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.

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

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 

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