Have you Chop't lately?

This is what I do when I don't bring a lunch to work.

1. I get a little excited on the inside that I HAVE to go out for lunch.
2. I get on Chop't's website to plan an awesomely healthy salad.
3. I write the choppings that I want on a sticky note. Yes, I write them down.
4. I look out the window of my office, and assess the line at Chop't, which is usually out the door.
5. I wait in the ridiculous long lines despite their length.
6. In line, I change my mind about a dozen times.
7. I get my salad, pay, and hope that I get a free soda that day on my card...or maybe even a free salad (but THAT I would have known and planned for in advance.)
8. I steal extra salt and pepper packets that I keep at my desk, in case of emergencies.
9. I walk briskly back to my office anticipating my new creation.
10. I discuss with my co-workers what I got, and why we love Chop't so much.
11. I eat it. Usually all of it. And I love it. A LOT.
12. Lastly, I sit at my desk and wish I had created the concept of Chop't.


I love everything about it. The idea, the restaurant set-up, the lettuce options, the way it's chopped, and mostly, the dressings! The one pictured above is really good. It was a mixture of romaine and spinach, chopped with bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, fried onions, and cucumbers. I topped it off with their Spa Dijon dressing, which is a mere 30 calories per serving and delicious.

Unfortunately, Chop't is only located in NYC and DC. So if you're ever around, I suggest you check it out.

I just started following the owners on Twitter. That's what they call devotion...or obsessed.

A diamond in the rough: mussels, frites and beer

My roommate, Maggie, and I recently discovered this website, LivingSocial, and let's just say it has become my new favorite thing and perhaps my largest expense as of recent. The deal is that you buy these coupons from LivingSocial, which LivingSocial bought from restaurants/boutiques/salons/etc. in your city, and you usually get a decent discount. You also have approximately 6 months to use them, depending on the coupon. Sound too good to be true?

It's true. I swear. We tried it!

Our first purchase: a 25$ coupon for 50$ worth of food at Granville Moore's . And let me just tell you, this place really is a diamond in the rough, that is if you like mussels and good beer. The Belgian restaurant is located on H Street, an up-and-coming (if you will) area of DC. The narrow, pub-like restaurant probably holds about 30 people. When we arrived, of course, all of the rugged, wooden tables were full, along with the bar. The tiny back patio, which is where we managed to score a table, definitely did not scream up-scale dining. There were a few random tables with mismatching chairs that looked like they had been picked up from a garage sale.

But the food...oh my...the food was tip-top! I have had good mussels and I love a good beer, and this place is definitely worth every penny that you spend...coupon or no coupon.



We started our meal with appetizers. Two actually: the Fried Risotto Cakes and the Crab Croquettes. Necessary? Absolutely not. One...because they weren't all that amazing. Fried food is fried food. And second, I would probably never get an appetizer again because the mussels (plus the dipping bread) and frites were plenty. But we had a coupon...so why not?

Then there were mussels, our sole reason for being there. Maggie and I had the Moules Navigateur. They were spectacular...and really spicy, which I love. They were so spicy that I had to take long breaks in between and my face was breaking out in a sweat! I would get them again, but I am dying to try all the other options too. I did, however, get to try the Moules Moroccan because Jon had them (sharing makes decision making so much less troublesome.) They were also delicious, especially because of the extra treat...sausage.

I have to say though, one of my favorite parts were the frites. I contemplated giving up french fries for lent, but then decided that was not feasible. Not only were there frites, but there was an array of dipping sauces. I love condiments of all sorts. My go-to is ranch, but when you add options like Truffle Aioli and Horseradish Creme and Garlic Ranch and Chipotle Mayo...I get overwhelmed. We, of course, had 5 dipping sauces. For the record, I do think that the Garlic Ranch won.

OK. I'm done raving.

Cheers!

Zengo

The following menu from the asian-latin fusion restaurant Zengo:

Mojito de Mango
Thai Chicken Empanadas
Charred Tuna Wonton Tacos
Chipotle-Miso Soup
Wok Tossed Rice Noodles
Pork Belly Steamed Buns
Roasted Scallops al Mojo de Ajo
Wakame-Hijiki Seaweed Salad


annnnddd...dessert!:

Lemon Yuzu Cake
Mexican Chocolate Tarte
Churros Y Chai

701 Restaurant

This is the only picture that we got from 701 Restaurant, thanks to my crafty co-worker, Sarah. When we walked in the lights were dim and everything was very elegant...probably not the place to be snapping pictures! So this is all you get. And I'm sorry about that because the food was amazing. I was pleasantly surprised. Most of my Restaurant Week experiences have been good, but not really memorable. My entree reminded of a dish I had in Philadelphia at a restaurant called Alma de Cuba . It was a salmon dish with a lentil and banana salad. It was one of the most memorable dishes I had ever had. My experience at 701 Restaurant was very similar. I had the Rice Crusted Sea Bass. 1. I love Sea Bass. 2. It included pureed cauliflower and I love cauliflower in all forms. It may, however, be at its best when pureed. And, of course, if you add enough butter, cream and salt, anything will taste amazing. This cauliflower had so much of those oh-so-healthy ingredients that it tasted just like mashed potatoes. I actually asked the waiter if it was cauliflower or mashed potatoes. His response "Yes, it is cauliflower. They put it though this machine...." He did not have to go any further. I got the idea. The dish also included lentils, golden raisins, eggplant, chickpeas and a curry emulsion. It was delicious! Bottom line....701 Restaurant is a must-go restaurant, if in DC.

a good day for a good meal

Today was a bit stressful. It started with the DC metro, my nemesis. While I absolutely love public transportation, the fact that I am car-less, and that my job provides me with a monthly transportation allowance, I hate the metro. And yes, it is "metro" here...not subway...not train. (And no, I am not a DC native, but very few of us are.) The pushing and shoving is difficult to adapt to. I guess it is a good thing I don't live in New York City! But sometimes, its either the tourists or, as my co-worker referred to them as, "local morons" that can really put a damper on the rest of your day. So I created a list with some guidelines for riding the metro, not in necessarily any order. Read them, learn them and live them.

1. Please stand on the right side of the escalators. PLEASE. Some of us like to walk up and down and when you stand on all sides there is a lot of unnecessary bopping and weaving required. If we can't even bob and weave around you, then we can't move, and we may miss the next train.

2. If you are visiting and want to see all the amazing monuments and museums, take a cab or walk. If you have a dying need to experience the metro because you're from the 'burbs, do not even attempt during rush hours. Thanks.

3. The metro constructed these amazing poles inside the train cars so that everyone can hold on and not fall over. They were not put there so that you could lean your entire body against it. This is especially true when the metro is crowded. (And yes, you would assume this was all common sense, but let me tell you, it is apparently not.)

4. When the metro is crowded, and people need to get off at their stop, everyone blocking the door needs to remove themselves. If that means getting of the train, then I suggest you get off. It is likely a DC local will yell at you if you do not.

5. While the train is moving, it is not necessary to annoy everyone else and ram into them so that you can get closer to the door because you have to get off soon. You will get off...trust me, I have never missed a stop!

6. If you are wearing a massive backpack...you suck.

7. Watch and observe someone using their metro card. It will save you, and me, a lot of hassle.

8. When the platform is crowded, please do not run to the front of the line. That's just not fair!

9. Walk faster.

10. Turn down your music. We do not ALL want to listen to it.

11. If the line you are riding is delayed, wait a few trains. They will come every 2 or so minutes. I promise! Please do not shove yourself in. It makes for a super unpleasant ride.

12. Deodorant is a wonderful thing.


Ok, I think that is all I have, but I am sure there are a few others that other disgruntled metro riders would be more than willing to share with you!

OH...I thought of another one. Just came to me.

13. Do not jump into the tracks. That would be great.

Now I'm really done.

Do I dare divulge the rest of my day? Lets just say it involved an eye appointment, paying a lot of money, not understanding why, being ridiculously confused by my insurance company's coverage and their website, and then having blurry vision for 4 hours...all while knowing that today is not the end of it because I still have to actually order the contacts that I do not yet have a prescription for. UGH.

Luckily, it's restaurant week here in DC which I started planning for weeks ago. I actually made 4 or 5 reservations knowing that I would later cancel most of them. I'm not always on top of everything, but this I can do! Tonight, my co-workers and I are going to 701 Restaurant. We have been trying to decide what to get all day. Sad...I know.

Here's the menu...


Dinner Appetizers

Black Bass Ceviche
orange, red onion, avocado, cucumber, mint

Roasted Beet Salad
granny smith apples, walnuts, goat cheese, orange yogurt

Grilled Scallops
butternut squash puree, grapes, oranges, capers, balsamic brown butter
$3 Surcharge

Baby Greens
stayman apples, manchego cheese, red onion, radish, mustard vinaigrette

Clam 'Chowder'
smoked potato gnocchi, manila clams, prosciutto, bacon, oyster crackers



Dinner Entrees

Baked Potato Raviolis
cheddar cheese, scallions, malt vinegar onions


Roasted Pork Tenderloin
braised red cabbage, winter vegetables, whole grain mustard sauce

Braised Beef Short Rib Rigatoni
cremini mushrooms, tomato, shaved parmesan, whipped ricotta

Rice Crusted Striped Bass
lentils, chickpeas, spiced eggplant, golden raisins, cauliflower puree, curried emulsion

Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Breast
creamy polenta, collard greens, scallions, gravy

Scottish Salmon
potato puree, roasted fennel, swiss chard, preserved lemon, coffee hazelnut vinaigrette



Dinner Desserts

Brown Butter Feuilletine Blondie
soft chocolate ganache, sesame seed brittle

Lemon Cheesecake Miroir
lemon cheesecake with gingerbread crust, lemon bavarain, lemon miroir

Chocolate Bete Noir
flourless chocolate cake with blood orange marmalade

Apple Buckwheat Shortcake
apple, dried cherry and fig compote with fresh whipped cream

Banana Pudding Profiteroles
banana cream puffs with bittersweet caramel sauce, almond toffee


I'm fairly certain that whatever I choose, and of course the drink I decide to get, will make the this morning seem like a piece of "Lemon Cheesecake Miroir." Too corny??

To be continued (minus the ranting)......