Park Tavern

Park Tavern is a new restaurant in an odd location.  Run by Xavier Cervera, the man behind Molly Malone’s, Lola’s, and Pacifico Cantina on Barracks Row, Park Tavern is in a modern rectangular shaped building with a stairwayed passage on the roof and rock gardens along the side that collect rain water for re-use.  While the interior is the typical wood-heavy design of the other Cervera restaurants, the main attraction is the outdoor seating at Canal Park that will have lots of draw after and before Nationals game. Closest Metro is Navy Yard.

Le Grenier

Le Grenier is a charming new French Bistro on H St NE. French for “the attic,” the two-story bistro in the Atlas District reveals the offbeat shopping of co-owner Marie Ziar, who according to the Washington Post, "scoured eBay and salvage stores for the outsize bird cages, worn suitcases, old mirrors and headboards that dress her loftlike destination."  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Dining Out For Life

*Sponsored Post
In 1991, Dining Out For Life was created by an ActionAIDS volunteer in Philadelphia and is now an annual dining fundraising event raising money for AIDS service organizations. Dining Out For Life is produced in 60 cities throughout the United States and Canada. More than 3,000 restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds from this one special day of dining to the licensed AIDS service agency in their city. Make a reservation for Thursday, April 25th and make a difference!

BGR: The Burger Joint

BGR: The Burger Joint is a burger chain that offers an exclusive, award winning blend of prime, dry-aged, all natural, hormone free, grain-fed beef. All burgers are served on a fresh, buttery-toasted brioche bun, baked exclusively for BGR and delivered fresh every day. Everything is cooked to order guaranteeing freshness. With several locations in the DMV area, I recently went to the Clarendon joint. Closest Metro is Clarendon.

Reader Question: Casual Birthday Celebration

With the nicer weather finally upon us, now is the great time to dine out with groups, especially for birthday celebrations.  My latest question came from a reader looking for just that - where to have moderately priced meals with great drinks, and music in the background.  Here is a quick response:  

At Home: Monkey Munch

Next on what Micky Eats...At Home, I make Monkey Munch (aka Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies) to satisfy my sweet tooth.  This chocolate-based confectionery treat is most popular in the Northern Midwest, and I have never had it before yet saw a few recipes on Pinterest and thought I'd give it a try.  To give my version a different spin, I used Nutella instead of peanut butter, as well as Quaker Oatmeal Squares instead of Chex Mix cereal.

Island Creperie

Find a little bit of France in the heart of Anna Maria Island with Island Creperie.  Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, specialty items include buckwheat crepes, croissants, and French tartines as well as bouillabaisse and special dinners with wine pairings.  Decorated with purple walls featuring Parisian city prints and damask lamp shades, this charming bistro provides an alternative to the beach scene.

Sandbar Restaurant

The Sandbar, located on the north end of Anna Maria Island, has for decades been a favorite for locals and a great place for out of town guests. With an inside dining room or outside front deck, relax on the Gulf and enjoy your meal before watching a beautiful sunset.  Serving some of the freshest seafood on the Island, the Sandbar is also popular for beach weddings and receptions.

Ginny's and Jane E's Bakery

Located in the Historic City of Anna Maria, a quaint "Old Florida" area on the north end of Anna Maria Island, Ginny's & Jane E's Bakery is a charming bakery and cafe located within a unique Island Coastal antiques shop.  Ginny's & Jane E's offers their own blend of full-bodied French Roast, flavored coffees and rich espresso drinks served hot, over ice or frapped. Fresh fruit smoothies and juices are also Island favorites. Known to Anna Maria locals and travelers alike as a convenient and fun gathering spot just steps from the beach.

Euphemia Haye

Chef owned and operated since 1980, Euphemia Haye Restaurant, is locally thought of as the best restaurant in Sarasota. Located inside a historic, wooden cottage, Euphemia Haye is hidden amongst a scenic “jungle” of tropical greenery where palm trees are studded in twinkly lights and birds of paradise are blooming. Located in the convenient location of Longboat Key, Euphemia Haye is a pleasant and scenic short drive from Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Sarasota and St. Armand's Circle. If you are visiting Anna Maria Island, this is the most exquisite and intimate dining you will find.

Vinny & Cheryl's Italian Kitchen

Vinny & Cheryl's Italian Kitchen is a small gourmet take-out Italian deli featuring wood burning brick oven pizza, Italian imports and groceries, sandwiches using artisan Italian breads, as well as baked goods and pastries located in the heart of Anna Maria Island, Florida.

Star Fish Company

Star Fish Company, located in Cortez, Florida, strives to serve simple seafood prepared in the simplest of ways. Most items are either fried, grilled, blackened or sauteed. Sides are kept simple, with cole slaw, cheese grits, french fries and hush puppies. The view from Star's dock is incredible. It includes mangrove islands, Jewfish Key, Longboat Key and Bradenton Beach. Add to that the local commercial fishing fleet and you've got one of the most scenic places found on Florida's Gulf coast.

At Home: Bul Go Gi

Another classic grilled Korean beef dish is Bul Go Gi (Grilled Marinated Beef).  This dish is often found on Asian food trucks and is becoming more and more popular with restaurants wanting to put their own modern spin on it. Check out my mother's traditional recipe listed below on What Micky Eats...At Home.

Birch & Barley

Located on 14th Street near Logan Circle, Birch & Barley delivers a completely unique food and beer experience celebrating a full spectrum of styles, traditions, regions and flavors.  Led by Chef Kyle Bailey, Pastry Chef Tiffany MacIsaac and Beer Director Greg Engert, Birch & Barley is made possible by a passionate team of professionals relentlessly committed to their craft.  Closest Metro is Dupont Circle or McPherson Square.

Fluffy Thoughts Cakes at Nationals Park

*Sponsored Post
Opening in Nationals Park this May is the dessert slinging Fluffy Thoughts Cake.  The 18 square foot kiosk will open in the right field corner of the ballpark. A rotating list of four jumbo cupcakes will be available at the kiosk with three set flavors including: Fluffetty cake with vanilla buttercream and sprinkles, Chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream, Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, as well as one rotating cupcake which will change weekly but will include such favorites as S'mores, Samoa, Cookies 'n' Cream, and Apple Bacon.

Baseball Eats #OpeningDay

It's baaaaack! Baseball season, that is. Today is opening day of the 2013 Major League Baseball season, and our local Nationals are the World Series favorites this year.  With so many new restaurants now open (or opening soon) near Nationals Ballpark, I wanted to highlight some great places to eat before or after the game.