This Weekend Under $100: One Weekend Under A Groove

While certainly enjoyable, It’s important never to forget that an elaborate meal does not in and of it’s self constitute a successful night out on the town. Nor does a simple one preclude it. To that end, this Friday forget reservations, fancy clothes and other such frivolous pretense, and make your way down to U Street for the arguably some of the finest chilidogs and funk music around.

Bens Chili Bowl is a DC institution that really needs no introduction. Since the late 50’s the late-night eatery has lured celebrity and layperson alike with their world-class chilidogs, half-smokes, and milkshakes. Located on U St. between 12th and 13th, start your evening off at Ben’s with a couple of their signature dogs (or if meat isn't your thing, the vegetarian chili). Satisfied but not stuffed, next take the short stroll over to the 9:30 Club at 815 V St., where the legendary funk pioneer George Clinton will be performing with Parliament Funkadelic. There is a good chance that even if the name is new, you are familiar with their music, and if not then you are in for a treat. I saw George Clinton perform with P-Funk a few years ago and it was easily one of the most fun shows I have ever had the pleasure of attending.


Doors open at 8:00 PM, but I would get there a bit on the early side to grab a spot up in the balcony. The acoustics are better, and trust me when I say that you’re not going to want to miss a moment of the spectacle.

No, its neither haute cuisine, nor a night at the opera, but if your looking to get fed and get funky this weekend, look no further.

George Clinton Tickets - $40 each
Chili Dogs - $3.60 each
Total - $87.20

This Weekend Under $60: Zaytinya and Arabesque

Most of what we see and hear about the Middle East nowadays is pretty bad. Ultra-nationalists in power in Israel. Political discord in Palestine. Enriched uranium in Iran. None of that sounds very nice. But the Middle East possesses a wealth of fantastic food and culture to offer to us. The food is rich in delicious spices and the music and art is flavored by years of cultural diffusion between Europe and Asia. This Weekend Under $60 highlights some of this food and culture, taking us to José Andrés' Zaytinya and to the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage Arabesque series.

Zaytinya is a modern reworking of traditional Middle Eastern foods and flavors. Perched right by the Verizon Center, this restaurant is a Middle Eastern oasis from the hustle and bustle of the Metro Center area. The walls are clad in the purest white, and lit by candles arranged around the restaurant. It is a romantic but certainly lively spot, with a bar that always seems busy. Be sure to make reservations as this is quite a popular spot, especially if there is an event going on at the Verizon Center. Zaytinya is still offering restaurant week specials until the first of March. However, for our purposes we will sample some of the fantastic tapas offered here. The restaurant is primarily a tapas spot, offering small plates of re-imagined Middle Eastern food. Select 5 or 6 of them to share between two people. I would suggest starting with one of their spreads served with pita (try the Taramosalata). Next select a sampling of the other small plates. For vegetable plates I would suggest the Kolokithokeftedes (Zucchini and cheese fritters) or Piyaz (giganes bean salad with kale). For meat plates I would suggest the Adana (lamb) Kebab or Kalamata Sirloin. After sampling some of the best, albeit not traditional, Middle Eastern food in the district head to the Kennedy Center for their free Arabesque Series

The Kennedy Center uses their Millennium Stage series to bring unusual and international artists to the nation's capital. It focuses more on the contemporary, the ethnic, and even better it's completely free. This month they are hosting Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World. Representative artists from all 22 nations of the Arab League will perform at the Kennedy Center running through March 15. Friday will host a Somalian hip-hop artist K’NAAN. Growing up during the Somalian civil war his experiences have vividly shaped his music. He has been described as a mix between the reggae of Bob Marley with the consciousness of American hip hop. Saturday will feature Nawal an acoustic based lyricist and vocalist. She hails from the Comoros Islands off of the East Coast of Africa. She plays five different acoustic instruments and sings in four different languages. Both of these artists promise fantastic if strikingly different performances.

Directions to Zaytinya: Orange/Blue line to Metro Center. Red line to Gallery Place. Exit at 9th and G and cross the street.

Directions to Kennedy Center: I mean, really? It's that huge, gigantic, famous building right on the river.

Spreads: $7 each
5 Tapas: $8 each
Arabesque Performance: Free

Total: $47 plus tax and tip

The Backlot Barbeque

The Spaniards have gone too far! Yes, those molecular gastronomical-asses in Spain have dared to mess with my beloved barbeque. What am I talking about you ask? Recently, a friend of mine sent me a link thinking I would be interested in crystallized barbeque sauce. The caption is what got me, “the flavor of ribs without the mess.” This reminded me of another common misconception about barbeque: the taste comes from the sauce or the rub. While these components are often essential, the real flavor in barbeque comes from long hours of low temperatures and the fat dripping and running all over whatever cut of meat you are smoking. Barbeque sauce is not a way to make your cooking process better, because the crux of any good barbeque is having someone who will take the time to cook the meat properly. Sauces and rubs do not give you the taste of barbeque. Sauces and rubs are ways to enhance or vary flavor, because barbeque is really the blending of that smoky flavor with whatever type of rub you apply.

In fact, while we are on the subject, sauces should never be applied during the smoking process until maybe 30 minutes before the cooking process is complete. In some barbeque cultures sauce is non-essential though. The reason you have to wait on applying sauce is because if you apply sauce too early it will burn off on your meat and give you a burnt flavor – you don’t want this.

Alright, I think that is enough talk about what to do with your meat for one day. I am presently counting down the days until a nice spring weekend allows for a proper cookout to happen. I hope you are doing the same.

The Canadian Connoisseur and The Communist Langolier: Founding Farmers

Organic and Delicious? Founding Farmers impresses a stuffy-nosed Langolier.

Confucius once said that one should never eat good food with a stuffy nose. Two and a half thousand years later that quote remains true and, as it happens, your friendly neighborhood Langolier has been suffering with a severe case of viral rhinitis for the last week. It’s an interesting feeling, eating without being able to smell, your tongue feels the sensation of the food and your brain is able to apprehend the flavor that is about to be tasted, but that flavor never comes and you’re left with a feeling of discontent comparable only to sexual frustration. Nonetheless, I had a date with a very cute little lady from Tennessee and was neither willing nor able to surpass a chance to hit up a fine establishment like Founding Farmers during restaurant week.

First of all, let me take a minute to sing an ode to the miracle that is restaurant week in Washington DC. My good friends Matt and Ting – both true aficionados of cuisine - went to no less than six restaurants over the past week. That’s what I call taking advantage of a bargain! Sadly, your correspondent is both too busy and too destitute to be living that kind of lifestyle. Still, a three course meal with wine for only thirty dollars is a luxury that I could splurge on.


Located in the new IMF building, “Founding Farmers” has an atmosphere that somehow manages to combine urban hipness with rural coziness. It’s a difficult trick to accomplish and my compliments go to the architect. The first floor has a bar and truly huge, wooden tables. Walk upstairs and you will find silo-shaped booths and a nice view unto Pennsylvania Avenue. The location and ambiance make this restaurant ideal for GW students who are looking to throw down twenty-five bucks for a solid meal. However, I’ll let my partner the Canadian Connoisseur discuss such details and I’ll get to the part that really interests me – the chow.

Although I may be a voracious consumer of all types of life forms, that does not mean that I don’t treasure our environment or support animal rights. Founding Farmers focuses on small farmers – people who helped to establish our nation and today continue to provide us with delicious homegrown food. The restaurant is serious about providing its costumers with organic, local, and family-farmed sourced fare. Most of their meats are produced on free ranged farms and the vegetables are grown without chemical and biological enhancements. Even their water undergoes reverse osmosis by a special machine that they have in the restaurant! I never thought that DC tap water could taste so good!

For my entrée I had a very tasty “Late Harvest” Salad – a concoction of caramelized onions, apples, bacon, and bleu cheese that, admittedly, would have tasted a lot better if I was less sick and could sense all the flavors. One expects “Founding Farmers” to have a good selection of salads and the restaurant does not disappoint. Entrée salads are a bit small to satisfy a hungry guy, but the little salads go well along with an entrée. For my main course I decided to go with a dish that even my nose could not ruin – good, ole’ fashioned meat-loaf with Yukon gold mashed potatoes. Mmmmmm, mmmmm, good! Other entrees that I would recommend are the rotisserie chicken, herb crusted prime rib, and any of the homemade pastas. One thing that I did not get, but will certainly savor next time I hit up this joint, is one of their signature cocktails. The menu claims that “our specially trained bar chefs bring this lost art back from its heyday”. I never realized that the art of making drinks was lost, but I have a feeling that “Hemingway’s Frappe” with Absinthe or “Chelsea’s Manhattan” with Chai-infused Vermouth could bring anyone back to the Halcyon days of old when men were men, food was organic, and drinks cost a nickel. Well, not exactly, but overall I found the restaurant to be reasonably priced for a working professional. As for GW students, in today’s economy I’d save this one for a special occasion.



I have to begin by giving my partner big props for our Restaurant Week pick. I had wanted to try Founding Farmers ever since it opened sometime last year (it was their “green” mission that interested me most), so when I learned that we had a reservation there, I was pretty excited….and then, when I found out that their Restaurant Week menu included wine, I was smitten. I’m no Restaurant Week authority, by any means, but this is the only place I know of that actually includes a glass of wine in the price of dinner…what a deal!

So like I said, it was the “green” aspect of this new restaurant that intrigued me from the start, and once we were seated, our friendly waiter told us more of the details. Not only does Founding Farmers get most of its ingredients from local sustainable farms, but the entire place was specifically designed in an eco-friendly manner. The restaurant employs great habits like on-site recycling, making use of natural daylight, and using solar energy (just to name a few) in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. Come on, how could you not feel good about supporting this place? We were feeling good about this meal, even before we looked at the menu!

First, we ordered our wines: one was an organic Chardonnay from Chile, and the other was an Argentinean Malbec from a sustainable winery called Yellow + Blue (equals “green”…get it?). Both of the wines available with the Restaurant Week dinner were regularly $8 or $9 a glass, and among the cheaper of the options on the wine by the glass list. We had barely had time to taste the wine before our salads arrived. I had the Farmer’s Salad - an interesting mixture of avocado, medjool dates, tomatoes, almonds, and chunks of fresh parmesan cheese. I have to admit, it’s not a combination I would have ever thought of myself, but it turned out to be surprisingly delicious! For my entrée, I had the Plank Salmon with a lemon-herb sauce. It had been smoked on a piece of Cedar wood, so it had a rich smoky flavor. With it, came the vegetable of the day, which happened to be some nice garlicky Swiss Chard. For desert, we had homemade ice cream and a big piece of Red Velvet cake. The cake was really red, though not so velvety, but it was topped with undoubtedly the best homemade cream cheese icing either of us had ever tasted.

Although our choices on this particular visit were somewhat constricted by what was included as part of the Restaurant Week deal, there were lots of other great options on the menu. For vegetarians, each suitable item on the menu is marked with an asterisk for your convenience. However, be sure to pay close attention to the markings, since I noted that some seemingly vegetarian dishes - like the tomato soup, for example - did not have an asterisk. Also of note was the mouth watering list of sandwich options, most cost between $8 and $12, and all served on fresh bread made from scratch right there at the restaurant! By the end of the night, we had already decided that we would be coming back to pay homage to our Founding Farmers again in the near future. The service was excellent, the food came out fast, and knowing that you’re supporting a great place should make seeing the bill a little easier! I’d suggest making reservations if you plan to go during peak dinner hours or Sunday brunch.

Founding Farmers is opened for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Everyday 8-11 am. The Bar is opened till 12.

Cab Savvy: Ravenswood Vintners Blend Cabernet Sauvignon

Given the name of this column, it is only fitting that I begin with a tasty but modestly priced Cabernet Sauvignon. Cab Savs are one of the most popular Californian wines available nowadays. This is probably due not just to its accessible taste but also due to the ease of producing these grapes. They are known to be thick skinned and resistant to rot. The grape has gained and held international prominence due to its use in the Bordeaux region of France. It made the trans-Atlantic voyage to California and has been incorporated into fantastic wines there. Ravenswood is a winery that has been around since California began to gain prominence during the 1970s. They have been consistently known as "the peoples'" vineyard, producing delicious yet modestly priced wines. Their credo, one which we similarly propagate here, is that everyone, no matter their wallet-size, should be able to enjoy wine. With that in mind they launched their Vintners Blend Series. They combine their own grapes with specially selected but admittedly cheaper wines. From these they create blends that at $10 a bottle are more than worth their cost.

The Cabernet Sauvignon can be found at many local liquor and wine stores. The Watergate Liquor store, West End Market, the Wine Specialist, and Columbian Plaza all stock it. I would open this wine about 30 minutes to an hour before you plan on enjoying it. It is a rich, dark, and tasty wine. A friend and I got tastes of plum and pepper from it. Pair it with a nice meaty dinner. Beef, pork, even a richer chicken (perhaps parmigiana or Marsala). Share it with a friend over some bitter chocolate or a strong cheese. Oxygen can only help this wine so pour small glasses and really give it some time. Make any evening special with this accessible yet inexpensive bottle. Until next week, keep getting cab saavy.

Restaurant Week: Mie n Yu

My last stop on the restaurant week tour was Mie n Yu. I will say it from the get go, I love this restaurant. The concept and decor are fantastic. The food is consistently delicious. And who can complain about the communal Turkish bathrooms where your hands are washed for you. I typically will choose one restaurant during Restaurant week that I already know and love. I have been to Mie n Yu a few times in the past. While it has never failed to please, I am typically forced to stick to the small plates menu due to the price. This week gave me the opportunity to really try a full sampling of the menu.

The notion behind the restaurant is a travel down the ancient Silk Road, the trade route stretching from the Mediterranean to Asia, passing through the Middle East and North Africa. I started out with the Afghan mantu; basically beef and scallion dumplings. They were a tasty way to start out a great meal. For the main course I chose a Moroccan beef dish. It was delectable and fantastically tender. My dessert was the pumpkin cheesecake, delicious yet light enough for a three-course meal. The food, as always, was quite good. The service, even given the fact that it was a Friday night during Restaurant Week, was likewise great. However, the reason I was first attracted to Mie n Yu, and the reason that I continue to return is the atmosphere. This evening in particular reflected in the belly dancer that visited our table. Of course my friend told this dancer it was my birthday (facetiously), so the period between dinner and dessert was filled by me stumbling around with a belly dancer in the middle of the restaurant. It is hard to imagine a better evening than one filled with good friends, great food, and surrounded by the allure and spice of the silk road.


Ultimately, another expensive but fantastic opportunity to sample some of DC's best restaurants has come and gone. I can't say I regret any of my choices, though likely will be making different ones come August. I hope you all made the most of this week and I would urge you to look into many of the restaurants (Mie n Yu included) that have extended their Restaurant Week specials until the end of the month. Until August then, happy dining.

The Sunday Dinner: A Culinary Vacation

As February is finally drawing to a close we are at long last flirting with springtime. Unfortunately for us thought, the forecast says cloudy skies and brisk winds so for at least a few days yet Washington will have to linger under the dreary mantle of monochromatic gray. Don't let it get you down though, this Sunday dinner pairs exotic flavors and vibrant colors from around the globe so even though your body is stuck in the city your taste buds can take off for warmer climbs.

The Menu:


The Starter Moroccan Carrot Salad


The Main Course Chicken Curry with Turmeric

Pair a bottle of Cederberg Bukettraube available at The Wine Specialist on M Street between 22nd and New Hampshire. The semi-sweet South African white will compliment the spice of the curry chicken quite nicely.

Bon Voyage.

Restaurant Week: Zengo

My second stop on the Restaurant Week tour brought me to Zengo. The highly lauded Latin American/Asian fusion restaurant in the Chinatown/Metro Center area. Favorable reviews from the Washingtonian, along with several suggestions from friends, forced me to try this place out during restaurant week.

Walking in one is overcome by the sheer hipness of the place. Some nouveau pop music plays in a dimly lit tastefully furnished bar area. Most of the tables sit upstairs. Our table wasn't ready right away but given the fact that it's restaurant week, that's certainly to be expected. Our server was lively and attentive at first. As is typical during restaurant week, once he realized we were in fact broke students this attentiveness seemed to quickly flag. The mix between Asian and Latin American was at first hearing a bit strange, however the food certainly proved it a delicious if interesting match.


I chose the Give-and-Take Salad for a starter. This delicious and light appetizer was full of Asian noodles, mandarin oranges, an pecans. My friend began with the Miso soup which he likewise enjoyed. The appetizers came out within minutes of ordering, obviously prepared ahead of time to deal with the restaurant week crowds. As a main course I went with the beef brisket served over creamy mashed potatoes. The brisket was as tender as it was tasty. My friend's salmon and spinach was likewise quite nice. Unfortunately, my main course was served while I was barely halfway through the appetizer. My friend's main course was served a while later. The food again tasted as if it had been prepared ahead of time, otherwise undermining a very good dish. For dessert I had the guava flan. It was absolutely delicious; sweet, fruity, and fantastic. Ultimately, a great deal for the price.

The service was a bit lackluster throughout but given the circumstances of restaurant week, it is certainly understandable. I will likely not be making a repeat restaurant week visit in August but definitely recommend the place for any first-timers.

This Weekend Under $100: Jaleo and Spy Museum

I dislike tourists. I dislike the gangs of wide-eyed, camera-wielding, families that crowd the landmarks of this city. I dislike waiting for 25 minutes at Metro Center to catch a train because it's so full of these tourists and then being held up in line because some tourist is attempting to wave their metro paper ticket over the smart-trip scanner. Perhaps it's for this reason I do not visit traditional "tourist spots" enough. It's been years since I've seen any of the museums, something for which I harbor a good deal of remorse given their cost and accessibility. This week's Weekend Under $100 takes us to one of these traditional "tourist spots," Washington DC's Spy Museum.


Yes, the Spy Museum. I know that perhaps it seems to attract a younger crowd. I know that your little brother/sister loved it. But I can assure you, the Spy Museum's nighttime tour is not designed for pre-teens. In fact, only those 19 and up are actually allowed to attend. This special evening tour of the museum is the regular tour on crack. You step into the role of an intelligence officer and jump into an exciting and fully interactive mission. It is absolutely the best way to enjoy the Spy Museum. For those who haven't been it's a must, for those who have it's a good opportunity to experience a DC monument. For those who have, it is an entirely new experience that is certainly worth the visit. The tour/mission ends in the Spy City Bar where a free drink is included with the ticket price. Personal favorite would be the IRS Raspberry.

But no one wants to visit a museum on an empty stomach. First, swing by Metro Center's Jaleo, by far one of the best tapas spots the city has to offer. Not only that, they boast a fantastic restaurant week menu, allowing you to choose 5 different tapas at the fixed price of $35. Given this restaurant's popularity, and the fact that it's restaurant week, I would recommend a reservation. It's hard to go wrong with the restaurant week choices but personal favorites would include the endive salad, the garbanzo bean stew, the bacon-wrapped dates, and the scallops. Order a pitcher of delicious sangria to enjoy the full experience.

With a satisfied belly, head right down the street to the Spy Museum. Enjoy your tour and the gratuitous drink. If you enjoy it enough stick around for another (not gratuitous this time around). I absolutely refuse to end this post in some trite, unfunny, spy reference so with that I leave you to a fantastic weekend.

Directions to Jaleo: Orange/Blue line to Metro Center. Transfer to Red and get off at Gallery Place. Walk one block South.

Directions to Spy Museum: Walk North on 7th St, take a left on F Street.

Jaleo Dinner: $35
Sangria: $20
Spy Museum Ticket: $22
Total: $79 plus tax and tip

This Weekend Under $60: The Front Page Restaurant and Grille

As young professionals in Washington DC, there is a good chance that many amongst you are news junkies, the fearless kind of folks who can dissect a Wall Street Journal in minutes like some hungry hunter prepping a rabbit for the pot. While the benefits of keeping a finger securely on the pulse of global going-ons are quite clear, there is certainly also a case that can be made for taking a step back, lest your voracity reward you with a mental stomach-ache. To this end its occasionally nice to peruse the front page (lest you miss something big) and then head right for the comics, because after all isn’t that what the newspaper is really all about?


For this Weekend Under $60, I’d like to prescribe just such a remedy for the mental fatigue of your weekly grind. Starting just south of Dupont Circle at The Front Page Restaurant and Grille, I recommend you kick the evening off right with what has been voted the premier happy hour in Washington DC. After a drink or two migrate on into the dining room for main event.

While the Front Page specializes in the full gamut of American fare, many consider their terrific selection of top-shelf sandwiches and burgers to be the real draw. Priced fairly across the board, the reubenesque Heidenberger and the grilled chicken sandwich stand out from rest of the crowd, but if you are not particularly feeling the sandwich thing, a bowl of the chorizo chili, the herb parmesan encrusted flounder or the baby back ribs are all worth a look.

The business end of the evening behind you, head down to the George Washington campus and the Lisner Downstage for a Forbidden Planet Productions’ presentation of the Bert Royal play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead. Dog Sees God is a re-imagining of the classic Charles Shultz comic strip Peanuts that sees its central characters now in their teens facing the complex social realities of contemporary teenage life. Tickets are just $5 a head, and there are going to be two showings on Friday at 8 and 11 respectively, as well as an additional one at 8 on Saturday, so you have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the show.

It was only a four-day work week, but your still tired so this weekend don’t over think it. Check out the front page, check out the comics, its all you really need.

Drinks and Dinner for Two: $50
Two Tickets to Dog Sees God: $10
Total: $60

Restaurant Week: Smith and Wollensky

So restaurant week is here. My wallet is empty. My belly is full. Since becoming aware of this lovely week, around three years ago I have firmly kept myself to just three meals out. However great the deals are, dropping 20 or 35 dollars respectively on a meal eventually adds up. This week I picked three spots: Smith and Wollensky for lunch Tuesday, Zengo for dinner Wednesday, and Mie n Yu for dinner Friday. For me restaurant week provides opportunities to accomplish a number of different goals. In order of importance: STEAK, trying a new restaurant, and indulging in an old favorite. I will address the latter two as the week progresses but first: Steak.

Steak is of course at the top of the list. Having a decent steak at a restaurant is generally an expensive affair. Factor in an appetizer, a side, and maybe a glass of wine and the bank is well broke. Restaurant week permits me to indulge in a fantastic cut of meat at restaurants that I certainly cannot usually eat at. There are a number of great places to get a steak during restaurant week: Charlie Palmers, Capital Grill, and my choice Smith and Wollensky.

The Smith and Wollensky meal includes a choice of salad, slice of meat, and delicious dessert. I went with the Wollensky Signature Salad (A delicious affair involving bacon, mushrooms, potatoes, romaine lettuce, and a dijon vinaigrette), the Filet of Beef (more later), and Creme Brulee. I paired it with a rather tasty Cab Sav. The salad was delectable and a nice prelude to the main event. The beef was immaculate. Crusty and grilled on the outside, but tender and juicy on the inside. I couldn't taste anything but salt, pepper, and delicious meat, which is how a good steak should be. It was accompanied by a generous portion of creamed spinach and fingerling potatoes. A smooth and delectable Creme Brulee capped off a fantastic meal.


One of the great things I've found at S & W is that the service, no matter the occasion is impeccable. While many restaurants seem begrudging about restaurant week, unhappy to have to serve their exclusive food to every day rabble, the staff here was notable cheery and welcoming. They see it, as most restuarants should, as an opportunity to expand their clientele. One of the servers even handed me a sumptuous chocolate covered strawberry on the way. Ultimately, a very satisfying lunch that sufficed for breakfast and dinner as well. A tremendously good omen for the remainder of restaurant week

Fresh Grounds: Peregrine Espresso

For better or for worse, by this point the cup(s) of coffee has become as integral a part of the American morning as brushing teeth and combing hair. This is the age of the coffee mega-chain, the age of Venti and Grande, where millions of Americans queue up daily to get their all important caffeine fix. While America may run on Dunkin' however, the independently-owned java joint is by no means a dying breed, and there are many shining examples of this fact sprinkled amidst the Starbuck-sprawl of Washington DC. This column will be dedicated to sifting the city for these local gems, so that perhaps wherever your morning may take you it can start with some "Fresh Grounds".

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, just a few short minutes from the Eastern Market metro stop, Peregrine Espresso pairs a personal, local-establishment vibe with a winning combination of delicious baked goods and damn fine coffee.


On the topic of coffee, Peregrine offers a wide array of choices, ranging from fresh, filter-drip coffee to all the usual espresso derivations, while using only the choicest beans from the worlds top coffee growing regions. I tried (and thoroughly enjoyed) a cup of Ndaroini Microlot from Nyeri, Kenya, on of three African-grown beans served at Peregrine, allongside a handful of other offerings from Southeast Asia and South America, including their current seasonal offering, a La Golondrina from Popayan, Colombia.

For the quality of the product, the prices are more than fair, with the regular cups of coffee ranging roughly between $2.50 and $3.50, and you can add on a tasty croissant or scone for just a few bucks more.


The store is open Monday through Saturday from seven in the morning until nine at night, as well as Sundays from eight to eight, and on top of the hot beverage, is a great place to do a bit of work or read a good book. Even if your morning won't be taking you by Eastern Market, wake up a tad earlier and drop on by Peregrine Espresso and you certainly won't be disappointed.

Directions to Peregrine Espresso

DC Restaurant Week 2/16 - 2/22

As you are perhaps aware, this week of February 16th through the 22nd is DC Restaurant Week. If you have had the pleasure of experiencing Restaurant Week in the past, then you know that this is possibly the highlight of Washington's culinary calendar, if you have not then suffice it so say you are in for a treat.

Every February, Washington DC Restaurant Week sees nearly 200 of the city's finest dining establishments offering 3-course pre fixe lunch and dinner meals priced at $20 and $35 respectively. An unbelievable deal in most cases. So as could be expected with deals like these, there is a high for reservations across the board so if you are interested in participating I recommend you get on open table or the phone ASAP to make sure you can find a seat.

Here is a list of all participating establishments, so check it out and see if anything strikes your fancy (something will), and otherwise check back with us throughout the week for news of our own restaurant week adventures.

Check It Out: Vapiano

Picture in you mind’s eye if you will, an Italian restaurant. A really good Italian restaurant. Now imagine, if instead of your traditional sit-down Italian joint, this one served you cafeteria style, and you could customize your dishes any way you pleased. If that scenario strikes you as a pleasant culinary fantasy, than It’s probably time you made it over to Vapiano

Located near the intersection of 18th and M in Foggy Bottom, Vapiano offers a delightful dining experience not only in the sense that it’s unconventional layout offers an ambiance that is at the same time intimate and accessible, but more importantly in that it serves up a broad spectrum of high-quality Italian dishes.

Unlike most restraints where communication between the customer and the kitchen is kept to a minimum, Vapiano allows you to order directly from the cooks themselves and as a result you get to put whatever you fancy on the dish in question, get it quickly, and see the entire cooking process played out right in front of you. Think Mongolian Barbeque meets Italian Kitchen. It’s not the largest dining room and it shares it’s space with the centrally located kitchen and as well as a bar on the far side, so it can fill up quickly around dinner time. They also don’t take reservations, so I would recommend that you head over earlier rather than later if you want to be able to find a good seat.


As far as the food itself goes, I tend to stick with my trusty standby of pesto vermicelli with pine nuts and grilled chicken, but have also enjoyed some terrific salads and pizzas there as well. Dining at Vapiano is for the most part a can’t-miss situation, so the only real limitation is your own creativity. Get out there and mix it up, you won’t be disappointed.

(also don’t miss the bowl of gummy bears by the door on your way out.)

The Sunday Dinner: Tangerines, Fennel and Crawfish Oh My!

Everyone loves a three-day weekend. It doesn’t just mean one more day before you have to head back to the real world, but also that the next Friday is just four days away. With all this free time on your hand, why not capitalize on the moment tonight and get your chef on. As always, we at The Sunday Dinner are here to make life easier for you, so if you do choose to brave kitchen this weekend, might we recommend:

The Menu:


The Starter Mixed Greens with Tangerine and Fennel


The Main Course Crawfish Etouffée

The citrus flavors of the salad and the crawfish in the etouffee would be complimented well by a bottle of Bodegas Y Vinedos Sur De Los Andes, an Argentinean Malbec that scored 85 on the wine spectator despite selling for about $10 flat. You can pick one up at Watergate Wine and Beverage down in the middle of the Watergate.

This Weekend Under $100: Tabaq Bistro

As you may or may not be aware, this coming Saturday happens to be Valentines Day. If you were, than hopefully chances are that you already have romantic evening planned, however if the latter applies (your secret is safe with us), then it’s high time you got on it.

Dinner and a show tends to be a winning combo, but as is often the case, there are dinners and then there are dinners. To that end, instead of hanging around home this Saturday, I suggest that you set out for the rooftops of U Street and the one-of-a-kind Tabaq Bistro.

Tabaq, an intimate little tapas spot specializing in Eastern-Mediterranean cuisine, is tucked in an unassuming townhouse just a stone’s throw from the U Street metro stop (Green Line). The first floor has some seating and a bar, and from there on up are the kitchens and offices, until you get to the roof where there is a cozy rooftop dining area that looks out over the surrounding neighborhood, offering spectacular views to compliment the savory small-plates. When I say that the ambiance is the main attraction, don’t take it to mean that Tabaq doesn’t deliver when it comes to the food, the menu boasts a winning selection of traditional tapas style dishes and other more filling main courses each with their own interesting textures and complex tastes. The rooftop dining room isn’t huge, so understandably if fills up quickly. Make sure to call at least a day in advance to get a reservation.

After a dinner under the stars, head down the street to Twins Jazz, one of Washington’s top jazz spots and enjoy the lyrical styling of Andrea Wood who will be doing two shows that evening, one at 9:00PM and one at 11:00PM depending on when you get out of dinner.


Sure flowers and chocolate are nice, but rooftop dining and a jazz show, now that’s an evening.

$15 – per ticket to the Andrea Wood show (order here)
$40 - $60 – for diner depending on what / how much you order

Total: $70 - $90 plus tax and tip

This Weekend Under $60: Firefly

So you've been dating this girl (or guy) for awhile. You certainly want to make sure he/she has a fantastic valentine's day, but you are also fairly certain he/she won't dump you if you spend under $60 dollars on the evening. For this Valentine's Day Weekend Under $60, Eat the District brings you to Firefly. This small Kimpton restaurant connected to the Hotel Madera offers an "urban picnic". The idea is American comfort food, of the type you might normally eat on a red-checkered table cloth at an outdoor concert or other venue. Walking in you will see a huge tree growing literally through the restaurant. The rest of the decor reflects this outdoor picnic theme with earthy wood tones and candles throughout. The restaurant, as I mentioned early, is a bit small with limited seating, so reservations are a must. However, the small space creates a cozy atmosphere, perfectly suitable for this "urban picnic."


The food is excellent. They offer an array of small plate appetizers along with picnic dishes to share as a starter. I would recommend the little bacon meatballs from the small plate menu or the cheddar and beer fondue with half-smokes from the picnic menu. It was the main course that truly made the evening for me however. The mini-pot roast is absurdly delicious. Served with roasted shallots and on a bed of creamy golden Yukon mashed potatoes the dish is tender, juicy, and delectable. I would say it's just like Mom made it, but if my mother cooked this well I most certainly would never have left home.

Having sufficiently tickled your Valentine's palette, and having sufficiently exercised your wallets capacity take a stroll down to the Kennedy Center. Take the elevator to the viewing gallery and spend some time there. Like the smooth pro that you are, have a box of chocolates on hand to offer your date. Look at the stars, compliment him/her, do whatever it is you do. Escape the gaudy Valentine's Day spending and simply enjoy some time in each others' company. If the weather is anything like it has been, it should be a fantastic evening.



Directions: Orange/Blue Line to Foggy Bottom. Cross Washington Circle and walk up New Hampshire Ave, on your left.

Appetizer: $5-14
Main course: $17-28
Chocolates: $8
Young Love: Priceless

Total: $56 plus tax and tip (Yes, I know it's close but for the love of God it's Valentine's day, splurge a bit man)

Introducing: The Backlot Barbeque

Barbecue is more than a food. Barbeque is a culture, an art, a way of life. Ok, ok, ok – perhaps I am being a bit extreme. But once you try some of the real stuff (more on this later), you will want to join a barbecue cult. Trust me.

But first, what is BBQ? Who makes it and how? Most do not know the answers to these questions because they have never tried the real stuff. Barbeque is really a cooking method, not an actual food. Beef is a food. Pork is a food. Barbeque is a process. So when you hear barbeque, I want you to think two things: low and slow or cooking under low temperatures for long periods of time. This is barbeque; this is the real stuff.

What has your dad been cooking all these years on the grill, you ask? Well contrary to population belief, food cooked over direct heat is not in fact barbeque. Your dad was simply grilling food. Don’t get me wrong, I love grilled food. However, the process you are using and the product you end up with is not barbeque.

I am from one of the major cities in the Barbeque World - Kansas City, Missouri. In KC, we are known for our BBQ sauce, something you might have known already. KC Masterpiece is the best selling BBQ sauce of all time. However, in places like Memphis, sauce is only an afterthought and not an integral part of the process. Every other Wednesday I will use this forum for these types of BBQ debates, to tell you about the techniques I personally use to barbeque, and where to find some of the real stuff in and around the District.

Introducing The Canadian Connoisseur and The Communist Langolier

I would like you to formally introduce you all to our newest contributers, The Communist Langolier and The Canadian Connoisseur. The two have been living in the District for quite some time now and both certainly know their food, put them together though and they are certainly a force to be with reckoned with. They can probably tell it better themselves, so without further adieu, I present The Communist Langolier and The Canadian Connoisseur.


“Pasta Mia” and Contestare Nostra


It all started with my friend Priscilla boasting about being able to out eat most of the guys in our crew. Despite being vivaciously feisty, Priscilla is a small girl and doesn’t strike one as being particularly voracious. I smelled a bet and jumped on it. Friday night; Six o’clock; Adams Morgan; Pasta Mia; Gnocchi in Gorgonzola sauce; me, you, and four witnesses. After preliminary discussions we came to terms of the contest – Gnocchi, but not necessarily Gorgonzola sauce. It was a compromise that I would grow to regret.

Who hasn’t heard rumors about that pasta place in Adams Morgan where people stand outside for hours just to sample the homemade concoctions of the lady some refer to as “The Pasta Nazi”? The place is called Pasta Mia, my friends, and some rumors are truer than others. Yes, you do have to stand in line and I suggest arriving around 6:10 so that you could be one of the first to get in once the doors open at 6:30. My original inclination that the lines would be shorter because of the winter cold proved to be false and we had to brave the January wind for twenty minutes. The restaurant itself is quite cozy – try to get the table on the second level, there is a nice window that provides an excellent view of the hapless folks on the street waiting to get in and jealously eying you as you toast their health with the superb house wine ($5 per glass). The service does leave something to be desired, but the matron of the establishment, an elderly Napolese lady named Antoinette, is very nice as long as you order on time, don’t give her any ‘tude, and don’t ask for cake when she offers you bread. There is a cash only policy and the price is $14 per person, so sharing really doesn’t make sense. That’s a pity because the size of the portions would leave Shaq satisfied.


The first plate that arrived was that of my friend Aaron and we had to have a moment of silence as we mourned the heard of cows that was slaughtered to prepare his Penne Bolognese. Meat lovers out there – if you get this dish on Friday night, leftovers for Saturday and Sunday lunch are guaranteed. My dish came next – Gnocchi in Gorgonzola sauce. This seems to be the favorite of the majority and it doesn’t disappoint. Homemade Gnocchi are notoriously difficult to prepare and so is Gorgonzola sauce, but if you don’t mind gaining a couple of pounds then this dish is a must-have. My buddy Chris had the Tortellini Rosa - tomato cream over tender cheese pasta pockets – another universally beloved entree. The Canadian Connoiseur was next and will tell you all about her Tortellini Arrabiata in her section. My friend Eduardo had the Spinach Fettucinni with Porcini mushrooms. Finally, Priscilla’s Gnocchi was laid in front of her. The girl hadn’t eaten all day and dug in with the furor and gusto of a starving banshee. Still, about half way through her meal I thought that I had the bet won. Her eyes were watery, her breathing heavy, she had to unbuckle her jeans. But never underestimate those Krazilians (ethnically Korean Brazilians) – Priscilla gave it a final push and won the bet. I had to pay for her diner. The loss would have left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I managed to wash it away with some of the best Cappuccino I ever had ($3 per cup). It was a long walk back to Foggy Bottom, but it did little to relieve the feeling of complete satisfaction in my belly.



As the connoisseur, I wanted to try all the dishes, of course…but at last, I was able to narrow it down to something with the spicy Arrabbiata sauce, and finally, I chose the cheese tortellini to go with it. While most of the pasta dishes are $15, if you choose a simple sauce plus pasta combo, it’s just $13. Even the most expensive pasta dishes are still only $18, such as the Spinach Fettuccine with Porcini Mushroom Sauce. The Washingtonian chose Pasta Mia as one of the best “Cheap Eats” in the District…and we completely agree! They do have a wine list, but if you want to stick with the low budget theme, their house red is a great table wine.

On this particular night, I had a hard time deciding which dish I liked the best. Our friend’s Gnocchi Sorrentina (tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella) was amazing. The gnocchi are as fluffy as marshmallows, and when Pasta Mia says an ingredient is fresh – it is. Although the Gorgonzola sauce is also delicious, given the portion sizes, it can be a little heavy – especially if your goal is to finish the entire dish. My Tortellini Arrabbiata, however, was near perfection. I know that “all’Arrabbiata” means angry style, but this meal gave me the opposite reaction! The tortellini was al dente, and the red pepper gave the sauce the perfect amount of kick. It might have been even better when I finished it the next day!

Now, let’s be clear about expectations: you’re not going to Pasta Mia if you want lots of personal attention or a romantic setting…you’re going there for the great pasta, right? So, enjoy it! Yes, you have to wait in line, and yes, the tables are close together and a little cramped – but only because everyone wants to get in and it happens to be a small place! Don’t expect to get pampered by waiters – just tell them what you want to eat (straight from the menu, please) and then wait (yes, wait – it’s homemade, remember?) for some amazing pasta! Also, keep in mind that going here for dinner is more of an event, as opposed to a quick grab and go place. Order some wine and an appetizer if you’re the type that gets antsy while waiting. Enjoy the bread and olive oil on the table, too – but whatever you do, don’t fill up before your pasta arrives!

I’ve heard that the desserts are great, but I haven’t been able to cut myself off from the delicious dinner in order to save room for it…yet.

Pasta Mia is located in Adams Morgan at 1790 Columbia Rd (between 18th and Champlain). No reservations are accepted. Get there before 6:30. Cash only.

Open for dinner only – Tuesday through Saturday.