J'adore Crepe Amour

The beauty of crepes lies in their utter simplicity. You start with flour, milk, butter and a tiny bit of salt and wind up with a beautiful flat pancake that acts as a blank canvas for savory and sweet flavors. Luckily there are plenty of places in and around DC where you can get this French treat, but one that stands out is Crepe Amour in Georgetown.

I had walked by Crepe Amour plenty of times, but I have never been into the restaurant. In fact seeing them on the Cooking Channel’s Unique Eats over my “winter break” was just the kick in the butt I needed to go check them out.

We opted to head there before going to Trader Joe’s for our weekly grocery trip since it’s never a good idea to go to the store with an empty stomach. Luckily the Georgetowner crepe I ordered was filled with freshly scrambled eggs, bacon and cheddar managed to fill up my tummy quite nicely. Elliot opted for the traditional Monsieur (ham and cheese) crepe. We were filling boring that morning, but if you are in the mood for something more adventurous you can get a crepe filled with a ton of different flavors and cuisines. The menu at Crepe Amour lists a mac & cheese crepe, a crepe with all the Thanksgiving fixings and a crepe filled with tandoori chicken.

If you are in the mood for a sweet treat you can find that as well. Elliot and I shared a crepe filled with Nutella and sprinkled with a generous amount of powdered sugar. To me it tasted exactly like the one I had while walking between museums in Paris, which I took to be a good sign. I opted to go the traditional route, but Amour offers a crepe called “Steve’s Job” that is stuffed with apples, almonds, cinnamon and caramel. If that doesn’t strike your fancy go with the “Nutty Buddy” that contains Nutella, peanut butter and crushed Reese’s cups. Talk about a sugar high.

Not only was the food at Crepe Amour fresh, hot and delicious; the food is also cheap. For 2 savory crepes and a sweet crepe we spent around $17. For an even better deal flash your student ID on a Monday and get ½ off all food.

Italian Paradise at Pizzeria Paradiso

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost six and a half years since my mom and sister helped me move into Letts Hall at American University. After hauling all my stuff into the dorm and sizing up my roommate I think we were all more than ready for a great meal. Even though I was new to the city I still had the foresight to do my research and find a great restaurant that would cater to me (the adventurous foodie), my sister (the picky eater) and my mother (who’ll eat anything). I had read great things about Pizzeria Paradiso, so off we went to Georgetown.

Although I don’t remember precisely what I ordered that night, I remember the lemonade that I tried. It was clearly made in-house and it was bubbly and tart and sweet. Yum. But, now that I am legally allowed to drink there are other drinks that draw me back, both to the location on M Street, and the locations in Dupont and Old Town Alexandria. Their beer list at Birreria Paradiso (also known as the bar) is quite impressive. Each location has at least 12 beers on a tap, a beer on cask and over 80 bottles in the large refrigerated cases behind the bar. Although the bar tends to be extremely crowded with people enjoying the suds or waiting for their table, the bartenders are helpful and will happily steer you toward something that will please your palette.

Pizzeria Paradiso the perfect casual restaurant to share a pizza, try a new panini or discover a new antipasti. The offerings range from traditional to the extraordinary, and 9 times out of 10 they nail the flavors and cook everything to perfection.

When you sit down you are greeted with a tiny bowl of various olives. Pizzeria Paradiso immediately wins my heart for ensuring that the olives still have their pits intact and supplying you with another bowl for the discarded insides.

The last time we were at the Dupont Circle location Elliot and I opted to go the traditional route and ordered bruschetta and an old fashioned Margarita pizza. Although the food came out a bit too fast for my liking, it was the perfect way to warm up on a Friday evening after a long cold week. The bruschetta was garlicky and topped with sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls and seasoned well with salt and pepper.

I believe the best way to judge a pizzeria is with a traditional cheese pizza. There are not toppings for the sauce and crust to hide behind. Luckily Pizzeria Paradiso does it right. The cheese comes out hot and bubbly and the sauce stays true to the tomato taste that is so ubiquitous in Italian cooking. If you are looking for a bit more variety when it comes to your pizza toppings, you will find everything from basil to pine nuts on the menu.

Just a quick final note – if you can belly up to the bar between 5 and 7pm on Monday and Tuesday you can enjoy ½ price draft beers and discounted pizzas and appetizers.

Sage, Rosemary, Basil and Thai - Guest Post

Growing up Hawaii is like growing up in a melting pot of many different cultures. The majority of the ethnic groups that have migrated there are Asian, thus influencing (along with many other things) cuisine. Asian spices, sauces, and rice are found at almost ever turn. On most corners, next to the McDonalds or Subway, is take out Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, sushi or another other of Asian food. Because of this, my comfort food isn’t a plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, but anything and everything involving rice.

As usual, in the middle of the week I had strong cravings for some sort of Asian food. While doing some shopping in Georgetown with a friend we made our way up Wisconsin Ave and found ourselves at Basil Thai. I had passed it many times, but never tried it.

Basil Thai opened its doors a few years ago, after Onie Sorapun, Janet Varee and Weena, three native Thai women, decided to embark on their adventure of opening their first restaurant. It is a smaller restaurant, about 4 or 5 blocks from the hustle and bustle of M Street. When we arrived for dinner around 7:15 there were only two other tables full.

When I go to a new Thai restaurant, I do as most people do when they are trying a new restaurant. I stick to the basics. For Thai, I think most would consider Pad Thai and some sort of curry to be the staple dishes. After a day of shopping, we were hungry enough to eat enough food to feed a small army, so it only made sense to order Crispy Chicken Wonton, as well as chicken Panang Curry, and Basil Thai’s version of Pad Thai.

The wontons came quickly after we ordered. The menu said that they were going to be minced chicken deep-fried in the wonton wrapper, and served with a sweet and sour sauce. Although fried wonton skin is delicious, there was very little chicken in the wonton, which was a little disappointing for a $6.95 appetizer.

Shortly after we finished our main entrees came out. The plate of Pad Thai looked so good that we each simply dug in with our chopsticks for the first bite, instead of putting some on our plate first. It was delicious. They put chicken, tofu, and a few shrimp in it, and it was very basic and traditional Pad Thai. As high of the mound of noodles was, there were no leftovers of the Pad Thai to take home.

My friend and I are both big fans of yellow curry, unfortunately Basil Thai didn’t have that on the menu, so the owner (who was also our waitress) suggested Panang. The curry was very flavorful, and we ordered it on the mild side. A word to the wise – mild still has a little bit of a kick for a person with a weak pallet when it comes to spice. Since I’d never had Panang curry, I’m sad to say I have no other places to compare it to, but the flavor was delicious and there was a lot of chicken in it.

Overall our meal at Basil Thai was a positive one. There were times when the service was slow, and had to ask for an extra bowl of rice multiple times, but the Pad Thai may have been some of the best I’ve ever had, and the ambiance of the small privately run restaurant created a unique experience in the heart of Georgetown.
__________________________
Zoe Edwards grew up in Hawaii and is currently living in DC where she is a journalism student at American University. Since she was eight, her goal has been to attend culinary school after graduating. Zoe enjoys spending her time cooking, and hanging out with friends and family.  You can follow her blog at: http://eatingthroughcollege.tumblr.com/.

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.



View Larger Map

A DC Institution

The very first restaurant that I ate at in DC is an experience I won't ever forget. My father and I left American University on that cold winter day, got in a cab and headed directly down Wisconsin Ave NW to Clyde's, a true DC institution.

Clyde's was founded in the early 60's, during the Kennedy administration. It was a perfect storm of the "youthful spirit" and the repeal of loca

l liquor laws that prompted Stuart Davidson to open Clyde's of Georgetown.

The restaurant has the feel of an old fashioned club, from the stained glass that greets you when you enter to the wood that accents every booth, table and corner. You half expect to (and you might) run into a junior Senator or an administration official. This is absolutely one of those places in the District where you can just imagine infamous back room deals being made over oysters and a glass of scotch.

Food here can only be described as classic American cuisine done well. There isn't anything out of the ordinary or crazy on the menu, but it is easy for everyone in a party to find something to eat that will tickle their taste buds. You can find anything from fresh lobster (currently less than $20 for one!) to a traditional turkey sandwich on sourdough. Clyde's strives to use fresh and seasonal ingredients, meaning the menus at each of their locations are constantly changing. Right now you can order a Maryland soft shell crab sandwich, but don't count on that being on the menu a few months from now when they are no longer being caught in the Chesapeake.

Clyde's is also a great place to order a few appetizers to share with a group of friends. You can't beat their crab dip, and I have been told that their buffalo chicken wings are to die for. It's the perfect location to head to before catching a game at the Verizon Center or when you need a break during your shopping spree in Georgetown.

image: clydes.com

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

Tackle Me

In my mind, Georgetown tends to be the land of mediocre food at astronomical prices. If one is looking for something a bit more affordable, the first restaurants that come to mind are Chipotle, Johnny Rockets, and a few other chains. But if you venture a bit farther down M Street, you will find a diamond in the rough.

Tackle Box is situated in the storefront next to it's big - and more expensive - sister restaurant, Hook. Don't think that just because it's less expensive is any less deserving of being eaten. Far from it. In fact, I will go out on a limb and say that it is one of my favorite "cheap eats" places in the city. You walk in and immediately feel at home. The wooden picnic tables feel cozy and the high stools give the place a classic and down-home vibe. The menu is even written on a large chalkboard! But, this isn't a place that you go to for the decor; you go for the food.

For $9, you get a meal consisting of one fish, one side and one sauce. If you want to up the ante, you can spring for another side for a grand total of $13. There are numerous fish choices that arrive either fried or grilled. For those of you who are anti-fish, there is also the option of chicken or a burger patty. My personal favorite is either the crispy shrimp or crispy catfish. For sides, you can choose to go healthy (i.e. grilled asparagus) or more traditional (i.e. mac & cheese). There are also seven choices of sauce ranging from traditional homemade tarter sauce to the lemon-garlic aioli. It's ultimately a personal decision as it all depends on what experience you are looking to have. Are you hoping to transport yourself to the a the coast of Maine or are you looking to have a meal that is reminiscent of a healthy dining experience one might have in Northern California?

If you save room - and don't mind spending a bit of extra money -get the blueberry pie. that is, if they haven't run out... which they do... a lot. This pie is fantastic and is absolutely worthy of all the praise and awards it has received. The blueberries are sweet and juicy, and there is something about the pie crust that reminds you of the homemade crust your grandmother used to make around the holidays.

Take my word for it: Tackle Box is simply delicious, especially when you look consider the chain alternatives nearby. Don't believe me? Just go try it. You'll thank me later.

images: capitolb.net and pievcake.com

Wired Up

I cannot remember exactly when I discovered Baked & Wired. It may have been sometime during my senior year of college, when I needed a place to disappear for awhile and get work done. Or maybe it was sometime after I came back from my semester abroad and was going to every coffee place in town trying (in vain) to find a cappuccino that came close to the one I could get on any street corner in Roma. But, I guess the when and why I found my secret (though it wouldn't remain so for long) hideaway doesn't really matter. What matters is how much I have grown to love this off-the-beaten-path gem in Georgetown. I come here a lot to get away from the craziness of DC, or just to sit and work on my computer for a few hours and use the free wireless internet.

Baked & Wired is located on Thomas Jefferson (off of M St. NW) about half-way down to the waterfront. The one defining characteristic of the storefront is its signature bright-pink bike that is constantly parked outside. It's a cheery welcoming that entices you to walk over and see what is inside. And, oh the inside it has. The decor isn't anything overly special, but that isn't very important. What is baked and brewed there is what truly matters.

I guess I should start with the coffee, since that is what drew me there in the first place. They serve a full-bodied brew that is roasted by Counter Culture Coffee in North Carolina. First of all, the coffee always smells and tastes amazing. Second of all, the baristas really know what they are doing and treat brewing coffee as an art. No matter whether I'm hanging around and have my coffee in a ceramic mug or if I am taking it to-go in a paper cup, they always take the time to make beautiful rosettas (designs) with the hot milk.

And the baked goods - oh the baked goods. Merely walking into the place could put you in a sugar coma, once you see all of their offerings. Throughout the past few years, I have had the opportunity to try many pastries: from their cupcakes to their brownies to their cookies. Yet, without a doubt, my favorite are their doughnut muffins, which only appear in small batches twice a week. [You can follow Baked & Wired on Twitter to find out their daily offerings.] So, what are you waiting for? Go get baked! Or wired! Or both!

images: seriouseats.com and thedeconstructiveblogger.com