Lunch at The Meatball Shop (NYC)

The Meatball Shop (also known as TMS) serves just that… meatballs.  They have meatball benedicts, meatball sandwiches, meatball platters… With currently five locations across the Manhattan area, it is easy to enjoy some homemade balls… (yes, I said it… the whole menu is full of balls, so leave your giggles at the door 🙂 )

We had two orders of naked balls – one with chicken meatballs and pesto sauce and the other with classic beef and classic tomato sauce, both topped with a family jewel (aka fried egg).

Then we also tried their Kitchen Sink Salad which comes with three balls and served with greens and veggies.

This time I missed out on the ice cream sandwiches, though it doesn’t include a meatball, they looked amazing.  Next time… and there will most certainly be a next time!  On my second trip I am going to skip the Kitchen Sink and get another order of naked balls as they were simple (just meatballs and sauce) and delicious!!!

Details: 

The Meatball Shop
Neighborhood: Lower East Side, Upper East Side, Williamsburg, West Village, Chelsea
New York, NY
Serve: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Price Range: $5.00 – $11.00

Dinner at Tortilla Coast-Logan Circle

I have bragged about the happy hour at Tortilla Coast before, but we went one evening we went to Tortilla Coast-Logan Circle and had dinner, so instead of getting the usual burrito or fajitas I vowed to try something new.  From their house specialties section I selected the bacon wrapped chile glazed shrimp which is Guajillo chile glazed shrimp wrapped in bacon and flash-fried, served with chayote sauté and Mexican rice, topped with tortilla strips and queso fresco.  It was splendid!  Certainly a hidden-gem on T-Coast’s menu and something that I would definitely recommend and will be ordering again.

Clearly I thought it was amazing!

Details: 

Tortilla Coast-Logan Circle
1460 P Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
202.629.3280
Serve: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Price Range:  (dinner) $4.95 – $17.95

Brunch at Estadio

My mother was visiting and wanted to try a unique restaurant for a Saturday brunch… so we drove over to Logan Circle/14^th St and wandered around peeking at a few brunch menus before coming back to Estadio (the first menu we looked at).  I had seen in the windows off Church St. and loved the beautiful decor and did not realize which restaurant it was until we round the corner onto 14^th St.

We did not have reservations and actually lucked out because the seats they had available were at the counter that wraps around the kitchen.  It was like a chef’s tasting without the major price tag.

Estadio describes themselves as “contemporary” Spanish and the brunch menu is full of delights.  The plates are small-ish by American standards, but honestly just the right portion.  My mother and I, like everyone around us, ordered a dish each then ended up splitting them to sample both.  If there are two of you and you are really hungry you might want to get three dishes to split.

My mom ordered the soft scrambled eggs with goat cheese, mushrooms, and scallions.  Mom said next time she went back she would probably ask to have her scrambled eggs medium, but other than that we both thought this dish was fabulous.  The goat cheese combined with the fresh button mushrooms and egg was a perfect bite.

I kind of randomly ordered the scallops and roasted cauliflower.  They were amazing. We had ordered a side of bread (which is also delightful) and I actually scooped up the last of the salbitxada sauce with my piece.  There is no way I was leaving any of this dish behind.

I have been to a few brunches in DC and if you are looking for something that is well priced, classy, delicious, wonderful then book reservations at Estadio.  We will most certainly be going back.

Details:

Estadio
1520 14th St NW
Washington, DC
202.319.1404
Serve: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Bar
Price Range: $4.00 – $15.00 (Brunch)

Dinner at Casa Luca

The same friend that put us onto the amazing crab cake at Prime Rib also took us along for a visit to the newer spot in Metro Center called Casa Luca (or House of Luke).

I rarely eat Italian or pasta but when I was in Charleston, SC this past spring I had possibly my first experience with fresh made pasta. It was amazing and since then I’ve been keeping an eye out for a place in DC that creates fresh pasta for their dishes. Casa Luca is one of the first places I have found that has the quality of the restaurant in Charleston.

We were there just for a sampling so we tried the Fusilli from their Pasta Fatta in Casa (i.e. pasta made in house) section.  The pasta was great, the sheep’s milk cheese on top was a smidge chewy though…

 

If you are unsure as to what to order ask the waiter or bartender as they are knowledgeable of the flavors and can help guide you to something you will love.

Details:

Casa Luca 
1099 New York Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
202.628-1099
Serve:
Price Range:

 

Dinner at The Hamilton DC

What can you turn a Border’s bookstore into, how about one of the largest restaurants in DC. The Hamilton opened in — and is a part of the Clyde’s/Old Ebbitt family. They have a large menu to go with their large space. One evening we went for a late dinner and decided to split their pulled pork open faced sandwich. All of it comes on top of a piece of toast which is then piled high with mac n’ cheese, brisket, and onion rings. If you’re from the South there is a high chance you will love this.

 

Like I mentioned, their menu is huge and it includes sushi, so if you have a large group or picky eaters, The Hamilton DC is definitely a great option and right near Metro Center and the White House.

 

Details:

The Hamilton DC
600 14th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
202.787.1000
Serve:
Price Range: $5.00 – $28.00

Dinner at the Baby Wale

Tucked into a side street near the Convention Center is a new spot called The Baby Wale. Opened at the end of August, this restaurant is tucked away near Corduroy and Rogue 24. The space is a combination of eclectic and wood. I love the lights hanging in the back.

The bar is the length of the restaurant and seemed to fill up before the tables, which it might be because Steve the bartender is extremely engaging.

Three of us ordered a smattering of items from the menu:

Which included the largest hot dog I have ever seen on a plate…

A Mozzarella Porcupine

The Crispy Filipino Style Spring Rolls

A Lobster Salad Roll

Prosciutto Pizza

And a Grilled Gruyere Cheese & Tomato Sandwich

All the dishes were excellent!!  I’d go with the pizza, the grilled cheese, and the mozzarella porcupine as these were my favs.  The beverage menu is pretty extensive as well which can meet the needs of anyone in your group. I loved everything about this experience but if you go you MUST get one of their fresh baked cookies for desert. I unfortunately did not get a photo of mine before I gobbled it down but if you like fresh cookies that almost melt in your hand that’s what I had. Awesomeness.

Details:

Baby Wale DC
1124 9th St NW
Washington, DC
202.450.3311
Serve: Dinner, Happy Hour
Price Range: $7.00 – $38.00

Dinner at Prime Rib

One evening we were out with friends and I had a huge craving for a crab cake, so one in the foodies in the group said we had to Prime Rib. Not one to skip out on a food adventure we pilled into the closet taxi to taste quote the best crab cake in the District. Crab cakes can vary from chock full of breaking and a little crab meat to those made of only meat. Prime Ribs crab cake falls into the latter. It was absolutely delicious and had no need to be served with anything but a lemon slice.

One cannot go without ordering a steak so we also went with the filet ordered rare. It came out cooked to perfect delight and melted in your mouth.

We also ordered Prime Rib’s famous potato skins, and like the rest of the pieces of our meal, those too were a treat.

I would certainly recommend this experience even if you just sit at the bar and order appetizers or small meals. The place may be a mainstay of K St but don’t think it is old and stodgy, the food is high quality and taste delicious.

Details:

Prime Rib
2020 K St NW
Washington, DC
202.466.8811
Serve: Dinner, Lunch
Price Range: $10.00 – $57.00

Grand Re-Opening at J&G Steakhouse

J&G Steakhouse at the W Hotel near the White House has certainly been around but they recently had a fabulous face-lift and re-opened with a fresh look at their two story space.

We attended the grand re-opening and I was impressed by the decor. The red, gray, and black is fun but classy, much like the W Hotel.

The food we tried was absolutely delicious…

…and their drink list features many of their J&G’s traditional favorites like their ginger margarita, but also has specials like their French 515, named after their 515 address. (P.S. If you order it call it a French five-one-five.)

Whether you are visiting the area or looking for a drink J&G Steakhouse is worth a visit.  Plus, if you want to go more casual they have a great bar bites menu as well.

Details:

J&G Steakhouse
515 15th St NW
Washington, DC
202.661.2440
Serve: Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Bar
Price Range: $11.00 – $38.00 (Lunch)   $10.00 – $54.00 (Dinner)   $10.00 – $28.00 (Bar Bites)

Lunch at Zaytinya

I love Greek/Mediterranean food and as I have said before Roti is one of my fav lunch spots, but one afternoon my coworkers and I decided to slip out to lunch at Zaytinya.  It was fabulous!

Traditionally Zaytinya serves small plates and I would recommend three to four plates per a person.  I ordered hummus for my first course and paired with their hot and airy bread it was delicious.

Next I had their crispy brussel sprouts.

Then I had the skewered ground lamb, with grilled tomatoes and onions.

I also had the Turkish delight for dessert but forgot to take a photo of it…

This was a great meal paired with their white wine they have on tap it was mükemmel (aka perfect).  Zaytinya participates in restaurant week, but also regularly have a $25 prix fixe lunch that includes four courses or you can order a la carte.

Details:

Zaytinya
701 9^th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.638.0800
Serve: Lunch, Dinner
Price Range: $5.00 – $25.00

Lunch at The Source

I have taken advantage of this summer’s DC restaurant week more than any other year. I tried Del Campo (fabulous), we tried Charlie Palmer (just okay), and today did The Source for lunch (also fabulous). It has been a great week to try out some places we would not typically think to go!

The Source is located just beside the Newseum off Penn Ave/C St & 6th NW. We love the Newseum but had never tried Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant there. As I alluded the food was definitely a top five for me. They were only serving the restaurant week menu in the bottom floor lounge/bar area where I sat but all the choices looked great.

I went with the velvet corn soup, Creekstone Farms Curry Beef Skewer, and warm chocolate chip cookies. Each were full of flavor, absolutely delicious, and if no one had been looking I would have licked the bowl, plate, and my fingers.

 

I forgot to take a photo of the warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies, but trust me… After the guy on my left saw them he changed his dessert order.

Also got the spicy tuna hand rolls (which I never tend to like just because you have to work to tear through the seaweed wrap) and the garlic & chili chicken, which was a taste treat as well!

All in all I would certainly recommend trying out The Source.

Details:
The Source
575 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.637.6100
Serve: Lunch, Happy Hour, Dinner, Brunch
Price: $20.13 for Restaurant Week lunch