Before heading to Washington DC this past month I knew I would be visiting historical monuments and memorials created for those who gave their lives to this beautiful country. However, I also knew I was going to visit some extraordinary restaurants. After doing my research, I decided to visit some French establishments, one high end, eclectic and fun restaurant, an authentic Spanish Tapas bar, and hopefully fall upon an unexpected food find. As a result, I ended up at the following restaurants and with the following observations…
Mie N Yu
3125 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007 – (202) 333-6122 – Mie N Yu, located in the heart of Georgetown, is a must see. Whether for dinner or just drinks, the one of a kind restaurant décor is enough for a visit. The restaurant is a mixture of Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisine. The music is lively and the belly dancers surround the restaurant at every corner. If you want an amazing experience and have a big group you can reserve a suspended birdcage acting as your dining table. My good New York City friends, Jon & Katie Key, joined me at dinner where we enjoyed a Dim Sum platter of several dumplings with an amazing pineapple sweet chili sauce; Steamed Mussels with lobster broth, lemongrass, and ginger; Seared Foie Gras with roasted pears and a blueberry glaze; Roasted Miso infused duck on a bed of crunchy bamboo fried rice and baby bok choy; Crab cakes with a tonkatsu (Japanese sauce) hollandaise sauce to die for and purple sweet potatoes. Needless to say that between the music, the food, the belly dancers and the overall ambience Mie N Yu was great and one I will soon return to.
Jaleo
480 7th Street NW, Washington DC 20004 – (202) 628-7949 – Jaleo is now my favorite place for Spanish Tapas! Owned and operated by the famous Spanish chef, Jose Andres, this place is the real deal. Jamon Serrano (Spain’s Prosciutto), great paellas, wonderful Spanish cheeses, and Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) are just a few of the items you can encounter. Just several blocks down from Pennsylvania Ave, its location is great for a nice rest from sightseeing all the wonderful monuments DC has to offer. Again with my best friends, Jon & Katie Key, we ate like kings and queens enjoying the following plates: Paper thin slices of Jamon Serrano with little mini French baguette rolls; crusty home made bread rubbed with fresh tomatoes and topped with Manchego cheese; Ensaladilla Russa which is a sort of potato salad but better with more vegetables, tuna and home made mayonnaise; Paella with shrimp, cuttlefish and monk fish; Grilled skirt steak with sweet and tangy piquillo peppers. We drank Cava and a very refreshing Sangria that complemented the meal perfectly. This was one Sunday afternoon meal that will be difficult to forget.
Bistro Francais
3128 M St NW, Washington, DC – (202) 338-3830 – Bistro Francais is a quaint French bistro restaurant also located in Georgetown (in fact it is directly across the street from Mie N Yu). This French establishment is not your typical stuffy French restaurant. Bistro Francais is a typical Bistro; a restaurant that is rustic in its look, service, and food preparation. This was exactly what I was looking for. The food was very good and reasonably priced. The fresh ginger carrot soup was a nice starter; the Classic dish of roasted chicken with a tarragon jus and crispy salted thin cut French fries was perfect. The chicken skin was crispy on the outside and the meat was juicy on the inside. The fries were thin, crispy, and perfectly salted. The Cotes du Rhone glass of wine I sipped on was the perfect companion to my first meal in DC.
Les Halles Brasserie
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 – (202) 347-6848 – As a fan of Tony Bourdain, author of Kitchen Confidential and host of No Reservations, I had to visit his DC establishment. The problem was not knowing the location. After visiting the Spy Museum, I just happened to unexpectedly walk upon the restaurant and decided to have an afternoon treat – Crepes Suzette and a cappuccino. The dessert was prepared tableside where the crepes were bathed in a sauce made of butter, sugar, orange juice, orange rind, and flambéed with Grand Marnier. The sun was setting, the weather was a cool 60 degrees, and the food was perfect with my hot cappuccino. Whether in DC or NYC, you can always feel assured that the food and service at Les Halles is top notch.
Oyamel
401 7th Street NW, Washington DC 20004 – (202) 628-1005 – The best part about this restaurant was that we did not plan it but instead just happened to find it while walking the streets of DC! Need I say more with guacamole made table side with fresh avocados, lime juice, tomatillos, serrano chilis, queso fresco, and fresh home made chips? The guacamole was fresh with a hint of heat yet creamy and sweet. We also ordered a few favorites of mine – Chilaquiles (tortilla chips with melted Chihuahua and Oaxaca cheese, green tomatillo salsa, cilantro and red onions) ; Caldo Tlalpeño – a traditional chicken soup with shredded chicken, peas, carrots, avocado, rice and a spoonful of smoky chipotle sauce; Pastel de tres leches con piña – moist cake soaked in Myers rum and three kinds of milk (condensed, evaporated, and heavy cream), rum milk foam, fresh pineapple gelatin, and a pineapple salsa served with a scoop of dark caramel ice cream. Owned by Jose Andres (owner of Jaleo), this true Mexican restaurant is inspired by the street food of Guadalajara with a Spanish twist (plates come Tapas style).
If you ever have the opportunity to travel to DC, please take advantage of the food scene. Don’t go to the chain mall restaurants you know too well. Get out, explore, and see all the city has to offer. You can use the restaurant addresses I listed above for a head start. Not only will you learn more about the culture of Washington DC, but also the food and its wonderful diversity! If not, you are truly missing out on an excellent culinary learning experience.
