I had heard enough to look forward to a great foodie experience in Washington DC A Washington DC Spring Break – HER//Excursions (herexcursions.com). As it turns out, my friend was not wrong. `
Bluestone Lane
The first thing we did when we arrived was to eat breakfast. I chose the Bluestone Lane because it was a few minutes from the hotel, and on the way to the Museums.
Okay, so the Folded Chimichurri Eggs & Bacon on toast was what really caught my eye. My daughter tried the B.L.A.T.E. I loved the multigrain toast. The scrambled eggs were cooked just the way I like them. The bacon laid atop was a little on the very thin side but acceptable. Unfortunately, the food was unseasoned. And yes, I was disappointed further by the chimichurri. I expected either eggs mixed with chimichurri, or a reasonable portion on the side.
What I got was a non-impressive chimichurri drizzle encircling the toast. Certainly not enough of it to justify the name in my opinion. Also, the bland taste did not help. In the end, I had to rely on salt and pepper and hot sauce to turn this meal into a slightly above average one. On the other hand, my daughter’s egg sandwich with avocado, and the accompanying salad were stellar.
Food Tour
My daughter and I took a Georgetown food tour.
Flavio
We began with FLAVIO Restaurant DC | Traditional Italian Food (flaviodc.com). I had the best gnocchi in a white sauce and meatballs I have ever tasted. First of all, the gnocchi were the biggest I have ever seen. It was also divinely pillowy soft and hit the spot with the sauce. The meatballs and red sauce were an additional feast of the senses. I ate more than I should have because it was so good. Still, it did not stop me from wolfing down numerous pieces of fresh pita bread and olive oil mixed with herbs that came with the tasting.
Bodega
Wayne (our guide), took us to Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge (bodegadc.com) next. Again, we were treated to fresh sliced bread and olive oil (how could I say no?). I enjoyed the tapas of mushrooms, fried bacon wrapped dates, and patatas bravas (made with sweet potatoes!) with a killer aioli. I loved every morsel. The patatas bravas may have been the best I’ve ever had.
Olivia Macaroon
We stopped for dessert on the way to the last stop Olivia Macaron Online | French Macarons Cookies Near You. Set on a side street of M Street, I must say they have perfected the art of macaroons. They had a lot of flavors, including the usual traditional, vanilla and strawberry. I tried the honey lavender. Sooo I’m not a particular macaroon fan. However, that said, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would visit the bakery again.
El Centro
Sporting bulging waistlines and increasing difficulty breathing, we heaved our way into our last stop, El Centro DC (eatelcentro.com), a Mexican Fusion restaurant. I turned out I had room still for some chicken tortilla soup and a seafood enchilada. I’ve never ordered an enchilada (don’t judge). It seems I’ve been remiss. Made with fresh corn tortilla, I absolutely loved this enchilada. So much so, yes, I had the whole enchilada (pun intended:). I was looking forward to the soup, but was disappointed. While perfectly silky smooth, with an undertone for rich flavor, it was a little too salty for my taste. I’d like to believe it was a one off as I would try it again.
Overall, the food tour was a great foodie experience indeed.
La Chaumiere
I found and reserved this delightful restaurant online La Chaumiere | French Restaurant in Washington, DC (lachaumieredc.com). We turned up at restaurant dressed inappropriately for the restaurant as it was right after wandering the streets. Thankfully, they did not turn us away or make us feel unwelcome. I found this charming restaurant to be the most authentically French, cuisine-wise. The barman sounded French as well.
We nibbled on delicious fresh bread and whipped butter. I wanted a light dinner (and the opportunity to try more items) and thus I settled on two appetizers. My daughter ordered the item that had caught my eye in the first place – Tripes. I suggested medium temperature as a safe bet when asked (a first for us). The piping hot cooked in a tomato sauce with carrots, potatoes and Calvados was delicious. Especially since the sweetness from the calvados gently boosted the flavor. The manager came over later and told her it was his favorite item on the menu.
My dinner began with a terrine that was served with toasts. I enjoyed it. In fact, it was so good that I quickly wolfed down but a bite, before realizing I forgot to take a picture. Oops. I followed it up with escargot. Yes. Cooked in copious amounts of garlic and butter, they hit the spot. I still had room for dessert though. Yet again, my daughter beat me to the punch and ordered what I wanted. She had the Grand Marnier souffle, while I went with the other light item chocolate mousse.
The latter was well worth the wait. It came with a crème Anglaise-type sauce the waiter poured into the souffle after bringing it to the table. The souffle has to be one of the most enjoyable desserts I have ever had. It was light, indulgent, a little crunchy at the edges, and just the right amount of sweet with the alcohol counterbalance.
Now, my dessert was as silky smooth as I would have expected. However, I had two issues with it. First of all, the presentation was underwhelming to me. I came piped into a wafer-thin cookie cup. And nothing else. I think it could have used a design on the plate, fruit, chocolate, just something, to bring it up a notch. Secondly and importantly for me, there was far more mousse than cookie. This may be a personal thing, but I like all my mousse to have an accompanying crunch.
However, mousse issue aside, I absolutely loved this restaurant. It’s cozy, white-table top service and attentive penguin-suited waiters all added up to a place that I would visit again and again.
Ala
I couldn’t leave DC without a good brunch. I wanted something different from the usual steak, eggs, and waffles. And I found it at ala | ala dc | 1320 19th Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USA (ala-dc.com). The restaurant offers Levantine cuisine (a first for me), a mix of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare. I loved the décor. It conveyed a cozy yet chic vibe. The type of place that would work for a couple or for a group of friends.
Ala offers a 3-course prix fixe brunch (with or without bottomless mimosas for $14) as well as an ala carte one. I chose the former and my daughter the latter. They offer fresh pita bread, but I had to specifically request it (at $1 a piece) as per menu. I, of course, ordered it. I also ordered spinach fritters to start, Shaksuka and Zalabia to finish. Meanwhile, my daughter ordered pancakes topped with apples.
My daughter and I loved the spinach fritters. They were basically fried balls of spanakopita (sans pastry). Crunchy on the outside and meltingly soft on the inside, I could eat these all day, every day. I was surprised that the (amazing) tomato sauce actually complimented them well. My shaksuka was also a delight. However. Dessert was ridiculous. The trio of fried dough came with some kind of coffee flavored cream I have never had before. Magnificent. Meanwhile, my daughter loved her pancakes. They were incredibly light, unlike traditional pancakes, and the apple caramel topping was not cavity inducing.
Ala gave me some of my favorite foods of the trip. Additionally, I loved that it introduced me to food I have never had before.
Union Market District
DC boasts several markets. One of them is the Western Market, which we passed several times but never had the time to go in. We did visit Union Market District – The best place in dc for shopping, dining, arts and entertainment (unionmarketdc.com).
I admit I expected the market to be larger, more along the lines of Reading market in Philly, or New York. But it’s smaller. However, quality and variety make up for quantity. I found soul food, pastries, empanadas, fish, Lebanese, Korean, Vietnamese and even a Michelin chef’s restaurant.
I quickly availed myself to a delicious Thai tea. We headed to Neopol where I grabbed a salad topped with smoked rainbow trout, and my daughter a lemonade with ginger and cardamon (she swooned over it). Afterwards, we split up. I went to La Jambe for a grilled cheese with beef and tomato soup, and she went to get a huge piece of Middle Eastern cheese bread, as well as pork and chive dumplings.
I disappeared the Thai tea very quickly. My salad was huge, and very good. I enjoyed the trout. And it was a generous size. My grilled cheddar cheese sandwich was very cheesy and very good. I had to force myself to eat just one half of it. Unfortunately, the soup was not very warm and La Jambe did not have any salt and pepper for my unseasoned food. Very strange – so I couldn’t rightly say how good the soup was. Still, my daughter’s cheese bread was a fluffy warm cloud of goodness. So good we went back to get extras. My daughter expressed loving her dumplings.
Bottom line: if you like good food (and great prices because DC is generally expensive), I highly recommend visiting Union market.
The Visiteur
I did not feel particularly hungry on our last night in DC but wanted something light. And so I decided to order the Chunky Lobster and corn Chowder and truffle fries from the lobby Dining in Georgetown | Washington Marriott Georgetown | Marriott Bonvoy – Home page.
At $18, I expected to be rewarded with chunks of lobster. Reality brought me a very large bowl of lobster tasting soup and nary a chunk of meat. This was a huge letdown because the flavor was just right. Fortunately they got the generous serving of parmesan-topped truffle fries right in the flavor department. But I admit to lingering disappointment at the soup.
Tatte Bakery and Cafe
We found | Tatte Bakery and Cafe on our wanderings and as a bakery aficionado, I had to try it. Now, I’m not a coffee drinker, so I can’t tell you if it’s anything to rave about. However, I can give you the skinny on the baked goods.
I enthusiastically endorse this place. They have a great range of both sweet and savory pastries in addition to breakfast, brunch and lunch options. I was more interested in the bakery though. And I was not disappointed. I had the sweet, sticky croissant-like kouign amann, a pistachio cherry square, a coconut and cherry frangipane tart, and a tomato and cheese flat bread. I enjoyed every perfectly made morsel. This bakery is an easy must try for visitors because it actually has several locations. So, visit!
Long story short, I enjoyed a great foodie experience in Washington DC. What made it even better was the ability to try so many different cuisines. And we were able to do all this in the general vicinity of our hotel. What more could a foodie ask for?
