DC Best of Guide

[photo cred: stgrmh]

This guide has a list of what, by the Serious Eats Team's standards, are the best eateries in the area. Some I agree with (ie. Amsterdam Falafel), som I don't (ie. 2Amy's). In any case, it's a pretty concise guide of hot spots in the city complete with addresses, reviews, and some flashy pics of the local fare.

Tricks and Tips for Restaurant Week [BYT]

My imaginary blog BFF (that I secretly wish would make out with me) Brightest Young Things, featured a good list of tips and restaurant highlights to check out in this upcoming Restaurant Week.

Just as you’ve finished digesting the huge amount of food consumed from Thanksgiving through New Years comes a special event that only happens twice a year.[BYT]

My hooking up with a girl?! (!!!)

[No], “Restaurant Week” is in its 12th year and offers diners a chance to eat a three-course lunch or dinner (varying by restaurant) for $20.08 or $30.08 respectively.[BYT]

Pho-king Delicious!

After several months of being addicted to Java Green on 19th, by pure chance we opted to walk down an extra block (because I couldn't remember where Oodles n' Noodles was, I haven't been there in years and I'm even unsure if it still exists) we ended up crossing paths with a gigantic, bright orange sign that had Pho written all over it.

I hadn't had Pho in a while and was dying for some, it was windy and chilly outside. Perfect day for a steamy bowl of Pho Ga!!! Asian Bistro was the Place to be, on 19th and L (NW). My chopstick fetish had a new outlet, a new source, a new playground.

We walked in and the place was packed, too cold for outside seating. It would come to be a menu of Asian-fusion of sorts, including a vast array ranging from Pad Thai to Pho to Kung Pao Chicken. The vegetarian variety also leaves the Bistro a good and viable option for those of the vegetarian/vegan kind.

Although the soup was a bit Americanized (Chicken Breast), the taste was there. The toppings were generous and the noodles were not missing. Although some people would lead me to believe that decent Pho is inexistent in the District and may only be acquired in the 'burbs, I would like to point out that this being one of the few options within walking distance from my place of employment, it gets 4 out 5 stars in my book!

I can only wait to come out to Cali in a few months and hopefully meet the Viet-kieu mecca of Orange County in the hopes of tripping over some delicious Vietnamese goodness.

Eat-Expensive-for-Cheap-Week!

Restaurant week is upon us!!!

Join us this January when some of Washington, DC's finest restaurants offer awe-inspiring, multi-course meals prepared especially for this gourmet event. The Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington are proud to present the 12th Washington, DC Restaurant Week from January 14-20. [Washington.org]

Here's what I'll be trying to hit up:

• Rasika
• Zengo (I went here last Restaurant Week, and it was great)
• Firefly
• Lima Restaurant
• Oyamel Cocina Mexicana

Check out the Restaurant Week page for a full listing of participating restaurants.

Dinner just friended me on Facebook!

Social networking site, Facebook, is full of handy applications to help you navigate through life a little bit easier.

One application I've found to enjoy is Local Picks, offered and moderated by Trip Advisor. It allows you to search through a series of eateries in your area and rate them (5 star system), while comparing with friends and sharing commentary. It also allows you to submit new entries to ensure all the restaurants you visit are listed and recorded in its database.

There are over 200,000 restaurants to select from, including top restaurants in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, and more!

[Local Picks]