Zaytinya

        Welcome warm weather, welcome outdoor seating, and welcome lighter eating. It has been a while since our last blog post so I though that I would make this one a good one. After hearing much talk about the fantastic flavors offered by the chefs at José André's Mediterranean tapas destination I thought I needed to swing by for a bite. Located in Chinatown, Zaytinya is placed a few blocks away from 7th street's Gateway Arch. With a funky sculpture outside and its floor to ceiling windows, it is not hard to locate this spot posterior to the National Portrait Gallery.

       Because of Alex's weekend absence, I had to temporarily replace her with another food lover named Alex. So I want to thank Alex L for putting up with my picky food photography. Anyway back to the restaurant. Upon arriving at Zaytinya, Alex and I abruptly discovered what a hotspot this place is. It was packed and filled with youthful customers. The restaurant is so large and spilt into so many sections that I did not get a chance to see them all, but there is a bar, a main dining area, and an upstairs dining area from what I could tell walking to our table. After being greeted by our waitress we were ready to dig in.

      First off, Zaytinya provides each table with a variation on an olive oil dip and some pita bread for the table. The pita bread is served full of air and ready to rip. This pita bread actually comes in handy because it is paired nicely with just about everything you order. Being a tapas style restaurant, Alex and I ordered two dishes to start off. We asked for the Peynirli Pide (a flatbread) and the Kolokithokeftedes (vegetable mezze). The first dish of the two to arrive was the vegetable mezze (no way am I typing ^ that again). It was served divided into four small zucchini and cheese disks placed over a caper yogourt sauce. It was a very fresh light dish, one with not too much flavor though. I do have to say we enjoyed the pita bread dipped in the yogourt sauce under the zucchini more than the actual zucchini. But we didn't want to dwell and moved onto our next dish. The flat bread proved to be the complete opposite in wow factor than the mezze. What seemed to be a normal looking flatbread was not so normal once it hit our tongues. This tiny pizza was baked with tomato sauce, oregano, and halloumi cheese. But what brought the wow factor to our tastebuds was the cinnamon undertones. I never expected cinnamon to taste so phenomenal in a pizza.

      Our second round of tapas included the Shish Taouk (chicken mezze) and the Garides Saganaki (seafood mezze). We received the Shish Taouk first and were surprised by the flavor that was packed in these otherwise normal looking pieces. On the dish were onion slices, garlic tuom, grilled cherry tomatoes, and grilled chicken thigh. The surprising flavor came from the sumac the whole dish was prepared with. The chicken was cooked very well and was complemented perfectly by everything else on the plate. Next we had the Garides Saganaki. This dish was my favorite of the night. It was a small skillet containing sautéed shrimp and tomatoes, green onions, Kefalograviera cheese, and feta, all cooked with a Greek liqueur called ouzo. All of these flavors heated, melted, baked, and blended  together and made for some fantastic tasting shrimp.

   To end our night on a sweet note, Alex and I caved in and got a rose ice cream and chocolate concoction highly recommended to us by the waitress. Not only were we ending our night on a sweet note, but a high note as well. This dessert was one of the most interesting and flavorful tasting desserts I have ever had. I would return just for this dish alone. Unfortunately it is not on the menue and was a special that night, but that won't stop me from asking for it whenever I return. Zaytinya is certainly a great place to go anytime you are near Chinatown, but also a great place I would return even if I was not in Chinatown.


      Eat up,
        Chris and Alex L

Fond of Farmers

        This week's spot needs no introduction to our GW students or any other DC regular. Founding Farmers is a well known farm inspired, eco-friendly, made from scratch, American style restaurant with a hip twist. Not only is all of their food made by them fresh from family farms and fisheries from across the US, but some of their drinks (like original sodas) are made there as well. As this was not our first time at Founding Farmers, Alex and I were pretty sure of what we were going to order.

     Founding Farmers is one of those rare restaurants where you can indulge completely or stick to your strict diet, but either way the food always remains fresh and full of natural ingredients. TO START Alex and I ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes with a superb herb goat cheese spread. This is certainly a dish to be shared (depending on your hunger level) but none the less was fantastic. One thing every customer of Founding Farmers CANNOT miss is the corn bread. It is served warm out of the oven with pieces of corn in the bread and a honey butter spread to die for. It is enough for three or four but get ready to be fighting for the last piece.
 

     After the cornbread we needed something other than water to quench our thirsts, so we ordered two housemade Grapefruit sodas. These drinks truly defined the fresh and local taste the restaurant has going for it. Paired with our sodas, we enjoyed the roasted Vegetable and Avocado sandwich. This grilled and crispy masterpiece was filled with tasty vegetables (roasted peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, and tomatoes) and perfected with multiple goat cheese and avocado spreads. The sandwiches and burgers at Founding come with the choice of a side; Alex and I went for the sweat potato fries, but there are other great alternatives as well.

      Founding Farmers is a Certified Green Restaurant™, which means that it is eco friendly and is particularly efficient in lighting, recycling, heating and cooling, and many aspects of its architecture. Alex and I give Founding Farmers the green thumb up and hope that some of our readers will stop in soon! 

             Eat up,

                Chris and Alex

Full at Filomena

       Well, ladies pull on your leggings and lads forget those belts at home; Filomena Ristorante is one place where its ok to let your eyes exceed the size of your stomach. During our night out in Georgetown Alex and I originally had reservations at a restaurant further up M street, but once Alex  explained her culinary experience at Filomena the night before, I canceled our reservation and dragged her back for an encore. With every form of pasta imaginable prepared fresh infront of customers and curious onlookers upstairs, Filomena provides an authentic one of a kind Italian experience you cannot find anywhere else in DC.

      Once we opened our menues Alex and I were aware of the carb overload we were about to experience, and we couldn't have been more excited for it. We started off our Italian experience with the best mozzarella dish we have ever had. The Mozzarella In Carroza are lightly breaded (and fried) chunks of mozzarella topped with a lighter melted cheese, with a side of marinara sauce. The two of us were in heaven durring and after this dish. Tempted to just order another one for our main course, we knew for the sake of DCdishes other choices had to be explored.
     With pasta being a MUST, I ordered the Neopolitan Ragu Con Cavatelli and Alex asked for the Fusilli Alla Pesto (without chicken). Awaiting our dishes we dug into the fantastic assortment of bread given to each table. Note: this bread basket is no ordinary bread basket. It contains something we wish every restaurant had; a hidden gem of sorts. What we are talking about is the warm tomato, basil, olive oil bread-gasms that are nestled in among other slightly less saliva inducing slices for Filomena's guests. These masterfully crafted pieces of Sicilian love were so good we had the waiter bring us more. Do not pass these up they are a must, and you will not regret trying these complementary bread anomalies.      

     As for the pastas. WE wouldn't go anywhere else for a pasta dish in the city after digging into Filomena's traditionally inspired plates. To even attempt to explain the perfect al dente pasta or the way the meat sauce from the Neopolitan Ragu clung onto the ricotta dumpling pasta for its life would not do it justice. The same goes for Alex's Pesto dish; the shrimp was cooked to perfection and the pesto was stellarly combined with a light touch of cream and cheese.

    We are returning with friends and family as soon as possible to this one of a kind spot. Filomena's atmosphere is great for everything from a first date with its romantic ambiance, to a family birthday for the wait staffs' choral accompaniments. Not only do we want you to try Filomena's out but we expect you to become a regular.



       Eat up,
         Chris and Alex

SEI Yes

    When Chris and I think of Sushi we immediately think of SEI; a chicly designed sushi lounge/ Asian cuisine restaurant near the corner of 7th and E, NW. With its close to all white interior and dim lighting, the colorful dishes are the main focus of this contemporary Penn Quarter spot.

     Returning to SEI I was in need of my usual; the Triple Tuna Roll (now renamed the Capital Roll), a classic spicy tuna roll that you can never go wrong with. Although, upon further conversation with our waitress we were convinced to go with the Tuna Serrano Roll instead. We also ordered the Wasabi Guacamole, The Fish and Chips Roll, and the Sea Bass Sliders.

     Now we aren't sure if it is our addiction to guacamole that put us in love with the wasabi guac dish, but this combination of spicy avocado filled wanton chips dipped in soy sauce put us over the edge. The whole plate was downed in mere seconds and we found ourselves scraping the bowl for whatever leftover guacamole we could scavenge. As for the rolls, if you are a sushi lover but not a huge fan of the fishy taste these two rolls are for you. The Fish and Chips Roll had a light texture from the flounder and great crunch to it from the crispy chip toppings. The sauce accompanied the roll fantastically as well, adding a creamy onion taste. The Tuna Serrano Roll had a nice crunch from the arugula and a kick from the jalapeño garnish but if you are a tuna lover and want the tuna taste, go for the Capital Roll. To finish off our SEI experience we ended the night with the Sea Bass Sliders. These bite sized fish burgers are a great way to fill your stomach but still leave you enough room for dessert. DISCLAIMER: We don't recommend eating these on a first date, they are hot and messy and only suitable for the eyes of friends and family.

    We may have not ordered dessert but have nothing bad to say about anything from their sweets menu. We also hear that the Orange Miso Bread Pudding is highly recommended. All in all our meal was stellar and SEI is definitely a must for any sushi lovers.

     Eat up,
       Chris and Alex
   

Snap!

     Its about that time of year again when outdoor seating becomes and option and we can bathe in the DC sun while enjoying some of our favorite dishes. On my way back from a trip to Georgetown yesterday I stopped into a local café called Snap to grab a quick bite to eat.

    Snap is this quaint little food joint that specializes in paninis, crêpes, and bubble tea. We are sure that you have all seen it on your way to or from Baked and Wired (being lime green and all) it's hard to miss. This place is known for its nice atmosphere, good food, friendly service, and cheap prices. Once you order you receive a number, and seating is up to the customer, so yesterday because of the nice weather I sat outside in the sun. Although I dont recommend sitting outside just yet, Snap has a great little outdoor seating area for when the city starts warming up.

     I ordered the Greek Panini and a Snapple peach tea and seated myself for my fast visit. Snap is a great place to grab a quick bite to eat or enjoy a cheap meal with friends. So if you are in ripped jeans or yoga pants and dont feel like dropping to much for a meal at Citronelle, stop by Snap at 1062 Thomas Jefferson St NW.

   By the way GW students, they take Gworld!

-Eat up,
   Chris and Alex

A Night In Chinatown

            As DC students one of our favorite things to do is act classy and go to a museum. Although the phrase is most commonly "Dinner and a movie", we are more fond of "Dinner and a Gallery". Last night Alex and I took a quick 30 minute tour of the National Portrait Gallery right outside the Chinatown metro stop before heading across the street to Zengo for our 730 dinner reservation.

         It was nice to get out of the cold and be warmly welcomed by Zengo's Friday night host. From what we surmised the bottom floor of Zengo is where happy hour is held (Mon-Fri 5:00-8:00) while everyone who is there for dinner is ushered upstairs for a quieter and more meal friendly atmosphere.
        TO THE FOOD: Zengo has a Latin-Asian inspired menu and is one of the only places in DC where you can get sushi for your main course and then get a churro for dessert. After a few glances at the menue and a helpful tip from our waitress we decided on the Spicy Jumbo Crab Guacamole (pictured below) and the Thai Shrimp Lettuce Wraps. Both were delicious and are highly recommended. The lightness of the guacamole and the spiciness of the crab complemented each other perfectly and kept you dipping for more. But beware of the shrimp lettuce wraps, there was a surprising heat to it that had us reaching for a sip of our waters.
       The dessert like the rest of the food is made for sharing (especially this dish). We ordered the Asian Pear Empanadas (pictured below) and thoroughly enjoyed them. The fried warm cajetas might have been a little heavy if both were ingested by the same person, but we are big advocates of reaching across the table and having a bit of another's dish or simply sharing from the middle of the table.

     Overall Zengo gets our approval and will be added to DC Dishes places to visit list. So if you find yourself in or close to Chinatown swing by Zengo and enjoy the atmosphere and the great food. And if your not in Chinatown, make sure to get a reservation (202.393.2929) and take a pilgrimage with some friends to this fantastic spot.

    -Eat up,
       Chris and Alex