[mappress]

With the requisite amount of flat screen TVs and local flavor, Ventnor Sports Bar in Adams Morgan definitely makes the short list of good bars in DC to catch a game. I am always partial to neighborhood spots because naturally, they tend to have more of a friendly and laid back vibe. Some of the bigger venues in DC are also frequented by locals, but also seem to attract a fair amount of the non-metro DC crowd. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing or a knock at non-locals, but the feel at those places sometimes is a bit diffuse for my taste.

Cost – $$

Food – B
The menu offers an abundance of choices so there seems to be something for everyone. Overall, Ventnor food is better than the typical bar which is a big plus in my book since I like to gorge myself when watching sports. In short, the wings are tasty, the burgers have thick patties, but best of all, you can choose tater tots as a side. Enough said – just kidding but not really – tater tots are awesome. They also have little baggies of popcorn which makes you thirsty for more beer lol.

Service – A-
Like most other popular places, you have to be a little patient during big games but overall, the service has always been solid. Also worth noting is that they offer all you can drink Mimosas and Bloody Marys during Sunday brunch and they are very quick on the refills.

Décor – C+
Ventnor’s has the typical amount of sports memorabilia and nothing really stands out, except that it is less of a dive than some of the other AM bars. What I am trying to say is that it’s cleaner and more put together than some of it’s neighbors.

Feel – B
Back to the neighborhoody theme I touched on earlier, the feel is comfortable and genuine. During football season, there are always fans pulling for their home teams which makes for lively afternoons on Saturdays and Sundays. The space in the downstairs area isn’t that wide so it can get crowded quickly for popular games and at night, but the upstairs is much roomier and can accommodate larger groups.

Ventnor Sports Cafe is located at 2411 18th St NW.  They can be reached at (202) 234-3070 or on the Web at www.ventnorsportscafe.com.

[mappress]

Everything on the menu at Founding Farmers sounded so good that when the waiter asked me what I would be having, I just responded with a “Yes, I will take two of each” and handed the menu back to him. I am kidding of course but the selection – albeit it all over the map: fried green tomatoes, steak and enchilada, yankee pot roast – was globally appealing to me. I had been craving for comfort food for some time so that surely had an influence, but regardless, even before I had a bite of anything I decided that Founding Farmers was my kind of place. Speaking of which, the space itself feels like a modern farmhouse which truly reinforces the restaurant’s philosophy of only using of sustainably farmed, grown and harvested American foods.

Cost – $$$

Service – A-
The caveat with my rating is that my visit was on a Friday afternoon on a holiday weekend so the restaurant wasn’t very busy at all. Our particular waiter had a great sense of humor and seemed genuine and thoughtful. The food did take a little long to come out so I can imagine that the service may get a little spotty during peak hours.

Food – B
The food was actually not to the level I was expecting. Others had told me that certain dishes were to die for such as the mac and cheese, but I have easily had better. Same goes for the chicken and waffles. Looking around at what some of the other diners had ordered, I think I would have really enjoyed some of the other things on the menu like the flatbread or burgers. Some of the salads on the menu also caught my eye (even though I would never order one). I particularly liked the slow cocktail menu which was a nice surprise.

Decor – B
The eco-friendly design is sleek and at first impression, comfortable. The farmhouse theme works well and almost seems to prime you for a good traditional American meal. As some know, Founding Farmers is a LEED Gold certified, the first for a Washington, DC restaurant and for a full-service, upscale-casual restaurant in the entire nation.

Feel – B
As I alluded to earlier, Founding Farmers started out feeling very comfortable but after walking up to the second story, I started to realize that the restaurant was quite large and had a little bit of a chain feel to it. However, the place had a decent buzz and friendly atmosphere even during a holiday weekend and the slight institutional feel won’t stop me from coming back or recommending the restaurant to others.

Founding Farmers is located at 1924 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. They can be reached at (202) 822-8783.

What’s the Buzz:

June 20, 2009 – Sustainable Comfort: Founding Farmers (Only Here for the Food) – “Local” and “sustainability” are two of the key buzzwords in the restaurant industry right now, so it wasn’t surprising that Founding Farmers, a fairly new addition to DC’s restaurant scene, seems to live and breathe both of those practices. After reading their mission statement on their website, I was hooked, despite seeing both hit-and-miss reviews on Chowhound. Full Article…

[mappress]

I arrived at the Hyatt Regency at about 9PM, on the verge of starvation and made a beeline for the Market Street Bar & Grill.  I was greeted at the door by the manager who seated me near the middle of the restaurant.  The crowd at the restaurant had begun to die down so there were plenty of available seats and this tends to be a recipe for disaster for someone neurotic like myself.  I changed seats about three times in total before finally settling on a seat on the patio so I could enjoy the warm evening.

Cost – $$$

Service – B+
I think the manager was working reception when I arrived and was pretty accommodating finding me a seat (although I could detect some irritation on his part after asking to be re-seated for the third time).  The waiter made a recommendation, lobster and grits in a chive lobster butter sauce, that ended up being the part of my meal but more about that in a second.  My only gripe was that I don’t believe our waiter had a comprehensive understanding of the menu.  I poked a bit, asking him to compare different dishes and he wasn’t really a fountain of culinary information (beyond recommending the lobster and grits) however he was very professional and attentive throughout the evening.

Food – A-
The lobster & grits with chive lobster butter sauce was incredible.  I could have probably ordered that dish three times and been pretty happy.  The ahi tuna sashimi was fresh, well prepared and the presentation was good.  For my main course I had the grilled filet with a Napa cabernet (Hayman & Hill) and was happy with the overall quality.

Décor – B
I get the sense that the restaurant invested a good amount of money in the décor. The furnishings are high quality and well construed. That being said, it is decorated like your standard high-end grill – nothing really stuck out to me about the décor apart from the fact that it was very nice.

Feel – B+
I arrived after the dinner rush so things had quieted down a bit, which was nice because it afforded me the opportunity to concentrate on the dishes. The customers outdoors definitely skewed a bit on the older side with a median age of 50 or so. Many hotel restaurants tend to rely on their residents so the fact that the post-rush crowd was primarily local supports the strong product that the restaurant puts out. The ambiance isn’t going to be the focal point in and of itself but I’d recommend the restaurant as a good destination for a family dinner or a business lunch in the area.

The Market Street Bar & Grill is located at 1800 Presidents Street in Reston, VA. They can be reached at (703) 925-8250.

Photos:

A couple of weekends ago I was meeting with a few friends for brunch in Georgetown and we were debating were to eat.  It was a bit too muggy for the waterfront and none of us really wanted to deal with the crowds and parking down there so we decided on upper Georgetown.  My first choice is normally Cafe Bonaparte but the line was out the door so we decided to head over to Peacock Cafe.

Cost – $$

Service – B+
We were eating a bit later and missed the brunch rush thankfully.  Our server was extremely attentive and very friendly.

Food – B+
The food is a step above some of the more popular brunch places in DC like Open City or Kramerbooks.  The brunch menu is pretty standard although they do have a poached eggs over lump crabmeat dish that is definitely a bit unique.

Decor – B+
It’s fun and funky.  They have a good blend of outdoor seating as well as seating for couples and smaller groups.  Although they can probably accommodate a group of 6-8, anything larger than that might be pushing it.

Feel – A-
I hadn’t been to Peacock Cafe in a while but I think I’ve been missing out.  They are definitely one of the better brunch places in the DC area.

Peacock Cafe is located at 3521 Prospect Street, NW.  They can be reached at (202) 625-2740.

With the onset of Spring in the Nation’s capital, people flock to the streets and the city comes to life.  Combating a nasty case of hay fever, I set out with Dean to the U Street neighborhood to check out one of the most recent DC hot spots, Policy.  Policy is the brainchild of former AOL engineer Omar Miskinyar.

Cost – $$

Service – A
The service throughout the venue was fantastic.  The hostess was cute and friendly and even stopped by once after she seated us to see how we were getting on.  Our server was incredibly helpful and attentive even though I’m sure he had been on his feet for the last several hours.  Finally, the bartenders in the lounge were all attractive.

Food – B+
Executive Chef Brian Murphy began working at L’Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls, VA and received his training at Johnson & Wales University.  It may have been the fact that I hadn’t eaten in about five hours, three of which were spent playing basketball but I tore into my lamb sliders and fries like a caveman.  I need to go and try some of the other dishes to really get a sense for the quality of food but I thoroughly enjoyed what I had.

Decor – B+
It is a cross between urban chic, French classical, S&M, 1970′s retro and modern contemporary.  In other words, a postmodern mishmosh of styles and eras.  The odd thing is that the synthesis of the style soup is that it worked pretty well for me.  I’d love to hear what others think.

Feel – B
Policy has just opened up and still has a halo of freshness.  People are still eager to devour one of the newest destinations in DC and the crowd has a unique mix of clubbers, hip-hoppers, and even some borderline hipsters sprinkled in.  There is an equilibrium that is working right now but I found myself wondering whether or not it is sustainable.  Unlike the myriad of design aesthetics in the place (which worked for me) there may be too many different types of crowds at Policy right now.  Granted, the process is a dynamic one and Policy’s identity will evolve over time but I think that at some point management is going to have to make certain choices about who they want in the club and then structure the door policy, music, and promoters accordingly.  Until then, it offers a unique experience unlike any other in the DC area.

Policy Restaurant and Lounge is located at 1904 14th Street NW.

What’s the Buzz

March 26, 2009 – Policy Restaurant/Lounge Opens in DC (DC Fab) – You know we got your back on the hottest places in town and today, Policy (1904 14th Street NW) opens with an in-your-face graffiti’d interior that makes you want to see just what this place is about. The restaurant/lounge’s theme is “truth, love and liberty”, which you can see scribbled elegantly on their walls but their hip and vibrant decor screams New York City subway meets elegance. (I mean…what else can you think of when you mix graffiti artist Andrew Funk of Indonesia with chandeliers!).  Full article…

Rocklands usually makes the short list for most locals when it comes to answering the all important question of “what restaurant serves the best BBQ in DC?” Although Rocklands may not be the best around, I agree that it definitely belongs in the top five conversation and it sure has built a loyal following since its doors opened in 1990. The interesting thing is that I have been to many of the DC BBQ places that seem to make it on these lists and frankly, almost all of them are just ok and some aren’t good at all. Grilling fanatics concede that Rocklands is good but advise that you need to get out into the suburbs if you really want some serious BBQ. Suburbs here I come…

Cost – $$

Service – B
The staff doesn’t come off as being overly warm but they do a good job of keeping things moving and are quite prompt when responding to needs. As most know, Rocklands can get packed but the food comes out pretty quickly and in order.

Food – B+
I love BBQ and although I have had better, when I need a fix Rocklands is a reliable spot. The pulled pork, brisket, pork ribs and chicken are tasty. The baby backs are also good but may be a little fatty at times. All in all, the BBQ is pretty damn delicious. As far as sides go, I am a fan of the mac and cheese and corn pudding. The variety on the menu is good (and includes a veggie sandwich) and experimenting with the array of sauces just adds to the entertainment.

Decor – C
When you walk into Rocklands, the no frills decor lets you know that it’s all about BBQ. It’s mostly carry out so there is limited seating around a medium size community table and along the front window. The wall of sauces for sale and use seems to be the color in the place which suits me just fine. When it comes to BBQ, I am ok as long as the place is clean (and sometimes that is only a mild concern).

Feel – B
There is a strong neighborhood feel to Rocklands which is the way BBQ joints usually are and should be. The patrons range from locals reading their papers on Sunday mornings to out of towners which reinforces that Rocklands is for everyone looking to taste perhaps some of the best BBQ in DC. I think not having more seating is a flaw (especially since my friends and I tend to pig out when we go there and take up half the community table with our racks of ribs and overabundance of sides) but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Rocklands is good eats and this slight inconvenience is worth it.

Rocklands is located at 2418 Wisconsin Ave. NW. They can be reached at (202) 333-2558.

What’s the Buzz:

August 14, 2008 – Rocklands Barbecue (Beltway BBQ) – Forest Gump once said that “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” The same could be said when visiting Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company. Rocklands is a local chain that has built a reputation as one of the go-to “Q” restaurants in the D.C. area. We have been to three of its four locations. The one common factor among all the restaurants we have tried is inconsistency. Full Article…

An old friend who used to live in DC was in town the other day for a few days and apparently had begun craving the Matchbox sliders as his plane landed on the tarmac so insisted I meet him at the venue, located in Chinatown.  Although I had ordered takeout from Matchbox in the past this was the first time I had an opportunity to experience the venue.

Cost – $$

Service – B+
It was a little chaotic when we first got there but they seemed to be doing a good job managing a pretty substantial crowd.  Our waiter was pretty affable and helped create a light atmosphere.

Food – C

The sliders are pretty good but I was surprisingly dissatisfied with the pizza.  It was great at first when it was fresh out of the stove but every minute that passed made it seem greasier and less enjoyable.  It was a shocker because I could remember being really wowed by the pizza the first time I tried it but this time, the post-food experience reminded me a bit of how I’ve felt after eating an Adams Morgan jumbo slice.

Decor – A-
Matchbox’s hardwood floors and exposed brick create a slick, modern interior that is probably one of the reasons Matchbox manages to draw such numbers.

Feel – A-
Matchbox just feels like a cool place to relax and have a pretty laid-back meal.  It was a beautiful Friday afternoon when we headed over there and we were seated in a booth upstairs by the window.  Chinatown was full of life and I could have hung out there for the entire day if it wasn’t for the unpleasant, greasy feeling I had after eating the pizza.  Pizza aside, the place is definitely still a hot spot and well worth the visit for a small gathering of friends are a quick bite to eat with your significant other on a weekday evening.

Matchbox is located at 713 H Street in NW.  They can be reached at (202) 289-4411.

The DC version of the Battle of the Burgers has recently started and after reviewing the best burger brackets, I felt incomplete (actually more like robbed) that I haven’t had the burgers at a few of the spots being considered. To remedy the situation, it’s burgers for me for the next few weeks and I decided to start with Good Stuff Eatery in Capitol Hill. With the fanfare that comes with an appearance on Top Chef, Spike Mendelsohn’s joint was opened with high expectations and at first impression I am a fan. Maybe not something I would make part of my weekly diet at this point, but definitely a place I would frequent especially if I was in the neighborhood. I especially dig the surprising Vietnamese influence and am looking forward to trying the Spike’s 5 Napkin Burger – dairy fresh cheese, applewood bacon, fried egg on a brioche bun with good stuff sauce. Might not be for everyone, but it sure sounds awesome to me.

Cost – $

Service – B-
The service seemed a bit on the slow side and a little disjointed. There was a little lag time between taking orders and the shakes were set out without saying what they were and to whom they belonged to. I felt like this was not the usual and the friendly attitude of the those behind the counter made it easy to shrug off.

Food – B+
The burgers were tasty, the rosemary fries were good, the dipping sauces were excellent and the shake was, well, the shake could have been better but it was good enough. I really like the variety of choices and everything on the menu sounds delicious – to the point I will not repeat an order until I have tried everything. I take that back, the 5 Napkin Burger may be an exception if it lives up to what I have heard and imagine it to taste like.

Decor – B
The abundance of white and aluminum gives Good Stuff Eatery a fresh edge which I really like. The loft design gives the place a spacious feel and I also enjoyed the posters (although somewhat cliche) that give some history and philosophy about the restaurant, Spike’s family and the food.

Feel – B
Spike’s really works and I think it accomplishes it’s goal – good simple food in a communal type setting. Its a universal kind of place where customers can have a quick casual meal or where groups can grab a beer and lunch after the weekend softball game  – all while catching parts of favorite sporting events or news on the TVs!  Sorry, I had to throw that in. There is almost always some sporting event or news event I want to catch so places that have good TVs are a big plus in my book!

Good Stuff Eatery is located at 303 Pennsylvania Ave SE. They can be reached at (202) 543-8222.

What’s the Buzz:

July 21, 2008 – Good Stuff Eatery (The Humble Gourmand) – After years of being an avid Top Chef viewer, it was finally time for me to put my catty judgments where my mouth was. Walking into Good Stuff Eatery, you’ll be greeted by two things: a very welcoming general manager (or a man I had assumed was the general manager) and a glimpse of Spike’s signature hat. Oftentimes I would be annoyed by someone capitalizing on his reality TV “popularity” in order to make a buck, but in this instance, I really could not fault the man. The place smelled too good. Full Article…

Two half smokes and chili cheese fries please. I wish I was the only one who wanted to place that order this Saturday afternoon but no such luck. The line at Ben’s Chili Bowl was 30+ deep and unfortunately, I didn’t have that much time to wait. But long lines are the norm for this DC establishment which has served the likes of…well everybody. The short list of past regulars is a who’s who and includes the likes of Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and Bill Cosby. Speaking of high profile customers, the place seems to have gotten noticeably busier since President Obama’s well-documented cameo last month. Of all the eateries in DC, Ben’s Chili Bowl is the one place you have to visit.

Cost – $

Service – B
The B is for effort and entertaining staff. With tons of people piling in after a night out, you can’t really expect expedient or attentive service. Unless you score a table of seat at the counter, the wait is something you have to deal with.

Food – A
True, I usually eat Ben’s at 2 am when I have had a beer/cocktail or three and I have adjusted my rating accordingly by giving an A instead of an A+.

Decor – C+
For those that have never been, Ben’s decor is like a diner complete with signed celebrity headshots on the wall. The plus is for the photos of cool musicians that have graced U Street over the years.

Feel – A
Every trip to Ben’s feels like you are visiting a place with a lot of history (and not because the décor hasn’t changed since it opened in 1958). The patrons range from yuppies to foreign tourists to …well like I said, everybody. Hey, what’s not to like about Ben’s Chili Bowl.

Ben’s Chili Bowl is located at 1213 U Street NW. They can be reached at (202) 667-0909.

What’s the Buzz:

January 19, 2009 – The Buzz at Ben’s Chili Bowl (The New York TImes) – Ben’s Chili Bowl was already a pretty lucrative operation, but it seems fair to say President-elect Barack Obama’s visit a few Saturdays ago — as well as this week’s festivities — are good for business. At lunchtime today, the line to get into the Washington landmark filed down U Street before snaking up a side street. And, according to employees at other U Street establishments, customers have been lining up in the cold for several days now. Full Article…

I grew up in Bethesda during the latter half of the 80s and early part of the 90s and can remember when it was a relatively quiet suburb of DC with a modest downtown area that contained a limited selection of restaurants and no bars (as far as I can remember). So it is funny to me now when I walk down Bethesda Row or the more recent Bethesda Lane and see a bustling city that seems to be growing at breakneck pace and Redwood Restaurant and Bar is one of the venues that is representative of the next evolution in Bethesda’s nightlife. Cut It is a venue that has invested a great deal of money to create a stylish and contemporary ambiance.

Cost - $$$

Service – A-
The place was packed and they couldn’t get me a table but they were still pretty cool on the phone. After I arrived they went through the effort of finding me a space at the bar where I was comfortable dining and throughout the meal, the bartender was consistently attentive and we didn’t have to wait longer than a minute if we needed anything. What’s more, when they found out that I wasn’t crazy about the crab dip they ended up comping it, which you don’t often see in fine or semi-fine dining establishments.

Food – C+

The current menu is the product of Chef Drew Trautmann, the former Executive Chef at Sonoma Restaurant and Redwood’s Chef de Cuisine Miguel Pizarroso.  I have to say that out of all the facets of our experience, the food itself was the weakest. As I mentioned previously, the crab dip was really disappointing. The texture was dry and the flavor was a bit too mature. Considering the location of the restaurant (in Maryland) this is one dish that seems a tragedy to get wrong. The entrées were an improvement. The braised beef short rib was incredibly tender but I found the sauce to be a bit overwhelming (which seems surprising given Kitko’s background). Similarly, the duck confit was heavily salted and tasted a bit over-bearing over time although initially was pretty impressive. What’s more, the presentation was pretty lame. They basically served both entrées in bowls where all the various ingredients seemed dumped together.  Note – when the spring menu comes out they will be directing the menu towards an even lower price point and more of a comfort food focus so it will definitely be interesting to see how that impacts the food component of the experience.

Design – A-
Not surprisingly given its moniker, Redwood’s interior contains richly stained hardwood ceilings and floors with large windows that face out onto Bethesda Lane. Without question, this is the strength of the restaurant. It has a slick, modern feel that must appeal to all the aging baby boomers in Bethesda because it means they don’t have to drive down into DC to enjoy a contemporary dining experience.

Feel – B
Redwood is drawing serious crowds currently. It was completely packed when we were there, which is saying a lot given the ample size of the restaurant. My suspicion is that the combination of design aesthetic, location (on the freshly cobbled Bethesda Lane), and lack of competition are probably driving the crowds into Redwood. The crowd is definitely more mature and homogeneously white than what you might see at similarly themes restaurants in DC. I enjoyed my experience at the restaurant and think it is a solid offering but now that I’ve dined there, I’d probably choose the nearby Rock Creek Restaurant, which has a better culinary product, if I were in Bethesda and seeking a semi-fine dining experience.

Redwood Restaurant and Bar is located at 7121 Bethesda Lane. They can be reached at (301) 656-5155 and reservations are definitely recommended.

What’s the Buzz:

June 24, 2008 – Redwood Restaurant and bar (Pleasures of the Table) – Meet Jared Rager. He, and his partner Eli Hengst, are opening Redwood Restaurant and Bar in the new development in Bethesda. They join Le Pan Quotidien from New York and Dolcezza from Georgetown in the development. Full article…