Lou Mitchell's

Last date I was here: 07/31/2011

Restaurant: Lou Mitchell’s (http://www.loumitchellsrestaurant.com/)

Location: West Loop - Chicago

Total Rating: 3.2
Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 3

Summary: Lou Mitchell’s is a famous restaurant and bakery in the heart of downtown Chicago and “has been host to many - everyone from U.S. Presidents, Mayors, Governors, Senators, Representatives, athletes, coaches, authors, judges, lawyers, clergy, and stars of the stage and screen. The fun part of Lou Mitchell’s magic formula was added one day in 1958. Since that day, millions of donut holes to all and boxes of milk duds to the ladies and children have been given out.” Our last stop in Chicago before heading out to the airport was at Lou Mitchell’s for breakfast. Although a long line had formed out the door, we waited patiently until a table for two (more like a spot for two along the long communal table) opened up. The place was buzzing with people and servers fluttering about calling out orders. Fresh bread was toasted outside of the kitchen for all to see and smell. We ordered quickly and were served fairly quickly. The food was alright – typical diner fare. The hash browns were more like slices of potatoes akin to the boxed au gratin style. My hobo skillet was just an omelet and Keith’s pancakes were overly sweet for my tastes. Overall, the owners try to keep the charm that made them famous over 50 year ago.

What I ate:

Mushroom Omelet Hobo Skillet
Three egg omelet with mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and hash browns
Served with wheat toast

Plus Keith ate:

Banana Pancakes
and a side of bacon

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

Last date I was here: 07/30/2011

Restaurant: Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria (http://www.loumalnatis.com/)

Location: Lincoln Park - Chicago

Total Rating: 3.2
Food: 3, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 3

Summary: Lou Malnati's has several locations within the Chicago area and boasts to be “the home of the BEST Chicago-style deep dish pizza in the world! If you love a buttery, flaky crust, sweet and tangy tomatoes, gooey mozzarella cheese, perfectly seasoned sausage, and other fresh ingredients- you’ve come to the right place.” Our next main stop on the food crawl of the day took us to this pizza joint. With the 35 minute standard wait, we relaxed in the cool AC with our drinks and just chatted at our table. Although salads and other appetizers are available, we chose to pass since we knew the pizza would be filling enough and we could not take any leftovers with us. Sure enough, the pizza arrived piping hot and our server offered each of us a piece. The cheese was extra gooey, the sauce was very chunky and the homemade sausage was tasty. The crust was thick enough to hold everything in, yet the sauce gave a soupy effect and the pizza was kind of standard. I expected it to be a little more filling, but was able to eat 2 pieces without a problem. I guess this type of deep dish pizza is different from the other stuffed variety also offered in Chicago. Ultimately, we still prefer a slice of the NY pie any day.

What I ate:

The "Malnati Chicago Classic"
Lou Malnati's is legendary for its pizza in the pan, and here, sausage is the specialty of the house. Made with Lou's exclusive blend of lean sausage, some extra cheese, and vine-ripened tomato sauce on our famous Buttercrust.™

Aloha Eats

Last date I was here: 07/30/2011

Restaurant: Aloha Eats (http://www.alohaeats.com/)

Location: Lincoln Park - Chicago

Total Rating: 4.35
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Aloha Eats is a “Hawaiian grill” that serves traditional plate lunches, noodle dishes, and other island treats. We stumbled upon this location while walking through the Lincoln Park area and we decided pretty early to squeeze this local spot into our food crawl itinerary for the day. I was so happy to see all the familiar dishes such as spam musubi and saimin on the menu. They also carried Aloha brand canned fruit juices like lilikoi-orange and the ever favorite POG (passion-orange-guava). We ordered a plate lunch to share and sat in the relatively small dining area. The chicken portion was so generous, we realized we should have probably ordered the mini version. Regardless, we tackled our early lunch meal and left with fat bellies and smiles on our faces. It was so great to be able to have a taste of “aloha” and reminders of home. If I lived in Chicago, this would be a regular lunch spot for me.

What I ate:

Chicken Katsu Plate Lunch
Boneless and skinless chicken filet breaded with premium Japanese bread crumbs, fried, and chopped into smaller pieces. Served with our home-made sweet and tangy Katsu Sauce, with two scoops of white rice, and one scoop macaroni salad

Molly's Cupcakes

With two locations (one in NYC and one in Chicago), Molly's Cupcakes is named for Miss Molly, the cupcakery's founder's third-grade teacher who would bake cupcakes for everyone's birthday. In honor of Molly and as a way to help our children, a portion of their profits is donated directly to schools in the community.

Frontera Grill

Last date I was here: 07/29/2011

Restaurant: Frontera Grill (http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/grill.html/)

Location: River North - Chicago

Total Rating: 4.5
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 3

Summary: Frontera Grill is one of the acclaimed chef Rick Bayless’ restaurants in Chicago that “swings casual, like an American grill. But it also rollicks with a vibrant, boisterous, Mexican rhythm. Its walls radiate sun-baked colors. The paintings and sculptures leap to your eyes and make you laugh. Together they invite you to an ever-young fiesta. Frontera Grill uses beautiful ingredients, often organic and custom-grown, to bring to you the bold flavors and immediate freshness that jump off the tongue–just as it does in Mexico.” We arrived prepared to place our name on the long list and wait at the bar – and sure enough that was the standard procedure. We waited one hour with our house Margaritas amidst the crowd before being seated near the bar. The drinks were strong and we were very hungry, yet service was fairly quick. Our server explained each of the ceviches as they arrived – boy, were they fresh and tasty! The mix of citrus and spice flavors were so aromatic and delightful. The cheese in the little turnover style quesadillas was melted perfectly and the little pockets of heaven were just divine. The mole sauce on my enchiladas was a wonderful sweet and spicy combination, executed so well that any Mexican grandmother would be proud. Keith’s steak was cooked and seasoned exceptionally. Overall, this Mexican grill offers fine recognizable cuisine with a modern edge.

What I ate:

Trio, Trio, TrioSampling of three ceviches served with crispy tortilla chips
Fronterizo: Lime-marinated Hawaiian albacore with tomatoes,
olives, cilantro, green chile; on crispy tostaditas.
Coctel de Atun Tropical: Sashimi-grade Hawaiian yellowfin tuna,
avocado-tomatillo guacamole, tangy mango-grapefruit salsa.
Yucateco: Steamed Mexican blue shrimp & calamari,
lime, orange, habanero, avocado, jcama & cilantro.

Quesadillas CapitalinasMexico City-style corn masa turnovers stuffed with Samuels
locally handcrafted Jack cheese & fresh epazote. Guacamole to daubEnchiladas de Mole PoblanoHomemade tortillas rolled around Gunthorp free-range chicken,
doused with Mexicos most famous mole. Black beans

Plus Keith ate:

Carne Asada a la OaxaquenaCreekstone Natural Black Angus rib steak (marinated in spicy red chile & wood-grilled),
black beans, sweet plantains with sour cream, guacamole

Al's #1 Italian Beef

From its humble beginning back in 1938, brother Al Ferreri and his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Chris Pacelli, Sr. began developing what is known today as one of the "Top 10 Sandwiches in America," a "Chicago Food Legend" and "Chicago's #1 Italian Beef Sandwich," an honor bestowed upon it by Chicago magazine.

graham elliot

Last date I was here: 07/28/2011

Restaurant: graham elliot (http://grahamelliot.com/)

Location: River North - Chicago

Total Rating: 4.1
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Specializing in whimsical reinterpretations of classical entrees, Chef Graham Elliot Bowles’ restaurant in Chicago offers diners four star “flare” while dining in a more casual and laid back atmosphere. No suits and ties here – rather hipsters with tattoos, faux-hawks, colorful spectacles, and/or Tom’s shoes man the floor. Eagerly and warmly greeting patrons as they arrive, the staff was excellent and always took time to explain each menu item or answer any questions. Offering items a la carte, or a choice between a 5 course, 10 course, or 15 course sampling. Since Chef Bowles is more popular these days with his current stint on tv’s “Masterchef” next to Chef Gordon Ramsay, we expected the place to be a bit more buzzing. However, it was kind of empty on this Thursday evening. We munched on some popcorn as we perused the menu and quickly decided on the 5 course tasting. Our server, Nancy, was superb and confirmed that the chef was able to substitute the meat items for me. As each course arrived on its artfully decorated plate, we were given an explanation and then allowed our eyes guide us through the science of the chef’s creation. The food was fun and incorporated fresh seasonal ingredients, yet I expected just a tad bit more on the innovation. For non-foodies, this would be a great introduction into trying more daring food – yet I was left wanting to see something a bit more out there other than a traditional Caesar salad or Jidori chicken. Nevertheless, we had an excellent meal and overall experience at graham elliot’s. We were even given the opportunity for a mini tour of the back kitchen - It was amazing! It was definitely clear that Chef Bowles prides his staff to treat the customers best – regardless if you are a foodie or not. I think other celebrity chefs should take a tip or two from this restaurant in terms of service.

What I ate:

Popcorn
with truffle butter, black pepper, and parmesan fluff

Consommé
compressed watermelon with mint leaf and jalapeno oil

Caesar Salad
gem lettuce, brioche twinkie, and white anchovy

Sweet Corn Soup
with spiny lobster, toasted coquito, and vanilla marshmallow

Canapé
sautéed calamari with brussel kimchi and red curry

Alaskan Halibut
with leek brandade, orange gel, and haricot vert

Jidori Chicken
served with fried okra, kohlrabi slaw, and country pate

Intermezzo
grape juice soda spritzer

Chocolate Cake
with root beer, port cherry, and birch caramel

Raspberry Shortbread Cookies

Plus Keith ate:

Bison steak
With baked beans, Texas onion, and chili salsa

Rhapsody

Last date I was here: 07/27/2011

Restaurant: Rhapsody (http://www.rhapsodychicago.com/)

Location: The Loop - Chicago

Total Rating: 4.55
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4


Summary: “Led by Executive Chef Dean Zanella, Rhapsody shares a menu inspired by fresh Italian flavors and local, seasonal ingredients. Rhapsody offers a refined yet casual environment in Chicago’s cultural and shopping districts. The restaurant is walking distance to some of the city’s top destinations such as Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago, Michigan Avenue and State Street, as well as adjacent to Chicago’s Symphony Center.” After walking down to Grant Park with a coworker and seeing the Buckingham Fountain, we were looking for a more casual place to have dinner. However, the humid weather narrowed our search grid and thus we settled upon Rhapsody. The cute garden patio looked nice, but we opted for the indoor dining area with its refreshing AC. The menu had many fine ingredients highlighted such as local white fish, as wells as pastas and steaks. I decided to go with one of the day’s fish specials and am glad I did so. The fish was cooked rare/medium-rare per Chef’s recommendations, and was surprisingly very light in both texture and flavor. The summer vegetables that accompanied were so vibrant and flavorful in their own right. I truly enjoyed this meal and the ambience was very quiet and soothing – perfect for date night or small business meeting. My coworker enjoyed his beef kabobs so much, that he returned another night with other coworkers. I was told they also enjoyed the food and atmosphere and had a lovely dinner there.

What I ate:

Seared Albacore Tuna
with zucchini, summer squash, and tomatoes in a pesto sauce

 

Coco Pazzo Cafe

Last date I was here: 07/26/2011

Restaurant: Coco Pazzo Café (http://www.cocopazzochicago.com/coco-pazzo-cafe.html)

Location: Streeterville - Chicago

Total Rating: 3.6
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 4

Summary: “Inspired by the cafés that line the piazzas in Florence, vibrant and lively Coco Pazzo Café is just steps away from Magnificent Mile shopping and hotels. The Café offers a casual atmosphere, a diverse menu, and Italian wines by the glass.” After walking around the Mag Mile, we stumbled upon this café with its alfresco patio and were intrigued by the simple menu. Located near many hotels, Coco Pazzo Café is not to be overlooked. The service was great, food was simple, homemade, and loaded with classic flavors. My garginella pasta was not too dense and sprinkled with lovely fresh mushrooms. The bread was also very fresh with just the right amount of chew factor. It was not until the next day that I found out this was the smaller “sister” restaurant to the more famous main Coco Pazzo. Nonetheless, we had an excellent and satisfying meal for a decent price. I would come back again to try other items on the menu.

What I ate:

Garginella di Funghi
Housemade tubed shaped pasta with a mushroom ragu

Sweetwater Tavern & Grille

Last date I was here: 07/25/2011

Restaurant: Sweetwater Tavern & Grille (http://sweetwatertavernandgrille.com/)

Location: The Loop - Chicago

Total Rating: 3.05
Food: 3, Price: 3, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Sweetwater Tavern & Grille is located along the Loop in downtown Chicago just south of the Magnificent Mile area. Serving a variety of sandwiches and salads, this upscale sports bar is a nice casual spot to eat with friends. I stopped for dinner here with some work colleagues and we were seated on the outside patio at high top community tables. Our view was great with the many skyscrapers of Chicago. We could also see through the windows into the main restaurant area with the many large screen tvs. Service was decent and the food was surprising tasty and fresh. The only odd thing to note was the tap water tasted like a terrible mix of plastic and chemicals and forced me to order a soda to wash down my meal. Overall, my meal was satisfying and this place would be a good stop for tourists and locals alike.

What I ate:

The Trevi Sandwich
Grilled chicken with mozzarella and beefsteak tomatoes
served on tomato foccacia bread with pesto mayo
served with tater tots

Carmine's

Last date I was here: 07/21/2011

Restaurant: Carmine's (http://www.carminesnyc.com/locations/wadc/index.php/)

Location: Penn Quarter

Total Rating: 3.1
Food: 3, Price: 3, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: This Italian chain restaurant from New York has opened in a 20,000 square foot location in the heart of DC. Serving enormous family style portions, each dish is meant to be shared between 2-4 people. With a limited generic menu, Carmine's is mediocre to quench the typical Italian craving and satisfy large groups. Closest Metro is Archives-Naval Memorial.

January 2011: We decided to try Carmine's due to its location and I was really jonesing for some Italian cuisine on this wintery day. We were seated right away, but in an odd small table in the corner next to a window and the POS system - the waiter was constantly in my personal space to type in his orders. A basket of assorted bread is served with olive oil mixed with chunks of garlic and herbs. Our server immediately warned us that only one dish would be sufficient for the both of us, and that if we ordered an entree - it is just the meat, but pasta could be added for an extra $9. After quickly looking over the menu (there wasn't much variety - standard meals offered such as rigatoni, sausage, chicken, veal) we ordered a quartino of red wine to share, and it was just enough at first. But with all the food to soon arrive, we ended up ordering a second bottle. The appetizer was a little disappointing in size and quality, especially for the price. But Carmine's made up for it with our entree. Four chicken breast cutlets served over a gigantic mound of angel hair pasta. The meat was cooked perfectly for my tastes, and the sauce was pretty flavorful. We stuffed ourselves pretty good before surrendering to take the rest home. All in all, Carmine's was just OK - in the style of Maggiano's or Bucca di Beppo's - and not really a place I would recommend for parties less than 6.

UPDATE: On this thick and muggy hot summer day, a few of my colleagues had heard good things about Carmine's food and decided to go there for lunch. The seven of us arrived a little after 11:30am and were seated right away in the large main dining area. Our waiter explained the large family style portions or the smaller individual portions to the group and we all quickly decided to each order our own individual meal from the lunch menu. Some nibbled from the bread basket while we waited and constantly refilled our own tiny water glasses (they even left a pitcher of water on the table - how convenient!). Most ordered a "famous NY hero" served with a side salad, while one other ordered a dinner salad and another ordered the traditional spaghetti and meatballs. Even for the "individual lunch portion" - each meal was gigantic in size and more than enough for two or more persons to share. Most everyone only ate the side salad and maybe half of the sandwich before surrendering to pack the rest up in a box. Again, the food was good - nice seasoning, but nothing exceptional. A few thought it was still overpriced, regardless of the generous portions. The first timers were quick to notice the lack of attention with the service - especially with dirty appetizer plates and lack of refilling of drinks. Soda has free refills, yet the "specialty" drinks like lemonade or fruit punch cost $4.50 each. Only those who ordered the lemonade were asked for a refill (without knowing it was NOT free), while those with soda were ignored and left to sip through the ice. This was a bit annoying and when pointed out to the server, he showed no sympathy and rather kept repeating "I only do what I am told." The shady tactic left disatisfied customers who shan't be returning anytime soon.


What I ate:

Baked Clams

Chicken Parmigiana

over angel hair pasta

Chicken Cutlet Combo Hero

chicken breast with fried eggplant, mozzarella, and tomato sauce

served with side of mixed salad

Smith Commons

Last date I was here: 07/20/2011

Restaurant: Smith Commons (http://www.smithcommonsdc.com/)

Location: Atlas District

Total Rating: 3.95
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: "Smith Commons Dining Room & Public House is a three-story neighborhood bistro on the H St. NE corridor in the Atlas Arts District. With an international menu of approachable cuisine, and an array of craft beers, wines and cocktails at three bars, Smith Commons offers something for every palate. The well-honed interiors, outdoor patio and eclectic music welcomes Smiths of any name and friends nightly." Closest Metro is Union Station.


We ended up at Smith Commons by default as the original spot we wanted to try had over an hour wait. I was happy to check out this new establishment along the H Street corridor, with its spacious "smith" main dining room decorated top to bottom in fine woods and featuring a large bar area. The upstairs "commons" area features more laid back areas perfect for the happy hour specials that are offered all week long. We were seated at one of the two-tops and were greeted by our friendly server who poured water and took our drink order right away. The menu featured many global culinary treats highlighting seafood and beef as well as seasonal vegetables and international desserts. I started with an appetizer of the tuna tartar - tasty, refreshing with a slight wasabi kick, and needing a bit more chips to accompany the fish. Keith had oysters - 3 razor style, super fresh, with a citrus bite. For our main entree, I splurged on my favorite scallops. They were only cooked on one side and were very sweet, topped with a sweet currant puree, served on a bed of sweet creamed corn. With the sweet Riesling to add to my pallate, it was a bit overkill, but the peppery arugula salad added that bitter bite to tame some of the sugar overload. Keith ordered the Angus burger medium-rare and it came with a large portion of fries. The burger was alright, not as great as he had heard about and although he asked for ketchup with the fries, our server got distracted and did not bring it until Keith was already finished. Overall though, I enjoyed the food, I appreciated the spacious interior, and I would like to come back again to check out the upstairs "commons" area. A great spot to meet up with friends for happy hour or enjoy a nice dinner. Make easy reservations to Smith Commons on CityEats.

What I ate:

Tuna Tartar

Yellowfin tuna with mustard seel oil, tobikko, and avocado puree

Seared Scallops

top with currant puree, served on sweet cream corn and a bed of arugla dressed in aged balsamic

Plus Keith ate:

Smith Oysters

choice of 3, 6, or 12

1/2 Pound Angus Beef Burger

Grilled Portabella Mushrooms, Scallions, Miso Mayonnaise, Frites

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Song Que Deli

Last date I was here: 07/16/2011

Restaurant: Song Que Deli

Location: Eden Center - Falls Church, VA

Total Rating: 3.95
Food: 4, Price: 5, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 3

Summary: Song Que Deli is located within the Eden Center in Falls Church, surrounded by other Vietnamese restaurants and shops. Offering traditional sandwiches known as banh mi, summer rolls, noodle dishes, as well as sweet mochi treats and boba (bubble) drinks, Song Que is a casual joint with fresh ingredients for a small price.


July 2010: Keith and I stopped by for lunch on this hot Saturday and our sandwich was so tasty. Pickled vegetables with fresh herbs on top of marinated grilled meat all on a fresh French baguette roll. We also shared the summer rolls filled with shrimp and pork, noodles, and vegetables served with a tangy peanut sauce. My pineapple boba drink was soooo good and refreshing. Keith opted for the limeade flavor slushy drink without the boba tapioca pearls. All in all, Song Que was a decent deli and I would definitely stop by again if I was in the area.


UPDATE: A year later, we returned to Song Que Deli and Keith ordered the same banh mi sandwich with limeade drink, whereas I stuck to only the summer rolls and tried the Thai tea with boba drink. There was a crowd, but the orders came out fairly fast. Still fresh and tasty, and extremely cheap - Keith wondered if he should come here more often for lunch during the week.


What I ate:

#6 Banh Mi Ga

grilled marinated chicken sandwich with pickled vegetables, mint, served on French baguette roll

Summer Rolls

shrimp, pork, noodles, vegetables wrapped in rice paper

served with tangy peanut sauce

Plus Keith ate:

#8 Banh Mi

grilled marinated pork sandwich with pickled vegetables, jalepenos, mint, served on French baguette roll

Red Hook Lobster Pound

Last date I was here: 07/15/2011

Restaurant: Red Hook Lobster Pound (http://redhooklobsterdc.com/)

Location: Traveling Food Truck

Total Rating: 3.75
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Red Hook Lobster Pound serves Maine and Connecticut style lobster rolls and New England Clam chowder from it's famous "Lobster Truck". Look for the mobile truck at lunchtime - it is sure to have a long line around the block - or follow them on Twitter.

Truckeroo 2 is still going on right now in the Bullpen across from the Navy Yard Metro Station and National's Park. Among the 20 or so food trucks that showed up, the Lobster truck is one of the most well known. Surprisingly, the line was super short so we decided to order a roll and finally sample what all the buzz has been about. At $15 each, I was expecting quality chunks of lobster and boy, did they deliver. The meat was plentiful and the bread was perfectly toasted and buttered. Not sure if it was the heat of the day, or just the condition of the truck environment, but the lobster was a tad chewy. Regardless, it was a decent roll and I might like to try some of the other items on the menu next time.

What I ate:

Lobster Roll

Connecticut style (butter-drizzled)

TaKorean

Last date I was here: 07/15/2011

Restaurant: TaKorean (http://takorean.com/)

Location: Traveling Food Truck

Total Rating: 3.95
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: TaKorean is DC's first and only Korean Taco truck that serves a delicious combination of Korean classic flavors with a Mexican twist. Look for the mobile truck at lunchtime and late night! Or follow them on Twitter.

Truckeroo 2 is going on right now in the Bullpen across from the Navy Yard Metro Station and National's Park. I stopped by to check out some new DC Food Trucks and TaKorean was first on my list. Although when I arrived, they were taking a break, a line soon formed and they opened back up for business. With a friendly greeting, my order was taken and after a couple minutes, the food was ready and fresh. A taco is $3.50 each or get three for $9. I opted to order the day's special of roasted pork along with the bulgogi and chicken (Keith would love to try some too!) with the works. The size and ingredients were very decent. The chicken was tender, however a little bland, and the sriracha sauce was too overpowering. Keith enjoyed the bulgogi steak with kimchi slaw better than the pork. Overall, I enjoyed the taco twist and of all the food trucks, this is one I would order from again.

What I ate:

Tangy Chicken

chicken marinated in sweet chili sauce, ginger and soy

topped with Sriracha sauce, lime crema, fresh cilantro, sesame seeds,

shredded lettuce and cabbage in rice vinegar

all in a corn tortilla

Plus Keith ate:

Bulgogi Steak

thinly sliced ribeye steak marinated in a sweet and spicy soy-based sauce

topped with Sriracha sauce, lime crema, fresh cilantro, sesame seeds,

spicy kimchi slaw all in a corn tortilla

Roasted Pork

shredded and chopped pork marinated in a mild soy-based sauce

topped with Sriracha sauce, lime crema, fresh cilantro, sesame seeds,

spicy kimchi slaw all in a corn tortilla

Teaism

Teaism is a combination of Asian-inspired teahouses that infuse the cultures of tea and the ideals of teaism with the informality and casualness of America.  Featuring a collection of simple foods from the cuisines of tea, Bento boxes from Japan, curries from Thailand, and tandoor breads from India, Teaism is one of my favorite lunch spots in DC.  Closest Metro is Archives-Naval Memorial.

Shake Shack

Glad I tried one of the original locations - cute location in the park, gives a very European feel. The ordering/line system works well if you know what you are doing. My mushroom burger was tasty and not too overly fried like other places. Prefer it over Good Stuff Eatery's in DC. Enjoyed the cheese fries and liked that they served beer and wine too. More shake flavors than at the stall in Nationals' park, but that is to be expected for the full service shack.

Ted's Bulletin

Last date I was here: 7/3/2011

Restaurant: Ted's Bulletin (http://tedsbulletin.com//)

Location: Barracks Row


Total Rating: 4.05
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 5



Summary: One of the newest restaurants to open up along Barracks Row, Ted's Bulletin is an American diner style joint owned by those of the nearby Matchbox and serves classics such as burgers, fish and chips, milkshakes, and pies as well as breakfast staples all day. With it's 1930s decor featuring lights from the old Philadelphia Convention Hall, wooden booths, old school house chairs, and a screen that plays black and white movies - Ted's Bulletin is definitely a breath of fresh air and fun. The prices are super reasonable and menu is very kid friendly. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

May 2010: It was a gorgeous spring day here on the Hill, and after a hard day of painting windows, we decided to walk to Ted's to try its classic "Take Away" window and grab some milkshakes. However, the intrigue drew us in and we decided to stay for food and were seated in the back booths. The front is more of a bakery/counter/bar set up for those that want to order a quick treat for the road. Having been open for only a week now, the staff was still very green and fumbled a bit. My sandwich was pretty average, yet Keith thought the quality of his burger was decent (although slightly overcooked). The real star was the milkshake - super thick and made with real ingredients, served in a frosted glass. The hand cut fries were pretty tasty too. The classic diner feel was fun and we would definitely come back for those casual days.

October 2010: We went back to escape the trick-or-treaters and found the restaurant packed. We sat in the back booths again and our waiter was very friendly and excited to share his costume with us. The comfort food of Ted's is a nice treat. especially on these cooler fall days in the city. I still want to try their breakfast and homemade pop tarts or twinkies.

April 2011: Went back for lunch with my parents - super crowded, but after 30 minutes we were seated. It was very loud inside, but the food was good. Still have yet to try breakfast or the poptarts....


July 2011: Went for a late night snack - got a Pina Colada Milkshake and a Strawberry Poptart!  So buttery and yummy! Very indulgent.  Make easy reservations to Ted's Bulletin on CityEats.

What I ate:

Chicken Salad Sandwich 
served on Texas Toast with French fries

♥Chocolate Milkshake♥

classic chocolate with chocolate fudge swirls, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Ted's Famous Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Soup

Veggie Burger

with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato on a sesame bun served with fries

Plus Keith ate:

Black and Bleu Burger
100% Brisket meat, topped with maytag Blue cheese, andouille sausage* (substituted with bacon)

served on a sesame seed bun, with whole grain mustard, French fries and a pickle

♥Grasshopper Milkshake♥

mint ice cream with a shot of creme de menthe alcohol, topped with whipped cream

Buttermilk Country Fried Steak

crispy fried sirloin steak covered in black pepper white gravy

served with onion rings and macaroni and cheese

Braised Beef Shirt Rib Sammy

on grilled cheese bread with Vermony white cheddar, arugula, red wine mayo, and red wine gravy for dipping.  served with "bowling alley" onion rings and a pickle



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