the bird

the bird
4219, 1337 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
tel: 202) 518-3609

what was consumed: nachos, chicken and waffles, chicken tacos

yay for neighborhood eats! 

i'd been meaning to try out the bird for quite some time. that bjl's preferred animal-based protein is chicken and preggers-related aversion to chicken pushed the visit date, but i finally made it! and super enjoyed it.

in particular, the chicken and waffles were delish. the chicken, in particular, was seasoned and cooked to perfection - crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.

the staff at the bird was also so accommodating and kind with food allergies. luckily, we were there before the dinner rush, but i have a feeling they'd do their best in any circumstance. we felt so loved by the staff and the chef. thank you, the bird!

i also love that the bird has quite a large patio area. other diners brought their pets and enjoyed some yummy bites in the company of their furry friends.

online: https://www.thebirddc.com/

tiger fork

tiger fork
922, rear, N St NW, Washington, DC 20001 (inside the blagdon alley area)
tel: 202) 733-1152

what was consumed: pork ribs, beef chow fun, humble plate of chili wontons, chairman's clams, tofu clay pot ... and the bubble waffle dessert.

looking for some hong kong-style bites that remind you of that one trip you took through asia? or just some delicious asian bites altogether? head to tiger fork! 

friends and i got together to grab some early bites to eat. tiger fork doesn't have a big sign that says "tiger fork," none that i could see anyway. so it took a minute to figure out where i was going. but once you figure it out and head in, you'll be greeted by friendly staff. be sure to grab a drink at the bar if your table isn't ready to go. but once your table is ready, be sure to get ready to eat!

we took many of our server's recommendation and were happy to do so. the crispy garlic on fall-off-the-bone ribs are things i want to sprinkle over everything (though the sauce on the ribs was a bit sweet for my liking). delicious wontons to start off the meal (in addition to the small plate of pickled stuff we started with), the not-that-spicy chili wontons, the noodles that were cooked to perfection and mixed so well with the veggies and meat in the dish, the hot pot that had all sorts of different textures ... and the clams! YUM.

and for sure, be sure to leave some room for dessert. even if you're not a huge dessert fan, there's something super fun about the bubble waffle! a variety of different flavor (all on the sweet side, of course) to include some icy, fruity bites.

yes. some of my chinese american friends have commented on how tiger fork's food isn't "just like mom made when i was a kid" ... and yes, some of my chinese american friends have commented on how tiger fork's prices are high, especially compared to the low prices in asia ... but i think this is the same issue we see whenever we see food outside of their home countries (note: i say this all the time about korean food. hahaha).

online: tigerforkdc.com

supra

supra
1205 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
tel: 202) 789-1205

what was consumed: we ordered what i've since been calling "the kristen menu." khachapuri (the one that oozes with cheese, the megruli), khinkali (2 per person), lobio kotanshi (beans from the hot menu), eggplant nigvizit (eggplant rolls with walnut), shashlik, and saperavi wine

the only other time i'd had georgian food (at a georgian restaurant) was when i visited my friend in yekaterinberg (russia). and it was delish. so excited to have an option here in DC to enjoy. that said, no one in our party knew exactly what to order. thank goodness i ran into friend kristen a few days before. she loves georgian food and had been to supra before (and came back with rave reviews). she gave us her "must eats" and favs, of which we ordered ... everything.

the ingredients were fresh, the flavors were delish, and i was in good company. will definitely have to go back to supra and try some of the other things that they offer (though the kristen menu is just so good). some complained that they thought the food was on the spendy side, especially in comparison to what you'd pay in georgia. turns out, we all complain about this (for realz, korean food in korea is way cheaper than korean food here, for the most part). so just dish out the extra few dollars and go and enjoy! you'll be glad you did.

online: https://www.supradc.com/

espita mezcaleria

 espita mezcaleria
1250 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
tel: 202) 621-9695

what was consumed: 3-part brunch meal! including a fresh cole rizada (curly & baby kale, kale chips, savory nuts & seeds, queso fresco, avocado, jalapeno garlic crema), tacos (al pastor - adobo rubbed pork, pineapple, pickled watermelon, salsa verde, salsa ranchera), and postre (milk chocolate caramel and white chocolate mousse, peanut sesame brittle)

add espita mezcaleria to your list, especially if you're in the mood for southern mexican cuisine. or if you just want a cool place to go to have good conversation with friends. we all opted for the brunch menu that offered an antojo, a choice of entrada, and a chocolate caramel and white chocolate mousse postre. while i probably could have eaten a dozen more tacos (big appetite over here. also because they were delicious! the flavors, the tortilla the salsas ... YUM. i hear the tacos de zanahorias (carrots) are also just wonderful), i kept it to the three that came with my meal. for appearances.

a nod also to espita mezcaleria's drink menu. a colorful, tasty, and creative variety for you to choose from. be sure to give one (or some) a try!

online: https://espitadc.com/

the dabney

the dabney

122 blagden alley nw, washington, DC 20001
tel: 202) 450-1015

what was consumed: foie gras biscuit, charred sunchokes, hearth roasted vegetables, fried sugar toads, beaver creek quail

YUM. the dabney is delicious. i still think about some of the dishes we had at the dabney. the small plates made for sharing that are just. so. tasty. so be sure to grab good friends and head over there.

we took the advice of our server (bartender in our case) and ordered some of his favorite things off the menu and we were not disappointed. the sunchokes were charred just enough to give the flavor without being too overwhelming, the quail was grilled just right and seasoned so well, and nature's gravy found in the yolk above the foie gras was just so decadent (or so i hear).

i would be remiss not to mention the butter. and bread. while i caution you not to fill up on this at the start of your meal, the butter is just. so. delicious. we raved about it so much that our bartender sent us home with some (and i got to continue enjoying the butter). SO GOOD.

online: https://thedabney.com/

all-purpose pizza

all-purpose pizza

1250 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

tel: 202) 849-6174

what was consumed: don's meatball surprise, duke #7 

e and i met for a late dinner (after the kiddo went to sleep; happy to accommodate!). as we were catching up, we enjoyed all-purpose pizza's wares.

as we hemmed and hawed about what we should order, our server suggested we order the meatball surprise as it's plated on delicious cheese "sauce" that pairs so well smothered on the meatballs as well as on the crust of your pizza. and the pizza! the duke #7 has a spreadable meat that is just a little spicy. pickled veggies also grace us on the duke #7 and it took all i had not to ask for double, triple, portions of the veggies (they're that good!). i can see why everyone is chatting about all purpose pizza ... !!!

online: http://allpurposedc.com/

thally

thally
1316 9th stree nw, 20001
tel: 202) 733-3849

what was consumed: small bites! today's choices include potato croquettes and delicious roasted brussel sprouts. and drinks!

fancy-pants friend fred and i got together to catch up and eat some good food over good drinks in the "neighborhood" restaurant, thally. and for sure, thally is not just a regular neighborhood restaurant.

thally has a great selection of beverages and quite a knowledgeable staff. and without any of the pretentiousness! i could definitely see myself getting quite comfortable here. their drinks menu included non-alcoholic house-made sodas (my favorite). if only i lived closer!

the small bites we enjoyed were also so delicious. it was hard to limit myself to my half of our share-sies sampler ... !!! crips in just the right places, season so well, and presented beautifully.

i was so happy to see such a great addition to the mt. vernon square/convention center area. next time, i'll have to stick around for more delicious food!


online: http://www.thallydc.com/

seasonal pantry

seasonal pantry

1314 1/2 9th street nw, 20001
tel: 202) 713-9866

what was consumed: the meal of the day

seasonal pantry? what is that?

i had heard murmurs about this place for some time. at what felt like the beginnings of the price fixe and "family dinner" popularity, i heard about seasonal pantry and wondered what their schtick was. specialty market by day, restaurant by night? i liked that they wanted to use ingredients that are "in season" when feeding their patrons and having a set and creative (and constantly changing) menu based on the culinary creativity of chefs is always intriguing.

so, when friend e wanted to go, i was happy to accompany her despite the high price tag of the meal (though, if you think about it, the meal includes the price fixe meal (we had probably 10 courses), wine, tax, and tip. so, yes, on the pricey side, but good for special occasions (or when on per diem - hahaha JUST KIDDING). we purchased our tickets for dinner in advance (from the seasonal pantry website) and patiently waited for our culinary adventure.

on the day of our meal, i arrived at seasonal pantry, though i wasn't really sure what i was supposed to do or where to go. the website implored patrons to be on time (i was a few minutes early) as they only have 1 seating. the market was closed and no one was there. turns out, i was early (for once! kdk, do you hear me? i can be on time!! hehehe). once the chef opened the doors, i selected our seats.

i can't even begin talking about how much i enjoyed the meal. from the fresh radishes that started the meal to the perfectly prepared steak medallion to the interesting combination of flavors in the salads, breads, spreads, and and and ... while i ended the meal stuffed, i was ready to start from the beginning. again. i appreciated that while the executive chef was in charge of creating the menu, he also had a small team of TWO that were learning the craft, sort of as his apprentices. he took great pride and responsibility to train and teach new chefs the craft.

the seating situation is also interesting. only 12 seats are available at the dinner table on any given night. you might be sitting with the other members of your party of 12 or, as was our case, you sit next to a couple celebrating a birthday, another couple celebrating a graduation, and a couple who just really enjoyed good food. what great dining partners! the great conversation as we got to know the people around us and as we chatted about what we were eating definitely turned out to be one of the great highlights of the meal.

i also watched the chef's "top chef" appearance (SPOILER ALERT if you haven't seen top chef season 10) and was devastated when he didn't make it. at all. i think he would've made a quality (and entertaining!) cast member. hehehe ...

i hear rumors that the seasonal pantry chef is going to close down this establishment. say it isn't so! i look forward to my next delicious meal there - CAN'T WAIT!!!

online: http://seasonalpantry.com/

queen of sheba

queen of sheba

1503 9th street nw, 20001
tel: 202) 232-7788

what was consumed: sambusas, the vegetarian platter, lamb tibs, and lots of injera. queen of sheba also has the whole wheat injera (i still prefer the regular. and queen of sheba's injera is super delish).

my new favorite ethiopian restaurant! the ingredients are fresh, the injera is delicious, the clientele is ethiopian, and the service is good. win win!

so, i super love ethiopian food. there's something about the delicious flavors that are made more delicious with the sourdough-like injera and made more fun because you eat with your hands!

as is the case other recommendations i've made at ethiopian restaurants, i suggest starting with sambusas, then ordering a veggie sampler and then meat dishes, depending on the number in your party. the sambusas at queen of sheba are fried to order, it feels, as they are piping hot when served. the wrapper is crispy on the outside and the lentils on the inside have a light and simple dressing that's just a touch peppery. foor the veggie sampler, you are given an option of 4 or 7. i like ordering their lentils and their split yellow peas - pretty standard findings in lots of other restaurants' veggie platters. but my favorite is always the collards. i might have ordered double servings of the collards and intentionally ordered the larger option just to do that. i'm just saying. haha. for the meat options, i like ordering lamb dishes at ethiopian restaurants because the spices that are used ensure that the game-i-ness of lamb, that people don't like, is minimized. also, be sure the tibs you order come in the berbere sauce (is that what it's called? the red, ethiopian curry?), sort of spicy curry. once, c and i ordered lamb and it came out in a broth instead. while delicious, i prefer the curry. and we still pretty much demolished our order.

and, always, share-sies

i find myself ensuring i eat ethiopian food at least once while in the wdc area. queen of sheba is also open for lunch, so be sure to stop by! and if i'm in town, CALL ME. i will certainly go share-sies with you.

online: http://www.queenofshebadc.com/