouldn't have been upset if our bill was high, it would have been well worth it. Of course this place is also very friendly for Vegetarians.

Location: Indian
Price range $6-20

http://www.image-in-asian.com/aditi/

Indique

2007-12-02T15:51:00.000-05:00

Indique is a really nice little restaurant, the decor is upscale and gives you the feel of fine dining. The employees are nice. I was a little perturbed because they didn't have any really spicy curry. I love my curry spicy and was expecting tha they would have some. Unfortunately to my dismay they didn't have any. I think it's some sort of law against not having spicy Indian curry on an Indian cuisine menu. The food was okay, but it just wasn't up to my standards. It was a little bland and of course they didn't have anything that spicy. The food just didn't seem very authentic. Needless to say, I haven't been back. If you like Indian food that isn't spicy this is the place for you. Oh yeah they do have a decent wine menu.

Location: Cleveland Park
Price Range $12-20

http://www.indique.com/

Yanni's Greek Restaurant

2007-12-02T15:38:00.000-05:00

Yanni's is a little on the gaudy side with its decorations. When you walk in you see a lot of older couples grabbing drinks and just hanging out. But it has a comfortable neighborhood feel. It has a bar side and a dining area. You can come casual or dressed up and still feel comfortable.

I love Greek food and anywhere I can get a good Greek salad I'm happy. I've had most of the appetizers and they are all pretty good. The dolmades are pretty decent, not the BEST but definitely edible (it's pretty hard to find GREAT grape leaves). The menu is cheap and the drinks are good. Last time I went I had the Chicken Souvlaki platter. It was pretty delish! The portion was so big I had enough for lunch the next day. The food is really cheap but it doesn't taste it. (always a plus for me)

Price range $8-$17

http://www.yannisgreektaverna.com/index.html

Spices

2007-12-02T15:29:00.001-05:00

I can say I frequent this place A LOT! (Most of the people know me in there) The people there are realllllly nice. They have a great happy hour (1/2 off all drinks alcholic and non-alcholic). The service is great, the atmostphere is pretty relaxed and it can get PACKED.

The sushi there is great! I really enjoy their Spicy tuna, and the Crunchy shrimp tempura roll. Whenever I am sick I grab a bowl of their Tom Yom Shrimp soup and it clears me right up! The Crab wontons are really good as well as the rice paper rolls. The pad thai and their curries are all pretty good too. You can't really go wrong by stopping by this place if you are craving Thai food or Sushi.

Location: Cleveland Park
Prices $10-20

http://spicesdc.com/

BusBoys & Poets

2007-12-02T15:16:00.000-05:00

Walking into Busboys the first thing you will notice is the bookstore directly in front of you, the bar, and the couches and tables to fill the room. If you swing by there during the daytime or on an off night you will see the restaurant/bookstore sprinkled with people lounging, chatting it up, doing homework, doing work on laptops and others engaged in enriched conversations. Friday and Saturdays are usually pretty busy so if you decide to go there on one of those days, I suggest you be prepared for the wait or get there early. There are also different events that take place here such as political discussions, appearances by different authors, and open mics.

The waiters and waitresses along with the bartenders are all very friendly and fun. (ask for Desmond or Walter they are FABULOUS & will keep you cracking up!) The food is really good. The surprising thing is the prices are really cheap! I love the pizzas (especially the three cheese pizza), I've had a few of the wraps (including the Hummus wrap, and it was delicious). I wouldn't really recommend getting the crab cakes (I was slightly disappointed) but other than that there aren't many things on the menu that would disappoint you. The drinks are also pretty good. The menu is also vegetarian friendly.

I suggests this spot as a great (inexpensive) date. If it's a first date, even better, just the ambiance and the vibe will break the ice. It's a cool place to study, work, or just unwind. I definitely suggest it to anyone. Its a place that can appease anyone!

Location 14th & V street. (Green/Yellow Line Cordoza Metro stop)
Prices $10-25

http://www.busboysandpoets.com/

Banana Cafe

2007-11-28T09:57:00.001-05:00

One day speaking with my boss he suggested I find a good Latin restaurant that served Cuban &/or Puerto Rican food that would remind him of home (he is Cuban raised in Puerto Rico). Well I passed this place one day and figured it would be a good place to check out. He checked out the menu before we invited the whole division to dinner and he agreed that the menu was authentic Latin Food.

We got there and the decor seemed to have caught my co-workers a little off guard. The decor seems a bit eccentric and loud, and not necessarily the classiests, but it was friendly and definitely somewhere to come casual and catch up with the family or friends for cheap eats, cheap drinks and a good time. The atmosphere was lighthearted and everyone in the place seemed to be having a really good time.

The menu had a little bit of everything on there chimichangas, Paella (My fave but they had Chorizo in it so I couldn't order it), Relleno, Enchiladas, Burritos, and some authentic Puerto Rican dishes. While waiting for the drinks and food the waiter brought out some chips and salsa, and the whole table just demolished the salsa and chips. My boss had the Ropa Viejo (rice with shredded beef flank) and was thoroughly impressed and claimed it reminded him of home. The table ordered a couple of pitchers of the margaritas which I must say were GREAT! I ordered the Camarones Andaluz (sauteed shrimp and vegetables in a white wine sauce) and I completely savored the dish.

My thoughts: RUN to this place and try it out. You don't have to dress up to feel comfortable and you can kick back enjoy the atmosphere, margaritas and the cheap eats. Definitely a must!

Latin Cuisine (Cuban/Puerto Rican)
Located in the Eastern Market District
Price Range $7-35

http://www.bananacafedc.com/menu.htm

Bistro Francais

2007-11-25T22:10:00.000-05:00

After the 2007 CBC Gala and partying, a group of us were seeking an alternative for the Diner since we didn't feel like going to Adams Morgan to grab something to eat. I was referenced to the restaurant prior to and knew it stayed open until about 4 A.M. so I figured I would suggest it and try it out. WELL, that was a waste, I ordered the Oeufs Norvegienne (Poached eggs with smoked salmon hollandaise sauce on an English muffin), being that they didn't really have a breakfast menu, I was limited in what I wanted to order because I was already in the mood for breakfast food. I thought maybe it was only me being finicky about my food because I was disappointed because there wasn't anything on the menu that I really wanted but the rest of the group also complained about their food. One person even complained that their chicken Cesar salad wasn't even that great (I really don't know how you mess that one up). It's not a place I would try to visit again.

Prices range $15-30

http://www.bistrofrancaisdc.com/index.htm

Mate

2007-11-25T21:54:00.001-05:00

Sunday night with a taste for sushi and some tasty drinks, a friend suggested Mates. Mates (pronounced Mah-tay's) is apart of the Latin Concepts chain of restaurants. As soon as I walked in I had a strong feeling I wouldn't be disappointed. The menu had the usual maki rolls, nigiri and sashimi but also has a nice amount of creative latin inspired maki rolls that are quite delectible. (Mmmmm my mouth is actually salivating thinking about their rolls, especially the Bamboo roll) The different flavored mojitos and pomegrante inspired drinks are to die for. The bartenders are pretty good and timely unfortunately the waitresses can sometimes be slow, but after getting your food it's well worth the wait. The calamari salad is interesting, the seaweed salad is VERY good. I've never had the ceviches, but I'm sure they are just as good as the sushi!

There is a happy hour during the week, and MAN, me, my cousin and a friend of mine went one day for their happy hour and ate sooooo much, had a few drinks and our tab only came up to about $80 for the three of us (we ordered about a million rolls and a couple of drinks) and we had SO much food leftover. The happy hour menu can be found on their website. http://www.latinconcepts.com/mate

Don't let the ambiance and setting fool you, it's not as expensive as it looks ;)

Location: Georgetown (K & 31st St.)
Cuisine: Latin, Sushi
Price Range: $10-$20

http://www.latinconcepts.com/mate

Cleveland Park Bar & Grill

2007-11-25T13:30:00.000-05:00

Located directly off the Cleveland Park metro stop on the redline.

Cleveland park is your neighborhood bar & grill. Me and my cousin stop by this joint quite frequently when we don't want to cook and when we just feel like grabbing a bite to eat, plus the people who work there are all pretty cool. With a menu of pizza's, pasta's, burgers and sandwiches you can't really go wrong. It's a great place to catch a game, and they have a happy hour that starts at 10 p.m. on beer and rail drinks. The food is decent (I haven't been disappointed yet) and fairly priced. Great place to catch up with the guys or get up with the gang.

Price range - about $10-20.

Ardeo Bardeo

2007-11-25T13:20:00.001-05:00

Location: Cleveland Park

I have been here to eat and walk by it daily. When I stopped by there I had the Steamed Nova Scotia Mussels (the portions were large) and the Fusille (smoked chicken dish) DELICIOUS!, I have also seen some famous faces dining there. Ardeo Bardeo is a Wine Bar (Bardeo) and restaurant (Ardeo). Upscale and classy the prices are a little more on the expensive side, but it's worth it. With a modern cuisine, the menu is extensive and the food is well prepared and delicious. The wine menu isn't too extensive but it's decent. It's a nice place to go if you want to get dressed up and have no place to go. A great place to take a date if you're trying to impress someone.

Prices are $25-up

http://www.ardeorestaurant.com/
http://www.bardeo.com/

Saki

2007-11-25T13:09:00.000-05:00

Saki located at 18th and Columbia Rd is a hot little sushi spot.

Saki is one of the sushi restaurants I like to frequent although it's kinda iffy when it comes to how good the sushi is. It's a small spot consisting of a small bar area and the dining area is a row of tables, a wall length seating arrangement and little cube ottomans. It's a nice intimate place with a great happy hour. The happy hour has half off rail drinks and half off most of the sushi on the sushi menu and the appetizers. The sushi is so-so, depending on what day you go. It's not really consistent, one day it's great and one day it's not so much. But it's not that bad. I recommend it as long as you don't go with high expectations. I mainly go for the vibe more than the sushi because I never know whether or not it's going to be up to par that day. (I've tried most of the sushi on the menu)

http://www.sakidc.com/

Tabaq

2007-11-25T13:04:00.000-05:00

Location: U Street Corridor
Cuisine: Mediteranean

I spent my birthday dinner at Tabaq. Located on U street between 13 & 14th St. off the Green/Yellow Line Cordoza Metro stop

Swanky & sexy with a Steven Starr restaurant type of feel it was definitely my steez. Tabaq has a Mediterranean theme with great drinks. The top floor (where the roof comes off in the summer) is where it is at! Leelah the bartender will hook you up with some of her delicious concoctions, you can trust her to shake up something to your tasting (Make sure you look for her). The food is really good. I think I have tried just about everything on the menu (except for any redmeat or pork dishes) and didn't have anything bad to say about any of them. Definitely a great spot for a first date, birthday dinner, or just to grab some drinks and hang out at the bar.

http://www.tabaqdc.com/

MEZE

2007-11-25T12:59:00.001-05:00

Neighborhood: Adam's Morgan
Location: 2437 18th St. NW, Washington DC, 20009
Cost: $
Cuisine: Turkish

Walking in Adams Morgan one random Sunday in search of a good inexpensive brunch I came across Meze. Meze is a little Turkish cafe with two floors and an outdoor patio. The breakfast was amazing and CHEAP! I paid $9 for my Meze eggs consisting of poached eggs, smoked salmon on top of a muffin and potatoes! It was excellent and fulfilling. Everyone else was quite happy with their meals as well (they had the Aphrodite & Waffles). The salmon bruchetta is really good too. One of my girlfriends always orders the sausage and absolutely loves it. The workers are nice and the ambiance is really relaxed. I definitely recommend it if you want to spend less than $15 for good food & you don't really have to wait for a table. This has become by far, my favorite place for brunch. I have never had a complaint about the food here. If you can't find me on a Sunday afternoon, you haven't looked at Meze yet.

Price range $7-$20

http://www.mezedc.com/

Dino

2007-11-23T14:45:00.001-05:00

Located on Connecticut and Ordway directly off the Cleveland Park Metro Stop on the Red Line)

Dino's is an Italian restaurant in Cleveland Park. The menu is very precise and to the point, the portions are pretty decent and the prices aren't even that costly. The wine selection is said to be the best in the city, and I will agree, they actually carried the wines that are hard to come by, but highly favored by me. The baretender a.k.a. the "Mixologists" was friendly, knew his stuff, and was also a certified sommelier. It's cozy and has a "neighborhood" type of feel but still upholds a certain air about itself. My friend ordered the Hanger Steak and although they don't carry A-1 she enjoyed it all the same. I ordered the Conchiglie ai Fruitti di Mare (pasta with shellfish) it was really good, a little salty, but pretty good. My cousin ordered the Halibut and that was amazing.

They also have a really good special Mon-Thurs, a 3 course meal for $24 as long as it is ordered before 7:00 pm.

If you love wine like I do you will be able to appreciate this place!

Price Range $15-up

http://www.dino-dc.com/index.html