Tag: restaurant


May
2012

Vegan Restaurant Challenge – Pt 4

categories: Reviews

The next stop on the Vegan tour of the DMV was Amma Vegetarian Kitchen in Vienna, VA (click here for parts 1, 2, and 3).  Amma is an all vegetarian South Indian restaurant specializing in dosas (crepes) with spicy fillings.  Unfortunately we quickly discover that Amma was on the Washingtonian’s list for being vegetarian friendly, NOT vegan friendly – they cook their crepes on a griddle with butter.  After a lot of discussion with the man working the counter (who was very patient and helpful) we discovered that were maybe two options for my vegan friend – a fried bread and a whole wheat bread, both served with (SUPER) spicy potatoes and a vegetable stew.

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May
2012

Minibar (4/100, 2012)

categories: Reviews

Set at a six-person bar on the upper level of America Eats Tavern, Minibar is a restaurant within a restaurant.  It is also consistently one of the highest rated restaurants in DC – usually within the top 5!  It is just as much theater as it is dining while you interact with the chefs and watch them prepare a parade of tiny, one-bite dishes that are clever, whimsical, and above all – delicious. (more…)


May
2012

Vegan Restaurant Challenge – Pt 3

categories: Reviews

For anyone who has read Pt 1 or Pt 2, you will know that my Vegan friend challenged me to try the top 25 Vegan-friendly restaurants in the area.  This time we decided to two different spots in the same trip.  Cafe Green (an all vegan restaurant) and Agora (a Greek spot with a number of vegetarian options and a few vegan ones) are right next door to each other near Dupont Circle.

The menu at Cafe Green is a little eccentric – part Asian, part Southern comfort food; all Vegan, with a large portion of Raw food.  I ordered the macaroni and cheese platter based on good reviews, and the fact that I love mac-n-cheese.  The macaroni is made from quinoa (which is a super grain) and the sauce had almost a bit of curry flavor too it.  Great texture, great flavor – this is a winner.  The platter came with a side of lemony kale that was alright and some spiced, candied yams that were AWESOME.  I also added on a piece of cornbread that had good flavor but was super dry and crumbly. (more…)


Apr
2012

Bourbon Steak (top 100 – 2010, 2011, 2012)

categories: Reviews

We had been meaning to try out Michael Mina’s signature restaurant, Bourbon Steak, for quite a while, and when we finally did we were not disappointed – except by the steak.

We started out in the lounge, where we perused their massive and innovative cocktail list.  I had the 1919, with aperol, grapefruit bitters, prosecco, and a sugar cube – a perfect aperitif.  There were many more drinks on the list that I would love to try as well; we might have to come back for an evening at the bar. (more…)


Apr
2012

Mockingbird Bistro, Houston TX

categories: Reviews

We recently went on a trip to Houston, TX to attend an alumni event at my alma mater – Rice University.  The trip happened to fall around the time of our 2nd Wedding Anniversary, so we wanted to have a nice dinner in Houston to celebrate.  We chose the Mockingbird Bistro as our location and had a wonderful evening.

We were impressed as soon as we entered by the hostess’s greeting: “Are we holding a table for you?”  I thought that it was much more polite than the usual “Do you have a reservation?”  The manager brought us complimentary Cava in honor of our Anniversary, and they also knew our favorite (and hard to find) cocktail, Pisco sour, so we were quite pleased from the beginning.  Once we were seated, we had a chance to look at the decor and layout.  The main room is pretty small and divided into a bar/lounge area and a dining area, but there is another large room (which doubles as wine storage), and stairs to a balcony room (both of which are available for private events).  The style was very cool – hip, old Paris feel with a bit of a gothic edge – I was instantly in love with it.  The cool vibe, old-fashioned cocktails, and stellar wine list (one of the best in the city) makes this a place that I would definitely hang out at – if only I had known about it when I lived there!

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