"Are you ready for this because I believe your life is going to change forever" That's on their menu. Big words for a Mediterranean/Lebanese place in NW DC. It's good -- really good -- but not quite life changing.
Work colleague of L recommended this place and the two of them go for lunch. This is L's write-up.
Decide to get the "restaurant week"-style course. However, this place is a tapas-style place so you have to get multiple dishes to make a meal anyway.
First course - BABA GHANNOUGE
Baba is growing on me, and this one likely made a big leap for me. So maybe this is the life changing event. Nice and evenly spiced. The piping hot bread puff made an excellent server. Very good. Maybe a little too much, portion wise, for an appetizer, but hey, rather too much than too little.
Second course - ARAYES
Ground lamb in a pita. Juicy. Tasty. Overall really good. Definitely worth trying a second time.
Third course - ADANA KEBAB
Okay, so I should have varied a little more than two lamb courses. Really, this was somewhat of a continuation of the second course. That's good in terms of food, but just poor selection on L's part. Compared to the first course, the portion size here was lacking, even for a tapa.
Fourth course - TURKISH DELIGHT
It's ice cream...but it's sooo good. I'd get it again if so inclined.
Cost
$$$ - I'm going to venture and say to expect to not get under $40 on a good day, but I think $50 for two minimum is to be expected.
Cleanliness
This is a finer dining place - it better be and it was
Service
Very good
Pluses
The bread if you get it piping hot is just awesome (go early)
Nicely seasoned food
Nice atmosphere
Minuses
None that I could tell in terms of surroundings, but conversation distracted me from paying as much notice
Portion size (yes, it's tapas but come on)
Overall value
I'd go again, that's for certain. Tasty food (despite portion size) and good atmosphere make this well worth going in once or twice a year.
Showing posts with label DC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DC. Show all posts
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
ChinaTown Express (DC Chinatown)
Fresh noodles. So I'm a sucker for any place that is making something on site like noodles, pasta or even dough fresh/handmade. A colleague suggested this place, as I was craving noodles. The DC area seriously lacks for a good noodle place. This may not be the place, but it wasn't bad.
We ordered noodles (L = noodle soup; friend = fried noodles). Also, we got the steamed pork buns, which were okay. I prefer fried dumplings but whatever. I wouldn't order them but I wouldn't not eat them either.
The noodle soup: Noodles were thick, which was a little surprising. They were slight overdone, too, but I prefer overdoneness on thicker noodles, so this wasn't an issue. What was an issue was the bland flavor of the soup. This isn't anything to write home about, but at the same time, the noodles themselves were good enough that I'd come back if I had a craving or someone wanted to come here.
The fried noodles: He said, "The noodles were good; not great."
Cost
$-$$
Cleanliness
Didn't really pay attention and not sure I want to.
Service
Servicable.
Pluses
Price
Fresh noodles
Minuses
It's overall just an average experience
Overall value
Not bad. Again, would come back in a pinch or if someone else wanted to go. It's not terrible, though.
We ordered noodles (L = noodle soup; friend = fried noodles). Also, we got the steamed pork buns, which were okay. I prefer fried dumplings but whatever. I wouldn't order them but I wouldn't not eat them either.
The noodle soup: Noodles were thick, which was a little surprising. They were slight overdone, too, but I prefer overdoneness on thicker noodles, so this wasn't an issue. What was an issue was the bland flavor of the soup. This isn't anything to write home about, but at the same time, the noodles themselves were good enough that I'd come back if I had a craving or someone wanted to come here.
The fried noodles: He said, "The noodles were good; not great."
Cost
$-$$
Cleanliness
Didn't really pay attention and not sure I want to.
Service
Servicable.
Pluses
Price
Fresh noodles
Minuses
It's overall just an average experience
Overall value
Not bad. Again, would come back in a pinch or if someone else wanted to go. It's not terrible, though.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Clyde's (DC - Gallery Place)
L got sick here. That's really all we need to say.
Cost
$$$
Minuses
Steak didn't seems to be NY strip...
Overall value
L got sick after eating here. What else is there to say.
Cost
$$$
Minuses
Steak didn't seems to be NY strip...
Overall value
L got sick after eating here. What else is there to say.
Pizza Autentica (DC on 7th)
This place. Argh! So close to good pizza, but it's always something in this area. For Pizza Autentica, the dough is just too doughy. The sauce - very good. The toppings - good enough. The cheese - actually pretty good. The dough - too much!
The strombolis are good, though, and help counteract the dough issue. I like the veggie pizza (barring the dough), though a veggie coworker doesn't. A cheese slice with a light dusting of garlic powder is awesome...if not for that dang dough.
Cost
$
Cleanliness
It's fast food. You know what you're getting into...
Service
Good.
Pluses
Good toppings
Good cheese blend
The behind-the-counter set-up is right (so easy to mess that up)
Minuses
The dough!
That door near the cash register
Overall value
Fair value, especially for DC. If you really can get over the major complaint...can you guess what it is? Think Homer Simpson...
The strombolis are good, though, and help counteract the dough issue. I like the veggie pizza (barring the dough), though a veggie coworker doesn't. A cheese slice with a light dusting of garlic powder is awesome...if not for that dang dough.
Cost
$
Cleanliness
It's fast food. You know what you're getting into...
Service
Good.
Pluses
Good toppings
Good cheese blend
The behind-the-counter set-up is right (so easy to mess that up)
Minuses
The dough!
That door near the cash register
Overall value
Fair value, especially for DC. If you really can get over the major complaint...can you guess what it is? Think Homer Simpson...
Roti (DC in L'Enfant Shops)
This is a short-order, counter-order Mediterrean place in the newer part of the L'Enfant Plaza shops. Basically, the food is good but the cost is out of whack with the portion size. That's pretty much all I have to say.
And the line goes forever...amazing.
Cost
$$ (for counter-carry-out, this is ridiculous)
Cleanliness
It's fast food. You know what you're getting into...
Service
Good, at best.
Pluses
Food is good
Sweet tea
Minuses
Price
Long, long line
Overall value
Not worth it, even for the area. A couple of seasoned meats over rice and a small side salad for $12 on counter order seems steep. Go read the Aladdin's Eatery write-up. That combo L ordered was about $12. Just as good and a heck of a lot more food. That's all I'm sayin'.
And the line goes forever...amazing.
Cost
$$ (for counter-carry-out, this is ridiculous)
Cleanliness
It's fast food. You know what you're getting into...
Service
Good, at best.
Pluses
Food is good
Sweet tea
Minuses
Price
Long, long line
Overall value
Not worth it, even for the area. A couple of seasoned meats over rice and a small side salad for $12 on counter order seems steep. Go read the Aladdin's Eatery write-up. That combo L ordered was about $12. Just as good and a heck of a lot more food. That's all I'm sayin'.
2 Sisters (formerly Wall St. Deli) (DC on C St)
You'll pass by this place and never bat an eye. That's a shame too because it's a pretty good deli. Not great, but for the immediate area, worth going to if you want either a deli sandwich...or a sizeable meat-rice-bean burrito. Nothing special about the place in terms of the shop. It's very utilitarian and straight-forward...except the separate line to pay.
So this is the one odd thing about the place. There are effectively three lines -- one of the burritos, one for the sandwiches, and then one to pay. But the layout is a typical deli line (think Subway sandwich shop where you have meats, then veggies, then pay, but sub out burritos for meats, sandwiches for veggies, and pay is pay) And that third one is the troublesome one because you wonder "Are they in the sandwich line or the pay line?" It's just odd.
Otherwise, though, the meats taste fresh and as for the burritos, they are sufficient, though they could lay off the salt a little.
Cost
$-$$
Cleanliness
The prep line though looks pretty clean, and that's what matters. Otherwise, eh, it's a deli. Take it to go.
Service
It's counter-service. They're usually nice though.
Pluses
Tasty
Consistent
Minuses
The line
A little too vanilla -- nothing draws you back, though the food IS good.
Overall value
Good enough. Nice change of pace for an area deprived of good eats.
So this is the one odd thing about the place. There are effectively three lines -- one of the burritos, one for the sandwiches, and then one to pay. But the layout is a typical deli line (think Subway sandwich shop where you have meats, then veggies, then pay, but sub out burritos for meats, sandwiches for veggies, and pay is pay) And that third one is the troublesome one because you wonder "Are they in the sandwich line or the pay line?" It's just odd.
Otherwise, though, the meats taste fresh and as for the burritos, they are sufficient, though they could lay off the salt a little.
Cost
$-$$
Cleanliness
The prep line though looks pretty clean, and that's what matters. Otherwise, eh, it's a deli. Take it to go.
Service
It's counter-service. They're usually nice though.
Pluses
Tasty
Consistent
Minuses
The line
A little too vanilla -- nothing draws you back, though the food IS good.
Overall value
Good enough. Nice change of pace for an area deprived of good eats.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Lobster Truck (DC food truck)
So this is crazy but I feel extremely compelled. Here goes...
The Lobster Truck roams downtown DC, like many other food trucks. However, somehow this truck is an experience unlike many other things regarding food and eating. Emblazoned with "Maine Lobster" on one side, this truck sell lobster rolls, bisque and also whoopie pies and flavored sodas (free refills!) plus a few other items, but really, it's about the rolls.
So it's good. Why write a story around this? Because people will wait in a line 40 people deep for these lobster rolls. When we got to the location, the truck wasn't yet there, but already about 15 or so people were waiting in line. We joined it. Minutes went by. The line grew. More time goes by. More people. It's the closest thing to waiting in line for concert tickets when that was actually a thing to do. And most, if not all, of these people are standing here, waiting, during their lunch hour. For a lobster truck with $15 lobster rolls.
I got excited.
When the truck did arrive, it was like the President himself walked down the street. In fact, had Mr. President been walking down the street, he likely would have been ignored, especially if it's your turn to order. I didn't time it, but I honestly think I waited (with others) in line over 30 minutes. And keep in mind, the line ended up at least 40 people deep. For lobster rolls. In DC.
So how was it? Good! The meat was plentiful. And it was fresh. So much so I even had a small bit of clawshell left on a bit of meat. That gave me comfort, as a natural concern for any food truck is "how fresh is this?"
Over-priced? If you're in Maine or have a good source. But this truly is one of the few places that you can get a bonafide good lobster roll (fresh lobster meat on a split-top hot dog bun) in the DC area.
Is it perfect? No. Minuses are that there is some filler, but honestly, places in Maine rook you worse than this place does. And not while you eat it, the rolls must have a bit of saltiness to them, because a colleague and I both noted we were thirsty a bit more during the day. Small sacrifices.
Cost
$$ -- $15/roll; $7/bisque
Cleanliness
Seems clean...for a food truck. I'd go back.
Service
*** - Actually pretty nice guys
Pluses
The food, the line.
Minuses
The line. $15/roll (necessary evil)
Overall value
Worthwhile...worth the wait
The Lobster Truck roams downtown DC, like many other food trucks. However, somehow this truck is an experience unlike many other things regarding food and eating. Emblazoned with "Maine Lobster" on one side, this truck sell lobster rolls, bisque and also whoopie pies and flavored sodas (free refills!) plus a few other items, but really, it's about the rolls.
So it's good. Why write a story around this? Because people will wait in a line 40 people deep for these lobster rolls. When we got to the location, the truck wasn't yet there, but already about 15 or so people were waiting in line. We joined it. Minutes went by. The line grew. More time goes by. More people. It's the closest thing to waiting in line for concert tickets when that was actually a thing to do. And most, if not all, of these people are standing here, waiting, during their lunch hour. For a lobster truck with $15 lobster rolls.
I got excited.
When the truck did arrive, it was like the President himself walked down the street. In fact, had Mr. President been walking down the street, he likely would have been ignored, especially if it's your turn to order. I didn't time it, but I honestly think I waited (with others) in line over 30 minutes. And keep in mind, the line ended up at least 40 people deep. For lobster rolls. In DC.
So how was it? Good! The meat was plentiful. And it was fresh. So much so I even had a small bit of clawshell left on a bit of meat. That gave me comfort, as a natural concern for any food truck is "how fresh is this?"
Over-priced? If you're in Maine or have a good source. But this truly is one of the few places that you can get a bonafide good lobster roll (fresh lobster meat on a split-top hot dog bun) in the DC area.
Is it perfect? No. Minuses are that there is some filler, but honestly, places in Maine rook you worse than this place does. And not while you eat it, the rolls must have a bit of saltiness to them, because a colleague and I both noted we were thirsty a bit more during the day. Small sacrifices.
Cost
$$ -- $15/roll; $7/bisque
Cleanliness
Seems clean...for a food truck. I'd go back.
Service
*** - Actually pretty nice guys
Pluses
The food, the line.
Minuses
The line. $15/roll (necessary evil)
Overall value
Worthwhile...worth the wait
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