Dinner at Rose’s Luxury DC

Rose’s Luxury is another semi-newcomer to the DC food scene.  Opened in 2013 on Barracks Row, it is a combination of tapas and family style plates all set in a space that reminded me of Andy Griffith Show’s kitchen.

We opted for a few small dishes first:

The popcorn soup was a weird, but tasty experience…

Next up was the pork sausage, habanero, and lychee salad… I wouldn’t necessarily order that again… though it was named one of the ’40 dishes every Washingtonian must try in 2014,’ so my opinion may not be the one to go off of 🙂

And then we ordered the family style smoked brisket.  This is where it’s at.  It was flavored really well.

Though, not to be forgotten is the bread they provide while you wait… warm, soft, a little salty. hmmm….

 

I would say the only ‘negative’ is that with the small plates/family style the cost of the meal adds up quite quickly, but just realize this going in.  The tables are also rather close together because of the small space.  I would not recommend this place if you will be having ‘top secret’ convos 😉

Details: 

Rose’s Luxury 
Neighborhood: Barracks Row
717 8th St SE
Washington, DC 20003
202.580.8889
Serving: Dinner
Price Range: $3.00 – $29.00

 

 

 

 

Dinner at Hill Country

Coming from NC, barbecue was a main staple of my diet.  We’ve had a hard time finding some good barbecue, and Hill Country is definitely not like North Carolina bbq, but it is a good second with their Texas style bbq.

Hill Country has a unique set-up.  They sit you down and each person gets a meal ticket.  Then you go to the “market” and order up your meat then get your bread and sides.  A friend and I share The Two-Step (for 2) or each get The Pitmaster if we want different sides (lean brisket, pork spare rib, beef rib; quarter chicken, and two sides).

If I am not as hungry (or wanting leftovers), I like really like the Longhorn Brisket Chomp which comes with 1/3 lb. lean brisket, a side, and cornbread.  When they slice the meat, it won’t look like much, but you it will most likely fill you up, but if it doesn’t, then go back to the marketplace or eat dessert!

Hill Country can end up being on the expensive side, so make a reservation on Savored DC for up to 30% or sometimes LivingSocial/Groupon/Travelzoo have a Hill Country deal too.

Details: 

Hill Country
410 7th St NW
Washington, DC 20004
202.556.2050
Serve: Dinner
Price Range:

Happy Hour at Tortilla Coast

One weekend I happened up on Happy Hour at Tortilla Coast.  They have margaritas on tap.  Yeah you read that right… frozen margaritas…strawberry, lime, or prickly pear. Delish!

They also have some great food specials during happy hour such as tostadas, molotes, quesadillitas, and tamales and just $4.00 each.

I wish that I lived closer to Logan Circle just to be closer to Tortilla Coast (I’ve been to the one in Capitol Hill but didn’t like it as much).  Cheers!

Details: 

Tortilla Coast
1460 P Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
202.629.3280
Serve: Brunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Price Range:  (happy hour) $4.00 – $5.00

Dinner at District of Pi-DC

The District of Pie started out as a food truck and added on a brick and mortar location near Chinatown/Penn Quarter.

Now the caveat with DC PI is that they are ‘supposedly’ known for their Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, but I actually did not like it very well, but what I did really like was their regular thin crust specialty pi.  The crust is good and slightly crispy, the toppings are great, and the portion is good enough to certainly share with a few people.  My favorite of their thin crust is the East Loop, which is mozzarella, pesto, roasted chick, mushrooms, and onions.  I love pesto and I love mushrooms so this pi is made for me!

Also, if you are looking for an appetizer, they have some of the absolute best oven-blazed wings I have ever had.

Another tip, stick with the beer or wine… A group of us tried out a few of their specialty mixed cocktails and I’ll just say, it is better to stick with the thin crust pizza here 😉

Details: 

District of Pi (aka. Pi-DC)
910 F St NW
Washington, DC 20004
202.393.5484
Serve: Lunch, Dinner
Price Range:  $4.95 – $22.95

 

Brunch at Sixth Engine (Round 2)

I bragged about how amazing Sixth Engine was back in January, but I have to tell you about my second visit to Sixth Engine for brunch with my Mum.  I requested to sit upstairs just so she could enjoy the exposed brick, murals, and lighting.  I just love this space.  If I was looking for a rehearsal dinner (or even reception site) in DC, this space would definitely be on my list.

We ordered a round of the chocolate chip flapjacks (which is buckwheat batter, Vermont maple syrup, butter, & whipped cream).  Which is what I had in January but devoured before I remember to take a photo.  So here they are… even though the photo is still not that great…Sorry!

Mum ordered a No. 6 which is two eggs (any style), sausage, ham, hash browns, and toast (or english muffin).  This sounds like your standard brunch meal, but it’s not.  The sausage is huge and amazing, definitely not shipped in and frozen.  Plus everything else taste really great too.  This is now what I order every time.

 

During the summer months, Sixth Engine also has a great patio area out front, so take advantage when the weather is nice.

Details: 

Sixth Engine
438 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.506.2455
Serve: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Bar
Price Range:  (brunch) $8.00-$19.50  (drinks) $~10.00

Dinner at Seventh Hill Pizza

I love pizza.  So finding a truly good pizza is always on my list.  On rainy evening we met up with friends at Seventh Hill Pizza (near Eastern Market).  It’s a sort of small place that, but check out the menu on the wall or grab one from the counter and read all the wonderful ingredients then you’ll know you are in for a treat.  We’ve tried the Eastern Market with tomato, goat cheese, fresh herbs, tapenade, and mushrooms which might be one of my favorites.  We have also had the Barracks Row, which is tomato, mushroom, spinach, red onion, mozzarella:

 

The pizza is truly great.  It’s not that expensive if you split a big pie which most run at $15.95.

If you over near the Capitol Hill area it is definitely a place to  have a fresh, fire-baked pie.

 

Details:

Seventh Hill Pizza
327 7th St SE
Washington, DC 20003
202.544.1911
Serve: Lunch, Dinner
Price Range: $10.95 – $16.95

Dinner at Founding Farmers

If you ask me what one of my favorite restaurant is in all the land, I’ll tell you Founding Farmers.  Just a few blocks down Pennsylvania Ave from the White House, this restaurant has become my go-to restaurant for celebrations and when visitors come into town.

I first stopped in at Founding Farmers for an early dinner after a day at the Legg Mason Tennis Tournament and have continued to go back at least a few times a year…

I have tried a few things on their menu, but typically do not deviated away from their southern pan-fried chicken and waffle dish.

The fried chicken and waffle comes with Founding Farmers delicious mac ‘n cheese as well as one side from their always changing side menu.  Plus, the some syrup and gravy  to top it all off.

Off their small plates/appetizers list, I always ask what the popcorn of the day is, but usually go with the Smears, Dips, and Table breads.  The skillet corn bread is rather amazing as well.  I also decided one evening to try the Bacon Lollis, cinnamon-brown sugar glazed thick cut bacon.  I clearly liked them…

If you possibly have room for dessert, their Uncle Buck’s Beignets are something that every person should try, especially with their sauces.

Another cool tidbit, is that Founding Farmers doesn’t have a cork fee for the first two bottles of wine, so you can bring your own along and save some $$$ that way!

Dinner is a must!  Recommend getting reservations as the reputation of this place is well known… making the wait quite long sometimes.

Details: 

Founding Farmers
1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20006
202.822.8783
Serve: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Bar
Price Range: $2.00 – $18.00

Dinner at El Centro D.F.

El Centro D.F. is one of Richard Sandoval’s restaurants, which includes 19 restaurants, like Zengo, Masa 14, and Ambar.

We started out the evening with a $4.00 happy-hour margarita in the open-air (but covered) bar upstairs.  The happy hour guacamole and house made chips is a great starter to go with the El Centro margarita as well.

For dinner I ordered up one of the Grilled Nopal taco option, which came with three tacos made with cactus, vegetables, chayote, queso fresco, salsa roja, rice, and beans.

If you are looking for Mexican near 14th st/U Street this is worth dropping by for, especially if you want to take advantage of the drinks/tacos during their rooftop happy hour.

Details: 

El Centro D.F.
1819 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.328.3131
Serve: Dinner, Bar
Price Range:

Dinner & Dessert at Good Stuff Eatery

Now that the humidity is starting to show its lovely face, I’m thinking more and more about ways to cool off and the milkshakes at Good Stuff Eatery is a great treat.  With the original location that opened in July 2008  just down Pennsylvania Avenue behind the Capitol Building, a location in the heart of Crystal City, and a new location coming to Georgetown you can easily find an excuse to stop in.  Plus it’s family owned, so that’s cool.

Their famous toasted marshmallow shake comes with just that, a toasted campfire tasting marshmallow sitting right on top.  Their salty caramel kiss is another favorite with the right combination of salty and sweet.  If you want to try a few flavors (or are watching your figure but still want a treat) ask for a Mini Moo size.

Plus, if you want a full meal instead of just dessert, their burgers are fabulous.  I didn’t get a photo of our because we gobbled them down…  President Obama and Michelle each have their own burger on the menu and the variety of sauces you can taste test is another thing that adds to the great experience you’ll have at Good Stuff.  Enjoy!

Details:
Good Stuff Eatery
Capitol Hill, Crystal City, Georgetown
Serve: Lunch, Dinner, Dessert
Price: $3.75 – $8.50

Dinner at Matchbox Pizza

So last night I stuffed myself silly at Matchbox’s Mosaic District soft opening (they open to the public at 4pm tomorrow!).  I think I’m still full… but it was worth it.  We’ve eaten at the original Matchbox location in Chinatown, so I’ve had the pizza, but we decided to try a few new things along with a pizza.  We started out with the tuna tartare which I scooped up with the cripsy yucca chips.  I loved how light and refreshing it was.

We also ordered the pepperoni and meatball roll, which I couldn’t get a good photo of, but my oh my, that thing was delicious.  I’d make it a meal! It was like a calzone-ish/pizza sub.  Certainly something to order for the table.  And to go all out, we also ordered a set of three of their mini burgers, that come piled high with these amazingly thin onion straws (I ended up stealing some of these onion straws and putting them on my pizza. They were that good.).

For our meal we could not decide on one pizza, so we did a large with half spicy meatball and half sopressata salami & wild mushroom.

I forgot to mention that we had a drink in the bar area while waiting for our table.  It was a great time to check out the venue.  The space has exposed brick and lots of wood.  A bit more spacious than their Chinatown or Capitol Hill locations, which I liked.

 Also at the bar we got to sample a piece of the chicken pesto pizza.  It’s my all time favorite.  Definitely have to like pesto to like the taste, but if you do, it’s a must order!  Also, they have wine on tap.  Yup, didn’t read that one wrong! It’s rather awesome and tasty too.

Finally, we ordered dessert.  It about killed me, but I just had to try the trio dessert which features their Mos’ Magic Brownie, a trio of sorbet flavors, and their house-made doughnuts with a kaluha dipping sauce.  One day I’m just going to order this by itself, but even being stuffed, I still enjoyed it.  We’re not big sorbet people, but the flavors were great palate cleansers between the chocolate brownie and doughnuts.  My favorite was the dipping sauce.  It came in this cute little cup and it went great with both the doughnuts and the brownie!

Overall, this entire experience was great.  Congrats to the Matchbox team for pulling off another successful location!  I’d definitely recommend reservations because this place is going to be packed!

Details:
Matchbox at Mosaic District (aka. Merrifield)
2911 District Ave, Fairfax, VA
571.395.4869
Serve: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert
Price: varies (~$6.00-$22.00)