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.

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

Small-Bites and Big Flavors [DC Summer]

To continue this past weekend's eating and exploring adventures, Stef, Lauren and I decided to make a reservation at Ping Pong Dim Sum after stumbling upon it on our way to Dupont Circle. The restaurant's sleek and modern atmosphere is what instantly drew us in - not to mention all of the dim sum that was being served to the customers seated outside. 

Over the past few weeks I've featured several restaurants in DC that serve up small-bites. Bodega in Georgetown cooks traditional Spanish Tapas, while SEI in Penn Quarter offers small plates of Asian Fusion fare. What separates Ping Pong's cuisine from the others is the fact that it gives you the dim sum experience in a more American setting - and away from the traditional style of serving and eating dim sum.

With so many options to choose from, trust me you're best off going to Ping Ping with a big group so you can really sample the menu. If not though, don't worry...you'll be more than satisfied with any of these dim sum dishes.

Here's how we did Ping Pong Dim Sum:

chicken puff.

puff pastry filled with tender chicken breast, flavored with soy sauce, spring onion and topped with pineapple

beef and black bean puff.
thinly sliced beef with peppers, onions, and black bean sauce wrapped in puff pastry

seafood dumpling.

crab, shrimp and scallop, in a carrot pastry

king prawn and scallop sticky rice.

seafood and rice in a steamed lotus leaf

golden vegetable dumpling.

sauteed vegetables with olive oil, shallots and garlic and a touch of tumeric

in a golden color pastry 

vietnamese rice paper shrimp roll.

shrimp, rice noodles, vegetables served with fish sauce, lettuce and mint

steamed edamame.

spicy vegetable dumpling.

mixed vegetables, chili and garlic in a translucent pastry

Cost? Most dumplings (steamed and fried) were between $5-6 and were served in threes. On average, 3-4 orders would be enough for a complete dinner, though I would advise going with a large group so you can share and try out the entire menu.

Atmosphere? Hip and modern - a great weekend spot. This place is perfect for a date night or for large groups. Try to get a spot outside, its' location in Dupont is hard to beat.

Best dish? Difficult to say - each dish was extremely unique and brought a different flavor to the meal. I wouldn't be quick to get another chicken puff - the idea of sauteed chicken in a puff pastry wasn't particularly appealing, though the flavors were great. Of all the dim sum we ordered, my favorite would be the Vietnamese Rice Paper Shrimp Roll - fried just right (not too oily or too soggy), this roll was a great modern take on the traditional spring roll.

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

http://pingpongdimsum.us/#eat-and-drink

Although the restaurant was not packed until around 9pm on the Saturday that we went, I suggest getting a reservation before heading over, especially as the summer goes on. 

Ping Pong Dim Sum

1 Dupont Circle NW, 20036

A Breakfast Fit for a Founding Father [DC Summer]

Since starting University Meets Food Diversity, I've made my breakfast and brunch restaurants frequent posts on this blog. While Angelo's and Broken Egg will remain my favorites from Ann Arbor, nothing quite compares to the brunch I had last week at Founding Farmer's in Washington D.C.


Although Founding Farmer's hasn't been in DC for more than a few years (yes, despite it's name it has not been around since Washington and Jefferson were alive...), it has become a staple in the DC food culture. The restaurant's menu consists almost entirely of locally-sourced and/or organically-grown ingredients, so the food is always guaranteed to be incredibly fresh. My dad, brother and I may have only had the opportunity to check out Founding Farmer's brunch selection, but rest assured, I'll be back sometime this summer to try out their dinner menu.


Here's how we did Founding Farmer's:

 

Bloody Mary. In-House Organic Infused Pepper Vodka, Founding Farmers Bloody Mary Blend

 

Drag Through the Garden. Pan Scrambled Egg Whites, Roasted Seasonal Vegetables, Spinach, White Cheddar Cheese. 

Pastrami Hash. Shredded Leek Hash Browns, Poached Eggs, Beef Pastrami, Creole Mustard Hollandaise.

Banana's Foster Buttermilk Pancakes. Golden Griddled Cakes, Whipped Farm Butter.

Artisan Thick Cut Bacon with Black Pepper Maple Glaze


Cost? Not the cheapest of fares. While most breakfast meals were between $8-12, you'll want to order plenty of sides and fresh made drinks and juices, which will tack on at least an additional $4-6 to your meal.


Atmosphere? New-age, eco-friendly...yet rustic feel. The pickled vegetables and fruits scattered around the restaurant add to it's organic ambiance.


Best dish? Impossible to give the award to one dish. The Banana's Foster pancakes were fluffy and full of flavor and the banana-rum syrup wasn't too overwhelming - if you're going to get the pancakes you have to get some sort of addition on top. When you go though, you have to get the bacon (preferably with the Black Pepper Maple Glaze). This is the best bacon I've ever had - take it from a girl who occasionally claims to be vegetarian and never eats bacon. This bacon - thick cut and griddled to perfection - is worth foregoing any dietary restrictions you may have.


If you want to check out their menu before heading over:
http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/washington-dc/ff_menus/menu-breakfast/


Founding Farmer's 
1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 

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

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 

Asian Cuisine With a Flair

Sorority parent’s weekend means one thing: time to explore the best of Ann Arbor’s restaurants. Although I had been to Pacific Rim once before, my previous meal was so great that I knew it was worth sacrificing trying a new place. This article may be a month or two overdue, but my dining experience was too great to forego the opportunity to write about it.  

Located at 114 W. Liberty Street, Pacific Rim offers an exotic, yet appealing menu that combines Asian and American flavors. My favorite part about dining at Pacific Rim is the depth of knowledge the servers have about all the food. Nothing frustrates me more than asking a waiter for their opinion on a dish I’m interested in ordering, only to receive a very unhelpful “it’s good…from what I understand” response. Not only will the waiters provide you with their opinion on the dish, they will tell you how each component of the dish is prepared, where the ingredients are from and what drink is best to pair with the meal.

The only downside of eating there? There are too many great options to choose between. The first time I ate at Pacific Rim, I ordered the Japanese-Style Sablefish and while the dish was impeccably prepared, I knew that I needed to further explore the menu.

So here’s how we did Pacific Rim:

Appetizers:

Again, sadly no pictures were taken of the appetizers but of all that we ordered, I’d suggest getting the Pork Confit Mu Shu Tacos. The Mu Shu pancakes were thicker than what would usually be served at a regular Chinese restaurant, but they nicely complimented the very flavorful pork confit.

Entrées:

Seared Big Eye Tuna

Beautiful big eye tuna lightly seared, served with a ginger-miso sauce, wasabi oil, julienned jicama salad and crispy sushi rice.

 

Black Sesame-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Natural-fed Hannewald Farm rack of lamb with a spicy Thai peanut sauce, bok choy and a taro-polenta cake.

Korean Marinated Ribeye

Thin Slices of grilled certified angus ribeye, with sesame crispy rice, sautéed julienned vegetables, jicama kim chi, quail egg and a Korean chili sauce.

Best dish? Not being partial to my dish….but I’d have to say it takes the cake in both presentation and taste. If you’re a fish lover and want to know what tuna tastes like when it’s prepared correctly, I’d highly advise ordering the Seared Big Eye Tuna. The sauces were an excellent addition to the dish and were great with both the fish and side of crispy sushi rice.

Atmosphere? Dimly lit, relaxing and modern. Pacific Rim is a great place to go to with family or on a date – there’s also a full service bar. Large groups beware, the restaurant seems to have limited room to accommodate to groups of over 8.

Cost? Definitely not an everyday place, but great for a special occasion. Most appetizers are around $9 and entrées average $26-29.

If you want to check out the menu for yourself before heading over:

http://pacificrimbykana.com/menu/dinner-menu/

One-Pan Lo-Mein Noodles

With my return to Ann Arbor rapidly approaching, I decided that it would be most appropriate to provide UMFD readers with a delicious and healthy recipe that will suit any college student’s cooking abilities and budget. I love making this dish because it can be made in many different variations and still turn out tasting incredible. This recipe is fool proof, especially since it enables you to use any proteins, vegetables and pasta that you have lying around.

Here’s what you’ll need:

-3 tbsp. canola oil

-1 lb. chicken or beef, cubed into 1/2” pieces

-3 cups of finely chopped vegetables (I prefer using peppers, broccoli, onions and shredded carrots)

-1 cup pre-cooked lo-mein noodles or spaghetti noodles

-2 tbsp. low sodium soy sauce

-3 tbsp. Soy Vey ® Hoisin Garlic (any other hoisin, sesame or teriyaki sauce will work)

-1 tbsp. sesame seeds (optional)

Preparation:

Meat:

1.     Heat 2 tbsp. canola oil in a wok or large saucepan. Once oil is hot, add cubed chicken or beef.

2.     When the chicken or beef has almost finished cooking, add 2 tbsp. low sodium soy sauce and mix.

3.     Once chicken or beef has cooked through, place in a separate bowl and drain the remaining contents of the pan.

Vegetables:

1.     Heat 1 tbsp. of canola oil in the same pan used to cook the meat. Once oil is hot, add chopped vegetables.

2.     Stir vegetables frequently to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.

Final Step:

3.     Once vegetables are soft, add in pre-cooked noodles and meat.

4.     Add 3 tbsp of Soy Vey ® Hoisin Garlic and stir through the mixture.

5.     Remove from heat and place noodles into bowl.

6.     Top with sesame seeds and enjoy!

Note: You can use any type of meat you would like for this dish, however, I would advise sticking with chicken or beef, or for vegetarians, tofu. Additionally, you can use either fresh or frozen vegetables, however, fresh vegetables will yield a better final product.

More quick, healthy and college-friendly recipes to come soon!

Summit Welcomes "Pizza Vita" with Open Arms and an Eager Appetite

Watch out Summit pizza lovers, there’s a new pizza place in town boasting it’s own twist on everyone’s favorite Italian classic. Located at 7 Union Place in Summit, NJ, Pizza Vita offers a variety of antipasti, pizzas, salads and pastas inspired by the traditional pizzerias of Naples, Italy. Owners Rocco and Adele DiBiase opened the restaurant’s doors on July 18, 2011 and since then, it has proved to be a roaring success. Driven by our eagerness to eat at the newest local cuisines, my dad, brother and I decided to check out what it is that makes this place so popular.

Here’s how we did it:

Starters:

Mozzarella en Carozza (translation: Olive oil poached mozzarella). Breaded, lightly fried and topped with a fresh, sweet tomato sauce, this appetizer is on the top of the menu for a reason. It is the perfect balance of sauce and lightly fried-cheesy goodness that is a necessity to have on your table prior to ordering any other item on the menu. Take it from someone who is normally not a cheese lover, these are a must-have item.

Meatballs: I’m normally hesitant about ordering meatballs because they tend to have a lot of filler and only a little bit of meat. However, these baseball sized-meatballs, which are impeccably seasoned and incredibly moist, have far exceeded any previous expectations I may have possessed. Served with an absolutely delicious and flavorful homemade sauce, this appetizer will make any meat lover a very happy diner.

Pizza:

Before getting into the pizzas that we ordered, I must mention what it is that sets Pizza Vita’s pizzas apart from all the others. Pizza Vita strictly uses ingredients in accordance with the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association (VPN), which was established to protect and promote authentic Napoletana pizza. Consequently, as a member of the VPN, Pizza Vita only serves D.O.C. pizza, which means that their pizza is made with only soft grain flour, water, all natural fresh yeast, sea salt, San Marzano tomato and Mozzarella di Bufala or Fior di latte Mozzarella.

So what does this all mean? It means that Pizza Vita uses only the freshest and finest ingredients (with many imported right from Italy) in order to serve up their original homemade pie! Once prepped, the pizza is cooked in a 100% wood fired oven for just 90 seconds due to its constant 900-degree temperature.

Margheritta D.O.C.: A classic margherita pizza with a chewy, lightly burned crust that is absolutely to die for. Though simple, this pizza will win over any classic pizza lover.

Padrino: Crushed tomato, hot soppresata (Italian cured dry salami), olives and provolone. A different take on the traditional meat-lovers pizza, however, it is equally satisfying and delicious. You may want to ask for extra bread to dip in the oil that drips off the pizza because I can guarantee you will want to savor every last bite.

Desserts:

All of the desserts are prepared by owner and chef Adele DiBiase, whose pastry background provided a delectable ending to this already incredible meal.

Doughnuts filled with melted chocolate, served with homemade caramel sauce: These doughnuts were light and fluffy, dusted with sugar and served hot. The melted chocolate inside is what made these doughnuts extra special and irresistible.

Despite sampling the restaurant’s many options, we barely made a dent in the menu, and left wanting to come back for more. So head on over soon to Pizza Vita and check it out for yourself! I promise you won’t regret it.

If you want to see their menu and other information before heading over, visit:

 www.pizzavitanj.com