Review of the Russia House

I'm frankly amazed at myself that I have never done a proper review of the Russia House.

Housed in an old DC building with a lot of character, the restaurant spans several dark, red, moody floors. It is where you take someone when you want your romantic dinner to turn naughty.

Being a Russian restaurant, they have loads of vodka. The best thing to do is get a vodka tasting. They'll bring out an iced tray of shots in whichever flavors you choose. I love the chocolate vodka.

The food is excellent, much to my surprise. My experience with borscht growing up was not a positive one, but theirs was delicious. The duck salad was excellent as well.

Happily, I live within site of the Russia House. Unhappily, I can't afford to eat there too often. That's mostly because eating there means consuming copious amounts of vodka. I don't know though. I think I might be due for a visit.

Russia House, 1800 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC

Review of Le Pain Quotidien

Dupont Circle finally has its very own Le Pain Quotidien.

Part of a worldwide chain, this bakery/restaurant manages to feel like it isn't a worldwide chain. They have a good selection of breads and pastries, very tasty lattes, and a decent menu.

Dupont Circle doesn't have that many breakfast places nearby, so I wasn't exactly sad to hear I had another option. I love Afterwords and all, but the food just isn't that great and the lines can be long.

Chris and I were famished when we arrived, so we over ordered a bit. We shared a perfectly cooked Paris Ham & Gruyère omelet. We also shared a super sweet Belgian sugar waffle and two other pastries. Oh, and then there was the bowl of fresh berries. I really couldn't complain about any of it, although I won't say anything knocked my socks off. Also, we blew about $50 before we knew what hit us.

Le Pain Quotidien, 2001 P Street NW, Washington, DC

Review of Capt. John's Crab House

Captain John's is in tiny Cobb Island in Southern Maryland. It's the kind of place where they lay paper out on the table and your neighbor might be a family of bikers.

We feasted at Captain Johns. I mean we really didn't hold back. One order of king crab legs was so enormous we actually had to take some home with us. They were amazing, succulent, buttery, and a must if you are in the area.

It was my first experience with soft shell crab and, I must say, I wasn't a huge fan. The meaty part inside was o.k., but the goop and the shells...eh, eh.

We also ordered fritters, which I had not had since I was a kid. They were just as dense, sweet, and doughy as I remembered. The corn side was a huge disappointment. They came to the table with a soggy mess that could have come out of a can and we had passed a dozen farm stands selling corn on our way there. Sad.

I'd still go back though, just for those crab legs. Holy crap were they good.

Wine Bar and Cafe in Leonardtown, MD

Not far from St. Mary's City is a little place called Leonardtown. We stopped there for lunch at the Wine Bar & Cafe.

As expected, the restaurant had plenty of wine. The decor was a little cheesy. The waitress was not old enough to serve the wine (maybe the owner's daughter?).

The wine was a bit disappointing and had cork in it, but the lobster bisque was tasty. My crabcake was the highlight for sure. It had the perfect amount of breading (not to much).

Chris had some sort of panini that wasn't very good, so unmemorable that I don't even know what was in it. We ended the meal with a chocolate scone pudding that was very rich. It put me over the top.

Not the worst meal I ever ate, but (aside from that crabcake) nothing to write home about.

Brome Howard Inn in St. Mary's City, Maryland

This is the Brome Howard Inn in St. Mary's City Maryland. It is an old plantation house that now serves as a bed and breakfast.

The inn was built by Dr. Brome in 1840 and served as a tobacco and wheat plantation. There are a few outbuildings still, including a slave cabin (although you can't go inside).

The house used to sit on top of historic St. Mary's City, but they moved it in order to do an archaeological dig. They moved the entire house at one time.

Apparently, they built a huge pallet (like the kind you see in warehouses). They slipped the house on to the pallet and then used a tank to bring it to its new spot. They had to take out several trees and the electric lines on the road in order to do it. It was, we were told, quite a site. The whole town came out to take pictures. That was back in 1994.

The bed and breakfast only has four rooms. The one we stayed in was adorable. It was also huge and filled with books and magazines to keep you occupied.

The breakfasts were very good. The mushroom omelet was so flavorful that I had it twice. The blueberry pancakes were fluffy (although short on blueberries). The french toast was disappointing.

The house also has a restaurant that serves dinner nightly and brunch on Sundays. The atmosphere is understated elegance. The food is very good. I ate a perfectly cooked duck. Chris has an enormous steak. We finished things off with some refreshing sorbet.

Service in the hotel and restaurant were spotty. You have to be dedicated to run a bed and breakfast. They don't normally have a whole lot of staff. I got the impression that this couple is no longer dedicated. The in-room explanation misinforms guests about the proper time for breakfast on Saturdays (thus causing confusion on Sunday). There was no housekeeping. There was, in fact, often nobody around.

Still, it was a lovely house. It is very close to DC. The food is good. I don't think I would ever go back, but I wouldn't advise others away.

Review of Cuba de Ayer

Cuba de Ayer is not actually in DC, it's in Burtonsville, MD. I was very excited to hear about a Cuban restaurant in the area and hopped over the first chance I got.

Although the outside looks like your average dumpy strip mall, the inside is actually quite cute. Deep red walls are covered with Caribbean paintings. Comfortable booths line the walls.

The menu has all the Cuban staples. Chris and I decided to stick with sandwiches. I got the chicken. He got the Cuban.

Disappointingly, my sandwich was not pressed. Also, they did not have any of the little potato crunchies on either sandwich. The sides we ordered were tasty (black beans and rice and yucca fries). The mojito I had was phenomenal, probably the highlight of the evening. The lowlight was the Cuban coffee.

Cuban coffee is not plain espresso! It is espresso with tons of sugar! It should be like syrup! It should have a froth on top!

If the place was close by I might stop by on occasion for a mojito and a passable Cuban sandwich, but the distance and the sad excuse for Cuban coffee means this will probably be a one time deal for me. Once again, a Cuban place disappoints. You just can't get good Cuban outside of Miami. I'm starting to think I'd even be disappointed with Cuban food in Cuba.

Review of Surfside

You all are surely aware that I have been on a quest for decent Mexican food in Washington, DC. It is an impossible task, but I am an optimist.

I had gotten word that Surfside had the best tacos in town. Naturally, I had to put that to the test.

The line was long when we arrived, which is always a good sign. While you wait in line, you fill out a little order form. You can chose one of their pre-designed concoctions or make your own.

Chris and I went with the Cuba (carnitas on corn tortillas with pineapple jalapeno salsa, lime sour cream and cilantro) and the Maui (grilled fish on corn tortillas with black bean and corn salsa, guacamole, cilantro and lime sour cream). All of which was chased down with perfectly iced cold Pacifico from their fridge.

It was great!

I wouldn't go so far as to call it authentic Mexican. It is more like Californian. But it is so much better than most of the faux tex mex crap you get served around here. And it is inexpensive (under $10 for two generously heaped upon tacos).

We took our tacos (and some not-so-great salsa and chips) upstairs to their adorable rooftop patio. It was the perfect place to kick back with those beers.

We will definitely be back. In fact, dinner isn't too far off...

Surfside,2444 Wisconsin Avenue Washington, DC 20007

Review of El Chalan

El Chalan is a little Peruvian place near Foggy Bottom. It is an aged looking place - the kind of place where middle-aged male waiters wear white shirts and dark pants.

The restaurant was nearly empty the day we were there, nothing to distract from the wood chairs and slightly worse for wear walls.

The food was good, not greats, but good. The pisco sours were good. The lomo saltado - good. You get the picture.

I get the impression that this place is more happening at lunch. I can picture some dudes in business suits from the World Bank or IMF coming into this basement restaurant to discuss policy over some meat and potatoes. For the rest of us, I would recommend Las Canteras instead.

El Chalan, 1924 I Street NW, Washington, DC

Review of Martin's Tavern

This is going to be a quick and dirty review, because I won't be recommending Martin's Tavern to anyone.

Martin's has been around for 75 years, opened by Irish immigrants when Georgetown was still a working class port. It's an icon. JFK even proposed to Jackie here.

Too bad the food doesn't live up to the historic reputation - Think velveeta and white toast for a cheese dip.

Many of the Georgetown restaurants are sub par, but I found Martin's particularly disappointing.

Review of the Tabard

The Tabard is an inn and restaurant. The eclectic inn has been in operation since 1917. I've never stayed there, but it is the place I usually put up guests when they come to town.

The restaurant; however, I have been to on several occasions. Tucked into the back of the house, it feels like a hidden bistro. The small, brick enclosed and covered courtyard is one of the best places for a weekend brunch (assuming you can get a reservation) or a quiet weekday breakfast.

The dining room is the scene of power lunches during the day and romantic dinners at night. The highlight of all meals are the sweets. They have an incredible desert menu, currently highlighting Turkish Creme Brulee and chocolate truffle torte.

My least favorite meal at the Tabard was the salmon I had the one time I ate there for dinner. It was, sadly, a bit mush. The other diners were much happier with their meals, but I still prefer to stick with breakfast, lunch, and desert. If you are going to drop $25 or $30 for an entree, there are better places in DC to do it (food wise).

Brunch and lunch, on the other hand, are hard to beat. And, in a city with a serious shortage of hotels, the Tabard is one of the best (and most economical) choices.

Review of 2 Amys

Ask most people what the best pizza place in DC is and they will send you to 2 Amys. There you will get authentic Neapolitan pizza, as certified by the Italian Verace Pizza Napoletana Association. Very official.

The restaurant is a bit off the beaten track, several blocks from the Tenleytown metro. Not to worry. I guarantee you will need to walk off the extra food you stuffed in while you were there.

They use the best ingredients. I was blown away by the my stuffed pizza. The Ripieno Extra was filled with salami, prosciutto, pancetta, tomato, grana and the freshest ricotta I have ever tasted.

The pizza was preceded by a simple and flavorful mixed green salad with a lemon, red wine vinegar and olive oil dressing. It was followed by creamy, homemade ice cream.

Service was perfect. Prices are reasonable. You really can't go wrong. (Unless you don't like pizza. And that's just weird.)

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.

Review of Lauriol Plaza

The search for a good Mexican restaurant has continued. Pictured here is Lauriol Plaza.

Lauriol Plaza has a few things going for it. They have a large outdoor eating area and a huge dining room. They make some great drinks. And they have an ideal location (between Dupont and Adams Morgan).

The first time I went there (for breakfast) I ordered the chilaquiles. They were awful. I didn't go back for a long time. The next time I was dragged there by my work and ordered a carne asada. It was flavorful and perfectly cooked.

I went back again with Chris. This time I ordered a salad and a tamale. He ordered an enchilada. The salad was passable. The tamale was good. The enchilada was delicious. All in all, Lauriol Plaza is a hit or miss experience. Stop by for a few drinks with friends. And stick to the few things on the menu they seem to do well.

Review of Lebanese Taverna

There are several Lebanese Tavernas in the area, but I have only been to the one in Woodley Park. It has a very healthy sized outdoor eating area and a lovely dining room.

Pictured is the shankleesh (feta with paprika rolled in sesame, thyme and sumac). Another favorite, the fattoush salad, is perfectly spiced and flavored with olive oil.

The pitas are like puffy little pillows, perfect for dipping in hummos or shankleesh or (for the brave) their super spicy harissa.

Prices at Lebanese Taverna are surprisingly reasonable, although you always have to watch yourself in places with a large selection of small plates. Service can be a little spotty, but not usually terrible.

All in all a good choice.

Review of The Diner

Every town needs that go to place at whatever hour you need to eat and the Diner in Adams Morgan is it for DC.

It is open 24 hours. They serve everything from Philly omelets (a personal favorite) to grilled salmon with mango salsa. The food is all surprisingly tasty and it's nice to have choices from heart stopping to healthy.

It's a bit upscale from your standard route 66 kind of diner, but the prices are DC reasonable. The crowd changes a bit depending on the hour, but it's usually an eclectic mix.

The service has always been pretty good and the staff seems to get along. All in all, this is a good place to go anytime. It's a particularly good choice for late breakfast or post partying sustenance.

The Diner, 2453 18th St NW, Washington, DC

Review of Chinatown Express

Chinatown Express is a a little dive in - surprise, surprise - Chinatown.

The front window gives passers by a view of the chefs making noodles in the window. That's about as atmospheric as the place gets. It's a bit shabby. Service is perfunctory, but fine.

The fresh noodles are definitely the way to go. I like the super dense won tons in the won ton soup. The lo mein is a bit on the greasy side, but the portions are huge.

Although the prices aren't dirt cheap, two people can easily eat here for under $20. Lunch is even better. You can get their lunch special for like $6. All in all, not a bad option if you're in Chinatown, slightly broke, and very hungry.

Chinatown Express, 746 6th St NW Washington, DC

Review of Heritage India

Washington, DC has its share of good Indian restaurants, but Heritage is my favorite.

The environment is casual upscale. You won't feel uncomfortable in jeans or a cocktail dress. The service is normally fairly attentive, although I must say I had a rather poor experience this past Valentines Day. They were in the weeds and it showed.

One side of the menu is dedicated to small plates and, since I love to graze, I generally stick with those. The bhel puri is like spicy puffed rice. Sounds disgusting, but it is delicious. The spicy lamb vindaloo empanadas are as spicy as promised. My favorite might be the sweet chili chicken drumettes - best bar food ever.

Also, they have a fabulously Bollywood website.

Heritage India, 1337 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

Thompson's Cafe on Utila, Honduras

This little, unassuming hole-in-the-wall is the best place to eat on Utila.

Hard to believe, I know. You are perhaps looking at that empty glass case thinking "where is all the food?" I'll tell you where. In my belly, that's where.

Thompson's makes awesome biscuits, Johnny Cakes they call them. But the real gold is their cinnamon rolls. They are perfect.

They are just gooey enough without seeming like you are eating dough. There is a wee bit of a crackly outside, all the better to peel off the layers. I could go on and on.

If you go to Utila and you smell cinnamon as you walk by Thompson's, make a beeline for the inside. Smile at the kitchen full of busy women, particularly the happy, tamale-shaped chef, and buy the whole tray. You won't be sorry.

Review of Don Udos Restaurant

Hidden back on a dusty side street a bit away from the center of Copan, Honduras is Don Udos Restaurant and Hotel.

It came highly recommended, but I was a little skeptical that we were going to get gourmet food in a tiny Honduras town.

The restaurant is set up in the requisite hotel courtyard. It is dim and candlelit. Only one other table had people when we arrived.

The adorable and friendly hostess/waitress showed us to our seats, very close to an adobe oven and communal table they have near the kitchen.

After getting warmed up on Don Udos special rum, vodka, and oj drink, we ordered. First course was a tortilla soup filled with avocado chunks and tortilla strips. It was lighter than many tortilla soups, probably a seafood base rather than meat. The breadsticks were soft, tasty, and accompanied by herbed butter.

For an entree, Chris had a perfectly cooked steak covered in a coffee and rum sauce. My camarones (shrimp) piri piri were also cooked to perfection in a vat of butter, garlic, wine, and some special magic that made it sweet and spicy at the same time. Even the vegetables were cooked perfectly. I ate cooked carrots and I normally hate cooked carrots.

Although we were both completely full, we finished off the meal with some vanilla ice cream topped with kahlua, strawberries, sprinkles, and some crunchy granola-like substance.

Truly a perfect meal.

Review of Jaleo

Jaleo is a sister restaurant to Oyamel, owned by the same chef - Jose Andres.

Like Oyamel, it focuses on small plates, but these plates are more Spanish than Mexican. Homemade chorizo on a puree of garlic, seared scallops with pistachios, raspberries
and red beet dressing, gorgeous selections of Spanish meats and cheeses, and (of course) paella all make appearances.

The restaurant is not as artsy and funky as Oyamel. In fact, the outside reminds me a bit of a diner. Inside is more elegant than you might expect. The service is excellent.

I must now admit to you that I have only gone there one time. While I found all the food delicious, it just didn't impress me as much as Oyamel or Ceiba and those are the restaurants I keep returning too. Still, Jaleo consistently rates higher than both of those amongst some critics. The only thing to do is try them all.

Jaleo, 480 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC