Real Fish n' Chips without needing a passport

Even on a hot and steamy day like today, I ventured out for lunch with one goal in mind -- to see what all the fuss was about in Old Town at the new Eamonn's -- A Dublin Chipper. Located on the corner of Columbus and King, Eamonn's is like no other place in the tri-state area, probably intended to be that way.
The world-renowned Chef Cathal Armstrong, an Irish native, his wife Meshelle, and partner and sommelier Todd Trasher have brought a taste of Ireland, right to Washington, DC.
The owners of Eamonn's are the same folk who opened Restaurant Eve, also in Old Town, which has received world-wide recognition.
Eamonn's, named after the Armstrong's son, is a traditional chipper, in that you order at the counter and grab a seat, and wait for your name to be called with your order. The wait can be a long one, since everything is served fresh and there are only 30 seats, including the counter with stools. The menu is squalled on a chalk board that hangs over the cashier's counter.
You don't need a lot of choices. Why else would you be there if you didn't want the infamous fish n' chips? You have your basic cod in two sizes and fried Ray. If you absolutely don't want to try the fish you can choose the deep fried "burghers" or battered sausage. Yes, if you are counting calories, lunch at Eammon's will blow it out of the water.
They offer a few choices for sides that includes two sizes of "chips", bachelor's baked beans, onion rings, coleslaw, and "mushy peas."
They throw in one homemade sauce, and you have a choice of seven, such as traditional tarter sauce, "Marie Rose" (ketchup and mayo), Kitty O'Shea (capers and kalamata olives), Chesapeake, Hot Chili, Fronch, and Curry. I didn't try any of the sauces, like an "eejit" (Irish for idiot/fool).
I did try, however the cod and the chips. The cod came in a light weight, waxy paper pouch. Just large enough for the battered fish to stick out the top for you to take a bite. The cod was perfectly cooked, moist, flaky, and the batter is light and is almost crunchy. I actually thought the batter was the perfect combination of sweet and salty. The fish was so fresh... it even tasted fresh. I actually said to the two women who sat down at end of the bench where I was sitting that it tastes like, "Someone caught the fish, battered it and gives it you." It was that good. I think it's well worth the several minute wait.
The fries ...er, um, I mean Chips reminded me of boxy steak fries, but divine! I dipped every single bite into the malt vinegar that is provided on every table. I didn't get an dessert, and now I am kicking myself... they offer fried milky way, banana, and dough balls. The cashier area is also lined with authentic sweets.
I will definitely go back, but next time I am going to try the Onion rings (oh, I bet they are heavenly), the Irish soda as my beverage, and I will force myself to order a dessert! ;)


Website with menus and photos: http://www.eamonnsdublinchipper.com/
Address: 728 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone (703) 299-8384

Cheap Eats

The Washingtonian's "Cheap Eats" dining guide came out last month. I subscribe to the Washingtonian, but other than the 100's Very Best guide that comes out every January, the next most popular issue is June's "Cheap Eats".

I like that there is always a fold-out guide that lists the name of the restaurant, type of cuisine, address, neighborhood, phone, etc. This makes it very easy to skim the guide to look for a particular restaurant meeting your interested criteria.
Online there are even a nifty little symbol next to each restaurant if it is also one of the 100's Very Best.
ttp://www.washingtonian.com/restaurantreviews/3/index.html

I haven't been to many of these places that are listed as "cheap eats" but there are a few that I have frequented. I noticed that Artie's in Fairfax was listed as a cheap eats restaurant. I think that it's interesting that Artie's was included, but not any of the other restaurants owned by the Great American Restaurants group, like Sweetwater Tavern, Mike's American Grill, Coastal Flats, Silverado, because their menus are almost identical in each place. I wonder what set apart Artie's from the others?

I have visited this place only once because the last time that I went, which was on my birthday, was such a disaster. When I mean disaster, I mean disaster.
I remember distinctly waiting a very long time for our appetizers, and when we asked our server, he told us that he had lost our order and the kitchen is working to get it out to us.

The manger on duty brought out our appetizers, and apologized, but we were not compensated in any way. Not even a free dessert. I was even more angry when our entrees came out almost immediately after the appetizer. Well I will most likely never go back there again...
All the other places on the Cheap Eats ... maybe I will have better luck with.

Todd Kliman's Chat (Tuesday's 11 a.m.)

So every Tuesday at 11 a.m. Todd Kliman, the Food Editor of the Washingtonian Magazine has an online chat.
He begins the chat every week with some comments about a few local places that he wants to highlight. In addition, people can write in about questions that they have about restaurants, etc. I participate every week. I actually have an alert set up in Outlook to remind every week. Ha ha ha. Anyways ... this was my comment this week. And of course, I loved Todd's reply. See below.

Alexandria, VA:

Hey Todd, One of my really good friends, Justin Trawick is playing at the 9:30 Club on Friday. Before the show, I wanted to get some "real" food, so I made a reservation at the Tabaq Bistro for me and my husband. I have never been there and I know that it is not on the 100's Very Best list. I have heard great things about the atmosphere, but how's the food? Can you tell me what I should expect or what I should definitely not miss? Thanks, Lisa

Todd Kliman:
How to Build a Life with a Lemonade Stand. Neat sound.

(Sorry, folks. I've been grooving to the music on Justin's website for the last few minutes -- www.justintrawick.com ... And no, I'd never heard of him before popping open this question. Kinda reminds me a little of G Love and Special Sauce, if just a touch folkier.)

Lemonade, Special Sauce ... and back to food.

I'm no fan of Tabaq, although I do like the terrific view upstairs -- it gives you a great sweep of the city.

If it's good eats you're after -- and not just a place to drink and catch up and find yourself among a crowd -- then I'd rather send you to Coppi's Organic or Etete, also on U St. Or to Oohhs & Aahhs, which has just started serving chicken and waffles from midnight to 4 a.m. It'd make a great post-show "snack."

Link to Todd's Chat: http://www.washingtonian.com/chats/restaurants/4412.html?msg=1