Oohhs & Aahhs

Oohhs & Aahhs has consistently received the "Cheap Eats Award" and the "Best Macaroni and Cheese" awarded by Washingtonian Magazine. In 2011, the restaurant was featured on the Food Network's, “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”, hosted by Chef Guy Fiero, which is broadcast world-wide. Although Oohhs & Aahhs is well known to locals in the Metropolitan Washington area, it is also patronized by satisfied tourists and visitors each year. Closest Metro is U Street.

At Home: Hawaiian Spicy Garlic Shrimp

You can easily recreate the perfect Hawaiian shrimp truck experience with my Hawaiian Spicy Garlic Shrimp recipe for What Micky Eats...At Home.  The shrimp you get from the trucks are still in their shells and are typically eaten with your hands.  But this recipe has all the great flavor without the mess.  You can still suck the delicious garlic butter off before shoving rapidly into your waiting mouth.

At Home: Creamy Chipotle Shrimp Tostadas

Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. PBS’ Mexico–One Plate at a Time. James Beard award-winning restaurants. Chef Rick Bayless knows flavor and he recently partnered with Negra Modelo to feature some of his own recipes for their Beer Meets Food campaign.  As an appetizer to pair with the beer, I made his Creamy Chipotle Shrimp Tostadas and wanted to share with you...At Home.  This little bite is loaded with smoky flavor from the adobo sauce and so easy to whip together.  The small servings are great for parties!

The Chesapeake Room

From the owners of Lola's and Molly Malone's, the Chesapeake Room on Barracks Row brings an organic, sustainable and free range dining experience while highlighting a passion for all that our beautiful Mid-Atlantic waters has to offer. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

Eat Here

Eat Here is the sidekick to the Beach Bistro, a popular restaurant on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Casual, yet sophisticated, the island-style, gulf coast cookery maintains the same high culinary standards patrons have come to expect from owner Sean Murphy. Preparations are offered in a variety of small plates that are perfect for sharing and moderately priced for everyday dining. Menu selections include port-braised pot roast, lobstercargot, smoked salmon & crème fraiche pizza and New Orleans-style seafood stew. The beer list features owner-operated craft breweries from around the world, while the wine list presents a broad, by-the-glass offering of comfortably-priced varietals.

Cuts Steakhouse

A new addition to the Downtown Atlanta dining district, Cuts Steakhouse offers a variety of Southern inspired cuisine. With a variety of dining options within the restaurant, guest can choose between the main dining areas, semi-private/private areas, main bar, patio or the Sports Bar at Cuts located in the upper bar area. Whether you desire an intimate dining experience at a table near the fireplace, private party for your business or personal event or an opportunity to catch the game with a group of friends, Cuts Steakhouse has you covered.

At Home: Shrimp Fried Rice

Since I have been home due to circumstances out of my hands (aka #shutdown), Keith tasked me with making dinner and had a special request for Chinese food.  I knew I wanted to make a chicken dish for the main and decided to make fried rice to go with it.  I scrounged around the freezer and fridge to see what ingredients we had on hand.  I found a few jumbo prawns leftover in a package we bought at Costco.  They are raw, but already cleaned and deveined.  I thought they would be perfect to make Shrimp Fried Rice as my next feature on What Micky Eats...At Home.

At Home: Crock-Pot Thai Coconut Chicken & Shrimp

Cooking chicken in the slow-cooker is pretty predictable, I admit, but thanks to a fragrant spice blend and a good dose of aromatics inspired by the Thai flavors of Tom Kha Gai, this dish sings with flavor. Literally meaning "chicken galangal soup," Tom Kha Gai is a spicy hot soup made with coconut milk, galangal (a cousin to ginger root), lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, and chicken, and often contains some type of mushroom. Here, I put my twist on it to make Crock-Pot Thai Coconut Chicken & Shrimp for this next installment of What Micky Eats...At Home.

At Home: Avocado & Shrimp Ceviche Tacos

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At Home: Vietnamese Dinner

With this super steamy hot weather we’ve been having, Keith wanted something refreshing and light for dinner. He had a nice pork loin marinating and we thought we could use it to make bánh mì. Bánh mì is a Vietnamese term for all kinds of bread. Bread, or more specifically the baguette, was introduced by the French during its colonial period. The bread most commonly found in Vietnam is single serve and resembles a torpedo, therefore the term bánh mì is synonymous with this type of bread. See our interpretation of a Vietnamese dinner...At Home.

Shrimp Station

The Shrimp Station is a full service speciality shrimp restaurant that originated in beautiful Waimea in Kauai, where I stopped for lunch after visiting Waimea Canyon. Their newest second location is right in the heart of Kapa'a across the Chevron station. You’ll smell the incredible aroma of garlic and spices as you approach on the highway, and it’s a great place to stop before or after touring the Westside. They offer a wide variety of shrimp dishes including Coconut Shrimp, Garlic Shrimp, Cajun Shrimp, Thai Shrimp, Shrimp Tacos, Shrimp Burgers, and more.

Island Chef

If you take the drive on the famous "Road to Hana" in Maui, don't overlook this modest food stand on the side of the road serving "ono grindz" from another great food truck known as Island Chef.

Al Dente Italian Trattoria

Al Dente Italian Trattoria located in Harrison, NY is the "one dining experience that has all the right ingredients, where everything comes together for the perfect and memorable meal served family style or one dish at a time". Perfect place for celebrating one of life's momentous occasions, I recently ate here with family and friends for a rehearsal dinner.

The Capital Grille Chevy Chase

With several locations across the country, The Capital Grille in Chevy Chase dispels the myth that gracious dining can only be experienced in an environment of gridlock, or that a perfectly prepared, dry aged Porterhouse accompanied by a flawlessly chilled Stoli Doli is an urban-only experience.  Featuring dry aged steaks and a wine list of over 350 labels, The Capital Grille is a classy restaurant great for business meetings, romantic dates, or celebration dinners. Closest Metro is Friendship Heights.

Oyamel

Oyamel is among the award-winning dining concepts from José Andrés, chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup, and combines Mexico’s rich regional diversity with the modern urban atmosphere of Mexico City. The liveliness of the dining room is matched by the creativity of the menu and cocktail list, featuring antojitos - Mexican small plates - ceviches and tacos, plus unique margaritas, and an impressive array of wines and tequilas.  Originally opened in 2004 in the Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington, Oyamel moved to its current home in the Penn Quarter in March of 2007.  Closest Metro is Archives - Naval Memorial.

District Commons

District Commons celebrates American cuisine and all its global influences with flair, originality, and cool comfort on Washington Circle. Passion Food Hospitality's newest venture showcases seasonal, sustainable seafood, locally grown fruits and vegetables, house baked artisanal breads and pastries - all make for a classic American tavern updated for 21st century taste. Closest Metro is Foggy Bottom.

Coastal Flats

Coastal Flats is a casual 1950s coastal Florida inspired seafood house located in the heart of Fairfax Corner. Inside, a hand-carved mermaid and 200 fish swim from vaulted ceilings and exposed beams. Custom-designed mirrors and a mural of a tropical port adorn the walls. Inside is an all-booth dining room, and when the weather cooperates, there’s seating on the back porch.

Estadio

Estadio, which means "stadium" in Spanish, is a contemporary Spanish restaurant located in the fashionable Logan Circle neighborhood.  "The menu offers a creative take on traditional Spanish cuisine, complimented by an approachable wine list and inventive beverage program." 

Capitol Hill Tandoor & Grill

Last date I was here: 8/31/2011

Restaurant: Capitol Hill Tandoor & Grill (http://capitolhilltandoorandgrill.com/menu/)

Location: Barracks Row

Total Rating: 3.95

Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Offering an amazing selection of traditional Indian and Pakistani specialties, Capitol Hill Tandoor & Grill is a welcoming restaurant along the popular Barracks Row that is often overlooked. More visited for their "all you can eat" buffets, Capitol Hill Tandoor & Grill also offers a full menu with vegetarian, meat, and fish dishes that highlights their use of the freshest ingredients and USDA grade meats. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

April 2011: Keith and I were in the mood for something different and decided to finally try this local Indian restaurant - and boy were we happy we did. The inside decor is much nicer than anticipated with iconic Indian pictures along each wall. We studied the menu and decided to share a classic chicken dish and a shrimp dish from the tandoor. We snacked on papadum with the house sauces while we waited for our mixed platter appetizer. All of the food was fresh and wonderfully seasoned. The server asked us our spice level preference, so that was good for those that do not like much spicy food. We ordered medium and although it was perfect for me, Keith could handle a little hotter spice level. Despite the eager water pouring, service was great. The raita was flavorful, a little more runny than expected, yet, provided a cool retreat from the spicy tikka sauce. The naan was so fresh, chewy, and warm. I really enjoyed all the food; we finished our plates clean. I would definitely come back to Capitol Hill Tandoor & Grill again to settle that exotic craving.

UPDATE: The food was more spicy than last time and seemed to be less portions. So I decreased the score from a 5 to 4 for Food. Overall, same dining experience and cravable food. Friendly service, yet takes long to get the bill.

What I ate:

Chef's Special Assorted Appetizer

vegetable smosa, vegetable pakora, chicken tikka, potato fritters

♥Chicken Tikka Makhni♥

Boneless pieces of chicken botti cooked in authentic rich tomato based gravy enriched with fresh cream

Shrimp Tandoori

Shrimp lightly seasoned in a blend of spices and broiled in clay oven

Shrimp Vindaloo

Shrimp cooked in a fiery red curry sauce

Vegetable Biryani

basmati rice cooked with seasonal vegetables and herbs

served with raita

Plus Keith ate:

Seekh-E-Sikander

Minced lamb flavored with fresh herbs cooked in a clay oven on skewers

Pa Nuang Thai Cuisine

Last date I was here: 06/25/2011

Restaurant: Pa Nuang Thai Cuisine

Location: Manassas, VA

Total Rating: 3.8
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Located in a typical suburban strip mall, Pa Nuang Thai Cuisine is a fairly new restaurant in Manassas, VA that serves gourmet Thai food in a casual atmosphere. The dining area is relatively small, but is a nice spot for lunch. Ingredients are fresh, spices are colorful and bright, and the portions are generous. I stopped here for lunch with my parents and we had a great meal for a low price. Plenty of vegetarian options are available on the menu as well as traditional noodle dishes and curry entrees. Be mindful of the chili pepper ratings, as my dish had quite the kick and was a little too spicy for me, even for the "mild" option as indicated. Next time I will be sure to ask for less spice, as I overheard other patrons do as they ordered.

What I ate:

Green Curry Chicken

mild green curry sauce made with coconut milk and mild peppers

mixed with eggplant, bamboo shoots, green beans, red peppers, and chunks of white chicken

served with white rice

Indian Curry Fried Rice with Shrimp

fried rice with Indian spices, mixed with onions, carrots, peas, and grilled shrimp