Vidalia

Vidalia
1990 M Street NW
Washington DC 20036


Look, if a renowned restaurant in the District offers you a three-course lunch for $20, just go for it. Especially if that restaurant happens to be Vidalia, sister restaurant of Bistro Bis.

Easily my new favorite lunchtime spot, Vidalia boasts an elegant-yet-relaxed atmosphere, exquisite plating, and stunning fare. The aforementioned "tasting menu" offers portions perfectly sized for a filling midday meal; you won't be overstuffed at the end of lunch, but you'll certainly be full.

The Southern influence may be subtle, but it comes through both in the simple elegance of the food and the astounding service. I have been - and will probably continue to be - unable to choose a favorite course; the cucumber soup, lamb tenderloin, and bacon-and-chocolate chip cookies were all equally delicious (and unique).

In short: eat here. It's good that it's so affordable, because you'll probably be going back on a regular basis after your first taste.

Smith & Wollensky

Smith and Wollensky

1112 19th Street NW

Washington DC 20036

I came here for a school function expecting to be impressed. Unfortunately, the only highlight of the meal was the fact that I didn't have to pay for it.

First, we had Caesar salads. The dressing was fresh, pungent and tasty. That said, the salad was so overdressed that I felt like I was swallowing handfuls of anchovies and garlic. Not great, especially considering the salad goes for about $10 normally, but it could have been worse.

But, considering the fact that S & W is a steakhouse, I was still looking forward to the main course.

This was easily the worst filet I've ever had, and the biggest disappointment of the meal. Although the steak was nice and medium-rare to rare on the inside (just like I like it), there was no dark, flavorful sear on the meat, which was a rather unfortunate grey color on the outside. I don't like heavily treated filets, but c'mon, guys-- are salt and pepper really so much to ask for? This was served atop a bed of equally bland mashed potatoes. Even the tobacco onions were bland, as was the jus spooned around the plate.

When I got home and consulted Zagat, I was shocked to see that the filet usually goes for over $35 - what a waste of money!

Dessert was a boring apple streudal, served with a bit of creme anglaise. Not bad, but certainly not good enough to make up for the rest of the meal.

Food aside, the servers were quite attentive, and the restaurant had a welcoming, rustic atmosphere. I've seen better, though, and I've certainly eaten better. I won't be coming back.

Luna Grill & Diner

Luna Grill & Diner

1301 Connecticut Avenue NW

Washington DC 20009

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet! One of my favorite places to come for a quick, delicious and affordable dinner, Luna is located just blocks from the Dupont Circle metro stop. The dining area, though a bit cramped, is relaxed and inviting; check out the paintings on the walls, most of which are for sale. Luna also sports a full bar, and you can always spot at handful of people there at any time of day.

In terms of food, Luna does comfort food, and well. The rotating daily specials are always good (especially the Chicken Parmesan), but J usually chooses the "Create Your Own Pasta" option, which allows you to choose pasta shape, a sauce and as many toppings as you want. It's a great deal, and quite delicious, too. I tend to stick to a burger (with feta, of course) with a baked sweet potato. (The home fries aren't bad, either.)

In case I haven't made myself clear, it's all good. And cheap.

Oyamel

Oyamel
401 7th Street NW
Washington DC 20004


I simply cannot say enough good things about this place, located close to both Metro Center and the Archives/Navy Memorial stops on the Metro. This is truly tapas done right -- for a reasonable price.

Immediately after entering this restaurant, which offers a healthy mix of authentic Mexican decor and elegant simplicity. Oyamel is classy yet comfortable, its food lovely (and dramatically presented). The service is often a bit hit-or-miss -- but the food never disappoints!

After enjoying tortilla chips with a smoky, delicious salsa, we ordered five small plates (split between two people):

Ensalada de Chayote [squash salad]: the most original, inspired dish I've had in a long, long time. Thinly sliced chayote and nutty queso fresco-- topped with a hibiscus dressing. Couldn't be better, unless the portion was larger!

Ceviche de atun Pacifico [tuna ceviche]: slightly spicy, smooth and refreshing, though the texture could have been better: it reminded me more of tuna salad than ceviche!

Pollo con mole poblano [chicken with mole]: a fairly large portion for tapas, with a smooth, rich mole-- a real winner!

Costillas de Cordero a la Parrilla [lamb chops with a green herb sauce]: by far, the best of the meat dishes. The sauce (cilantro and garlic were the central flavors) was smooth and robust, the lamb tender and perfectly prepared.

Arrachera con salsa molcajeta [skirt steak with salsa]: the spiciest of the dishes we ordered, but tastefully so. J loved it (good skirt steak is a bit hard to find outside of the Mid-West).


Desserts (somewhere, my other friend Sarah is grinning):

Mine: goat milk caramel sauce and crumbled shortbread, topped with lime zest and fresh mango, plus a quenelle each of passionfruit sorbet and coconut sorbet. Light and delicious-- for me, the highlight of the meal!

His: dark chocolate torte, topped with homemade vanilla ice cream and a creamy mole. We both loved the torte and ice cream, but the mole was slightly bitter and heavy on the anise.

The Coffee: traditional Mexican coffee, full of spice and with a touch of sugar. Oyamel won double points with me when they served the coffee in a dramatic cup with (the clincher!) warmed heavy cream. Kudos!

I had more fun here than I've had at almost any other restaurant in DC. I mean, what really beats elegant fare-- in a relaxed atmosphere?

Charlie Palmer

Charlie Palmer Steak
101 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington DC 20001

With a glorious view of the Capitol and located in the heart of DC, Charlie Palmer's is worth the price-- if your wallet can handle it.

Simple, elegant and the epitome of classy, this restaurant has good service (despite being packed), superb food, and a lovely atmosphere. J and I skipped out on appetizers, but were brought complimentary amuse-bouches, which featured asparagus, sea bass and cilantro. For the main course, J stuck with a gorgeous, aged, European-cut Filet Mignon (topped with a yummy roasted onion)-- and a side of the creamiest, most delectable Horseradish Sauce I've ever tasted. I ordered the Venison Loin, complete with sweet potatoes and bacon-- subtley gamey and extremely tender. For dessert, I ordered the Meyer Lemon Tart, J the Chocolate Peanut Terrine.

J said, "This is rich people food, Sarah!" I rolled my eyes, but it was true: this was not one, but several steps above a delicious dessert on a plate. (It's amazing what a few drops of sabayon and a tuile will do for a dessert.)

It's great for sighting politicians and think-tankers, but be warned: this is not the place to take a political junkie (like J!) if you're looking to chat.

La Tasca

La Tasca

722 7th Street NW

Washington DC 20001

J and I came here for tapas on Friday night. This restaurant+bar is located just a block from the Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stop. We made reservations, and, judging from the length of the line, it was a good idea.

The food was good, albeit not great, and the prices were fair. The high noise level (to be expected at a restaurant that doubles as a bar, and offers live entertainment) made conversation nearly impossible. Our server was polite and attentive, but the hostess was awful. The decor was charming in its own way, but also reminded me of a cheap Mexican restaurant down the road from my high school in Virginia.

If you're looking to move up in the areas of taste and atmosphere while remaining close to La Tasca, Zagat recommends that you check out Jaleo, just 3 blocks away.

If you're willing to travel, however, I still stand by my old tapas favorite: Bodega (located in Georgetown). You'll pay a bit more, but it'll be worth it; the food is extraordinary and the atmosphere enchanting.

Panache

Panache
1725 DeSales Avenue NW
Washington DC 20036

This is one of our favorite DC restaurants; J and I come here as often as possible.
Located across the street from the now-infamous Mayflower Hotel and less than five minutes from the Farragut North metro stop, Panache offers a wide array of dishes, some familiar and others bold, but all well-balanced a delicious.

The atmosphere is trendy and chic, with outdoor dining available in warm weather. The restaurant is inviting and comfortable, but, if you eat late (especially on Friday and Saturday nights) be prepared to talk over the music--and possibly the drunks seated at the next table.

However, if the noise decreases your enjoyment in any way, Panache makes up for this with great service and attentive, informed and friendly servers.

In terms of food, Panache offers an impressive array of hot and cold tapas, which can double as appetizers with a regular entree, as well. Particularly delicious: the beef carpaccio, and the prosciutto and dates salad. Yum! The selection of entrees is diverse, and the ones I've tasted, great-- but J and I usually stick to the Filet Mignon. You can't go wrong with the Pesto Chicken Fettucine, either.

If you're looking for great food (at a relatively affordable price) at a trendy, upbeat establishment, you'll love Panache.

Tackle Box

Tackle Box

3245 M Street NW

Washington DC 20007

Located next-door to elegant sister-restaurant Hook, Tackle Box is a great, casual seafood shack in Georgetown, complete with picnic benches, white-washed walls and cheap, delicious food. I had the $9 Tackle Box Meal: choice of one fish, one amazing side and a sauce. My bluefish was tasty, only improved upon by the tartar sauce. The sauteed green beans were crispy and bright- very good! I was impressed and excited by the presence of sweet tea on the drink menu-- it really lent a new degree of authenticity to the menu, especially for a native of the South.

And let's face it-- $9 is less than you'll pay for the first course in most Georgetown restaurants.

Zola (DC Restaurant Week)

Zola

800 F Street NW

Washington DC 20004

After my unfortunate experience at 15 ria, I decided to take another stab at Restaurant Week. I'll be honest-- I stumbled upon Zola because it was at the end of the Restaurant Week list. What a fabulous coincidence!

Located next door to the International Spy Museum, Zola blends modern simplicity with coziness. The dining area is divided into relatively small, intimate rooms; very large parties are seated in booths surrounded on three sides by sound-absorbing cushions. As one of the few college students in DC who saves for fine dining rather than clubs and clothes, I've become accustomed to feeling a bit out of place among professional 30-somethings who've just gotten off of work. S and I were some of the youngest in the place, but the wide variety of ages made us comfortable and relaxed. DC can be a bit unfriendly, especially to a rural girl like me, but we found ourselves chatting with our next-table neighbors. Great atmosphere!

As at 15 ria, S and I each paid $35 for our three course meals. (Okay, I paid a bit more, but only for an exquisite drink!)

I normally stick to water at fine restaurants (though I did wistfully look over the fabulous wine list), but our attentive waiter charmed me into trying the Fresh-Squeezed Ginger Lemonade (complete with hibiscus syrup). Playful, pretty and perfectly yummy!

I had the Lamb Meatball Sliders for the first course; S had a mushroom ravioli. I only had a bite of hers, so I can't give as detailed a description as I'd like, but rest assured: it was delicious, and she raved about it. My mini lamburgers were quite rare, tender and scrumptious. The goat cheese aioli, coupled with the romaine and red peppers made the dish. The portion size (3 sliders) was perfect, but I could have eaten 15 of them.

For the entree, I ordered the roasted veal tenderloin. S had the skate wing. Mine was served atop a mound of blue-cheese infused "pasta bites" (think spaetzle, but smaller) and butternut squash, and I simply can't say enough good things about it. Tender, mildly "beefy" and just barely salty. I brought the last bit home; J liked it, despite being a self-proclaimed Veal-Phobe. S let me try a bit of her skate wing; it was my first taste of this variety of fish, and I loved it. Sweet, buttery and salty-- probably the most mild fish I've ever tasted. Yum!

Our desserts were the perfect end to such a fabulous meal. S, predictably, ordered the Glazed Chocolate Mousse with the pears, hazelnut crunch and passionfruit sauce. Without question, the lightest, fluffiest mousse I've ever tasted. Perfection! I had the Apple-Quince Pie, complete with Pomegranate Syrup and Gingersnap Ice Cream. I only have one word, and that word is: phenomenal.

We'll be back. I'm already working on finagling another Zola dinner out of my parents the next time they visit!

If you're in the DC area and a fellow foodie, you might want to check out the cooking classes online.

15 ria (DC Restaurant Week)

15 ria

1515 Rhode Island Avenue NW

Washington DC 20005

I have to take full responsibility for our experience at this restaurant; I should have consulted Zagat before making the reservation.

That said, let the review commence:

15 ria is located inside a Doubletree hotel, and is just three blocks from Dupont Circle. I was excited by the decor-- a mix of trendy simplicity and vintage chic. The dim lights, crackling fireplace, and low music were appealing and lent a fabulous, comfortable atmosphere to the place. The presence of khaki-shorts-and-hawaiian-shirt clad tourists (many of whom were loudly recounting their day via cell phone) interrupted the ambiance and reminded me that 15 ria is a hotel restaurant. The service was decent, but not good enough to make up for the food.

J and I each paid $35 for our three course meals, as per Restaurant Week prices.

The bread which came with our waters was a bit on the stale side, and a little too "eclectic" for his taste. I was intrigued (but not particularly impressed) by the trio of sweet butter, hummus and olives which came with the bread.

For the first course, I had the Roasted Parsnip Bisque-- thick and hearty, sweet and simple. It was great-- but I found myself peering around my bowl in search of the promised Shiitake Crisps and Frizzled Prosciutto (our server feigned ignorance over the matter). J had the Beef Short Ribs, which were succulent, tender and falling off the bone. In a word: delicious. I found myself snitching bites of his truffled mashed potatoes throughout the first course.

For the second course, I ordered the Seared Scallops-- I'd had my eye on them for weeks after checking out the menu. The four they served were unevenly cooked; one was quite burnt on top, another still white. They had the "fishy" smell and taste that I've come to associate with fish just past its prime, and each scallop was gritty. The black forbidden rice with carrot sauce was easily the best part of the dish, though it wasn't meant to be. J ordered the Cocoa-Chili Dusted NY Strip Steak. As with my entree, the tasty "sides" overshadowed the main event: his Brussels Sprouts were sweet and mashed potatoes creamy. (I raised an eyebrow when I saw that the two beef dishes on the same menu came with mashers.) As for his steak, which was cooked to medium rare...well- the texture was similar to that of my boat shoes. Gristly, tough and unpleasant.

By the time our desserts came out, we were both frustrated and ready to leave. My Caramel Cheesecake was good, albeit lackluster. Again, I found myself searching for the promised "extra" - this time, Pecan Brittle. J's Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Torte tasted fine but was a bit grainy, and didn't make up for our unimpressive main courses.

As J put it after we left: the appetizers were delicious, and the desserts decent, but 1.5 out of 4 is still failing. We won't be going back!

Tuscana West

Tuscana West

1350 I Street NW

Washington DC 20005

We came here in the Fall, because a fire had temporarily closed down Tuscana's sister restaurant, Ristorante Piccolo. We had a pleasant experience, but were not extremely impressed; it isn't on our list of favorites.

Though we made our reservations well in advance and arrived on time to an uncrowded restaurant, we were asked to wait in the lounge for 15 minutes. The service throughout the meal was of a similar quality; we were left waiting a bit longer than usual between placing our orders and receiving our food. (Our meal lasted over two hours, for three courses.)

Though the entrees were good, the appetizers in particular were delicious; we split the Beef Carpaccio (one of my personal favorites), topped with capers, lemon juice and shaved Parmesan. Even the simple Caesar Salad was well above average.

I ordered the seared tuna with a delicious puttanesca sauce. I enjoyed the dish, but the portion was big enough for two and hardly "presented" at all. J ordered a chicken and mushroom pasta dish, which he liked.

This is rustic Italian food at it's best-- but the price is a bit exorbitant compared to what you get.