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.

Moby Dick House of Kabob

Moby Dick’s House of Kabob has healthy, wholesome and fresh fast food, and is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner fix. Not only can this be a healthful, low-fat way of enjoying meat, it also can be an eat-and-run way of enjoying flavorful Persian foods. With several locations across the DMV area, I recently went to the one in the Clarendon area of Arlington, VA. Daily specials are available as well as classic salad, sandwich and platters.  Closest Metro is Clarendon.

Crumbs Bake Shop

Crumbs Bake Shops are inspired by old-time candy shops and are warm and inviting with wood cases, marble counters and wall to wall treats. Their motto is "A place where memories bring joy in celebrating the simple things in every day life." The menu is an irresistible blend of comfort-oriented classics and elegant baked goods, but the specialty of the house is the Crumbs Signature size cupcakes. With more than 50 varieties baked fresh daily and a new cupcake of the week every Monday, each Crumbs Bake Shop is an oasis of wall to wall deliciousness. There are 5 locations in DC and one in Clarendon, VA.

El Pollo Rico

***Special Post by Keith***

Since Micky recently reviewed Nando’s I thought I would give a bit of a counter point and do a guest review of my favorite chicken place.  I usually like to keep these little secrets to myself so the crowds don’t overwhelm my lunch hour (I haven’t even taken Micky here yet, haha) but this place has already gotten plenty of press and I’m not sure it could get any busier.  It’s even been featured on Bourdain’s DC episode of No Reservations.  Of course I am talking about El Pollo Rico in Clarendon, Arlington.  Closest Metro is Virginia Square.

Pete's New Haven Style Apizza

Last date I was here: 09/02/2011

Restaurant: Pete's New Haven Style Apizza (http://www.petesapizza.com/)

Location: Clarendon, VA

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

Summary: New Haven style pizza is one of the least famous styles of pizza, but is just as distinct from regular "delivery pizza" as Chicago style, New York style, Greek pizza, or California style, among many others. It is known as APIZZA, which is pronounced "ah-BEETZ" and claims to be different mainly because of the crust and ingredients. Because of the way it is made, the crust turns out crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Pete's has a couple locations in DC - Columbia Heights, Friendship Heights, and Clarendon. Keith got take out from the Clarendon location. Closest Metro is Clarendon.

The first thing I noticed was indeed the crust - much crispier than traditional New York style and definitely chewy as advertised. The coal-fired taste was slightly traceable, yet the ingredients were high quality and seasoned very well. The whole package of one bite was very balanced and very tasty. I genuinely enjoyed my slice(s) and thought the combination of flavors was different than other pizzas I have had before. The only down side is the price - a little high at $27 compared to other pizzerias.

What I ate:

Edge of the Woods
Sauteed Savoy Spinach, Caramelized Onion, Ricotta, Fried Italian Eggplant

Eventide

Last date I was here: 06/18/2009

Restaurant: Eventide (http://eventiderestaurant.com/)

Location: Clarendon, VA

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

Summary: Eventide is the new “hot spot” with a spacious roof patio and bar area that attracts the crowds more than the food. The rooftop is divided into two parts — a dining area and a bar. The dining area is comprised of tables that seat parties of 2 to 4 people only. Since they do not take reservations for the roof — these tables are seated on a first come-first served basis only and there is a two hour limit that is enforced. The rooftop serves its own distinct menu that is separate from the offerings in other parts of the restaurant. Its menu focuses on cool and chilled foods (think ceviches, chilled soups and charcuterie plates), summertime beers, refreshing outdoor cocktails and bright, crisp wine selections. The menus from the second floor and the lounge are not available on the roof. Closest Metro is Clarendon.

Keith and I stopped in this place for a bite to eat after attending a work happy hour. With its convenient location across from the Metro and rooftop patio, we were lured. We opted not to eat in the main dining room and were directed to the elevator that takes you upstairs to the roof. We were seated right away – most of the crowd was packed at the bar. The rooftop menu is limiting, but just what we were looking for. The prices were a little high and the ceviche, although fresh and full of citrus, should have come with some bread or tortilla chips. I am still interested what the main menu has to offer.

What I ate:

Peruvian-Style Ceviche
Trio of tilapia, scallops and white wine braised octopus,

dressed with aji limo chilies and lime juice.

Served on a bed of frisee with yellow cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and hearts of palm

Fregola Pasta Salad
Little balls of pasta with grilled asparagus, red pepper,

mushrooms, scallions and spinach tossed with arugula pesto

Olive Oil Cake
Huckleberry compote, vanilla-lemon anglaise