Check it Out: Sichuan Pavilion

So its been about 2 months since my last post, and I apologize for that, but the truth of the matter is that I haven't eaten any food since mid-February... really, I promise.

Well, maybe not. The real truth is that I've been busy. Like really busy. So busy, that despite having discovered a host of fantastic new eateries in and around the District, I have had nary a moment to share them with you fine folks. Some spots however demand that time be made, and I count Sichuan Pavilion among their number. This place is the cat's pajamas, for real.


also, sorry for the lack of pictures, but every time I've been my priorities have been elsewhere - namely eating.

Nestled next to the Radio Shack on K St. between 18th and 19th, Sichuan Pavilion falls decidedly at the good end of the Chinese food quality scale I laid out a while back. Which is to say not greasy, not stuffed with MSG, and above all, not Americanized. I was brought there initially by my friend Bo, whose friend's friend (who was actually from China) had said it was far and away the finest Chinese food he had been able found in the city. Usually these friend-of-a-friend arrangements end in tears, but considering it was Foggy Bottom-based (and thusly didn't require a metro ride) I was willing to give it a try. At least I wouldn't have to travel too far to have my hungry hopes dashed on the table. Judging by the tone of the previous paragraph though, I'll leave it to you to figure out how it went.

Every time I've gone, I've ordered the Ma Po Tofu, and boy howdy, if it isn't a little bit of terrific. I was jumped in to the Ma Po Tofu game by my friend Taylor, when we went to Bob's Noodle 66 out in Rockville back in November, and it has quickly become my go-to dish at Chinese restaurants that serve, you know, actual Chinese food. There is something about the spicy, gooey goodness that I just can't get enough of. I've also tried a few of my friends' dishes, and they were all on point as well. In fact, I imagine it's all pretty good. You can check the menu here, if you're so inclined.

The restaurant itself is best described as rich. Replete with sumptuous red carpets and Shan Shui on the walls, even without the food the experience alone would be well worth the $15 you will likely end up spending. The service is terrific. Even the tea you get with your meal seems more flavorful than usual.

I may sound like a proud mother, but Sichuan Pavilion sits securely among the best eateries that I've stumbled upon during my time in DC, high-end or not. So, considering the pittance they ask in return for what is easily some of the finest Chinese you will have in this city, It would be criminal for you not to at least check it out. Just make sure to give me a call when you do, because I'm always down for a trip to the Pavilion.

The Happiest Hour: Part 1

More often than many of us would like to admit, after a long day cooped up at the office/classroom/library-cubicle, the big hand's arrival at 5 on the clock can't come soon enough. Its not that we don't enjoy our work (or so we keep telling ourselves), but once the day starts winding down, and the sweet smell of freedom begins to waft distractingly through the office like cookies fresh out the oven, the last thing on our mind is the pile of papers in the inbox. You know - a grass is always greener type of thing.

Sweet though the prospect of escape is however, sometimes just just breaking free isn't enough enough to wash away the workday wear.  But fear not dear readers, we at Eat the District have just the fix: The Happiest Hour. Everyone knows that nothing takes the edge off like a nice stiff drink, so to that end we have sifted through the city's many specials to bring you only the finest drink deals the district has to offer. The next time a vicious case of the Mondays has you down, take heart, the Happiest Hour is right around the corner.


For starters, the establishment many have lovingly dubbed “GW’s cafeteria” may always hold a special place in our hearts, but let’s be honest – sometimes you just don’t feel like waiting upwards of twenty minutes at Nooshi so you can run into everyone you’ve ever met and never want to see again while attempting conversation over the raucous clangs of sake bombs detonating around you. Fortunately, a similar yet significantly chiller alternative can be found two doors down at Singapore Bistro. While this particular establishment may once have been the setting of many an awkward frat party, the happy hour scene is a different story entirely.

From 4 pm to 7 pm Monday through Saturday, you can get $3.95 flavored martinis and glasses of wine and $2.50 beers and hot sake – deals that somewhat resemble those offered at Nooshi.  However, unlike its more popular neighbor, Singapore Bistro has food specials too. They have a pretty extensive 99 cent nigiri menu as well as special maki rolls and a $1.95 order of edamame. The first floor tends to be the most relaxed, but if you find yourself seated on the second or third floor, you can sake bomb away without really bothering anyone.

In the event you’re seeking a slightly more refined escape, you need not look further than Washington Circle. Circle Bistro, located in the One Washington Circle Hotel, offers moderately priced specials Monday through Friday from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Each delectable libation is served up by Jane, a wiry old lady with a delightful British accent who I secretly wish were my grandma. All martinis and specialty cocktails are $6 and domestic and “almost premium” beers, rail drinks, and wines by the glass are half price.

I would highly recommend the “Silly Goose,” a sweet and smooth mix of vodka, Hypnotiq, and white cranberry juice, not only because it’s scrumptious but also because it’s blue! Their burgers are also half price during happy hour, but the rest of the food is rather pricey. It tends to be very sparsely populated so bring your own entourage and enjoy the classy depart from your usual college bars.

That should provide you with a few weeks worth of diversions (unless you're one of "those" people), so until next time, bottoms up!

The Sunday Dinner: Inspired Fajita Edition

About a week ago, having just gotten up, I stumbled bleary-eyed into my living room to a television set still aglow from the night before. The emblem in its lower right corner indicated the food network, so I, not yet able to muster the strength myself, opted to slump down and watch someone else slaving away in the kitchen. The lesson for the day was how to prepare the perfect, home-made tortilla chips and guacamole, which, according to the impossibly cheery lady on the screen were quick and simple to boot.

Perfect guacamole you say, and simple too? I like all these things, do go on cheery lady of the morning.

It turned out that she was not lying, so all day afterwards visions of a mexican feast began slow cooking in my mind. Guacamole would of course be invited, Fajitas too, and rice. No, just any rice won't do. Cilantro-lime rice. Now were talking.

With the meal in mind, several friends and myself set off that evening to Trader Joes, and returned rearing to cook armed with a bagful of fresh ingredients and an appetite to match.


The Guacamole: As the lady on the TV told me, a great guacamole needs nothing more than 2 or 3 avacados, mashed up and drizzled with a whole lime to keep from browning. Mix in a half an onion (finely diced) and a pinch or two of salt and you're done. Sure tomatos and garlic are nice, but sometimes simple is better.

The Cilantro-Lime Rice: Starting with about 2 cups of regular old rice, we mixed in around 2 tablespoons of salt, half a cup of chopped fresh cilantro, a pinch of garlic powder, and then squeezed a lime and a half over the whole concoction.


The Fajitas: For the Fajitas, we started with a pre-packaged carne asada flank steak, threw it in a cast iron pan, sprinkled it with lime and cooked it along with garlic, chopped onions and peppers. Once done, we diced it up and served it alongside the cilantro lime rice, shredded cheese, sour cream, etc. on a warm tortila. Done and done.

A couple of Pacificos (with limes of course) washed the whole thing down in style.

The meal was truly as simple as it sounds, and almost criminally tasty, so if you're looking for some culinary inspiration of your own, the search stops here.

Fresh Grounds: Chinatown Coffee Co.

Yea yea, its been a few months since our last post, but hey were busy people, so these things happen. That said, two months off means we've got two months worth of great DC eats queued up and ready to be served. So if your stomach has been growling for something new, something exciting, or something thats just plain tasty, than check back over the next few weeks and let eat the district help soothe the savage beast.

For starters, I'd like to present another entry in to our "Fresh Grounds" series: Chinatown Coffee Co.. Located in Chinatown on H St. NW between 4th and 5th, Chinatown Coffe is the third and latest offering from the people who originally brought you Murky Coffee. Serving top quality beans delivered all the way to the district from Chicago-based roaster, Intelligentsia, the joe is more than adequate. I had a cup of "Ethiopia Yirgacheffe" which supposedly had notes of chocolate, apples, and strawberries. Now I'm not so sure about all that, but it certainly was tasty. The baked goods, provided by the likes of Whatsa Bagel,Hawthorne Pastry, and Bakeshop(who just opened a new store out in Clarendon fyi) were fresh and complimented the coffee nicely.


The building itself has a very cool, contemporary vibe (that is not even remotely communicated by their potbellyesqe logo), with plenty of space to people watch while you enjoy a cuppa.

These days, coffee is an integral part of many of our mornings, and while there there may be a Starbucks conveniently located on every corner, independent jobs like Chinatown Coffee exist for a reason: they're great. So if you find yourself around chinatown and desperate for your daily dose of caffeine, than Chinatown Coffee Co. is well worth a visit.