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Blah, ya, I haven't touched this for two years. I should let you know that Stars and Stripes, and the Bulgaria restaurant are now closed...
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Food of Empires
Reviewing restaurants around the Washington DC/Virginia Region
05 July 2008 @ 02:15 pm
18 May 2007 @ 04:09 am
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 5
Overall: 5
Cost: $80
Locations:
Crystal City
Bethesda
and other locations, best see website for details and reservations
http://www.ruthschris.com/
This is the one place that I save for special occasions to visit, mainly for my birthday. Currently Ruth Chris is one of my top 3 steakhouses ever. There's just something about the way they sear their steak that makes their steaks perfectly juicy and flavorful. They also have the best creme brulee that I've ever had. Trust me, the price is worth it.
Sorry for the lack of postings, I got lazy about that so I'm trying to backtrack.
Till next time!
The Negentropic Man
13 April 2007 @ 03:26 am
Houston's Restaurant
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 5
Overall: 5
Cost: $30
Locations:
1065 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC
7715 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD
12256 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
Houston's Restaurant is a place that knows how to grill right! Most recently I had a grilled ribeye with a caesar salad and my friend had a idaho baked potato and grilled ahi tuna salad. I have to say that the steak was one of the top 7 best steaks I've ever had, and the ahi tuna ranks as the best tuna I've ever had. The sides (broiled buttered carrots) were quite delicious as well. Houston's is one of those places that doesn't take reservations and always has a 30 minute wait any night of the week, but trust me, it's worth it!
Till next time,
The Negentropic Man
PS: If you're wondering if there were any other good restaurants in Oklahoma, well, there weren't any more from this trip. I did go to a Murphy's Steakhouse but it was rather unhealthy... Unhealthy as in their specialty is their gravy, and their special is a burger on toast, covered in gravy, covered in french fries, covered in more gravy... It's like a heart attack on a plate.
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 5
Overall: 5
Cost: $30
Locations:
1065 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC
7715 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD
12256 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
Houston's Restaurant is a place that knows how to grill right! Most recently I had a grilled ribeye with a caesar salad and my friend had a idaho baked potato and grilled ahi tuna salad. I have to say that the steak was one of the top 7 best steaks I've ever had, and the ahi tuna ranks as the best tuna I've ever had. The sides (broiled buttered carrots) were quite delicious as well. Houston's is one of those places that doesn't take reservations and always has a 30 minute wait any night of the week, but trust me, it's worth it!
Till next time,
The Negentropic Man
PS: If you're wondering if there were any other good restaurants in Oklahoma, well, there weren't any more from this trip. I did go to a Murphy's Steakhouse but it was rather unhealthy... Unhealthy as in their specialty is their gravy, and their special is a burger on toast, covered in gravy, covered in french fries, covered in more gravy... It's like a heart attack on a plate.
07 April 2007 @ 12:11 am
Cattlemen's Restaurant
Taste: 4
Quality: 5
Quantity: 5
Overall: 5
Cost: $30
Location: 1309 S. Agnew .. Oklahoma City, OK
http://www.cattlemensrestaurant.com/
This is one of the historic restaurants of the Midwest that I suggest anyone passing within 50 miles should visit. It's had a colorful history since the 1910 and has been a dining spot for a cast of characters that ranges from Al Capone to John Wayne to Ronald Reagan. What do they all come here for? Well, aside from some specialties during prohibition, it's the steak. Beef! Great quality juicy beef! Well aged and marbled! All forms of steak, and blue ribbon beef, are available and made to your specifications. I have to say Cattlemens is in my top 5 in terms of mid-high range steakhouses. Above Cattlemens at the moment are Ruth Chris, the Hilton Steakhouse, and the Luxor Steakhouse. But I do say that the beef at Cattlemens is right at the top for quality. Definitely worth going out of your way for!
Sincerely,
The Negentropic Man
PS: I had lunch at a place called Meer's Cafe, in Southwestern Oklahoma. They have a supposedly famous Longhorn burger. It was alright, but not worth going out of your way to get to.
Taste: 4
Quality: 5
Quantity: 5
Overall: 5
Cost: $30
Location: 1309 S. Agnew .. Oklahoma City, OK
http://www.cattlemensrestaurant.com/
This is one of the historic restaurants of the Midwest that I suggest anyone passing within 50 miles should visit. It's had a colorful history since the 1910 and has been a dining spot for a cast of characters that ranges from Al Capone to John Wayne to Ronald Reagan. What do they all come here for? Well, aside from some specialties during prohibition, it's the steak. Beef! Great quality juicy beef! Well aged and marbled! All forms of steak, and blue ribbon beef, are available and made to your specifications. I have to say Cattlemens is in my top 5 in terms of mid-high range steakhouses. Above Cattlemens at the moment are Ruth Chris, the Hilton Steakhouse, and the Luxor Steakhouse. But I do say that the beef at Cattlemens is right at the top for quality. Definitely worth going out of your way for!
Sincerely,
The Negentropic Man
PS: I had lunch at a place called Meer's Cafe, in Southwestern Oklahoma. They have a supposedly famous Longhorn burger. It was alright, but not worth going out of your way to get to.
04 April 2007 @ 04:43 am
Bistro Bulgaria
Taste: 4
Quality: 4
Quantity: 5
Overall: 4
Cost: $25
Location: 509 S. 23rd st, Crystal City, VA
There aren't many european restaurants in the northern Virginia/DC area other than Italian, Pubs, and the occasional French restaurant. Bistro Bulgaria stands out with traditional eastern european cuisines that you rarely find around here. I suggest starting out with a traditional Shopska salad (lots of green peppers), a cheese pie platter (three different styles of cheese pies!), and one of their many hearty main courses. Their traditional meatballs with french fries are delicious. They also have great chicken and beef courses as well; too many for me to remember, but I do recall that everything has been good. For desert, I highly recommend the Milk Bonita, which is like a creme brulee without the crust and with blueberries and a milk syrup. Service can be kind of stretched on busy weekend evenings but it's been a great experience all other times. Oh, and they also have great wine.
Till next time,
The Negentropic Man
Taste: 4
Quality: 4
Quantity: 5
Overall: 4
Cost: $25
Location: 509 S. 23rd st, Crystal City, VA
There aren't many european restaurants in the northern Virginia/DC area other than Italian, Pubs, and the occasional French restaurant. Bistro Bulgaria stands out with traditional eastern european cuisines that you rarely find around here. I suggest starting out with a traditional Shopska salad (lots of green peppers), a cheese pie platter (three different styles of cheese pies!), and one of their many hearty main courses. Their traditional meatballs with french fries are delicious. They also have great chicken and beef courses as well; too many for me to remember, but I do recall that everything has been good. For desert, I highly recommend the Milk Bonita, which is like a creme brulee without the crust and with blueberries and a milk syrup. Service can be kind of stretched on busy weekend evenings but it's been a great experience all other times. Oh, and they also have great wine.
Till next time,
The Negentropic Man
31 March 2007 @ 04:17 am
Asia Bistro
Taste: 3
Quality: 4
Quantity: 4
Overall: 4
Cost: $18
Location: Pentagon Row, Pentagon City, VA
http://www.asiabistropentagonrow.com/
Asia Bistro is not too unique and it's food is just good, not great, but they do have great service and provide a nice quick asian fix to satisfy your cravings. They have a nice selection of appetizers including their Peking Dumpling (fried dumplings!), Chicken Satay (standard chicken satay, but generous in quantity) and plenty of fresh sushi. Their sushi is nice and fresh, although at times bland. For a different type of main course, try their chicken stew, it's quite hearty and although it tastes western rather than asian, it's really quite good.
Till another time,
The Negentropic Man
Taste: 3
Quality: 4
Quantity: 4
Overall: 4
Cost: $18
Location: Pentagon Row, Pentagon City, VA
http://www.asiabistropentagonrow.com/
Asia Bistro is not too unique and it's food is just good, not great, but they do have great service and provide a nice quick asian fix to satisfy your cravings. They have a nice selection of appetizers including their Peking Dumpling (fried dumplings!), Chicken Satay (standard chicken satay, but generous in quantity) and plenty of fresh sushi. Their sushi is nice and fresh, although at times bland. For a different type of main course, try their chicken stew, it's quite hearty and although it tastes western rather than asian, it's really quite good.
Till another time,
The Negentropic Man
28 March 2007 @ 04:16 am
The Chicken Place
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 4
Overall: 5
Cost: $12
Location: 5519 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
While this location is not a restaurant (it's more of a minor fast food restaurant), The Chicken Place deserves special mention for serving what I believe is the best peruvian chicken and yuca fries in the area. Their spiced Peruvian style rotisserie charcoal broiled chicken is amazing! It's served with Yuca fries, which beats steak fries hands down. Imagine a broiled chicken that's completely juicy with slightly crispy spiced skin; thats what you'll find at The Chicken Place. Their steaks are also pretty good and thier chicken salad (salad, with generous helpings of tender juicy chicken) is great! It's a little place by Route 7, but it's totally worth it if you can find parking.
G'night!
The Negentropic Man
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 4
Overall: 5
Cost: $12
Location: 5519 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
While this location is not a restaurant (it's more of a minor fast food restaurant), The Chicken Place deserves special mention for serving what I believe is the best peruvian chicken and yuca fries in the area. Their spiced Peruvian style rotisserie charcoal broiled chicken is amazing! It's served with Yuca fries, which beats steak fries hands down. Imagine a broiled chicken that's completely juicy with slightly crispy spiced skin; thats what you'll find at The Chicken Place. Their steaks are also pretty good and thier chicken salad (salad, with generous helpings of tender juicy chicken) is great! It's a little place by Route 7, but it's totally worth it if you can find parking.
G'night!
The Negentropic Man
25 March 2007 @ 04:11 am
Duangrats
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 5
Overall: 5
Cost: $40
Location: 5878 Leesburg Pike Falls Church VA 22041
http://www.duangrats.com/
In my catalog of Thai food, I place Duangrats on the top of my "Fine" Thai food list. Why? Well, the average meal per person costing roughly $40 and it's worth every penny of it. Duangrats has a way of combining fresh ingredients with unique spins on tastes and spices. Some of the amazing dishes I had today included the salmon purse (appetizer; crispy wontons filled with curried salmon and potatoes), Pad Thai Supreme (pad thai with scallops, chicken, shrimp, and tempura soft shell crabs), and the Rayong Fishing Village (fried filets of salmon, cod, and striped bass in a veggie stir fry and tropical lychee sweet and sour sauce). Everything was superb! They also have a selection on interesting deserts that blends south-east asian flavors with western ice cream. I highly recommend saving this restaurant for a time when you need to trump another thai restaurant.
Incase you were wondering how I classify my Thai restaurants:
1) Authentic: original flavors, sometimes very spicy, with wholesome foods. If they can pull off a true Tom Kai Gai, with asian mushrooms, then they're authentic. Or if they have bou loi for desert. (Thai Square)
2) Modernized: Thai flavors that have been westernized. A lot more sweet and sour flavors. (Tara Thai, Urban Thai, Thaiphoon)
3) Fine: Expensive but worth it. Has a large unique desert selection. (Duangrats)
4) Faux: Fake thai restaurant!!! Pad thai has less than 10 ingredients. Curries are served as soups. Tom Kai Gai tastes like you took canned soup and watered it down. (None in DC area but every one I've been to in Colorado Springs is it)
There you have it folks, now you know what to look for in a Thai restaurants.
Till next time,
The Negentropic Man
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 5
Overall: 5
Cost: $40
Location: 5878 Leesburg Pike Falls Church VA 22041
http://www.duangrats.com/
In my catalog of Thai food, I place Duangrats on the top of my "Fine" Thai food list. Why? Well, the average meal per person costing roughly $40 and it's worth every penny of it. Duangrats has a way of combining fresh ingredients with unique spins on tastes and spices. Some of the amazing dishes I had today included the salmon purse (appetizer; crispy wontons filled with curried salmon and potatoes), Pad Thai Supreme (pad thai with scallops, chicken, shrimp, and tempura soft shell crabs), and the Rayong Fishing Village (fried filets of salmon, cod, and striped bass in a veggie stir fry and tropical lychee sweet and sour sauce). Everything was superb! They also have a selection on interesting deserts that blends south-east asian flavors with western ice cream. I highly recommend saving this restaurant for a time when you need to trump another thai restaurant.
Incase you were wondering how I classify my Thai restaurants:
1) Authentic: original flavors, sometimes very spicy, with wholesome foods. If they can pull off a true Tom Kai Gai, with asian mushrooms, then they're authentic. Or if they have bou loi for desert. (Thai Square)
2) Modernized: Thai flavors that have been westernized. A lot more sweet and sour flavors. (Tara Thai, Urban Thai, Thaiphoon)
3) Fine: Expensive but worth it. Has a large unique desert selection. (Duangrats)
4) Faux: Fake thai restaurant!!! Pad thai has less than 10 ingredients. Curries are served as soups. Tom Kai Gai tastes like you took canned soup and watered it down. (None in DC area but every one I've been to in Colorado Springs is it)
There you have it folks, now you know what to look for in a Thai restaurants.
Till next time,
The Negentropic Man
23 March 2007 @ 04:22 am
The Capital Area Food Bank's 4th Annual Blue Jeans Ball
http://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/
The Blue Jeans Ball is one of the Capital Area Food Bank's annual money-raising events, with all proceeds going to benefit the food bank and their struggle to end hunger in the Washington DC area. Top chefs from DC's best restaurants were there with their creations. There was also a silent auction, live auction, and live music by the band The Second Amendments (a bipartisan band consisting of 5 Congressmen). This is a great event for any dining enthusiast and charity lover!
Some of the restaurant/chef stations:
Galileo and Bebo Trattoria: Chef Roberto Donna
Brasserie Beck: Chef David Ashwell
Cafe Saint-Ex: Chef Barton Seaver
Charlie Palmer Steak: Chef Bryan Voltaggio
Colvin Run: Chef Bob Kinkead
Dean and Deluca: Chef Eugene Ngono
Extra Virgin: Chef Frank Claros
Il Pizzico: Chef Enzo Livia
Kaz Sushi Bistro: Chef Kaz Okochi
Morrison Clark Inn: Chef Janis Mclean
Peacock Cafe: Chef Maziar Farivar
Restaurant Nora and Asia Nora: Chef Nora Pouillon
Ruth's Chris Steak House: Chef Seth Olinger
Sangam: Chef Edward Dean
Zola: Chef Brian Moscaletto
I don't recall the specific names of dishes but some of my favorite dishes from this experience include Zola's tender sliced rabbit, Aisa Nora's organic chicken lettuce wraps, and someone's duck confrit... Oh well, I'll make my way out to all of these restaurants at some point.
There were a few live auction items I tried to bid on. One of them was watching the filming and hanging out with New 9's morning anchors and helping out with the weather. That went for about $700. The other awesome item was a tour for 4 of the International Spy Museum with former CIA Chief of Disguise Tony Mendez and fomer operative Peter Earnest. You also get dinner with them at Zola's afterwards! That went for $1600.
I did win some dinner gift certificates to Houston's, Laredo Grill, and Juliano's. So you can look forward to seeing those reviews in the future.
The Foodback's Blue Jean ball is definitley a "5" event, that you should attend in the future if you get the chance.
Adeus,
The Negentropic Man
PS: It's called the Blue Jeans Ball because you're supposed to wear at least one piece of denim. Several jean and denim companies are major sponsers.
22 March 2007 @ 05:06 am
Jaleo
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 3
Overall: 5
Cost: $25
Location: 2250-a Crystal Drive, Crystal City, VA
http://www.jaleo.com/
Executive chef José Andre's Jaleo is one of the most exquisite and authentic tapas restaurants in the area. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of tapas, it's essentially a parade of little plates of food, you order 5-7 dishes instead the usual. Jaleo also has a changing seasonal selection of tapas as well. My personal favorites include the Chorizo casero tradicional (skewered chorizo), Buñuelos de bacalao (cod fritters), Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), and their great paellas. Be on the lookout for nights when they have live music and dancers, or chef book signings, or special dinners, or other random lively events. Oh ya, Jose will be battling Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America airing April 1st!
Ciao,
The Negentropic Man
20 March 2007 @ 04:16 am
Cafe Italia:
Taste: 3
Quality: 3
Quantity: 3
Overall: 3
Cost: $20
Location: 23rd St, Crystal City, VA
I've been to this restaurant twice. Even though many people swear by it and have been going there for years, I've found nothing really special about this restaurant. They have a huge variety of pasta dishes and various Italian entrees sauteed in various alcoholic sauces, but everything tastes okay, not amazing. There are a variety of appetizers as well, stuffed mushrooms, fried mozarella, etc, but everything is just average. If you're just going for a normal meal, sure, why not go here. If you're dining to impress, walk down the road to Bebo Trattoria.
Regretting my $20...
The Negentropic Man
PS: Argentinian tango is fun!
Taste: 3
Quality: 3
Quantity: 3
Overall: 3
Cost: $20
Location: 23rd St, Crystal City, VA
I've been to this restaurant twice. Even though many people swear by it and have been going there for years, I've found nothing really special about this restaurant. They have a huge variety of pasta dishes and various Italian entrees sauteed in various alcoholic sauces, but everything tastes okay, not amazing. There are a variety of appetizers as well, stuffed mushrooms, fried mozarella, etc, but everything is just average. If you're just going for a normal meal, sure, why not go here. If you're dining to impress, walk down the road to Bebo Trattoria.
Regretting my $20...
The Negentropic Man
PS: Argentinian tango is fun!
18 March 2007 @ 03:18 am
Saigon Saigon
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 4
Overall: 5
Cost: $20
Location: 1101 S Joyce st, Pentagon Row, Pentagon City- VA.
One of the most notable Vietnamese dishes is the Pho. It usually consists of a beef broth with vermicelli rice noodles and various forms of beef. Supposedly, a well done beef broth ought to taste like you're biting into a steak. This soup tastes like a steak. If you've never tried Pho, you should try it here, you won't be sorry. Other remarkable dishes at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant include their garden rolls (lettuce, bean sprouts, vermicelli, beef, and shrimp, wrapped in thin rice paper and served with a peanut dipping sauce), their panang curry, and their vermicelli bowls. This place has some of the best vermicelli rice noodles I've ever had, you really should order a bowl and mix all the ingredients together to get the best taste out of everything. They also have lunch specials available, served in japanese bento boxes!
Aside from food, today I attended a long tango lesson. Why tango? Well, I figured there's no harm in picking up another form of dance. There is a freedom of movement and rotation in tango that you just don't see in stricter forms of ballroom. Essentially you can move in any direction as long as your feet end up parallel. Or something like that.
Till next time,
The Negentropic Man
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 4
Overall: 5
Cost: $20
Location: 1101 S Joyce st, Pentagon Row, Pentagon City- VA.
One of the most notable Vietnamese dishes is the Pho. It usually consists of a beef broth with vermicelli rice noodles and various forms of beef. Supposedly, a well done beef broth ought to taste like you're biting into a steak. This soup tastes like a steak. If you've never tried Pho, you should try it here, you won't be sorry. Other remarkable dishes at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant include their garden rolls (lettuce, bean sprouts, vermicelli, beef, and shrimp, wrapped in thin rice paper and served with a peanut dipping sauce), their panang curry, and their vermicelli bowls. This place has some of the best vermicelli rice noodles I've ever had, you really should order a bowl and mix all the ingredients together to get the best taste out of everything. They also have lunch specials available, served in japanese bento boxes!
Aside from food, today I attended a long tango lesson. Why tango? Well, I figured there's no harm in picking up another form of dance. There is a freedom of movement and rotation in tango that you just don't see in stricter forms of ballroom. Essentially you can move in any direction as long as your feet end up parallel. Or something like that.
Till next time,
The Negentropic Man
17 March 2007 @ 04:31 am
Zen Bistro and Wine Bar
Taste: 2
Quality: 3
Quantity: 3
Overall:2
Cost: $25
Location: Pentagon Row, Pentagon City- VA
http://asiabistropentagonrow.com/index2.h
Zen Bistro opened in late fall and I was looking forward to it. The interior design was rather unique and inviting and so I had dinner there the day after they opened. It was rather bland. I believe I had the mango chicken on a stick and some kind of rolls. Two months later, I decided to give them a second chance, thinking that they were still settling in and getting the kinks out of their cooking. I had the Zen Pyramid, which is just fried rice molded into a pyramid. It was disappointing; I could've made it myself if I had a pyramid shaped mold. Last week I visited a third and final time. I had the Zen rolls, the Mandarin Duck rolls, and their special yellow noodles. Well, the Zen rolls and the duck rolls kind of taste the same if not for the dipping sauce; they taste the same because they both have no flavor, it was like biting into chewy agar. A cup of ramen noodles would've had more taste than their bland special yellow noodles. Oh, and there tends to be many smokers in the bistro for some reason. So overall it was a bad experience and I do not plan to ever come back. Avoid this place! There are other asian options around.
Tonight I settled for a quick takeout dinner from Steak & Eggs on Wisconsin Avenue. It was decent breakfast style steak and eggs. Nothing remarkable but quite satisfying. Should I give diners, cafes, and delis reviews like I do with restaurants? Probably not. On this blog I'm focusing on sit-down restaurants, but I will give notable small eateries their due course. Here's a shout out to you Steak & Eggs!
Au Revoir,
The Negentropic Man
Taste: 2
Quality: 3
Quantity: 3
Overall:2
Cost: $25
Location: Pentagon Row, Pentagon City- VA
http://asiabistropentagonrow.com/index2.h
Zen Bistro opened in late fall and I was looking forward to it. The interior design was rather unique and inviting and so I had dinner there the day after they opened. It was rather bland. I believe I had the mango chicken on a stick and some kind of rolls. Two months later, I decided to give them a second chance, thinking that they were still settling in and getting the kinks out of their cooking. I had the Zen Pyramid, which is just fried rice molded into a pyramid. It was disappointing; I could've made it myself if I had a pyramid shaped mold. Last week I visited a third and final time. I had the Zen rolls, the Mandarin Duck rolls, and their special yellow noodles. Well, the Zen rolls and the duck rolls kind of taste the same if not for the dipping sauce; they taste the same because they both have no flavor, it was like biting into chewy agar. A cup of ramen noodles would've had more taste than their bland special yellow noodles. Oh, and there tends to be many smokers in the bistro for some reason. So overall it was a bad experience and I do not plan to ever come back. Avoid this place! There are other asian options around.
Tonight I settled for a quick takeout dinner from Steak & Eggs on Wisconsin Avenue. It was decent breakfast style steak and eggs. Nothing remarkable but quite satisfying. Should I give diners, cafes, and delis reviews like I do with restaurants? Probably not. On this blog I'm focusing on sit-down restaurants, but I will give notable small eateries their due course. Here's a shout out to you Steak & Eggs!
Au Revoir,
The Negentropic Man
16 March 2007 @ 04:56 am
Bedo Trattoria
Taste: 5
Quality: 5
Quantity: 4
Overall: 5
Cost: $35
Location: 2250-b Crystal Drive, Crystal City
www.robertodonna.com
I dined at Roberto Donna's Bebo Trattoria for the first time tonight and this is one of the rare occasions where I found everything I ordered to be a surprising new taste experience. Usually when you go to an Italian restaurant, you get the fried calamari, mozzarella with tomatoes, and maybe some kind of pasta/pizza; but not here. The tastes at Bebo Trattoria are fresh, unique, and quite possibly authentic un-americanized Italian cuisine. I don't speak Italian so I'm not going to attempt to list the dishes I ordered using their original names, but essentially I had pork sausage and fried mozzarella with orange sauce (antipasta), roasted tomatoes with some type of mozzarella with balsamic (salad), and pork ribs in tomato sauce with canelli beans (entree). Bebo Trattoria also has remarkable fresh made desserts; I had the fresh made meringue with chocolate and vanilla ice cream and a hazelnut sauce. This is a remarkable restaurant and I plan to return frequently until I have sampled all their fares.
An aside, next week I am considering attending the annual Blue Jeans Ball by the Capital Area Food Bank; www.CapitalAreaFoodBank.org. Highlights include "A moving feast with culinary creations by the region's top chefs," live entertainment, and several silent auctions, all benefiting charity. The tickets are $125 each but it should be worth it.
Ciao,
The Negentropic Man
15 March 2007 @ 05:00 am
Urban Thai:
Taste: 4
Quality: 5
Quantity: 4
Overall: 4
Cost: $20
Location: Crystal City, 561 23rd St
Urban Thai has some of the best thailand appetizers hands-down. Must-tries include their Duck Curry Puff (unlike other places, this place actually uses a real puff pastry, and the duck yellow curry is remarkable, essentially a gali curry), Jae Roll (think garden roll, but with fried tofu, lettuce, carrots, other veggies, in a nice and soft rice paper, served with peanut sauce), and Wonton Soup (what's wonton soup doing in a thai restaurant? I don't know. But this is one of the best I've had in the past few years). As for their main course, everything is pretty good but not amazing. So far I haven't found a main course that I really like, but I always order the same appetizers. This place also has thai tapas on weekends, but I haven't been up early enough for those yet.
Ya, I know that so far this blog seems to be about thai food, but there will be more variety once I get around to it.
Ciao/chow,
The Negentropic Man
14 March 2007 @ 04:23 am
Thaiphoon
Taste: 4
Quality: 5
Quantity: 4
Overall: 4
Cost: $20-25
Location: Dupont Circle and Pentagon Row
http://www.thaiphoon.com/
I would say that Thaiphoon is one of two popular hip Thai restaurants in the DC area, the other being Tara Thai. Thaiphoon provides authentic dishes with a pleasant atmosphere. I highly recommend their Pad Thai, Panang Curry, and Pa Ram Long Song (slices of chicken in a light yellow curry peanut sauce). Bewarned though, the last time I had one of their super spicy (3 pepper symbols) dishes, I ended up not being able to taste anything else for 24 hours. Definitley a good place for lunch or dinner. Make sure to make reservations if you're having dinner at their Dupont Circle location.
I actually went to Thaiphoon this evening with two of my college friends to catch up and congradulate them on their upcoming wedding. It was a rather nice gathering and we talked up Vegas and the food there. I'll have some Vegas dining recommendations on here at some point.
Till next time, Bon Appetit,
The Negentropic Man
13 March 2007 @ 03:09 am
Greetings friends and readers,
After much thought, I have decided to make my blog a review of restaurants and food around the Washington DC/Virginia area. I dine in many restaurants for pleasure and I think it's about time to point out whats good and what you really should not waste your money on.
Do I sound condescending? Well yes, but maybe I can save you from spending $8 on dumplings that were recognizably pre-packaged (Zen Bistro and Wine Bar, will write a full review later).
As for myself, I would prefer to remain a phantom, but here are some details about myself; 1) I'm a graduate of Princeton University in an adventure/travel based field, 2) I'm currently working on business management in the DC area, 3) I wear a cowboy hat if I'm west of the Mississippi.
Now, several categories per restaurant will be rated on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being bad and 5 being excellent. The categories are:
1) Taste: Does the food taste good? Well spiced? Authentic?
2) Quality: Are the ingredients fresh? Is it microwaved or made from scratch? Is your food appetizing?
3) Quantity: Will you be getting a bountiful plate or an aesthetic desert.
I will also include a general price per meal (with tax but without tip) and the restaurant's location and web address if available.
Oh, and I will occasionally post my own thoughts/musings/rants as things develop.
Bon Appetit good reader,
The Negentropic Man
After much thought, I have decided to make my blog a review of restaurants and food around the Washington DC/Virginia area. I dine in many restaurants for pleasure and I think it's about time to point out whats good and what you really should not waste your money on.
Do I sound condescending? Well yes, but maybe I can save you from spending $8 on dumplings that were recognizably pre-packaged (Zen Bistro and Wine Bar, will write a full review later).
As for myself, I would prefer to remain a phantom, but here are some details about myself; 1) I'm a graduate of Princeton University in an adventure/travel based field, 2) I'm currently working on business management in the DC area, 3) I wear a cowboy hat if I'm west of the Mississippi.
Now, several categories per restaurant will be rated on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being bad and 5 being excellent. The categories are:
1) Taste: Does the food taste good? Well spiced? Authentic?
2) Quality: Are the ingredients fresh? Is it microwaved or made from scratch? Is your food appetizing?
3) Quantity: Will you be getting a bountiful plate or an aesthetic desert.
I will also include a general price per meal (with tax but without tip) and the restaurant's location and web address if available.
Oh, and I will occasionally post my own thoughts/musings/rants as things develop.
Bon Appetit good reader,
The Negentropic Man