rustico

rustico
827 slaters lane, alexandria, VA 22314
tel: 703) 224-5051
hours: monday 4pm-10pm, tuesday-thursday 11:30am-10pm, friday-saturday 11:30am-11pm, sunday 11:30am-10pm

what was consumed: pei mussels fra diavolo (grilled bread, chorizo), home-made thick-cut fries (tossed in your choice of caesar or ranch dressing), creamy marscapone polenta (wild mushroom ragù, truffle oil), salt roasted beet salad (goat cheese fondue, blood orange vinaigrette, pistachio dust), duck confit & cracklins pizza (brie & sautéed onions pizza with chick pea crust), roasted mushroom pizza (mushroom cream, goat cheese, sauteed spinach pizza), bbq pizza (bbq braised pork, caramelized onions, cheddar)

there is never a dearth of eating options in old town alexandria. there are lots of different kinds of food, in a number of various locations, with a slew of clientele to suit your fancy. BUT, if you're ever in the old town alexandria area and in the mood for some yummy woodfire grilled pizza and a nice cold brew to wash it all down, i recommend visiting rustico. a bunch of us headed out to old town on a cold wintery day to see friends play a little concert. so, after the little usaf chamber group (?) performance at the masonic temple, a group of us head out to rustico for bites to eat.

rustico is known for their pizza and their great beer selection. for those reasons enough, i am enticed to visit rustico time and time again. for those who like options, not to fret! rustico also has a number of other options on their menu. delicious mussels, a most definitely creamy polenta plate, salads, antipastas, etc. they also have the option to select from their cheese/cured meat plates (there's a fancy name for this and for the life of me i can neither remember nor look it up - argh!). i haven't tried it yet, but it looks really good and can't wait to taste for myself.

friends in the group ordered a slew of things, so i got to try a variety of different things. the creamy polenta was definitely one of my favorites and something i'll have a super hard time not ordering the next time i'm at rustico. and the mussels! delicious. i could take bread and dip it into mussels broth all day long. yum.

and, of course, pizza.

with the slew of other things that friends ordered, by the time my pizza came, i was less than my usual voracious. nonetheless, the beautiful pizza pies places before me incited my salivary glands. they have a number of different pre-set topping options as well as the option to create your own (which is always fun as well). while the crust isn't anything out of the ordinary, sometimes that's just what you need to highlight the combination of the crust with the toppings. yum.

on the menu, i saw the option for the gluten free chick pea crust. intrigued! for some reason, i thought it'd be more chick pea-y, but it just felt like another crust (probably made with chick pea flour as opposed to anything else. i don't really know why i thought it'd look any different, but i did. i don't know what i was thinking). my pizza, unfortunately, was a little overdone, so the crust was a little dry and almost burnt. luckily, the duck confit and cracklin's toppings saved the pizza (i pretty much just ate the toppings ... which is what i often do regardless of the pizza crust). despite the chick pea crust disappointment, the meal was delicious and the group left with full bellies AND leftovers for the next day's lunch (yay doggie bags!).

pizza is getting fancier and fancier. and while i will periodically enjoy the quick delivery and convenience of fast(er) food joints that delivery right to my door, i will still fondly and often think of delicious options at places like rustico. just until i can visit to enjoy again. yay!

online: http://www.rusticorestaurant.com/

bistro d'oc

bistro d'oc
518 10th street NW (between e street & f street), washington, DC 20004
tel: 202) 393-5444

what was consumed: bread, mussels, sausage, tripe, anchovy salad ...

i've passed in front of ford's theatre on my way to/from landmark e street cinema (one of my favorite theatres here in DC) what feels like a hundred times, but i had never seen bistro d'oc. or maybe it's that i just never payed any attention to it ... so, when friends proposed having dinner there, i was curious to see what it had to offer. per usual, i did my internet search to see what was recommended, what other people thought, etc. the reviews were hopeful, but not stellar - too bad!

we walked in, having made reservations (note, there weren't very many people in the restaurant to begin with), but the host/server seemed to be confused that reservations were made at all (i found this rather odd ... or maybe they just never get reservations? i don't know). no matter - we were immediately seated and the hostess/server came to take our drink orders. while they didn't have a large selection of beers or wines (and they only have bottled sodas), they did have hoegarden, which i like. we were given menus; additionally, the server brought out a large white-board with the day's specials ... and this specials list was as long (or longer!) than the menu. i was happy to see mussels on the specials list, though, because i had read about them, but didn't see them on the regular menu.

anyway, we quickly ordered and waited for our food to come out, which it did in a timely fashion - total plus. the mussels i ordered were good, though not anywhere near the best that i've ever had (unfortunately). they were mostly creamy and could use a bit more seasoning (but again, these are just my opinions). of course, that didn't prevent me from sopping up the sauce/juice with bread (which was pretty good). the best part of the meal? the fries. i love fries, but these were really delicious! and all this despite the reviews that i had read about them. turns out, they're fried in palm oil (i think she said palm), bringing out a different flavor, a delicious flavor.

there seem to be quite a few french and belgian restaurants in the city. while i am glad to have visited bistro d'oc and try their cuisine, i have a feeling i'll select other options for future dining experiences. - sigh -

online: www.bistrodoc.com/

bistrot du coin

bistrot du coin
1738 connecticut avenue NW (between R street & S street), washington, DC 20009
tel: 202) 234-6969
hours: monday-wednesday 11:30am-11:30pm, thursday-saturday 11:30am-1am, sunday 11:30am-11:30pm

what was consumed: mussels, mussels, mussels! and fries, pate, salad, and cassoulet (YUM) ...

among the great things about work, one of them is the close proximity of great places to eat - woohoo!

so, one day, my coworkers and i were looking for a nice place to eat - a nice ambiance, great food, and a place to dish about office gossip (haha - just kidding). we happily agreed on bistrot du coin and i, of course, began to do research on what to order, what to eat, what to look forward to. after my first visit, i had to share the deliciousness with others:

delicious!

at first, you walk into a large, high-ceilinged (yes, i'm obsessed with high ceilings) eating hall, of sorts. the walls are decorated with all sorts of memorabelia, both local and international. there's a sort of flair about the place that is so appealing. is it the "french bistro" feel table clothes? is it the servers who speak french? what is it? this was a goooood sign ...

the meal started with delicious bread and butter. be sure not to fill up on it, though, because entree portions are good sized and you're gonna want to enjoy the other things that you've ordered. the last time i went, it was a total mussels fest (this is also the place where we got marguerite to order (and enjoy) mussels! that was a feat in and of itself). i have had the mussels a couple of a times and have tasted all different kinds (i think my favorite, to date, is the moules pistou - steamed mussels with pesto, prosciutto and french ham), but i could always go for more. bistrot du coin has small and large. small really is enough (especially if you're going to soak up all of the delicious broth with the delicious bread), but the large come with fries ... i often order the small and then fries on the side which saves me a few dollars (and keeps me from eating too many fries - i love fries). then again, the large also leaves you with more mussels and more broth. hmmm. in the end, it's a 'win-win' either way.

this last time, though, while everyone else ordered mussels, i took the advice of my friend and ordered the cassoulet. i had never had cassoulet; i had only read about this delicious french stew (i even considered making it, but ... well, you know me and not being able to follow recipes). but you really can't go wrong with a white bean stew with sausage, pork, lamb and duck confit. come on!! i had it on a dreary day; a hearty stew really hit the spot. it hit the spot the next day as well when i had the cassoulet leftovers for lunch (yes, even with everyone digging in, i had leftovers. delicious, delicious leftovers).

the only beef i have with bistrot du coin is that once i went for a friend's birthday. he had made reservations (there were about 14 of us) and we ordered food and wine (i.e., a pretty large tab). not only was the service average to below-average, after about 2ish hours, they told us that we had to leave because our reservation time had come to a close. WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? that has never happened to me ... sheesh. for sure, i had a much much better time in a small group ...

but, in the end, the food makes it all worth it. i'm sure i'll be back at bistrot du coin again ^_^

online: http://www.bistrotducoin.com/

dr. granville moore's brickhouse

dr. granville moore's brickhouse
1238 h stree NE, washington, dc 20002
tel: 202) 399-2546
hours: monday-thursday 5pm-12am, friday-saturday 5 pm-3 am, sunday 5pm-12am

what was consumed: moules! and pom frites with dipping sauces/aiolis ... oh, and BEER

mussels, mussles, mussles! so so so delicious. so, when jess and christine, one day long ago, suggested trying out a "new" belgian place, i was not one to argue. i mean, come on - what is better than some delicious mussels, pom frittes, and belgian beer? very little, my friend, very little. granville moore's has a variety of different moules "flavors." be sure to drink up every last morsel - first with the mussels, then by dipping bread, and finally by dipping your pom frittes (maybe that last one is just something christine and i do - ha!). be free to try different types (or have people in your party try different ones) as to sample the variety here.

but before i go on, let me tell you a bit about the location of granville moore's. the first time we went, we searched up and down the street for about 15 minutes (and that's after we parked. godo thing it wasn't too hot outside!). and no, it's not really metro accesible (sucks!). we asked a number of individuals and it wasn't until we spoke with someone who worked nearby that we were directed correctly. you see, granville moore's doesn't have a large sign. in fact, the small sign, looking more like the informational plates in front of a doctor's office, barely indicated that a restaurant was behind its doors. no matter - once you walk in, the wondering scents waft through your nostrils as your stomach begins to grumble with hunger.

for those of you who are anti-shellfish, not to fear! granville moore's also has a selection of other deliciousness. of the rest, i would recommend the steak sandwich or bison burger and, of course, pom frittes. i've also tried their bison tartare, which is also delicious (though definitely appetizer in portions). i want to try their crabcake sandwich, salads, and other entrees, but there's just something about the moules~ i can't seem to order anything else. ahhh~

the last time i went back, there were a few alterations to the menu. they didn't have all of the dipping sauces from before (but they had some new ones, so the actual number of dipping sauces was the same). the prices were also a little different (which is probably expected, especially with the way the economy is right now ... drat!). nonetheless, i will find myself at granville moore's again ... soon! hooray!

online: http://www.granvillemoores.com/

belga cafe

belga cafe
514 8th street SE, washington, dc 20003
tel: 202) 544-0100
hours: lunch (11:30am-2:30pm), sunday-thursday dinner (5:30pm-10:30pm), friday-saturday (5:30pm-11:30 pm)
what was consumed: beer, mussels, fries

christine kept telling me about some pleace she would go to in eastern market to eat this and that. i would always tell her to take me with her the next time she goes, but she'd always reply with one of those "oh, we went on the fly" sorts of things. yeah, right (haha - just kidding!). point is, i finally got a chance to go (woohoo!!).

so, we had reservations for a friday night meal, which was good because the restaurant was pretty filled. maybe that's the nature of restaurants in DC this time of year - the people sitting next to us were tourists (they told us they were from the midwest when they asked about how to eat mussels). or maybe it's because it's just a friday night ...

soon after being seated, we ordered our beers (leffe for me!). it's nice to have a couple of belgian beers on tap, i'm sure. and then, of course, the bottle beers ... and then, the eating selection! there were so many things on the menu, i wasn't sure where to begin. do i go the mussels route? or do i go the fancy entree route? or do i do a smorgasboard of small plates (as i'm often seen to do)? or ... aish. when at new restaurants that have such large selections, these are the things that plague my mind - ahhh!!

so, i decided on the mussels - who can resist? of course, that was after contemplating other dishes. i was trying to see what other people were ordering, but i didn't get to see all that much. nonetheless, the mussels we ordered were served quite quickly and they were also quite delicious! the mussels came with fries as well. now, while they didn't seem to be the color of the twice fried fries that i've seen at other places, they were delicious enough~ even funnier was when ketchup was asked for, the server looked so taken aback - ketchup? how could we! haha ... i prefer my fries with ranch and/or other sauces anyway ...

belga cafe also had some great service. our server was attentive and i believe the head guy came out at one point! i don't know what it is, but i think it's great when the owner/chef comes out to greet and interact with his/her patrons.

i'm sure i will head to belga cafe again sometime soon. it's close proximity to my house helps, but it is more the food and ambiance draws me back!

online: http://www.belgacafe.com/

cafe l'enfant

cafe l'enfant
2000 18th street NW, washington, dc 20007
tel: 202) 319-1800
hours of operation: mon-fri 6-close; sat 10am-close; sun 10am-close

what was consumed: belgian beer happy hour (half off belgian beer) – tues 4:30-7:30pm; crepes

the first time i came to cafe l'enfant was for their belgian beer happy hour on tuesday evenings. christine had been talking about it for a while and seeing that i'm a fan of belgian beer as well, the decision to go was quite easy. so, christine and i took the metro, got off at dupont circle, and began our trek out to adams morgan. now, she had been there before, but seeing as her sense of direction is as it is, we must have made a couple of wrong turns before cafe l'enfant appeared before our very eyes.

we made sure to get there just as the happy hour began (which, coincidentally, is also when the place opens). we walked in, and there was nobody there, outside of the restaurant staff. 'ok,' i thought, as we took our seats and our server came to take our order (she's french with a totally awesome accent). willie joined us after a little bit (christine and i had polished off our first beers of the night - delicious!) and soon after his arrival, the place became packed with adams morgan residents, regulars, and everyone else and their mothers. good thing we came early.

with the happy hour being as it is (half off belgian beer), i decided that i wanted to try as many as i could (they were out of some of their selections, but only 1 or 2). i also made sure i tried "delirium," which i liked (high alcohol content aside). after a bit of time, we also did order a crepe, which the three of us shared. it had lots of veggies in it, which is much preferred (for me) over the fruity kind. of course, this was only the beginning of our night (and it was truly a fun one at that!). nonetheless, i look forward to the next time i will go to cafe l'enfant.

online: http://www.lenfantcafe.com/