What Micky Eats...

Crumbs Bake Shop

2012-02-01T13:50:00.000Z

Crumbs Bake Shops are inspired by old-time candy shops and are warm and inviting with wood cases, marble counters and wall to wall treats. Their motto is "A place where memories bring joy in celebrating the simple things in every day life." The menu is an irresistible blend of comfort-oriented classics and elegant baked goods, but the specialty of the house is the Crumbs Signature size cupcakes. With more than 50 varieties baked fresh daily and a new cupcake of the week every Monday, each Crumbs Bake Shop is an oasis of wall to wall deliciousness. There are 5 locations in DC and one in Clarendon, VA.

Keith stopped by the Clarendon location to pick up some cupcake treats to bring home. He used the coupons that Johnna gave us and was able to get one free with the purchase of one. He chose his favorite: peanut butter cup and one of my favorites: carrot cake. Crumbs' cupcakes come in three different sizes, but even the classic are larger than most other locations and topped with various "crumbs" - peanuts and chocolate chips on his and walnuts on mine. The carrot cake itself is chunky with raisins and all kinds of goodies, but a little dry. Keith's chocolate cake was even more dry, but the icing was not as sweet and had a nice balance. There was a little extra filling in the middle with icing, so that helped with the dryness of the cake. Overall both were nice quality cupcakes compared to other popular chains in the area.

Total Rating: 3.3

Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

What I ate:

Carrot

carrot cake topped with signature cream cheese frosting,

edged in crushed walnuts and decorated with an iced carrot

Plus Keith ate:

Peanut Butter Cup

rich chocolate cake filled and frosted with peanut butter buttercream frosting

topped with peanut butter cup wedges and edged in crushed peanuts and chocolate chips

Aquaire

2012-01-30T12:57:00.000Z

During our stay at the El San Juan Resort and Casino, we ate lunch everyday at the poolside bar called Aquaire. Alberto and the rest of the staff had a lot of patience to put up with our crazy group of girls.

My favorite drink was the coconut mojito. A refreshing frozen blend of coconut, mint, and rum. But I also sampled the watermelon mojito, white sangria, Miami Vice, and kooky colada during my stay. For food we munched on classic bar fare such as salads, burgers, or wraps. The chicken quesadillas were a favorite of the group - with strips of grilled chicken breast, it was quite filling. Another bigger meal that I had on the last day before heading to the airport was the chicken kebabs. Overall, the food was decent and the location convenient for our priority of lounging poolside all day. Alberto kept the crazy fruit shots coming to celebrate our bride-to-be and it was fabulous!

Total Rating: 3.5
Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

What I ate:

Greek Salad
lettuce, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, Feta cheese, with a vinaigrette dressing

Chicken Quesadillas

served with salsa, guacamole, sour cream

Chicken Kebabs

served with yellow rice and fried plantains

Platos

2012-01-29T16:14:00.000Z

Just a quick minutes stroll from the El San Juan Resort in the heart of Isla Verde, Platos invites you to experience the authentic local Puerto Rican cuisine complimented by an excellent wine selection and a modern Bar. This casual restaurant should not be overlooked when visiting San Juan.

We made last minute reservations at Platos for our final group dinner out in San Juan. The walk was easy from the hotel and we were greeted warmly upon arrival. We headed to the bar to order a pitcher of coconut sangria while we waited for our table to be ready. The drink was different - looked like milk in ice and was very sweet with little hint of alcohol. So we switched to regular white sangria, which still lacked alcohol flavor but was much more sour and not to my liking at all. The dining room itself is a decent size and painted in bright colors with tribal masks decorating the walls. Our server, Jose, was extremely nice and informative about each menu item. He did an outstanding job throughout the night.

Again, we started with a few appetizers to share. First we noshed on warm bread rolls with a sweet guava butter - the house special. Next, we tried fried chicken with plantains; plantains stuffed with stewed pork and covered in melted cheese; and a dangerously delicious fried cheese with a guava dipping sauce. The flavors were rich and authentic with subtleties of tropical fruit. I was debating between two fish entrees so I asked which was fresher, and Jose highly recommended the Mahi Mahi, so I went with that. The portion size was perfect, but my fish was slightly overcooked and overpowered by the sweet fruit glaze. The mash on the other hand, was overloaded with pepper and spices, so it helped to balance out the sweet fish. Others in the group ordered the steak mofongo, Halibut, or the steak wrapped jumbo shrimp which looked ah.may.zing. We all left stuffed and happy with no room for dessert. For a last minute find, Platos was great and I recommend them for casual/non-hotel Caribbean fare.

Total Rating: 3.825
Food: 3.5, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 3.5, Accessibility: 5

What I ate:

El pequeno Jibarto

fried plantains stuffed with stewed pork

covered with melted mozzarella cheese

Queso Frito

deep fried Puerto Rican cheese served with a guava-coconut sauce

Mahi Mahi

with coconut-passion fruit glaze and tuber mash

Plus others ate:

Chicharrones de Pollo

served with fried plantains

Jumbo Tiger Shrimp Brochettes wrapped with Skirt Steak

in white garlic balsamic sauce served with plantain mash

Dragonfly

2012-01-28T15:23:00.000Z

Dragonfly is Old San Juan's most hip, ground-breaking, and talked about restaurant. Featuring cutting edge Latin-Asian Fusion cuisine and sushi, Chef Severo Duran mingles exotic spices and ingredients with creative twists. Designed to resemble an old opium den in tropical Asia, Dragonfly's sexy gold and red interior is the perfect place to go for parties and special occasions.

About 20 minutes from our hotel, Dragonfly was our first choice for our second dining night out to celebrate my sister-in-law's Bachelorette weekend. Since the food at Dragonfly is designed to be shared, we chose to be seated at cushioned lounge area near the back bar. The ambience of glowing red lights is exotic and sumptuous. Our server was so pretty and friendly and an excellent bar tender as she whipped up many delicious drinks for us throughout the night.

I started out with a lemongrass mojito, while others in our group chose various punches and martinis ranging from those featuring jalapeno to pomegranate. The ginger-rita was also a huge hit. All the drinks were freshly muddled and mixed and added to the fun party atmosphere that Dragonfly has to offer. We chose several plates to share - a mix of sushi and dumplings as well as noodle dishes. We started with calamari that was fried perfectly and very spicy. My favorites of the night included the spring rolls (much better than the night before at KOCO), chicken lo mein and the sushi rolls. Others loved the birthday noodles as they were very lightly prepared with freshly steamed shrimp. They also preferred the Churrasco steak over the tough Korean bbq wraps. I really appreciated the mix of Asian dishes and the variety added to the social atmosphere.

The desserts were also amazing and our impressive server even whipped up an Irish Coffee on the spot for one of the girls. All in all, Dragonfly is super chic and fun and was the perfect spot for our large group of girls. The hospitable service was top notch and location in Old San Juan was somewhat easy to get to. Call for reservations ahead of time as the restaurant itself is on the small side, so seating is limited.

I want to say a special "thank you!" to Dort, Gigi and Sheila for setting us up at their lovely restaurants. Our dinners in San Juan each night were memorable. Both KOCO and Dragonfly were excellent and all the girls truly enjoyed themselves.

Total Rating: 4.2
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 4

What I ate:

Calamari

Sushi Rolls

crab salad roll - shrimp tempura, cucumber, scallion, mango & seaweed crab salad

spicy hamachi roll - yellowtail, cucumber, scallion, jalapeno

lounge roll - crab, scallion, cucumber, with tuna, yellowtail, and avocado on top

Chicken Spring Rolls

Criollo Pancit Birthday Noodles

Filipino style stir fried noodles with chorizo, shrimp, chicken, and vegetables

Chino Latino Lo Mein

with fried chicken

Milk Chocolate Creme de Pot

Ginger Tres Leches Cake

White Chocolate Napolean

with ginger lemon infusion

Plus others ate:

Pork Dumplings

steamed and served with a citrus sauce

Korean BBQ Lettuce Wraps

Korean style grilled short ribs sliced and served with lettuce leaves

10 oz Asian Marinated Churrasco Steak

served with dragonfries

KOCO

2012-01-27T15:10:00.000Z

KOCO, located in the fabulous El San Juan Hotel & Casino in Isla Verde, is the newest, hottest OOF! Restaurant, and the design showpiece of the company. KOCO features Chef Hector Crespo’s interpretation of Modern Caribbean dishes, using fresh island ingredients, artistic presentations, and traditional techniques to create a new vibrant, soulful cuisine. KOCO features an extensive Rum Bar and the chicest lounge in town, serving a hip modern take on some classic Caribbean cocktails, and the largest selection of rums on the island.

KOCO was designed to transport you to a sexy, tropical chic, outdoor pavilion. With water shimmering on the walls to candlelit dining spaces on the waterside decks, to the glowing imperial table under the draped island pergola, or in one of the intimate round booths, KOCO provides a magical dining experience in the Caribbean.

I traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico to celebrate my sister-in-law's 30th Birthday and Bachelorette party. Since I am the main foodie in the group, I was in charge of arranging our dining activities for the weekend. For our first dinner, I picked the Caribbean restaurant because my only instructions were to pick somewhere nice, in the hotel for convenience (as some girls' flights arrived later in the evening), large enough to fit our group of 11, and with "local"-style food. So when I looked up the restaurants within the hotel, KOCO fit the bill. We were seated at the Imperial Table, a long table in the main dining room - which was simply elegant with its lighted amber table. Our servers Christina and Mauricio were fantastic and very accommodating throughout the evening.

We ordered drinks and a few appetizers for the table and each arrived in an elegant presentation. The tuna tartar was incredibly fresh and had a lovely avocado truffle butter with it. I was happy to see those who are usually reluctant to try new things, taste the tuna and agreed with its freshness and lack of fishy taste. The crab cakes and lollipops were also tasty and fun to share. I could have done without the spring rolls - for some reason they tasted a bit sour to me. For my main course I chose the seared grouper with mofongo. I knew mofongo - a starch mash of either plantain, yuca, or tuber roots and filled with either chicken, beef, or seafood - is a traditional Puerto Rican dish, so I really wanted to try it. Two nice pieces of grouper sat on top of my mofongo mash which was seasoned very well - spicy and exotic. I could not find any shrimp, but still found my meal to be delicious. My sister-in-law chose the KOCO Surf y Turf - flat iron steak with tempura jumbo shrimp. She really enjoyed it and found the meat to be cooked and seasoned superbly. The potato gratin that came with it was also very good and flavorful.

Even though we were quite stuffed, we ordered desserts to share and they too were like pieces of art. Overall, we had a very lovely dinner at KOCO and the staff was excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant for special occasions for large groups or a romantic date for two.

Total Rating: 4.15
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

What I ate:

Tuna Tartar

KOCO Crab Cakes

fresh Island style crab cakes with fresh lime aioli

Batata Lollipops

sweet potato croquettes stuffed with ginger scented pork

Chicken Spring Rolls

Seared Mero & Mofongo

seared grouper with West Indies spiced shrimp

and chorizo gulsa in a yuca mofongo

Choco KOCO

chocolate brownie with coconut ice cream in a chocolate cup

Dolce de Leche Beignets

soft fried dough filled covered with dolce de leche caramel

Meatballs

2012-01-26T20:00:00.000Z

Meatballs is the much talked about and newly opened fast-casual restaurant from Michel Richard, the celebrated French toque behind acclaimed fine-dining destinations Citronelle in Georgetown and Central in Penn Quarter, as well as the newly opened Central Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace. Serving a variety of meatballs with either pasta, salad or in a sandwich, Meatballs misses the mark in my book. Closest Metro is Archives - Naval Memorial.

The space is small with a large menu on the wall to guide you in the ordering process. Reinforcing the self-service restaurant's theme is a display of spheres below the food counter: ping-pong balls, marbles, jawbreakers, tennis balls and holiday decorations. I opted for the chicken meatballs in whole wheat pasta with mushroom sauce. Keith chose the classic grinder with marinara sauce and added mozzarella cheese. The first thing I noticed was the noodles were pre-portioned out in a bowl causing them to be a solid clump. The sauce was overly salty, barely lukewarm, and the meatballs were dry. Keith's sauce was also cold, a true sin in his book, yet he found the meatballs themselves to be quite tasty and seasoned well.

I agree with Tom Sietsema's review: "...as clever as the concept sounds, the execution leaves an unfortunate taste in my mouth. If a business is going to specialize, it has to do that one thing right. The meatballs I've tried have been inconsistent: sometimes dense, sometimes pasty in the center, sometimes mute. They miss the texture that develops when meat is seared or caramelized. " Keith seems to feel that if everything was just served hotter, it would have tasted better. I am hesitant to return anytime soon as I just found the whole thing disappointing and not worth my $10.

Total Rating: 2.78
Food: 2.5, Price: 3, Service: 2.5, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

What I ate:

Chicken

with whole wheat pasta and mushroom sauce

Plus Keith ate:

Classic

grinder with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese

Best of DC 2012 Voting Party

2012-01-26T12:00:00.000Z

Tonight I attended the Washington City Paper's "Best of DC 2012" voting party held at Carmine's. The public was invited to help decide who will be the Best Food and Drink, Best Arts and Entertainment, Best Goods and Services, Best People and Places, and over 100 other Best of DC categories.

The event started at 6:30pm and I bribed Keith to tag along to enjoy the free appetizers and drink specials. Our friend, Joe, works at the City Paper so when he sent me an invite via Facebook we thought "Hey - why not?"

It was a fun event to help decide who will be the best in 2012 and I am glad I attended to represent my blog. Carmine's was a smart choice for the City Paper to choose due to its convenient location and plentiful square footage to host the 700 or so people who attended. Classic items from the menu were served including various pastas, meatballs, cheese & meats, salads, and a mix of desserts.

We hand-wrote our votes for each of the "best" categories, but votes will also be collected online here. Voting ends March 1st, so be sure to cast your ballots for each category and please

VOTE for What Micky Eats for Best Local Blog/Blogger

Stay tuned for the winners to be published later this Spring.

Boxcar Tavern

2012-01-21T14:14:00.000Z

Boxcar Tavern is the latest restaurant from Xavier Cervera (Molly Malone’s, Lola’s, Senart’s) and features a menu heavy on comfort food and gastro pub staples, including Welsh rarebit, London broil meatloaf, and seafood lasagna. Opening just before the New Year, Boxcar Tavern sports a number of antique pub signs from the U.K., as well as old signs that hung outside Finn Mac Cool’s and the Hawk N' Dove, two Capitol Hill bars that Cervera took over. Located directly across the street from Eastern Market, Boxcar Tavern is small but a welcomed addition to the North side of Pennsylvania Avenue. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

The slush was still on the ground from the year’s first snow fall last night, yet Keith and I decided to venture out into the blistery cold to warm up with some classic pub food at Boxcar Tavern. We arrived at 6pm and the restaurant was completely packed, mostly with basketball fans at the bar watching the last minutes of the game. The hostess took our name down and we waited at the bar for a table to open up. Immediately I noticed the same decorative style as seen in Senart’s and Molly Malone’s - wood trim, warm colors, and rich fabrics. With seating for 60 diners at a time, the expansive wood bar overwhelms the elongated space with tiny booths along the opposite wall. The layout is very narrow and small, but Cervera made do with the space available by expanding towards the rear alley to allow for more dining space.

About 10 minutes later, we were seated at one of the small booths. Our server greeted us warmly and allowed us time to peruse the menu. I settled on the Fried Virginia Oysters to start. Served with a relish aioli akin to tartar sauce, the oysters themselves were delicate and creamy; however the breading did not stick to the meat at all making it difficult to dip in the sauce. There is a similar issue with the onion rings at Senart's, so perhaps the technique should be adjusted. For my main entrée, I chose the Roasted Organic Chicken as the mushroom bread pudding that accompanied it seemed interesting. The chicken itself was cooked well with a tasty tarragon jus; though a little too dry on the edges. The bread pudding was a bit meh – a little too dense and not enough mushrooms for what I was expecting. Keith ordered the Wild Boar Stew, which was the perfect hearty meal for this wintery evening. Overall the service is descent, the food is better than average, and the atmosphere is casual – a great option to grab a beer with friends and hang out while noshing on classic comfort food. With the recent buzz, the place seems to get busy fast, so arrive early or be prepared to wait.

Happy hour runs from 4-7pm nightly and features $4 wines by the glass and $1 off all beers, which are regularly $6, except for Guinness ($7) and Miller Lite and Yuengling ($5). On Wednesday nights from 7pm to close, Fat Tire drafts cost $3 and Jameson drinks are $4.

Total Rating: 3.58
Food: 3.5, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

What I ate:

Fried Virginia Oysters

served with a Relish Aioli

Roasted Organic Chicken

with Mushroom Bread Pudding, Haricot Verts & Tarragon Jus

Pus Keith ate:

Wild Boar Stew

Root Vegetables, Mashed Potatoes & Cabernet Demi Glace

Oyamel

2012-01-20T23:14:00.000Z

Oyamel is among the award-winning dining concepts from José Andrés, chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup, and combines Mexico’s rich regional diversity with the modern urban atmosphere of Mexico City. The liveliness of the dining room is matched by the creativity of the menu and cocktail list, featuring antojitos - Mexican small plates - ceviches and tacos, plus unique margaritas, and an impressive array of wines and tequilas. Originally opened in 2004 in the Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington, Oyamel moved to its current home in the Penn Quarter in March of 2007. Closest Metro is Archives - Naval Memorial.

For my last DC Restaurant Week Winter 2012 experience, I came to Oyamel with my coworkers to try the 4 course lunch. We were seated in the back left area of the dining room with brightly colored mythical winged creatures hanging from the wall and near a large portrait of a luchador and his family. The dining area was already busy and coupled with the upbeat music made for a very energetic atmosphere. Our server was quite friendly and thoroughly explained the menu options. I appreciated the highlights of gluten-free and vegetarian options printed on the menu. All of the items for each course seemed interesting and I was happy to see our group order a bit of everything. We nibbled on the complimentary fresh tortilla chips and smoky salsa as we waited for our first course. Service was a bit scattered and rushed as they brought out each plate, but that is understandable for the busy lunch hour.

I chose the black bean soup for my first antojito and it was delicious! Presented with a whole charred ancho chili that you can crinkle on top to add extra smokey flavor, as well as avocado and tortilla strips for crunch, this soup was warm and filling. The red onion gave a bite at the finish that was a bit too strong for me, yet overall this soup was my favorite dish of the whole meal. Others in the group chose the Wahu ceviche with whole chunks of avocado and lime. For the second antojito, I chose the shrimp while others chose the spicy meatballs or glazed brussel sprouts. My shrimp were cooked perfectly and were accented by the spicy peppers and sweet black garlic sauce. Seven pieces came in my portion, which was very generous for the small plates concept that I am used to. The third course was one taco per person - either chicken, pork, or beef. I had the chicken which was pretty hearty with the stewed potatoes, yet being that it was only one and a little lukewarm it was a lackluster course. Those that ordered the beef taco found the meat to be tender and seasoned well, while those who ordered the pork found it dry and missing any sweet orange sauce that was advertised.

Lastly, our desserts arrived and I was already full yet managed to eat most of mine. The first bite was moist and full of sweet rum flavor. The caramel ice cream was a little bitter and helped balance out the sweetness of the cake while the pineapple sauce added that extra brightness with the lime zest. I had a taste of the other dessert - a sweet potato flan with tamarind sauce and a Honeycrisp apple sorbet. The flan was very mild in flavor but extremely smooth and creamy in texture. The apple sorbet was delightful and refreshing. In conclusion, I found Oyamels' RW lunch offering to be one of the best deals for this promotion and left very satisfied. I was not blown away by any particular dish, however I would still recommend this restaurant to those looking for a contemporary twist on Mexican fare.

Total Rating: 3.78
Food: 3.5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

What I ate:

Sopa Tarasca estilo pátzcuaro

black bean soup with light Mexican cream and aged cotija cheese,

served with a side of crispy ancho chili, avocado, and tortilla strips

Camarones al mojo de ajo negro

shrimp sautéed with shallots, arbol chile, poblano pepper,

lime and sweet aged black garlic

Photo: Oyamel website

Tinga poblana

a taco of stewed shredded chicken with potatoes, chorizo,

and chipotle, topped with white onion

Pastel de tres leches con piña

traditional cake soaked in Coruba rum and three kinds of milk,

with a rum and milk foam, fresh pineapple gelatin and a pineapple salsa

served with a scoop of caramel ice cream

Photo: Oyamel website

Valentine's Day Dining Specials

2012-01-19T13:08:00.000Z

Valentine's Day is on a Tuesday this year. Impress your loved one with a romantic weekend! (That's what I plan on doing - a girl can't get enough chocolate or excuses to wine and dine, right?) Book a Saturday night dinner and a cozy Sunday brunch at one of DC's many restaurants. Specials are available February 10 - 14.

For menus and details for restaurants in the DC area, be sure to check out this list. Here are a few places that stood out to me as great options to spend with my Valentine:

Bastille: Celebrate love in Alexandria with a 6 course dinner for $115 (includes taxes and gratuities); with wine pairings $165. Special menu available February 10 -18.

Grapeseed: Valentine's Dinner we will be featuring a special fixed price menu! 4 courses for $65, with the option of adding wine pairings throughout for an additional $35.

Lincoln: Experience Chef Zavala's 4 course tasting menu featuring seasonal favorites served amidst this romantic evening. $55 per person, $72 with wine pairings.

Masa 14: Sweetheart Prixe Fixe menu $60 - edamame, 3 dinner plates and a dessert. Includes special plates only available that night. The a la carte menu is available only at the bar.

Sushi Taro: Book your Valentine's Dinner at DC's leading Japanese restaurant with a genuine special Japanese Tasting meal. This is one of my favorite romantic dinner spots - read my full review here.

Traveling for Valentine's weekend? Treat you and your sweetie to something savory. Here are other dining specials across the nation.

And just for fun, check out this neat graphic from the folks at Open Table on Valentine's Day dining and restaurant reservation trends (click to view larger):

End Piracy, Not Liberty

2012-01-18T12:50:00.000Z

Today, you'll notice that some content in the United States has been blacked out. We're making this dramatic gesture to illustrate what might happen to the internet if a law currently proposed in Congress is passed.

Today, you'll notice that some content in the United States has been blacked out. We're making this dramatic gesture to illustrate what might happen to the internet if a law currently proposed in Congress is passed. Along with Google, Wikipedia, Tumblr, Reddit, and thousands of other websites, I am participating in a coordinated blackout today to focus attention on this critical issue. Here's a video explanation:

PLEASE contact your senator and representative today to express your opposition to SOPA/PIPA.

End Piracy, Not Liberty

Happy New Year Giveaway Winner

2012-01-16T13:41:00.000Z

CONGRATULATIONS! The winner of the Happy New Year Giveaway, winning $25 gift certificate to B.Smith's restaurant, is...

Kara Wright

#7 was picked via random.org:

Please email me at whatmickyeats-at-gmail-dot-com to collect your prize. Thank you to all those who took the survey. Your feedback means a lot and I plan to incorporate many of the suggestions to further improve this blog. Submit more suggestions anytime!

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Be sure to sign up for these other great giveaways from Pinchit and Bloomspot:

Jose Andres' minibar Giveaway - 26 course dinner + wine pairing for 4 ($1000 value) - ends February 1st

Restaurant Eve Giveaway - 9 course dinner + wine pairing for 2 ($400 value) - ends February 1st

The Gibson Giveaway - $600 Gift Certificate - ends March 1st

District Commons

2012-01-14T12:27:00.000Z

District Commons celebrates American cuisine and all its global influences with flair, originality, and cool comfort on Washington Circle. Passion Food Hospitality's newest venture showcases seasonal, sustainable seafood, locally grown fruits and vegetables, house baked artisanal breads and pastries - all make for a classic American tavern updated for 21st century taste. Closest Metro is Foggy Bottom.

The space is anchored by a monumental raw bar and an open hearth oven for flatbreads and savory tarts. A 'Pig Board' of ham and biscuits will showcase a selection of America's finest hams. Chef/Owner Jeff Tunks serves up classic American cuisine in this gorgeous setting. Highlighted menu items include Chili Glazed Duck, Brick Pressed Chicken, and Classic Hanger Steak. Freshly baked breads and desserts round out your meal. Every night at 10pm they ring the "Dinner Bell" for that evening's Family Meal - each night a different offering such as Fried Chicken, Meatloaf - even Pupusas - all for $12 per person. Drinks include regional American drafts, exquisite wines, or sample from the 99 Beers on the Wall.

It is Restaurant Week again in our beloved city and this fairly new restaurant was on the top of my list to try. For our second night out, we took a cab to Foggy Bottom (rare for us) because the Metro station nearest us was closed for track work. So we arrived earlier than our reservations and with the packed dining room, we were asked to wait at the bar until a table opened up. The dining room was much larger and airier than expected, but between the football playoffs on TV and it being RW - it was certainly crammed inside. Keith ordered a winter ale: the New Belgium Snow Day and although much darker than what he prefers, he liked it a lot. I had my favorite: a glass of Riesling. After finishing our drinks at the bar, we were seated. Our timid server came over soon after and asked us what we wanted to drink. When she returned to take our food orders, she just asked us if we were "ready to order" - she did not ask if we had any questions, she did not recite any entree specials (I later overheard the next table over being told the specials by their server - of which, the scallop entree I might have chosen, had I known about it). Perhaps it was the extra stress from RW, but I wish our server had been a little more outgoing. Nevertheless, a fellow blogger tweeted that I should try the pretzel bread. For an extra $2, we said "why not?" and ordered it in addition to our 3 course choices. District Commons featured one of the better RW deals in that they offered their entire regular dinner entree items for choosing of your second course.

The pretzel bread arrived and was piping hot, soft on the inside, salty on the outside, and the mustard butter that came with it was light and tangy. I am glad we tried it, although was probably not the best idea to get this time, since beignets came with my soup and my main entree was full starch as well. Way too filling! My white bean soup was hearty and perfectly warm for the chilly night, however I found it quite bland and lacking any flavor. The cheese beignets were salty and gave the soup some dimension. Keith thought his seafood chowder was one of the better ones he's had, with chunks of seafood and vegetables prominent. My main course was a nice portion, hearty, filling, and seasoned very well. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and I highly appreciated that the tails were already removed. On the other hand, Keith's steak was just alright. Kind of boring with the same ole' fries and salad. And the peppercorn sauce was more of a regular jus. He thought it would have been nice to have something a little different, although I understand that District Commons is trying to showcase the traditional American classics "as is". My dessert was a little disappointing - not sure if my palate was just tired, but I did not find the chocolate sweet enough and the cake itself was super dry. Keith's root beer float was fun and classic. Overall, District Commons provided fresh American fare in an upbeat casual dining atmosphere. Yet there is nothing that I would come running back for.

Total Rating: 3.575
Food: 3.5, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

What I ate:

Hot Pretzel Baguette

beer mustard butter

White Bean Soup

cheddar cheese beignets

Shrimp & Grits

sauteed Gulf shrimp, country ham, Holy Trinity

Boston Cream Pie

salted caramel sauce

Plus Keith ate:

Seafood Chowder

Hidden Valley Ranch oyster crackers

Grilled Creekstone Farms Ribeye Steak

French Fries, whiskey peppercorn sauce, obligatory green salad

BTS Root Beer Float

vanilla ice cream, Burger, Tap & Shake bottled root beer

Indique

2012-01-13T12:40:00.000Z

As noted by the Washington Post, Indique is a marriage of "India" with "unique" and this is what you get: "a restaurant eager to satisfy its customers with gently priced small plates, beautiful arrangements and service that is anything but ordinary." The menu features some traditional Indian dishes and others with a modern twist as Indique explores the distinctive regional cuisines of the Indian subcontinent. Small plates, seafood, regional specialties, and vegetarian dishes are prominently featured. Indique offers a full bar, signature cocktails, and wine list. Closest Metro is Cleveland Park.

For our first Restaurant Week choice this winter, we hiked up to Cleveland Park on this chilly evening and I was looking forward to warm Indian food. The dining room downstairs was empty, so we were a little skeptical at first, but then the hostess escorted us upstairs where it was much warmer and already filled with many diners. Dimly lit by a large chandelier, the interior is modest yet tries to appeal to the romantic senses.

Kamasutra

We quickly perused the expansive RW menu that featured both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. It was nice to hear that you could mix-and-match as you pleased from either menu. Keith and I selected each of our courses and also ordered one of their cocktails. I ordered the Kamasutra - made with Absolut vodka, apricot brandy, and pineapple juice. Keith ordered the Ginger Passion - made with Absolut Wild Tea vodka, fresh ginger, elderflower, and lychee juice. My drink was sweet but not too strong and a nice match for the spicy food that was to follow.

We noticed the traditional sauces on our table, but had no naan bread yet, so when our appetizer courses arrived, we asked for the naan to be brought out. I think they planned to serve it with the main course, but I am glad we asked for it earlier. The naan was garlicky and just what I needed to soak up the spicy tomato sauce that covered my seafood dish. The seafood itself was fresh - the scallops were sweet and the shrimp tender. Some pieces of the calamari were a little chewy, but all in all a nice dish and different from anything I've had before. Keith found his pork belly to be only so-so, but enjoyed the spice seasonings. By this time, the dining room upstairs was completely packed and starting to get loud from all the chatter. Our main courses were presented in generous portions with rice, a nice mushroom-type gravy, and cucumber raita. My chicken tikka was super tender and just fell apart with my fork. The sauce was very mild, which was fine for me, but I think others would probably prefer it a little more spicy. Keith's lamb chops were not that good - they came with 3 different types of rice and some vegetables on the side. His dish was seasoned with curry, but not spicy enough and the lamb needed to be seared. I was quite full by now from all the rice, but waited for my dessert. Although presented prettily, I found the mango flavor in the flan to be lacking. Good thing it came with a mango ice cream to add that citric punch. Keith, on the other hand, devoured his dessert. The gulab jamun was a little ball of textured milk solids with a lovely honey sauce that was very reminiscent of the desserts in Greece.

Overall, the food was slightly above average, but I appreciated the different techniques and ingredients showcased. The service and atmosphere were great - very warm and inviting. The location could not be better as it is directly off the metro exit. Make easy reservations to Indique on CityEats.

Total Rating: 3.875
Food: 3.5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 5

What I ate:

Garlic Naan

with traditional sauces

Seafood Varuval

calamari, shrimp and scallops cooked with onion, tomatoes and spices

Chicken Tikka Makhani

marinated boneless pieces of chicken cooked in tandoor

and finished with a flavorful tomato based gravy

Mango Cheese Flan

with raspberry and mango coulis, served with mango ice cream

Plus Keith ate:

Pork Belly a la Indique

braised with an assortment of spices like fennel, mustard,

curry leaves, hot chili and vinegar served with granny smith apples

Tandoori Lamb Chops

seasoned with ginger, garlic and spices

Gulab Jamun a la Indique

specialty prepared from milk solids & honey served with vanilla ice cream

Urbanspoon - National Rankings

2012-01-12T12:49:00.000Z

Majority of my reviews have been featured on Urbanspoon for the past year now, with Washington, DC being my home base. Even in the saturated sea of food bloggers, my reviews are continuing to increase in popularity. Since I try to review places I visit while on travel (whether for work or vacation), I wanted to share a summary of my rankings from across the nation*:

Washington, DC

Baltimore

North Jersey

Long Island

New York

Boston

Tampa Bay

Orlando

Chicago

Oklahoma City

New Orleans

Las Vegas

San Diego

*New cities to be added as I eat my way across the world.

Overall Worldwide Ranking on Urbanspoon, as of January 2012:

At Home: Crock-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

2012-01-11T21:32:00.000Z

This second installment of What Micky Eats...At Home features an experiment by Keith. We've had some blustery cold days this January (as well as unseasonably warm days - what's up with schizophrenic Mother Earth?), so this morning before leaving for work, Keith thought he should bust out our Crock-Pot. He threw in a leftover roasted whole chicken, water, herbs and some veggies and said "Let's see what happens..."

I was a little apprehensive to hear that he left the Crock-Pot on all day while no one was home, but leaving it on "slow" is not that dangerous and that's what this machine is made for, right? As soon as I got home though, the machine had been on for a little over 7 hours and I immediately checked on it. Looked good - smelled better; so I gave it a slight stir and let it continue to do its thing. By the time Keith got home, it was almost ready but he felt it was still too watery. I suggested we add some pasta to make chicken noodle soup. He dumped half a box of raw bow tie pasta in and let it all continue to cook for an additional hour.

When the hour was up, I was excited to see how the soup turned out. Surprisingly the pasta had soaked up most of the excess water and cooked perfectly. Keith fished out the main chicken bones left from the carcass and served it up. It was so hearty and fragrant from the thyme and other seasonings. Our only notes for improvement include adding even more vegetables and using other types of herbs. We might even try it with rice instead of pasta next time. Overall, this experiment was a success! Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures of this whole process but it was pretty easy and made a lot of soup - so we have plenty left over in our freezer. When we decide to pull it out next time, I'll be sure to snap a pic and update this post.

Keith's Crock-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
½ whole roasted chicken, with the meat chopped
1 ½ carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
½ white onion, chopped
3 button mushrooms, sliced
8 cups water
1 chicken bouillon cube
thyme, celery seed, parsley, garlic powder, salt & black pepper to taste
½ lb. pasta

- Prepare all the chopping the night before.
- Dump everything except the pasta into the Crock-Pot in the morning.
- Set on "low heat" for 10 hours.
- At the 9 hour mark, add in the pasta. Continue to cook until done. Be sure to remove any bones before serving.

Brasserie Beck

2012-01-07T15:04:00.000Z

Brasserie Beck is a contemporary European style brasserie in the heart of DC's burgeoning McPherson Square neighborhood. Serving French/Belgian cuisine, Chef/Owner Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel's opened this casual, contemporary brasserie named after his younger son in Spring 2007. Beck is an ideal place for a meal anytime of day - from oysters at the raw bar to hearty veal osso bucco. Also enjoy their comprehensive beer list featuring nine beers on draught and over 100 by the bottle. Closest Metro is McPherson Square.

The stunning space 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. An expansive outdoor patio is open April through October. Keith and I had just finished watching a movie at E Street Landmark Theaters, and were in the mood for some mussels. We walked uptown a few blocks to Brasserie Beck. We did not have reservations yet arrived fairly early, so the dining room was empty and we were escorted to a cozy table by the window. The staff was super friendly with each person welcoming us with warm greetings as we walked by. That was a lovely touch to start off the evening.

Our server recited the specials of the evening - all of which sounded divine, but since we had our heart set on mussels we passed on either of them. The grilled octopus appetizer really piqued my interest though and I would love to come back again and try it. Then, our server mentioned that for the whole month of January, they are featuring a special "dinner for two" from 5-6:30pm only. Two full portions of mussels (your choice), with fries, and a 750 mL bottle of Mont St-Aubert 2009 vintage Belgian Reserve ale - all for $50. This was perfect - just what we wanted! Several minutes later, our server returned with the beer which he presented and poured like wine. He even stated he would "keep the bottle chilled on ice" for us. All of this added to the high points for service. The beer itself was dark with a mild fruity flavor. I typically do not care for this type of beer, but found it to pair perfectly with the mussels. Must be a flexible beer too, since Beck's mussels come in a variety of flavors ranging from traditional garlic, to earthy mushroom, to spicy red curry style.

Our main meal arrived fairly quickly in large pans. I was impressed with the portion size and Keith was pleased that we each received a full portion of fries, instead of one to share. I took my time enjoying each morsel and saving much of my broth to be sopped up with the bread that we saved. Our only minor complaint was that the fries were over salted - however, I appreciated the trio of aioli sauces that came with it. Other places typically charge extra for flavored mayos. Keith prefers the fries at Granville Moore's or Belga Cafe over Beck's, but we both found the mussels themselves to be very comparable. I love the classic version I ordered but thought Keith's mushroom version to be much more decadent and even to have a bit more mussels than mine. All in all, I really enjoyed my meal here and was happy that we came early enough to be seated in a nearly empty room. But by the time we left, many diners had already arrived to start their evening. Many of the regular entree items seemed rustic and I would recommend Brasserie Beck to those looking for a hearty meal in an upscale casual setting.

Total Rating: 4.425
Food: 4.5, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

What I ate:

Classic White Wine Mussels

Roasted Garlic, Parsley & Cream

French Fries

served with 3 dipping aiolis: roasted red pepper, garlic, yellow curry

Plus Keith ate:

♥Wild Mushroom Mussels♥

Applewood-Smoked Bacon & Truffle Cream

DC Restaurant Week - A Look Back

2012-01-06T14:14:00.000Z

The DC Restaurant Week is a bi-annual occurrence that I look forward to each year. It’s a great way to sample those higher-end restaurants without necessarily shelling out the higher-end prices. Lunch offerings are usually 2 or 3 courses for around $20 and Dinner offerings are usually 3 or 4 courses for $30-35 (prices have inflated over the years). With the Winter 2012 RW quickly approaching, I’ve searched my archives to provide you a list of the past restaurants I have been to for RW.

Some were worthy enough to return to for a regular meal, and others were utterly disappointing. I know some people find the RW deals to not be as good as advertised, but I find it to be a fun way to try those new places that I would not normally go to. Here are my past RW adventures, ranked by overall rating:

Poste (4.7) Winter 2010

Chef Geoff’s (4.7) Summer 2008

Zaytinya (4.7) Winter 2008

Westend Bistro (4.45) Summer 2010

Spezie (4.15) Winter 2009 now closed

The Caucus Room (4.05) Summer 2010

Ceiba (4.05) Summer 2009

Georgia Brown’s (4.05) Winter 2009

Art and Soul (4) Summer 2009

B. Smith’s (4) Summer 2007
Indique (3.875) Winter 2012
Oyamel (3.78) Winter 2012

Kellari Taverna (3.75) Summer 2011

Kushi (3.75) Summer 2011

Dino (3.75) Summer 2008
District Commons (3.575) Winter 2012

Bibiana (3.5) Winter 2010

Farmers & Fishers (3.45) Summer 2010 now closed

Co Co Sala (3.2) Winter 2011

Zenten (3.2) Winter 2011

D’Aqua (2.45) Winter 2008 now closed

The DC Winter 2012 RW begins Monday, January 9. Be sure to check out my posting on the upcoming Winter 2012 RW, with a list of extensions, and make your own reservations quick! I am looking forward to the places I picked this round, so don't forget to check back for my Winter 2012 RW reviews.

What are some of your favorite RW experiences? I'd love to compare notes - Share them in the comments below!

At Home: Baked Macaroni & Cheese

2012-01-03T21:03:00.000Z

It's a new year and with the encouragement of my dear bestie (love you, Lucinda!), I am going to start a new series here on What Micky Eats...called At Home - featuring homemade eats by yours truly as well as my awesome husband, Keith.

After over indulging for the holidays, I thought to myself "What's one more day of decadence?" I still had another day off from work, so I promised Keith I would make dinner. For Christmas, I received a lovely Bubble & Brown Casserole stoneware dish, in my favorite color purple, and felt this was a perfect time to break it in. And I knew just what to make - baked macaroni and cheese.

I don't remember where I originally found this recipe, but I have modified it over the years and find it to be fairly simple. Feel free to adjust to your likes, as it is quite forgiving:

Micky's Baked Macaroni & Cheese
½ lb. pasta
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. powdered mustard
½ Teasp. paprika
3 cups milk
12 oz. sharp cheddar (or any cheese) shredded
1 Teasp. salt & black pepper

- Preheat oven to 350 and Boil pasta to al dente.
- In a separate pan, melt butter. Whisk in flour, mustard powder, paprika, milk. Simmer.
- Stir in ¾ of the cheese. Season with salt & pepper.
- Fold the drained pasta in the mix. Pour into casserole dish.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes.

Here is the finished product! Since my "casseround" is pretty deep, I actually doubled the recipe above. I used elbow pasta with a combination of Jarlsburg, Fontina, and a Garlic Cheddar cheese. I was worried if all the cheesy sauce would incorporate enough with the macaroni, but it worked out fine and Keith loved it! We paired it with some barbeque chicken and steamed broccoli (that Keith made when he got home from work). We had plenty of leftovers and luckily this type of dish stores well. So not too shabby for the first installment of What Micky Eats...At Home.

Happy New Year Giveaway

2012-01-03T15:11:00.002Z

It's a new year and what better way to start off than with a giveaway! Last year was great and What Micky Eats really evolved to bring you more restaurant reviews, foodie events, and giveaways. I want to continue the momentum and would love to hear your feedback on how I can improve in 2012. Take this short survey and leave comment below to enter to win a $25 gift certificate to B.Smith's restaurant located in Washington, DC's historic Union Station.

B. Smith's features a combination of Cajun, Creole and Southern cuisine set in a grand Beaux Arts style dining room with its 30-foot ceilings, period chandeliers and turn of the century elegance, which has been called one of the most beautiful dining rooms in America. Specialties of the house include Swamp Thing - a mixed seafood dish over southern style greens in a mustard based seafood sauce; Grilled Lamb Chops with mint-flavored au jus; Fried Green Tomatoes and Spicy Cajun Jambalaya. In it's own separate space, the bar at B. Smith's serves as a gathering place for Washington's political movers and shakers, celebrities and people who just want to have a good time.

Enter for a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate to B. Smith's Restaurant by:

1. (Mandatory) Take this Survey and then leave a comment below telling me you did, so I can pick you from the drawing.
2. (Bonus) Circle me in Google+
3. (Bonus) Like me on Facebook
4. (Bonus) Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this:
Enter to Win $25 Gift Certificate to @BSmithsDC from @WhatMickyEats. Take this survey http://wme2011.questionpro.com/ and RT goo.gl/RUs6x

It's so easy to win --- Do #1 to enter this giveaway --- #2, #3 and/or #4 are each bonus entries!

This giveaway has ended.

NOTE: The winner will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to respond or another name will be drawn. No compensation was received to host this giveaway.

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Be sure to sign up for these other great giveaways from Pinchit and Bloomspot:

Jose Andres' minibar Giveaway - 26 course dinner + wine pairing for 4 ($1000 value) - ends February 1st

Restaurant Eve Giveaway - 9 course dinner + wine pairing for 2 ($400 value) - ends February 1st

The Gibson Giveaway - $600 Gift Certificate - ends March 1st

TOP 10 in World - Favorites of What Micky Eats

2012-01-01T20:33:00.000Z

My motto is "Restaurant Reviews of DC and Beyond", therefore here is another list in my Top 10 series showcasing my all time favorite restaurants in the WORLD! This list is ranked as of January 2012, and I plan to update it every year. The ranking is based purely on the total scores received. For more details - read each post for yourself!

1. Bistro Mar Port d'Alcudia, Mallorca, Spain (4.8) - We enjoyed our last bottle of Cava while starting with more large fresh clams that were prepared much like the steamed mussels that we enjoy back home…Read More

2. Strofi Athens, Greece (4.75) - Strofi Restaurant has been recently refurbished and is hosted in a mid-war house with seating on three different levels and has a wonderful location that overlooks the sacred rock of the Acropolis…Read More

3. Sou'Wester Washington, DC (4.75) - The menu reads with a Southern lilt and features traditional as well as interpretive takes on American classics such as Skillet Fried Chicken with Coleslaw, Chicken and Dumplings and Sautéed Red Snapper with Old Bay Chowder…Read More

4. 1500 Ocean Coronado, CA (4.75) - The menu showcases the freshest Southland Coastal Cuisine, with selections from Santa Ynez to Cabo San Lucas…Read More

5. Nobhill Tavern Las Vegas, NV (4.75) - The ONLY hip and fresh gathering place for classic cocktails and Michael Mina’s interpretation of modern American tavern fare…Read More

6. Toki Underground Washington, DC (4.7) - Featuring a fun and casual menu of Taiwanese-Korean fusion noodle dishes and dumplings, Toki Underground also boasts some great music and art work, as well as nods to Japanese anime and games...Read More

7. Bar Americain NYC, NY (4.7) - An American brasserie, Bar Americain celebrates the foods of America with a healthy dose of the bold flavors Bobby Flay is most known for Read More

8. 2941 Falls Church, VA (4.7) - Set in among luxuriously landscaped woods, the restaurant features elaborately designed waterfalls, Koi ponds, and fountains that one can enjoy from any seat…Read More

9. Skala Oia, Greece (4.7) – Rated one of the best restaurants in Oia, Skala Restaurant is a secret gem with an amazing view that is overlooked by most tourists…Read More

10. Poste Washington, DC (4.7) - The food arrived beautifully plated and was absolutely delicious. My crepes were one of the best vegetarian dishes I've ever had and Keith's entree was tender enough to "eat with a spoon"…Read More

Marvin

2011-12-31T14:52:00.000Z

Inspired by the story of Marvin Gaye's infamous two years in self-imposed exile in the small Belgian town of Ostend, the creators of Marvin have combined the cafe society of Belgium, with the proud soul of DC. This bistro and bar serves home cooked classics from Belgium to the American South. Upstairs at Marvin you'll find one of DC's best lounges and rooftop decks which is heated, partially covered, and open year round. Closest Metro is U Street – Cardozo.

May 2009: We went for a special dinner and were seated towards the back near the kitchen where many tables are squeezed in – typical of the row house style restaurants in the city. The décor was classic with black walls, wood trim and black and white photos of legendary musicians like Marvin Gaye, Duke Ellington, Chuck Brown, and Shirley Scott. I gave it a 4 for ambience since the kitchen was a little loud with the clanking of plates and so was the chatter of patrons. But the server was attentive and courteous. She explained the farmer’s fresh specials of the day with ease and offered us a different bottle of wine for the same price, as the one we chose was not available. Our food was cooked perfectly and paired with fresh vegetables that kept the homey foods light, especially for the warm season we are in right now. After our meal, our server suggested we order another glass of wine from her to take with us upstairs to the roof deck. Smart of us to do so too because it was pretty crowded up there and limited seating. Overall Marvin is a cool restaurant and I really enjoyed my meal and would definitely come back again.

December 2011: We finally returned to Marvin to celebrate New Year's Eve as they were featuring a lovely tasting menu with a champagne toast and "unspecified treats" for when the ball drops. We chose the late seating of 10:15pm and the atmosphere was more crazy than I remembered - compact, super loud and overly crowded. Many of the earlier diners were lingering around and were already quite tipsy and yelling their conversations. It was honestly unpleasant at first, until Keith and I just went with it and yelled across the table to each other too. The server took his time coming around to take our orders, but we did not mind as we knew we wanted to stay until midnight at least anyways. I was also a little disappointed that there were no cheesy NYE decorations at all - no confetti - no hats - no balloons - nothing!

champagne to toast in 2012

As we ordered a bottle of wine, our server then told us that one of our first "treats" was a complimentary cocktail choice between vodka or bourbon. Keith and I opted for the Moscow Mule - vodka, ginger beer, and lime. It was a clean drink, but not really what I was in the mood for so I gave the rest of mine to Keith. I preferred the wine. Our second "treat" soon arrived - a shooter of leak soup? Since it was so loud we could not hear what the server said it was - even when we asked him a second time. By now it was almost 11:30pm and the dining room was still packed and loud. A few tables were seated well after us and just receiving their drinks. The appetizer course was delicious - I really enjoyed the colorful, sweet and tart beets and carrots, which paired well with my perfectly cooked scallops. Keith enjoyed his lobster ravioli as well, as it was served with a heavy mushroom sauce. The main course was a little smaller than expected and mine lacked flavor or moisture. Even though I could see the shavings, there was no trace of truffles in taste, which was very surprising since that is such a distinct earthy flavor. However, Keith devoured his snapper dish and wished he had a spoon or some bread to mop up the bouillabaisse - it was that good. Soon, the servers came around to pour us each a glass of champagne and give the two-minute warning. Since there were no tv screens or anything, everyone kept checking their iPhones for the clock. THREE...TWO...ONE...HAPPY NEW YEAR! After the excitement of counting down, our desserts arrived. (The table next to us still did not receive their main courses.) My pear was cute and filled with a sweet cream. It matched the champagne so much that I ordered a second glass. Keith's chocolate cake was a nice portion and he loved it too. Overall, the food was just a good as my first visit. The new dishes we ate are listed below the dashed lines. I apologize for the poor quality of my Blackberry pictures - one of my goals for the new year is to take better food pics. It was a slightly different experience for us to ring in the New Year mid-dining, but perhaps that is a sign for what is to come. Wishing you all a Happy New Year! Let's have another great year of eating...

Total Rating: 4
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

What I ate:

♥Seared Sea Scallops♥

braised leeks & beurre rouge

Goat Cheese Croquettes

with Fig Vinaigrette

Roasted Striped Bass
with shitake mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, and corn butter
-------------
Leak Soup

♥Seared Scallops♥
with roasted beets and poached baby carrots

Black Truffle Gnocchi
with chestnut puree and baby kale

Sauternes Poached Anjou Pear
with Creme Anglaise and Pain Perdu

Plus Keith ate:

Soft Shell Crab
with fingerling potatoes and haricot verts
-------------
Lobster Ravioli
with Leek Fondu and Sauce Americaine

♥American Red Snapper♥
with saffron Parisian potatoes, baby clams, and bouillabaisse

Chocolate Cake
with Crispy Cremeaux and Tonka Bean Ice Cream

Ray's the Steaks

2011-12-29T13:10:00.000Z

Ray's the Steaks is an increasingly popular "poor man's" steakhouse located in the busy Clarendon/Courthouse area of Arlington. Owner Michael Landrum shook up the local steakhouse scene when he opened the original Ray's up the street at 1725 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington eight years ago and began serving good beef for about half the price of the competition. He didn't charge extra for sides, which came with the meal, and he didn't bother dressing up the joint with anything more than some paint on the walls. Serving spicy cashews for munching and unusual cuts of meat, expect Ray's to be packed any night of the week. Even though they now accept reservations, the place gets crowded quickly and sometimes you have to still wait. Closest Metro is Courthouse.

December 2009: The ambience in the room as soon as you enter seems rushed - from the slightly snippy hostess to the mixed crowd of servers and chefs rushing between tables in the dining area. You can tell the owner doesn't want his patrons to linger too long, in part because he says he detests "restaurants as entertainment" but also because there's probably someone waiting for your spot. One good thing is that the food came relatively quickly, and it was delicious. We went to celebrate my Dad's birthday - and despite the debacle in getting here (the street address is Wilson Blvd, but the entrance is actually on Clarendon Blvd, causing initial confusion, and street parking is limited) - we all enjoyed our meal. The steaks were seasoned and cooked very well - Keith recommends you order slightly up as the medium-rare was a little red for his tastes. My Dad enjoyed his caesar salad and NY strip while my mom had a mixed green salad followed by a sinfully good filet mignon with a Burgundy mushroom creme sauce. We shared desserts and after, we were treated to hot shots of spiced cocoa. All in all, the food at Ray's is much higher quality and a great price compared to other top level steakhouses. I would recommend this place to all meat lovers.

February 2011: We went back to celebrate Keith's birthday and were greeted with complimentary glasses of rose champagne while we waited for our table. Coupled with the staff now sporting collared shirts and ties, it appears that Ray's the Steaks has up-ed their elegance factor. But would the food be the same? Yes, indeed it was. I comforted in my usual staples while Keith opted for the aged ribeye special of the night. He was very pleased and we left with warm bellies and totally satisfied. Ray's the Steaks remains one of the best - if not THE best - steakhouses in the DC area.

December 2011: Our good friends were in town from California and so we met up with them at Ray's for dinner. The place was still packed even though it is still technically holiday season. Our server seemed a little rushed, trying to get our orders in quickly. After deciding on the red wine special for the table to try (an Italian cabernet), we placed our food orders. I ordered something different for a change, opting for the vegetarian entree while Keith chose one of his favorites, the pepper crusted sirloin. Our friends ordered an item not included on the menu (think secret menu a la "In N' Out"), choosing to share the chateaubriand. The spiced nuts and rosemary focaccia bread were brought to the table as usual. Everyone except me, also ordered a cup of the crab bisque to start and noisily slurped up each drop in satisfaction. My entree was a generous portion of grilled vegetables that was pretty "meaty" and still filled me up. The chateaubriand cut was tender and a very large portion - more than enough for two to share, so Keith ended up taking home the leftovers and I included a picture below. It also came with two different bearnais sauces - a traditional and mushroom version. Overall, we all enjoyed our meal and our friends were happily stuffed with the classic steak fare of Ray's.

Total Rating: 4.4

Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 3

What I ate:

♥Crab Bisque♥

Jumbo Sea Scallops

grilled with onion and garlic

Portobello Mushroom Caps

with balsamic glaze served with eggplant, broccoli, grilled onions and aged bleu cheese

Mashed Potatoes

♥Creamed Spinach♥

Key Lime Pie

Chocolate Mousse

Plus Keith ate:

♥Aged Ribeye♥

with horseradish cream

♥Grand Filet Au Poivre♥
Sirloin Au Poivre

Chateaubriand

Palio Ristorante Italiano

2011-12-28T23:17:00.000Z

The cuisine at Palio is a delicious blend of Old World tradition with contemporary flare. Each meal combines familiar, hand-crafted Italian favorites with seasonal, local items such as venison, lamb, wild salmon, and a varied Virginia harvest. Owner Antonio Pino's thoughtful wine selection focuses prominently on exceptional Italian vintages, but includes local wines, as well. All bread, pasta, and charcuterie are made fresh in-house, and you'll find new surprises in their delightful daily specials.

In a departure from his usual low profile, Michael O’Connor has introduced Palio to Historic Downtown Leesburg. Under the direction of Proprietor Antonio Pino, known as “Nino” to his friends and patrons, Palio offers a new dining experience. A well known face in the Washington area, Nino has put establishments like Primi Piatti in Washington, D.C. on the map. He brings his elegance and charm to Palio clientele in a memorable dining experience.

The Palio equestrian theme derives from the infamous, centuries-old Palio di Siena horse race which began in the mid-17th century. The restaurant comfortably seats 65 upstairs and boasts a 24-seat full-service lounge at street level. Private parties may be booked in a spacious room complete with a full bar upstairs. Most of the menu is seasonal with the spectacular wine list including many local selections.

Today I spent the day with my parents and we took a drive out to Leesburg to visit Morven Park - the mansion of former Governor Westmoreland Davis and his wife during the mid-late 1800s. Before our tour, we decided to try Palio for lunch, as Italian is one of our favorite cuisines. We were the only ones in the restaurant, so it was nice to have the dining room to ourselves and we enjoyed our table by the window. The decor is subtle European and elegant. Our server was prompt and friendly. My father and I each ordered a panini, which came with side salads and was the perfect size for lunch. The bread was softer than expected, but very tasty. My father, being the traditionalist that he is, really enjoyed his meatballs. My mother ordered the grilled ahi entree, but was not excited by her choice. She ate too much of the bread basket that may have affected her appetite and she also did not care for the sweet caponata that overwhelmed the fish. Regardless, we enjoyed our time at Palio and found it quite charming. The other Italian dishes on the menu looked rustic and inviting. I may be more likely to return to Primi Piatti in DC to try the other entrees.

Total Rating: 3.625
Food: 3.5, Price: 4, Service: 3.5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 3

What I ate:

Panino Vegetariano

grilled sandwich with tomato, Portobello mushrooms, mozzarella, basil pesto

Plus my parents ate:

Arancini

breaded and fried risotto croquette

stuffed with veal ragu and buffalo mozzarella

Panino di Polpette

meatballs with marinara sauce and fresh mozzarella on ciabatta bread

Tonno alla Siciliana

grilled Ahi Tuna steak, fennel pollen dusted, Sicilian Caponata,
three year aged vin cotto

All American Hamburger Drive-In

2011-12-23T14:20:00.000Z

Known to locals as just "All American", this local fast food joint is old school and more of a drive-up than a drive-in. It has been apart of Long Island life for over 40 years. Serving beef burgers and franks, fries, knishes, and milkshakes, All American Hamburger Drive-In is a local favorite with modest prices to satisfy that greasy fix.

All American’s fries are one of the things that keep people coming back for: dark golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender, but not soggy on the inside. Hamburgers come in four varieties at All American: the Single, the Double Header, the Double Double (A Double Header with cheese) and the Quarter Pound hamburger. Cheese is optional for a small additional charge. The ordering system at All American is fast and efficient - just get in line and walk right up to the glass window to place your order. There is a small outdoor dining area, but unless the weather is nice and the place isn’t crowded (rare) plan on eating in your car or take it home.

Keith frequented All American during his high school days and when we come visit family in Massapequa, we sometimes stop by for lunch as we did this past Christmas vacation. I was not in the mood for a full meal, so I opted to just try a strawberry milkshake and a hot knish (pronounced "kah-nish"). Made popular by Jewish immigrants, this snack food is described in the Oxford Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases as "a baked or fried dumpling made of flaky dough with filling" and is most traditionally filled with mashed potato. The ones at All American are square in shape and are best eaten with mustard. They are crispy out the outside and soft on the inside and the tang from the mustard marries so well with the potato making it a delightful little snack.

Keith ordered his staple burger which is a quarter pound of beef with cheese, pickles, onions and ketchup on sesame bun. Being that is Christmas and all, Keith also picked up some goodies for his brother and father. Don’t expect an elaborate gourmet burger, there are no fancy toppings here. This is as old school as it gets and it is a much better choice than the typical options when you’ve got that fast food craving. Make sure you bring cash!!

Total Rating: 3.95
Food: 4, Price: 5, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 3

What I ate:

♥Hot Knish♥

Strawberry Milkshake

Plus Keith ate:

♥Quarter Pound with Cheese♥

pickles, onion, ketchup on a sesame bun

♥French Fries♥

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