Check it Out: City Buffet

It is a common mistake to assume that Chinese food is Chinese food is Chinese food. Sure, the flavors are always roughly the same, and the dishes offered from menu to menu differ about as much as the seasons in Cali, but when it comes to quality, that is where you see some separation. We've all had bad chinese food. The kind of shopping mall food court abomination that always smells like a great idea, but leaves you feeling bloated and foolish by the time you're half finished. Yes, it does serve its purpose from time to time, but not in a million years would you refer to it as a quality meal. On the other end of the spectrum, there are the great chinese restaurants, ones that use top quality ingredients to great effect, and might actually serve you the kind of (real) Chinese food food one would find were they sitting down for a meal half a world away. City Buffet is by no means the latter of those two, but its closer to that end than the other, and featuring an all you can eat buffet for just under $10 thats all right by me.


Located on 14th Street between L and M, I stumbled across City Buffet a week or two ago on my lunch hour while looking for an Au Bon Pain I had passed a few days earlier. Amused by the incredibly non-descriptive name, I was compelled to take a closer look. The place was packed, and I was hungry enough, so I stepped inside, payed my eight bucks, and set off directly for the buffet. The food looked good, but admittedly, at the time, the prospect of all-you-can-eat anything seemed appealing. In the end it was the selection that ended up being the real deal breaker. I piled my plate high with just about every spring roll, dumpling, chicken dish, and soup that I could have dreamed of, and then set to work.

Having never even heard of the place before, and going in expecting nothing, the food was actually pretty good. Not amazing. But with the only limit being my own appetite, doubtlessly something that I would pay $10 for. Especially when you consider that had I made it to Au Bon Pain that day the same $10 would have gotten me naught but a sandwich.

If you work in the area, and your stomach is growling for a real meal, than check out City Buffet. Rarely in DC does ten dollars go so far.

Local Flavor

In case for some reason you were unaware, the greater DC area is home to almost 20 weekly farmers markets. Wonderful news for anyone with an interest in cooking, as the freshest ingredients are more often than not found in such places, and at prices that make the likes of Whole Foods tremble in their boots. It's not just produce either, many of the area's markets offer a staggering selection of meats, breads, seafood, spices, flowers, etc. as well, so there is no reason not to check them out.


In a recent poll by American Farmland Trust however, a trio of the area's markets took top spots among the nations best, so it appears that when it comes to farmers markets, the district has got not only quantity, but quality as well.

Check it Out: Scion

When I sit down in a restaurant and first look at the menu, I usually feel that I can get a good handle on how much I am going to enjoy my meal but the number of dishes that catch my eye. The more the better. If I am still torturing myself over whether to go with one alluring entree over another right up until the waitstaff forces me to make up my mind, I do so with much greater confidence than if that pre-order period is spent scouring the menu for just one dish that strikes my fancy. That said, when I sat down at Scion a little over a week ago, the staggering number of attractive options boasted by the menu (the lunch menu at that) set my mouth to watering, and in this case, it turned out that looks were not deceiving.

Located at the intersection of 21st and P, Scion had been open for just around two weeks when I went there, but it didn't seem to be falling victim to any of the usual recent-start pitfalls. The food came out quickly, and I was there for an early lunch, so the place wasn't too busy. While the restaurant itself may be new, the restauranteurs certainly aren't novices. Run by the offspring of the folks behind Jenny's Chinese Restaurant, and Jenny's Asian Fusion, Scion's proprietors have a rich background in the biz, and though the cuisine leans towards American, flavors inspired by their Asian roots are woven throughout the menu.

The food was tasty, and for the quality of ingredients you get, rather inexpensive. I had a kobe burger, and my mother (with whom I was dining) had a grilled chicken / asian pear panini for a little over $20. Far, far less than I have paid for similar meals elsewhere. The portions aren't enormous, but I left feeling more than satisfied.


The dining room is simple and tastefully decorated, and there is a large patio area for eating outdoors on days where the weather permits. One other thing that really struck me, though admittedly it has nothing to do with the food, was the music. While most restaurants play it safe, serenading you with innocuous instrumentals or classic standards, at Scion I was entertained instead by the likes of Outkast and Lupe Fiasco. As I said, not really a big deal, but I don't think that I could name a single other place that I have eaten at where I got to hear the music that I would have chosen myself, and needless to say I was impressed.

It's just a short walk from the Dupont metro stop, so next time your stomach is yearning for something a little different Scion might be exactly what you're looking for.

Check it Out: City Lights of China

Chinese food for me equals comfort food. Being Jewish, nothing says Christmas to me like gathering with relatives and chowing down on Chinese food from my favorite Chinese restaurant. It’s a tradition that I hate to miss out on; so coming down to DC I had to find a suitable spot that could give me that same feeling of joy as my favorite restaurant back home (shout out to Bernard’s in Brookline, MA). Considering that, more often than not, DC’s Chinatown leaves a lot to be desired, I figured it wasn’t going to be the easiest task. But, if you face a similar dilemma, than fear not dear readers, because I once again have the solution - City Lights of China.

Located in Dupont Circle on Connecticut between R and S this cozy little restaurant serves delicious Chinese cuisine for reasonable (albeit a little bit high) prices. The food is amazing, and they always prepare my favorite dishes to perfection. In my mind, there is very little better than pan-fried dumplings (also known as Peking Ravioli), but making them right is difficult. The dough shell and meat ratio is complicated and easy to screw up. A dumpling that is too doughy just won’t do. The dumplings created by City Lights of China however are light, savory, delicious, and as a result make a perfect appetizer.


For the main course I go for Sesame Chicken, and again they City Lights does it right. Its light and crispy, not too heavy, and while the chicken is lightly fried, the sauce is not overwhelmingly thick and syrupy, but still sweet, so it comes together fantastically. All of this will run you around $20, which for a really good Chinese food meal (and the definite possibility of leftovers), is well worth it.

If you love Chinese food like I do, and are looking for a more refined meal than those served by the usual dime-a-dozen Chinese take out spots, than I recommend you head over to City Lights of China. I’m guessing you won’t be disappointed.

Check it Out: Tackle Box

Now I definitely don't want to say that image is everything. When it comes to restaurants the quality of the food is obviously the first concern. That said though, when a restaurant makes a little effort as far as the atmosphere is concerned, it doesn't go unnoticed. The difference between bare white walls and a stab at authenticity can be the difference maker between a good meal and a great one.

Stepping into Tackle Box (located in Georgetown on M Street between Potomac and Wisconsin) transports the aspiring diner 700 miles north to a "Lobster Shack" built in the New England tradition. From the weathered, wooden picnic tables, to the nets and vibrant buoys hanging from the ceiling, this place certainly doesn't skimp on decor, and while the food itself is hearty and delicious, the room in which you enjoy it does nothing but compliment the experience.

The menu offers a broad selection of seafood, as well as sides to go with it, and has meals that cater to just about any budget. My personal go-to is the "Maine Meal" which includes 1 fish, 2 sides and a sauce for $13, but for $9 you can get the same set up with one less side, and if your money is really burning a hole in your pocket, than you can splurge on a lobster pot - a cornucopia of piscine treats - for $40 a head.

If seafood is your thing, and and an impromptu trip to the north is out of the question, than the Tackle Box may be just what you're looking for.

Check it Out: The Rib Pit

It's amazing, but for some reason it seems that the most painstakingly planned dinning excursion can never hold a candle to those magnificent meals that you just happen to fall in to. I'm guessing it has something to do with the lack of expectations, or perhaps the thrill of discovery, but time and time again it's true. I bring this up, because earlier this week I had the pleasure of enjoying just such a meal. It all started at about 6 o'clock, with a group of my friends sitting around going back and forth over where we ought to get dinner. The debate was centered mostly around all the usual suspects (chipotle, Pho, sushi...), until one person threw out one of our longest running questions; "is there anywhere in DC where you can get decent barbecue?"


Barbecue sounded like an intriguing option, so after a short stint on google we set off for the intersection of 14th and Randolph Street - the home of The Rib Pit. Its a bit out of the way (a metro + buss ride from just about anywhere), so fortunately we had a car, but 15 minutes later we had arrived. When I say that going into this we know nothing about the place, I couldn't be more sincere. For instance we did not know that there was actually no dining room (we ended up eating on the stoop across the street), or that we would be paying through a safety-glass turnstile, but most of all, we had no idea that we had just stumbled across one hell of a hidden gem.

In a city like DC, where even the smallest sandwich will set you back 6 or 7 bucks, I was floored when my "Super Combo 2" (2 mammoth pulled pork sandwiches + healthy helpings of both greens and mac and cheese) cost me all of $10.50. Oh yea, and included in that was 32 ounces of the tastiest iced tea I've had in a long time. This place is a steal. Even if the food had been mediocre it would be... and it's far far from it. The barbeque sauce is on the sweeter side, which suites me just fine, and the sides for great too. My one friend got their candied yams, they were delicious, and we would have got what was sure to be a spectacular sweet potato pie had they not been fresh out that the time.

There was so much food that I was actually able to bring one whole pulled pork sandwich and most of my mac and cheese home with me for lunch the next day. Two whole meals for $10, aint nothing wrong with that.

If you yourself are looking for decent barbecue in the district, eating on a budget, or just like damn good food than put The Rib Pit on your list of places to check out. It's well worth the trip.

Check it Out: Guajillo

For starters, don’t get me wrong, I love Chipotle and Qdoba (and honestly, who doesn’t). Occasionally though, I am in the mood for “real” Mexican food, and when that particular craving strikes, fast food Mexican just won’t cut it. At times such as this, for my money, the place to go is Guajillo (pronounced Wa-Hee-Yo), a little gem of a Mexican joint located in Rosslyn at 1727 Wilson Blvd (astoundingly in the same mini-strip mall as Pho 75 and Ray’s Hell Burger).

I have been a handful of times, and let me tell you, this place is the real deal. Their food is delicious and affordable. The atmosphere is friendly and cheerful (I went this past Cinco de Mayo, and the place exuded a festive, welcoming spirit that encouraged everyone to celebrate together). The wait staff is knowledgeable and accommodating.


To say that the food itself is mouth-wateringly good, would be selling it short. When I went last I ordered a Beef Chimichanga, and it was spectacular. The lightly fried tortilla had a good balance of fillings, not letting one overpower the rest, and it came with ample portions of salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side.

And as if you weren’t sold yet, it was reasonably priced. For $10 you get a solid meal (or, if you aren’t feeling ravenous an excellent lunch or snack for the next day). Being particularly averse to Tequila I cannot comment on their margaritas (though I heard they were strong), so I personally paired my Chimichanga with a fine Modelo Especial beer (my favorite Mexican beer) and it complimented my meal nicely.

If you’re searching for a fun, friendly, delicious Mexican food experience, take a trip south of the (DC) border and check out Guajillo.

The Sunday Dinner: Chowder Power

It's the 5th of July. The day after. By now your belly must be full of barbecue and your firework quota met for yet another year. Suffice it to say, you've celebrated, and as such are probably not too keen on diving right in to the kitchen. If you are the resilient type however, and a little bit of home cooking is exactly what you need to get your life back in order, than this hearty Sunday Dinner should be just what the doctor ordered.

New England Clam and Corn Chowder with Herbs


Ingredients (serves 4 to 5)
5 thick cut slices of bacon - cut into half-inch pieces
1 large onion - chopped
3 large carrots - peeled and chopped
1.25 teaspoons of dried thyme
.75 teaspoon crushed and dried rosemary
4 tablespoons of all purpose flour
4 cups of whole milk
1 (8 ounce) white skinned potato - cut into half-inch cubes
3 (6.5 ounce) cans of chopped clams in juice
1 (8.75 ounce) can of corn kernels - drained
chopped fresh parsley

Fry the bacon in a pan over medium heat until it gets crispy, and then take it out of the pan to drain on a paper towel. Throw the onion, carrots, thyme, and rosemary into the pan to sautae in the left over bacon grease for about 5 minutes, sprinkling with salt and pepper as you see fit.

Next, transfer all of that into a big pot and add in the flour, stirring for 1 or two minutes until its mixed up evenly. Once you've done that, gradually add in the milk (stirring constantly) as you bring it to a boil.

Reduce to medium heat, and continue to let it cook until it reaches your desired thickness. Make sure to keep stirring throughout. Once you have that, add in the potatoes, the corn, and the clams (with the juice) and then bring the whole thing back to a boil one more time.

Bring the temperature back down again to medium-low and let the chowder simmer until the potatoes are cooked (about 10 minutes). Again, keep stirring so it doesn't congeal, and toss in some more salt and pepper.

When its all done, sprinkle on the bacon and chopped parsley, then serve up healthy portions in big bowls with hunks of fresh-baked bread. If that doesn't stick to your bones, than I don't know what will.

This is the original recipe as seen in bon appetite. For the most part, its the same as what I put up here, with the exception of a few ingredient / cooking changes, so check it out too if you're so inclined.

Check it Out: ???

Typically, when we recommend a place to eat, we are offering up a name. The name of a restaurant, the name of a bar, however obscure the establishment itself may be, it is at the very least identifiable (and as a result googleable and yelpable too). This time around however, there actually is no name to offer, so a location is pretty much all that you’re going to have to go on.

Anyone who has visited DC is familiar with the ubiquitous yellow carts that are deployed daily throughout the District to meet the hotdog/soda/snack food needs of the masses. They are everywhere, and everywhere that they are, they are identical. So imagine my surprise when on my way to work the other day I passed by just such a yellow cart, and was greeted not by the usual morass of potato chips and drink coolers, but the aroma of delicious Korean food frying away in a pan.

Yes, every (work)day, just off the intersection of 14th and L Street this anonymous little oasis of savory street-side food can be found providing a terrific lunch to the handful of area workers hip to its existence. The menu is delightfully simple; beef and chicken in spicy and mild varieties, as well as a smattering of no more than 3 or 4 other options. Each is served over rice with a side of kimchi for no more than $8.


…and that’s really all there is to it. It’s simple, quick, and tasty. What more could you ask for?

Check it Out: Bagels Etc.

One of my absolute favorite foods in the world is bagels. I know that I could eat a bagel for just about any meal of any day, and I’m fairly confident that you could too. Don’t take this to mean that bagels are bagels are bagels though, because without a doubt, there is nothing quite like a bagel fresh from the oven.

I always enjoyed going to my local bagel eatery at home (shout out to Café Bagel-Dedham, MA) and chowing down one of their fresh delicious offerings. So it again was to my chagrin to discover that at first glance D.C. lacked a really great bagel option. However, it was my luck when about two years ago I discovered just such a bagel place worthy of my patronage. The place is called Bagels Etc, and like Alberto’s Pizzeria it is located on P Street in between 22nd and 21st Streets. While I can’t say that it surpasses my home favorite, it does satisfy a much-needed delicious bagel fix.


The bagels are fresh and affordable, but a bit on the small side, so I usually go for two bagels if I am really hungry. When I went last time I got the #1 breakfast special: a bacon, egg, and cheese (cheese extra) sandwich on an everything bagel. The bagel comes with a small coffee and small orange juice. Their bacon, egg, and cheese offering has a perfect balance of ingredients so that one does not overpower the others. The everything bagel that I got also had a good, even variety of toppings, and the second was a cinnamon raisin bagel with honey walnut cream cheese. This was a delicious and sweet compliment to the egg one.
Both bagels with the coffee and juice ran me just under $8 (Bagels Etc. is cash only) and more than hit the spot.


The staff is friendly and gets your food to you quickly. They have seating inside and outside so you can enjoy your meal outside on those beautiful weekend mornings. For those of you like me who have been suffering bagel withdrawal, Bagels Etc. is the cure.