Restaurant Week 2013: Zaytinya - Washington, DC

What's NEXT: Our first stop for DC Restaurant week was Zaytinya. My friends and I have been here before (earlier 2013), but the food was so good that we had to come back again. It’s a Greek/Mediterranean tapas restaurant owned by celebrity chef Jose Andres. Seemingly, it’s the amazing flavors of the brussels sprouts, succulent lamb or the complimentary pita bread that keep me thinking about this place.

At Zaytinya, the Restaurant Week menu consisted of 4 courses and a dessert.

1^st Course: Baba Ghannouge (fire-roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic),  Horta Salata (kale salad, smoked olives, fava Santorini, ladolemono, pistachios)

2^nd Course: Crispy Brussels Afelia (brussels sprouts, coriander seed, barberries, garlic yogurt), Shish Taouk (grilled chicken thighs, sumac, onions, garlic tuom, grilled tomatoes)

3^rd Course: Garides Me Anitho (sautéed shrimp, dill, shallots, mustard, lemon juice), Adana Kebab (ground lamb, house-made harissa, grilled tomatoes, sumac, onions, pickled chilies)

4^th Course: Urfa Biftek (grilled hanger steak, tomato pepper ezme, pomegranate molasses), Sea Scallops (yogurt-dill sauce, cucumber, radish)

Dessert: Turkish Delight (walnut ice cream, yogurt mousse, honey gelee, orange-caramel sauce, caramelized pine nuts)

The food was excellent, full of flavor, and the service was on point. Greek/The Mediterranean flavors were great and you can taste the additions of lemon and overall zesty flavor in the food. Presentation was excellent as well.

5/5 Stars

Restaurant Week DC 2013 Menu 1 of 3

Restaurant Week DC 2013 Menu 2 of 3

Restaurant Week DC 2013 Menu 3 of 3

Crispy Brussels Afelia (brussels sprouts, coriander seed, barberries, garlic yogurt)

Complimentary Pita Bread

Baba Ghannouge (fire-roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic)

Horta Salata (kale salad, smoked olives, fava Santorini, ladolemono, pistachios)

Shish Taouk (grilled chicken thighs, sumac, onions, garlic tuom, grilled tomatoes)

Garides Me Anitho (sautéed shrimp, dill, shallots, mustard, lemon juice)

Adana Kebab (ground lamb, house-made harissa, grilled tomatoes, sumac, onions, pickled chilies)

Sea Scallops (yogurt-dill sauce, cucumber, radish)

Urfa Biftek (grilled hanger steak, tomato pepper ezme, pomegranate molasses)

Turkish Delight (walnut ice cream, yogurt mousse, honey gelee, orange-caramel sauce, caramelized pine nuts)

Bangkok Golden – Falls Church, VA

What's NEXT: Tucked away a strip mall is one of Falls Church’s biggest hole-in-a-walls: Bangkok Golden. This place is notorious for their lunch buffet which goes for $10-$12. Dirt Cheap! On the weekends, it opens at noon and every time I’ve been there, there have always been people waiting outside the door. There are a decent number of tables where you won’t have to wait. However, it does get packed very quickly.

The buffet selection is really what separates this place apart from other Thai/Laos restaurants. They offer rice, tom yum soup w/ mushrooms, spring rolls, a spicy papaya salad, mixed salad, drunken noodles, pad thai, lemongrass beef, mango chicken, steamed fish with lemongrass/chili paste and various dessert options. You can try a little bit of everything which is great. Exactly what I want when I visit a Thai/Laos restaurant.

Service is great and this place knows what they’re good at: Delivering authentic Thai/Laos dishes at a very affordable price. I can’t wait to go back!

5/5 Stars

Large plates of Food from Buffet

Drunken Noodes, Pad Thai, Stir Fried Chicken, and Chicken Wings

Spicy Papaya Salad and Appetizers

Horace & Dickies - Washington, DC

What’s NEXT: During the summer, one of my favorites things to eat is fried fish. Whether it’s tilapia, catfish, trout, or sea bass, it’s always hits the spot. When I need to satisfy that craving, I head to Horace & Dickies in the  rising H Street corridor. It’s only a few feet away from Toki Underground and H&Pizza which makes it a great option if you want to try out a few different restaurants (or split food) with a few friends.

Horace and Dickies has been frying up fish for decades and most known for their appearance on Man vs. Food. The man, Adam Richman himself, had high praise for the quality of its fried fish. The restaurant itself is extremely small, take out only, and has an assembly line setup where you order, get your food, and pay. They offer a few variations but I usually opt for the 6 piece fried fish meal  ($10) which comes with 6 pieces of  fried fish, white/wheat bread, tartar sauce and hot sauce. What I love about this place is that usually my 6 piece order ends up with about 10 huge pieces of fish. The orders come in styrofoam trays and they are usually piled high with fish. In addition, the fish is taken straight out of the fryer and right into your styrofoam trays. With their bare hands I might add. Insanely hot. Try not to drop a piece of fish on yourself since it’s served scolding hot.

The fish is flaky and tender, the way it should be. With the addition of the tartar and hot sauce, this is the perfect way to enjoy the summer. Just sit outside on a bench and enjoy the delicious meal in front of you. I usually end up packing leftovers since the portions are ginormous. I would recommend getting the 4 piece if you’re not extremely hungry.

I wish this place had more fish options to choose from or better sides, but it serves its purpose: Fried fish at very affordable prices with a very local feel. Amazing.

4/5 Stars

Store Front

Big Mamma's with Coleslaw, Fried Fish, and Bread

6 Piece Fried Fish Meal