Another Year, Another Adventure

Between welcome week, classes starting, rush and adjusting to junior year, I'll admit I've been slow to writing a post.

In order to celebrate being back in Ann Arbor, Julie, Sam and I decided that Seva was appropriate for the occasion. Although I've written about Seva before, I knew that one post would not be enough to give this restaurant the much needed attention it deserves.

A vegan and vegetarian's delight, Seva's food is so good that it can convince any meat-eater to put aside their carnivorous cravings for the evening. Every time the three of us go, we always say that we'll venture outside of our regular orders and explore the other delicious looking options on the menu...and every time we give into old (but good) habits and order the classic dishes we love most.

Here's some of our favorites:

ENSALADA

[romaine, tempeh, corn-cilantro-lime salsa, cheddar jack cheese

guacamole, sour cream, pepitas, corn tortilla strips]

CILANTRO PEANUT STIR-FRY

[broccoli, red & yellow peppers, mushrooms, mung sprouts, green onions, carrots, brown rice, roasted peanuts, cilantro-peanut-ginger-lime sauce]

RENNIE'S PEANUT KALE SALAD

[hearty kale, carrots, butternut squash, red peppers, peanut-cider marinade]

Cost? Most dishes range between $10-15 dollars and are very filling - you won't be missing the meat. If you want a heartier meal, I'd suggest adding a tempeh patty for an additional $4, it's worth the cost.

Atmosphere? My true favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor - a hip, relaxed crowd that never falls short of any expectation.

Best dish? See our favorites above, I'll let you be the judge.

Seva
314 E. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor MI

And to top off our delicious and satisfying meal, we caught a ride home on The Conference Bike - a red circular apparatus that has seating for six and a round handlebar in the middle, with one man steering. The owner hangs out by the restaurant, Mani, right down the street from Seva. For $5 per rider, this bike is worth every penny - just make sure to have a camera on hand.

Small Plates and Big Appetites [DC Summer]

Fun.fresh.fast.delicious. These are the only words needed to describe the meal that we ate at Zaytinya last Saturday. Luckily, the benefit of going to eat at a "small plates" or "mezze" (for mediterranean food) style restaurant with 8 girls was that we were able to sample almost the entire menu. Each dish we tried was absolutely mouthwatering and flawless with its' balance of flavors and spices. 

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves - but if you're in DC for the weekend and only have one restaurant to try, this one is it. The price is right, the atmosphere is fun, and the food helps to bring the dining experience to another level. 

Here's how we ate our way through Zaytinya's menu:

HOMMUS

[puree of chickpeas, garlic, tahini]

BABA GHANNOUGE 

[fire-roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic]

TARAMOSALATA
[traditional spread of cured carp roe]

HTIPITI
[marinated roasted red peppers, feta, thyme]

CRISPY BRUSSELS AFELIA
[brussels sprouts, coriander seed, barberries, garlic yogurt]

SPANAKOPITA 

[house-made phyllo, spinach, feta cheese]

SEASONAL MUSHROOMS
[sautéed mushrooms, dates, toasted almonds]

BAMYA
[caramelized okra, fresh and crispy chickpeas, cardamom tomato stew]

GRAPE-LEAVES DOLMADES
[grape leaves with rice, tomato, fennel, pine nuts, golden raisins, served with labneh]

GARIDES ME ANITHO
[sautéed shrimp, dill, shallots, mustard, lemon juice]

SEA SCALLOPS

[seared scallops, yogurt-dill sauce]

BAKALIAROU MAVRO SKORDALIA
[ouzo battered black cod, orange, potato-garlic puree]

AGLAIA KREMEZI STYLE CRAB CAKES
[mini jumbo lump crab cakes, roasted garlic yogurt]

KOTOPOULO YOUVETSI
[chicken, orzo, tomato, kefalograviera cheese]

SPECIALS:

 DESSERT:

Cost? Most dishes are between $8-14 and 2-3 per person is more than enough for a complete dinner.

Atmosphere? High-ceilings, bright colors and modern decor make this a chic, fun atmosphere that's appropriate for dates, fun meals with friends, and family dinners. The bigger the group you go with, the better. Trust me, you'll be wanting to sample the whole menu.

 

 

If you want to check out the menu before heading over.

Zaytinya

701 9th St NW

Washington D.C.

Behind the Bookshelf [DC Summer]

There's no better way to finish off a jam-packed weekend of eating, exploring, and lots of walking than with a Sunday brunch. While I've covered most of Ann Arbor's brunch offerings (like Angelo's, Broken Egg and Afternoon Delight), I've only just grazed the surface of the hundreds of brunches scattered across DC and this weekend when my mom was in town, I had to try out one more.

Nearly every full-service restaurant here has their own take on a Sunday brunch - ranging from the classic eggs and pancakes, to the not-so-traditional crab cakes benedict or chicken and waffles. Knowing that my mom would probably choose a breakfast that falls somewhere in this range, I chose to take her to Kramerbooks and Afterwards Cafe in DuPont Circle. 

Kramer's is slightly deceptive - from outside it looks like any other bookstore in DuPont or nearby neighborhoods, but once you're inside and behind the books, you'll find yourself in food heaven. Kramer's unsuspecting appearance and incredible food is what makes it so great

Immediately after being seated, my mom and I were greeted with homemade breakfast breads and jam (such as buttermilk biscuits, coffee cake and sweet muffins), alongside fresh orange juice. As if this wasn't enough, the service was fast and friendly and we were served our main meals in under 10 minutes of ordering them. Everything on the menu is absolutely worth-getting and is more than enough food to fill you up for the afternoon.

Here's how my mom and I did Kramer books:

ORGANIC MUSHROOM OMELET

[portobello & organic mushrooms sautéed w/shallots in a 3-egg omlet w/Jarlsberg cheese]

SOUTHWESTERN OMELET

[sweet peppers, onions, mild green chilies, jack cheese, corn & scallions;folded in a three-egg omelet with guacamole & salsa; mini quesadilla]

Cost? Kramer's brunch runs a little bit higher than what I'm usually willing to spend for brunch (most dishes are between $15-17), however, you're paying for quality and great service.

Atmosphere? Go for the indoor/outdoor seating - you'll get all the sunshine of a DC summer morning in the comfort of an air-conditioned atrium.

Check out their Sunday brunch menu to try it out for yourself. Or, if you're not in the mood for brunch Kramer's also offers up an awesome dinner selection.

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe

1517 Connecticut Ave. NW (Across from DuPont Circle Metro, Q St. exit)

Washington DC

When It's Acceptable (And Required) To Eat With Your Hands [DC Summer]

I think everyone can remember when they were younger how many times their parents told them not to eat with them hands or fingers (this was something I, unfortunately, heard too many times). So, when I suggested to my mom that we try Ethiopian - a cuisine that is eaten only with your hands, using the injera bread in place of utensils - I was surprised at how receptive she was.
 

When I visited DC with my family a few years ago, I was amazed at the amount of Ethiopian restaurants that were scattered around the city. I love the spices and flavors of Indian food, and eat Meidterranean and Asian foods regularly, but Ethiopian was something I had yet to try. This summer before I left DC I was determined to try Ethiopian food, which led both my mom and I to Das Ethiopian last Friday when she was here to visit. 

For most of my reviews, I focus solely on what was ordered and how the food looked. But with Ethiopian, it's truly about the experience of eating the food. Every dish or platter is served on top of injera bread, a bread made from .........., that has a spongy, light consistency.You're given additional bread that will take the place of your fork and knife for the meal. And, when you're done with the dishes that are served on top of the injera bread, you can finish off the now spice and marinade bread (making for a great end-of-meal treat).

So, to start we ordered...

MUSHROOM INGUDLAY TIBS

[Sautéed mushrooms, onions, special sauce with a touch of chili peppers] 

And for the main meal....

CUBED BEEF SPECIAL TIBS
[Extra lean cubes of beef marinated in our chef’s special sauce]

DAS COMBINATINO VEGETARIAN ENTREE SAMPLER
[Collard Greens Gomen, Red Lentil Miser Wot, Split Pea Kik Alicha, Ethiopian Harvest Vegetable Specialties, Cabbage with Carrots in Sauce Tikile Gome, Eggplant and Carrot Wot]

Cost? Most dishes range from $13-18 and for the amount of food given, this was a good deal. The abundance of injera helped to ward off any feelings of hunger we thought we might have afterwards when we first saw the size of the dishes. 

Atmosphere? Great for the pseudo authentic-Ethiopian food lover (someone looking for authentic Ethiopian cuisine in the comfort of an upscale restaurant). Excellent service.

Best dish? The vegetarian sampler - yes, the whole thing. While the meat dish and mushrooms were full of flavor, it was the depth and variation of spices in each small sampler on the vegetarian platter that made this dish truly enjoyable. If you go, my best suggestion is to order a single meat dish alongside the vegetarian platter so you have enough variation without overwhelming your palate (or your stomach). 

If it's your first time eating Ethiopian, do NOT be shy about asking the waiter or manager what kind of dishes you should be getting - in the end you'll be happy you did.

Here's their menu to check out before heading over.

Das Ethiopian
1201 28th St N.W. (Corner of M and 28th in Georgetown)
Washington DC

Food on Wheels, Chapter 3 [DC Summer]

As I had written about in my previous post, whenever a visitor is in town it is absolutely necessary to show them your favorite places to eat. Although I had missed most of Jordan's visit to DC because I was away for the weekend, I was lucky enough to grab lunch with her, Pam, and Corey this past Monday and have them all partake in my summer food truck adventures.

Mediterranean-style food is one of the most common across all of the food trucks, so it's hard to distinguish which one to choose and if it's worth foregoing some of the other food options. However, when we came across the Kababji food truck we knew this one was worth stopping for. The food is a great deal - for $9 you can get a meat or vegetable platter with rice and two generously portioned sides - or if you're not quite that hungry a $4-5 salad or side will be more than enough to satisfy your appetite. 

All of the food is fresh, light, and authentic. If it wasn't for the incredibly fast service (you'll have your food in your hands by the time you finish your order), I'd be doubtful that this food came from a truck.

Here's how we did Kababji:

Grilled Vegetable and Rice Platter 

with Labneh (house-made strained yogurt cream spread)

and Baba Ghannouj (fresh roasted eggplant lightly mashed with tahini, lemon juice and a dash of garlic)

Grilled Chicken with Kababji Salad 

(diced tomato, cucumber, dry mint, lemon juice and a hint of balsamic vinegar)

Hummus

Follow where the Kababji Food Truck is today @KababjiTruck or visit their website to see all of their offerings.

Not nearby their trucks? Kababji also has a full-service restaurant located in Dupont Circle that's worth checking out. 

Kebabji

1351 Connecticut Ave N.W.

Washington DC

A Hot Mexican Fiesta for a Cool Summer Night [DC Summer]

Everyone knows that when a visitor comes in for the weekend, it's necessary to take them out to your favorite restaurants and show them around to your favorite parts of town. This past weekend, Lizzie came to visit from Michigan and it was only appropriate that Jenna, Melissa and I showed her the best of DC (which meant lucky for us, we were able to be tourists all over again).

Located right outside of DC in Arlington is Guapo's which offers up fun, fresh Tex-Mex cuisine...and don't forget the homemade tortillas. These tortillas are the best tortillas you will ever eat - and there's no doubting that they're made fresh all night, just look at the tortilla oven when you walk into the restaurant. The theme of fresh, homemade food is present in all of Guapo's dishes, even the salsa and chips.

Since neither Jenna, Lizzie nor myself were that hungry because of our continuous eating adventures throughout the weekend, we decided to split two entrees and were more than satisfied with the amount of food we were served.

Here's what we got...

Chicken Fajitas

Served on a sizzling platter over a bed of sauteed peppers and onions 

Vegetable Fajitas

Combination of zucchini, mushroom, tomatoes, broccoli and carrots

Both fajitas were served with Mexican rice, a la charra beans, guacamole, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, Mexican butter and homemade tortillas on the side. The vegetable fajita was a great complement to the chicken fajita and provided a lighter fare to what I normally would consider a heavier dish.

Best dish? Since we only went for the fajitas, it's tough to judge how the other dishes at Guapo's would have matched up. That being said, they all looked incredible and I'd highly suggest getting any dish that comes with or is made with their homemade tortillas. Between the two fajitas, the chicken fajita's flavorful marinade and tender, juicy strips is what made this one the winner.

Cost? Most fajitas were between $13-17 dollars, though they're large enough to share. Other dishes ranged around the same price and for the amount of food you're given, this place is a great deal.

Atmosphere? Fun, young and lively - great for both large and small groups.

Here's their menu if you want to check it out before heading over.

Guapo's

4028 28th St South
Arlington, VA

Food on Wheels, Chapter 2 [DC Summer]

To continue this summer's Food Truck adventures, I met Julian, Faith and a few of Julian's co-workers for lunch last Friday and decided to try out the Kimchi-BBQ Taco truck. Although Kimchi had one of the longer lines in Franklin Square that afternoon, it was well worth the wait. 

Here's what I went for...

Spicy Chicken Kogi (BBQ) Box with white rice, salad and vegetable dumplings.

The rice and salad were nothing out of the ordinary - but it was KimchiBBQ's spicy chicken that made this meal particularly memorable. The chicken was packed with deep flavors, a mild spice and was extremely tender. Complimented by crisp, fresh dumplings, this BBQ box really hit the spot.

If you're not in the mood for one of their BBQ boxes, I'd suggest trying out one of their Burritos, filled with your choice of Kogi (Pork, Short Rib, Beef or Chicken), Kimchi and rice. Or opt for their three taco deal and choose between three of KimchiBBQ's delicious homemade tacos.

Most meals range between $8-10, an incredibly reasonable deal for the amount of and quality of food you're getting. Another great food truck to add to this growing list of DC eats.

 

Follow on KimchiBBQ on Twitter @KimchiBBQ to see where they are located today!

Easy Asian Cuisine from our DC Kitchen [DC Summer]

Now that the DC "summer" has officially started and consistent 100 degree days are in full-swing, the only suitable way to end a long work day is by relaxing in an air-conditioned apartment. Still determined to live on a college, working budget, Stef, Laura and I decided that even on the hottest of days it was necessary to cook in.

We came up with a quick and easy meal that helped to clear out our fridge and was one of our best meals yet. Although this Asian inspired meal was meatless, you can replace the main protein, tempeh, with chicken or beef and it will be equally as easy to prepare.

Here's the ingredients we used...

-Frozen vegetable dumplings (we liked Trader Joe's)

-Brown Rice Pad Thai Noodles

-Broccoli Stirfry Mix

-Pre-sliced baby bella mushrooms

-Soy Tempeh (tempeh will be packaged in a long strip)

-Soy Sauce

-Soy Ginger Sauce

And here's what we made...

Asian Noodle Stirfy

1. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot. Add noodles.
2. While noodles are cooking, heat 1 tbsp. of canola or sesame oil in a large sauce pan. Add stirfry mix and mushrooms. When vegetables are almost cooked through (they will be soft and beginning to brown), add 2-3tbsp. soy sauce. Mix well.
3. ***Before draining the noodles, set aside 1/4 cup of pasta water*** After draining the noodles, add the pasta water back into the pot of noodles. The starch water will help to break up the noodles so they don't stick together of become gummy.
4. Add noodles into pan with vegetables and add 2 tbsp. of soy ginger sauce and 2 tbsp. of soy sauce. Stir until sauces, vegetables and noodles are mixed thoroughly.

Soy Tempeh

1. Slice tempeh into 1/2" wide cubes.
2. Add tempeh to frying pan with 2-3 tbsp. of soy sauce and allow to cook until tempeh has turned dark brown and is beginning to char. If tempeh is not cooked through, it will be flavorless.

Vegetable Dumplings

1. Place dumplings in frying pan with 5 tbsp. of water. Cover and allow to steam until heated through.

These recipes are quick, easy and will satisfy both your hunger and your budget. Enjoy!
 
What's tempeh? Tempeh is a fermented soybean cake used as a protein. A more flavorful and more filling alternative to tofu.... And this place prepares the best tempeh I've ever had.

A Fast Fajita Fit for a Large Crowd [DC Summer]

Entertaining a large crowd on a small budget and an even smaller kitchen always poses a challenge. To inaugurate our first Sunday in DC, our DC crew decided to that the only appropriate thing to do was to invite over friends - both new and old - and enjoy a home cooked meal. 

We settled on a cheap, quick and easy Mexican themed meal that consisted of ingredients you can find in any grocery store. Start with the basics - pre-cooked chicken, frozen peppers and onions, and tortillas - and add in any of your favorites - guac, fajita seasoning, and a variety of salsas - and you've got yourself a delicious meal ready for a crowd of any size. 

The ingredients and serving sizes are for a group of 10, so feel free to add more or less depending on the size of your group.

Here are the basics:

Quick and Easy Chicken Fajitas


Ingredients: 
-2 Bags of Frozen, Pre-Cooked Chicken Breasts
-Olive Oil
-1 Package of Fajita Seasoning (any brand works)


Preparation:
1. Defrost the chicken breasts in the microwave until soft, not hot. Slice chicken into 1/2" strips.
2. Heat 2 tbsp. (per batch) of olive oil in a large pan, add 1 tbsp. fajita seasoning per 2 tbsp. of olive oil.
3. Add chicken into pan with oil and seasoning and heat until chicken is hot. Set aside.


Peppers and Onions
Ingredients:
-1 bag of frozen peppers and onions
-1 Package of Fajita Seasoning (there will most likely be enough in one package for the chicken and peppers)
-Olive Oil

Preparation:
1. Heat 2 tbsp Olive oil and 1 tsbp. of fajita seasoning in large pan.
2. Add frozen peppers and onions. Drain halfway through cooking. Continue to cook until peppers and onions are lightly browned.Set aside.


To build your fajita, add some chicken, peppers and onions, and any topping of your choice (salsa, guac, lettuce, cheese or sour cream) to a warm flour tortilla.


For our sides we had fresh salsa, homemade guac, homemade mango salsa, and crispy corn tortilla chips and all together, the meal cost about $10/person when factoring in all of the additions and fresh side ingredients.

These easy chicken fajitas are a healthy, cheap, and fun way to get a group of friends (and strangers) together over a great meal. Enjoy!

To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth [DC Summer]

Since starting my internship, I have come to realize that weekends have one purpose: to explore all of DC's incredible offerings (which can usually be narrowed down to food, monuments, and lots and lots of walking). This past weekend, Lauren, Stef and I covered a lot of ground in the NW quadrant of the city and came across some incredible restaurants and events that made this a truly unforgettable weekend.


Our unintentional discovery of The Taste of Georgetown is what led us to checking out Baked and Wired. Located at 1052 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Baked and Wired offers a decadent array of cookies, cupcakes, bars, pies and other baked goods that are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.


We were lucky (and hungry) enough to sample a few of Baked and Wired's treats. Here's how it went:

An assortment of Baked & Wired cookies

Strawberry Cupcake.
Vanilla cake with fresh strawberries folded in the batter finished with a swirl of pink buttercream.

O.M.G. 

A graham cracker crust is layered with homemade caramel, marshmallow and a bittersweet chocolate glaze. 

Blueberry Pie. 

Blueberries with a dash of cinnamon in a double crust.

Berthas. 

Soft oatmeal cookies filled with cream cheese frosting. 

Banana Nut Bread. 

Sweet and moist banana loaf with walnuts and mini chocolate chips.

Best bite? Without hesitation, the Strawberry Cupcake. Each bakery in Georgetown has it's own take on this classic dessert - but it is Baked and Wired's fresh, creamy frosting layered on top of a fluffy, sweet cake - that make this dessert a true winner.


Not in the mood for a cupcake? Try out the O.M.G. bar. With layers of gooey caramel, crunchy graham cracker, fluffy marshmallow and semisweet chocolate - this bar lives up to its' name...and then some.


If you want to check out a full list of their baked offerings before heading over, visit:
http://bakedandwired.com


Baked and Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson Street NW
Washington, DC 20007

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