Mon Ami Gabi

Last date I was here: 04/26/2010

Restaurant: Mon Ami Gabi (http://www.monamigabi.com/)

Location: Reston, VA

Total Rating: 4
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Mon Ami Gabi is a Classic French Bistro. "Mon Ami" means "My Friend" in French and "Gabi" is for renown Chef and Owner Gabino Sotelino. Mon Ami Gabi specializes in Classic Bistro Fare including crepes and quiches.

February 2009: We went to this restaurant for lunch in the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas to hopefully get an outdoor seat and catch the famous water fountain show across the street at Bellagio. Although we did get a lovely table outside, we missed the show and another would not start for a few hours. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our food in the sun. I might be interested to check out this place for diner, as a few items on the menu caught my eye.

UPDATE: During a day of shopping wiht my mother, we stopped at this restaurant in Reston, VA. We went towards the end of the lunch crowd, so we were seated without any problem. Our server was young and polite. Our food was prompt and delicious. My mother really enjoyed the fresh baked baguette we received before our meal and her strong French coffee afterwards. We shared our entrees, which was more than enough for lunch. With many tantilizing rich French dishes on the menu, Mon Ami Gabi is a nice place.

What I ate:

Chicken and Gruyere Crepe
w/ small frisee salad

Chicken, Brie, and Spinach Crepe

w/small frisse salad

Mussels Marienere

half portion of mussels steamed in garlic wine butter sauce with onions

Plus Keith ate:

Fish and Frites
w/ French tartare sauce

Guapo's

Last date I was here: 04/23/2010

Restaurant: Guapo's (http://www.guaposrestaurant.com/)

Location: Tenleytown

Total Rating: 3.3
Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Guapo’s is a family owned restaurant in DC, MD & VA. With several locations in the metro area, Guapo's offers Mexican cuisine using fresh quality ingredients in all of their dishes. Menu items include delicious, grilled to perfection carne asada, succulent ceviche or signature Margaritas. Closest Metro is Tenleytown-American University.

We went for dinner before a concert at American University, so it was the most convenient location. We sat outside on the patio and it was already very crowded. Our server was timely and brought drinks out with chips and salsa. I ordered the Sangarita - a mix of the classic frozen margarita with a swirl of sangria. It was very tart - maybe dangerous - since I could not taste any alcohol. For being a local chain restaurant, the Tex-Mex food was not too bad. The prices were very affordable and the place is very popular. If I was out and about and in a strip mall with other choices, I might leans towards eating at Guapo's again.

What I ate:

Tamales de Torreon

two large chicken tamales covered with melted cheese

served with Mexican rice, refried beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, guacomole

Plus Keith ate:

Jalisca Fajitas

Grilled Steak, Quail, Shrimp served with sauteed green peppers and Spanish onions

served with flour tortillas, sour cream, guacomole, pico de gallo, lettuce, Mexican butter

and a side of Mexican rice and a la charra beans

Famous Luigi’s

Last date I was here: 04/16/2010

Restaurant: Famous Luigi’s (http://www.famousluigis.com/)

Location: Dupont Circle

Total Rating: 4.6
Food: 5, Price: 5, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: One of the oldest Italian restaurants in Washington, DC, Luigi’s is a casual restaurant offering classic Italian cuisine in a convenient location. Attempting the Trattoria-type restaurant, Luigi’s can get packed at times even with the bountiful seating on two floors and an indoor patio area. Closest Metro is Dupont Circle.

We have had dinner here several times and it is a favorite of mine in the city. Famous for its pizza, the other traditional menu items are very generous and tasty and hit the spot every time. Great prices! Tourists and locals dine here, making it crowded at times. But I love this spot so much, I have even brought out-of-town family to Luigi’s for a nice meal.

What I ate:

♥Pizza♥

with mushrooms and prosciutto

Insalate di Marre

Cold salad of lettuce, tomatoes, olives, shrimp, calamari, mussels in a vinnaigrette dressing

♥Involtini di melanzane♥
Thin slices of eggplant wrapped around tomato & topped with cheese

Calzone
Folded pizza dough stuffed with ham, mushroom, pepperoni & mozzarella

Antipasto Luigi
Old fashioned antipasto salad with sliced Italian meats, mozzarella, lettuce, & fresh vegetables

♥Seashell alla partenopea♥
Pasta sautéed with zucchini, garlic, herbs in a pink sauce

Manicotti di ricotta
Homemade pasta stuffed with ricotta, parmigiano & spinach baked in tomato sauce

Lasagna al forno
Spinach pasta with ricotta

♥Parpadelle Sottobosco♥

wide pasta with ham and mushrooms in a cream sauce

Plus Keith ate:

♥Vitello Parmigiana with Spaghetti♥

Breaded veal cutlet topped with spinach, tomatoes, and mozzarella

Linguine del pescatore
Mixture of seafood in a spicy tomato sauce

Pollo e salsiccia
Sautéed with link sausage, peppers, onion in tomato sauce

Rigatoni rustici
Sautéed with Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, parmigiano, & fresh herbs in tomato sauce

Melanzane Parmigiana with Spaghetti

Baked eggplant parmesan with a side of spaghetti in marinara sauce

BLT Steak

Last date I was here: 04/03/2010

Restaurant: BLT Steak (http://bltsteak.com)

Location: Farragut West

Total Rating: 4.25
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 5


Summary: Sharing a neighborhood with the White House, Chef Laurent Tourondel's BLT Steak in Washington, DC introduces his re-imagined steakhouse to the capital. Plush fabrics, intimate lighting, and sleek hardwood floors allure politicos, steak-lovers and visitors alike. The menu showcases raw bar selections, the chef's signature warm popovers, and top-notch steak and fish which are complemented by a selection of sauces like Peppercorn or Red Wine and satisfying sides such as Grilled Asparagus and Hash Browns. The private dining room is the ultimate space for business lunches, cocktail parties and other special occasions. Closest Metro is Farragut West.

We went for dinner with both of our families - so we were a large party - and we still had excellent service and a very nice dining experience. We we greeted with an amuse of crostini with pate and the famous cheese popovers. Some tried the pris fixed 4 course menu while others ordered a la carte and we all shared sides. I was surprised with the large portion size of some appetizers and steaks. BLT was offering Cherry Blossom Festival inspired cocktails, which sounded lovely yet none of us tried. We asked the General Manager if we could get up on the roof to watch the fireworks but were quickly denied. At the end, while some shared desserts, others nibbled on the complimentary brownie bites. All in all, BLT Steak is a very nice steakhouse and I would recommend it for special events.

What I ate:

♥Tuna Tartare♥

with Avocado and Soy-Lime Dressing

Caesar Salad

Crabcake

with Meyer Lemon and Radish Salad

Grilled Jumbo Shrimp

Grilled Asparagus

Creamed Spinach

Creamed Mushrooms

French Fries

Banana Cream Pie with Coconut Ice Cream

Plus Keith ate:

Grilled Octopus

Rib Eye 18oz

Onion Rings

Jalapeno Potato Mash

Ristorante Tosca

Last date I was here: 04/02/2010

Restaurant: Ristorante Tosca (http://www.toscadc.com/)

Location: Metro Center

Total Rating: 4.05
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: One of DC's newer and trendy restaurants, Tosca, is headed by Executive Chef Massimo Fabbri. Chef Fabbri's style is strongly influenced by his native Tuscany in Central Italy. He blends the freshness of locally grown organic ingredients with the unique flavors of imported products from selected purveyors in his native region. Ristorante Tosca's seasonal menu consists of a variety of signature dishes, and creative desserts. Closest Metro is Metro Center.

We went for dinner with family and were seated in the middle of the brightly lighted restaurant. I was initially surprised to see the restaurant quite packed with patrons in stuffy dinner jackets. Our server was informative and attentive, yet rubbed some of us the wrong way by not having two of our wine selections and then pushing a more expensive wine he picked onto us. He also discouraged us from ordering several appetizers for the table to share, stating they would be too small, even though that is exactly what we wanted to do - just have a taste of everything. He also scoffed one of our party who ordered two different pasta dishes - one half portion whole wheat spaghetti as an appetizer and another veal stuff ravioli as his entree. Overall though, service was decent and our food was fresh and flavorful. I would recommend this restaurant to others looking for contemporary twist on classic Italian food.

What I ate:

Insalata di astice al Prosecco, con pisellini, sedano rapa e aglio orsino

Lobster salad with pickled celery root, english peas, ramps in Prosecco dressing

Tortelli ripieni di Robiola e tartufo con salsina ai funghi Porcini e porri

Tortelli filled with Robiola cheese and black truffle served with a Porcini mushroom sauce and leeks

Tagliatelle al nero di seppia con polpa di granchio, carciofi e aglio arrosto

Black ink tagliatelle with jumbo crab lump meat ragu, artichokes and roasted garlic

Tortino al cioccolato caldo con granita alle mirtilli,

mirtilli canditi e panna montata

Warm chocolate cake with blueberry granita,

sugared blueberries and whipped cream

Plus Keith ate:

Crudo di Hamachi alla tosca

Hamachi carpaccio Tosca’s style

Risotto con astice, basilico e ricotta fatta in casa

Risotto with lobster, basil and house made ricotta cheese