Overstuffed pita

I have no "food finds" to report. Saying I'd "discovered" restaurants in the few times I've left the library over the last few months would be tantamount to recommending the Washington Monument as an off-the-beaten path tourist destination. But at least I've managed to begin to sample this city's restaurant scene, and so I've got a few capsule reviews to offer.

• The Amsterdam Falafelshop, in Adams Morgan (2425 18th Street NW), is often crowded and essentially only serves falafel in pita and Dutch-style fries. Yet its menu is delightfully diverse, refreshingly inexpensive and definitely worth the wait. That's thanks to the 21 sauces and toppings at the condiment bar, where customers construct their sandwiches Middle Eastern style. Pipón Tip: The homemade, made-to-order falafel balls are delicious, but they take up a lot of real estate in the pita, so you have to be strategic in assembling toppings and avoid feeling pressured to rush by the crush of customers cheek by jowl on line.
• Speaking of Middle Eastern eats, I finally stopped by Skewers, next to Bua, a Thai restaurant on P Street, between 16th and 17th, after passing it 1,000 times on my way to and from classes. I was happy to find pleasant balcony seating and to see foole, a traditional Egyptian dish made of slow cooked fava beans, on the menu. The baba gannouj and hummus spreads were tasty, and they are offered as sides to accompany the "light combination" platters, such as the lamb kufta kabob I ordered. Pipón Tip: Be aware that I'm pretty sure the owners are Bangladeshi, not Middle Eastern, and the menu weirdly includes South Asian preparations that don't quite match the theme.
• The Polo India Club, at 1736 Connecticut Avenue NW in Dupont, is mostly useful for its location, on a downtown stretch by plenty of bars for after-dinner merrymaking. My began bharta (eggplant roasted in a tandoor with onion and herbs) was the least flavorful Indian food I've encountered.
  
• On the other hand, there is plenty of flavor in many of the dozens of small plates at Mezè, a well-known Turkish tapas joint at 2437 18th St NW in Adams Morgan. Pipón Tip: Try the döner kebab and chicken livers.
• Also try Taqueria Distrito Federal, a little-known Mexican restaurant in Columbia Heights/Petworth, at 3463 14th St. NW. There's patio seating, a choice of meats that includes carne asada, chorizo and barbacoa chivo (goat), and a great selection of Jarritos soda. Mexico City is known to Mexicans as the "Distrito Federal," but in D.C., this restaurant's name takes on a double meaning. Clever, authentic (pozole is served on weekends) and delicious.
• Final recommendation: Zorba's Cafe, at 1612 20th St. NW, a casual (read: cafeteria style, grab your tray from the kitchen) but inexpensive, centrally located, tasty Greek joint with a great patio and a traditional, but extensive menu.