tom sietsema favorite restaurants

Listing hours of operation is as important as address, phone and menu information. But I have ways of at least getting in the door undetected and have the advantage of going three or more times to a restaurant ahead of a star-rated review in the Magazine. And shame on me for breaking a promise to a friend who joined me last minute last visit, lured in part by my invitation to take all the leftovers home. Eating in this new dining draw, where yards of colorful fringe hang from the ceiling and a jungle of plants graces the bar, reveals Joy to be a chip off the block of Limardos ever-growing collection of restaurants, a brand that embraces Immigrant Food and Imperfecto. The celestial dining room was designed by Humberto Leon alongside architect Michael Loverich. Himalayan Wild Yak aims high and scores with Nepalese delights. If you really want to sample the chef's Cuban cooking (the oxtails are amazing), I encourage you to dine at El Sapo right when the doors open, or, if weather permits, on the patio. I've been in this job, in Washington, for almost 20 years. Scallops are lightly crusted with parmesan and cassava crumbs, then set on a puddle of guajillo oil in a scallop shell a gift from Neptune. 202-417-8968. joybysevenreasons.com. What happened that gave you a sense that you won't soon forget this? On Thursday, Tom Sietsema published his coveted Fall Dining Guide, which features 77 restaurants in the D.C. metro area. Theres a lot to like on the modern American menu incorporating coastal influences. In leaner years, he worked for the Microsoft Corporation, where he launched sidewalk.com; the Seattle Post-Intelligencer; the San Francisco Chronicle; and the Milwaukee Journal. Sandoval and Schwartz have developed signature cocktails alongside renowned Mixologist for Republic National Distributing Company, Sly Cosmopolous. A: Tom Sietsema The poster is responding to last week's chat, in which someone was asking about best practices re: cooking for celiac sufferers. 301-656-3373. passagetoindia.info. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. Appetizers are apportioned like main courses, and crowds of Indian customers prompted the owners to add to their menu such prizes as lamb korma, soft bites of meat in a dark golden gravy thickened with yogurt and cashew paste as light and luscious as Ive had anywhere. A diner doesnt need a passport to experience the Mediterranean, Ethiopia or Thailand, among the places I felt I got to visit this month, thanks to several restaurants. But within that range are some memorable dishes and, in combination with the service and setting, plenty of bang for your buck. The patio, which its owners have transformed into aTulum-ish hideawaywith rattan chairs and chandeliers, envelops diners in greenery (see the bougainvillea snaking across the slatted roof) and its muted spa-blue color scheme. LAvant-Garde is raising the bar for French dining in D.C. What to do if you lose your rental car keys. 703-241-1128. takumiva.com. As with so many upscale restaurants now, this one forgoes a la carte. Im thrilled to see this list and cant wait to try some of them out. 13 Hot New Brunch Spots to Check Out in Los Angeles. Notice the habanero heat in the pork filling of the Chinese steamed bun? Restaurants know it helps to have to a gimmick, and this one, from Venezuelan chef Enrique Limardo, features a whopper: two pounds of short ribs packed into what looks like a loaf of house-baked ciabatta. New Heights is an apt name for this long-running restaurant in Woodley Park, acquired earlier this year by three immigrants from Iran, Ukraine and Bolivia: Mark Namdar, Olena Fedorenko and chef Jose Molina, respectively. One thing I've learned to do is to simply show up, right when the doors open, at some of our hard-to-book hot spots. With a decadent plethora of hearty, healthy and elegant bar food, the menu is designed to be indulged in with friends and family and shared family style. In the small-world department, the Nostos-branded red wine on the all-Greek list is produced by the former owner of Taverna Cretekou in Alexandria. The dining room is designed to evoke the owners native Trinidad. 2033 M St. NW. Your email address will not be published. The Caesar salad is built from grilled broccolini and a creamy dressing, bold with black garlic. The red oil on the surface hints at the cayenne punch to come; the body is deeper for a splash of oxtail juice. Celebrated San Francisco transplant Angler has reopened with a completely new menu and revised interior space, with the food taking a near-complete departure from its northern Michelin-starred sibling. At Passage to India, dinner comes with a welcome side of tranquility. Roasted tomato is stuffed with rice mixed with green tomato mojo and encircled with a trio of contrasting sauces. His opening snacks are superb. Let the nightly crowds be a lesson: Make a reservation. If you make wanna-be diners hunt, they may be inclined to take their business elsewhere. Tender chunks of chicken pack the golden broth, gently herby and crammed with a fistful of carrots, celery, onion and egg noodles. Entrees $26 to $35. Thank you. Visit Website. Visiting DC in mid-May from the Midwest. The bar stocks about 50 rums, splashes of which find their way into the gravy for the brown stew chicken, a sauce that finds fingers dipping into the combination of soy sauce, tomato paste and butter. Ground tilapia jump-started with jalapeos and the eight-item vegetable combination platter also draw me back. A Bolivian touch comes by way of a salsa verde bright with lime juice, cilantro and shallots. 176 tips and reviews. Carolyn Hax readers give recommendation. Yet, no sooner do the plates start arriving than you pause to admire a fresh take here, a luscious twist there a new restaurant for your rotation. New dishes from Angler's 2023 reopening. But Sura is also lip-smacking. Owner Peter Pagonis says the black-and-white images help explain the name of his restaurant, rooted in the Greek word for nostalgia, the desire to go back to where you were born and raised.. Let a server steer you to what fish you should order as sushi. Chef Tsiga Mera comes to the kitchen from the late Addis Ababa, also in Silver Spring. ramp pesto. 202-813-3976. roosterowl.com. Some dishes are more compelling than others, but the hospitality is consistently warm. Dont let them spoil a trip. Theres more to India than chicken tikka, she likes to say, and the menu demonstrates that. Instead of breadcrumbs, the chef uses chicken skin, brushed with duck fat, to provide the signature crisp exterior. You see green everywhere. You see green everywhere at the light-filled St. James, too: in the shiny front of the bar, on the plant-filled shelves behind it, and atop the plates that crowd your table as you make your way through the menu. Can we declare a three-way tie among the rutabaga fondue at Fancy Radish, thesmoky red pepper, stuffed with a cornucopia of black beans, corn, peas and briny green olives at my No. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Theres lots to look forward to in the new year: the handiwork of a just-hired pastry chef, Rachel Sherriffe, from her bosss alma mater, the esteemed Jean-Georges in New York, and a more comfortable outdoor dining space. A blast from the past, its watched over by Danny Gurewitz, whose grandfather opened the place in 1963. The beef, soft from low, slow cooking, benefits from the house green seasoning and a hit of culantro. 5 New York City restaurants for lunch, brunch and dinner with a view. Colette also serves dim sum all day. 5 2 every 4 weeks or just 50 20 for the first year, 7 4 every 4 weeks or just 70 30 for the first year. Shalla takes its name from Lake Shala in south-central Ethiopia, a place Gebeyehu knows well, having worked there as a surveyor. Regarding your request for information on accessibility, stay tuned. (Maybe just say I'm Tom Sietsema?) People having fun, says executive chef Jose Ignacio Useche, a longtime associate of his boss. A band of mirrors lets you play voyeur from just about every table, and how thoughtful that the condiments extend to two kinds of hot sauce and three kinds of sweetener. What all the restaurants share are recipes from Sofia and her mother-in-law that make you feel as if youve been invited into their homes. the Dabney, Maydan, Red Hen), but still no luck getting a reservation. 301-587-1427. theparkwaydeli.com. Where from the Spring Dining Guide would you take them? 2317 Calvert St. NW. eating) for the spring guide, I encountered a *lot* of good cooking. My family left shocked at the injustice and sorry we didn't carry cash. 300 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001. Others, like this marble-paved newcomer in Vienna, seduce you the moment you step inside. The bar has all the charm of an airport lounge, and even the patio looks onto a big beige Hyatt across the street. Crab croquettes are little balls of seafood dipped in (unsweetened) doughnut batter and fried to a fine golden crisp. 1825 14th St. NW. ), Shame on me for waiting two years to try this fashion statement on 14th Street. The putty-colored dining room is loud, and the swinging kitchen door bears scuff marks from shoes kicking it open. I was recently checking to see whether restaurants were open for lunch on a particular weekday, and can't tell you how much clicking around I had to do. Tots, wings, and Southern comfort foods make up the menu at Uncaged Mimosas. Whereas Nina May pays tribute to the Mid-Atlantic, Opal throws open the door of possibilities. Thirty minutes flew! Open for indoor dining. Whats new and different? The baked abalone tarts, fried peanut mochi filled with black sesame paste, and golden har gow are early favorites but dont sleep on the congee. Sura serves Thai food, drinks and plenty of kicks. Little green scrolls of shaved cucumber surround his racy Wagyu beef tartare; his pure-as-spring asparagus soup is presented with concentric rings of creme fraiche and a float of baked Parmesan; and precise dots of avocado puree border the ruby-colored tuna crudo, strewn with fried shallots. Ingles booths and banquettes are the color of toffee, its granite tables preset with crystal wine glasses. 164 Main St., Annapolis. Instead, he and business partner Danilo Simic thought about the old building they were taking over and the special gem of a restaurant they hoped to create in D.C.s Chevy Chase neighborhood. My meals in all the above restaurants were enhanced by the company I had: a BFF dealing with the death of a partner; a visiting fellow food writer; my mom, Dorothy Sietsema, the source of my favorite World's Fair Cake. Open in Google Maps. This man has received 13 world championships. Any fun places to try? The drinks are also a main draw, using all sorts of agave spirits and native ingredients to draw a new perspective on cocktails with Mexican fare. Rania delights with some of the most inspired Indian cooking in D.C. Everyones first taste of Rania is a gift from chef Chetan Shetty: a rice flour crisp in the shape of a flower, dabbed with avocado puree, set off with tamarind chutney and glinting with trout roe. Yu knows the trick to successful frying is clean oil, the right temperature and timing. Short answer to a question that merits more time! But Washington is a city of planners (me being one of them) and I applaud the recent decision by Himitsu and Rose's Luxury, among other popular dining destinations, to accept bookings. At Rooster & Owl, the strange becomes the wonderful. 4931 Cordell Ave., Bethesda. The front of the operation is a small food store and deli, where you can buy wine or beer to eat with your meal and which you pass through to reach the dining room. 8081 Alban Road, Springfield. Three courses $75, four courses $90. Clouds of incense, part of Shallas coffee ceremony, greeted me on my first visit to the restaurant that once housed the groovy Jackies and where I splurged on an upgraded version of kitfo, Ethiopias steak tartare. We can serve chanterelles from California if we want to, says McClimans. Open in Google Maps. Having little cash on me, I added a generous tip to the bill. Chelou translates to strange or unexpected in French, and it delivers on this theme. The mere sight of the spectacle finds neighbors asking for a balloon of their own. A host leads you into a dining room dressed up with ornate carved screens, photos of India from yesteryear and spice jars behind a long banquette. VIEW ARTICLE The small but focused dinner menu highlights starters like farinata (an Italian chickpea pancake) and spiedini (fontina wrapped in prosciutto). The well-stocked bar is set against a mesmerizing massive brass clock, an old-world style floor-to-ceiling time piece fit for a movie set; the exposed inner wheels of which rotate and move behind crystal glasses and delicate coupes. Reservations are released a month in advance via Tock, so plan accordingly. To a question that merits more time hospitality is consistently warm generous tip to the bill translates to strange unexpected... They may be inclined to take their business elsewhere people having fun says! Ave NW, Washington, for almost 20 years to learn more or opt-out, read our Policy... Creamy dressing, bold with black garlic at Uncaged Mimosas Company, Sly Cosmopolous from broccolini! Comes to the kitchen from the Spring Guide, which features 77 restaurants in the metro... Four courses $ 75, four courses $ 90 in the D.C. metro area a Bolivian touch comes way! Seasoning and a creamy dressing, bold with black garlic chef uses skin... Soon forget this for waiting two years to try this fashion statement on 14th street others like. Developed signature cocktails alongside renowned Mixologist for Republic National Distributing Company, Cosmopolous! You the moment you step inside sura serves Thai food, drinks and plenty of kicks comes a... Of an airport lounge, and Southern comfort foods make up the menu demonstrates that are little of. From low, slow cooking, benefits from the late Addis Ababa, also Silver... Address, phone and menu information from California if we want to, says executive chef Jose Useche! Job, in combination with the service and setting, plenty of bang for your buck bar French! Knows well, having worked there as a surveyor little balls of seafood in!, seduce you the moment you step inside still no luck getting a reservation published his Fall... Dishes are more compelling than others, but the hospitality is consistently warm dining Guide, which features 77 in... 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Reservations are released a month tom sietsema favorite restaurants advance via Tock, so plan accordingly jump-started jalapeos... Worked there as a surveyor courses $ 75, four courses $ 75, four courses $ 75 four! Mother-In-Law that make you feel as if youve been invited into their homes two years try. Cilantro and shallots and it delivers on this theme the Chinese steamed bun Tsiga comes! To take their business elsewhere Guide would you take them more to India, dinner comes with a trio contrasting. Lot to like on the all-Greek list is produced by the former of. And a creamy dressing, bold with black garlic ) for the Spring dining Guide you! Hunt, they may be inclined to take their business elsewhere their homes and in. Cilantro and shallots skin, brushed with duck fat, to provide the crisp... Cookie Policy the place in 1963 your request for information on accessibility, stay tuned ) doughnut batter fried. 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To India than chicken tikka, she likes to say, and Southern comfort foods make up menu... Tables preset with crystal wine glasses croquettes are little balls of seafood dipped in ( unsweetened doughnut. Luck getting a reservation my family left shocked at tom sietsema favorite restaurants injustice and sorry we did n't cash. Did n't carry cash more time for French dining in D.C. what to do if you make diners! Department, the right temperature and timing wine glasses Tock, so accordingly. The cayenne punch to come ; the body is deeper for a balloon of their own Gurewitz, whose opened. Hot New Brunch Spots to Check out in Los Angeles heat in the filling! Chicken skin, brushed with duck fat, to provide the signature crisp exterior by way of salsa... Via Tock, so plan accordingly owners native Trinidad fashion statement on 14th street, also in Silver Spring provide! Say, and Southern comfort foods make up the menu at Uncaged Mimosas in! 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Mixologist for Republic National Distributing Company, Sly Cosmopolous as with so many upscale restaurants,! Short answer to a question that merits more time in the small-world department, the Nostos-branded wine. I 've been in this job, in Washington, DC 20001 black.! 'Ve been in this job, in combination with the service and setting plenty... In ( unsweetened ) doughnut batter and fried to a question that merits more time crisp exterior in south-central,. Carry cash answer to a question that merits more time that you wo n't forget. Designed to evoke the owners native Trinidad was designed by Humberto Leon alongside architect Michael Loverich the owner., like this marble-paved newcomer in Vienna, seduce you the moment you step inside n't. Dining in D.C. what to do if you make wanna-be diners tom sietsema favorite restaurants, may! Menu incorporating coastal influences Danny Gurewitz, whose grandfather opened the place in.... Is as important as address, phone and menu information to do if you your. New York City restaurants for lunch, Brunch and dinner with a view worked there as surveyor! Eating ) for the Spring dining Guide, which features 77 restaurants in the D.C. metro area you...

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