Mais Oui, Brasserie Beck!

For Ben and I's 5 year wedding anniversary, we canceled the reservation to Citronelle and decided to go to Brasserie Beck instead.

Located at 1101 K Street, NW Executive Chef/Owner Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel's has opened a less formal, more casual, contemporary restaurant named after his younger son, Beck. The dining room features an open steel and glass kitchen visible from three sides, set across from a unique family-style chef's table, dramatic 22-foot ceilings and a raw bar located at the end of a grand marble and walnut bar featuring an array of Belgian beers on tap to compliment his French Belgian fare. I found the tables to be a bit close together. It makes it rather uncomfortable to have an intimate dinner with your significant other. Conversation is forced to be on the DL. The din was mostly acceptable. I have heard of others complaining about the din, but I did not find it to be terribly loud or boisterous. I think it was because we were tucked in a nook outside of the open main dining area. I spent most of my evening starring at the large clocks on the wall above. They reminded me of the clocks that are in European train stations. It brought back some memories ...
Of course, I have to mention that Washingtonian Magazine named Brasserie Beck #36 on it's Very Best Restaurant List
Service was mostly good; however, on several occasions, we found ourselves looking around for our server when we needed something. Our server pointed out on more than one occasion that we should take our time, relax, enjoy ourselves and leave everything to him. I think it was wonderful!
Another perk, I found the bread basket to be enticingly plentiful. The server was very gracious when we asked for more bread. This has not always been the case at other establishments. I shall not name them here. It's hard to resist the bread due to the fact that it's deliciously warm, perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It was an exceptional baguette.
I was also very pleased by the charcuterie plate. There was a rabbit pate, We also ordered a side of the "Belgium frites". Who are we kidding, really? They were french fries. The frites were accompanied by 3 dipping sauces (traditional mayo, spicy which was a nice extra touch.
Ben ordered the raised rabbit with a sauce of its own juices fortified with kriek (cherry) beer and I ordered the trout. The portions were plentiful. I really enjoyed this place, I plan to return!

Free Food (or close to it) in the DC area

I have done some research recently for a friend (you know who you are) and I decided that a compiled list from multiple sources, could be very handy for some. So here it is...

Capitol Hill
1. Hawk and Dove
The way to an intern's heart is through free food. The Hawk and Dove is the free-nosh capital of Capitol Hill, with a daily spread of complimentary snacks between 4 and 7. On Monday, it's grilled cheese. On Friday, there's a taco bar. In between, you'll find wings, popcorn shrimp and other bar treats. Wash them down with $2 domestic drafts, $2.50 rail drinks or the $3.50 pint of the night, which is usually something better than Coors Light.

2. Tortilla Coast located: 400 1st Street, SE
Popular with Republican staffers and just steps from the Capitol South Metro station, Tortilla Coast's large bar area is usually more crowded than tables in the restaurant. Beer specials rotate nightly -- $2.75 Dos Equis on Monday, $3.25 Mexican beers on Thursday -- but the key is that all deals run from 5 until close, which is perfect for nights when you're not ready to go home at 7 p.m. or times when you're stuck in the office later than usual. Early in the week, there are savings on both Tex-Mex food and beer: 50-cent tacos washed down with $2.75 Bud on Tuesday, 10-cent wings paired with $2.75 Miller Lite on Wednesday. Saturday's combination night offers all the week's deals during one overheated happy hour.


3. The Pour House location: 319 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
The Pour House is a flatscreen-filled sports bar is a destination for the Hill's kickballers, softball teams and bocce players. Daily deals include $5 appetizers and $3 beers from 4 to 7, but all-night specials offer reasons to hang out longer. On Thursday, for example, Budweiser and Bud Light bottles are $1 from 4 to 6 and $2 after; Wednesday is $5 burger night (with $12 margarita pitchers); and Friday's happy hour is extended until 9.

4. Union Pub Formally, The Red River Grill, located at 201 Massachusetts Ave NE
Settle onto the covered patio with your friends and hang out for a few hours, because if there's a bar on the Hill with more drink specials than Union Pub, I've yet to stumble across it. The key is that every day is markedly different. Wacky Wednesday has been a mainstay for years, with $1.50 Budweiser and Bud Light bottles and $5 Gold Margaritas offered all night. On Freaky Friday, the deals switch every few hours, so keep an eye on your watch: Rail drinks are $2.50 from 5 to 7, frozen cocktails are $5 from 5 to 8, pitchers of house ale are $10 from 7 on, fruity Orange Whip cocktails are $4 after 8, rail drinks are $3.50 from 9 until midnight, and the house sangria is $6 a glass from 5 p.m. until it runs out.

5. My Brother's Place 237 2nd St NW, Washington, DC
Forget the weekday grind -- My Brother's Place really revs up on weekends. The divey bar begins hopping on Friday nights with beat-the-clock specials: domestic drafts cost 75 cents at 4 p.m. and prices rise 25 cents an hour until 9, which sets the mood for a night of dancing to a DJ. Saturday kicks off with a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament from 4 to 9, but the big deal is the $15 all-you-can-drink draft beer from 9 to 1. (Rail drinks are included for the first hour.) There's plenty more where that came from: Ladies get $1 drinks on Monday from 9 to 11, and Thursday's College Night means $2.50 domestic beers from 8 to close.

Dupont Circle

6. Lucky Bar (South Dupont) 1221 Connecticut Ave NW # 1221
Anywhere else, a weekday happy hour that runs from 3 to 8 would be extraordinary, with drafts starting at $2.50 and rail drinks for a buck more. At Lucky Bar, though, it's overshadowed by the legendary "Do the Deuce" Thursday night, where Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Select and basic rail drinks like vodka-and-tonic are $2 from 3 until close. Bike messengers rub shoulders with interns, and young professionals in office attire get down with hipsters on the dance floor. On Monday nights there are salsa lessons, Tuesday and Wednesday, there are food specials -- half-price burgers and 25-cent wings -- paired with $3 pints of Yuengling.

7. The Front Page (South Dupont) 1333 New Hampshire Ave
It's pretty much a given that D.C. interns will hit the Front Page at least one Thursday this summer: The lure of $2 Coronas, $3 margaritas and a $1-per-plate taco bar is just too much to resist. The drink specials begin at 5 and run all night; tacos are available from 5 to 7. This joint has been voted one of the best happy hours in the city!

8. The Fox & Hounds (South Dupont) 1537 17th St NW
The patio at the Fox & Hounds is the best people-watching spot in Dupont Circle, so arrive early if you want a seat. Still, with some of the strongest drinks in D.C. offered for $3.59 every weekday between 4:30 and 6:30, you won't complain too much about being stuck inside; here, the bartenders' idea of a gin and tonic is a glass full of gin served with a mini-bottle of tonic on the side. Want something with lower octane? Bud, Bud Light, Yuengling and Miller Lite are $3.50 each.

Downtown

9. Recessions
Hidden in a hotel basement -- you have to pass conference rooms on your way to the bar -- Recessions makes up for its lack of atmosphere with some of the best drink prices in town. From 5 to 8, oversized "King Kong" drafts, served in frosty 32-ounce mugs, are $3, as are the strong rail drinks. Appetizer plates are $3 each; the kitchen specializes in deep-fried snacks like onion rings, mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders.

10. Porter's Dining Saloon
With plenty of bars around 19th and M to lure the after-work crowd -- Rumors, Madhatter, Sign of the Whale -- I'm more likely to head for Porter's Dining Saloon, a three-story pub with $2 Miller Lites and $3 rail drinks from 4 to 7 on weekdays. Not wildly different from its neighbors, I know, but the walled patio is comfortable, and happy hour keeps going well after some of the neighbors: all-night specials at Porter's include $3 Miller Lites until close on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and $3 Coronas on Wednesday.

11. Chef Geoff's
Happy Hour brings $5 burgers, $8 personal pizzas and $7.95 draft beers -- but that's not just any beer, it's a 34-ounce supermug. Offered all day on Monday and Tuesday and from 3 to 7 the rest of the week, it's a beacon for office workers and American University students. (As great as happy hour is, don't overlook the prix-fixe Sunset Special: a three-course dinner for less than $20, offered between 4 and 6:30.)

12. Cafe Asia
Famous for its bargain-basement sushi happy hour -- $1-a-piece nigiri, $2 Kirin drafts, discounted maki rolls -- Cafe Asia's small, L-shaped bar area quickly becomes packed. Its saving grace is that it runs until 7:30, so stragglers can often find a seat. (If you sit in the more spacious and modern dining room, the specials don't apply.) These deals are also offered at the Cafe Asia in Rosslyn.

13. Restaurant K
If your date (or your older co-workers) won't be impressed by how many $2 beers and rail liquor shots you can slam back, take them to Restaurant K, where you won't have to spend too much to enjoy happy hour. Yuengling drafts for $4.95 are not a deal by any stretch of the imagination, but the delicious house-infused cocktails -- think grapefruit or prickly pear tequila, pineapple or pair vodka -- are $5.95 between 3 and 7, along with a rotating selection of red and white wines. All items on the bar menu have a few bucks knocked off, too: A black angus burger is $5.95, as is a a bubbling bowl of queso fundido for sharing, but the best are bite-sized beef hot dog pieces, fried in jalapeno batter and served with dipping mustard for $3.95.

Penn Quarter

14. La Tasca
The bar at the Spanish restaurant turns into a fiesta at happy hour with specials on sangria ($3.50 a glass, $15 a pitcher), wine ($3.50 a glass, $15 a bottle), draft beer ($3.50 for any of the 10 taps), and margaritas ($5 a glass, $14 for a sampler flight). A selection of tapas, including fried eggplant, Spanish meatballs and calamari -- are $2.50 a plate. On Friday, there's free paella.

U Street

15. Nellie's Sports Bar
Though it's been billed as D.C.'s first gay sports bar, Nellie's draws a remarkable neighborhood mix: black and white, straight and gay, casual and sharply dressed. There are numerous TVs and a large rooftop deck. Happy hour at Nellie's runs on a beat-the-clock system: $1 Miller Lite, house beers and rail drinks from 5 to 6, with prices increasing $1 per hour until 8. At that point, it's better to just order the ongoing summer special: an iced-down bucket of five beers (Michelob Ultra, Budweiser or Bud Light) for $11.95.

16. Polly's Cafe
One of the coziest, friendliest spots on U Street is this tiny cash-only restaurant and bar. Happy hour, offered on weekdays between 4 and 7, is kinder to your wallet than most of its neighbors: Your four choices, all priced at $2, are Budweiser drafts, Miller Lite bottles, PBR cans or any rail drink. With the money you save on booze, you can afford to slip another buck into the jukebox.

Foggy Bottom

17. McFadden's
From Guitar Hero competitions to mechanical bull riding to "Trailer Park Tuesdays," there's always something going on at McFadden's, a crowded two-level pub-with-a-dance floor, and it usually involves getting liquored up on the cheap. Tuesday, for example: $2 drinks from 4 to 7, $1 drinks from 7 to 9 if you have a college ID, $1 domestic beers and $5 Jager bombs from 8 to close, and $1 taco plates from 9 to 11. Thursday also has $2 drinks until 7, an optional $10 open bar from 6 to 8, $2 Coronas from 8 to close and $3 Captain Morgan drinks and $4 Jose Cuervo shots from 8 to midnight. Get the picture?

18. Tonic at Quigley's Pharmacy
Tonic's business has grown by leaps and bounds since it landed a liquor license in January, and really, how could it not? Located on the campus of George Washington University, the three-level bar has become a favorite of students and nearby office workers. From 5 to 7 on weekdays, the bar offers 50-cent wings (the best in the neighborhood) and half-price beers, so you'll pay $2.25 for a pint of Yuengling or Red Hook or $3 for Guinness or Hoegaarden.

Bethesda

19. Caddies on Cordell
The two-level outdoor space at Caddies is as impressive as the golf memorabilia covering the walls inside. Golden Tee is big, of course, but so are the happy hour deals. Miller Lite, Yuengling and Budweiser are $2 on Monday and Tuesday from 4 to 7, domestic beers are $2 or $3 on Wednesday -- both at happy hour and at the DJ-fueled '80s night, which begins at 8 -- and buckets of beer are $10 (domestic) and $15 (import) on Thursdays.

20. Rock Bottom Brewery
Rock Bottom brewer Geoff Lively has racked up some impressive awards during his tenure in Bethesda, including a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival for his Raccoon Red. Find out why on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday when the bar runs its popular Happy Hour and a Half with $1.50 pints of its house-made beers from 5:30 to 7. On Wednesday and Sunday, purchase a special logoed pint glass for $4.95 (which includes the first beer) and get $2 refills for the rest of your visit. Check their website to See Multiple locations, such as Ballston Mall in Arlington, VA.

Arlington

21. Caribbean Breeze
The best thing about happy hour at this lively Ballston restaurant isn't the $2.99 Mexican beers, the $2.99 empanadas, quesadillas, wings or other appetizers, or that the neighborhood's tastiest mojitos are $5. It's that servers are willing to give you happy hour prices if you sit on the lovely shaded patio instead of at the attractive cherry bar.

22. Rock Bottom Brewery
On Wednesdays, the line to get into Rock Bottom Brewery winds through Ballston Common Mall, past the flower shop, the vitamin store -- almost to Starbucks. You may have to wait 30 minutes to get in if you arrive after 6. Why? $1.50 house-brewed beers from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Great deal and lively scene. Other highlights include $2.50 pints on Monday between 4 and 9, and the "buy a glass, drink cheap beer" promotion on Friday: Purchase a 23-ounce glass with a Rock Bottom logo on it for $5.95 (including the first beer) and refills are $3 until 9, and $4 after.

23. The Front Page
Located just across the street from Rock Bottom, the Front Page's extended happy hour (4 to 9 p.m.) includes $1 Miller High Life drafts, $2 Budweiser and Miller Lite drafts, $2.50 Sam Adams beers, $2.75 rail drinks and $3.50 glasses of wine, plus half-price appetizers. On Wednesday, burgers are half price, and on Thursday, there's a free taco bar from 5 to 7.

24. Whitlow's on Wilson
Offering one of the longest and latest happy hours in Clarendon, all draft beers at Whitlow's are $2.50 between 4 and 8, Tuesday through Friday. On Wednesday, glasses of wine are half-price from 4 to 9. Thursday is mug night: Buy a $5 mug and refills of draft beer are $1.50. Don't forget that Monday nights are burger nights!

25. Piola
It's a wonder that Piola turns a profit. Every weekday, happy hour runs from 4:30 to 8 and includes $3 beers, $4 glasses of wine and $5 cocktails, plus servers wandering through the bar area offering free pizza. Free. Pizza. Between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, pair any pizza with any beer for $12. Sundays are all-you-can-eat pizza night, and anyone with a student ID gets 20 percent off their meals between 3 and 5 p.m. and again from 10 to close.

Also with multiple locations:
Don't forget about Chili's. They offer free wings and chips and salsa during weeknight happy hours (3-7 p.m.)
Rock Bottom Brewery
La Tasca

OH AND THERE IS MORE!
Happy Hours for the Hungry

Restaurant K's entrees hover in the $20s, but during happy hour, a selection of the Southern/Southwestern-inspired apps are available for $4 to $6. Burgers, hot-dog bites and chili cheese fries make up the menu, but the smoky, creamy, cheesy vat of "piggy" clam dip is an especially good choice.

Most interns are priced out of Hill favorite Johnny's Half Shell, but from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, small plates are well within reason. Mini-burgers and mini Asian tuna sandwiches are $2.50. Fried oysters and gumbo are $6 each. They also have really good pickles!

Wings, fried shrimp, sliders and oyster shooters are among the treats on the K Street McCormick and Schmick's happy hour menu. Dishes range between $2 and $5. Find these prices between 3:30 and 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and again between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
Nigiri pieces are $1.50 at both Cafe Asia locations from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Wash the raw fish down with half-price sake and $2.50 draft beers.

At the Dupont location of Heritage India, samosas, pakora and Indian street-food treats are half price between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on weeknights.
Burgers in Hotel Helix's swinging-60s lounge (and on the patio) are half price from 5 to 7 p.m. everyday.

Piola's happy hour is known for its tasty free snacks, but that's not the only opporunity to score a deal at this Rosslyn pizza shop. With a valid ID, students can get 20 percent off their meals between 3 and 5 p.m. and after 10 p.m. Also after 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Piola offers a $12 pizza-and-a-beer deal -- any beer, any pizza.

The Big Hunt, a divey Dupont bar, isn't known for fine cuisine, but a large beer selection and food deals make it an attractive bet during the early part of the week. Food specials kick in once happy hour wraps up at 7 p.m. On Mondays, pizza is half price; burgers are half off on Wednesday. On Tuesdays, wings are 15 cents a piece.

At nearby Lucky Bar, you'll find one of the best deals, around. Wing lovers can get 25 wings on Tuesdays and half-price burgers on Wednesdays from 5 to 11 p.m.

Restaurants Within Reason

On the Hill, there's simply no better lunch under $5 than tacos at Tacqueria Nationale. (Same building as Johnny's Half Shell on the Hill). Fresh ingredients make them sing.

D.C. institution Ben's Chili Bowl is a must-try for anyone who lives here. Score a chili half-smoke and a thick shake for under $8.

The subdued Talay Thai restaurant provides a welcome respite after a long couple of happy hours at Tortilla Coast. Pad thai and other mainstay dishes are available for under $10. To sample as many tastes as possible, split the appetizer sampler platter with friends.

Rice has an upscale restaurant's feel with a cheap restaurant's prices. The dimly lit romantic space is perfect for a date night on a budget, since most of the entrees are about $13. You can't make reservations here, but it's worth the wait.
Grilled cheese and burgers are some of the specialities at subterranean Polly's Cafe. Brunch is served all week here, and the specialities include eight different eggs benedict offerings and $3 spicy bloody marys.
Neighboring pasta shop Pasta Mia gets a lot of attention, but you'll find better service and big bowls of pasta under $13 at Adams Morgan's San Marco.
In downtown, you can't go wrong with the tandoori chicken tikka sandwich at the Naan and Beyond locations.
La Loma's Mexican dishes aren't mind-blowing, but, in the summer, the patio is a great spot to enjoy a filling $10 taco platter, boozy margaritas and free chips and salsa.

ALSO SEE: http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/diningguides/2788.html

For Good Bargains:
THE BARKING DOG, 4723 Elm St., Bethesda, MD; 301-654-0022; thebarkingdogonline.com Appetizers like coconut chicken tenders and spinach-and-artichoke dip are $6 at this friendly tavern. Selected pints are $3, rail drinks and wine $3. Happy hours: Monday - Friday 3 to 7.

For super duper yummy coconut chicken tenders.
BISTRO BISTRO, 4021 S. 28th St., Arlington; 703-379-0300; bistro-bistro.com We felt as though we were the only people who didn't know the waitstaff or the patrons, but Bistro Bistro's friendly atmosphere and great half-price appetizers, like the smoked-chicken quesadilla, made us feel at home. Miller Lite and Bud Light are $1.99, seasonals $2.99. Happy hours: Monday through Saturday 3 to 7 PM.

For Yummy Jamaican-jerk-chicken spring rolls ($3.50). Ask for teriyaki sauce.
CAFE CITRON, 1343 Connecticut Ave., Dupont Cicle (South); 202-530-8844; cafecitrondc.com For a tropical-flavored happy hour try the Tasters menu ($3 to $7.50) at this Dupont hot spot. The fried plantains and fried Sonso cheese patties are delicious. Fruity drinks like mojitos ($4) and tropical rum lemonade ($4), and bottled beers like Corona ($3) and Portuguese Sagres ($3) are discounted. Happy hours: Monday through Saturday, 4 to 7 PM. You can also get drink specials Monday through Wednesday from 8 to 10 PM.
Our pick: Bolivian potato cakes stuffed with beef and cheese ($5.95).

CHADWICKS, 203 S. Strand St., Old Town, Alexandria, 703-836-4442; also in Georgetown; chadwicksrestaurants.com. This Old Town pub offers $3 bar food and $2 domestics and rail drinks. On Monday, the bar sweetens the deal with half-price burgers; on Thursday, it's "fire and ice"--35-cent hot wings and $2.95 Molson Ice. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 4 to 7 PM.
Our pick: country-fried chicken tenders with house-made honey-dijon and barbecue sauces ($3).

DIVINO LOUNGE, 7345-B Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda; 240-497-0300; divinolounge.com. The only thing interns love more than cheap food is free food. At this trendy, dimly lit lounge--which is on The Washingtonian's Very Best Restaurant list--we enjoyed free Argentinien tapas: sausage, chicken croquettes, olives, and mushrooms. (The four mini-dishes change daily.) Rail drinks, martinis, and beers are half price. Happy hours: Wednesday through Friday 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

FACCIA LUNA, 2909 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-276-3099; also in Alexandria; faccialuna.com. It's technically not a happy hour, but the Monday-night special at the Arlington location is one of the best deals in town. Two people can feast on house salads or an appetizer such as a goat-cheese napoleon or tomato bruschetta, a pizza with two toppings, and two glasses of house wine for $22.22. Specials offered Mondays 5 to 11 PM.

GRILLFISH, 1200 New Hampshire Ave., NW; 202-331-7310; grillfishdc.com. Domestic bottled beers, select glasses of wine, and appetizers such as buffalo shrimp and steamed mussels are half price. Cocktails such as the "Kokonut Kamikaze," a blend of coconut rum, sour mix, and pineapple juice, are $4. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 4 to 7 PM, Saturday & Sunday 5 to 7 PM.

HERITAGE INDIA BRASSERIE, 1337 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-331-1414. Dishes from the small-plates menu--inspired by Indian street food--are a steal at half price ($2.50 to $3.50). The classy, low-key bar is a nice break from the wilder Dupont bar scene. Domestic beers are $2.75, imports $3.75, martinis $4.50 and rail drinks $4.75. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 5 to 7 PM (food) 4.30 to 7.30 PM (drinks).

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S, 7401 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-961-2626; also in Chinatown, downtown DC, Tysons Corner, and Reston; mccormickandschmicks.com Because McCormick & Schmick's is on the ground floor of a Bethesda high-rise, much of its clientele comes after work from the building's upper floors. The bar, which is separate from the dining room, has a $1.95 appetizer menu that includes tasty burgers, wings, quesadillas, oysters, and mussels. There is a two-beverage minimum for the special, but it's worth it. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 3:30 to 6:30 PM and Monday through Thursday 9:30 to 11.

TUNNICLIFFS TAVERN, 222 Seventh St., SE; 202-544-5680; tunnicliffstaverndc.com You'll find specials every weeknight here. Monday, they have Wine Night, with any two entrees you get a bottle of wine for half price. Tuesday Lasagna Night, enjoy lasagna with a side of house salad and a glass of wine for $14. Friday all appetizers are half price. Get a Bud Light for $2. Between 11 PM and 1 AM there is a Late Night Menu with burgers and salads for half price and pizzas $7. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 7 to 11 PM.

WHITLOW'S ON WILSON, (Also mentioned above) 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-276-9693; whitlows.com Whitlow's fantastic apps--like peel-and-eat shrimp and spinach-and-artichoke dip--and good drink specials make it a favorite. Get there early--you can't sit at a table unless you're ordering dinner, and bar stools fill up. You can feast on half-price burgers all day Monday. Mug night Thursday from 4 to 9 PM, buy a Mug ($5) and refill with the beer of the night ($1.50). On Friday from 4 to 8, appetizers such as cheese fries are $2 off. Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 8 PM drafts are $2.50.
Our pick: spinach-and-artichoke dip with pita chips ($5.95 on Friday).

Cafe Trope ~coming soon~

Today's Lunch @ Cafe Trope

My coworker and I went to lunch today at Cafe Trope in Dupont Circle. It was a little chilly today and a bit windy, but we thought that we had to take advantage of our last opportunity to have lunch together since I am leaving.

Odeon Cafe ~ Dupont Circle

One of my coworkers invited me to lunch. We decided before we left work that we had both never been to the Odeon Cafe on the North side of Dupont Circle (located at 1714 Connecticut Ave.). The cafe wasn't busy even though it was lunch time on a Thursday afternoon. We were seated right in front of the open window doors with a great view of the Circle's hustle and bustle. We were greeted shortly after arriving by our server who had a very heavy Latino accent. We got drinks and he brought us each a warm round bread roll and some sort of mystery garlic butter. The butter had some sort of leafy spice floating around in it. My friend and both decided that we thought that the butter was quite disgusting and did not taste fresh. We each ordered a lunch special that was written on a daily specials board outside in front of the restaurant's entry way. I ordered the Classic Italian American favorite, Chicken Parmesan. Also to accompany my meal, the lunch special included a house salad. I almost laughed when the salad arrived. It was a bed of lettuce with a few shredded carrots on top, one half of a grape/cherry tomato, and one cucumber slice. (Yes, picture this, but halved!) The dressing was probably a red wine vinaigrette. My coworker didn't even finish her salad. I ate most of mine. When our lunch plates arrived, I was surprised at the large portion. There was a side of spaghetti with tomato sauce sprinkled with parsley and a large chicken patty with Parmesan cheese and tomato sauce. The chicken was a little bit dry, so I am guessing that the chicken parm wasn't made fresh to order. It was pre-made and reheated. The spaghetti was a little over cooked. It was almost mushy but the sauce tasted authentic and not jar bought. My coworker had to ask for a water refill several times. The restaurant wasn't busy. There was only one or two other tables other than ours. There was no reason that she couldn't have gotten excellent service. The other waiter or bartender leaned on the bar in the entry way, reading a newspaper. All in all ... not impressed. I can't say that I would ever go there again, and since I am no longer working in Dupont Circle, I am most likely say that I will not return. It was a decent enough mail. Nothing memorable or exceptional.

Celebration at Liberty Tavern

I got a new job! New digs is always a cause for celebration, especially being able to land a new job in the middle of a recession, especially one that pays significantly more money. My husband suggested that we go to dinner to celebrate. My husband is always very supportive and thinks that my happiness is crucial. So of course I consulted Opentable.com. Since it was a Friday night, and late notice, a later reservation (after 7 p.m.) is a must. I was pleasantly surprised that the Liberty Tavern located at 3195 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington had reservations available. I had heard about the Liberty Tavern in various places. I probably had read a review in the Washington Post magazine, in the Washingtonian magazine, or perhaps during Todd Kliman's online chat on a Wednesday, or a combination of them all. Not only is it listed on the Washingtonian's 100 Very Best List, the tavern has a prime location in the Clarendon area of Arlington, Virginia. In fact, it's right next door to the Clarendon Ballroom and with the large bright neon sign, it's hard to miss.
According to opentable.com the Liberty Tavern is located in a historic 1907 building that has been beautifully restored and updated.
I have heard that the main draw of the Liberty Tavern is their cherry wood bar. I guess I didn't realize how popular it was until I saw all of the happy hour goers jam packed into lower level bar of the restaurant. Perhaps I shouldn't have, since it was a Friday night in Clarendon. It's always busy on a Friday night in Clarendon. By the looks of the cherry wood staircase, you'd think that you were going to the neighborhood Clyde's, but up above the "tavern" there is a small open dining room. The dining room was almost completely packed as well. The tables are small and nestled closely together to ensure space is utilized to it's fullest (Photograph by Stacy Zarin-Goldberg). Despite the tight space between tables, the dining room is open and airy. You can see across the dining room from any seat in the house. Lucky me, my husband and I were seated directly across from the kitchen. I could see Executive Chef, Liam M. LaCivita busy working. I was mesmerized by Liam so much, I think that my husband was going to accuse me of ignoring him. I had a great view, to say the least. I was able to see all of food as it was being plated. The menu is small and quaint, rustic American. I was surprised to see that they serve pizza. Not just any pizza though, wood-fired pizza, which is supposed to make all the difference. I don't know because I did not order a pizza. For the first course, I talked my husband into ordering the duck confit. I have learned to appreciate the duck due to some pursuing of my good friend, Shabobe. The duck was served with fennel and watercress salad, with lemon-pomegranate marmalade. I was surprised when the duck was served as a drumstick with partial thigh and not shredded like most confit. The duck was moist, not oily and didn't taste at all gamey, which is why most people say that they don't enjoy eating duck. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that it was cooked in a wood burning oven. For my main course, I ordered the handcrafted baked Gnocchi with Jenkins orchard apples and squash. The menu had autumn touches throughout. The addition of the apples and squash to the gnocchi was delicious. The gnocchi was strangely tiny and bite-size. In addition I also ordered a fields green salad. I wish that I had ordered something else. I forgot until my salad arrived that I don't care for field greens. The dressing was a red wine vinaigrette, but needed something else less earthy to cover the greens. I might suggest pine nuts with a shallot red wine ... We looked at the dessert menu, but I did not see anything that struck my fancy. I was looking for something like a cheesecake or an apple pie. After all, they said it was rustic American.

Restaurant Week Recap

So Restaurant Week is long gone ... but not forgotten. This time around, I had the pleasure of dining at PS 7's, Penn Quarter's Zaytinya, and Olives for lunch. My first dinner of the week was on a Tuesday night. My good friend Shabobe, (pronounced Sha-Bob-Ee) and I had dinner at PS 7's. I had to do a little research to find out how it got its name. Apparently, PS 7’s is a combination of the Executive Chef/Owner’s name, Peter Smith and the address 777 I Street. The restaurant is located in the Chinatown/Penn Quarter neighborhoods of Washington, DC, which is conveniently just one block away from the Verizon Center and two blocks from the Gallery Place Metro Station. Any place that is accessible by metro, in my opinion is bound to do well. PS 7's is no exception. The restaurant's dining room is very modern, yet cozy. Some of the tables are a bit close to each other, which could be considered cozy or intrusive, depending on who you ask. PS 7's restaurant week menu was, how do I say it, almost barren (unfruitful, lacking). There was not enough appetizers to choose from, and if you don't like fish, well you'd leave hungry. For my first course, I ordered the "house-made" Black Pepper Parmesean and Lemon Gnochi, served with duck confit, haricot verts, pearl onions and watercress in a sage and vermouth broth. I thought that the gnochi was decent, but it was so peppery, that I coughed with almost every bite. For my second course, I opted for the Cornmeal Crusted Rainbow Trout, described as served with roasted yellow corn, watermelon and cilantro relish and baby spinach. Shabobe said that he had ordered the trout before and recalled it being very good, so I decided to give it a go. I wish I hadn't. I wasn't in the slightest bit impressed. I don't even think that I finished it. The fish was dry and with every bite, I wished I had more cilantro relish. I will say that I thought that offering Beingnets as a dessert was quite unique. I haven't had them since Nawlins, going on 8 years ago. They were delicious and I hope that they offer them all year round on their dessert menu.
A day or so later, I attended a meeting out of my office and found myself standing outside the restaurant Olives at located at 1600 K Street, NW. I sat at the bar and was pleasantly surprised by their restaurant week lunch menu. For my first course, I had melon and procuttio. I ate every single bite, although I think that the procuttio should have been wrapped more around the melon pieces. It was plated nicely, in terms of presentation, but it was rather difficult to eat. For the second course, I ordered what I thought would be a very simple boring chicken breast, but boy was I wrong. This chicken was the best chicken breast that I have ever had in my entire life. The meat was extremely tender and unbelievably juicy. It definitely had a mediterranean flavor and the ingredients were almost unidentifiable. I learned by researching the owner and chef, Todd English that he is not only, breathtakingly handsome, but very well known for his "rustic mediterranean cuisine". He owns several restaurants all over the US, including Bonfire, Kingfish Hall, Figs, and several locations of his restaurant Olives. I'd like to come back. Great place for a cool and chic happy hour.

Le Paradou offers Restaurant Week Menu

I have only been to Le Paradou one time and I think it was in December 2007. I believe that my husband and I went there for our 4th wedding anniversary celebration. My hubbie is not a foodie, but we loved Le Paradou.
I was so pleased to find out that Le Paradou just annouced that for the first time since their openinig, they are participating in restaurant week from Monday August 11 to Saturday August 16 (see RW post below).
Le Paradou's Restaurant Week menu will feature the Best of Executive Chef and co-Proprietor Yannick Cam's contemporary cuisine;
Sea Scallop Ceviche, Chilled carrot soup with ginger infused carrot sorbet, Lobster purse with carrot and ginger reduction, the famous Crab Flan with Miyagi Oysters and White Corn Ragout, Tomato Gazpacho with Avocado Terrine, Cilantro and Lobster Claw, Roasted Salmon with artichokes tomato confit and Parma Ham, Black Angus filet with a Millefeuille of Potatoes, Veal Ossobouco with fennel seeds and safran jus, quail with muchrooms and pistacchio mousse stuffing , Breast of Duck with Poultry mousse stuffed cabbage and basil jus and more! Don't forget their extensive wine list when ordering! Especially since the restaurant receieved the “Best of Award of Excellence" by Wine Spectator magazine in 2006.

Le Paradou is located at:

678 Indiana Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004
Phone: 202.347.6780
Fax: 202.347.4066


For more information (dress code, parking, map, etc.) or to make reservations at
Le Paradou:

Make sure you visit www.opentable.com to make your restaurant week reservations. Hurry!! Le Paradou plans to provide diners a spectacular adventure in intense flavors.

DC Restaurant Week Dates Just Announced!!

DC's Restaurant Week is back!! That’s right … haven’t you heard? Yes, well maybe you haven’t because the RW dates for this summer were just released. This summer expect restaurants to be HOT! Washington’s twice-a-year Restaurant Week, always creates quite a stir for DC Area diners. It's the time of year that normal folks (those without a hefty expense account) can actually afford to dine in Washington's best restaurants.
Restaurant Week is intended to create business for area restaurants that would normally be in a downward slump due to so many people vacationing over the summer months.The upcoming Restaurant week officially begins Monday, August 11, 2008 and ends Sunday, August 17, 2008, but some establishments will be observing early and expanding their participation to all month.
Participating Restaurant Week restaurants offer a gourmet 3-course prix fixe menu, $20.08 Lunches and $30.08 Dinners. Some of the regular participating restaurants include Corduroy, Bistro Bis, Butterfield 9, and Vidalia. Some newcomers include Restaurant K by Alison Swope and Rasika. I wonder when restaurants like Komi, Restaurant Eve, CityZen, or even Citronelle might open their doors to Restaurant Week.
Last RW in January, rustic Italian Dino offered its full menu, with a few upcharges and lasted the entire month. Romantic Butterfield 9 last time started the promotion a week early and extended the entire month, as well.
All of José Andrés’s area restaurants—Spanish tapas flagship Jaleo, Mediterranean-flavored Zaytinya, Modern Mexican Oyamel, and Latin-themed Café Atlántico have offered Restaurant Week for an extra week in the past. We can only hope that they will continue. The same goes for two places owned by restaurateur Ashok Bajaj—Cleveland Park’s neighborly Ardeo and its wine-bar sibling, Bardeo.

I already have reservations at Foodie Favorite, Corduroy for Dinner. Make sure you return to see my reviews!

Cooking and Culinary Arts: Where to go

So I've been recently considering taking some cooking classes or getting a degree or diploma in Culinary Arts. So far I've been looking for information on co$t. I saw a commercial on TV about the Art Institute of Washington and their Culinary Arts program. Also I found a huge List of cooking classes for adults and children in the Washington Post. The list is rather dated since it's from 2001, but the websites are listed. I'm considering signing up for a class or two that is offered at Galileo in DC by Chef Roberto Donna. It costs $100 per person for each class and includes hands-on instruction with the Chef, an apron, recipes, a five course meal and wine pairings. Other cooking classes of interest to me are those being offered at the Lebanese Taverna. The cost per person is a little less at $60 per person. You can register online, which is handy and the classes last from 6:45pm to 9:30pm.

Dining in DC Wish List and Mother's Day (May 11)

So there are lots of opportunities to celebrate by dining out each year. For me, the big ones are my wedding anniversary (Dec.), my birthday (Jan.), Valentines's Day (Feb.), Mother's Day (May), my husband's birthday (Nov.) and then were back around to another year. In Dec 2007 my husband and I went to Le Paradou (see review) for our wedding anniversary. For my birthday, I went to CityZen (see review). For Valentine's Day, I can't remember if we went out or what we did. I was very pregnant, so we probably didn't do much. With that being said, Mother's Day is approaching. Since I have twice the duty, I plan to pick a special place this year.
I've decided to take a look at the Washingtonian's 100 Very Best Restaurants
and make a "Wish List", starting with my #1 most desired place to visit. This was easy of course, since the #1 restaurant, Citronelle, I have never been to.
So my Wish List is as follows:
1. Citronelle
2. The Inn at Little Washington
3. Komi
4. Restaurant Eve (Tasting Room)
5. Vidalia
6. Central Michel Richard
7. Kinkaid's
8. The Source
9. Marcel's
10. Palena

So with Mother's Day approaching ... I am not sure what I will pick.
Komi is closed Sunday and Monday, so if I pick Komi I will celebrate on Saturday, which is preferred anyways. Citronelle and The Inn at Little Washington are out of our price range right now, for two or more reasons. First is I am not working because I am on maternity leave and second we have a new baby and it costs a fortune.
I think I will try and talk my husband into Restaurant Eve. I really like it there (been there for lunch) but have never been there for dinner. The tasting room menu for five courses is $125 per person, which is a steal, especially since it's Cathal Armstrong.

Oya: on the fast track to 100's Best

So last night I checked out Oya (777 9th St., NW). The restaurant calls itself, "Contemporary Asia-French fusion". Traffic was horrendous, as there was a Capitals game at the Verizon center and a baseball game at the new Washington Nationals stadium. Besides that, getting to the restaurant was uneventful. It's on the same block as Zayatina and the Capital City Brewing Company. They offer Valet, thank goodness because they probably know that there is no way that a diner would be able to find parking on their own, well especially not on a night like tonight.
Inside the restaurant is breath-takingly sexy and chic. It has a clean crisp design with white leather tables and chairs and the foyer is adored with a heavy metal chain link curtain on the wall. On the restaurant website, you can see their interior photo gallery for pictures. http://www.oyadc.com/Interior
The bar and lounge area had at least two areas that were reserved for special parties. The bar itself was fairly large and could easily accomodate a couple hundred people for a bustling happy hour.
One thing that I noticed right away once we were sat at our table, besides the decor, is the din. You can't really hear the person sitting with you and you especially cannot hear your server. I had to ask my friend more than once what the server was saying. You simply cannot hear over the noise level in the dining room. I'm sure that the bustling lounge and bar area nearby didn't help. The servers are dressed in head to toe black, which is a stark contrast to the tables and chairs. On almost every table there is a unusually tall thin bottle of trendy (probably over-priced) water (Zengo).
One very unique thing about Oya other than the decor is that they offer a prix fixe menu every day of the week. They offer a $20 lunch menu and a $30 dinner menu. My friend and I both ordered off of the prix fixe menu. For the first course, I ordered the coconut shrimp. It was cooked perfectly. Shrimp that is overcooked, usually is very rubbery. This was very good. The shrimp was lightly battered like tempura. Since Oya serves tempura, it was probably the same batter. My friend ordered the Spicy Tuna Roll (sushi) as his first course. I of course tried it and thought that it was spicy, but not enough so that you can still taste the tuna. There wasn't a lot of the tuna in the roll. I thought that there was a lot of "white" in the roll (rice). I noticed that the wasabi was presented as if it was squeezed out of a decorators tube. We also ordered a California Sushi Roll. The ginger was un-died, it wasn't that pink that you would find at other sushi joints.
For the second course, I ordered the Grilled Sirloin which I ordered medium. I rarely ever order red meat so rare, but I truly think that meats are juicier more rare. Boy, was I right! This steak was so moist, so tender, it almost melts in your mouth. My friend ordered the Chilean Sea Bass which came with stuffed roasted peppers. I did not try the peppers, as I am allergic, but the Sea Bass was perfectly cooked as well. It didn't taste "fishy" at all. Light, soft, delicate buttery flavor; it was delicious. When I return, I will order the Chilean Sea Bass. For dessert, I had the trio of sorbets, mango, strawberry, and pineapple. All in all, when it's all said and done, I think that the atmosphere makes it a great date place, but not for a first, second, or third date, as you would need to be able to hear someone that you are trying to get to know. I think the food was delish. I bet in a few years, it will find itself on the 100's Very Best. I can't wait to go back!

Oya!

So tonight I'll be dining at Oya (777 9th St. NW), the sushi/american restaurant in DC's Penn Quarter. It's my first dinner in DC since the new baby has been born; that's 6 weeks, to be exact. I don't know a lot about this place, so I decided to do some research. So far I have been able to find out that Oya's "co-chefs" Jonathan Seningen from Le Paradou and James Stouffer from the Château Elan Winery & Resort in Georgia met snowboarding in Argentina. What this has to do with the great food? I have no idea, but people like to know little tidbits. Washingtonian Magazine says that Oya is "sexy and delicious". I can't wait to see what it's like inside. I don't think I have ever eaten in a firelit dining room before. Bring it on!

CityZen

A delayed review. I've been a bit busy with the new baby and new house, but I wanted to write before I forgot about my big Birthday dinner. CityZen was rated #2 by Washingtonian and Executive Chef, Eric Ziebold was voted in Food & Wine magazine as one of ‘America’s best New Chef’s’ and the restaurant one of the ‘Hottest Restaurants in the World’.

Washingtonians knew that CityZen was going to be big even before it opened in September 2004. Chef Eric Ziebold's previous gig as chef de cuisine at the Napa Valley's The French Laundry, one of the most celebrated restaurants in the country made him a sure thing in DC. CityZen has pretty much been booked ever since Ziebold arrived. Located in the deluxe Mandarin Oriental Hotel. That part of town looked like new construction.

One thing I learned about this restaurant is what an "amuse bouche" is.
The restaurant is truly beautiful. The bar and lounge area is as large, if not larger than the dining area. Minimalists would feel at home in the dining room with the stone pillars, chocolate-leather banquettes, and gourd-shape red-orange lanterns--and the mesmerizing wall of fire behind the bar.
Within minutes of sitting down, the maître d' explains that the menu comes in three parts: a regular six-course tasting menu, a six-course vegetarian tasting menu, and the prix-fixe three-course dinner menu. You choose between a $75 prix fixe menu of 3 courses or a $90 5-course tasting menu; tasting menus of 6 courses for $110 and of 7 courses for $125 are sometimes available. The Sommelier was very informed and very polite. I didn't choose the tasting menu but it looked scrumptious. Our meal began with the first of many compliments of the chef; an amuse bouche of fried mushroom with truffle butter. This mushroom fritter, even if it was only one bite tasted out of the ordinary. This fritter was an earthy, but otherworldly, tribute to late fall. The flavors were deep and the multiple textures clever. It did what an amuse should do, awaken one’s senses to future surprises by the depth of taste. Wait staff keep bringing intermission refreshments, such as olive oil custard topped with infused butter on one occasion olive oil custard slicked with hot chili oil. I ordered from the menu the Pekin Duck, described on the menu as Poached with Medjool Dates, Spelt, Asian Pear and Duck Leg Confit. My entree was the Pan Roasted Rouelle of Spotted Skatewing, described on the menu as made with Spanish Capers and Meyer Lemon. I never had skatewing before and thought that by trying this, I was broadening my horizons. Have I mentioned the cute little boxed rolls? Oh they are what I remember best about the entire meal. Those little rolls were delicious!

Restaurant Week is coming!! Yay!!

DC's Restaurant Week is rapidly approaching. Foodies all over the DC area area anxiously await not Christmas, or New Year's Eve, but YES, Restaurant Week!!
Washington’s twice-a-year Restaurant Week, always creates quite a stir for DC Area diners. It's the time of year that normal folks (those without a hefty expense account) can actually afford to dine in Washington's best restaurants. Restaurant week occurs usually once in the Fall, around October and the second week in January. The upcoming Restaurant week officially begins Monday, January 14, 2008, but some establishments are observing early and expanding their participation to all month. Most of us foodies already have at least a lunch and dinner reservation booked. Actually, most of us booked them before it was announced which restaurants would be participating. *wink*
Participating Restaurant Week restaurants offer a gourmet 3-course prix fixe menu, $20.08 Lunches and $30.08 Dinners. The participating restaurants list includes some regulars like Corduroy, Bistro Bis, Butterfield 9, and Vidalia. Some newcomers include Restaurant K by Alison Swope and Rasika. I wonder when restaurants like Komi, Restaurant Eve, CityZen, or even Citronelle might open their doors to Restaurant Week. Well ... only a girl can hope!

Rustic Italian Dino offers its full menu, with a few upcharges, starting January 2 and lasting the entire month. Romantic Butterfield 9 is starting the promotion a week early, on January 7, and extending it to the 26th. All of José Andrés’s area restaurants—Spanish tapas flagship Jaleo, Mediterranean-flavored Zaytinya,(pictured left) Modern Mexican Oyamel, and Latin-themed Café Atlántico—offer Restaurant Week for an extra week, through January 27. The same goes for two places owned by restaurateur Ashok Bajaj—Cleveland Park’s neighborly Ardeo and its wine-bar sibling, Bardeo.

I already have reservations at Circle Bistro in Foggy Bottom and Foodie Favorite, Corduroy for Dinner. I will just slide into Zaytinya just in time on Sunday for dinner, as well. Make sure you return to see my reviews!

Da Domenico: No Accolades here

Da Domenico, established in 1980, is a small, family-oriented, Italian restaurant nestled into the heart of today's bustling Tysons Corner. The restaurant's founders, the Ramella family came to America from Imperia, in northern Italy and successfully ran their business for more than 40 years. It is currently owned and operated by Sayed, who was with the original owners for 10 years.

According to the website, "The recipe to Da Domenico's success is the spirit, warmth and culinary talent of the Da Domenico family". Perhaps the culinary talent had the day off on New Year's Eve (NYE). Granted, New Year's was my first visit (and probably my last), but I expect that no matter what I order, that my food is served warm.
Apparently they had a special NYE menu, because neither of the two dishes that my husband and I ordered is on their regular menu. They had a prix fixe menu, three courses for sixty dollars per person.

The appetizers that they offered except the Calamari Fritti, were new to their dinner menu. They offered a lobster stuffed ravioli with salmon caviar, lobster bisque, crab stuffed shrimp, and two choices of salads; an arugula and a Caesar. All of the options were very tempting. I couldn't decide which would be better, since I like crab and lobster, however, for the first course, I ordered the lobster bisque and my husband ordered the stuffed shrimp. The bisque was smooth and creamy and was served at the perfect temperature in a white oval bowl with a small round crustini floating on top. I liked the bisque, but have had better. Actually the Lobster Bisque served at the Great American Restaurants, as I recall, is surprisingly better. The bisque was spicy but lacked the occasional chunk of lobster meat that I think most people expect in a quality bisque. I was unable to taste the stuffed shrimp, as my husband said that it was loaded with bell peppers, which I am allergic.

For the second course, there were mainly seafood options, even though I had heard that Da Domenico is well known for their Veal Chop, however, I just wasn't in the mood for the Chop. It was on the menu, but I ordered the Cotoletta Porchini ... the menu described it as Veal Scaloppine with a creamy mushroom sauce. It sounded delicious and I figured if they are good with Veal that it would be good, as well. I was rather disappointed when my dinner arrived. The Scaloppine cutlet was borderline cold and the mushroom sauce was almost bland. Served with the veal was one single quartered potato slice and a few green beans with a quartered tomato slice. I ate the potato, even though that wasn't warm either. The green beans were crisp, just the way that I like them. I didn't ask for them to heat it up, although I probably should have. Instead, I just picked at it and ate an occasional bite here and there, but it looked like I barely touched it when they took my plate away.
I ordered the cheesecake as a dessert, but was disappointed, as well. The top coating of the cheesecake gave it a roasted flavor that I don't care for on cheesecake.
Overall, I just expected more. I am thoroughly disappointed. Maybe I should have ordered the Chop, since that's what they say is their best dish. C'est La Vie!