8053 Leesburg Pike (Hwy 7), Vienna, VA 22182
I often skip noting big chains that I've eaten at. Heck I often forget them, especially those way out in the suburbs. On the Border was good enough to note though, especially considering the dearth of good Mexican in the D.C. area.
My team ate there after some sporting event and while everything about the place screams huge corporate chain, I enjoyed my meal. First, the chips and salsa were rather good. Not amazing, but light, warm, with spicy salsa. Second, although I skipped the margaritas because I was tired and driving, they were huge and people liked them. Primarily though, I ordered the beef brisket enchilada with cheddar and jack cheeses, and it was quite tasty. I also saw some other interesting options, including a cheese and chicken stuffed fried avocado and brisket tacos.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Granville Moore's
1238 H Street NE, (202) 399-2546
http://www.granvillemoores.com/
I previously mentioned Granville Moore's in my brief mention of places I had tried before starting this blog. Basically, I said that the burger and fries I got were very good as were the beers, although beers are pricey.
The ambiance of Granville Moore's is definitely casual dive-bar. Having been used to the downstairs for drinks, I found the upstairs almost too open for my expectations, which is silly because it is still quite narrow. I like the downstairs bar though.
One issue is that there are no reservations after 6:30pm (except M,T,W after 9pm) so we had to wait an hour. The door lady took our number, told us 45minutes, and never called us. When we stopped by an hour later, she said that she was "just about to call us" and then immediately showed us upstairs where there were two or three open tables... I'm guessing she lazily expected us to give up or eat elsewhere.
This time I came for the mussels, which have quite a reputation (all $17). I had read that the mainstay Bleu (Hook’s blue cheese, pork belly, shallots, spinach, white wine, lemon) was so good that it won some type of mano-y-mano chef tv show, but my date is apparently not a big blue cheese fan. So instead, we got the seasonal Autumn (butternut-sage cream, cayenne). Autumn did not seem to penetrate the mussels themselves or was simply too light to leave much notable flavor in the mussels, although the sauce itself was enjoyable when bread (or fries) were dipped into it. We also got a large order of fries ($8), which come with two mayo-based dips. The fries themselves were superb - a perfect level of crispy and soft with a delicious blend of spices. The mayo was unremarkable. We tried the truffle and curry options and both were too delicately flavored to leave much of an impact.
The beer options were quite good. There were several unique and very good options.
Bottom line: I like the bar, and I am going back to try the Moules Bleu, but before 6:30.
http://www.granvillemoores.com/
I previously mentioned Granville Moore's in my brief mention of places I had tried before starting this blog. Basically, I said that the burger and fries I got were very good as were the beers, although beers are pricey.
The ambiance of Granville Moore's is definitely casual dive-bar. Having been used to the downstairs for drinks, I found the upstairs almost too open for my expectations, which is silly because it is still quite narrow. I like the downstairs bar though.
One issue is that there are no reservations after 6:30pm (except M,T,W after 9pm) so we had to wait an hour. The door lady took our number, told us 45minutes, and never called us. When we stopped by an hour later, she said that she was "just about to call us" and then immediately showed us upstairs where there were two or three open tables... I'm guessing she lazily expected us to give up or eat elsewhere.
This time I came for the mussels, which have quite a reputation (all $17). I had read that the mainstay Bleu (Hook’s blue cheese, pork belly, shallots, spinach, white wine, lemon) was so good that it won some type of mano-y-mano chef tv show, but my date is apparently not a big blue cheese fan. So instead, we got the seasonal Autumn (butternut-sage cream, cayenne). Autumn did not seem to penetrate the mussels themselves or was simply too light to leave much notable flavor in the mussels, although the sauce itself was enjoyable when bread (or fries) were dipped into it. We also got a large order of fries ($8), which come with two mayo-based dips. The fries themselves were superb - a perfect level of crispy and soft with a delicious blend of spices. The mayo was unremarkable. We tried the truffle and curry options and both were too delicately flavored to leave much of an impact.
The beer options were quite good. There were several unique and very good options.
Bottom line: I like the bar, and I am going back to try the Moules Bleu, but before 6:30.
Graffiato's
707 Sixth St., NW, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-289-3600
http://graffiatodc.com/
I stopped in for a happy hour and stayed at the bar downstairs. After some inventive and generally very tasty drinks, we tried some of the bar food. The drinks I tried were tasty, but not overly sweet or girly. My favorite was the Hot in the City, which is a small mug full of pear cider with rye whisky, honey, and spices. It was extremely good. The Smashing Pumpkin was interesting, but just solid, the Graffiato Market Punch was very good. Others had the D.C. Mule and the Saged and Confused, with the Mule being very well liked.
The food was very good as well. First, some of us got some flat bread with dip at the bar. As simple as it was, the bread was impressively good. Warm, toasty, flavorful.
We then moved onto the pizzas, which are good sized,but thin brick oven style. My first taste was of the Countryman with black truffle, fontina, farmed soft egg ($18). It may be a bit pricey for a pizza, this is one of the best pizzas in DC (perhaps the best). Rich, but not too rich, flavorful, balanced. The other pizzas were also quite good, one was the Vermont with melted leeks, farmhouse cheddar, bacon, baby potatoes ($15) and the other is either off the menu or I don't remember it enough to identify it, but it was a more of a classic white pizza. Both were deserving of being pridefully served at any top pizza place.
Washingtonian's Full Review (October 2011)
Phone: 202-289-3600
http://graffiatodc.com/
I stopped in for a happy hour and stayed at the bar downstairs. After some inventive and generally very tasty drinks, we tried some of the bar food. The drinks I tried were tasty, but not overly sweet or girly. My favorite was the Hot in the City, which is a small mug full of pear cider with rye whisky, honey, and spices. It was extremely good. The Smashing Pumpkin was interesting, but just solid, the Graffiato Market Punch was very good. Others had the D.C. Mule and the Saged and Confused, with the Mule being very well liked.
The food was very good as well. First, some of us got some flat bread with dip at the bar. As simple as it was, the bread was impressively good. Warm, toasty, flavorful.
We then moved onto the pizzas, which are good sized,but thin brick oven style. My first taste was of the Countryman with black truffle, fontina, farmed soft egg ($18). It may be a bit pricey for a pizza, this is one of the best pizzas in DC (perhaps the best). Rich, but not too rich, flavorful, balanced. The other pizzas were also quite good, one was the Vermont with melted leeks, farmhouse cheddar, bacon, baby potatoes ($15) and the other is either off the menu or I don't remember it enough to identify it, but it was a more of a classic white pizza. Both were deserving of being pridefully served at any top pizza place.
Washingtonian's Full Review (October 2011)
Vapiano
623 H Street NW
I went here after a sports match. It has a different set-up where you stand in line to order food at a long counter of stations which each prepare a different kind of meal. The decor is trendy and lounge-y with an open feel.
They have either pizza or pasta. I got pasta with some kind of cajun name to it and crayfish and interesting stuff. I asked for halfway between the mild and hot level of peppers. The dish was pretty good, nothing remarkable. Mainly it tasted like the hot peppers, although at almost an ideal level of hotness. Unfortunately, this was too hot to really get a refined idea of the flavor, although the consistency of the pasta and the chewiness of the meats seemed to be at nice level. My friends enjoyed a pizza, which they really liked. I also tried a bit of one's mousse, which was very good.
Overall: It is a chain and there are a ton of options in Chinatown, so I'd go with something more interesting.
I went here after a sports match. It has a different set-up where you stand in line to order food at a long counter of stations which each prepare a different kind of meal. The decor is trendy and lounge-y with an open feel.
They have either pizza or pasta. I got pasta with some kind of cajun name to it and crayfish and interesting stuff. I asked for halfway between the mild and hot level of peppers. The dish was pretty good, nothing remarkable. Mainly it tasted like the hot peppers, although at almost an ideal level of hotness. Unfortunately, this was too hot to really get a refined idea of the flavor, although the consistency of the pasta and the chewiness of the meats seemed to be at nice level. My friends enjoyed a pizza, which they really liked. I also tried a bit of one's mousse, which was very good.
Overall: It is a chain and there are a ton of options in Chinatown, so I'd go with something more interesting.
Boundary Stone
116 Rhode Island Ave NW
http://boundarystonedc.com/
Just down the street from Rustik Tavern, this is another yuppie new addition to the Bloomingdale neighborhood of DC
I ate at the bar, not the upstairs restaurant. The bar was long, dark, and had the effortfully retro/old decor/style that is popular in DC. I went here to watch baseball playoffs with friends, but also for the bacon jam burger that they and people in the neighborhood had raved about. It's $10, a solid sized burger, bacon jam, and aged cheddar plus fries. The fries were good. The burger was good, but nothing remarkable, thus falling short of the hype. I also got fried pickles for $3 and they were quite well done - evenly and lightly battered at a great temperature. I remember the beer selection having a few good options, although not extensive. I'd say not a place to go for the beer menu, but it doesn't disappoint. I also tried a piece of my friends' quesadilla - Slow braised pork, sauteed onions, poblano peppers ($9), which was pretty good as well.
Bottom line: I'd say that it is an enjoyable place to eat with good food, but not a stand-out, special destination place. On the other hand, it's not far from my place.
http://boundarystonedc.com/
Just down the street from Rustik Tavern, this is another yuppie new addition to the Bloomingdale neighborhood of DC
I ate at the bar, not the upstairs restaurant. The bar was long, dark, and had the effortfully retro/old decor/style that is popular in DC. I went here to watch baseball playoffs with friends, but also for the bacon jam burger that they and people in the neighborhood had raved about. It's $10, a solid sized burger, bacon jam, and aged cheddar plus fries. The fries were good. The burger was good, but nothing remarkable, thus falling short of the hype. I also got fried pickles for $3 and they were quite well done - evenly and lightly battered at a great temperature. I remember the beer selection having a few good options, although not extensive. I'd say not a place to go for the beer menu, but it doesn't disappoint. I also tried a piece of my friends' quesadilla - Slow braised pork, sauteed onions, poblano peppers ($9), which was pretty good as well.
Bottom line: I'd say that it is an enjoyable place to eat with good food, but not a stand-out, special destination place. On the other hand, it's not far from my place.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Rustik Tavern
84 T St NW (by 1st & Rhode Island)
http://rustikdc.com/
I tried out Rustik Tavern on a weeknight. The atmosphere and decor impressed me right away. It isn't anything amazing, but Rustik has a nice outdoor patio with a open feeling due to its corner location. Inside, Rustik is dark, with an almost romantic ambiance.
The beer selection was pretty good. It wasn't a huge selection, but the 10 drafts were comprised of a good mix of solid microbrews (and Yuengling). For food, we ordered pizzas. To be adventurous, I tried the Ward 5 (mushroom, mozzarella, zahtar (spice mix), preserved lemon, tomato sauce). It was pretty good. I also tried a piece of someone's Chorizo (chorizo, pickled onions, mozzarella, tomato sauce), which was also pretty good. These were not in the elite, but they were well-done enjoyable pizzas. Rustik also has small dishes, salads, appetizers. Someone in our group got a salad, which was covered in cheese sprinkles.
For dessert I ordered the Ricottta Mousse Napolean (with phyllo and peaches. Topped with amaretto honey, pistachios, and basil.) It was different and quite delicious. I was very pleased.
I should check this place out for brunch sometime as they have an good looking brunch menu as well as bottomless mimosas and other drinks.
http://rustikdc.com/
I tried out Rustik Tavern on a weeknight. The atmosphere and decor impressed me right away. It isn't anything amazing, but Rustik has a nice outdoor patio with a open feeling due to its corner location. Inside, Rustik is dark, with an almost romantic ambiance.
The beer selection was pretty good. It wasn't a huge selection, but the 10 drafts were comprised of a good mix of solid microbrews (and Yuengling). For food, we ordered pizzas. To be adventurous, I tried the Ward 5 (mushroom, mozzarella, zahtar (spice mix), preserved lemon, tomato sauce). It was pretty good. I also tried a piece of someone's Chorizo (chorizo, pickled onions, mozzarella, tomato sauce), which was also pretty good. These were not in the elite, but they were well-done enjoyable pizzas. Rustik also has small dishes, salads, appetizers. Someone in our group got a salad, which was covered in cheese sprinkles.
For dessert I ordered the Ricottta Mousse Napolean (with phyllo and peaches. Topped with amaretto honey, pistachios, and basil.) It was different and quite delicious. I was very pleased.
I should check this place out for brunch sometime as they have an good looking brunch menu as well as bottomless mimosas and other drinks.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Zentan
1155 14th Street NW Washington, D.C 20005
202.379.4366
http://zentanrestaurant.com/
I went to Zentan for a late dinner after a strenuous scavenger hunt put on by a friend's gym. The decor in Zentan is very upscale and very enjoyable. The service was solid. The dishes that I saw my friends get were typical expensive DC: small portions for not a lot of food. The skirt steak that my friend got (Cantonese Marinated Skirt Steak ) smelled quite good, but was not at all substantial and came with no sides for $26. His Coconut Shrimp soup good size for a soup and $8. Another person got a watermelon salad that looked sizeable, but it was just watermelon pieces in stack with some brown dressing.
We ordered a small bottle of saki for $30. They had a decent selection with descriptions of the flavor of each. I definitely enjoyed the one we got. Also, our server was quite helpful in pointing out that we had picked a saki he was not a big fan off and helping us choose another.
The sushi was good, nothing remarkable. As the out-of-towner sharing sushi with me noted, the selection was very much just the basic options. The prices for the sushi were also on the high side, but the portions were typical of sushi. In fact, the specialty rolls were actually healthy in size, although the price is still high. Frankly, I'd take Sei over the sushi here every time - even if I found myself at the front door of Zentan.
Overall, this is a nice, fancy place, but I suspect that it is geared more toward high-end guests at the Donovan Hotel who want a convenient and fancy meal than a place that locals in the know should bother with.
202.379.4366
http://zentanrestaurant.com/
I went to Zentan for a late dinner after a strenuous scavenger hunt put on by a friend's gym. The decor in Zentan is very upscale and very enjoyable. The service was solid. The dishes that I saw my friends get were typical expensive DC: small portions for not a lot of food. The skirt steak that my friend got (Cantonese Marinated Skirt Steak ) smelled quite good, but was not at all substantial and came with no sides for $26. His Coconut Shrimp soup good size for a soup and $8. Another person got a watermelon salad that looked sizeable, but it was just watermelon pieces in stack with some brown dressing.
We ordered a small bottle of saki for $30. They had a decent selection with descriptions of the flavor of each. I definitely enjoyed the one we got. Also, our server was quite helpful in pointing out that we had picked a saki he was not a big fan off and helping us choose another.
The sushi was good, nothing remarkable. As the out-of-towner sharing sushi with me noted, the selection was very much just the basic options. The prices for the sushi were also on the high side, but the portions were typical of sushi. In fact, the specialty rolls were actually healthy in size, although the price is still high. Frankly, I'd take Sei over the sushi here every time - even if I found myself at the front door of Zentan.
Overall, this is a nice, fancy place, but I suspect that it is geared more toward high-end guests at the Donovan Hotel who want a convenient and fancy meal than a place that locals in the know should bother with.
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