October 2007 Washingtonian. I'm Published!!!

Can you believe it?
I was reading my October 2007 issue of the Washingtonian that just came in the mail and quite to my surprise, a portion of my posting on Todd Kliman's online chat on Tuesday's was in the magazine! On page 169 you can see it... It was my July 12, 2007 posting. You can also read it in my archives of my blog.

Here was the orginal coversation:

Alexandria, VA:

Todd, I wanted to follow-up with you about where I went to dinner before Justin Trawick's show at the 9:30 club. I did research Oohhs and Aahhs, but I agree that it would have been a better place for an after show treat. I made a reservation at Etete. The Ethiopian place off of U Street. I think the it was an amazing experience. I remember reading somewhere that you thought the service was very good. I think you described it as family-like... anyways... my experience was pretty awful when it came to service. We had to wait for a long time and most of the time, I just got tired of waiting and I had to get up and find my server. I was not very happy about that. It took so long for the waitress to come over to us, I had to go find her to tell her that we were ready to order and this is after a 30-40 minute wait. Also ... I had a hard time picking something from the menu that didn't have jalapeño or green peppers in it (I'm allergic). But I got the Yefem Tibs as my entree and I loved it. Next time I go back I know to order more things from the menu to try. I will not order, however, the tomato salad. The dressing was such a disappointment. It came right out of the bottle... like a Kraft Italian. I tried the Sambusa (Lentil) and loved it. It reminded me of empanada's a little bit... Do you have another suggestion of where I can try more ethnic foods but won't run into the Green Pepper or jalapeño problem? Thanks. Always a Pleasure. Lisa

Todd Kliman:

Lisa,

Thanks for the update. And I'm glad you had a good time at Etete. It's interesting: I've never had a problem with the service there, but I've also never gone there before trying to make a show.

If you're looking for other good ethnic spots ... shoot, we just published a whole issue of them, essentially, in June's Cheap Eats. One that's in the city and doesn't go in for jalapenos is Malaysia Kopitiam. The food's consistently tasty, and there's a lot to choose from. Give it a go.

And, of course, there are always kabob houses. The area is full of them, and there's a lot that's good.

My favorite is probably Ravi Kabob (either I or II, both in Arlington). You'll run into the "jalapeno problem" if you order the terrific karahi, but if you stick to the skewered meats, you shouldn't have any worries. Fantastic stuff. Really, this is some of the best eating you can do in the entire metro area. And you can afford to do it often.


I highlighted what you see on p. 169 in bold italics.

Pretty Groovy, I think. :D

A Spoonful of Sin

Ohhhh my goodness! I just heard about this lovely doorstep service. Have you heard?
A Spoonful of Sin
https://aspoonfulofsin.com

That's right, it is an exclusive club dedicated to bringing you a monthly sampling of the most scrumptious, sumptuous, decadent desserts imaginable right to your doorstep. They have enticed some of the Washington, DC area’s most renowned chefs to share their confections and all of us get to enjoy them ... never having to leave your home.
There could be one problem. The portion sizes are just a spoonful or two – sharing is not recommended. Imagine receiving a beautiful box each month, filled with a portion of a specialty dessert, the likes of which you could get only in a five-star restaurant – but you only had to open your front door? Wow.... my goodness.
The subscription service costs $14.95 per month plus tax and shipping. You can order it for yourself or as a gift for one very lucky soul.
You can designate your membership for 3 months, 6 months, a year, or yes, even life...

Bistrot Du Coin. Le bistrot du poivre. Le bistrot du snobinard.

So tonight I premiered Bistrot du Coin in Dupont Circle.
It was a recommendation of my good friend and fellow DC Foodie, Shabobe Glover. Since I work in Dupont, I had walked past the bistro almost every day for the last month.

Only today during my lunch break did I actually stop and look at the menu. At first glimpse, even though I speak French (Oui, C'est Vrai. Je parle Francais) I didn't find a whole lot on the menu that I would even consider eating. Quite to Todd Kliman's dismay, I don't think I would ever order Duck Confit, mussels, Rabbit, or anything remotely funny like that. I know. I'm a very bad foodie, indeed.
When I walked in to the restaurant, the host asked me how many. I said that there would be a party of two that I would be meeting someone, arriving shortly. He says oh well you can wait at the bar. I can't seat you until both of you are here. I was pretty steamed. It wasn't busy. There was no reason that he couldn't sit me. The entire restaurant was practically empty. It was basically just rude, hence the "snobinard".

It wasn't very nice. So I sat at the bar and waited. Shabobe arrived fifteen minutes later and then he finally sat us (at the same exact table that I wanted to sit at to wait for him). Rude. Just rude.
Shabobe ordered a glass of wine. Even if circumstances were different, I don't think I would have ordered wine. Not sure. Didn't matter because before he could drink one entire glass, he managed to spill it all over himself and all over the floor. It was pretty funny. Another lesson of why you should not talk with your hands.
The waitress told us that as one of their specials, there was an endive salad with walnuts and blue cheese. Sounded like a winner to me. I got that and Shabobe ordered the mussels. (Ewwww...) Todd said that they were good, but no thanks. None for me.
Well I did take that choggers advice and I ordered Le Steak Maison (the house steak). It is described on the menu as, "Grilled Steak Frites with French Fries and béarnaise sauce". I'm confused a bit by this. Simply because I thought frites were "French fries". Shabobe orded the Rabbit stew, but I was a wuss and I didn't try it. As soon as we ordered, someone brought a basket of sliced French baguette with butter, nothing fancy, but we weren't complaining.
The endive salad was pretty tasty. The dressing was light and creamy. The walnuts tasted like they were slightly sweetened, they were my favorite part. I didn't notice any chunks of blue cheese, but maybe the blue cheese was the dressing. I don't think I have ever had this kind of endive before. This was not the leafy dark green lettuce leaves that I am used to, rather the endive was mostly hard from the inner leaves and were light green to creamy-white in color. The salad was still very good. I ate every bite.
My steak was thin, which I didn't expect and even though I ordered it "medium" it was served as "medium-well" almost "well-done". (Not actual photo)

It was still fairly juicy but what I didn't like much at all was how peppery it was. Hence the Poivre remark. This wasn't just plain ground black pepper. These were whole large peppercorns covering the entire steak. I had to dredge every bite of the steak into the béarnaise sauce just to be able to equalize the pepper. Even when Shabobe had a bite, he agreed.
Regardless of not being able to be seated upon arrival, the pepper and the steak being over cooked, we had a nice dinner. Dining with Shabobe is always a treat (and he paid). ;)

I took Todd's Advice. Zorba's Cafe in Dupont --

Today, I was in the mood for some hearty Italian cuisine and luckily for me, next door to my work is Buca di Beppo. I have been there only once before and I had a pretty good meal. I think it was a little pricey for lunch. I spent almost $18 for a lunch portion of the lasagna and a side salad and beverage (soda, not wine). Jeez. I am working, people. Only one thing I didn’t like what some of the lettuce that was in my salad was those hard white pieces. I hate that. I ended up fishing them out of my salad bowl and putting them on a bread plate. Anyways, I attempted to return this afternoon, but there was no one at the hostess stand. I waited a few minutes and then decided on such a nice day, I would venture out for somewhere with outdoor seating. So... I walk along Connecticut Avenue and before I realize it, I am almost to the Dupont Circle metro stop. All the sudden, like a light bulb went off in my head, I remembered that Todd Kliman's advice to me when I announced my new job in Dupont was to "become a regular at Zorba's Cafe" (see previous post, July 24, 2007).
So only this lovely sunny day, I went to Zorba's for my first time.

I was nervous walking up. I realized that I had never been there and I didn’t know what to do. I felt like I was in unfamiliar territory and that I could upset someone with my ignorance of the Zorba procedures (flashback to Soup Nazi).
So I walk up and there are small patio tables, (just for two) some with umbrellas, scattered about on their front stoop.

There is a sign posted out front by the door, "Order inside". Thank goodness for the sign. I would have been lost. I grab a menu on my way in and before I could open it, a man passes me with a large blue tray, filled with ... (gasp) everything that I want! I almost asked.... I said almost.
Well I took a quick glance at the menu. There wasn’t much for more (the line moved quickly). I figured out that he ordered the "Yero plate". It comes with a yero (pita with meat), small side salad, and french fries. Hmm… Are they called french fries at a Greek place? I dunno. So for the price, I thought it was a pretty good deal... all for $9.95 + tax.
You don’t wait long. Yes, sireee, ... in about 3 minutes, they called my number. I was so nervous ordering that I forgot to get a drink! Luckily for me, I noticed that there were glasses and pitchers of water available. As soon as my number was called, I went outside looking for a spot. I actually got a table with an umbrella.
I really loved the light vinaigrette dressing that was on the salad. I couldn't get enough. I bet I could have eaten another entire serving. The salad was a mixture of greens and romaine, shredded carrots, radish, and a tiny sliver of tomato and red onion. I personally would have been happier with more tomato. oh well.
My Yero was very tasty. I ate every bite. The pita was toasted and warm. The meat was tender and not dry. There was very little tadziki dressing, which I like more. I also would have liked some lettuce and tomato on my yero. Maybe you have to ask for that. I don't know. I'll find out because I definitely plan to go back. I ate my frites last. I ate them one by one dredged in ketchup. By this point, I was getting warm. Being partially in the sun began to wear on me. So there you have it! Zorba's is affordable, good food, and great outdoor seating.

I took Todd's Advice. Zorba's Cafe in Dupont --

I was in the mood for some hearty Italian cuisine and luckily for me, next door to my work is Buca di Beppo. I have been there only once before. I had a pretty good meal. I think it was a little pricey for lunch. I spent almost $18 for a lunch portion of the lasagna and a side salad and beverage (soda, not wine). Jeez. I am working, people. Anyways, I attempted to return this afternoon, but there was no one at the hostess stand. I waited a few minutes and then decided on such a nice day, I would venture out for an outdoors seat. So... I walk along Connecticut Avenue and before I realize it, I am almost to the Dupont Circle metro stop. All the sudden, like a light bulb went off in my head, I remembered that Todd Kliman's advice to me when I announced my new job was to "become a regular at Zorba's Cafe" (see previous post, July 24, 2007).
So today I went for my first time to Zorba's. It's a little strange.

I'm BACK! Another Blog with Washingtonian's Todd Kliman.

So after being away from my blog and also Todd Kliman's weekly online chat, I am Back! This was my question that I posted to Todd. Even though Todd wasn't much help, a fellow chogger chimed in and made a comment. That's below. :) I'll let you know how my dinner went tomorrow (time permitting).

Washington, DC:

Todd, This evening an old co-worker/friend of mine and I are meeting up for dinner. We are both pretty well versed when it comes to restaurant dining. We even usually go together to Restaurant Week Lunches, etc. Well tonight we are meeting at Bistro Du Coin in Dupont for dinner. I was wondering if you could give me a few must try items! I have never been there. I am not sure if my friend has. :) Thanks. Always a pleasure, Lisa D.

Answer:

Must-try items? Bistrot du Coin? I'd say that's going just a wee bit too far.

I'd zero in, though, on the mussels, the frites and the duck confit. Great atmosphere, some good cheap wines, lots of fun -- you might even enjoy the surly waiters (if you're in the right mood).

washington dc:

you forgot to mention the steak and fries at Bistro Du Coin, its a good dish for the price and a decent standby.

Answer: I didn't forget. :)