1829 Columbia Rd NW
I have a few spots to add on here, but my second dinner stop of the night is worth noting now. I stopped here and had their Mediterranean pizza. Olives, spicy peppers, chicken? and a crust with an unique fennel and maybe other seasons in it. It is in the top echelon of pizzas in DC. I wouldn't put it at the top of that echelon, like the Rustico pizzas, but it is good stuff. It was a mere $15, although $10 with a Groupon or something. Their other stuff looked pretty good. S.K. said that the menu overall is pretty good.
WEBSITE HERE)
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Rustico - Ballston
4075 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA (Ballston), right off Ballston metro stop
Perhaps my favorite restaurant/bar in the DC area has a new location and it does not disappoint. (Alexandria location review HERE)
I stopped by after some athletic practice and I was the only one wanting a full meal, so we ate only the bar menu. Everything was amazing, so all food orders will be rated to degree of amazingness. I suppose I was pretty hungry after practice and not eating much that day, but I am pretty sure it would be amazing regardless.
The location has less of the brick and less of the neighborhood setting than the other location, but the interior is still nice. The Arlington location is definitely bigger than the Alexandria location - at least the bar area, which is a big plus. The beer list is similarly expansive.
Food-
SPICY BEEF JERKY with cheese dip and shallot rings
I ordered this one. It was not a lot of food, but it was the highest degree of amazing. The sauce was fine, but the jerky and shallots without the sauce were as good as anything one can eat.
PEI MUSSELS & HOUSEMADE CHORIZO belgian strong dark ale, sweet potato puree
This was my main entree. It is hard to say this is the best mussels dish I have had in DC (Brasserie Beck gets that honor, although I have not been there in a while). Still, it was really, really good. I love chorizo, dark ale, and sweet potatoes. So while the mussels themselves were good, the sauce and meat that I ate from the bottom with a spoon and the Texas toast they provided was awesome. The dish involved a good number of mussels.
HOMEMADE THICK-CUT FRIES tossed in your choice of caesar or ranch
One of my friends got these. They were very, very good and very ample in size. I know fries are easy to do well, but these a real treat.
BUFFALO CHICKEN BREAD BOWL DIP
My friends also got these. Again, a very tasty rendition of something that is not difficult to do.
Because I was ordering a good amount of food, I got a less exotic and less strong beer, I believe a dark one from Michigan which was good, but not great.
Worth noting on the menu: (Pizzas)
FIG & PROSCIUTTO sweet & sour fig jam, gorgonzola cheese. The Churchkey rendition of this pizza is one of the tastiest pizzas I have ever eaten.
BRAISED DUCK & POACHED PEAR red onions, arugula, blue cheese, port reduction. Damn, just sounds really good and one of my friends who was there said her friend got it and loved it.
UPDATE
I returned to the Ballston location just a week later with a different friend. We got two pizzas: BRAISED DUCK & POACHED PEAR (above) and a Bacon Cheeseburger pizza. The bacon cheeseburger was a good rendition, but nothing special. The Duck & Pear pizza was quite good. Not as good as the fig & prosciutto at Churchkey or the Smokey at Comet Ping Pong, but very good.
UPDATE 2
I returned to the Ballston location in June and split a Fried Green Tomato pizza with someone. It also had arugula on top, ricotta cheese, ripe tomato slices and summer squash. It was a good and unique pizza, but not spectacular. I enjoyed the ricotta and squash and excellent crust as well as the green tomatoes; however, there was a bit too much arugula, although the arugula did add something. Definitely a good choice to try something different, but not on the level of most Rustico special pizzas.
Perhaps my favorite restaurant/bar in the DC area has a new location and it does not disappoint. (Alexandria location review HERE)
I stopped by after some athletic practice and I was the only one wanting a full meal, so we ate only the bar menu. Everything was amazing, so all food orders will be rated to degree of amazingness. I suppose I was pretty hungry after practice and not eating much that day, but I am pretty sure it would be amazing regardless.
The location has less of the brick and less of the neighborhood setting than the other location, but the interior is still nice. The Arlington location is definitely bigger than the Alexandria location - at least the bar area, which is a big plus. The beer list is similarly expansive.
Food-
SPICY BEEF JERKY with cheese dip and shallot rings
I ordered this one. It was not a lot of food, but it was the highest degree of amazing. The sauce was fine, but the jerky and shallots without the sauce were as good as anything one can eat.
PEI MUSSELS & HOUSEMADE CHORIZO belgian strong dark ale, sweet potato puree
This was my main entree. It is hard to say this is the best mussels dish I have had in DC (Brasserie Beck gets that honor, although I have not been there in a while). Still, it was really, really good. I love chorizo, dark ale, and sweet potatoes. So while the mussels themselves were good, the sauce and meat that I ate from the bottom with a spoon and the Texas toast they provided was awesome. The dish involved a good number of mussels.
HOMEMADE THICK-CUT FRIES tossed in your choice of caesar or ranch
One of my friends got these. They were very, very good and very ample in size. I know fries are easy to do well, but these a real treat.
BUFFALO CHICKEN BREAD BOWL DIP
My friends also got these. Again, a very tasty rendition of something that is not difficult to do.
Because I was ordering a good amount of food, I got a less exotic and less strong beer, I believe a dark one from Michigan which was good, but not great.
Worth noting on the menu: (Pizzas)
FIG & PROSCIUTTO sweet & sour fig jam, gorgonzola cheese. The Churchkey rendition of this pizza is one of the tastiest pizzas I have ever eaten.
BRAISED DUCK & POACHED PEAR red onions, arugula, blue cheese, port reduction. Damn, just sounds really good and one of my friends who was there said her friend got it and loved it.
UPDATE
I returned to the Ballston location just a week later with a different friend. We got two pizzas: BRAISED DUCK & POACHED PEAR (above) and a Bacon Cheeseburger pizza. The bacon cheeseburger was a good rendition, but nothing special. The Duck & Pear pizza was quite good. Not as good as the fig & prosciutto at Churchkey or the Smokey at Comet Ping Pong, but very good.
UPDATE 2
I returned to the Ballston location in June and split a Fried Green Tomato pizza with someone. It also had arugula on top, ricotta cheese, ripe tomato slices and summer squash. It was a good and unique pizza, but not spectacular. I enjoyed the ricotta and squash and excellent crust as well as the green tomatoes; however, there was a bit too much arugula, although the arugula did add something. Definitely a good choice to try something different, but not on the level of most Rustico special pizzas.
Lebanese Taverna - Woodley Park
2641 Connecticut Ave. NW • Washington, DC, 20008 • (202) 265-8681 (directly across the street from the Woodley Park metro stop)
http://www.lebanesetaverna.com/
MENU (as of 3/6/2011)
So I finally revisited the Woodley Park location for Lebanese Taverna. First off, I should admit that I wasn't as impressed with the decor as I remember having been. I would not put it above the Bethesda decor.
In all other respects, Lebanese Taverna was as good as I remembered it. The server was even particularly attentive and charming.
Just as I have done on every other visit to a Lebanese Taverna, I split a bunch of mezze with someone rather than try an entree. I had a white wine with my meal and it was good to solid (really I just remember the food).
Lebanese Taverna had a hummus menu where you could choose and customize your own hummus. We had the Spicy Hummus and topped it with the Tomatoes & Feta. It was amazing. I have never had a better hummus in my life.
I also got the makdous (cured baby eggplant stuffed with walnuts, garlic, lemon, olive oil, pomegranate) again, which my date was curious about. She didn't seem to like it much, although I thought it was pretty good. It was a bit too strong in spice and garlic though and should have been more subtle. Not their best dish.
The Halloum cheese (with tomatoes, olive oil, olives and sauteed) was pretty good too, but nothing special.
Sadly, I cannot remember the other mezze or two that we had, despite remembering at least one being quite good.
Overall, I escaped with a $41.25 bill before tip, which included wine, and was easily enough food (more than my date could eat).
Summary of all 3 locations
Review of Bethesda location
http://www.lebanesetaverna.com/
MENU (as of 3/6/2011)
So I finally revisited the Woodley Park location for Lebanese Taverna. First off, I should admit that I wasn't as impressed with the decor as I remember having been. I would not put it above the Bethesda decor.
In all other respects, Lebanese Taverna was as good as I remembered it. The server was even particularly attentive and charming.
Just as I have done on every other visit to a Lebanese Taverna, I split a bunch of mezze with someone rather than try an entree. I had a white wine with my meal and it was good to solid (really I just remember the food).
Lebanese Taverna had a hummus menu where you could choose and customize your own hummus. We had the Spicy Hummus and topped it with the Tomatoes & Feta. It was amazing. I have never had a better hummus in my life.
I also got the makdous (cured baby eggplant stuffed with walnuts, garlic, lemon, olive oil, pomegranate) again, which my date was curious about. She didn't seem to like it much, although I thought it was pretty good. It was a bit too strong in spice and garlic though and should have been more subtle. Not their best dish.
The Halloum cheese (with tomatoes, olive oil, olives and sauteed) was pretty good too, but nothing special.
Sadly, I cannot remember the other mezze or two that we had, despite remembering at least one being quite good.
Overall, I escaped with a $41.25 bill before tip, which included wine, and was easily enough food (more than my date could eat).
Summary of all 3 locations
Review of Bethesda location
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Comet Ping Pong
5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC 20008 (intersection of Connecticut and Nebraska)
http://www.cometpingpong.com/
MENU (as of 3/6/2011)
I had long wanted to visit Comet Ping Pong for their pizza, decor, and ping pong. The pizza was worth it, the decor was not that special, and I did not wind up playing any ping pong.
First, I found the decor definitely low-key artsy with parts made to look neglected and parts made to look fancy trendy. The bathroom entrances are amusing. The ping pong is in back. Pretty unique, laid-back, but nothing special. It was a weeknight, so a mix of kids, couples, and dudes hanging out.
I got a pizza while my date got a Greek Salad. My pizza was The Smoky, and it was very good. There are many places in DC offering good gourmet Neapolitan style pizza and I would place the Smoky right in the top tier, but behind my absolute favorites. The Smoky consists of: Smoky Mushrooms, Smoky Mozzarella, Smoky Bacon, melted onions, garlic and costs $13. I easily at it myself, and it was a good size for me, or for two less hungry people to share. My date said her salad was quite good and it was quite large as well.
The beer offerings were quite good as well. Only about on tap, but a bottle/can list of about 15-20 good microbrews and imports. I had the Bell's Kalamazoo Stout and the Tommyknocker Butthead Dopplebock (NY State), which were both pretty good.
Overall, I would deem it a great place to stop if you're up in that area, but not necessarily worth a special trip up to unless you're hankering for some ping pong.
Location is street parkable - not easy, not hard, about 1 mile from Tenleytown metro or Friendship heights.
Earlier text update:
Comet Ping Pong - Good beer in bottles. Got Smoky pizza, quite good. Greek Salad, quite good, large.
http://www.cometpingpong.com/
MENU (as of 3/6/2011)
I had long wanted to visit Comet Ping Pong for their pizza, decor, and ping pong. The pizza was worth it, the decor was not that special, and I did not wind up playing any ping pong.
First, I found the decor definitely low-key artsy with parts made to look neglected and parts made to look fancy trendy. The bathroom entrances are amusing. The ping pong is in back. Pretty unique, laid-back, but nothing special. It was a weeknight, so a mix of kids, couples, and dudes hanging out.
I got a pizza while my date got a Greek Salad. My pizza was The Smoky, and it was very good. There are many places in DC offering good gourmet Neapolitan style pizza and I would place the Smoky right in the top tier, but behind my absolute favorites. The Smoky consists of: Smoky Mushrooms, Smoky Mozzarella, Smoky Bacon, melted onions, garlic and costs $13. I easily at it myself, and it was a good size for me, or for two less hungry people to share. My date said her salad was quite good and it was quite large as well.
The beer offerings were quite good as well. Only about on tap, but a bottle/can list of about 15-20 good microbrews and imports. I had the Bell's Kalamazoo Stout and the Tommyknocker Butthead Dopplebock (NY State), which were both pretty good.
Overall, I would deem it a great place to stop if you're up in that area, but not necessarily worth a special trip up to unless you're hankering for some ping pong.
Location is street parkable - not easy, not hard, about 1 mile from Tenleytown metro or Friendship heights.
Earlier text update:
Comet Ping Pong - Good beer in bottles. Got Smoky pizza, quite good. Greek Salad, quite good, large.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Lebanese Taverna - Bethesda
A week ago I visited the Bethesda location of Lebanese Taverna. Despite the Woodley Park location being one of my favorite DC restaurants, this is my first Lebanese Taverna visit since I started this blog.
Anyway, Bethesda location is a convenient walk from the Bethesda metro with plenty of parking around. The decor is pretty nice with high ceilings and, unlike many downtown DC places, not designed to be loud. (Note: My earlier comment that "The Woodley Park location is more impressive though." is retracted upon visiting the Woodley Park location again. They're both different, but both are quite nice in decor and ambiance.)
Lebanese Taverna does offer entrees, but I have always gotten several Mezze and shared them with people allowing me a wide variety of tastes. My dishes at this location this time were very good. I had the Kibbeh (meatballs of beef, lamb, burghul, pine nuts, almonds with yogurt), the shwarma (carved lamb & beef with tahini sauce), makdous (cured baby eggplant stuffed with walnuts, garlic, lemon, olive oil, pomegranate), the shankleesh (spiced aged feta), and some baba ghanough (eggplant dip). Most were strong, pungent and excellent, with baba ghanough being nothing special (although the person I split the meal with loves it here) and the baby eggplant/makdous being only pretty good, but not necessarily for everyone.
I have again been impressed by Lebanese Taverna, although I would probably rate Cava Mezze as slightly better than this visit, although you really cannot go wrong with either. I also need to remind myself to try an entree next time. I have had an entree from Lebanese Taverna catered into a former job site, which was extraordinary, but I do not know if it was from the Bethesda or Woodley Park location (equidistant).
(My rundown on the other locations)
Anyway, Bethesda location is a convenient walk from the Bethesda metro with plenty of parking around. The decor is pretty nice with high ceilings and, unlike many downtown DC places, not designed to be loud. (Note: My earlier comment that "The Woodley Park location is more impressive though." is retracted upon visiting the Woodley Park location again. They're both different, but both are quite nice in decor and ambiance.)
Lebanese Taverna does offer entrees, but I have always gotten several Mezze and shared them with people allowing me a wide variety of tastes. My dishes at this location this time were very good. I had the Kibbeh (meatballs of beef, lamb, burghul, pine nuts, almonds with yogurt), the shwarma (carved lamb & beef with tahini sauce), makdous (cured baby eggplant stuffed with walnuts, garlic, lemon, olive oil, pomegranate), the shankleesh (spiced aged feta), and some baba ghanough (eggplant dip). Most were strong, pungent and excellent, with baba ghanough being nothing special (although the person I split the meal with loves it here) and the baby eggplant/makdous being only pretty good, but not necessarily for everyone.
I have again been impressed by Lebanese Taverna, although I would probably rate Cava Mezze as slightly better than this visit, although you really cannot go wrong with either. I also need to remind myself to try an entree next time. I have had an entree from Lebanese Taverna catered into a former job site, which was extraordinary, but I do not know if it was from the Bethesda or Woodley Park location (equidistant).
(My rundown on the other locations)
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Proof
775 G St. NW
I attended Proof for a birthday dinner. I had been here a number of times before as a late night stop for after movies or just to grab a drink. The atmosphere is pretty typical modern Penn Quarter/Chinatown D.C., although the restaurant's seating arrangement tends to allow for an intimate feel for the tables.
Before I start on the meal, I should say that from previous visits, Proof does a very good job with their cocktails and has an ample wine selection. Before dinner I tried an excellent dark cask conditioned beer at the bar. Throughout the evening the wine was quite good as well.
Dinner began with a course of meats (charcuterie) and cheeses. The selection of cheeses was rather good, and the cheeses themselves were enjoyable. The accompanying condiments for the cheeses were solid, but nothing special. I most enjoyed the cheeses that I had requested (a Humboldt Fog, a cave aged Gruyere, and a Pleasant Ridge from Wisconsin). Some at the table did not like strong cheeses so we didn't try any of their blue cheeses. Although I would deem this an acceptable cheese place, I would probably not make it a destination and would recommend Cork or Cheesetique instead. The meats were quite good, and more ample than most charcuterie I have tried. Someone else had ordered them and I do not remember specifically what we had, but two were quite good and two were simply solid.
Dinner was quite good. Prices were $25-$30 dollars for most (second) courses. Most at our tables got a salad for an extra $9, which I passed. For dinner I had the "Roasted Organic Chicken Breast" with "goat cheese-wild mushroom stuffing, sauteed rapini, creamy polenta". It was very good with a good balancing of flavors that were neither too mild nor particularly strong. It was a decent size, but not tremendous.
Overall, the food was quite good, although not remarkable or unique. Because this was a birthday celebration with 4 plates of charcuterie, 4 plates of cheeses, a round of salads, a round of dinner, 2 rounds of wine, 1 champagne round (may have been on the house), and a round of shots, plus paying for the birthday celebrant's share, and my $9 beer at the bar, the bill was quite hefty. Still, I think that if one were to simply split a cheese or charcuterie plate, have (only) a second course, and keep the drinks to one or two a piece, you could escape for around $50 per person.
I attended Proof for a birthday dinner. I had been here a number of times before as a late night stop for after movies or just to grab a drink. The atmosphere is pretty typical modern Penn Quarter/Chinatown D.C., although the restaurant's seating arrangement tends to allow for an intimate feel for the tables.
Before I start on the meal, I should say that from previous visits, Proof does a very good job with their cocktails and has an ample wine selection. Before dinner I tried an excellent dark cask conditioned beer at the bar. Throughout the evening the wine was quite good as well.
Dinner began with a course of meats (charcuterie) and cheeses. The selection of cheeses was rather good, and the cheeses themselves were enjoyable. The accompanying condiments for the cheeses were solid, but nothing special. I most enjoyed the cheeses that I had requested (a Humboldt Fog, a cave aged Gruyere, and a Pleasant Ridge from Wisconsin). Some at the table did not like strong cheeses so we didn't try any of their blue cheeses. Although I would deem this an acceptable cheese place, I would probably not make it a destination and would recommend Cork or Cheesetique instead. The meats were quite good, and more ample than most charcuterie I have tried. Someone else had ordered them and I do not remember specifically what we had, but two were quite good and two were simply solid.
Dinner was quite good. Prices were $25-$30 dollars for most (second) courses. Most at our tables got a salad for an extra $9, which I passed. For dinner I had the "Roasted Organic Chicken Breast" with "goat cheese-wild mushroom stuffing, sauteed rapini, creamy polenta". It was very good with a good balancing of flavors that were neither too mild nor particularly strong. It was a decent size, but not tremendous.
Overall, the food was quite good, although not remarkable or unique. Because this was a birthday celebration with 4 plates of charcuterie, 4 plates of cheeses, a round of salads, a round of dinner, 2 rounds of wine, 1 champagne round (may have been on the house), and a round of shots, plus paying for the birthday celebrant's share, and my $9 beer at the bar, the bill was quite hefty. Still, I think that if one were to simply split a cheese or charcuterie plate, have (only) a second course, and keep the drinks to one or two a piece, you could escape for around $50 per person.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Cava Mezze (Capital Hill / Eastern Market)
527 8th St SE, Washington DC 20003 (also has a Rockville location)
http://dc.cavamezze.com/home
I had heard about Cava Mezze from an acquaintance who is a regular at one of my regular bars. The restaurant did not disappoint. Although my experience was rushed because I was running late and had to make another event, the mezze that I ordered was outstanding. Also, the atmosphere was quite nice as well. Dark, long room, with nice wood decor. Also a nice outdoor area, although it was in the 90's so we ate inside.
Because of our press for time, the hostess recommended that we order non-meat dishes. The Washingtonian review that I looked at just before heading out had recommended: Spicy lamb sliders; watermelon salad w/ feta & mint; pork souvlaki; meatballs in tom sauce; avgolemono soup; disco fries; Greek yogurt w/honey & walnuts; loukoumades (Greek donuts). We didn't get any of that. In fact, some of it was not on the menu anymore. Instead we ordered: Grilled Haloumi cheese (with mint), Tyropita (dodonis feta, goat cheese, phyllo), Crazy Feta (dodonis feta & whipped jalapeno), and Eggplant Dip. I listed these in order of amazingness. The first three were really close with a gap before the merely quite good eggplant dip. The portions for mezze weren't as small as some I have seen around DC, so splitting four of them between two people filled up my date and left me satisfied - all the cheese was pretty rich. Also, as I closed the menu, I spied a Cherry Mojito. It was pretty darn good.
Anyway, I was disappointed in Yanni's Greek Taverna and have yet to make it to a Greek place in Old Town that I've heard about, so this place is clearly my favorite Greek place in D.C. Heck, I'll put it above those in Chicago as well and I suspect it even bests my favorite Greek place in St. Louis. More significantly, this is probably the best small dish restaurant I have had in D.C., with the Lebanese Taverna in Woodley Park being the next best. And yes, I have eaten at Jaleo, Zaytina, and most of the Penn Quarter places, even if I didn't rate them here.
Also mentioned briefly in my European section.
Update:
I stopped by Cava Mezze again. While waiting for my friend I tried a Dark and Stormy. It is a rare drink for me, so I am far from a good judge, but it was okay. I'd stick with the Cherry Mohijo. Anyway, the point of this update is the food. We had the Haloumi (again), the Lamb Sliders, Orzo, Tomato Meatballs, and Disco Fries. I might look up exactly what each of these was comprised of later, but the Lamb Sliders were fantastic, the Orzo (pasta shaped like large grains of rice) was quite impressive, and the Disco Fries (basically fries with a tomato and cheese mix dumped on them like spaghetti) were also great. The Meatballs in Tomato sauce were tasty, but not as good as the other dishes. We were stuffed and with 2 drinks the bill came to a reasonable $63.53, so without drinks $47, which is reasonable considering we could have fed 3.
http://dc.cavamezze.com/home
I had heard about Cava Mezze from an acquaintance who is a regular at one of my regular bars. The restaurant did not disappoint. Although my experience was rushed because I was running late and had to make another event, the mezze that I ordered was outstanding. Also, the atmosphere was quite nice as well. Dark, long room, with nice wood decor. Also a nice outdoor area, although it was in the 90's so we ate inside.
Because of our press for time, the hostess recommended that we order non-meat dishes. The Washingtonian review that I looked at just before heading out had recommended: Spicy lamb sliders; watermelon salad w/ feta & mint; pork souvlaki; meatballs in tom sauce; avgolemono soup; disco fries; Greek yogurt w/honey & walnuts; loukoumades (Greek donuts). We didn't get any of that. In fact, some of it was not on the menu anymore. Instead we ordered: Grilled Haloumi cheese (with mint), Tyropita (dodonis feta, goat cheese, phyllo), Crazy Feta (dodonis feta & whipped jalapeno), and Eggplant Dip. I listed these in order of amazingness. The first three were really close with a gap before the merely quite good eggplant dip. The portions for mezze weren't as small as some I have seen around DC, so splitting four of them between two people filled up my date and left me satisfied - all the cheese was pretty rich. Also, as I closed the menu, I spied a Cherry Mojito. It was pretty darn good.
Anyway, I was disappointed in Yanni's Greek Taverna and have yet to make it to a Greek place in Old Town that I've heard about, so this place is clearly my favorite Greek place in D.C. Heck, I'll put it above those in Chicago as well and I suspect it even bests my favorite Greek place in St. Louis. More significantly, this is probably the best small dish restaurant I have had in D.C., with the Lebanese Taverna in Woodley Park being the next best. And yes, I have eaten at Jaleo, Zaytina, and most of the Penn Quarter places, even if I didn't rate them here.
Also mentioned briefly in my European section.
Update:
I stopped by Cava Mezze again. While waiting for my friend I tried a Dark and Stormy. It is a rare drink for me, so I am far from a good judge, but it was okay. I'd stick with the Cherry Mohijo. Anyway, the point of this update is the food. We had the Haloumi (again), the Lamb Sliders, Orzo, Tomato Meatballs, and Disco Fries. I might look up exactly what each of these was comprised of later, but the Lamb Sliders were fantastic, the Orzo (pasta shaped like large grains of rice) was quite impressive, and the Disco Fries (basically fries with a tomato and cheese mix dumped on them like spaghetti) were also great. The Meatballs in Tomato sauce were tasty, but not as good as the other dishes. We were stuffed and with 2 drinks the bill came to a reasonable $63.53, so without drinks $47, which is reasonable considering we could have fed 3.
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