Trellis

Trellis located in Dundee, Oregon offers a fresh menu rotating with the seasonality of what is available.  For our first dinner during our visit to Willamette Valley, we walked to this restaurant from our hotel because a couple people at the wineries we visited earlier highly recommended it.

The Clam Bar at Napeague

The Clam Bar is an outdoor casual restaurant with the freshest seafood you'll find on the East End. Sit under an umbrella and soak in the atmosphere, listen to golden oldies, enjoy a bowl of clam chowder or dig into a fresh local lobster. There is no better place to eat fresh local steamers or fresh local clams, while letting the sand dry on your feet. Situated on the side of the Napeague stretch in Montauk, daily specials are available with a great selection of fresh fish.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar

Rappahannock Oyster Co. has brought to Union Market their concept of artisanal small plates and their stunning variety of world-class oysters and clams with the Rappahannock Oyster Bar. A sleek black-brown wood bar surrounds a small kitchen where anywhere from 5-6 people will be shucking, cooking, or pouring at any given time. Sitting front-and-center in the market, it's not unfair to call it the anchor and centerpiece of the renovation. For more than 100 years, the Rappahannock Oyster Co. has been owned and operated by the Croxton family. Their oysters are served at hundreds of the world’s best restaurants. The current owners, Ryan and Travis, go beyond “sustainability” growing their oysters in a restorative way.  Closest Metro is NoMA-Gallaudet University.

FINS Fish House

FINS Fish House located on the main strip in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware is known to have the best happy hour deal in town, fresh seafood, and an ever changing seasonal draft beer selection you can't find anywhere else!  A family friendly place, FINS tends to get crowded so expect to put your name down on the list and wait a while.  But the food is definitely worth the wait.

Anthony's Fish Bar

Located in the Central Terminal of the Seattle Airport, the view is not as beautiful as at Anthony's other locations, but the seafood stays pretty close to form. Stick to the basics like fish and chips and halibut tacos. They have a nice selection of local microbrews to get happy with. This also feels like a sit down restaurant, so if you need to kill some time in between flights, go here.

At Home: Grilled Clams

With this gorgeous Spring weather we are having, Keith wanted to bust out the grill to use for dinner last night. We got a good deal on some seafood from Costco and decided to make our own version of one of my favorite dishes that we had in Majorca, Spain - grilled clams.  Chill a bottle of your favorite white wine and read this next installment of What Micky Eats...At Home.

Sea Catch

Lovers of history and seafood can always find something to tempt the palate at Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar in Georgetown. The surroundings are the essence of DC history and charm - a picturesque corner of Georgetown just steps from M Street, overlooking the beautiful C&O Canal. As one of the best restaurants in Georgetown, Sea Catch offers fresh seafood "simply prepared" in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Closest Metro is Foggy Bottom.

PREVIEW Super Bowl Snacks

Who is your favorite to win the Super Bowl?  Honestly, I could care less about football but I don't mind the snacks that go along with the beer drinking and couch sitting that occurs while watching the game.  In preparation for my next installment of What Micky Eats...At Home, I want to highlight some twists on the classic Super Bowl Snacks that we are considering to make.  I encourage you all to check out these recipes as well for your game day party menu. 

Liberty Tree

"Scott Hamilton, owner of Hamilton’s Bar & Grill and DC resident for the past 10 years, originally hails from Massachusetts. Chef Graig Glufling went to culinary school at Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island. Both share a love for New England and its staple seafood fare.  

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

Tony & Joe's Seafood Place

Last date I was here: 7/2/2010

Restaurant: Tony & Joe's Seafood Place (http://www.tonyandjoes.com/)

Location: Georgetown

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

Summary: Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place located at the Georgetown Waterfront serves tempting dishes such as Maryland crabcakes, fresh lobster and shrimp scampi. With spectacular views of the Potomac River, Kennedy Center, Washington Monument, Roosevelt Island, and the Key Bridge, Tony & Joe's is a nice place to grab a drink on a nice summer day. Closest Metro is Foggy Bottom.

Although not super convenient to Metro, Tony & Joe's is situated on the waterfront next to other similar restaurants, yet has better seating options and a large outdoor bar. We only had a couple appetizers to share over drinks, and they were very tasty and fresh. The ambiance made up for the long walk and although the place was very crowded, there were enough servers to accommodate everyone.

What I ate:

Freshly Shucked Cherrystone Clams

a dozen steamed clams served with lemon wedges and butter

Fried Catfish Fingers

Strips of fresh farm raised catfish dipped in egg and fresh bread crumb

Served with chipotle aioli

♥Hot Crab Dip♥

A blend of lump crabmeat, cheese and spices,

served with toasted French bread croutons

Bistro Mar

Last date I was here: 05/31/2010

Restaurant: Bistro Mar

Location: Port d'Alcudia-Mallorca, Spain

Total Rating: 4.8

Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 5

Summary: For our last meal in Spain, we decided to walk over to the port area where there are a few newer restaurants overlooking the harbor. The first restaurant's menu caught our eye right way and we sat at a lovely table on the patio overlooking the water. It was quite crowded, yet service was the best we've had so far in Spain. We enjoyed our last bottle of Cava while starting with more large fresh clams that were prepared much like the steamed mussels that we enjoy back home and another goat cheese and vegetable starter. I ordered the local rape, also known as monkfish, which I had been wanting to try the whole time we were there. It was grilled plainly and a little on the rare side for me, but I still enjoyed the meaty portion. Keith ordered the salt encrusted fish and enjoyed the table side presentation - our server did a great job - I wish I had taken photos! We were too stuffed for dessert and were treated to shots of peach Schnapps that came with our bill. It was funny! All in all, with the fresh food, great service and the fantastic sunset view, this restaurant ranked highest among them all.

What I ate:

♥Grilled Clams ♥

grilled with garlic and wine and served with lemon wedges

♥Goat Cheese and Roasted Vegetables ♥

served with a raisin and fig chutney and mixed salad

Rape a la plancha

grilled monkfish served with potatoes and steamed vegetables

Plus Keith ate:

Salt Encrusted Sea Bass

served with potatoes and steamed vegetables

Pizzeria D'on Vito

Last date I was here: 05/30/2010

Restaurant: Pizzeria D'on Vito (http://www.don-vito.com/cms/projekt01/index.html)

Location: Alcudia-Mallorca, Spain

Total Rating: 4.6
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: After our mishap at lunch, we were hoping to find someplace better for dinner. D'on Vito to the rescue! Keith had noticed this restaurant earlier when we went to the beach and it seemed popular. We quickly looked at a menu posted outside and I eyed a lady's dish who was sitting on the patio. It looked fresh and promising, so we decided to give it a try. I thought we couldn't go wrong with Italian.

We sat outside on the patio which gives great views for people watching. Our server was very attentive and we ordered some appetizers to share since we were pretty hungry and a bottle of their house red wine. After enjoying our first course, our entrees arrived with bountiful seafood - It was all very good and fresh. This was one of the best meals we had in Spain.

What I ate:

Antipasto Salad D'on Vito

mixed greens with salami, cheese, beets, carrots, olives

♥Baked Mushrooms with Gouda Cheese♥

in a tomato sauce

♥Spaghetti with Clams♥

big fresh clams sauteed in garlic and wine with tomatoes and served over a bed of spaghetti

Plus Keith ate:

Seafood Spaghetti

mussels, shrimp, calamari, clams in tomato sauce served over a bed of spaghetti

Kinsale Irish Pub and Restaurant

Last date I was here: 09/16/2009

Restaurant: Kinsale Irish Pub and Restaurant (http://classicirish.com/kinsale-home.php/)

Location: Downtown, Boston, MA

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

Summary: The Kinsale is located in Government Center in the heart of Boston. During the day, it's a favorite lunch spot for workers from many of the surrounding businesses, as well as City Hall. At night, locals and visitors mingle in the lively bar while the dining room guests enjoy a meal from our eclectic and highly acclaimed menu. The Kinsale was designed and built in Ireland. The interior is warm and cozy, with beautiful Celtic motifs and fine Irish craftsmanship from floor to ceiling. Live music is featured in the bar and in season, you can enjoy a pint or an entire meal at one of the sidewalk tables. Closest Metro is Government Center.

I was in Boston for a work conference and went here for lunch two times. Conveniently located and great service kept a lot of us a “regulars”. There were many items on the menu that looked good and if I had more time in Boston, I most likely would have tried them all! Kinsale is a great casual dining spot.

What I ate:

Clam Chowder

Sweet Potato Fries

♥Fish and Chips♥
Served with Asgard fries (hand cut) and cole slaw