Missed Restaurants

Okay, so I haven't been doing my duty in keeping up with this blogging about restaurants thing, but I'm sorry, it takes a really long time. Also, when it's not restaurant week, I haven't gotten to go to quite as many places. So in order to make that up to you, I'm going to do a short (for me) write up of a bunch of the places I've eaten and meant to write about but haven't gotten to. That's right, it's the instant gratification of a short, slightly informative recommendation of each of the places. I'll hopefully get to follow up with a little bit more commentary on a couple of places. Plus, with restaurant week coming up soon, I have to get back into it. Right now I have plans to visit Cafe Promenade, Sam & Harry's, BLT Grill (a hot new place from famous New York chef Laurent Toroundel) and another shot at the local Arlington place Willow. So I'm still open for one or two more places and I'm sure will hit up one as some of my best R-Week compatriots are not on those reservations.

So without further ado, here are the restaurants:

Taberna Del Alabadero (Farragut West Metro): This one deserves a full article. I really need to write it up and I will give it to you the next time I go there. This is a restaurant that I discovered at one R-Week a year and a half ago. I've been there a few times since and it's probably my favorite place in the city itself. Beware, it's not cheap, but you'll be rewarded for the price. Their appetizer menu is not largely my cup of tea, but the jamon is fantastic if you're willing to shell out the money for it. Most of their appetizers involve seafood, chorizo or mushrooms, none of which I eat, but trust me, at Taberna, I'm actually tempted to violate those rules. The entrees are all excellent. I believe I had an incredible venison last time I was there (I often go for venison). The two things that put Taberna over the edge, however, are the sangria, which is out of this world and many have told me reminded them of their time spent in Valencia (which makes sense since all of the owners are from Valencia) and the drunken banana, which is kind of like a banana flavored creme brulee served over a sponge cake topped with a subtle beer ice cream and a carmelized banana. This is quite possibly the best dessert I've had in the Washington, DC area. This is pretty amazing considering the lack of chocolate and the fact that it's creme brulee which is easy to make well, but impossible to make stupendous. Taberna does the impossible with the Banana Boracha. Also, the atmosphere is very romantic (red velvet all over the walls) and very authentic.

***** - It's REALLY good
$$$ - it's really expensive, but on weekdays during happy hour they have half priced tapas and September is Paella month, where there's a good deal on paellas of which they have several.

Boulevard Woodgrill (Clarendon): This staple of Clarendon deserves at least a mention. They have a well stocked bar with some decent vodkas and liquors. They also happen to have very good salads and food in general. I've been there many times and particularly love their Wild Salmon Salad and their Duck Salad. They also have Carribean Jerk wings which are pretty amazing. All of their fish entrees are pretty good and they're quite good with chicken. The problems are that I've never been super impressed with their desserts, they're not bad, but not great. The service is hit or miss and the atmosphere is nothing special. That said, I think it's one of the better deals out there. I can leave there feeling like I've gotten a $25 entree for $15 and all said and done paid $35 for a $50 meal. I compare it largely to Harry's Tap Room across the street which has a great brunch but the dinners aren't nearly as good. It's cheaper and better.

Quality ***
Value $$$$$ - I think it's a great value for what it is.

Hard Times Cafe (several places): Everyone probably knows about Hard Times, but it deserves a mention as one of my favorite places. Everyone knows they have fantastic chili (all of their kinds are good, but beware of Texas wet, you'll like it while you eat it, but not afterwards). Their beers are cheap and generally pretty good and the atmosphere is perfect for chili. What people don't know is that they have really good burgers and fries (especially with chili on them) and really good wings.

Quality - *** (damn good chili burgers, it is what it is)
Value - $$$$

Ray's Burger Butcher (Courthouse/Roslyn): Okay, this is a place that you MUST try. If you like hamburgers even only once a year, this is the burger you need to have. It's brand new (less than a month old still). It's in Court House/Roslyn in this weird, unsuspecting shopping center. It doesn't even have a sign up and it doesn't need it. They open at 5pm and close "when the last burger is served." I haven't gone at 5, but I'm convinced they have burgers on the grill from 5pm until 9:45 or 10:00 non-stop. I went once at 8:15 and waited until 9:15 for my burger and the second time, I went at 8:50 and got it in 20 minutes. It was worth the wait! They serve burgers three ways, cajun (I've tried), au poivre (I haven't tried) and Diablo (a chipotle I've tried). So far, they are wonderful both ways I've had. It's a ten ounce burger with the top sirloin from Ray's the Steaks three doors down and they chop it in front of you. You can put all sorts of toppings on it, from lettuce and beautiful red tomatoes to sherry and cognac braised mushrooms (all free). They have Dominion root beer on tap and serve it by the pitcher and they serve all of their burgers with a side of corn on the cob and watermelon. If you don't eat a lot, bring someone to split with. Alright, so it's more expensive than a normal burger at $7, but a lot cheaper than a 10 ounce sirloin steak and it comes with more toppings. I don't know if I can say enough about this deal. Michael Landrum is a genius, a great chef and a wonderful man (got to meet him when I went there during their first week). He brings good food at good prices to the world.

Quality - **** (yes, for a burger)
Value - $$$$$ (can I give 6 out of 5?)

Okay, that's all you get for today. Hopefully I can bring myself to do a few more tomorrow.