Ages ago, I edited the august Mamaroneck High School Globe. Our best-read feature: a monthly "Hot List," known for its witty rankings and category titles. For this post on a few D.C. eateries I've visited lately, I'll borrow my favorite "Hot List" titles, coined, if memory serves, by my friend Marianne Fichtel.
De La Soul:
Montmartre, a classy French joint in Eastern Market (
327 7th St. SE). It's not cheap; my brunch panini (above), with prosciutto, spinach, bell peppers, roasted tomatoes, mozzarella and pesto set me back $12. But it has a great patio, and it's just half a block from all the handicrafts.
Fillet of Sole:
El Paraiso, Salvadoran
pupusería south of U St. (1916 14th St. NW). I've visited twice, and I still have not had time to even read the entire menu. Recommendation: the half-priced appetizers in the late afternoon, including
pupusas revueltas con queso and
yuca con chicharron curtido.Seoul, that place in Korea:
Spice Express Indian Bistro (1020 19th St. NW), south of Dupont. A decent, quick and cheap option (two curries with basmati rice cost $7) if you want a break from burritos. If you don't, try
The Well Dressed Burrito in a nearby alleyway. I haven't stopped by yet, but everyone seems to love
its menu, or at least saying its name.
De La Soul:
Penang, Malaysian eats (1837 M St. NW). I don't normally hype chain restaurants, but this one just opened and it's in Harvard Square as well, so it got me nostalgic. The decor is frigidly modern, but the complimentary soup at lunch today more than compensated. Lunch entrees include a choice of appetizer, including Penang satay.
Fillet of Sole:
Saki (2477 18th St. NW)/
Kababji Grill (1351 Connecticut Ave. NW). Both mediocre, but together, I suppose, worthy of a "filet of sole" ranking. Sushi is half-priced in early evening, but not memorable. Kababji is a bit expensive, but I'm told it's a hip global chain, so I suppose, as a foreign affairs student, I should just say I dig it.
Seoul, that place in Korea:
La Frontera Cantina (1633 17th St. NW), Dupont East. I gave a second chance to this pretty unremarkable, somewhat overpriced, heavy-on-the-melted-gloppy-cheese Mexican restaurant. There will not be a third.
It's rumored that Neil K. Shenai haunts Dupont's Le Pain Quotidien ("PQ" to its "friends"), at 2001 P St. NW, and Bistrot du Coin ("BDC" to Shenai), at 1738 Connecticut Ave. NW, simply to show off how well he pronounces their names. Guest-blogging at Pipón here, he makes the case that the food is the bigger factor.