Crabs Done the Baltimore Way [DC Summer]

Last spring break, my brother and dad took a roadtrip down the East Coast and stopped in Baltimore along the way for a taste of some good Maryland crabs. For months they would obsess over these crabs  and tried countlessly (yet failed) to replicate their experience at local New Jersey crab shacks. So, it was only fitting that after a weekend back home we stopped in Baltimore on the drive back down to DC.


Although we were initially disappointed when our first stop told us that they were out of crabs until the evening, our moods were quickly lifted when we were redirected to Bo Brooks. Located right on the Canton Waterfront in Baltimore, Bo Brooks lives up to its' claim of serving Baltimore's best crabs. 


Spicy, salty and seasoned to perfection, you'll be licking the homemade Old Bay seasoning off your fingers in between bites of meaty crab pieces. Without a doubt these are the best crabs I've ever tasted:

Fresh, steamed Maryland Crabs coated in Bo Brook's Homemade Bay Seasoning and rock salt

(before)

Mission accomplished. 

(after)

Cost? The medium crabs we are ran about $3.5 per crab and 3-4 crabs was plenty for lunch. At dinner time, Bo Brooks serves their larger crabs which vary in price depending on the market price.


Atmosphere? Get ready to get your hands, face and clothes dirty - eating Baltimore crabs is a full-on contact sport, thus the brown-paper covered tables are only suiting. On a nice, warm summer day enjoy their outdoor seating and the great view you'll have looking over the Canton Waterfront.


If you're in the Baltimore area and want to check out their menu before heading over: http://www.bobrooks.com/menus/


Bo Brooks
2780 Lighthouse Point (in the 2700 block of Boston Street)
Baltimore, MD 

When Dad Comes to Town Part II [DC Summer]

Nothing helps to ease the struggles of living on a college working budget than having a parent come visit and offer to take you and a friend out for a nice, fancy dinner. That being said, DC is full of so many cheap and delicious eats that the “college working budget” hasn’t seemed that daunting.

After researching the array of interesting restaurants scattered across DC, I booked a reservation for my dad, Pam, and myself for SEI. Located at 444 7^th ST NW in Penn Quarter, this Asian inspired tapas-style restaurant was exactly what I had in mind. The small-plates are inviting for both large and small groups and give you the opportunity to taste all of the flavors that SEI has to offer. If I haven’t convinced you yet, just ask Michelle Obama for her opinion – SEI’s gotten her seal of approval.

Here’s how we did SEI:

SOS Roll. Salmon, strawberries, avocado, miso orange sauce (left)

Kobe Tataki. Spicy crunch, watercress oil, red wine ponzu (right)

Wasabi Guacamole. Tofu, wonton chips.

Sashimi Pizza. Salmon, tuna, yellow tail, shrimp, salmon roe, wasabi aioli.

Deangaku Eggplant. Paneer, chat masala.

Sea Bass Sliders. Apricot chili glaze, havarti cheese, yuzu tartar.

Cost? Definitely a parent-in-town kind of meal, though if you’re looking for a lighter dinner the prices aren’t that outrageous. Small plates range from $5-10 while most sushi rolls are around $12.

Atmosphere? One of the coolest restaurants I’ve ever sat in – the restaurant is dimly lit with an intimate yet modern feel. Great for date night or fancy dinner out.

Best dish? Close call between the wasabi guacamole and the sea-bass slider. Although the other dishes that we ordered were good, I would highly advise either of these two when dining at SEI.

If you want to check out their menu before heading over:

http://www.seirestaurant.com/

SEI

Location: 444 7^th St NW, Washington DC

A Taste of the Greek Life [DC Summer]

To continue the food adventures and our first week of being in DC, Pam and I decided that the extra few mile trek up to Dupont Circle was worth it for the meal we were about to have.

Located at 1612 20^th Street NW, Zorba’s Café serves up a delicious array of authentic Greek cuisine. From incredibly fresh hommus and tzatziki to handmade gyro and falafel, Zorba’s is cheap and casual enough for a quick bite to eat while enjoying a beautiful DC evening.

Before I go on to what we ate, I have to say what makes Zorba’s so special is it’s location in Dupont Circle. Although I’ll always call NYC my home city, the diversity of neighborhoods in DC is what really makes it so special – especially Dupont Circle’s hip, young, European feel.

We stuck with the basics, but in the end I think we made the right decision. Both dishes were filled with tons of flavor and cook to perfection.

Here’s how we did Zorba’s:

Hommus. A dip made of a perfect blend of chick peas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic.

Yero (also known as Gyro) Sliced yero (a blend of chicken OR marinated beef & lamb, herbs & spices, cooked on a vertical rotisserie), topped with lettuce, tomato, Feta, onion, and tzatziki (our own yogurt-cucumber sauce).

Chicken Yero

Beef Yero

Cost? The prices were perfect. All dips and appetizers were around $5, sandwiches around $8 and salads around $11. The sandwiches are more than enough food for 1 person – though I’d highly advise splitting one of their homemade dips if you’re dining with a friend.

Atmosphere? Don’t expect anything classy. You order your food at a register in back and when your number is called you can retrieve your food, but if you’re looking for a relaxing and extremely casual atmosphere, this is it.

Best dish? Since we only had the chicken and beef gyro’s and the hommus to judge from, I’d say both are winners in their own categories. That being said, I’ll definitely be going back to Zorba’s many times this summer.

If you want to check out their menu before heading over:

http://zorbascafe.com/?page_id=697

Zorba’s Café

Location: 1612 20^th St NW, Washington DC 

To Share with Friends [DC Summer]

After a hectic week of starting work, settling in, and exploring the city I’ll call home for the summer, Pam, Josh and I decided to venture over to Georgetown for a relaxing and delicious meal.

Bodega, located at 3116 M St NW in Georgetown, was just what we were looking for. Bodega offers a Spanish tapas menu, so come prepared to try a lot of small plates and a variety of flavors. I’ve always been a fan of tapas-style restaurants and find that it’s the best kind of restaurant to go to with a group of friends because you get to try many different kinds of dishes.

Suitable for the pickiest and the most adventurous of eaters, Bodega is worth the trip into Georgetown (besides, who doesn’t love hanging out by the Georgetown Harbour on a warm summer night?)

Here’s how we did Bodega:

Pan con Tomate y Queso Manchego. Catalonian Tomato Bread with Manchego.

Calamares Frito con Ali-Oil. Fried Calamari with Ali-Oli

Brocheta de Pollo al Ajillo con Salsa Picante de Pimiento. Grilled Chicken Skewer Served with a Spicy Pepper Emuslion Sauce.

Pimientos del Piquillo Rellenos de Costilla de Buey. Piquillo Peppers Stuffed with Braised Beef Short Ribs & Served Au Jus.

Cost? Most tapas dishes range from $8-9 dollars. For a group of 3, I’d advise getting 4-5 tapas if you want a full dinner. Either way, Bodega is extremely reasonable for the quality of the food.

Atmosphere? Fun, laid-back and young. A great place to go with a large group or for a fun summer date night. If you can, try to go for their outdoor seating to enjoy the warm DC nights.

Best dish? A tie between the Piqiuillo Peppers and Fried Calamari. If you’re in the mood for a more classic dish, try the calamari. Light, crispy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, these calamari are a great dish. If you want something that’s rich with flavor, go for the Piquillo Peppers. The acidity of the peppers contrasts perfectly with the layers of flavors in the braised short ribs. 

If you want to check out their menu before heading over:

http://www.bodegadc.com/menus.asp

A Healthy and Delicious Twist on Two Italian Classics

Nothing beats a dish of homemade tomato sauce and pasta, or a sauté of sausage and peppers. But with summer right around the corner, I created a healthy and delicious twist on these two Italian classics – and I promise you won’t feel like you’re missing out.

At home, I have access to plenty of fresh ingredients, as well as plenty of time to prepare a dish from scratch. However, I know that living on a college budget and a college schedule doesn’t always allow for both – so I’ll show you how to make a delicious meal that’ll satisfy a college lifestyle.

I’m replacing the pasta with spaghetti squash, the sausage with chicken sausage, and adding in tons of vegetables to create a sauce that’s packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

1 medium sized spaghetti squash

Fresh basil

1 jar of tomato sauce (your healthiest choice would be Emeril’s Home Style Marinara, only 90 calories per serving and no added sugars)

2 large peppers (red, orange or yellow)

1 medium onion

1 package of chicken sausage (Italian Style – Trader Joe’s makes a great sausage at a reasonable price)

Seasonings (salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano)

Grated parmesan

Olive oil for cooking

Preparation:

"Spaghetti and Sauce"

1. Slice spaghetti squash in half (width-wise). Fill microwavable dish with about 1" of water and place spaghetti squash seed-side down. Microwave for 20 minutes on HIGH. Scoop seeds out of squash and continue to microwave for 4-6 additional minutes. Squash is finished when you can easily scrape out the inside with a fork - if not, continue to microwave. Set squash aside once it has been scraped out - it will resemble cut spaghetti. 

2. Heat sauce in medium sauce pan over medium-low heat. Stir in fresh basil, onion powder, garlic powder. 

3. Once sauce is heated, pour on top of spaghetti squash and top with grated parmesan.

"Sausage and Peppers"

1. Slice onions and peppers into simliar sized thin strips, set aside.

2. Slice chicken sausage into 1/4" pieces, set aside.

3. Heat 2 tsbp. olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. 

4. Once oil is heated, add onions and peppers and sauté until onions become clear and peppers start to brown, being careful not to burn either vegetable. 

5. Add in chicken sausage pieces and cook until lightly browned. 

6. Remove from heat and season lightly with salt and pepper. 

Enjoy!

Quick spaghetti squash vs. spaghetti comparison:

According to the USDA nutrient database, 1 cup of cooked spaghetti squash provides 42 calories, .4 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein, 10 grams of carbohydrates, and 2.2 grams of fiber. 

Compare that to 1 cup of cooked enriched spaghetti which yields 221 calories, 1.3 grams of fat, 43 g of carbohydrate and 2.5 g of fiber.

Feel Like an Iron Chef [NYC edition]

Despite a short two-week visit home in between Ann Arbor and my move to DC for the summer, I managed to find some time to make it into NYC to check out my favorite city's cuisines. 

Located at 35 W. 35th St., Madangsui was just the place I was looking for. My brother and dad had been there once before and sent me pictures of the amazing Korean BBQ that Madangsui has, but it was only necessary that I checked it out for myself. After a long day of trekking through Chinatown, Little Italy, and SoHo, my brother and I headed back to Midtown with eager appetites. 

Korean BBQ is an eating experience unlike any other. A few months ago I visited Maru in Ann Arbor and was greeted with a variety of traditional Korean dishes. Like Maru, Madangsui served up a variety of small appetizers, including kimchee and marinated seaweed; however, the best part about Madangsui was having our main dish cooked on the BBQ in the middle of our table. 

Here's how we did Madangusi:

Fresh Butterflied & Korean Style Marinated Short Rib

Blue Crab Soup in a Spicy Broth

Cost? Depends. Most of the BBQ entrees range from $26-32, however, this includes all of the appetizers and there's enough meat for two hungry diners. The entree soups are less steep in their prices and range from $11-15. Other noodle and rice entree dishes range from $12-18. 

Atmosphere? Inviting for both small and large groups - I'd highly encourage trying this place out with a group of adventurous eaters who are looking for a different kind of dining experience. The atmosphere is very casual and cozy - if you're looking for something more upscale however, this isn't your place.

Best dish? What would a Korean BBQ be if their best dish wasn't the BBQ itself? When you go,you MUST get the Marinated Short Rib - tender and full of flavor, this dish is an easy winner (not to mention what's better than having your food cooked right in front of you?)

If you want to check out their menu before heading over: http://www.Madangsui.com/Madangsui/Productlist.asp?CK=7857 (call ahead on weekends to make a reservation).

Location: 35 W. 35th Street, New York, NY