Best Thing I Ever Ate : Ippudo NY

Ippudo NY

website

65 4th Avenue

New York, NY 10003-5220

I had read about this restaurant on the Travel Channel and The Food Network. We attempted to go for lunch, but there was a 45 minutes wait. So we tried again at dinnertime, this time we faced an hour wait, but figured it was worth it. And it 100% was worth the wait. It's a Japanese Ramen noodle chain, with it's first American chain in New York City. 

We started with the Hiarata Buns with pork. They were seriously to die for. Best pork bun I've ever tasted, hands down! And being half-Chinese, I've tasted a lot of pork buns. The boyf doesn't necessarily love pork, and hates mayonnaise, but LOVED these! The bun was the softest I've ever felt or tasted. It literally melted in my mouth. The "original spicy buns sauce" added the perfect amount of spice. And the lettuce added a great crunch to round out the appetizer. And the pork was perfectly cooked and flavored. Oh man, these were out of this world good. 

Next up was the Ramen. We got the "Karaka Kogashi Miso Ramen", or spicy Miso. It had a great charred flavor with a good amount of spice. It was really delicious! We also got the "Shoyu Ramen", soy flavored Ramen. It was also really good! I added some spicy broth to this to add some flavor and spice. The noodles were perfectly cooked, and apparently are made downstairs. And they give you this huge soup spoon, which is really fun. Now I need to find where I can buy them! 

We also got sake which came in really fun shot glasses with boxes around them! The atmosphere at Ippudo is really fun. It's upscale, but also relaxed. There are separated booths, and communal tables around a fire. The waitresses all yell in Japanese, I think they yell Thank you and Goodbye, when people are leaving, but it's really fun to hear and watch. I loved this place, and will definitely try to go back everytime I'm in NYC!

Best Thing I Ever Ate : Katz's Delicatessen

Katz's Deli

website

205 East Houston Street

NY 10002

I had seen this place on multiple shows (Best Thing I Ever Ate, Man vs. Food, etc) so I knew I wanted to grab a sandwich. The place is crazy, the line was out the door when we left. There are 4 lines at each deli slicer, and no one really knows what they are doing. You get a ticket when you walk in and they write what you get at each station. First you get a sandwich, then go to another counter for fries, then another for drinks. It was a mess! But once you figured it out, it worked. 

The boyf and I split a Corned Beef sandwich as they looked huge. And we made a good decision, I barely ate 1/4 of it! It was filled with about 10 layers of corned beef. It normally comes on Rye, but since I'm not a fan, we got it on a sub roll. The sandwich was massive, but really delicious! It came with a plate of home-made pickles which tasted more like cucumbers, but were good.

The other famous sandwich there is the Pastrami, which we will probably get next time. Overall it was a fun experience to see where "Harry met Sally" and all the famous people's pictures on the wall. The deli came up on both our boat and bus tour, so I'm glad I can say I have been and have tasted the humongous sandwiches! 

Best Thing I Ever Ate: Shake Shack

Shake Shack

website

Multiple locations in NYC

I heard about this place from 2 friends, one of whom lived in New York City for 5 years. So we made it a point to make it here for a meal. The menu is fairly simple: burgers, hot dogs, fries, frozen custard and milkshakes. We got a burger, fries, and a strawberry milkshake. It was really delicious! 

The burger was a manageable size, which I loved. The pickles were extremely seasoned, which were a little strong by themselves, but took the burger to a whole new level. The crinkle fries were really fun and crispy. And the strawberry milkshake was really creamy and delicious. The place gets really crowded so looking for a table could be difficult if you have a larger group. But the atmosphere is fun. Upon further review of the menu, we spotted the "Great White Way" concrete with vanilla custard, marshmallow sauce, and crispy crunchies and might have ordered it later if we weren't stuffed. There is also a "Preztel! Concrete" with chocolate custard, peanut butter sauce, chocolate covered pretzels, and marshmallow sauce. YUM! Definitely getting one of those next time. But I would highly recommend stopping by this place for a great burger and shake! 

Best Thing I Ever Ate: Vienna Inn

Vienna Inn

120 East Maple Ave

Vienna, VA, 22180

website

Growing up in Chantilly, I was always hearing about Vienna Inn and how good the chili dogs were, but I never got around to trying it. It is a semi-famous hole in the wall and once you walk in you immediately know that you are in for a treat. The family style tables were filled with families and friends all there to enjoy bar food and beer. It's a little confusing if you have never been, so we awkwardly sat ourselves and waited to see what would happen. We ordered food and were told that beverages are self-serve. An interesting concept because you then have to tell the cashier what you ordered. The friendly neighborhood atmosphere gives this bar/restaurant its charm.

We tried the chili cheese dog, chili cheese fries and onion rings. All delicious and would highly recommend it all (especially to diners drive-ins and dives).

If you are in the mood for a fun/refreshing dining experience, hit up Vienna Inn. It's a couple minutes down 66 just gotta watch out for rush hour.

xoxo A [bloggy sis] (Who really sucks at taking pictures- JK love you!)

The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Pupatella

Pupatella

5104 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, VA

I was searching around for fun new restaurants and stumbled across a fun dc blog about all the best pizza places! I was also in the mood for something pretty cheap/fast and Pupatella is right down the street! It used to be a pizza cart but now is a full restaurant.

The fried risotto ball was super hot and crunchy, pretty delicious. White pizza with mushrooms + brie was tasty, but a little lacking. The house-made salami tasted like feet and I definitely DO NOT recommend trying this pizza.

The best thing at Pupatella that we tried was the fried calzone. The dough was sweet and tasted almost like a funnel cake but filled with cheesy goodness - doesn't sound like it would go together, but somehow it works!

Overall I would recommend Pupatella for a quick meal and good brick-oven pizza. Something with red sauce would probably be a safe choice... xoxo A

Best Thing I Ever Ate: Restaurant Week!

WOOOO! DC Restaurant Week! LOVE. My favorite way to experience a restaurant is to bring a group and sample many things on the menu. I am a BIG sharer, prob bc I have shared everything with my twin my whole life! If you haven't heard of Restaurant Week, it's a week where expensive restaurants have a fixed menu for cheaper. Lunch is $20.11 and Dinner is $35.11. You need to make reservations a couple weeks in advance (Check Open Table) as places fill up quick.

For Winter 2011 I am going to...
West End Bistro by Eric Ripert
Vermillion
Potenza
(look for reviews to come)

My friends are always asking me for suggestions/reviews on restaurants around the area, so I have gone through the 2011 RW list and given my brief thoughts... Of course I encourage you all to experience them for yourselves! Restaurants are judged/remembered depending on three components: food, atmosphere, and service. A restaurant can't be considered GREAT unless it nails all three. If one of the components are lacking, it affects the overall experience. I have marked the restaurants that I think are great values for the prix-fixe menus (*). Get reservations early! I know I'm late with these reviews, but hopefully it will help in the future!

Over the past couple of years I have been to these places for Restaurant Week:
*Acadiana: tasty, interesting, good pick for RW
Ardeo + Bardeo: cool place, great wine bar next door, would go for a random dinner night
Asia Nine: bland, boring, but was also there right when it opened
Cedar: reviews seem to be hit or miss, but this was a good experience
*Ceiba: latin-fusion, great dishes, interesting menu, go for RW or happy hour!
*Co Co. Sala: supposed to have a great brunch menu, this restaurant and chocolate "boutique" is definitely worth trying for RW or any other time
*i Ricchi: homemade pasta is AMAZING, delicious food, old school atmosphere/decor
*J&G Steakhouse: love the W, really liked this restaurant
*Mie N Yu: great pick for RW as I would prob have not gone here otherwise, food was good!
*Oya: super delicious! chic atmosphere, good pick for RW
*PS7: great restaurant, would definitely recommend

Sonoma Restaurant + Wine Bar: nothing spectacular, go for the wines
Zentan: service was a little lacking last time, but good food and atmosphere, sushi was delish

Have been to these (but not for Restaurant Week)
*2941: in a random office building in falls church, overpriced for what you get, but still delicious!
*Art & Soul: haven't been back since I wrote the cocktail list (LONG story) but Art Smith has a great reputation
Asian Spice: not good, tried to stick too many cuisines under one roof
Belga Cafe: authentic belgian food + beers, fun place in Capital Hill
*Birch & Barley: went for Valentine's day and had a tasting menu + beer pairings, would recommend this place for RW or a random special occasion
*Cafe Atlantico: great for lunches or dinners, all of José Andrés' restaurants are solid. (Michael Voltaggio cooked for me here!)
Chef Geoffs: great for lunches or a big group
Chima: brazilian steakhouse, eat till you drop.
Columbia Firehouse: in Old Town, more casual but great menu and atmosphere
DC Coast: thought it was just ok, haven't been in years
District Chophouse: super casual, great lunch place in Chinatown
Hook: good atmosphere, pretty good food, nothing too special
Jaleo: i'm not a huge fan of lime, ceviche, or tomatoes which is all over the menu. interesting foods, would recommend if you haven't been
La Tasca: great for big groups/special occassions on a casual night
Liberty Tavern: wish they would put the pizza with an egg back on the menu, great for HHs and dinners!
Lyon Hall: very interesting menu, extensive beer list
Me Jana: delicious lebanese
Melting Pot: SO much food, I promise I will only order cheese and dessert (next time...)
Oyamel: small plates, similar to la tasca but a little more upscale
*Paolo's: would love to go back here, everything was super tasty!
*PassionFish: in reston, ok, nothing spectacular
*Poste: have been for lunch, but need to go back for dinner, might begood for RW?
*Rasika: upscale indian, great introduction for those who "don't like" indian food. fab place.
SEI: (sushi/asian) went the first week it opened and had an ok experience, would be willing to give it another try
*Tallula: thought it was overpriced but delicious, prob would be good for RW
TenPenh: americanized chinese food. this half chinesey is not impressed.
*Willow: thought it was overrated, but people love it
Zatinya: small plates, great for groups or dates, maybe not for RW
*Zengo: can be casual or upscale, have been many times and have been impressed, they offer basically the whole menu for RW

Have added these to the list for my next food adventures:
**Adour: I DIE - have been dying to go here since it opened
**Blue Duck Tavern: definiely on my list
Carmine's: new addition to DC from NY, family style italian portions are calling my name (but not for RW)
*Cuba Libre: brand new in Chinatown, going to go soon!
*Farmers & Fishers: have been hearing good things recently, I am usually a little biased to Waterfront restaurants as they are typically overrated
Filomena: still haven't been! want to.
Gordon Biersch: casual, great garlicky fries and always good food
Kinkeads: DC staple that I have yet to visit
Masa 14: small plates, want to go!
Policy: have had a groupon forever!
*Trummers on Main: supposed to be really good, but when will I ever bein Clifton?


xoxo A

Ray's the Steaks

Ray's the Steaks

2300 Wilson Blvd

Arlington, VA 22209

703-841-7297

For my birthday this year I wanted to cross off a local, well-known, always mentioned favorite: Ray's the Steaks in Arlington. This has been on my list forever and it was the perfect treat for this special occasion. Note: always make a reservation. Even on a Wednesday night at 8pm, there was a 45 minute wait, but it was completely worth it. We started off with deviled eggs stuffed with steak tartare which had very interesting flavors and a pretty presentation. As scary as raw meat can seem, this dish is delicious! The crab bisque was also amazing and reminded me of the classic New England flavors which we have grown up on.

Found: Washingtonian

We tried the ribeye and bourbon/molasses glazed flat iron, both cooked perfectly medium rare. The steaks have extra char and distinct grill marks which give it an extra smoky flavor. The menu explains how they pick and prepare their steaks as well as recommendations on tenderness, the best temperature to enjoy each cut, and a diagram of which part of the cow your dinner comes from. AWMP! The velvety mashed potatoes and tasty creamed spinach comes free and are the perfect compliments to the massive steaks.

Ray's the Steaks is a must in the area and lived up to my expectations. The bottle of pinot noir, glass of chardonnay, and glass of prosecco were perfect for toasting and enjoying the night! xoxo A

P.S. The sister sucks at remembering to take pictures. 

Asian Kitchen : Best Thing I Ever Ate

Here is my sisters first segment of:

See more info here. 

Asian Kitchen

(see website)

This is one of Michelle's favorites and was a suggestion from her. It is a new restaurant in Arlington off 29 by the Harris Teeter which serves chinese+ japanese + sushi. The building used to be a pizza hut, the recognizable roof fits right in with the asian decor. Made me feel like I was at my grandma's house or China Garden(our favorite place for dim sum). The service is good, sushi is delicious, prices are reasonable, with tons of special rolls that you won't find anywhere else. We shared the:
*Taiko: crunchy scallops, masago with japanese mayonnaise, topped with spicy tuna
*Yami Yami: tempura shrimp, masago, avacado crabstick, cream cheese, and cucumber roll. Then the whole thing is deep fried!
*Hairy Mexican: fried shrimp, avacado, spicy sauce, topped with crabstick
*NY Yankee & Alvin: (specials - not listed online)

They were all super delicious and I highly recommend trying this sushi place!

PS, I went to Asian Kitchen last night for my birthday dinner! I love the sushi so much, we pretty much go every Friday night. And they gave me a dessert called Moshi? I could pick from a couple different flavors, and chose Strawberry. It was rice paper around strawberry ice cream. It was really delicious!! 

Best Thing I Ever Ate : Intro

My sister works in catering, and everyone always asks her which restaurants to go to, and what she recommends. She has agreed to do a little guest blogging! I've named it:

So here she is:
"The DC area has SO many good restaurants, it's impossible to try them all... but that won't stop me from trying! From amazing celeb chefs, local favorites, ethnic cuisines, and neighborhood gems, there are great options for everyone!

When I started working in the F&B industry, I was drawn into the world of hot new restaurants, fine wines, innovative cocktails, and amazing food! As soon as I crossed a couple off my list, I would find more to add to my want-to-try list. In an attempt to find "The Best Thing I ever ate... 20 something edition", I try to schedule a new restaurant once a week. So stayed tuned for my guest blog spot on great restaurants around the area."