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Inspire BBQ: Low And Slow

March 27, 2013 by

There’s no doubt that Inspire BBQ makes some delicious slow cooked, fall-off-the-bone barbecue. What makes Inspire really special is that they named so because they inspire the kids of DC. They hire high schoolers that want to learn about the culinary arts, and teach them well. The place take-out, but in the summer they put tables on the sidewalk for dining. A warm and friendly staff serves freshly made wood-smoked meats and homemade sides. Spicy pulled pork sandwiches are served on a fresh and hearty roll loaded with thick pieces of tender meat and you can drench it their sweet and tangy house sauce. The coleslaw is spicy and crunchy.  Add some cornbread and peach cobbler and you have meal with generous portions that won’t leave you with room for more. For great food and to support an eatery that gives back to the community, stop in from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Inspire BBQ
650 H Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 391-0741
http://inspirebbq.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/inspire-bbq-washington

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Stella’s PopKern: Crunch Time

February 26, 2013 by

Popcorn seems like a strange concept to hang a business around, but don’t tell that to the owner of Stella’s PopKern. She’s been producing some of the most awesome snacks in Washington, D.C., pairing fresh-popped corn with a variety of delectable flavors and winning an army of fans in the process. This stuff is incredibly addictive, and you won’t be able to eat just one bag once you get started. Some of the best flavors include the classic salty caramel, drizzled with the perfect mixture of sweetness and savoriness, as well as the clarified butter with Brazilian sea salt that delivers a high-end take on the movie theater favorite. Cheese lovers rave about the white cheddar with Old Bay seasoning as well. In addition to the regular flavors, Stella’s rotates some special offerings throughout the year, with the white chocolate blood orange a favorite. Stella’s truck ranges all over the city, but you can keep track of it on their website or Twitter.

Stella’s PopKern
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 308-6364
http://www.yelp.com/biz/stellas-popkern-washington

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Ris: A DC Place to Meet and Eat

December 27, 2012 by

Located in Foggy Bottom just a block north of Washington Circle, Ris is a good place to hold a business lunch, meet with friends at happy hour of have a nice, romantic dinner. You'll love the modern, bright décor, with a choice of tables, booths or longer tables for bigger groups. The lunch menu available from 11:30 to 5 p.m. features terrific appetizers, entrees and even entrée salads. For happy hour, check out the good list of domestic and imported wines by the bottle or glass while hanging out at the bar/cafe. Or just have a seat for dinner and go for a delicious entrée or small plate, perfect for sharing. Sunday brunch features small plates and bottomless mimosas for one nice price.

Ris
2275 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 730-2500
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ris-washington

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Bistro Bis: Classic French Cuisine in an Elegant Ambiance

December 12, 2012 by

Right near Union Station, you’ll find the Bistro Bis restaurant, a place where French cuisine is enjoyed by discerning Washingtonians. This is what dining at Capitol Hill is all about! You’ll like the ambiance in the dining room, with glass overlooking the kitchen and with classic white tablecloths on the tables. Come to the bar and lounge after work, get a drink with friends and share a selection of cheeses that would make anyone drool. Or come for lunch or dinner and start off with something from the bar while you peruse the menu, or try something from the wine list by the glass, bottle or half-bottle. Both the lunch and dinner menu changes with the seasons, because only the freshest ingredients are used. But classic appetizers like escargot or pomme frites, and entrees like Beef Bourguignon never go out of style.  And you’ll like the dessert menu, too!

Bistro Bis
15 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 661-2700
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bistro-bis-washington

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Fast Gourmet: Speedy Eats

November 27, 2012 by

Good food and fast food aren’t mutually exclusive concepts, as regulars at Fast Gourmet will tell you. This popular Washington eatery offers a wide selection of excellent dishes made fresh daily with sustainable, free trade ingredients. The sandwiches here are truly transcendent – one of the most popular is the Chivito, made with perfectly-cooked beef tenderloin, mozzarella, black forest ham, bacon, green olives, and hard-boiled eggs. It sounds like a bizarre combination, but frequent patrons rave about it. Other good choices include the exceptional Cubano, the awesome turkey sandwich and the great vegetarian options, including a satisfying mushroom Panini. They’re all so large that regulars recommend sharing them with a friend. The best thing about Fast Gourmet is that it’s unpretentious and inexpensive, content to just serve up top-notch grub and not shake up the formula too much.

Fast Gourmet
1400 W Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 448-9217
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fast-gourmet-washington

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A Litteri: A Market Featuring Delightful Italian Fare

November 14, 2012 by

Chefs, foodies, and enthusiastic shoppers all converge on A Litteri for their amazing selection of imported goods that are essential to making great Italian cuisine. Since 1926, A Litteri has been serving the community with exceptional meats, cheeses, and more. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much, but the interior is packed floor to ceiling with goods. Shoppers are in awe at the enormous shelf of olive oils, sourced from all over Italy and pressed for a wide variety of uses. They also boast the largest selection of different pasta cuts in town from multiple companies – you’re sure to find the perfect noodle here. They also make fresh pastas in-house that are stellar. The deli counter features an impressive selection of fresh and cured meats, and they also make sandwiches that have locals raving. Their lasagna is a huge portion of perfectly-layered pasta, cheese, and sauce, and the Italian classic sub is one of the best lunches in the neighborhood.

A Litteri
517 Morse Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 544-0184
http://www.yelp.com/biz/a-litteri-washington

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Crepes at the Market: Sweet and Savory

October 16, 2012 by

French crepes are one of the most versatile takes on the wrap concept, capable of lending themselves to both sweet and savory dishes with equal aplomb. If you’re looking to get a taste of a fresh, full crepe, Crepes at the Market might be one of the best spots. This local institution dispatches griddle carts to farmer’s markets all over the Washington D.C. area, most notably the bustling Eastern Market. Regulars rave about the great selection of fillings. Some of the most popular sweet choices include the Latin Lover, made with walnuts, apples, dulce du leche, and coconut, as well as the strawberry, banana, and chocolate. Basically anything with fresh fruit comes out wonderfully here. Savory crepes are just as good, with the breakfast special of scrambled eggs, spinach, turkey bacon, turkey sausage, and melted Asiago cheese winning praise from hungry diners. Prices are reasonable but the payment system is a little change – you tally up your own bill and put your cash in jars on the counter, then use the honor system to calculate your change.

Crepes at the Market
7th Street SE and North Carolina Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003
http://www.yelp.com/biz/crepes-at-the-market-eastern-market-washington

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Boundary Stone: D.C. Gastropub

September 25, 2012 by

Looking for a great Washington, D.C. gastropub to indulge your love of beer, food and conversation? Set your marker on Boundary Stone, where you can relax with a pint of your favorite microbrew and bite into what’s reported to be one of the best burger and fry combos in the nation’s capital. The historic setting features exposed brick walls, the original stamped tin ceiling, and a lustrous oak bar that elevates the ambiance well above your average pub. In addition to burgers and sandwiches, the small, but well-chosen menu features light bites like honey hot wings, hummus, and quesadillas and entrees such as shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and confit of chicken. 

116 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 621-6635
 

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Palena: Market Fresh

September 18, 2012 by

Chef Frank Ruti named his popular Cleveland Park eatery after the small Italian village that his mother hails from, and that deep connection to the land and its people informs each and every one of his dishes. Palena offers two very different eating experiences. The dining room is open from Tuesday through Saturday and offers a popular prix fixe tasting menu, while the café is open seven days a week, doesn’t take reservations, and offers all menu items a la carte. Whichever you choose, you’re in for a truly fantastic meal. Some dishes that draw raves from seasoned diners include the monkfish with large salted beans, which transforms the notoriously difficult fish into a spectacular entrée, as well as all of the hand-made pastas. The café has become famous for its exceptional hamburgers, made from the best beef and garnished with a simple slice of cheese and pickles.

Palena
3529 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 537-9250
http://www.yelp.com/biz/palena-washington

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El Chilango: Tacos On The Go

September 11, 2012 by

Food trucks are the new wave of cuisine all over the country, as kitchens are taking it to the streets to get rid of a lot of the overhead that comes with owning a traditional restaurant. The Arlington neighborhood of Rosslyn, typically considered to be a pretty undistinguished commuter area, is graced by one of the best Mexican trucks in NoVA. El Chilango has earned a devoted following for offering up incredible tacos made in the classic Mexican street style at just two bucks a pop. You can’t go wrong at that price, but the quality here is impeccable. All they have here is tacos and drinks, so if you’re looking for a more extensive menu you’re going to be disappointed. But these are perfect tacos, made with fresh tortillas and awesome fillings. Some favorites include the chorizo, which is deliciously spicy, as well as the tender and flavorful al pastor. The “taco while you wait” policy, which gives people in line a free taco, is a nice extra!

El Chilango
14th Street N. & N. Queen Street
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 527-6342
http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-chilango-arlington

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