Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Foodie Journey through DC

Besides all of the many known offerings DC has to potential guests, including incredible museums, monuments and architecture,  its amazing food is not the least of which brings people coming back for more.

One of my all-time favorites, Michel Richard's Central:
A must try is the "Michel's chocolate bar", in other words, a hazelnut gourmet kit-kat bar of sorts






Next up, I was thoroughly impressed by Rasika's modern take on upscale Indian cuisine, mixing exotic flavors, traditional recipes and highly skilled executions. I think I'm not alone in my fondness, as John Mariani of Esquire magazine writes: "Rasika is not just the best Indian restaurant in America; it is one of America's best restaurants, period."

One item not featured below, but a must-have is the Palak Chaat, absolutely divine!

Their take on spicy buffalo chicken bites
Absolutely incredible flavor and texture of the Avocado and Banana Chaat
Tawa Baigan
Selection of Entrees
Raan-E-Rasika

A nice little Mediterranean fish market and bistro cafe in Dupont Circle, Pesce, is situated in a renovated house turned restaurant space that feels very at home and quaint. The daily updated menu quickly runs out of the special fish of the day, however you can't really go wrong with any of the standard fish and seafood dishes here. Refined and spot-on. Simple and classic.
Scallops    
Blue Fish - special of the day
Lobster Risotto
Salmon
One of DC's famed gelateria's; Argentine gelato that is
Don't let the looks deceive you, it may appear to look like every other gelateria, but it tastes a world beyond
 I have to admit though, I couldn't believe how Pitango, one of the newer franchise gelaterias in the city had surprisingly amazing gelato as well. The English Black Tea blew me away with the accuracy of its flavor and creaminess. And its location in Penn Quarter is right across the street, from an older London haunt of mine, Wagamama. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it under construction. They finally crossed the pond and made the jump out of Harvey Nichols!

DC cupcake or as its called here, Georgetown cupcake, is part of the TLC network's bevy of food-fo-tainment programming sparking the cupcake craze to exponential heights. As evidenced by the 45-minute line. And yes, its always like this.

Once inside you are treated to cupcake trees galore, and a hide-away window featured on the show where you can watch your favorite bakers at work.


Despite getting my order wrong, much to my dismay after realizing this while already back at home, the cupcakes are actually all they're cracked up to be. I'd even venture to say better than Sprinkles or Suzie Cakes (for those LA-natives), although Sprinkles surprises me from time to time. Plus the inventive flavors at GTC and daily facebook give-aways are hard to beat. They strike the deft balance between decadent and sweet.



DC is also not shy on pizza joints. This particular one, il Canale, also located in the Georgetown neighborhood, didn't particularly strike my fancy, but still pretty decent. I think Pizzeria Paradiso is a better choice.

A great out-of-this-world totally crazy eclectic divey hipster bar to try in the up and coming area of H Street is none other than "Little Miss Whisky's Golden Dollar". 


Try the Jeremiah Weed Sweet Peach Tea and never look back.


Also make sure to stop by Dangerously Delicious pies for dessert and Ethiopic restaurant for amazing Ethiopian cuisine.

And on my final night, I had the special treat of eating at one of Jose Andres many varied tapas restaurants in the city, Zaytinya. While I haven't tried Jaleo, from what I hear, Zaytinya was even better. Being that the lighting was so dim, my pictures did not turn out very well, and range from under to over-exposed, so you'll have to imagine :)


Desserts were amazing, everything was done to perfection with amazing flavor combinations. You really can't go wrong exploring DC's culinary scene. Don't even get me started on their burger wars! Although I will say, (Obama burger at Good Stuff) shhh!

ELECTRIC AVENUE



Use the bright blue arrows (how appropriate) to browse through my selections of the season's best color blocking brights. Shades optional.