Keep It Simple Foods » Restaurants

A stroll through the neighborhood and Filter coffee

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:28:56 +0000

A few weeks ago, before the big honeymoon adventure, my husband and I took our pup out for a stroll. It was such a lovely fall day.

We’ve had the best fall weather this year- a long and steady slide of temperature rather than plunging straight to winter. I’m especially happy that this allows me to wear some of my favorite cute jackets .

We made our way over to Filter, a new coffeehouse in Dupont Circle. Sadly, our favorite coffee shop, MidCity, closed recently, but this was a nice alternative.

We ordered a couple of lattes for outside. Filter is small inside but has excellent outdoor seating. The lattes were tasty and perked us up for the walk home.

Our pup, Mya, said she wanted a latte too. She’s always trying to be such a big girl.

Classic DC.

Long walks are good for the soul, I look forward to the next one!

2 Amy’s Pizza

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:46:15 +0000

Someone pointed out that it’d been a while since I’d done a restaurant review. So true. Ever since I upgraded my camera, I’ve focused mainly on recipes, allowing me to play with the camera settings, lighting, styling, etc. Plus, I felt a bit awkward about breaking out my large, clunky new equipment in a public setting. It’s not at all discreet and I don’t relish unnerving the wait staff and other diners by snapping photos at the table. But, in this case, it simply had to be done.

My friends Lauren and Sam weren’t able to make it to our engagement party so they invited us out for a double dinner date celebration at 2 Amy’s. I was thrilled because I’d been dying to try 2 Amy’s.

We met on a chilly, rainy Friday evening at about 7:30pm. This was not the smartest move as 2 Amy’s doesn’t take reservations and already had a 45 minute wait time with very little room inside to wait at the bar (forget about ordering a drink!). Here’s where I’ll say that I’ve slowly come to understand the appeal of “early bird” dining. No, I’m not 70 years old, but if you can muster the courage and appetite to dine at 6pm or even as late as 6:30pm (whoa!) you greatly increase your chance of getting premium seating and service at even the busiest restaurants in D.C.- even without a reservation! My fiancé and I are all about early bird dining, especially on weekends and holidays when restaurants are likely to be packed. This particular Friday, however, we didn’t get the timing quite right.

An hour later and our tummies were growling. I was getting very thirsty for a beer and tired of shouting over the noise at the bar. An hour and 20 minutes later we were finally seated, thank goodness!

We started with a few beers.

Ah, much better.

Then we moved on to an order of arancini. If you’ve never tasted arancini before, here’s what you’re missing.

Fried goodness. Deep fried rice balls to be more precise. Coated in bread crumbs and stuffed with ooey gooey cheese.

Get a load of that.

You’re going to want to try these immediately.

Next, we ordered pizzas. I ordered the authentic Neopolitan margherita.

Gorgeous.

Check out that beautiful crust. Pillow-soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Buon appetito!

We loved it! In the end, we had a fabulous time- the food was tasty and the service was attentive. Although the pizza was delicious, I’m not sure any meal is worth is an hour and 20 min wait. I would advise going earlier or later on a weekend night or stick with week nights. If you’re in the area, definitely give 2 Amy’s a try. Delicious pizza, friendly environment, and a killer beer list.

Estadio

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:25:09 +0000

So, I finally got around to trying this hip, new, little tapas place, called Estadio, that just opened up on 14th St NW in D.C. Nearly everyday, I walk by the large, sun drenched windows that reveal people inside, happily nibbling and slurping away. I long to be one of those people.

So last week, I made a date with a friend to check it out. We arrived just after work, at 5:30pm (who doesn’t love an early dinner?) and spent a good half hour gabbing before we even bothered to glance at the wine or food menus. For someone so eager to try Estadio, I didn’t seem to be in much of a rush to order.

The ambiance was great- dark wood, lots of light, rustic artisan breads displayed near an open air kitchen. The place was immaculate, detailed and the service was up to speed.

When we finally got to the menus, I noticed that the tapas dishes ranged from $2-$10 and the wine and cocktails started around $6 and up. Not bad at all.

We started with a firm, mild manchego cheese plate served with a candied date as well as a fruit preserve. It was definitely a small plate, but very tasty. I also ordered a nice white wine to go with it.

Next, we ordered the spanish tortilla, which was incredibly rich and filling and gave a bit of heft to the meal.

Then, we moved on to a creamy, butternut squash soup topped with roasted pumpkin seeds. For me, this dish was the highlight.

For dessert, we ordered the pumpkin panna cotta. Wow.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience at Estadio. The food and service were both great and the price very reasonable. All said and done, I think my friend and I each got out of there for around $30, not bad for such impressive food, but then again it wasn’t a lot of food. I’m definitely glad it’s in my neighborhood so I can pop in for a snack from time to time.

Austin Food Highlights

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:00:40 +0000

I’ve been debating posting these pictures for awhile now. They didn’t turn out as nicely as I had hoped and I hate to make you suffer through a string of shoddy photos (I know I hate looking at bad photography on other blogs), but the food in Austin is too amazing to go unmentioned and, besides, mere photographs couldn’t do it justice anyway. So, here goes.

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Austin, TX to visit my sister. I love going to Austin because the food scene is amazing and I typically spend my time there stuffing my face with an insane amount of Tex Mex and other local flavors. My sister knows the drill and prepares by depriving herself of Tex Mex for about a week prior to my arrival. She’s happy to do it though, she loves Tex Mex almost as much as I do. The food in Austin is some of the best I’ve ever tasted- about a zillion times better than anything here in D.C.

But, I should mention that Austin, for me is not just about food. It’s an opportunity (more rare than I’d like) to see my precious and beloved little sister, my best friend. Our visits are filled with food, shopping, family inside jokes, playing with her adorable puppy (June Bug), and lots of sisterly fun! Oh yeah, and because she’s a stylist, she cuts my hair for free- oh yeah!

After giving me a really cute new do, Allison (sis) took me to one of her favorite local spots, Chez Zee, for lunch. Chez Zee is a really adorable American bistro-type place that offers a pretty standard menu with a few Tex Mex choices. We decided to share a couple of dishes, none of which (sadly) turned out to be Tex Mex or as good as I had hoped. Oh well, it was still a fun lunch.

Isn’t my lil sissy so cute?

Anyway, on to the food. We shared a crab cake sandwich, a goat cheese and cranberry salad, and some fried pickles. The food was so-so.

the menu was really adorable!

Needless to say, my Tex Mex cravings were not satisifed.

Later, I took Allison out for a nice, upscale dinner at Ranch 616. I knew she was a big fan and wanted to take her somewhere really special for a girls night out. I’d been there before and loved it, but this time not so much. We couldn’t get a table until after 9pm and by then, the restaurant felt more like a club- with blaring music and way too many people- than a restaurant. The food was good, but the atmosphere kind of killed it for me. Instead of having a relaxing dinner where we could converse over a bottle of fine wine, Alli and I found ourselves shouting back and forth over a crowded table. Sigh.

Once again, my food cravings went unsatisfied. I was beginning to think I’d never get any Tex Mex.

The next day we set off to float the river.

That didn’t go quite as planned, but that’s a whole other story. After a long afternoon of ~~floating the river~~ relaxing poolside, a group of us headed out to local pizza joint Home Slice for some piping hot pizza pies. I love this place!

Our friend Scott was on salad duty

The pizza did not disappoint! I was very satisfied with my meal, but still no Tex Mex.

Afterward, we went out downtown on 6th street and found a perfect outdoor spot for some cheep brews and great conversation.

sisters

Finally, on the last day of my visit, on my way to the airport, Alli took me to Maudi’s, one of my favorite, cheap, local and delicious places for Tex Mex. The sign out front says it all.

The food was delicious and hit the spot! Maudi’s spicy, fresh salsa cannot be beat and they have tons of veggie options to enjoy. We finished up with a little flan for dessert. Yummmmmm. Good flan is hard to beat. So simple and delicious.

After that I was off to the airport, Tex Mex craving finally satisfied! Hurray!

I’ll leave you with a few gratuitous pictures of my sister’s super adorable puppy June Bug (aka Juney or JB). I love her!

Restaurant Review: Saigon Bistro, D.C.

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:24:37 +0000

My boyfriend and I recently discovered Saigon Bistro and we LOVE it! Located west of Dupont Circle, on P Street NW, Saigon Bistro offers simple Vietnamese fare, including a wide variety of pho and other noodle and rice dishes. We’ve been there a few times now and each time I’ve lamented not having my camera with me (how is it that a food blogger so often forgets her camera?), but finally this weekend we returned, enabling me to snap a few pics.

We started with vegetarian spring rolls. I love these things! And I love that you can sub the pork in the regular spring rolls for a creamy tofu and mushroom filling.

The sweet chili dipping sauce is so good- especially when you wrap the spring roll in lettuce first. I could eat these everyday.

Next, we moved on to the pho. I ordered veggie pho with tofu. The boyfriend had beef brisket pho. I love how they bring out a plate of fixins- bean sprouts, lime, chilis and basil to start.

Then, mix the fixins in the pho!

Add some sriracha sauce for spice!

And feast!

Wash it down with a cold 33.
You could also order bubble tea. Since my return from China, I’m completely obsessed with bubble tea and they have good ones at Saigon Bistro!

Saigon Bistro is easily becoming one of my favorite places to eat in D.C. It’s very inexpensive so perfect for a low key night when you don’t feel like making dinner and want something at least semi-health (hey, there are veggies in that pho!). The appetizers run about $4 to $8. Pho is around $8 per bowl and the beer is in the standard $5 and $6 dollar range. For two of us, we got out of there for around $30 all said and done. We left with full, warm, happy bellies and then walked it off on the way home.

The Book Worm

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:27:07 +0000

After several days in the bustling city of Beijing, I was in need of some quiet, relaxing down time. My friend took me to The Book Worm, a western-style coffee shop/lounge/library in the Chao Yang district of Beijing where all the servers speak english and you can get typical american, brit and aussie fare. The atmosphere has a chill vibe- low lighting, customers reading or working on laptops while sipping lattes, indie rock music playing softly in the background, and floor to ceiling bookshelves on nearly every wall. For me, the experience was comparable to coming home after being away for a long time. Though it had been a few days, it was like walking into my house for the first time and suddenly realizing what I smell like to others-catching that first whiff that kind of defines who I am and how others perceive me. I found myself thinking, so this is what we are like. Let’s just say it was a bit of a homecoming.
I ordered 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream for 10 RMB (about a buck 50), sat back, relaxed and relished being in my tiny, yet spacious western oasis in the sweltering, cramped city of Beijing. It was good to be “home.”

Food and fun in Charlotte, NC

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:19:44 +0000

Last weekend, my boyfriend and I traveled down south to Charlotte, NC for an engagement party. We had a wonderful time catching up with friends and family. And of course, we dined at a few fantastic places that I highly recommend. I’ve posted highlights below.

Fresh pizza and salads at Mama Ricotta’s

Ahi tuna salad with wasabi dressing and crispy wontons at 300 East

An italian feast at Vivace.

For me, Vivace was the food highlight of the trip. The service was impeccable and the food was quintessential italian comfort food. Think-limoncello cocktails, gooey cheese ravioli, marinated olives, warm bread, fluffy pasta and lots of wine! It was a perfect meal.

Rasika

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods — Sun, 16 May 2010 16:19:48 +0000

A few weeks ago, I took my boyfriend out for dinner at Rasika to celebrate his 31st birthday. The weather in D.C. was still cool and crisp, perfect for a night of slow-cooked, comforting Indian cuisine. We had heard rave reviews of Rasika and decided to give it a try. We were not disappointed. This place definitely lives up to the hype.

Rasika’s menu offers authentic, classic Indian flavors served in a non-traditional way. Most of the dishes are tapas-style rather individual entrees. This is ideal for first-timers (like us) who want to sample a variety of menu items. Another plus is the expansive vegetarian options so that veggies (like me) aren’t limited to just a few selections.

We sampled a variety of dishes, including the house specialty Palak Chaat. This dish is amazing. It features crispy fried spinach leaves that are so light they almost melt in your mouth. Unique and delicious. We also had the paneer masala, pan fried okra, mahi-mahi in a spicy tamarind sauce and a side of garlic naan. Everything we ate was delicious. I only wish we’d had room to eat more!

At the end of the meal we had a couple of desserts to finish us off. We sampled the beignets (served with mind blowingly good cardamom ice cream!) and the chocolate samosa. Both were good, but were almost a let-down after the incredibly delicious main meal. Next time I think I’ll skip dessert and order another savory dish.

Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:10:31 +0000

Sunday night I was invited to an event at the Kennedy Center with friends. Prior to the show, we decided on a little “pre-party” at Four Seasons restaurant Bourbon Steak. The name of the restaurant intimidated my veggie palate. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to eat anything on the menu and as a result, my tummy would be growling all night througout the program. Luckily that didn’t happen. To my delight, the menu offered numerous seafood and vegetarian options I could enjoy. Some of my favorites included the lobster corn dogs (like a little bite of heaven) with whole grain mustard and creme fraiche dipping sauce, fried pickles with mayo, oysters on the half shell, shrimp crisps and duck fat fries (admittedly I sampled one out of curiousity-very crispy!). The menu was delicious, but pricey. Cocktails were around $14 each and the “snacks” started around $15 and up. However, for a special occasion I found the Four Seasons worth the expense. The inside dining room is gorgeous and the oustide patio (where we sat) is absolutely ideal on a sunny day. The service was impeccable. This place is no joke.

Valentine’s day at Founding Farmers

Jen @ Keepitsimplefoods — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:01:21 +0000

Last year, my boyfriend and I celebrated V-day here on D.C. Capitol Hill. We were not fans. The food was underwhelming for the price. But, I’m not gonna dwell on meals past. This year, we tried a new restaurant that has been all the buzz in D.C. lately. The restaurant is called Founding Farmers, located at 19th and Pennsylvania NW. The theme is all natural, sustainable, local foods. The building itself even follows this theme by using refurbished materials, low energy lighting, etc.
The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. A large display of canned carrots, beets, beans, etc greeted us. This was a nice touch that gave the place a somewhat southern feel.

The bar made some killer cocktails. I had the “winter caipiriniah” and my boyfriend had the “farmer john.” Both were delicious, unique and made to order.

For starters, we ordered the skillet corn bread. It was just enough for two people and I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s the best corn bread I’ve ever eaten. Think something between a moist yellow cake and cornbread. The bread was light and fluffy like cake, with kernels of corn inside and a warm, savory flavor. It was served up with a side of whipped butter and honey. Delicious.

For dinner, I ordered the handmade butternut squash ravioli with marscapone and he ordered the shrimp and grits (minus the sausage so I could try it). Both dishes were excellent. The butternut squash ravioli was light and creamy and buttery with just the right amount of sweetness. The salty parmesean on top helped balance the dish perfectly. Handmade pasta really is one of the best foods in the world.

My boyfriend ordered the shrimp and grits. Now, I’m a southerner and lived in Charleston for many years, so I know good shrimp and grits. And let me tell you, these were some of the best I’ve ever had. The shrimp were plump and juicy, served in a light sherry broth. The grits were stone ground and creamy, but light-not dense. The best part was the chopped green tomatoes served on top that were slightly tangy and kept the dish playful. Often, shrimp and grits can a heavy meal, but not at Founding Farmers. It was the perfect bowl.

For dessert, we ordered homemade red velvet cake to go. Unfortunately, we scarfed it down before I could even think about grabbing my camera. Like the rest of our meal, it was exceptional and had its own unique spin. The cake was moist, light and the cream cheese icing was fluffy without being too sweet. It was big enough for two, with plenty to share.

Over all, I highly recommend Founding Farmers. It’s the kind of restaurant that falls nicely into any price point you are comfortable with. If you don’t want to spend a lot, go for lunch or a lighter dinner. You can also really go all out on a date-night type meal if that’s what you are looking for. The total for our meal (after tax and tip) was around $95 (that’s $60 less than last year’s V-day date with the same amount of food and much more appetizing). That included 2 cocktails, an appetizer, 2 entrees and dessert. The best part was that everything we put into our mouths was worth every single penny. There’s nothing better than a good meal priced just right.