The Tout de Sweetest Thing

It’s the little things in life that make you smile. For some it’s listening to the sound of rain on the roof. For others it’s an unexpected email or phone call from a good friend. For me, it’s pastries - specifically French pastries. If you give me a flaky almond croissant or a chocolate mousse pyramid you’ve pretty much made my day twenty times better than it already was.

Since moving to D.C., I have been sans a reliable French bakery. There was just nothing out there that matched the pure bliss and flavor of the one I grew up two blocks from back in Ohio. Thankfully my pâtisserie dreams have been answered by Tout de Sweet in Bethesda.

Tout de Sweet ‘s small storefront near the Woodmont Triangle has a sleek and modern look that screams, "Paris chic." The front window displays colorful French macaroons while the small chalkboard advertises that they sell coffee and tea to go with your “sweet treat.” The walls inside are stark white with hints of mint green, a hue that recalls the color of a pistachio macaroon.

Jerome Colin, who previously worked as a pastry chef at Le Paradou and Sofitel Hotel, churns out some of the most authentic and tasty French bonbons that I have had since I was in France. The macaroons are the perfect midday pick-me-up with their sweetness and signature “soft crunch.” Every buttery croissant calls my name as if it was begging to be eaten. The willpower that it takes to walk by (and not eat) the beautiful cupcakes and mousse cakes deserves a round of applause.

Unfortunately, there are just a few bar stools that invite you to linger over your coffee and pastry. Luckily, there is plenty of seating across the street that can be utilized as we are headed into the warmer months. You can close your eyes, enjoy the sunshine, eat your French pastry and imagine that you are sitting in Paris living the sweet life.

Yamas - It's All Greek to Me

There nothing better than being greeted with a bite of baklava while walking to work. How can anyone say no to the sticky and nutty pastry that hails from the Middle East? The dessert makes you want to lick your fingers to ensure you can savor every sweet morsel. That was my serendipitous introduction to Yamas, a new family-owned Mediterranean spot in Bethesda. Since then, it has become my go-to lunch spot.

The first day I went to Yamas I was treated to a sampling of their side dishes and I ordered a side opa fries, which are topped with feta. When I took my first bite of the roasted vegetable orzo, I was immediately transported back to the shore of the Mediterranean. The vegetables were clearly fresh and not at all mushy (a common problem). Although the fries were a tad mushy, the seasoning and the feta gave them the extra kick they needed.

Yamas (which means “to our health” in Greek) is quite proud of how they prepare their gyros. The menu proclaims there is no pressed meat in the restaurant (unlike what you find at most other Greek restaurants in DC and around the country). Instead they create their own meat cones which are made with naturally raised beef and lamb. The difference is apparent from your first bite of the ubiquitous sandwich. The flavors are much more pronounced, especially when coupled with fresh tomato, lettuce and onion and served wrapped in fresh pita. And do you want to know the best part about this version of the fresh Greek sandwich? It will set you back a mere $6.95.

If you head to the restaurant between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday – Friday you will be greeted with $5 mezze. Be prepared to gobble down fresh spanakopita, calamari, kolokithokeftedes (a.k.a. zucchini fritters) and other dishes. All of the offerings live up to the fresh label and are a good value since you can easily make a dinner out of the small plates.

I think that Yamas is still a bit off the beaten path, but something tells me it won’t be that way for long. They have already appeared on Todd Kliman’s 25 places he would spend his own money and Washington City Paper had a nice piece on the meat at Yamas. So get there sooner rather than later and be prepared to be transported to the Greek Isles.

Veloce Italiano at Vapiano

Italians like to take their time; it’s just a fact of life. In Italy, when you go to a restaurant for dinner you “own” that table from the moment you take your seat until the moment you pay the bill. No waiter or manager will ever rush you out the door because someone is waiting for a table or it is getting close to closing time. Dinner should be leisurely and without stress. There is something to be said for this slice of Italian culture, but it is clearly something that we have not adopted here in the States.

Vapiano, the self-proclaimed “fast and hip” casual Italian restaurant is a European concept that landed in Washington DC in 2007. The concept came from the first McDonald’s franchise owner in Germany, and everything about the experience screams commercial.

Upon entering, diners receive cards that contain a computer chip. Each time you order something, you press your card to a reader so that you only pay once prior to leaving. This makes jumping from the pizza station to the pasta station to the bar relatively easy, especially knowing that you aren’t pulling out cash or your credit card every few minutes.

The food at Vapiano is customizable, giving each patron plenty of options. The chefs behind the counter won’t yell at you for ordering your Bolognese on top of spaghetti (Italians tend to frown upon putting heavy sauces over thin pasta) or ordering an unusual combination on top of your pizza. But, since the food is made to order, it’s bound to be good, even if it isn’t true to Italian tradition. Each dish is also served with hot bread, which can (and should) be dipped in the balsamic and olive oil that flows freely in the restaurant.

One of the best things about Vapiano (which is Italian slang for kicking back and relaxing, ironic though it may be) is its happy hour. It runs Monday through Saturday, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and then on Sunday from noon until close. The long time range isn’t even the best part! You can enjoy a Peroni or a glass of wine (both red and white) for a mere $4. This deal has made all of the DC locations a hot spot for happy hour lovers. I know many people who are happy to camp out there for an entire evening.

One more word to the wise – if you are in the mood for some tiramisu or panna cotta go online and sign up for Vapiano’s e-mail list. They will send you a coupon for a free dessert as soon as you're entered.

Dinner with the Spanish Ambassador

To many in DC, Chef José Andrés is known as the “unofficial Spanish ambassador.” In these parts, being unofficial makes you more likable, because you can’t ignore parking signs or speed limits and, unlike us mere mortals, get away with it. But even if Chef Andres was the actual ambassador, I think it would be tough for anyone to hold it against him, especially once they tried his food.

This past Friday night, Elliot and I were able to indulge; his mother and step-father were in town for the weekend. And as they're just as big of foodies as we are, there was only one true mandate when it came to planning our itinerary: great restaurants. Also, his mom is a big Top Chef fan, so it made sense to keep the momentum going from Andrés’s recent appearance on the show and head to Jaleo.

From start to finish, the entire experience at Jaleo lived up to Chef Andrés’s reputation. The carafe of sangria was not only poured with precision, but the taste of the fruity wine punch bordered on perfection, with the little bits of fresh fruit adding to the already magnificent flavor. Each bite of the patatas bravas had just the right amount of spice mixed with the garlic aioli. Chef Andrés says that you will want to eat his fried dates wrapped in bacon every day. I can guarantee you... he isn't lying.

Elliot's step-father suggested we try Jaleo's version of paella. Although I have dined here many times, I have never tried this traditional Spanish dish. The paella needs to be ordered almost immediately upon sitting down because it takes at least 30 minutes for the dish to be cooked. Let me tell you right here and now that the wait was worth every millisecond. The large dish of rice, chicken and mushrooms came out piping hot and was served on top of garlic aioli. (Side note: This was a brilliant move. Layering the aioli onto the plate before serving the paella means that the dish effectively cooks in the additional ingredient.) As everyone took their first bites, it was evident from all of our faces that this was an entree that was executed to perfection.

Although we got to the restaurant right after happy hour, it is only appropriate that I share with you that their “Jaleo Hour” is well worth the claustrophobia that tends to surround the bar from 4:30 – 7pm. The sangria flows at the liberal price of $4 a glass and a handful of tapas plates (including the bacon wrapped dates and patatas bravas) are offered for $5. Some drinks and a few noshes can easily turn into great meal on a budget.

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image of sangria: Tasting Table
other images: capitolbites flickr stream

Straight Outta Philly

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I am a Mid-Westerner. I grew up learned what cornfields looked like by driving past them on long car trips. Trains were things that carried freight, not people. My idea of a quick meal was Skyline chili or a Chicago hotdog. Yet, my friends from the East Coast lovingly spoke of their eight-lane highways, train rides, New York style pizza and Philadelphia hoagies – things that I knew of in a mythical way.


Recently, I was introduced to Taylor Gourmet, a hoagie shop that was opened by two former residents of Philadelphia who now live inside the Beltway. They missed their beloved hoagies so much that it seemed almost natural to introduce them to District residents, myself included. I have fallen under the spell of the fresh bread (trucked in from Pennsylvania on a daily basis), the fresh ingredients and the gigantic portions.

The menu is large enough to satisfy meat-lovers and vegetarians alike. Each sandwich is named for a street in Philly, but it is far easier for me to remember the delicious components that make up the hoagie. I’m a fan of the Island Avenue (breaded chicken cutlets, arugula, pesto, brie) and the Cherry Street (house cured roast beef, brie, roasted garlic spread). Elliot salivates just thinking about the 9th Street Italian, which combines genoa salami, capicola, prosciutto and sharp provolone. He claims that this is the perfect sandwich. I think that most of the combos on the menu come pretty close, especially considering how big and flavorful they are. (Each 12 inch sub could easily feed you for 2 meals.)


Taylor Gourmet also serves fried treats such as ravioli and risotto balls. The risotto balls were a bit spicy for our taste - and not nearly as good as 2 Amy’s version, suppli - but the fried ravioli could make a terrific snack or the perfect palate pleaser prior to your meal.


Currently, you can find Taylor Gourmet locations on H Street NE and at Mt. Vernon Square, but there is a location opening in Bethesda at the beginning of September. For those of you that don’t live within walking distance of one of the locations, Taylor offers delivery within a limited area. But I can guarantee you that it is worth the trip to this Philadelphia style hoagie outpost.

La Dolcezza Vita

During these hot summer months, one can’t help gravitating toward cold treats that both cool you down and satisfy your sweet tooth. You can find old-fashioned ice cream at Larry’s in Dupont, frozen custard at the Dairy Godmother in Alexandria, water ice on H St. at Rita’s. Yet my favorite treat from the ice box has to be gelato.


During my time in Italy, it was next to impossible to stay away from the yummy goodness of this old-world treat. I was drawn to the rich flavors and textures that were beautifully layered on top of milk, cream and sugar; knowing that it had half the fat and calories of ice cream didn't hurt, either. It was hard to go more than a day or two without wandering into one of the gelato shops that beckoned to me from every corner.


Back in the District, my options were few and far between. I was lucky enough to discover the original location of Dolcezza, a local gelatoria located between Glover Park and Georgetown, that specializes in Argentinean gelato. The moment that I tried a bite of their rich and creamy valrhona chocolate, I was hooked. Their fresh artisanal gelato is made daily and features fresh - and local - ingredients. You will find local peaches, plums and nectarines being used in the summer; oranges and other citrus in the winter; and any other superior ingredients, such as cardamom, that pique the interest of the artisans.


I have spent many a night sitting outside of one of the three Dolcezza locations with friends. Each one of these evenings is colored not only by the flavors springing from each savory bite of the gelato but also from conversations shared with people I love. Sure, at first glance this frozen treat seems pricy for the size, but it repays your taste buds and memories in spades.



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The Burger Joint

I feel like every time I turn around another burger place pops up. The greater DMV spawned the mighty Five Guys, Chef Spike’s Good Stuff Eatery and the internationally-known Ray’s Hell Burger. We just received word that New York’s famous Shake Shack is setting up shop in Dupont. I think you could be eating burgers and fries for days– the list of burger places just goes on and on. Down the street from my office stands the original location of another DC burger “chain,” BGR – The Burger Joint. BGR originally opened its classic-rock-memorabilia and kitchy-mosaic-table-filled restaurant in Bethesda. But in the past year or so, the concept has expanded to Alexandria, Dupont Circle and Arlington with another one on the way in Clarendon. The owner, Mark Bucher, clearly wants to make sure that he is a force to be reckoned with in this burger town.

BGR aims to master the basics – burgers, fries and milkshakes, with a few surprises thrown into the mix. The burgers are made with a mixture of premium meat, served on a toasted brioche bun and made fresh to order. If you are looking for a traditional burger, you really can’t go wrong with “The Burger” or the BGR sliders. The meat is able to retain most of the flavor without making that light and perfectly crisp bun too soggy. During the summer months, you can also grab what the Washingtonian has dubbed the best lobster roll in DC. I haven’t had many lobster rolls in this city since arriving here 6 years ago. Then again, I'm a midwesterner; I shouldn’t be considered an expert. Yet, I can accurately tell you that the claw meat was fresh and flavorful and was complemented beautifully by the crisp lettuce and fresh bun. 

You can’t have a burger without fries (and if you are feel like going all out – a shake). BGR offers regular and sweet potato fries. The last time I had them, I wished that I had asked for them extra crispy but it wasn’t an egregious error by any means. When it comes to shakes, BRG does the classics (i.e. chocolate and vanilla) very well. They are thick and creamy and make the perfect treat on a warm summer day. Each location also offers a new “limited-edition” milkshake on a monthly basis. I had July’s peach shake and it was just only so-so. I could have used a bit more peach flavor a little less graham cracker. Is BGR a burger destination? Sadly, it isn’t. But if you are around one and need to eat lunch or dinner or just have a snack, you won’t be able to go wrong. You will leave full, happy and you won’t be able to get that classic rock music out of your head. 

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What If We Went to Italy?

Welcome to our first guest post at CapitolBites.com. This review comes from my good friend Abby Horowitz who was the first person I met upon arriving at college. Please leave a comment or email me at capitolbites@gmail.com if you are interested in contributing a guest post.
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No denial here - I am a child of the drive-thru. As such, the thought of my office's proximity to downtown Silver Spring is enough to make my heart rate quicken. With Moby Dick, Chik-fil-a, Chipotle, and Potbelly (and so! many! others!) lined up all in a row, jockeying for my attention, it may be just one Burger King short of my fast food Eden.

My first day at the job, before I even got my chance to frolic through this quick service jungle, a coworker steered me to door on a drab patch of Georgia Avenue. Olazzo the sign said. Italian? Really? Lackluster location or not, there's something so bougie and overindulgent, I thought, about ordering table service Italian in the middle of a Monday at the office. Please mark me down as pleasantly mistaken.It would take something pretty special to drag me away from that strip.

In food and in atmosphere, Olazzo delivers an expertly crafted balance between casual and upscale. The air of nonchalant classiness is contagious, and all feelings of indulgence are comfortable ones.

On that initial visit, I gravitated toward the Shrimp Rose. Two bites in, I knew I'd be back. At lunch two, the dish called to me again. By trip three, despite some initial separation anxiety, I decided it was time to start seeing other people. (But honestly Olazzo, that creamy tomato sauce concoction you’re serving up. Do you bottle it maybe? In the privacy of my own home, I would probably drink it straight.)

And when my time came to branch out, my server was there, armed with freshly baked bread, an unrequested drink refill and a battery of solid recommendations. The Salmon Mango Salad is a nice break from the carbier (yes, I did just invent a word) menu items. The Steak Milanese is another winner. And as someone who regularly takes personal offense to any dish not comprised predominantly of meat, Olazzo’s Eggplant Parmesan, well, it's pretty excellent.

With a noticeable void of solid independent eateries in the neighborhood, Silver Spring patrons would have definitely settled for less. But Olazzo bypasses the opportunity to cut corners. The food is fresh. The prices are reasonable. The service is sharp, but not pushy.

One caveat however: Olazzo has been known on at least one occasion to overwhelm the patron’s lunchtime thoughts so fervently that it only dawned on her months later, over a dish of lasagna alla Bolognese, that though she passed it five days a week, she hadn’t even set foot in Chik-fil-a yet.

image: courtesy of guest blogger

Show Us Those Mussels

Since I was a little girl, I have been a huge fan of mussels. I remember being about three years old and sitting on my grandfather's lap, trying my first bite of this delectable shellfish. Twenty some-odd years later, I still crave mussels on a regular basis.

Last week, Chef Robert Weidmaier opened his newest restaurant on Bethesda Row, which he appropriately dubbed Mussel Bar. Chef Weidmaier is already well known inside the Beltway because of his more upscale restaurants (including Brasserie Beck, Marcel's, and BRABO) that are located downtown and in Old Town Alexandria. Yet I believe the hope is this Belgian gastropub will be enticing to a more casual crowd that is just looking for a great place to eat in the neighborhood.

I try not to make a habit of going to a restaurant the first full day that they are open, but I work in Bethesda, and the thought of mussels was just too appetizing to resist. When I walked in at 1:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon I was greeted with a big smile and a half-full dining room. Since I was by myself, I chose to sit at the wooden bar. The bartender was extremely helpful and walked me through the menu. She clearly had tried most everything the restaurant offers and steered me toward her favorite mussel preparation: the classic.

The mussels came out of the kitchen within mere minutes, but the speed did not detract from the quality. Every mussel in the dish had an open shell, making it seem as if they were begging you to eat them. The shellfish were served with warm french bread, frites and garlic aioli. The bread was perfect for sopping up the broth that devouring the mussels leaves behind. Although I enjoyed the frites, I was not blown away. The aioli could have used a bit more zing and I couldn't tell if the fries were hand cut back in the kitchen or if they were just taken out of the freezer. The broth the mussels were served in was so aromatic that the garlic, shallots and white wine tickled the insides of my nose and sinuses. I am going to take a leap and say that these are easily the best mussels that I have tried since I moved to DC almost 6 years ago.

The bar also has one of the more impressive beer menus that I have seen in my time. They stock upwards of 130 beers, most of which are imported from Europe. Believe me when I say if I wasn't heading back to work, I could have enjoyed a few of them.

I can't wait to see where Mussel Bar goes in the coming months and years. I do hope that they debut a lunch menu and happy hour specials (because this is not the cheapest meal that you can have in Bethesda), but I'm sure those changes will come once the restaurant gets into a routine. One thing is for certain, there is no doubt in my mind that Mussel Bar will become a place where one can take a break, have a beer and enjoy some good food. As they say in Belgium - eer smakelijk - or bon appetite.

images: bloggers own

It's Easy Being Green

Yes, I admit, I am addicted FourSquare. Before you make fun of my dorkiness or warn me that people are going to stalk me and break into my apartment, I would recommend that you learn more about this new social media tool. There are plenty of benefits to checking in at each store, restaurant and other random venue you frequent. As of yesterday I am the newly crowned "mayor" of Sweetgreen in Bethesda entitling me to a free Sweetflow (i.e. yogurt) each time I go to the store. Not too shabby. Even if I didn't get a freebie, I would still spend plenty of time at one of the 4 locations (5 if you count their roving food truck).

Sweetgreen was started by 3 Georgetown graduates who were tired of asking themselves where they should go eat. According to their website it was then that they decided to open a place where they would happily dine on a daily basis. Without a doubt, they succeeded. Everything about each Sweetgreen location draws you in and entices you to linger. The wood paneling and green accents can accurately be described as simple, modern and chic. The lights are bright making it the perfect place to sit and do a bit of work while enjoying a healthy treat.

The ingredients for the salads are a colorful display that looks just as pretty as it does appetizing. There are multiple types of greens, vegetable, dried fruits, cheeses and other toppings. Most of the items are locally grown and/or organic. This makes for a more expensive salad than most people are used to, but the freshness makes it worth every extra penny. You have the option to choose a salad from their menu (there are both traditional - i.e. caeser and more creative "chef-crafted" salads). If none of the options sound appealing you can create your own. Each store also features a salad of the day that contains items bought from local farmers markets.

If you are looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, look no further than their frozen yogurt with active cultures which is called Sweetflow. It was inspired by the West coast favorite, Pinkberry, but it has it's own East coast twist. You can top the yogurt with everything from agave nectar to ladyfingers. Sounds perfect to me, especially since I know it's not only healthy and sustainable, but also really really good.

image: arugulafiles.typepad.com