Review of Matchbox

Matchbox has found some sort of magic formula, thus ensuring that there is almost always a long wait for a table (at least in the Chinatown location).

The restaurant takes advantage of its row house location. Exposed brick and wood dominate the decor. Aside from the cramped bar, the narrow dining areas are cozy.

Service is generally good. Although, like all crowded places, your server can disappear for a while. If you can manage to get there at an off hour when it isn't jammed, eating at the bar is a treat. The bartenders are on it.

The beer, wine and mixed drink menus are extensive. I'm a particular fan of the Watermelon Tease (house-infused watermelon vodka, rum, gin, tequila triple sec, splash sour mix, Coke & Sprite). Although you can't go wrong with a glass of the Brooklyn Weisse wheat beer.

Their specialty at Matchbox are sliders, tasty mini burgers covered in thin, crispy onion rings. You can get them with gouda, mozzarella or gorgonzola cheese. Also incredibly good are the pepperoni and meatball rolls - perfect crusty dough stuffed with spiced meat, cheese and sauce and then baked in the wood-fired oven.

Prices are very reasonable, especially by DC standards, and it's a great place to go with guests or friends. It is not; however, a great place to go to actually hear what people are saying. As it gets loud as hell in there.

Taste of Eleven Benefit

Last Wednesday there was a benefit for the Capital Area Foodbank called Taste of Eleven. The benefit, sponsored in part by the Wizards and Mystics, was held at the Verizon Center.

For eleven bucks, you received six tickets good at thirty six different food stands. The food selection ran the gamut from McDonalds to Cafe Atlantico.

Amazingly, some of the biggest lines were for fast food. Chipotle was packed. No problem. That just meant the lines for Cafe Atlantico ceviche and Jaleo octopus were short.

A little guacamole from Oyamel and a couple sliders and my office mate and I were good to go...to wait on line for ice cream that is. One thing that all the attendees seemed to agree on was the need for a stop at Gifford's Ice Cream. The line was LONG.

It was a great event. Fun. Inexpensive. Something for every taste. And I'll bet they raised some serious cash too.