RETURN? NO
What a disaster-and-a-half. No, seriously, why is this pasta restaurant still in business? A few friends and I ventured into this weirdly-shaped, dark, dirty, and dingy-looking space. I am not exaggerating when I say that the entire restaurant smells like an old frying pan that hasn't been washed in 20 years. Despite these warning signs, we took a seat and were immediately informed that there was a $16 per person minimum charge rule. Pretty annoying, especially considering pasta is just flour and water.
One friend ordered the seafood ravioli in rose sauce, and the other, cheese ravioli in tomato sauce. I, like a fool, ordered the gnocchi in pesto. While my friends' dishes tasted alright (though heavy, naturally), my plate was a green, oily, gloppy mess. First, the good: the gnocchi tasted homemade, were bitingly chewy and meaty. The pesto sauce, however... was disgusting. The pesto itself was bitter, and there was so much oil in the plate that the liquid went halfway up some of the flat-lying gnocchi. I just couldn't eat it. It was inedible. Had I finished it, I would have vomited (no joke!)
Yes, some dishes seem (and are) tasty, but for a place that charges at least $16 per head (with a typical pasta dish a whopping $17-19), it's just not worth it to take the chance on a place like this. Why should I, when there are better restaurants at a cheaper price? I don't shy away from spending money on good food, but the keyword is "good."
Obviously, I hated my dish. Even though my friends enjoyed theirs for the most part, we were all left asking ourselves, "Did we really just pay over $20 for mediocre pasta?"
And oh yes, I saw a cockroach climbing the wall next to where I sat. Yay!
ADDRESS: 1790, Columbia Road NW, Washington, DC
Wednesday 20 November 2013
Bar Pilar - Washington, DC
RETURN? Yes, but only for drinks
The warm and inviting atmosphere of Pilar was immediate. The crowd on a Tuesday night is one of young, urban professionals looking to unwind after a long day.
To pair with our Happy Hour Pilsners, my friend and I ordered the boneless rib dish and the pork belly. Both dishes came almost cold, which already detracts from their flavors. The rib dish was, to its credit, extremely supple and fell apart at the mere touch of a fork. The mashed potatoes on which the ribs were laid were nice, light, and flavorful. The dish was swimming in a gravy broth which, while unctuous and delicious, was too fatty for my liking. Interestingly, the dish was already on its way to being so cold that the fat in the gravy had begun to solidify. Appetizing? Not so much.
The pork belly was an absolute fail. The fat on top of the belly wasn't fully crisped through, such that while it was tasty, the texture was gooey, and just plain wrong. The meaty part of the belly was decent, but lacked seasoning and heat. The accompaniment, which I assume were small-cut potatoes in a mustard seed dressing, was atrocious. There was so much mustard dressing that it was an attack on the senses. I may have even started to tear. The chips were crisped on the outside but tasted and felt expired. They needed to be fried at a higher temperature and to have been seasoned with salt. Needless to say, the plate was returned to the kitchen unfinished.
All in all, the atmosphere is nicer than the food. Go if you're in the area and want an intimate place to have a pint, but not to enjoy a nice meal. Unless you have low expectations, in which case, enjoy!
ADDRESS: 1833, 14th Street NW, Washington, DC
Boneless Spare Ribs
Pork Belly with Mustard Potatoes
The warm and inviting atmosphere of Pilar was immediate. The crowd on a Tuesday night is one of young, urban professionals looking to unwind after a long day.
To pair with our Happy Hour Pilsners, my friend and I ordered the boneless rib dish and the pork belly. Both dishes came almost cold, which already detracts from their flavors. The rib dish was, to its credit, extremely supple and fell apart at the mere touch of a fork. The mashed potatoes on which the ribs were laid were nice, light, and flavorful. The dish was swimming in a gravy broth which, while unctuous and delicious, was too fatty for my liking. Interestingly, the dish was already on its way to being so cold that the fat in the gravy had begun to solidify. Appetizing? Not so much.
The pork belly was an absolute fail. The fat on top of the belly wasn't fully crisped through, such that while it was tasty, the texture was gooey, and just plain wrong. The meaty part of the belly was decent, but lacked seasoning and heat. The accompaniment, which I assume were small-cut potatoes in a mustard seed dressing, was atrocious. There was so much mustard dressing that it was an attack on the senses. I may have even started to tear. The chips were crisped on the outside but tasted and felt expired. They needed to be fried at a higher temperature and to have been seasoned with salt. Needless to say, the plate was returned to the kitchen unfinished.
All in all, the atmosphere is nicer than the food. Go if you're in the area and want an intimate place to have a pint, but not to enjoy a nice meal. Unless you have low expectations, in which case, enjoy!
ADDRESS: 1833, 14th Street NW, Washington, DC
Saturday 2 November 2013
Paul Bakery and Patisserie - Washington, DC
RETURN? Yes
As popular as this chain bakery looked in terms of the line-ups, I had my reservations. The desserts behind the pristine glass display looked fresh and tasty, but considering the area of the city it was situated in, I felt like it would be all looks and no taste. The desserts could walk the walk, but couldn't talk the talk, so to speak. Regardless, my two friends ordered meals with their coffee, but I opted to try a dessert. As it was unseasonably hot outside, I decided to go for something that would be cold, fresh, and tart. I decided on the mini lemon meringue pie, not with the highest of expectations...
...I was proven wrong. Without hesitation I can say that this was one of the most balanced desserts I've ever had. The crust was a buttery delight. It wasn't soggy at all, held together under my fork but was crumbly enough to be delicious and satisfying. Additionally, I suspect that it was lightly salted to bring out the sweetness and tartness of the other components of the dessert. The lemon custard was thick but wasn't wet. While it was a well-created custard and perhaps how a lemon custard "should be", I have to admit that I prefer my custard to be just a touch softer, only because it would make it feel all the more rich on the palette. But, again, it was a well-executed creation. Finally, the meringue was lovely and crispy on the outside, and as the fork penetrated the crust, it landed on pillows of the perfectly sugared egg-white sugar concoction. One criticism I could make, however, is that the meringue should have been slightly more torched as it lacked color.
The ambiance of the bakery was lovely, but I have to say, it seems like the type of place that would attract two types of groups: a) A gaggle of girls who have an obsession with Paris, or b) A girl from group A dragging her boyfriend/husband to the bakery with her.
All in all, an absolute delight.
ADDRESS: 1078 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC
As popular as this chain bakery looked in terms of the line-ups, I had my reservations. The desserts behind the pristine glass display looked fresh and tasty, but considering the area of the city it was situated in, I felt like it would be all looks and no taste. The desserts could walk the walk, but couldn't talk the talk, so to speak. Regardless, my two friends ordered meals with their coffee, but I opted to try a dessert. As it was unseasonably hot outside, I decided to go for something that would be cold, fresh, and tart. I decided on the mini lemon meringue pie, not with the highest of expectations...
...I was proven wrong. Without hesitation I can say that this was one of the most balanced desserts I've ever had. The crust was a buttery delight. It wasn't soggy at all, held together under my fork but was crumbly enough to be delicious and satisfying. Additionally, I suspect that it was lightly salted to bring out the sweetness and tartness of the other components of the dessert. The lemon custard was thick but wasn't wet. While it was a well-created custard and perhaps how a lemon custard "should be", I have to admit that I prefer my custard to be just a touch softer, only because it would make it feel all the more rich on the palette. But, again, it was a well-executed creation. Finally, the meringue was lovely and crispy on the outside, and as the fork penetrated the crust, it landed on pillows of the perfectly sugared egg-white sugar concoction. One criticism I could make, however, is that the meringue should have been slightly more torched as it lacked color.
The ambiance of the bakery was lovely, but I have to say, it seems like the type of place that would attract two types of groups: a) A gaggle of girls who have an obsession with Paris, or b) A girl from group A dragging her boyfriend/husband to the bakery with her.
All in all, an absolute delight.
ADDRESS: 1078 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC
Friday 1 November 2013
Ben's Next Door - Washington, DC
RETURN? Yes
Oh my...
This charming little restaurant with the sepia glow caught my eye as a friend and I were searching for a cozy place to dine on a Monday evening.
This charming little restaurant with the sepia glow caught my eye as a friend and I were searching for a cozy place to dine on a Monday evening.
The jazzlike vibe, high wooden stools, warm atmosphere, and sunburnt yellow lighting was immediately welcoming and lured us away from the autumn chill.
Taking a seat, my friend, ever-vigilant for deals of every type, noticed that the chicken and waffles plate is only $10 on Monday nights, rather than the regular $14. Excited by the deal and having never tried the dish before, we went for it.
It was a delightful dish, though I'm sure it could have been better. The chicken itself was moist and flavorful, but it was perhaps a bit too salty. The batter wasn't quite as dense and crunchy as I would like, but was instead crispy, and shattered under each bite. It felt as though the crispiness was developed with sodium bicarbonate, and therefore it didn't leave the most pleasant aftertaste. The decently-sized waffle portion was tasty, fluffy, and enjoyable. The meal came with maple syrup for the waffles and (I assume) the chicken. Rather than the syrup, I would have appreciated a thick, savory sauce (perhaps a white gravy?) to pair with the chicken and waffles, which would have taken the dish from a confused sweet breakfast item to an actual evening meal.
All in all, however, the ambiance was enjoyable, the food was alright, and the staff was friendly.
ADDRESS: 1211 U St NW Washington, DC
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