Post-Race Brunch in Philly

This past Sunday my sister-in-law and I ran in the Philadelphia Rock n' Roll Half Marathon. It was a beautiful day and we ran for a great cause, raising money to support research for MS. After burning about 1300 calories and nourishing our bodies with Cytomax and Gu, we needed a proper brunch to celebrate. We cleaned ourselves up and headed to Bar Ferdinand on North 2nd Street.

The interior had an unmistakable Spanish charm, with lace-draped chandeliers and dried roses hanging around the bar. We chose to sit outside and enjoy the sun and fresh air. While sipping on bloody mary's and white sangria cocktails, we decided to start with some tapas for the table. We ordered Croquettes filled with serrano ham and charred scallion along with puff pastry triangles filled with dates, bacon and cream cheese. The croquettes were crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. They were cheesy, salty and rich. The pastries were a perfect combination of salty and sweet- the dates were balanced with the salty bacon and flaky crust. Two fantastic ways to start a meal.

For brunch they offer a special- your choice of one of three 4-course menus for $15. Awesome deal! I ordered the eggs benedict with saffron hollandaise, potatoes with spicy tomato aioli, house-made Spanish bacon and bruschetta with spicy tomato sauce. The potatoes were golden fried and the sauce gave them a great little kick. The crisp, salty bacon was about as perfect as bacon could ever be and the benedict was outstanding. The eggs were beautifully poached into these perfect little orbs. I cut into them and the yolk poured out like tasty lava. I am VERY particular about my eggs, too. If I see one HINT of uncooked egg white, I won't touch the dish. These were perfect. The hollandaise was incredibly rich and smooth.

As full as I was, my sister-in-law was telling me the cupcake shop on the way back was featured on Oprah as one of her favorites. Of course that means I had to get one for the road. We stepped into Brown Betty Dessert Boutique a few doors down where I grabbed a red velvet cupcake to go. When I got home, it was smushed, but it didn't matter. One of the best cupcakes I've had to date. It was moist, rich and the icing was creamy but not too sweet. So worth the calories! What a great end to a great day! Many thanks to my family, my tutu-sporting running partner, friends and to all those who donated to I Run to Stop MS!

Oceanaire Seafood Room

The other night we went to dinner at Oceanaire by Metro Center in honor of my friend Suzi, who had back surgery on Friday. (Speedy recovery Suz! French martinis are waiting!) Speaking of French martinis, Suzi and I both started with those while we looked over the menu. I love French martinis, I really do. The problem is most places don't have a clue how to make a good one. Oceanaire does, which means I had two.

For appetizers, we ordered fried asparagus and Caesar salads. The Caesar wasn't bad, I just a bit light on dressing which means light on flavor. The asparagus was pretty good, not too greasy.

For an entree, I ordered the cornmeal crusted trout. It had a perfectly crispy coating and the inside was tender, flaky and moist. I would definitely order that again. We all agreed to split the sauteed spinach with garlic, Au Gratin potatoes and hashed browns a la Oceanaire as the sides for the table. The spinach could have been skipped. I love garlic spinach, but again, this one lacked flavor. The potato dishes, however- they were full of it. The hashed browns came out on a plate that appeared to be holding a giant tater tot. How can that NOT be good? The Au Gratin potatoes were incredibly creamy and cheesy- all top-notch things in my book.

Overall, the food was pretty good and the service OK. It isn't the absolute best food I've ever had, but I am also partial to completed dishes as opposed to steakhouse-style menus with staple dishes and family style sides. That being said, I had a good meal although I wouldn't make a habit of going there as it's a bit on the pricey side.

Assaggi Mozzarella Bar

Recently I joined a couple of girlfriends for dinner in Bethesda at Assaggi Mozzarella Bar. The menu concept is northern Italian and specializing in different mozzarella's paired with condiments. The menu is very traditional, with multiple courses.

For the first course, we split an assorted tray of cured meats and mozzarella di buffala. The cheese was very fresh and it was a great way to awaken our palates. I chose a beet and goat cheese salad for the next course. It was sweet and rich. I would have been happy with that as my meal.

After nibbling at our first and second courses and sipping our champagne cocktails, we ordered our entrees. I couldn't decide (shocker) between two pastas so they offered to give me two half orders. Done! I ordered the Bigolo-a thick spaghetti with a duck and porcini mushroom ragu- and the Orecchiette which had mild Italian sausage, green peas and Parmigiano Reggiano.  Both of these pasta dishes were quite delicious, although the Orecchette was by far my favorite. It was somehow rich and light at the same time, even though there was no sauce. The sauce was simply the oil from the sausage. The duck pasta was also delicious, however the thick spaghetti could have used just another minute in the water- a little too al dente for me. I would recommend either dish.

The food was really pretty good and the atmosphere...well...quiet. The service was excellent and we had a great time. If I were to go back, I would definitely stick to one course and take it easy on the drinks. The cocktails will drain your wallet at around $15 a pop and all of those courses add up. At around $270 for three girls, I would say keep this in mind when ordering and try not to listen too much to your grumbling stomach.

OBX Eats: The Really Good and the Really Bad

While getting our floors refinished, we headed to the Outer Banks to stay with my in-laws at their beach house.  I worked remotely by day and feasted heavily by night (well...and pretty much all day, too.)

My favorite restaurant anywhere would have to be The Blue Point in Duck. I've been going there for years. I was a little concerned when I heard rumors of recent bad reviews and dining experiences. Not once have I had anything short of exceptional. Hearing of these so-called bad reviews, I was anxious to go. I had to prove them wrong and make sure, for my own sanity, that they hadn't slipped.

There were six of us dining that evening and we were seated at a table with a great view of the sunset. Our server was very pleasant and quickly took our drink orders then came back with an amuse bouche. You don't see many restaurants offer these tiny palate-pleasers anymore. I love that the Blue Point provides this extra touch.

For first courses, we ordered the crab dip special and she-crab soup. The crab dip was creamy, smooth and rich. The she-crab soup, a restaurant specialty, was amazing as usual. I feel compelled to have this every time I'm there.

For an entree, I ordered the tilefish special, with a fresh corn salsa and tomato water. It was heavenly. The fish was cooked to perfection- tender, flaky and moist. The salsa was obviously fresh and shaved off the cob and the tomato water added a sweet balance to the fish. We were tempted to order dessert, but knew we had my homemade dark chocolate ice cream waiting back at the house.

Another spot I like to hit up is Baldie's Burgers and Ice Cream in Duck. I love grabbing burgers from this place for lunch or for a no-fuss dinner. They actually remind me a lot of Five Guys' burgers. I always have to get a single bacon cheeseburger with grilled onions, pickles and ketchup. Simple and delicious. We grabbed burgers and salty skin-on fries to take back to the house. Hit...the...spot.

The last time I was down in Duck, we had lunch at the Roadside Cafe. I remember it being pretty good but the service was slow. We decided to give it another shot one of our final nights there. Boy, do I regret this decision. When we arrived, we put our names in and got drinks. After about 30 minutes, we were seated outside. Little did we know, this is where we would have our butts parked for the next couple of hours. To say we had been neglected would be an understatement. We did get our orders in and our salads came eventually. Unfortunately, no one has told them that Balsamic dressing and Ceasar dressing don't go together. It's just wrong. Maybe I'm a caesar salad purist, but I don't think it's something to be messed with. It's hard enough to find a good basic caesar without having restaurants try to get "innovative." It's salad. Leave it at that.

At least another hour passed after our salads arrived as we sat with our over-dressed plates, empty glasses and chill of the night air. Thankfully we had the company of a giant spider that looked like a Maryland crab to entertain us. It could see we were getting bored so decided to dip up and down and back and forth between the pergola and our table umbrella. This freak of nature enjoyed paralyzing me with fear while I wait anxiously for our main course.

We sat so long my legs ached. As we all had the debate of whether or not to walk out- something I have NEVER done or even come CLOSE to thinking about- my husband made the call to go inside and see what the hell they were doing in there, if not cooking our dinners. (For the record, I voted to walk out. We'll be renegades next time, Mrs. G!)

About 10 minutes later our entrees arrived (not at the same time, of course.) We weren't even hungry anymore at this point, but shoveled away, pushing our food around our plates. To add insult, they barely apologized and were "generous" enough to comp us our drinks. Um, thanks. Needless to say, that will be on the list of places I shall never return. Cue the violins.

The Roadside adventure aside, we had a lot of great meals in the Outer Banks this trip and, even if I was working, it was great to be with our family to close out another season at It's Noon Somewhere. It may be a while before we can all get back there again, but I will be counting the days.

Pizza Making Class at Sorriso

Back in February I wrote a blog entry about a wonderful dining experience at Sorriso in Cleveland Park.  When I looked back on their website, I noticed the Pizzaiolo, Stefano, got his Masters in pizza making in Italy.  I also noticed that they would be offering classes, so I couldn't wait to sign up. The class is small, maximum of four people, which is fantastic.  It guarantees a great learning experience and it's fun to do with a few friends.

When we arrived on a hot July morning there was a man there with a camera. He asked if we were there for the class. I was confused since we already had 4 people for the class but he said he was doing a story on the Polles family for CNN.  First a "debut" on Top Chef now CNN- I'm on a roll this year!

We went inside where Stefano greeted us, gave us our aprons and a packet that includes some history and recipes. We dove right in. He told us about the importance of the dough, the ingredients and method. (I won't be sharing these secrets with you, sorry. I paid good money for this class- pay your own way!) Our math skills were put to the test in measuring out ingredients- which can be challenging first thing in the morning with a camera on you. No pressure! We went through in detail, step-by-step, the dough making process where we made the dough that would actually be served at the restaurant that week!

We kneaded, stretched, rolled and formed all of the dough balls. It was so much fun I wanted to stay on that evening as free help! Now it was time to make our own pizzas. Stefano showed us how to form the pizza and properly top them. By properly, I mean with simple, fresh ingredients. As a Domino's and Pizza Hut nation, we tend to get a little carried away sometimes. He showed us their kick-ass, wood-fired rotating pizza oven that costs about the same as half my college education. (I want.) We topped our pizzas and put them in the oven.  Shortly after, we were enjoying the fruits of our labor with a glass of Prosecco (admittedly followed by some wine and other libations.) The pizza was so incredibly fresh tasting and the crust...THE CRUST! Stefano was not messing around. Dough is not something to be taken lightly- it truly makes the pizza.

As we sat and stuffed our faces, Stefano's father, Pietro entertained us with stories and told us about his vineyard back in Italy. I want his life. What a charming and hospitable man.

As a foodie, there couldn't be a better way to spend a Saturday. It felt great to be in a kitchen again, other than my own. I had a great day with friends, great food and it was a great learning experience.

The added bonus was that it was filmed for CNN! Once again, however, only the back of my head made the cut. I see a trend here! I encourage you to check out the story below and definitely take the class!


Contact Info: Sorriso@verizon.net

202-537-4800

 

Bay Area Bites

Recently I just started my new job in San Francisco. I went out for a week to get started and am now working remotely. I use this as yet another excuse for not having any blog entries lately. (Excuses, excuses.)

I would be remiss if I didn't make a post about the fabulous food I consumed while in the restaurant capital of the U.S. I didn't get out quite as much as I wanted to because I was still on east coast time and my dining schedule was all out of whack but don't worry, I still managed to pack in some great grub.

The day I arrived, my hotel room wouldn't be ready for a few hours. It was a beautiful day though so I was eager to get out and check out the area. I was staying near Union Square so had plenty to keep me busy. I sat down for lunch at Puccini & Pinetti, a family Italian restaurant bordering Union Square and Tenderloin. I ordered the "P.E.L.T." sandwich which includes pancetta, aioli, a fried egg and roasted tomatoes on sourdough. It was messy, salty, gooey and delicious. Unfortunately the waiter thought it would be a great idea to ask me how it was as I was shoving a bite in my mouth and had pancetta hanging from my lip. He awkwardly said "oh, should've waited. sorry" then proceeded to stand there and watch me fight with the pancetta for what seemed like 3 minutes. Awwwwkward!

Later that night, I met up with my friends Christy and Jesse (insert shout-out here: happy 1 year anniversary!) We went to the Thirsty Bear in SOMA. Here I managed to fill myself with a plethora of tapas and pack on quite a brew buzz the night before my first day at work. I think this is a perfect way to start my week in SF!

My second night I was truly exhausted. Jet-lag had set in and I was pretty sure I was going to pass out on my desk at 3pm. Needless to say, I did not go out that night but opted for a room-service Caesar salad. I should've gone out.

The next few nights I spent wandering around Union Square, shopping and checking out the dining scene. I noshed on sushi from some restaurant I don't remember and wandered through Chinatown in search of noodles.

My new coworkers took me out to lunch several times. I am particularly fond of Ironside on 2nd and Townsend. Great pizzas and sandwiches and an overall fun, laid back atmosphere. Another fantastic lunch was from the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen on 2nd and Brannan. A restaurant dedicated to gourmet grilled cheese?! I love this town! I ordered the Moscone, with mozzarella, Fontina, roasted tomatoes, basil-lavender pesto and tapenade along with a cup of smoky tomato soup. THIS is what I call comfort food! I also had a huge Thai feast of red curry at Ozone and had a great happy hour at MoMo's. Awesome first week!

The work week finished with my friend coming into the city for a girls' night. We got fresh and fruity drinks at Cantina on Sutter street. I'm not really sure what the theme was for this place but there were pirate skulls, dark candle lighting, fresh-squeezed fruity drinks, loungy couches in back and...wait for it...Madonna songs. Works for me. I loved that they had a giant bowl of fresh fruit (including Buddha's hand) that they used to make the cocktails with. After a few at Cantina, we were starving all of the sudden. We walked around for a bit and landed at Max's On the Square on Geary Street. Is there anything like a greasy, medium rare cheeseburger with onion strings after a couple of cocktails? We planned on checking out a bar around the corner afterwards that has a slide going from the second floor to the dance floor (trouble), but when we saw the line of 18 year-old girls with fake IDs in tube tops for skirts and 9 inch platforms trailing around the next block we decided we were too old for that sh*t, bought a bottle of Prosecco at a mini mart and went on our way.

The next day, my friends treated me to homemade BBQ ribs, slaw and they even made their own sausage. All of this was followed by homemade peppermint ice cream! I'm going to need to step up my game.

After a night at their house full of Corona's, Pimm's Cups and Wine, we took our weary selves to dim sum the next day where we physically hurt ourselves by eating too much. It was awesome.

My last dinner on the way to the airport was at this awesome place called Henry's Hi Life in San Jose. I love this place. You walk in, place your order immediately from a wooden sign listing out their various meats, then sit and have drinks at the bar while you wait for a table. When you are called for your table, your salads are there waiting for you. Genius! The steaks were the size of Alaska and accompanied with a baked potato with a chive butter ball that could rival a scoop of ice cream. This place is heaven to a meat and potatoes girl.

There you have it- my first week in the Bay area. I think I gained 5 lbs within a day and I don't regret a single bite.

Go To Hell

photo courtesy of my iPhone

I'm not being rude, I'm referring to Ray's Hell Burger. I have posted about Ray's before, back in the early days of le-blog, and have only recently had the chance to cross over to The VA and visit this burger heaven again.

Ray's has changed a bit since my last visit- slightly larger and with some outdoor seating- but the burgers are everything I remembered them to be.  Juicy, giant and full of flavor. I ordered the Au Poivre burger with grilled onions, cognac and sherry sauteed mushrooms and chimay a la biere cheese. Holy crap it was awesome. It was pure burger beauty, in medium rare form. To lessen the intimidation, I decided to cut the burger in half. Looking around, I noticed I was not the only one with this strategy of attack. The chimay cheese oozed down from the top and onto the plate. In the words of Will Ferrell, it was glorious! I also ordered the skin-on french fries, which were perfectly salty. Alas, the burger defeated me and I had to pack up half for another time.

If you can handle the crowds, standing in line and gladiator battles for the next open table, go to Ray's. It is everything a burger should be.

Bacon is the New Black

Bacon is no longer just a side to your morning eggs. It is turning up in gourmet dishes and cocktails in many restaurants all over the nation and DC restaurants are no exception.

According to a study by Mintel, the number of restaurant menu items containing bacon has spiked 25% in the last five years.  No longer simply wrapped around scallops as an appetizer, bacon is dipped in chocolate, garnishing drinks and even blended into gelato. 

At Founding Farmers in downtown DC, there are a total of seven items on the menu showcasing this salty, smoky meat. Their Bacon Lollis appetizer, in which they candy Nueske’s bacon with a cinnamon and brown sugar glaze, is their star. The lolli doubles as a garnish in their Bone 12 cocktail made with Knob Creek bourbon, fresh lime juice and Tobasco. Plenty of people are ordering these smoked meat concoctions.  The restaurant goes through 50 pounds of bacon a week just to make enough lollis for the bar to garnish every Bone 12 they mix.  Their sister restaurant, Farmers & Fishers in Georgetown, also offers a bacon lollipop appetizer, but this one is dipped in chocolate. “It’s a nice flavor to start with and is an easy thing to eat and drink,” says Jennifer Motruk Loy, their Director of Marketing.

The ultimate homage to pork would have to be the “I Love Bacon” cooking class at Lia’s in Chevy Chase. For $55 a person, Chef Geoff Tracy or Chef Peter Russo instructs students on four courses including a soup, salad, entrée with side and a dessert that all include bacon. The class even teaches you how to make your own bacon, should you be so inclined.

It’s not just DC that is experiencing the boost in bacon. In Scottsdale, Arizona there is a restaurant devoted to pork, appropriately named Bacon. Vosges Haut Chocolat based in Chicago with boutiques in New York and Las Vegas makes a chocolate bar with bacon as the main ingredient. It is called the Mo’s Milk Chocolate Bacon Bar which has applewood smoked bacon, alder wood smoked salt and milk chocolate.  Lou, a wine bar in Los Angeles, has an item on their menu called Pig Candy, which is bacon with spices and brown sugar frozen to have the texture of brittle or toffee.  If you don’t want to go out, you can create one of 150 dishes from The Bacon Cookbook by James Villas.  There are also websites such as bacontoday.com that offer everything one could ever want to know about this salty pork.  It even has stories of people proposing marriage with bacon!

Could this obsession with bacon be causing a toll on our health?  In short, yes. Medical News Today reported on a study published by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine that frequent consumption of cured meats could lead to increased odds of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is due to the nitrates added to cured meats. They are “thought to generate reactive nitrogen species in the body—molecules that cause structural damage to lung tissue, in a similar way to emphysema.” The study found this risk to be greater for those eating cured meats at least 14 times a month. COPD is just one thing to consider, however. At the Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology & Prevention and Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism Joint Conference this year, the American Heart Association states that eating processed meats is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, if you are consuming cured meats you made yourself or that don’t contain nitrates, these risks are not as significant.

Despite these health risks, people are still flocking to consume bacon dishes and drinks, as evidenced by the recent upswing in bacon-based menu items at popular restaurants. The cookbooks, classes and websites devoted to the meat are evidence that sometimes bacon just makes things better.

Some Things Lindsay Lohan Won't Be Eating In Jail

Okay, it's more than a bit ridiculous how much attention Lindsay Lohan's jail sentence and her behavior is getting. Seriously, who didn't see this coming? That girl literally couldn't stop making bad decisions long enough to show up for court. Well, I'm jumping on the bandwagon and contributing to the media obnoxiousness with some foods I've found on local menus and around the blogosphere that Lindsay won't likely be enjoying anytime soon. Good luck Li-lo. Coming soon- recipes for Crowbar  Cornbread and Hand-Saw Bundt cake.

• My Own Beer Can Chicken
• The Bitten Word's Boozy Ice Pops
• DC Foodies' Bourbon Peach Pork Chops
• Drunken mussels or beer BBQ lamb sliders at Granville Moore's- 1238 H Street, NW
• My Husband Cook's Beer-braised pork shoulder
• Pan seared Salmon, leeks & polenta in a champagne sauce at Bistrot du Coin- 1738 Connecticut Ave, NW
• Drunken Shrimp at Sei- 444 7th Street, NW

Pacci's Neapolitan Pizzeria

I'm just going to start right off and straight up tell you I think Pacci's is the best thing that's happened to Silver Spring, certainly as far as pizza goes. Yes, a bold statement, but it's that good. I am a BIG pizza lover. I love all styles of pizza, don't get me wrong. I enjoy the healthy side that Z Pizza offers and the New York side that Flippin' Pizza offers... but my heart lies with true, Italian, Neapolitan pizza. It is just so fresh and alive with flavor. I would even go out on a limb to say it's right up there breathing down the neck of Two Amy's.

You walk in to this long, narrow space and are greeted immediately with the wood-fired pizza oven and a brick wall behind the bar adorned with wine bottles. There is a long, beautiful marble bar and narrow window seating. The table seating is towards the back and they offer substantial seating al-fresco. We chose to sit at the bar where we could watch the action.

I ordered the Nanninella pizza which was topped with oregano, buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, arugula, basil, shavings of parmesan and extra virgin olive oil. As I'm sure I've mentioned before, I'm a sucker for a pizza with arugula. The crust was absolutely perfect- thin, but not cracker-thin, crunchy and blackened bottom but yet still a soft doughiness to the center. This pizza exuded freshness with the peppery bite of the arugula and the bright red tomatoes.

My husband ordered the calzone with fresh ricotta, spicy salami, mozzarella and sauce. The dough was not too thick, which is often the case with calzones. The thing that stood out the most was the ricotta. It was so fresh, light and creamy. I would not be ashamed to lick the plate in a crowded restaurant.

I've learned in my food writing courses that you can't fairly review a restaurant until you've been there at least three times. I have only gone once, but it was outstanding. That being said, I guess I will use this as my excuse to go back a few more times and write about it again.

Pacci's
8113 Georgia Ave
Silver Spring, MD
301-588-1011

Eat At Addie's

Photo from www.addiesrestaurant.com

Recently I was looking for a place to have a nice lunch in the Rockville area and remembered a little place I have probably passed a thousand times and always swore I should try- Addie's. Amidst the strip-malls and infamously bad pike traffic is a quaint little golden cottage that looks as though it should be on a lake. Walking up to the restaurant you are welcomed with a front outdoor dining area that is remarkably peaceful for being about 25 yards from one of the busiest roads in the area. Inside is small, but charming. You feel as though you are in someone's home. I was surprised to be led to yet another outdoor dining area on the back patio. It is a large, stone, fenced-in patio with a giant beautiful tree in the center. The branches are adorned with hanging candle lanterns. It is an incredibly beautiful and romantic setting.

The host was extremely accommodating. He accidentally gave my reserved table away so arranged for another table to be set up. It was extremely busy but I didn't have to wait long.

I saw many things I wanted from the menu but decided on the Cuban sandwich and my husband got the veal meatballs with goat cheese polenta. The Cuban was one of the better ones I've had in awhile. The pork was tender and the ham was salty. The mustard ale cheese oozed out the sides, which is a great quality in a Cuban. The only thing I found to be missing were the pickles. Standard Cubans call for pickles on top but this had red onions, which was also good.

The veal meatballs were incredibly tender and rich. The sauce was creamy and smooth and the goat cheese polenta was a perfect compliment.

My lunch at Addie's was a great dining experience, which can be expected as it's part of the Black Restaurant group (Black's, Blacksalt, Black Market). I can't wait to go back for dinner.

Addie's
11120 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
301-881-0081

Birch & Barley

Ok, I have neglected you for a bit, I'm sorry. I've had a busy week but now I'm relaxing and ready to get caught up. First up- Birch & Barley.

Birch & Barley in Logan Circle is a great place for a serious beer lover. With 50 brews on draft and a total offering of 500, there is definitely a beer for everyone. As you walk towards the bar in the back your eyes are instantly drawn to the giant copper pipes, like an organ, that bring the draft beer down from above to the taps behind the bar. (Churchkey, the sister bar is upstairs and the location of the temperature controlled rooms housing the beer.)  The floors are a beautiful dual-toned hardwood (that I've now decided I must have for my house.) The space has a warm, earthy feel with a wood logs, oil candles and a gorgeous natural wood bar. The bar and restaurant are accented by the uber-popular acrylic chairs, giving the space a modern and minimalist look.

I ordered a summer ale from the back bar while waiting for a table and took note that they stock a variety of different glasses specific for the type of brew you choose - a sign of people serious about their beer! (I mean, come on, they have a Beer Director.)

Once seated, I tried another summer brew and studied the menu. There were several things on the menu I wanted, but one item won me over. It was a grilled pork tenderloin with ramps and spaetzle. To be honest, I didn't order this for the pork. It's so easy to make and is something I make about once a month because all you do is throw it in the oven and wait. I chose this dish for the ramps. Ramps are a wild leek that are only available for a window of a few weeks in spring. They are considered a delicacy in most places as they are hard to get. They have a strong, garlicky onion flavor that evokes earthiness. Second to the ramps, I do love spaetzle (tiny, soft pasta dish) and it's often overlooked for the more widespread side of mashed potatoes or mac and cheese. (Don't get me wrong, those are two of my favorite things, but sometimes you want a little variety.)

As soon as the waiter placed my dish on the table I dug right in to the ramps. They were tender with a strong bite. I devoured them. Even though I was originally indifferent to the pork, it caught me by surprise with it's smoky seasoned outer crust and soft tender center. It was cooked perfectly. The light sauce drizzled over the plate was a perfect compliment. I was also surprized with how delicate the spaetzle was. It is usually a dish that has a heavy, creamy feel but this was tender and fluffy with very little sauce. This dish sounds like a big, heavy comfort-food type of meal but it was actually quite light and refreshing- perfect for a hot spring evening.

I was quite happy with the entire experience at Birch & Barley. They have a beer to satisfy any palate and a dish to satisfy any tummy. Did I mention they serve brunch on Sundays until 8pm? Awesome.

Birch & Barley
1337 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-567-2576

Check out Metrocurean's post about Birch & Barley & Churchkey. She has some great pictures of the space!

Devouring California

I'm back!  So, I clearly didn't make any mobile posts from the road.  Sorry.  I did, however, eat well on my trip.  Most notable of my meals was a restaurant called Evvia in Palo Alto, CA.  It is a very classy Mediterranean restaurant serving signature Greek dishes with local interpretations.

We had a pretty busy day of touring the city and traveling.  We had every intention of going home to change for dinner but decided to go as-is and grab a beer first. Mind you, as-is meant that my friend, her husband and I were a matching trio of jeans and chucks.  Peeking through the window everyone was gussied up in dresses and dinner jackets, but we went for it.  Thankfully, no one gave us a second look.  So clearly, we were just that cool. 

While waiting for our table, we headed to the back bar for some bourbon, passing a giant cozy hearth and a long farm table near the center of the dining room.  There was a warm glow in the room and the air was filled with mouth-watering aromas.

Once we were seated, we decided on going tapas style and ordering a plethora of appetizers instead of entrees.  The server was probably slightly annoyed that she had to keep coming back to see what we wanted to stuff our faces with next, but she didn't show it.  Everyone there was extremely nice and accommodating.  We ordered so many dishes I can't keep track.  We started with a grilled octopus that was smoky and flavorful.  The texture was surprising- you would expect it to be slimy or rubbery but it was actually closer to the texture of lobster tail.

We also  had herb dumplings with field mushrooms that were tender and earthy.  Next up were lamb sausages with tzatziki, grilled swordfish skewers and dolmathes.  The food kept coming and was superb.  The only dish we weren't overjoyed with would have to be the grilled artichokes with greek yogurt.  The flavor was delicious, but we were a little put-off by the choke that they left on it.

We ended the evening with a bottle of wine and a rich, creamy rice pudding.  We may have all been in pain, but it was worth it.  The food at Evvia was delicious, the service was friendly and the atmosphere welcoming and relaxing.  We closed the place out, being some of the last patrons to leave.  It was a great way to end a great trip.  Thank you Mr. & Mrs. L, I look forward to coming back!

Evvia
420 Emerson Street
Palo Alto, CA

Rasika- Modern Indian Cuisine

Photo from Rasikarestaurant.com

Ever since I went to Bibiana last year for my birthday I have been wanting to try Rasika- the modern four star Indian restaurant owned by the same restaurant group of famed Ashok Bajaj. It should be noted that not only did Bajaj win the James Beard award in 2009 for Outstanding Restaurateur, but Rasika's Chef Vikram Sunderam also won a James Beard award for 2009 Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic. Impressive to say the least! As you can imagine, reservations are not easy to come by. I booked this reservation 2 months in advance and it was for a Tuesday night. I have to tell you, it's worth the wait.

You walk in and are instantly calmed by the warm smell of spices and soft light reflecting off the divider of dangling crystals. The tones are rich and colorful, mimicking the spices of the dishes, with a saffron colored wall and hanging red jewels. The waitstaff is extremely friendly and professional. There are many of them floating effortlessly through the dining room making sure the evening service is flawless. (I hate when you go to a nice restaurant that is understaffed and the server looks stressed and flustered.)

The food reflected the same amount of warmth and professionalism as the atmosphere. We started with the Palak Chaat, an appetizer of crispy fried spinach, sweet yogurt, tamarind and date chutney. It was phenomenal. You bite in and first taste a sweet crunch which then actually melts in your mouth.

For entrees, I was indecisive as usual. So many dishes appealed to me. Our server had a simple solution- half portions of two different entrees! I've never done that before, nor had that option ever been offered. She was so accommodating. We ended up with a table full of food including the Black Cod, Raan-E-Rasika and Chicken Green Masala as well as a side of Cucumber Raita and Naan. When they delivered the food the aroma made my mouth water. The Black Cod was delicate and flaky with dill, honey, star anise and red wine vinegar. It was light, buttery and tangy. The Chicken Green Masala was tender and spicy, yet not overpowering. The Cucumber Raita was a nice complement as it cooled my palate after the spice builds up bite after bite. The Raan-E-Rasika was a beautifully Frenched lamb shank with rich red colors from saffron, black cardamom and dark rum. It was extremely tender, yet not fatty like you often find with a lamb shank. There wasn't even a hint of gaminess- clearly very high quality lamb.

Everything about this dining experience was fantastic- from the ambiance and highly professional staff to the tender, high quality, perfectly prepared dishes. I was even surprised at the reasonable prices for a fine dining establishment. I'll be going online to make my next reservation very soon.

Rasika
633 D Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-637-1222



CORRECTION: So...... I made a boo boo. I was clearly drunk on Indian food and wine when I wrote this because I made a...(wait for it...) mistake. Oops! I wrongly stated that Bajaj and Vikram both WON Beard awards but in fact they were nominated. The awards for 2009 went to Myriad and Chef Jose Garces. So that I do not do anyone else injustice, feel free to get the full list of 2009 winners here. Kids- lesson be learned... vino and blogging don't mix! Thanks!

Brunch at Logan Tavern

Photo from Logan Tavern

Yesterday was the annual Cherry Blossom Ten-Miler race in downtown DC. I ran it with a friend and was surprised to find I actually felt pretty great. I had no injuries or major cramps and I didn't even feel the need to pass out at the end. What I did need to do afterwards was eat. Having been twice before, I knew Logan Tavern would be the right place to refuel.

We managed to get in early and get a table which is rare- they fill up quickly. I immediately looked at the brunch drink menu which has an impressive variety of Bloody Mary's and mimosas. I usually order a Bloody Mary, even though I don't like them. I just WANT to like them. This time I decided to go straight for a drink I knew I would finish- champagne with pear nectar. It was crisp with fresh pear flavor and effervescent little bubbles. Perfect for those sore muscles!

For sustenance of the non-liquid variety, I went for an omelet filled with asparagus, red pepper and cheddar as well as a side of turkey sausage. The omelet looked dauntingly huge sitting next to a pile of hash browns and completely covering the plate. It was no match for me, however. I nearly licked the plate clean. Second victory of the day!

Logan Tavern has great food, friendly service (thank you for carding me, Mr. Waiter), and a casual and comforting atmosphere. I look forward to my next visit...perhaps next Sunday.

Logan Tavern
1423 P Street, NW
Washington, DC

It's Mojito Season!

It's going to be hot today. 88 degrees! I love this weather! I say there is no better way to cool off than with a refreshing, ice cold, minty mojito. (I know theBeerB1tch will agree!) Walk around, get some sun taking pictures of the cherry blossoms, then find a patio seat at a restaurant and soak it in. Here are some places in the area you can quench your thirst.

Cafe Atlantico
405 8th Street, NW
Washington, DC

Ceiba
701 14th Street, NW
Washington DC

Rumba Cafe 
2443 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC

Zola (great blueberry mojito)
800 F Street, NW
Washington, DC

Cafe Citron

1342 Connecticut Ave, NW

Washington, DC

Cubanos
1201 Fidler Lane
Silver Spring, MD

Caribbean Breeze
4100 N. Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA

Feel free to leave any more suggestions in the comments!

Sabroso is Delicioso

Photo from Sabroso-Grill.com

It was a Friday evening, I just left happy hour and I was starving. I wanted something good and something fast, but also wanted to try something I hadn't had before. A friend recommended I go around the block to Sabroso on Colesville Rd in downtown Silver Spring.

It smelled great when I walked in- intense aromas of spices and rotisserie chicken. I wasn't impressed when I looked at the sides turning to mush under the heat lamps, but what can I expect during a slow hour on a Friday night. I opted to bring home a roasted chicken with sides of coleslaw and fries (neither of which had been sitting under the heat lamps). It was ready quickly and it was cheap. It was around $17 for a WHOLE chicken and two sides. This could easily feed a family of four (no I did not eat all of this myself.)

Driving home, I found it hard to resist grabbing a crispy french fry. Ok, I didn't really try that hard. I snuck a few fries and they were really good. They had that crispy outside coating. I used to refer to these as "stealth fries" or "the good fries" back in my restaurant kitchen days- also known as college. They were more expensive to order, but they tasted better, cooked faster and the customers like them.

When I got home, I barely made it through the door before I ripped open the bag and started digging in. The coleslaw was one of the better ones I've had in awhile. I am partial to how they dice it as opposed to julienne and it didn't have an overkill of mayo.

Now for the chicken. There is no better way to put it than "yummy". I know- that's an annoyingly happy and childish word, but so am I sometimes. It was tender, moist and full of flavor. The skin was covered in seasonings and the flavor penetrated to the bone. I am guessing we got lucky and hit them on a good night as I've heard mixed reviews. I'm sure I will be back so I'll follow up on consistency.

If you want some more details on local Peruvian chicken, check out Just Up the Pike. This local blogger has been to several places for his Great Peruvian Taste Test. Thanks for the tip JUTP!

Sabroso Grill
8624 Colesville Rd
(Across from the AFI Theatre)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

You don't have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick's day. Whether you choose to fill up on bangers and mash or green beer, there are plenty of places in DC to accommodate you and your green hat. Put on your dancing shoes, practice your jig (TW, you're ready), and pour yourself a Guinness or two (or 7).

If you plan on staying in, be sure to check out my friend Christy's blog, the Beer B1tch. She can help you pick out some great brews to bring home as she knows more about beer than anyone I know. (I was always embarrassed at happy hour to order a Miller Lite in front of her! ha). She is also brewing her own beer at home. I have to hand it to her- I had NO idea how involved the process is. Her patience is unmatched!

Rumors: Shamrocks & Shenanigans- 4pm-Midnight
Drink specials, DJ, Bagpiper, contests
$5 cover
1900 M St., NW
Details

Ireland's Four Fields
3412 Connecticut Ave (Cleveland Park Metro)
Live Music, dancers, bagpipers
$10 admission all day

Murphy's of DC
2609 24th St, NW (Woodley Park)
Open at 10am, Drink specials, Prizes
Live music

Mackey's Public House
1823 L St, NW or
320 S. 23rd St, Arlington

Fado
808 7th St, NW (Gallery Pl.)
Starts at noon
Irish fare, pipers, Irish dancers, DJ

Ri Ra
4931 Elm St
Bethesda, MD or
2915 Wilson Blvd, Arlington
Live music, drink specials

For more listings, check out On Tap Magazine's list here or the list from the Post's Going Out Gurus here.

Did I Die and Go to Heaven?

Photo From UrbanDaddy.com

Bacon, Chocolate, Hot Sauce and Bourbon- someone made this drink JUST for me! Thanks to UrbanDaddy, I now know of this perfectly crafted concoction from Farmers & Fishers. It's called the Bone Cocktail and it's a shot of bourbon, shaken with a little Tobasco, fresh lime and then garnished with a lollipop made of Wisconsin's Nueske's bacon dipped in sugar, cinnamon and a chocolate ganache. Perfection!

I am going to have to make a special trip downtown for this one. Thank you UrbanDaddy and thank you Farmers & Fishers!

Farmers & Fishers
3000 K St., NW
Washington, DC 20007
202.298.0003
website

Sorriso Italian Ristorante

Photo from Sorriso.com

Last night we met up with a group of friends for a birthday dinner at Sorriso in Cleveland Park. It is a small, family-run Italian restaurant with two levels. It has a very homey feel. The walls are a rich buttery color and there are pictures and framed maps from Italy. It is quite small, but not uncomfortable. It just makes it a little on the loud side. We were seated in the upper level which has an open balcony to the lower level.

I was happy to see the menu was very traditional Italian, with multiple courses and Pizzas. I also saw on the menu that the pizza chef (the owner's son) actually studied in Italy where he received a Masters in Pizza. Who knew that even existed? I was impressed, and knew at that point I would have to try one.

We started with appetizers for the table of calamari fritti, antipasto and beef carpaccio. They ran out of the beef for the carpaccio but offered us a nice cured beef to substitute. Everything was very fresh and good. The calamari had a light, crispy breading and was tender.