Are cupcakes God?

Georgetown, the capital's capital for all things cupcake, never fails to deliver varied and amusing scenes.  Today, Baked and Wired asserted on their storefront placard that "Cupcakes are God."  Overstated maybe, but, insightful, right?  Not for one passerby--seemingly not 100% with it--who took extreme umbrage to this theological assertion.  Yelling to no one and everyone as he walked up and down the street, this gentleman exclaimed that cupcakes may be "good - G - O - O - D, but they ain't God."  To bolster his argument, he stated that he had taken communion at the cathedral this morning and it was not in the form of a cupcake. His rant, repeated multiple times, ended with an emphatic "HA!"

But might he be onto something?  Never have I found my master's in theological studies a useful tool for my food blogging, but given the ever-increasing lines at the cupcake shops in Georgetown and the myriad of churches in the neighborhood that go half full each Sunday, perhaps dolling out cupcakes (mini ones to be economical of course) could be a win-win for filling empty pews?  Sacrilege, I know, but frankly, not a bad idea.

In other news, Baked and Wired is offering "Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes"  in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 17th.  But if you can't wait until then, Sprinkles brings more sweetness to the Georgetown cupcake madness on March 3rd.  So, HA!

Metro 29 Diner: Ooey Gooey French Toast

Metro 29 Diner: French Toast

A craving for french toast last Sunday left us stumped, but multiple google searches--validated by a friend's recommendation--revealed that Metro 29 Diner is known for its Challah bread varietal.  Recently visited by the bleach-blonde, brash, Food Network Guy Fieri on his Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Metro 29 is a classic no-frills Greek diner on Arlington's Lee Highway.  Its penguin-suited waitstaff  promptly serve up grub behind a bar backed by cases full of towering cakes.

Despite the Internet accolades, I was slightly hesitant to go back to Metro 29. Past brunch visits disappointed with heavy, heavy, heavy options, including an egg white omelet that practically necessitated a nap...I could not imagine the side effects of the whole egg varietal. On another trip, some forgettable pancakes were accompanied by the environmentally unfriendly and wholly unorganic Smucker's individual serving syrup.  And then there was the time we asked about the fresh squeezed orange juice, labeled as such on the menu, and saw a waiter pouring a glass of "not-from-concentrate" orange juice right out of a Tropicana carton.  This claim is a stretch at best and blatant false advertising at worst.

But despite these flaws, the french toast lived up to the hype and is worth the trip.  The indulgent slices of housemade challah are dipped in an egg bath and served hot off the grill.  The crispy exterior yields to a warm, gooey center with hints of custard, cinnamon, and vanilla.  For $9, two slices come topped with a mountain of your favorite breakfast meat, which in my case is crispy, greasy bacon. 

The crowds on weekends can be overwhelming, but if you are a party of one or two, you can usually snag a seat at the small counter to the left side of the hostess stand without having to wait.  Service is brisk, efficient, and at some junctures friendly.  And like any good diner experience, you have to pay at the counter following your meal. 

Mesmerizing, Magical, Majestic

The Majestic: Amish Chicken with Fettuccine

Until last week, I had experienced the pleasure of indulging at three of Cathal Armstrong's establishments -- Eamonn's, Eve (both the tasting room and bistro, pre-blog), and PX. -- but had yet to try Majestic.  This was not for lack of effort -- "Nana's Sunday Dinner," a family-style prix fix, is a hard reservation to get.  But the magic of a rare 60+ degree evening in mid-February changed our luck and B and I walked in and got an early table without a reservation last Thursday.

The understated dining room is backed by classic diner tunes playing at a volume appropriate for conversation.  And the friendly, accommodating staff (we had to be in and out in an hour and our waitress graciously coordinated with the kitchen) set the tone for what would be an unpretentious but indulgent meal that will have us coming back often.

This is the type of comfort food that you wish would find its way to your neighborhood.  The dishes seem effortless in the warmth that they bring to your table, but the scene from the open kitchen makes it clear that they are anything but.  Amish chicken with a side of creamy house made fettuccine was hearty and flavorful drawing out the natural richness of the dark meat.  A special of veal osso bucco was fragrant in an herbed gravy set off in both color and flavor by the saffron risotto nestled below. 

A side of Chef Red's (named for head chef "Red" Overmiller) onion rings, thick cut and fried tempura style, were accompanied by housemade ketchup, an aoli, and Ranch dipping sauces.  This order was totally gratuitous on our part, but also one that was greatly enjoyed.

And while prior plans did not permit time for dessert, the truffles that accompany the check were filled with decadent dark chocolate studded with chocolate chips and rolled in coconut.  If this one bite tease is any indication of what those delicious towering cakes yield, I will surely allow time for dessert on our next visit.

Two glasses of wine, two entrees, side, tax, and tip came to $105.

DC Represents: The People's Best New Chef

Four DC-area chefs snagged nominations in the Mid-Atlantic category of Food and Wine's People's Best New Chef Contest.  And unlike most industry awards, this one allows the eaters (us!) to pick the winner.

And since I pride myself on being an over-achiever-eater, Eating Around DC has feasted on the fabulous but varied cuisines of each of the four chefs--on multiple occasions.  It is going to be a tough choice, as these chefs all manage to combine the traditional with the trendy across cuisines as diverse as Italian, French, Cajun/Creole and American classics; dining experiences range from counter service to white-table cloth elegance. 

Linked below are the reviews of the four nominees' restaurants in the last year -- guaranteed to make your mouth water.  This is going to be a tough choice... I am still deciding on which one will earn my vote.  What do you think?

Kyle Bailey, Birch and Barley
Daniel Giusti, 1789
David Guas, Bayou Bakery
Nicholas Stefanelli, Bibiana

Voting is open through March 1st on CNN's Eatocracy, so go support the DC food scene and vote.  No matter which chef wins, let's see DC on top.  And if you were looking for an excuse to get out this weekend, now you have four -- after all, all voters should be as well-educated as they are well-fed!

2 Amys: Naples in Northwest

2 Amys

A few years ago my hankering for good pizza in DC always led back to the same place: 2 Amys.  In recent years, the DC pizza puzzle has been much easier to solve thanks to brick oven offerings such as Matchbox,  Fireworks, and Pete's Apizza.  But for certified (2 Amys is a card-carrying member of the Verace Pizza Napoletana) Neapolitan pizza, 2 Amys remains second to none in DC.

The family-friendly prices almost always bring a loud and rambunctious atmosphere to the dining room -- not always the most relaxing evening.  But I recently discovered that 2 Amys to-go travels splendidly.  A few weeks ago B readily volunteered to pick up this treat on his way home from work--could that be because of the quality, affordable Italian wine selection by the glass and small bites available at the bar while he waits?  I think so.  But I'll take it!

Last week, a starter of polpettes was ample for sharing among three.  These fork tender, bite-size meatballs were almost sweet and complimented by a generous douse of tangy marinara sauce.

The pizzas that followed -- Margarita, Santa Brigida, Norcia  -- all had a nicely charred, chewy crust with just the right amount of sweet and salt contrast.  The toppings were fresh, flavorful, and would have been a treat on their own. Rich mozzarella, house-cured salami, and peppery arugula added great flavor to that textbook crust.

The WaPo food critic asserts that 2 Amys has lost its luster, but in my experience, 2 Amys is still an authentic, delicious treat.  This Italian escape runs about $12 per individual pizza.

Food Field Trip Vieques: El Quenepo

Vieques Island: Green Beach

B and I just returned from a week long vacation on the small island of Vieques, which is just off the east coast of the main island of Puerto Rico. We spent the majority of our time last week laying on the island's white sand beaches and snorkeling amid its shore-side reefs.  And I swear I was not going to blog about food on this trip -- this was after all a retreat from reality where my blackberry did not have service even when I wanted to cave and check-in with the world.  But then we had a meal that was quite possibly one of the best we've had in the past year (anywhere) and I thought couldn't go without mention on this blog -- so out came the camera and the mental note-taking.  Sometimes I just can't help myself!  If by any chance you do make it to Vieques, you will not be disappointed with El Quenepo.

Located along a small row of guest houses, bars, and restaurants along the Caribbean Sea in the tiny village of Esperanza, El Quenepo is best experienced after a spectacular February (insert month here) island sunset.  The restaurant faces the ocean and its dining room is marked by understated island decor and white tablecloth, candle lit tables.  The menu consists of some eight appetizer and ten entree options, and the night we were there, they had an additional three and five respective caught-that-day specials.  Our service was flawless (and this was uncommon if not completely nonexistent on this sleepy island); our server explained in great detail and with abounding knowledge all of the evening's specials.  Unable to decide on the dizzying array of food choices, we started by ordering a bottle of Albarino, an unobtrusive Spanish white wine which would pair well with most any fish item and cool us off after an afternoon in the sun.


My conch chowder was rich and creamy; a seemingly New England style chowda-base with tender pieces of conch was complimented by crispy corn and tender potato cubes and topped with a dollop of creme fraiche.  This could have been a meal in and of itself.

The sushi appetizer special of the evening was an overflowing California roll with melt in your mouth tuna topping the ample sized pieces filled with crunchy cucumbers and topped with microgreens.

After these appetizers we shared a unique take on Caesar salad; its crisp romaine leaves were offset by tangy artichokes and the requisite Parmesan shavings.



El Quenepo: Spiny Lobster



And believe it or not, this was all before the entrees.  We definitely over-ordered a bit.  The tender, meaty spiny lobster--caught that day, chosen from three weight sizes--was served over a fettuccine in a tomato cream sauce enhanced with spinach and poached baby shrimp and pesto.

El Quenepo: Shrimp and Lobster in a Mofongo Basket

El Quenepo knew their local lobster.  Our other lobster of the evening was placed in a twice-fried so-called "mofongo" basket.  In both San Juan and Vieques, we sampled our share of mofongos, but none tasted like this.  This hearty version used mashed breadfruit (pictured) in place of the traditional plantains.  We were unfamiliar with breadfruit, so the owner eagerly walked outside to her backyard and brought us one to see.  It goes without saying that fresh and local ingredients dominated the menu, and the apt chefs made each dish more memorable than the last.

Dessert choices were almost as tough to choose from as the entrees and every bit as creative and flavorful.  We were so stuffed at this point, so I was so happy that we lingered long over dessert.  The deconstructed apple pie--which rivaled the creative selections of Restaurant Eve's tasting room--consisted of a poached apple filled with caramel popcorn gelato, nestled beside house made peanut brittle, and leaned on a four cheese biscuit accented with coral-like sugar art.  Every bite of this dessert popped!

El Quenepo: Deconstructed Apple Pie

A lot of dining rooms in exotic locales survive and even thrive simply because of the location.  El Quenepo would be exquisite anywhere, even the spectacular waterside views paled in comparison to the meal.  The prices matched, but this was well worth the cost.  Three appetizers, two entrees, dessert, wine, tax, and tip came to $250.

District Taco: Now with a roof!

District Taco: Burrito Mojados

While trucks, carts, and all manner of food-on-wheel options permeated DC this summer, what happens when the weather is too cold for street meat?  While in the case of District Taco, it means coming inside and expanding their meals on wheels empire with a brick-and-mortar operation.  While District Taco's carts continue to thrive, the Arlington storefront on Lee Highway provides slightly more formal amenities, like seats and a bathroom!

Obviously, the tacos are the showpiece, but being a sucker for a good burrito, I went all out on a recent visit and ordered the burrito mojades.  I turned the heat up on this burrito--already spicy--with the addition of fresh diced jalapenos.  Ample portions of black beans, rice, and chicken, topped with a spicy chili-laced salsa and a mercifully cooling swirl of sour cream, result in a hearty lunch that requires a seat indeed as you will need a knife and fork to tackle this burrito.

The passion behind this project is clear, and I was impressed to see an employee making the rounds of the small dining room to ensure everyone was enjoying their lunch.  And the burrito was really good; though I still think Pedro and Vinny's (yes, a food cart) is the best in the city.  And as for best ever, Boston-based Anna's Taqueria still has my heart (and stomach).

A tasty burrito and a Boylan's fountain soda was $10.  While this is not worth the trip across the city; if you are in the area it is a solid, casual lunch option, and definitely exceeds the offerings at omnipresent Chipotle and Baja Fresh chains.

Best Burger in DC: Rustico Ballston

Perhaps second only to specialty cupcake shops, DC has experienced a surge in dedicated burger joints.  But after a life-changing burger experience this past weekend, I would like to nominate yet another contender, which in my opinion surpasses all the others: Rustico Ballston's dry aged cheddar cheese burger.

Rustico's Dry Aged Burger

A hearty portion of savory, flavorful meat (cooked to order) is sandwiched in between a toasted house-made brioche bun and smothered with tangy cheddar cheese.  The richness of this unbelievably juicy burger is cut with a red wine shallot aioli.  And do not let the large mountain of hand cut fries in the photo above fool you; this is one big burger.  The crisp and salty skin-on fries are ideal to mop up the burger juices.  And if all this was not enough, add not one, but two varietals (both traditional and smoked) of homemade ketchup.  Burger nirvana awaits...

Rustico: Star Hill Love

And if you can handle it, pair this burger with one of close to 50 beers on tap (and an even greater selection by the bottle). I opted for Star Hill's Love, a floral, wheat beer; B went with Sierra Nevada's Hoptimum brewed with whole cone flower hops packing a punch at 10.4% alcohol and 16 ounces.  And to make this meal even better and more wallet friendly come during happy hour every day from 5 - 7 when all beers are $2 off.

While service glitches are still a mainstay, any hassle is worth it; this is the best burger I've tasted in the DC area.

Digitally Dining: DC Douchebaggery...Or Why I Need a Vacation

Cactus Cantina: Chips with a side of Self Importance

Yes, yes... I know DC is a high strung, Type A, around-the-clock work city.   But having said that, this scene left me agape.  Look closely.  Not only is the guy in the puffy vest texting (vice engaging with his dinner companions, which is sadly not all that an uncommon of a site in the metro area), but the first thing he did upon being seated was whip out a stand for his smart phone.  Really?!  Is this typical behavior?  I guess he should be applauded for his ingenuity in avoiding carpal tunnel risks.

And if you couldn't guess from the tortilla chips, frosty beer mug, and plastic red glasses of water, this was not a power establishment.  If you cannot relax and enjoy (okay, tolerate) the (mediocre) food at Cactus Cantina -- or as B and I like to call it, the Poor Man's Lauriol-- where can you? 

And with this DC Dining experience emblazoned in my memory, I am headed to a tropical isle to eat, drink, and relax -- electronic devices excluded!  But fear not, new content will appear on Eating Around DC thanks to some already scheduled posting -- I guess I am a Washingtonian after all!

Lyon Hall's Bounteous Brunch

Our first meal at Lyon Hall, right after it opened last spring, made us question whether this place was ready for prime time.  But after working out some kinks, menu tweaks, adding a daily happy hour (5-7)* and weekend brunch, I am pleased to report that Lyon Hall is now ready for the Arlington dining spotlight.

Brunch this past Sunday was everything a good brunch should be.  James Taylor crooned in the background of the bright, window lined downstairs dining room.  And to start: donuts!  We opted for a mocha glazed and an Earl Grey from their selection of fresh-fried donuts.  Both were fantastic airy, slightly misshapen, and humongous.  The Earl Grey was surprisingly sweet, with a sugar glaze and just a hint of its namesake; the mocha glaze was rich, with a semi-sweet chocolate glaze kicked up with a coffee infusion.  At $3 each or four for $9, the mouth watering selection changes weekly. The Lyon Hall kitchen knows their pastries, whipping up tasty treats for not only this restaurant, but their sisters Northside Social and Liberty Tavern as well.

Lyon Hall: Mocha Donut

And I did not think it could get any better, but it did!  B and I uncharacteristically got the same entree: three eggs your way over a short rib potato hash.  One word: decadent.  And this descriptor is in spite of the fact that we both chose egg whites.  This dish clicked.  From the foundation of wine braised short ribs seared with potatoes, to the fluffy egg whites, to the bitter greens with a light vinaigrette, the preparation was both unique and flawless.

Lyon Hall: 3 Eggs over Short Rib Potato Hash

Unlike on previous visits, our server was knowledgeable and attentive, even with a full dining room.  I dare say that this brunch rivals the Tabard Inn (without the month wait time--at Lyon Hall we actually got a same day reservation).  If you are so inclined, $5 Bloody Marys and Mimosas are also available. Two donuts, two entrees, tax, and tip came to $40.

*On a recent Sunday night happy hour trip we enjoyed $3 beers while seemingly surrounded in a sea of Match.com meet ups.  Great beer and some fun people watching too.  Is Sunday night the new blind date night?  Let me know, dear readers, I am out of the loop!

Old Town Eating: Union Street Public House

Old Town Alexandria's: Union Street Public House

When it comes to dining in Old Town Alexandria, what comes to mind most immediately is Cathal Armstong's burgeoning empire--Restaurant Eve, the Majestic, PX, and Eamonn's--which this year is slated to expand by another 50% with the planned opening of Virtue Feed and Grain (upscale Irish and global comfort food to seat 300) and Society Fair (a European style market with a bakery, butcher shop, wine shop and prepared food store, with nightly food and cocktail demonstrations).

This past weekend we found ourselves on King Street in Old Town without an Armstrong dinner reservation. This lack of planning led to a fun food find. Union Street Public House operates in a renovated Colonial warehouse adjacent to the soon-to-be Virtue Feed and Grain space. The ground floor of the space is a large and loud bar, which was filled to capacity when we showed up late Friday evening. Advised by the bouncer that there was a dining room upstairs, we made a beeline through the crowd to the stairwell. Wrought iron chandeliers, exposed beams and brick, and booth nooks adorned the upstairs space.

My first thought was how similar this place seemed to Durgin Park, a century old Boston institution in an equally touristy area.  At Durgin Park, once you make your way through the first floor bar and upstairs, you also discover an old world charm and some classic (albeit no frills) New England cooking. Is Public House the Old Town equivalent? I am happy to report that is in many ways (minus a century or so of history) it is. The friendly service, the classic reasonably priced dishes, and the draft beers all made this place feel genuine.

An order of Wally’s oysters brought plump bacon topped broiled fried oysters kicked up with pepper butter.

Union Street Public House: Wally's Oysters

The Cioppino, shown in the split portion below, was teeming with fresh seafood, clams, mussels, and white fish.  The dish would have benefited from a bit more heat and pasta cooked a tad more on the al dente side, but it was nonetheless a hearty comfort on a cold night.

Union Street Public House: Cioppino

For dessert we opted for the completely gluttonous option: icebox cake.  While I was expecting something more like Magnolia Bakery’s version, I was not in any way disappointed with the moist tower of cake interlaced with a chocolate buttercream.  This is a chocolate lover's dream.

Union Street Public House: Ice Box Cake

The meal was washed down with a few local draft beers.  We enjoyed lingering over our final sips with the standards and jazz playing in the background.  Dinner for two with shared appetizer, entree, dessert, tax, tip, and three beers was $50.  And while we did not partake, their restaurant week special was a $35 three course dinner for two -- half the price of the standard deal. 

Fantastic Falafel: Max's

Max's Kosher Cafe Falafel Station

Continuing on this week's defacto theme: Jewish delis -- this time a less-hyped closer to home option -- I bring you Max's Cafe.  My Wheaton-based friends have been raving about the falafel sandwiches here for some time, and they tell me they always make this a key part of their eating itinerary when they have visitors in town. This past Sunday I was able to try it out and, wow, were they on the mark with this recommendation.

This cavernous counter service deli and market with white and black checkerboard floors and bright red banquettes is massive. And even on Sunday morning at 11:15am, just moments after opening, the line of falafel-seeking pilgrims was close to a dozen people long. But no need to worry; Max's has this process down. You order your sandwich at the counter and then head over the falafel/shwarma station.

The guys manning this station are no-nonsense, yet playful, busy hand-making falafel so fresh that as soon as it emerges from the fryer it goes right into pita pockets. And that's when the decisions begin -- dozens of pickled vegetables, fresh chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, humus, tahini, and more to choose from.  And one more choice before your order is complete: mild, medium, or hot. 

I went with pretty much everything at medium heat and was blown away by this sandwich. Falafel can be dry and usually adorned only with a sad slice of tomato and some lettuce. Not here! The still warm falafel were cradled by the humus, enhanced by the pickled vegetables (including cauliflower and eggplant), kicked-up with finely diced jalapenos, and pulled together in the pita. So flavorful, so filling, so good, and so affordable (at $4.95)!

Max's Kosher Cafe: Falafel Sandwich

Max's is worth the trip, about twenty minutes outside DC. Before you go, know that Max's observes the Sabbath, and therefore is closed Friday sundown through Saturday. And the location is not picturesque -- tucked into the corner of a strip mall off of University Blvd -- but the falafel is fantastic!

Food Field Trip NYC: Carnegie Deli

Carnegie Deli is not exactly an unknown food find. You can usually see the lines of hungry tourists well before you see the inside of one of the most famous Jewish delis in the country. But this place is actually worth the hype and can be manageable if you know the tricks.

The most important part of enjoying this landmark eatery is timing. A later lunch (after 2, or perhaps even a tad later on the weekends due to the Broadway matinees nearby) likely means nonexistent lines. Once you get in, be ready for a brash, no-frills experience from start to finish: you are quickly ushered (border-line shoved) to your cramped table, shoulder to shoulder with your neighbor. Your server will arrive shortly thereafter and provide you with no-nonsense (even proudly rude) service. But then the free pickles arrive; by far one of my favorite parts of eating here. These multi-varietal crunchers provide a sweet, salty start to your meal.



Carnegie Deli Pickles

Portions here are infamously huge. So sharing makes sense. But there is a $3 additional fee to share. To get around that, have one person order dessert and one person order an entrée. This will be more than enough food and gets you around that pesky sharing fee. Prices here aren’t inexpensive; the larger than life sandwiches hover at $20 -- so the sharing fee seems rather petty.

On a cold winter afternoon the Matzoh ball soup ($7.95) is warm and satisfying. The rich homemade chicken soup broth is poured over two baseball size mounds of matzoh. Comfort in a bowl.

Carnegie Deli Matzoh Ball Soup

And the truffle torte cheesecake ($9.95), the size of a small car, provides the best of all desserts in one. Half rich, decadent NY style cheesecake, half equally rich, dark chocolate mousse, and topped with a chocolate ganache, this is one of those treats that causes you to keep indulging long after you are full.

Carnegie Deli Truffle Torte Cheesecake

And right in line with the refusal to accommodate customer whims, the place is cash only. And before standing up to go pay at the register, your server will no doubt bluntly remind you that you leave your tip at the table. This schtick is tiresome, but the food and eating surrounded by thousands of pictures of celebrities in the heart of Manhattan more than makes up for it.

Coffee Culture: Caffe Amouri

Caffe Amouri Roaster

A few weeks back the owner and namesake of Caffe Amouri contacted me about his first foray into food (well, technically drink) as a full-time-career. This venture features house-roasted coffee, and the menu includes a dozen or so espresso varietal drinks and more than 20 loose leaf teas. As Michael wrote, Caffe Amouri takes their “offerings very seriously.”

I was torn as to whether to make the trip to try this place out. I am not a coffee drinker and Caffe Amouri is located (gasp) just outside the beltway in Vienna, VA. But I work in Tysons and my coffee-loving friend S works in Vienna, so I decided last Friday to take an afternoon break from my day job to try it out.

My first impressions: we are not in Tyson’s anymore (which is a good thing in my book). The vibe of this corner, sun-filled shop is mellow. Burlap sacks of raw beans surround a larger-than-life bright yellow roaster, from which an aroma of freshly roasted beans fills the air. The walls are adorned with album covers; 80s legends like Boy George and Michael Jackson gaze upon you while you decide on your beverage.

The staff, friendly and knowledgeable, guided S towards a decaf Costa Rican blend and me toward a semi-sweet hot chocolate. S’s eyes rolled back in her head as she savored her coffee. At $5 for a French Press serving that could serve two, it is an affordable luxury.

Caffe Amouri French Press

The Belcolade Belgian hot chocolate was on par with Co Co Sala’s – rich, thick, and indulgent in a simple way that heightened the smoothness of the chocolate.  And while this one requires a drive, it is also almost half the price of Co Co Sala's ($3.55 for 16 oz of milk, semi-sweet, or dark).

Caffe Amouri Belgian Hot Chocolate

I was surprised by how much I liked Caffe Amouri – enough for a return weekend trip for B to try the coffee. The owner's passion in this endeavor is evident. If you work in the area and need a break from the over-the-top type A world that is Tyson’s, this is your answer.

Munching at the Movies: Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse

Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse

I am not normally a movie snacker.  With the exception of the occasional $5 Diet Coke, I hardly ever consume the sugar infused, mass-produced array of over-priced, over-sized standard movie-fare.  But the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse presents a different opportunity, with waiter service and a menu that claim to be a step up -- albeit a small one in some cases -- from your average theatre. Food options range from pizza to chicken fingers to salmon (!).  The beer selection rivals other local bars with pitchers of some dozen rotating craft brews available for around $20.

It took us Arlingtonians five years to finally give this place a try. Walking in is like stepping into (so I imagine) a 1970s lounge, with orange vinyl swivel chairs and carpeted wall art. Groovy...but I think it's only retro due to not receiving a makeover since then, and therefore is not the cleanest establishment.

Our sever made it very clear from the beginning that food will come out at varying times, so don't even think about complaining about pacing. The reason: people are seated at the same time, by virtue of this being a movie theatre and not a standard restaurant.  Got that?  Good.  But just in case you didn't, the menu, the movie screen, and your servers will remind you. And should you need your server's attention, simply put up your table-tent sign.

Taken on its own, the food is not great (in some cases really bad), but the experience is so much fun, and the beer free flowing that it is easy to overlook the food.  The nachos are topped with that cheez-whiz like substance reminiscent of the kind I used to enjoy with friends while scoping the crowd at the roller skating rink back in Worcester, MA.  Yes, I was that cool!  And while I hate to admit it, on this past trip, I enjoyed this nostalgia that came gratis with the overpriced nachos.

Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse: Chicken Finger Basket

The chicken fingers were probably the best food selection of the night.  Likely frozen, but nicely fried, crisp and juicy, and available with a zesty buffalo sauce. The pizza was doughy and awash in a not-so-flavorful cheese.  And we were not brave enough to try the salmon, so I can't comment on that one.

Is this going to be a world class culinary experience?  Nope.  Can the food anywhere near compete with other Arlington bars?  Unlikely.  But it does make for a really fun evening and a great cold January night out. Though I think for our next trip, we may eat beforehand and stick to the beer.  And while an affordable excursion with movie tickets at only $5.50 -- speaking from experience -- it is easy to run up quite the tab!

Michel Misses the Mark

Michel by Michel Richard, Tyson's Corner

When I first heard that Michel Richard was set to open a restaurant in the former Maestro space at the Tyson's Corner Ritz, my heart fluttered as I eagerly anticipated a foodie lunch spot near my office. Richard's Central is one of my top DC go-to restaurants, delivering playful and always flawless takes on classic French and American dishes. And Citronelle is a DC splurge dining experience that delivers elaborately choreographed service, excellent cuisine, and some whimsical surprises. I thought: how could Michel go wrong--the dining scene in Tyson's is like the traffic, it needs some serious help, is barely tolerable at best, but mostly just frustrating (the now shuttered Inox gave it a go last year but did not succeed).

Lunch with colleagues last week seemed an opportune time to try Richard's newest endeavor for the first time.  I headed over ready to splurge on lunch (entrees between $20 - 27) and introduce my coworkers to the magic of Michel.

The experience started off well.  The restaurant had all the hallmarks I've come to expect from himself: an illuminated stack of plates, a fuchsia dining room, a large visible kitchen.  And on this day, the legendary chef was walking around among us mere mortals, waiving, and monitoring kitchen progress.  How could we go wrong?

Did we ever go wrong.  This lunch, to be crass, sucked.  The service, the pacing, even the quality of the food.  Typing the latter makes me the saddest, but I will elaborate.

The dining room was only about a quarter full, but it still took fifteen minutes for our waitress to  initially greet our party of five.  The wait for wine was another twenty minutes, and our entrees took almost an hour to arrive.  We saw our stern waitress a total of three times during what turned into close to a 2 hour lunch, as wine glasses sat empty and later plates sat uncleared.  The water boy on the other hand was fortunately quite attentive.

As my stomach growled, I thought I could take solace in the fact that when (if?) the food does arrive it will surely smooth over everyone's frustrations.  Incorrect again.   While Central is incredibly consistent food-wise, Michel has not yet gotten into this groove.

Michel: Fried Chicken

I opted for a favorite at Central: fried chicken.  At Michel, the take was juicy, but the breading had a gummy layer that did not adhere to the chicken, causing the chicken to fall apart the minute I cut into it.  A sweet potato puree, while a decent addition on its own, was topped with some sad looking greens, an unworkable combination of contrasting textures.  While the raspberry sauce for the chicken was quite flavorful with an Asian-flare, it did not compliment the sides, making the dish feel and taste fragmented.

Michel: Side of Fries

I will say the presentation was mostly attractive; both the tuna carpaccio and salmon terrine could have doubled as art.  A side of french fries ($8) arrived in a miniature fry basket crisp, hot, and appropriately salted with a trio of dipping sauces. 

I wanted to love Michel.  Instead, I left disappointed and not inclined to go back.  At least at this point, better service and more consistent dishes can be found across the mall at the Cheesecake Factory.  Alas, I am left to conclude the state of Tyson's dining remains dismal.