Last Jaleo and Hiatus

Photo from Jaleo website

K- “Jaleo” can translate to a mess in English and that’s pretty much what the food was at Jaleo in Crystal City.  Maybe it’s because I’ve experienced real Spanish food in Spain but either way, I was muy disappointed.

I decided to go with a colleague to the restaurant and I was starving as I hadn’t eaten all day. We were seated outside, it was a gorgeous day and the server showed up quickly – good so far. As I was starving (okay, not literally but again I hadn’t eaten all day and it was already 1:30 p.m.) I ordered quite a bit. The special was Spanish tortilla del dia- a Spanish omelette of the day – with mushrooms, sounded good, I ordered that. I also asked for gazpacho estilo Algeciras – classic chilled Spanish soup made with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and bread; Jose Andres chips and the grilled cheese sandwich with grilled Manchego, Murcia, Valdeón and goat cheese with truffle oil on rustic bread, served with honey alioli. My mouth was watering.

The tortilla showed up first. It wasn’t very fluffy and was definitely on the tapas side, which was fine but it still looked a little sad. It tasted okay, I’ve had better tortilla. The Jose Andres chips were just good potato chips, no special seasoning and nothing extraordinary. I don’t know if I would be able to tell the difference between the Jaleo chips and Kettle chips. As for the grilled cheese sandwich it was a lot of bread and “meh.” A friend of mine had made me a grilled cheese sandwich the previous day with a sweet onion jam, which was amazing and pretty much put the Jaleo grilled cheese to shame. I never received the gazpacho.

Overall it was a very disappointing lunch especially what I paid for it. I feel like I might had got a better lunch if I had gone to the food trucks. Maybe the restaurant was having a bad day. I may not know as I probably won’t go back.

**The blog is going on hiatus however you can join us on Twitter. Enjoy the rest of the summer and see you in September!

Sea Pearl @ Mosaic

Photo from Sea Pearl website

K- Last Saturday, C and I met for lunch at Sea Pearl. For whatever reason, I was trying to decide between Sea Pearl and Gypsy Soul – completely forgot about True Food Kitchen, which I really want to try – and ended up making reservations at Sea Pearl as their menu looked quite interesting.  I always make reservations, especially on the weekend as I believe it’s better to be safe than sorry and sometimes, like this time, we are one of the very few people in the restaurant.

Our table was by the window, which was quite nice and our server was quite prompt. I ordered the crab and corn chowder with crisp wontons only to be told that they didn’t have that but they did have a sweet corn soup with crab, bacon and crispy wontons so I ordered that minus the bacon for my first (yes, I hear those of you gasping at my sacrilegious decision of no bacon.)  For my entrée I chose the lobster crepe with shitake mushrooms, green onions, coconut milk, red chili, potatoes hash and sautéed spinach and a cucumber Bloody Mary to sip with my meal.

The cucumber Bloody Mary arrived with a large spear of cucumber rather than a spear of celery thus the cucumber part I’m assuming. It was good, but not very spicy or “tomatoey.” The sweet corn soup wasn’t very sweet, it wasn’t very anything – well, bland. There was a “sprinkling” of crab, which was also bland and of course the crisp wontons, which were nice and crisp.  I was hoping the crepe would add a bit of “zip” to the meal with the red chili but was sadly disappointed. To be honest, I don’t know if and where the red chili part was in my lunch.  The potatoes hash, I did like that – nothing spectacular, but it was good and the spinach was a bit flat.

Overall, for me, the Sea Pearl wasn’t a “pearl” however I had a great time hanging out with C and catching up.

C – These look amazing, don’t they?  Meh. The ricotta fritters with vanilla and lavender honey were just OK. And that was mostly because of the honey. The taste was lacking — like nothing at all, actually — and the rest of my meal was the same. I also had the lobster crepe and, as someone who never salts or peppers, I was looking for the shakers. They weren’t there, or on any table. I didn’t bother to ask. The experience was more about the company anyway.

The atmosphere was nice, though I was surprised to see the dining room so empty at 1:30 on a Saturday. All of the other restaurants at Mosaic are usually packed on the weekends. Perhaps I was served an unusually dull meal, or maybe I made a poor choice, but my instinct tells me lack of flavor may be why we didn’t have to fight for a seat.

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Sea Pearl Restaurant & Lounge
8191 Strawberry Lane, #2
Falls Church, VA  22042

 

Comfort Food at Ted’s Bulletin

C – If you squint, you can see Ted’s Bulletin in this picture. It was a cold and grey day, and what would typically be a bustling green area at the Mosaic District looked a little bleak. The perfect day for some comfort food.

Everyone’s been raving about Ted’s. Specifically, their adult milkshakes and homemade pop tarts. I heard rumors of crazy long waits – they don’t take reservations during peak lunch/brunch times. So, I showed up about 30 minutes early. I walked in, was told the wait would be 30 minutes, put my name on the list and decided to run across the street to Target. I was given a pager and I left my phone number in case I was too far out of range. I walked out the door, saw my friend – also super early – and the pager went off. No wait whatsoever. Strange for a Saturday just before noon, but hey, luck was on our side.

The atmosphere: upscale diner, cozy and comfortable. Counter seating, a generous amount of booths for two, and tables for larger parties.

The food: Deeee-lish. Not low-cal, for sure. My friend had “The Rachel” – basically a Rueben with turkey. I had the “Short Rib Sammy.” I’ve been on a bit of a short rib kick lately, so this was an interesting variation. Grilled texas toast, Vermont white cheddar, arugula, red wine gravy and red wine mayo, served with “bowling alley” onion rings. Fat Fest 2015. And I ate every bite.

The signature items: After enjoying the previously mentioned Fat Fest 2015, I couldn’t in good conscience order both of their signature items. So, I skipped the adult milkshake and split the salted caramel pop tart with my friend. There was a bit of a disagreement over the splitting of said pop tart. Tears fell. Plates were licked. It was an ugly scene.

Ted’s Bulletin
Mosaic District/Merrifield, VA
Reston Town Center, VA
Gaithersburg, MD and
1818 14th Street in DC

Founding Farmers – MOCO

Bill delivery at Founding Farmers

C – I love that new little hoods are popping up everywhere. My latest discovery is Park Potomac in Maryland. Weirdly, I think it’s been around for a while, at least four years as that seems to be the last time their website was updated, but the area still looks very much under construction. Perhaps they’re phasing the building. I’m not sure. But my reason for bringing this up isn’t really about the area, it’s actually about a new(er) branch of Founding Farmers in the center of this community.

Similar to the original in the heart of DC, this version is relaxed and welcoming, with some of the same staples. The service during my visit was excellent. Almost more of a story than the food, our experience with employees here was outstanding. Our waiter was very honest without being smarmy. When we ordered the Bread, Chips and Crisps as an appetizer, he steered us away, volunteering that the chips were more like Cheez-its and that it was actually the least appealing appetizer on the menu. We went with the Skillet Corn Bread, which was great and honestly, too much for two people.

While ordering mains, we deferred to our server again. My dining companion chose the Chicken Pot Pie, which came with a monster biscuit on top. I requested the Carolina Pork BBQ and Fixings, but I was again steered away and pointed in the direction of the sandwich version which was terrific. We were too full for dessert.

A few notes of warning:

1. Parking at Potomac Place is weird. Make sure to park in the underground garage and get a validation ticket from the hostess stand. They validate for 3 hours or less.
2. If it’s cold outside, it will be cold inside – but only when a patron decides to avoid the revolving door. Once the regular door is open, the wind ricochets off every wall. And it will find you no matter where you are.
3. We arrived at 12 for lunch (on a Saturday) and it was moderately crowded. By the time we left, at 2, it was completely rammed. Come early.

Founding Farmers – MOCO
12505 Park Potomac Avenue, Potomac, MD 20854

Cafe Deluxe… Can we discuss the cobbler?

Image from http://www.cloverrestaurantgroup.com

C – Every time I go to Cafe Deluxe, the first thing out of my mouth is “what’s the cobbler of the day?” If you’ve never been to this moderately priced mini-chain, you have no idea what you’re missing. More on that later.

Cafe Deluxe has long been my off-the-top-of-my-head choice for easy, stress-free meals. If I’ve had a rough day, I tend to suggest meeting friends here, rather than trying something new. I know I’ll get something I like without having to put forth much effort. And the atmosphere isn’t too chaotic, even when it’s at capacity.

Something between a bistro and a brasserie, Cafe Deluxe serves hearty American food, but they can also whip up a nice, light and flavorful salad. On my last visit (really, on my last two visits), I opted for the Crispy Goat Cheese Salad to start and the Braised Boneless Short Rib, which is served over risotto, as my main. It’s a very filling meal, and every bite is packed with flavor. The meat simply crumbles on your fork and dissolves in your mouth. The risotto is the perfect partner to this dish. Most of the entrees are above average and, if you have room for an extra side, I’d recommend the Mac & Cheese. It’s out of this world.

Serving lunch, brunch and dinner, Cafe Deluxe can pretty much cater to most comfort food cravings. But the real star of the show is the cobbler. I don’t know exactly what they put into that crust (crack?), but it is exceptional. The cobbler comes in one flavor depending on the season – strawberry, blueberry, peach, etc.) and it’s served with two heaping scoops of ice cream. This is not a desert for one – make sure you’ve got at least two people in on this. That said, you’ll be fighting for the last bite. This, coming from someone who doesn’t care for fruit-based deserts. (I feel like I’m getting cheated or something when fruit is presented as an after dinner treat). A great alternative to the cobbler is the Apple Crumble which works with a similar base but is instead covered in cinnamon and brown sugar clusters. As if we needed more sugar.

So, my advice on Cafe Deluxe? Go for the cobbler, enjoy the meal.

Cafe Deluxe
Various locations around the DC area including Tyson’s, Bethesda and Cleveland Park.

Luncheon with a purpose

K- In DC, there are many opportunities to volunteer your time to help a worthy cause or two. I volunteer for the Washington Humane Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Annual Ball.  I enjoy helping out these commendable causes but I’ll admit that it can sometimes be a challenge as far as time management as I also have a full-time job as well as this blog.  However I have found that the people who run these non-profits are appreciative when people volunteer, completely understand time constraints and will work around them so you can still help out where you are able.

Last Thursday the Leukemia Ball had its Holiday Luncheon sponsored by BB&T at the Army Navy Country Club, to talk about the upcoming ball. An huge annual event that takes months of planning.

The 2015 Leukemia Ball, sponsored by Pharma, is a massive event and since 1988 has raised nearly $52 million for the fight against leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. One of the ways the Ball raises money is through a raffle. This year Mercedes-Benz donated two cars to be raffled off: grand prize, C400 4MATIC Sedan and first prize GLA250 4MATIC SUV at $100 a ticket.

The black-tie event, held each year, hosts approximately 2,000 guests and entertains them with various artists; this year’s entertainment is Jim Gaffigan, the comedian, and Michael Cavanaugh.

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If you’re interested in the event click here.

Pizzeria Orso

C – Tucked into the Pearson Square complex, behind Elevation Burger and the construction that will be a part of the Falls Church City Center, is a relatively new pizza joint that’s worth a visit. Pizzeria Orso serves authentic Neapolitan pizza as well as a collection of other entrees including small plates and pastas.

I’ve been there twice in the past few weeks and I have to say, while the weather is nice, the outdoor dining experience is not to be missed. There’s a little construction noise in the background, but it’s nice that there’s an option for getting a bit of fresh air while you dine, and the patio is big and comfortable.

The wait staff is pleasant, friendly and attentive. The food is pretty darn good. It’s very much a family place, so if you’re looking for a quiet romantic meal, this isn’t for you. Pizzeria Orso just received a “Best of Falls Church – 2014” award from the Falls Church News Press and Yelp reviews are favorable. Overall, I’d recommend it.

Pizzeria Orso
400 South Maple Avenue
Falls Church City, VA 22046
*closed on Mondays

Exploring Eastern Market

K- Sunday seemed the perfect day to walk around as it was a nice day and cooler than it had been the last few weeks so I decided to explore Eastern Market. It had been awhile since I had been there and I wanted to check out the produce and craft items.

Before I hit the Market I wandered through the flea market, which is every Sunday. There were some interesting items however I found much of it on the expensive side – well, at least for me! For example, there were old Mason jars with lids that started around $3 and went up depending on size and if it had a lid. Stands at the market included clothing, jewelry, copper pots and crafted mirrors.

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After the flea market I walked among the food and craft booths outside. Much of the produce was reasonably priced and looked delicious. Some of the people at the stands had samples of their tomatoes, peaches, and other fruits and vegetables as well as salsas and sauces. I tried a habanero sauce that was tasty and had a nice little kick to it.

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Inside the building, which according to Wikipedia was designed by Adolf Cluss and was in continuous operation as a public market from 1873 until April 30, 2007 – when the fire occured – I found more delicious food items including cakes, salads and cheese in addition to beautiful bouquets of flowers.

If you have a chance to walk over to the Eastern Market you can easily spend a few hours there and that’s not stopping to have breakfast or lunch at any of the stands or nearby restaurants. You can also get your grocery shopping done as there is everything there for a nice dinner such as poultry, beef, pork, fish, vegetables, fresh pasta, cheeses, baked goods, and whatever else you can think of… and you could set the table with a nice bouquet to boot!

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Hours of Operation

Tuesday to Friday – 7am – 7pm
Saturday –  7am – 6pm
Sunday –  9am – 5pm
Monday – CLOSED

 225 Seventh Street, SE    Washington, DC  20003

 

Charlottesville in the Rain

K – It’s a bit ironic that when I went to Charlottesville for an audition it was raining and now as I write it’s pouring outside.

I’ve been to Charlottesville a few times. It’s a nice little college town with a pedestrian mall where it’s easy to hang out, shop, have a coffee and lunch or dinner. When it’s nice outside there are quite a few restaurants that have outside seating.

Unfortunately that day I was unprepared for the rain so I didn’t stay as long as I had wanted to – but I did take some photos. As you will see in the photos it was pretty quiet that day due to the weather even though it was lunch time.

If you want to stay near Charlottesville to visit other sites – since it’s also near Monticello, the wine trail and Montpelier – there are plenty of places to stay. One place that I’ve stayed before  – for a special occasion – is the Clifton Inn. It was a great place to relax, have a swim, take a walk, enjoy a wonderful dinner and I could bring the dog!

Charlottesville is about a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from Washington D.C. There are two parking garages that are near the pedestrian mall – Market Street and Water Street as well as other parking options.

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Restaurant Week

K – Restaurant Week is happening now and it’s a great opportunity to experience many of the great restaurants in our area at a reasonable price. For just $20.14 you can get a 3-course lunch or $35.14 for a 3-course dinner. It’s best if you can book ahead on a site like OpenTable to ensure you can get in as many of the restaurants get very crowded during this time. Also if you plan to do lunch make certain that the restaurant is including lunch for Restaurant Week as not all are doing lunch and dinner.

Some of the fabulous restaurants that are participating include 1789 (dinner only), 701 (lunch and dinner), Cuba Libre (lunch and dinner), FarmersFishersBakers (dinner only), Mintwood Place (dinner only), RIS (lunch and dinner) and The Source (lunch). For an example of a Restaurant Week menu from Brasserie Beck click here.

Restaurant Week ends 19 January however some do extend the offer for longer so check their websites. Bon appetit!