Black & Orange

The run on burgers continues with a fan favorite. Black and Orange, formally known as Rogue States has come a long way in its short existence. Headed by chef Raynold Mendizabal Black and Orange has quickly risen to prominence winning this years Best Burger poll by Washington City Paper.

The road to prominence has been difficult for Black and Orange whose survival was in question a year ago. The establishment was originally called Rogue State Burger when it opened its doors in Dupont Circle a couple of years ago. Chef Mendizabal decided to use his years of culinary experience and test the waters by opening up a burger establishment in one of the most competitive markets for burgers.

The decision proved to a good one as the company gained massive popularity. It was at that time that I decided try these unique burgers with a couple of friends. Our guys night out started here when we all decided to see where they would rank among the other greats. Upon scanning the menu I decided to order the Pardon My French while my other three friends decided to play it safe and order The Rogue State. 

What sets Black and Orange apart from any other burger place is the emphasis placed on the seasoning of their burgers. Each individual burger consists of a patty that is infused with a number of ingredients that are intended to compliment each other. Toppings are added per the request of the customer so be aware that if you order a burger it will consist of a patty and bun. 

(Jayson eating The Rogue State)

The Pardon My French consists of a half-pound patty infused with black truffle oil and thyme. I decided to add brie cheese to add an extra dimension to the flavors and go with the French theme. I also placed an order of french fries which come with a number of flavored mayonnaise similar to that of Good Stuff Eatery. The burger was spot on, the flavors were all there, it was cooked to perfection and the brie added some extra pizzaz. I also sampled the Rogue State which consists of house spice blend, chipotle, and cilantro and was pleasantly surprised. 

I left with nothing but rave reviews and anticipation to try it again. I put off my next visit for a couple of months and was deeply saddened when they were forced to close because the fumes from their ventilation system were spewing into a law office. As you could probably tell that was the worst place to piss off anyone as they lawyers successfully managed to close the place down. 

(Pardon My French with Brie)

Chef Mendizabal was burdened with the task of installing a new ventilation system to in order to re-open shop. The cost of the system as well as the legal fees proved too much and the store closed for a long period of time. It looked for a while as though I would never get to sample one of these burgers again but luckily chef Mendizabal made a second great decision of re-opening shop and sharing his gift with DC. 

A week or so after it reopened word came out that they were also going to open up a second location on U St. which has been dying for an infusion of burger joints. Once my eyes set on this news I became elated. While the name changed the burgers stayed exactly as they were. I decided to visit the U St. location (pictured above) about a week into its existence. The decor and vibe were exactly the same and I actually got to meet chef Mendizabal and thanked him for reopening (sorry I didn't mention I was a food blogger, I don't like special treatment).

Per his recommendation I decided to try the No Burger No Cry which is on the spicy side. The patty consists of a house jerk blend, red onion, and habanero peppers to ratchet up the heat. While the burger was seasoned well it wasn't spicy at all but hey this comes from a person who puts tobasco or sriracha on just about everything. 

(No Burger No Cry)

Another perk to the U St. location aside from its proximity to my house is a burger that is only served there. Named Hair of The Dog this burger is a spin on a Bloody Marry. It consists of a patty which is blended with tomatoes, horseradish, and celery which is topped with Worcestershire mayo. I'm not the biggest Bloody Marry fan so I may never try this burger but I may be swayed. I highly recommend the Now and Zen which is my favorite of all the burgers I have had. This burger draws its flavors from the far east and blend together seamlessly. 

In conclusion Black and Orange lives up to its pedigree. The burgers are well flavored, the buns are solid and the fries are on par. The prices like most of DC are bit high but it is worth it especially if it is your first visit. They used to have a famous slogan of being open till 5 AM every day but they recently scaled back their hours, especially on the weekdays. My only gripe is that the wait can be a bit long from time to time and they have been known to mess up orders but who doesn't. So if you are in Dupont or U St after a long night of drinking brave the lines and give this place a shot. If you aren't a drinker come give it a try anyways because the line when you go will probably be a lot shorter.   

Fast Gourmet

Whoever has had the delightful experience of going on a road trip or an extended bus ride has most likely had the pleasure of living off of food from rest stops or gas stations. By pleasure I mean horror of eating greasy, processed snacks that are bearable for only so long.

Couple this axiom with the fact that DC has a severe shortage of dependable sandwich shops and you are left with the following rule of thumb. You will never find good food, specifically sandwiches at any gas station in DC. But as we all know there is an exception to every rule which brings us to our next stop.

Fast Gourmet opened in late 2010 by two brothers who wanted infuse DC with traditional South American food. Located inside the Lowest Price Gasoline Station on 14^th and V St. this tiny sandwich shop has blossomed into one of the best places to grab a quick bite in the entire city!

Word of this establishment spread exponentially among the more prominent food bloggers who had rave reviews on the quality and taste as well as the numerous options. At that point I decided to bump this up to one of my places to try.

My first visit came early last year when its popularity was still in its infant stages. I decided to grab a quick dinner after my workout at a nearby gym. Entering the gas station I could not help but chuckle. The combination of a sketchy crowd, bullet-proof glass and inner city junk food brought back childhood memories of life in the ghetto.

(Image via Yelp)

I took my time scanning the expansive menu and decided to order the Big Mason BBQ sandwich and a side order of beer battered eggplant. The Big Mason consists of grilled chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese, onions all topped with BBQ sauce. The sandwich was fantastic, the chicken was juicy and the combination of ingredients yielded a delightful meal. The deep fried eggplant was also a pleasant surprise. It came with ketchup to dip but was good on its own.

My first experience prompted me to jump on the bandwagon. My next visit came a few weeks later with a friend after a night of bar hopping on U St. Since they are open until 5 A.M on the weekend you could imagine both the line and crowd that it consists of (hint drunk people wanting something to munch on).

(Cuban Sandwich)

This time I decided to order a Cuban sandwich to see if the owners could replicate the brilliance of Latin cuisine. My semi-drunken experience with this staple of Cuban cuisine left me speechless. I cannot recall having a better Cuban sandwich in my life. Timid by the possibility of a drunken bias I decided to return an order another one in a state of pure sobriety.

To my delightful surprise my initial synopsis was correct. The sandwich was pure bliss; the pork was moist and flavorful, the cheese and pickles combined to add that distinct flavor combination that makes it one of the best sandwiches on the planet. DC does not have an expansive selection of Cuban cuisine so putting it on top is not an amazing achievement but I will put it on par with Cubans I have had in Miami which is something to gloat about.

For all the praise I give the Cuban it is not the most popular dish on the menu. This accolade belongs to The Chivito. The Chivito (which is Spanish for “baby goat”) draws its origins from Uruguay. The sandwich consists of beef terderloin, black forest ham, bacon, mozzarella cheese, green olives, a hardboiled egg, and escabeche. For those who don't know escabeche is a slaw that consists of onions, garlic, and peppers and is used in many Latin dishes.

(Chivito Sandwich)

At a hefty $13 this sandwich packs a huge punch of size and flavor that is sure to tame any appetite. My first experience with this monstrous mound of meat came two weekends ago after a long workout I needed to justify consuming this meal. Having played football for three hours and not eaten anything my appetite was ready to conquer this behemoth.

My first bites were met with utter amazement. The shear chaos of flavors somehow managed to blend very well. I was a bit weary at first of how all the meats would blend together but the sandwich was executed very well. The tenderloin was full of flavor and the ham played off well with the slaw and aforementioned tenderloin. I managed to consume a little over three quarters of the sandwich before I had to throw in the towel. The result was an hour long food coma which was pure bliss.

All in all fast gourmet is a must try if you are in the District. The sandwiches are fantastic, the prices are about average and the quality of food is superb. The dining area is relatively small so I would recommend taking it to go. Lines can be a little long now due to their popularity and it does take some time to get your meal but it’s a price you can pay for deliciousness.

Bar Pilar

Our tour of 14^th street takes us to one of my favorite neighborhood destinations. Bar Pilar serves it patrons New American cuisine along with an assortment of fine cocktails and beers. Located between S & T St. Bar Pilar presents the ambiance of a European café paired with an eclectic menu.

The interior offers hints of classical rustic design. The exposed brick walls are adorned with classical posters while the chandeliers offer dim lighting which meshes well with the classical design of the bar. The space itself is very small which provides for a very intimate setting that I believe the owners intended on.

My first few visits were solely for drinks during impromptu gatherings or happy hours. I then decided to have an afternoon lunch during which time I sampled an assortment of wines and cheeses. Their menu is based on the local ingredients available at the time sot it rotates by season.

My main culinary attraction is their brunch menu which I have sampled extensively. My most recent visit came this past Saturday with a good friend of mine. I was laboring from a miniscule hangover which was the result of red wine, rum and bourbon from the past night. To remedy this ill I decided to order their Hangover cure and a Bacon Bloody Mary.

(Bacon Bloody Mary)

The former is a messy concoction of eggs with cheese, biscuits, sausage gravy, home fries, ketchup and sriracha sauce while the latter is a classic drink combined with our recent obsession of bacon. While visually and structurally unappealing the hangover cure was menacingly good to the extent that a cloud of caloric guilt hovered over me for the rest of the day. While I am not the biggest fan of Bloody Mary’s I did enjoy it and saved the juicy alcohol covered slather of bacon until the end.

My friend ordered a couple of eggs and a plate of toast and mocked every bite I took seeing as though our roles seemed to be reversed on this day (I am usually weary of eating anything particularly unhealthy, especially in the morning). After our meal my mild hangover subsided and I did not feel the overbearing weight of my meal which was fairly delightful.

(The Hangover Cure with Toast)

The minimalist approach of this venue is what drives me to continue to return. In the future I hope to extensively sample their lunch and dinner menu again which I would characterize as New American tapas. I enjoy the intimate setting especially when it is less crowded which is not the norm.

In conclusion Bar Pilar is a fantastic destination for both drinks and food. The crowd is a bit older and sophisticated; I myself have felt a bit out of place at times but don’t let that discourage you. They have a small patch of outdoor seating which gives you a nice view of 14^th St. During the weekend it can get crowded at which point I believe it loses some value. Great brunch, a diverse beer selection and some interesting cocktails make this an establishment to try if you haven’t already.

DC Noodles

The next stop on the U St. tour takes us DC Noodles a Thai inspired restaurant brought to you by the owners of Rice on 14th St.. DC Noodles sits on the famous intersection of 14th and U St. across the street from the Reeves center and offers it's patrons a variety of Thai dishes.

While the name may be a bit odd mainly because Thailand is not the mecca of noodles you can rest assure that the noodles they do incorporate bring a level of flavor that is unique to the neighborhood. Before venturing to this establishment my only experience with Thai food was limited to Pad Thai (hasn't everyone had it) and pineapple fried rice.

While I am interested in Thai food my limited exposure to it is mainly the result of my lack of knowledge and shyness toward diving into the culture. I first ventured here about a year and a half ago because their dishes intrigued me. I invited a small group of friends to dine here on a Saturday night. The place was at capacity when we entered but were able to snag a table within 5 minutes without a reservation.

The interior design is a consists of chic post-modern furniture with an Asian backdrop. The restaurant is the ground floor of a gutted out house so to say it can be characterized as cozy by a real estate agent (Simpsons reference). Our party was seated next to the interesting wall art you see below you.

It was a peak hour for dining so our experience was altered by the "cozy" factor as well as the fact that our table was not suited for the number of people sitting on it. We started off with an order of crispy spring rolls and pumpkin empanadas. The egg rolls were your run of the mill average roll which didn't wow or disappoint. The empanadas on the other hand were very interesting, I did enjoy them even though I am not the biggest fan of pumpkin.

I then ordered the drunken noodles which are accompanied with squid ink spaghetti. On the spectrum of outlandish dishes that I have sampled this has to be near the top. In fact trying this dish was what originally drew me to this establishment. It came in are very large bowl which comprised of a liberal mixture of seafood.

The dish itself tasted great, the squid ink noodles offered a very unique taste which is difficult to describe and the ingredients blended well. I have since ordered this dish an number of other times and is probably my favorite on the menu.

(Drunken Squid Ink Spaghetti)

On my other visits I have delved into their soups. As you may have already noticed soup is one of my favorite dishes which I enjoy year round. I stick mainly to their noodles in a spicy broth because I enjoy my soups on the spicy side. Each bowl comes of a topping of your choice. I have tried both their Vietnamese pork sausage and fish meatball, the latter of which I prefer.

The broth consists of peanuts, chili pepper, carrots, cilantro and bean sprouts. The flavors blend well with each other but the tiny hints of peanut are a little much for me, especially since I am not particularly fond of this ingredient. The soup itself is presented in a gigantic bowl which scores extra points for me. The broth itself is not hot enough for my palate so I always ask for their spice rack which ends up doing the job.

(Spicy Vietnamese Pork Sausage Soup)

While I do enjoy their soups, the fact that they incorporate peanuts turns me off. I am well aware that peanuts are incorporated in a number of Thai which is why I prefer Vietnamese and Japanese soups. I do love their noodle dishes and am intrigued to try their coconut curry dishes in the near future.

All in all this place satisfies my taste. The food is good, the prices are reasonable and the service is on par. The place is small so if you enjoy a relaxed atmosphere I would go during an off hour. If you are a fan of Thai food then this place is worth a try, the wait isn't long and their portions are large enough you are sure to leave very full.

Restaurant Judy

Before it's current revitalization 14th St. mainly in the Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods was heavily influenced by latin culture. As these neighborhoods are rapidly transforming you can only catch glimpses of what it used to be. One of the remaining pieces happens to be one of the best restaurants on the entire block.

Restaurant Judy lies alone on a street whose transformation is like night and day. Restaurant Judy offers it's patrons a glimpse of traditional Salvadorian and Mexican cuisine. A brief look at the decor and you would think you stumbled in hole in the wall restaurant and that there is no reason to be here. But this is an instance in which you would have to use the age old adage of not judging a book by it's cover.

One quick glance at Yelp or Urbanspoon will have you scratching your head in bewilderment. Restaurant Judy is one of the highest rated restaurants in the U St. area which contains a number of great establishments such as Ben's Chili Bowl, Birch and Barley, and Masa 14.

Back in my early years my parents would take us to a number of Spanish restaurants including this one. At the time our neighborhood was inundated with restaurants similar to these. But I remember this one standing out among the rest which may be the primary reason why it is one of the few left standing.

I visit Restaurant Judy from time to time and chuckle each time I see a group of yuppies that are taking in the experience as the rest of the patrons look with the same enthusiasm at these gringos (Spanish for white people) thinking, what are these people doing here?

(Taco De Lengua)

Eating here reminds me of my young days. Whether it's a family BBQ, a reunion or even back in Honduras visiting my extended family. The food tastes that authentic. Every dish I have had here is spot on, from quesadillas to tacos I have never been dissapointed with my meal.

For those who's knowledge of Spanish cuisine stops at Taco Bell let me share with you some traditional dishes that are some of my all time favorites. We start off with the tacos of which everyone has tried. But I will take a gander that little to no one has tried a beef tung taco.

While it may sound unappealing let me tell you that beef tung has some of most flavor you will find in any cut of meat and is definitely worth a try. You should also try the tamales which are a personal favorite of one of my best friends. She, like Michelle Obama has an unending passion for them.

(Pupusas Revueltas)

If none of these plates floats your boat then I highly recommend sampling their pupusas. Pupusas are a traditional Salvadorian dish which compose of tortillas stuffed with a variety of ingredients including beans, cheese and pork. Pupusas in the pantheon of my all time favorite foods. This dish is so good that I would include at least one in my final meal.

Luckily Restaurant Judy serves up some of the best pupusas in the town. My favorite type is revuelta which consists of mixture of cheese and chopped pork which are to die for. Thinking about them makes me want to get up and get 3 or 4 even though I am currently stuffed. Take my word for it, if there is one Latin dish that you must try it is a pupusa, you will become addicted.

All in all Restaurant Judy lives up to the reputation that the masses have give it. The food is authentic and very cheap, the service is good and there are no gaudy lines unlike most of the neighborhood restaurants. The decor and atmosphere is dive but there is nothing to fear. I would however eat here relatively early especially on the weekends because at night it becomes a pseudo dance club where immigrants who are brand new to this country meet to relive life back in the old country. This sight may be a bit odd to the average person but if you want to experience Latin America then go for it.

El Centro DF

Our tour of 14th St. continues with one of the newest and most chic restaurants on the block. El Centro DF opened it's doors this summer under the ownership of Chef Richard Sandoval who also owns the popular Masa 14 two doors down.

Chef Sandoval opened this establishment with the premise of serving classic Mexican food and drinks with a contemporary backdrop. Ever since it's opening night El Centro has been one of the hot spots in the neighborhood with long lines for both dining and drinking.

My first experience came on a Sunday afternoon about a week after they had opened. I decided to choose this location for a small family dinner on a nice summer afternoon. Upon entering I adored the chic interior which is coated with the classic decor of a traditional Mexican taqueria.

The first thing you see upon entering is a small area where you can order take out or eat your food in a relatively quick manner. Behind this area is the dining area which is connected to an open kitchen which emanates with the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine. Once seated we were introduced to the philosophy of this restaurant which is to serve traditional food using fresh, sustainable ingredients.

Since they had just opened we were offered a free order of guacamole which usually runs for the steep price of $9.95. Within five minutes a gentleman came out with our guacamole which was made in front of us using a traditional Mexican spice grinder called a Molcajete. We were given a quick show in which our server grinned the fresh avocado, tomato, onions and cilantro that yielded some of the tastiest and freshest guacamole I have had in the US.

(Guacamole)

Our meal continued with the Cozumel Ceviche which was ordered as an appetizer. The ceviche was served with fresh avocado, corn, cilantro and tomato's which were piled on small crispy tortillas. The ceviche was spot on, the fish was fresh and flavorful and the presentation was as elegant as the overall flavor.

Our entrees quickly followed. My father order the Carne Asada which was beautifully executed. My sister ordered the Chicken Zarape which was equally as good. Since this was a taqueria I decided to order the El Pastor tacos which consist of pork belly, grilled pineapple, cilantro, onions and salsa verde which are served with rice and black beans.

(Cozumel Ceviche)

The tacos were pristine, the saltiness of the pork belly countered well with the sweetness of the grilled pineapple. The salsa verde added another dimension of flavor that produced a masterful dish. The black beans were served how I love them, mashed with a hint of grated cheese. Overall I enjoyed my dish as well as the overall meal.

This great experience made this a must go spot which I have frequented in the past month. Since then I have had the opportunity to sample their fish and steak tacos which were equally as good as the pork belly tacos. I have also nibbled on Jalisco Shrimp and Crab Enchilada which was also rather tasty.

(Al Pastor Taco's)

Despite the magnificent food a majority of my time here has been spent on their rooftop for their drinks which includes a very extensive Tequila list with over 200 brands to choose from. I am glad to say that El Centro offers some of the best cocktails I have had in the city including one of my new favorite drinks and which brought tom my attention after a long conversation with one the bartenders. This individual introduced me to the tequila mojito which offers a new spin to this classic cocktail.

Their late hours and basement dining area just add to the mystique and further entice me to continue to dine here. Everyone I have taken here has fallen in love with the cocktails, service and late night dining options.

All in all El Centro DF offers all the qualities that make this a great place for both food and drinks. The rooftop bar is a hot spot all summer which I will visit many times. The restaurant serves great food that is a little on the pricy side but well worth it for the flavor and execution that is the norm for any restaurant owned by Richard Sandoval. I highly recommend trying this place both to eat and drink. Their late night carry out menu is also an added boost to one of the better restaurants in the highly competitive 14th St. area.

JJ's Cheesesteaks

Finding a quality cheesesteak in this town is about as hard as finding objectivity on Fox news. At this point my search has brought me to the conclusion that the best cheesesteak is served at a mall.

At a certain point I had lost all confidence and came to conclusion that I would have to go all the way to Philadelphia to get some quality cheesesteak. This notion quickly dissolved when I found JJ's Cheesesteak. Located right on the famous intersection of 14th and U St. this restaurant serves up a variety of sandwiches all with a different spin on the classic cheesesteak.

When you take a quick glance at the menu you will see that this is not a place to go for those who count calories or care about their arteries. All 17 of their sandwiches offer a unique take on the classic Philly Cheesesteak.

They encompass the entire lexicon of this classic sandwich which is sure to appease any enthusiast. Whether you are a provolone or cheese whiz fan or if you like or dislike onions and green peppers there is sure to be a sandwich to your liking. Their fries are also deviously concocted to include cheese, bacon or even steak and cheese!!!

My first encounter came a while back when I invited a friend of mine to try it out as he is a huge cheesesteak fan. A day or two before I had stumbled upon their menu so I knew I had to pack an appetite. I decided to order The Monument, their most intimidating sub. This collosal concoction comes with thinly sliced rib-eye topped with American cheese, bacon and cheese whiz and stuffed with french fries and ketchup. If that wasn't enough I decided to order a side of bacon cheese fries to push my meal on the brink of caloric insanity.

(The Monument with Bacon Cheese Fries)

Armed with an appetite for the ages I tried my hardest to tackle this gargantuan meal. Like most of my daring attempts I failed to tackle this meal. I was able to successfully eat the entire sub but was immediately thrown into food a coma. From what I can remember from this hazy experience which put me in a state of drunkenness was that the meat was juicy, the cheese oozing out and the bacon full of flavor. I liken this sandwich to a meat orgy that is just naughty in every way. I felt guilty and vulnerable after finishing this bad boy off, so much so that I had to take a two month hiatus from eating here again.

Of all the sandwiches I have tried my favorite has to be the Ben Franklin which is their most basic cheesesteak served with cheese whiz as opposed to provolone cheese which I top off with a side order of french fries which I drench with vinegar and hot sauce.

(Ben Franklin with Fries)

All in all my numerous experiences here have been met with nothing but pleasure. Their food is spot on, the service is prompt and their late night hours on the weekends test my will power. Every night I am on U St. I walk by this place and immediately begin feeling the drunk munchies.

If you are a cheesesteak fan I definitely recommend giving this place a try. No matter what your philosophy is for this sandwich the numerous options will surely give you an ideal choice. If you are still unsatisfied with your options you can order the "U" special which allows you to build your own sub with unlimited toppings. The only thing you need to bring when you go here is your appetite which will be quenched.

Touchdown

For most of my life the DC sports scene has been a sad spectacle. Aside from the early success of DC United no other local team has brought home a championship since the Redskins won the Super Bowl in 1991. Regardless of this ineptitude I am still an avid fan of every franchise and try to watch as many games a possible with my fellow DC friends.

It was until recently that I noticed that there was no good local sports bar in the U St. area. Before I had journeyed to Chinatown or Dupont Circle to catch any sporting events. Once I had become bored of the same bars I had noticed that there was no place in my neighborhood. The only I had visited were Duffy's and Momo's, the latter of which did not specifically tailor to DC sports and has recently closed. Touchdown which has taken it's place is hopefully an answer to my prayers.

Located right in the heart of the U St. corridor I decided to try this place to see if it would fit my expectations for a local sports bar. I first visited this place on a saturday afternoon for a DC United game, the walls were covered with local sports memorabilia as well as number of medium sized flat screen TV's broadcasting a number of different sporting events. The bar was fairly occupied by a number of DC United fans as well as a couple of other people just taking in the nice day.

The bar was fully stocked and the beer selection was fairly modest. They had PBR on tap so I decided to keep it simple and have a couple of those while I took in the first half of the game. The atmosphere was fairly calm but the fans made it a great experience. I left without sampling any food but promised myself that I would when the CAPS started their playoff run.

(Dragon Fire Wings & Buffalo Shrimp)

My second experience came for game 2 of what I hope will be a deep run for the CAPS. I decided to spend the Sunday afternoon with my dad. We ordered a round of beers along with some good old bar food. I decided to order their dragon fire wings along with an order of buffalo shrimp to share. The food came out promptly and sat well with my ice cold beer.

The wings were average and not as spicy as their title would indicate. The shrimp on the other hand were a bit disappointing. While the sauce was on par the shrimp which did not play well with a spicy sauce. On this day there were more fans out as this was a more important game and their enthusiasm as well as the close score of the game prompted us to stay for the entire duration.

We were still a bit hungry so we decided to order some Touchdown fries which looked fairly appetizing. Unlike most fries these delectable morsels are double fried with duck fat and thyme, a combination I have yet to taste. I can easily say that this was the most delicious dish I had there, the people we were sitting next to agreed with me but also said that the nachos were fairly good as well.

(Touchdown Fries)

Our experience ended with a CAPS win which made the venture that much better. Overall the food was solid and the service was prompt. At this point in time the place has not finished entirely, the second floor was not yet finished so I cannot wait so see what that looks like. My major complaint was the size of all the TV's, there was no huge television or projector that makes a sports bar worth going to. But that complaint was nullified with the fact that they had Happy Hour specials on a SUNDAY!!!!

At this point my judgment is still in the stages of deliberation. I am grateful that I now have a local sports bar to go to but I am unsure whether it will be a go to place for a paramount sporting event.

Pica Taco

There is an age old saying that the simplest things in life are always the best. This philosophy can be best applied when it comes to food. Every culture has that one meal that is so easy to make yet tastes so magnificent. In Mexican cuisine this dish is the taco which takes us to our next restaurant.

Pica Taco recently opened two locations in what was a traditionally Hispanic neighborhoods of Columbia Heights (more towards U St.) & Adams Morgan. They pride themselves on serving patrons authentic Mexican cuisine.

If you are looking to introduce yourself to Mexican cuisine look no further. While it may not fully encompass everything Mexico has to offer they do a good job replicating the food. If you are a novice you can dig into a traditional Mexican sandwich, also called a torta or you can go with what you know and have a cheesy enchilada.

I on the other hand came for what I heard they do best which is their magnificently delicious and traditional tacos. My first visit came when I was looking for a quick hangover remedy on a cool Saturday morning. I decided to go with their breakfast tacos which are made like any Latin family would make them.

Taking my fist bite brought back memories of eating breakfast at home. These tacos were spot on in both flavor and preparation. The eggs were prepared in a traditional Latin method using fresh bell peppers topped with cheese and black beans. After my meal was done my hangover had disappeared and I was ready to conquer the day.

(Breakfast Taco's)

My next visit came during a quite Monday night. I decided to grab a quick bite to eat right after work. The weather was nice so I decided to walk home and with this place relatively near my house I decided to eat here. I was bit hungry so I decided to order one fish, a barbacoa and a chicken taco. I was also pleasently delighted to see that they had a vast selection of imported sodas as well a solid choice of Mexican beers.

I decided to go with my favorite, a bottled coca cola which is made with real sugar not corn syrup. I got my order and took a seat at which point I could not help but draw the parallels between this place and the run in the mill taco stands I used to go to in Honduras. From the simple menu to the bottled sodas everything seemed to be exactly the same.

I started off with the chicken taco which I topped with salsa verde (green sauce). The chicken emenated with flavor and spice which blended well with the fresh cilantro and pico de gallo. Next I went for the barbacoa which was juicy and succulent and faired just as well as the chicken. I saved what I thought would be the best for last. Mexico is renowned for their fish taco's as most of you know so the hype I put behind it was extraordinary. I am saddened to say that it did not, in fact the taco was actually bad. The tilapia lacked any real flavor and the accoutrement added no extra flavor to salvage the dish.

(Barbacoa, Fish & Chicken Taco)

Aside from that minor disappointment I really did enjoy my tacos. As I left I saw a big black sign on the wall which said "El Torro Burrito". Looking at it with a modicum of interest I discovered that it was a food challenge. I later told a couple of friends about this and was met with unprecedented enthusiasm.

We decided to sign up for the challenge which consists of eating a 4 pound burrito in 45 minutes. I knew that I could never accomplish this feat but did not shy from the challenge. We joined another group of friends and convened on the U St. location on a Saturday afternoon. I arrived late but was in an utter state of shock to discover the sheer amount of attention that this had garnered. The restaurant was literally packed with people cheering on these brave souls.

(El Torro Burrito Challenge)

Originally I had an intuitive plan which called for an excruciating workout prior to the challenge in an attempt to gain the extra hunger I needed to slay this gigantic beast. Those plans were quickly derailed by the massive hangover that I woke up to. I tried all day to get over it but there was no budging, in fact when I arrived (late I might add) I was still feeling the side effects of last nights debauchery.

Needless to say I toughed it out and tried my hardest but on this day I was not able to channel my inner Adam Richman and failed miserably. I would like to point out that I did not throw up as did one competitor but I probably ate the least.

(45 minutes later this is all I was able to eat)

I have to say that the challenge was very exciting, the crowd definitely amplified this feeling and I don't regret trying it. For those that are interested the challenge happens every couple of weeks and the burrito only costs $15 which is a steal. You can see the highlights of this challenge by checking this video out.

All in all I have nothing but good things to say about Pica Taco. They serve great authentic food, the service is spot on, the prices are fair and the atmosphere is solid. So if you are in the mood to eat south of the border I would recommend giving this place a shot.

Bistro La Bonne

The next restaurant on our U St. expedition is the chic French restaurant Bistro La Bonne. Formerly Axis bar and grill this rustic café serves up traditional French cuisine to the culturally diverse U St. corridor. I for one was ecstatic when it opened last year mainly because French cuisine is heavily confined to Georgetown and North Dupont.

My first encounter was for a quick beer last summer before I started blogging. I remember enjoying the décor, the exposed brick lined with French memorabilia really gives it a European vibe. I had meant to return but put if off for a while until this month when I entertained two great friends.

Our evening started off by arriving past our reservation time. Being a Saturday night on U St. this spells nothing but problems as they were booked out with the occasional couple coming in to try and snag any available table. After waiting for a bit we decided to get ordering our meals from the bar.

(Photo brought to you by Yelp)

We decided to start off our meal with one of the most popular French/Belgian dishes moules en frites. Served in a bucket with your choice of broth these crustaceans are one of the restaurants most popular dishes and happy hour special. If you are daring you can create your own stew by adding a variety of ingredients.

Our bartender recommended that we order the Moules Mariniere which are steamed in white wine and topped with shallots, garlic and parsley. His advice was spot on, we all enjoyed it so much so that one of my friends began drinking the broth and soaking it up with our complimentary bread.

(Moules Marinieres)

Next I decided to order a side of Ratatouille. A cornerstone of French culture this peasant dish is simple yet masterful in the flavors it evokes, enough even to warm the heart of the harshest food critique (movie reference here). I have never tried this dish and was never able to find it at any French restaurant that I have been to so I was ecstatic to find out that it was served here. I enjoyed my introduction to the dish and hope to try it elsewhere so that I have a proper barometer.

(Ratatouille)

Next we decided to exit peasentry and order a more bourgeois dish. We ordered a plate of escargot and French Rooster. The escargot which deviates from its traditional serving comes out of the shell. They were far better than the escargot I had at Bistro Francais and Cafe La Ruche mainly because the butter and garlic was nowhere near as overwhelming to the palate. The seasoning and proportions fared well and were fantastic both by themselves or atop of a fresh piece of French bread.

(Escargots)

Our last dish was the aforementioned rooster that both friend and I wanted to order prior to coming here. I was simply interested in tasting the differences between a rooster and a hen. Our meal came in a warm pot and was prepared as a stew with an assortment of vegetables, tortellini all atop a creamy sauce. To put it simply the dish was fantastic. The juicy and succulent chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce emanated with flavor. We both took our turns devouring this dish and were promptly thrown into a food coma.

In the end we were all pleasantly satisfied with the overall meal which was fairly priced for what we ate. We decided to skip on dessert mainly because of our current condition and somehow managed to lift ourselves from our state of comatose and hit up the bars on U St.

(Coq au Vin)

Overall I was pleased with my experience. The food is great, the prices are reasonable and the service was prompt, I look forward to coming here in the summer for a happy hour and enjoy their outdoor seating which is confined to three tables.

I want to return to try their French Onion Soup, Quiche Loraine and Brunch all of which have received rave reviews. So if you are on U St. I would give this place a shot, their take on French cuisine follows the norm and they have a number of unique dishes that are sure to impress.