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The other night I had the opportunity to make a second trip to the Italian Restaurant - Spezie. Located downtown on L Street, this restaurant is not worth a third trip. In fact, other than the authentic Italian camerieri, this restaurant was bland, slow and too expensive.
High: The pumpkin ravioli with crushed amaretto cookies sprinkled on top.
Low: The $200 check for a meal for three - and no alcohol was ordered!
Advice: If you are walking down L Street to head to Spezie, just keep on walking and hold your wallets close, you are bound to lose a few bucks if you walk in there!
Overall grade: D-
Situated on the corner of Connecticut and Q Street is a relatively new restaurant-by-night, coffee-by-morning place called CIRCA. I used to be a patron of wrapworks when they lived there, so I thought it was about time I stop looking in the windows and try this new tenant out.
The first time I went to CIRCA, I ordered a glass of the Australian Pinot Noir and the Margarita Pizza. Simplicity is my main ingredient when eating late at night.
Eating for one, I was right in thinking I wouldn't have a hard time getting a table. I walked in and the polite hostess sate me right away. Although I didn't care for the location, right near the end of the bar and kitchen, I did have a plug that I could access to take notes and work on a few things, so I was happy.
Let me begin by saying the atmosphere at CIRCA is very pleasant. Although the space sometimes seems cramped the staff does a very good job of spoiling you while you are a guest at their restaurant. I never had to ask for a refill, as the waiter had a keen eye to know when I was about to ask. It is a delicate balance between drowning a customer in water refills and leaving them in drought conditions while at the table. The staff at CIRCA had it down to an art.
The wine. Ah, the wine. In vino veritas and this is the absolute veritas. This Australian Pinot Noir has to be one of the best I have had. Within seconds of tasting it, I was breathing a better air of relaxation all around me. The anxiety of having to do late night work just went away with one sip. It also packs quite a punch on an empty stomach, so don't be surprised if you are a little tipsy after one glass.
The food. The pizza was so-so. I have certainly had better at 2AMYs or Pizzeria Paradiso.
The atmosphere. This restaurant may have been the better ones for people watching, my alter ego job. Beautiful people all around telling interesting stories that your ear can only carry a few at a time. Sitting there having dinner I felt like I could get up, walk around the room, gather business cards and walk home with a movie idea, a book deal, an art showcase, a campaign secret and even a scandal or two. The place was buzzing. The only thing I had a hard time understanding was the playing of Xmen on the large flat screen television mounted on the back wall. Not sure what that was about, as it just seemed out of place.
Overall assessment. I would have to give CIRCA an A(-). Definitely worth a return visit or two. Definitely a place I recommend to my friends. I have yet to try them early morning for coffee. Maybe they can give me that really definition of barista, you know the one that Starbucks butchers with their terrible customer service. Cappuccinos anyone?
The other day I went to Zengo, the Japanese for Give and Take restaurant in Gallery Place/Chinatown. I have to say that I really liked the atmosphere, although I am not sure about the loaves of bread that hang from the ceiling and are strewed about the walls, like some sort of art project gone bad. In fact, while having my meal, my eyes kept focusing on what seemed to be stale rolls hung on the wall with nails. I was quite impressed with the service, the food and the overall atmosphere. I do have a few complaints though. Namely, they don't sit you until your entire party is there. This annoys me, because I like to get to places early, and I like to read or do e-mail while I wait for my party to arrive. This was not an option for me at Zengos. The hostess was less than pleasant as well. The waiter was great and their drinks were great. The food seemed to be very small portions, but I was pleasantly surprised at how filling they were. Price was prohibitive, but aren't all the Gallery Place restaurants? I am not sure I would go back on my own dime, but it seems to be a good spot for a company sponsored happy hour or dinner. Overall, I would give it a B plus.
Another long work day followed by a happy hour at La Tasca - Gallery Place. I got there a little early and figured I would reward myself with a nice cold long neck bottle of something that reminds me of the far away beaches.
It went a little something like this:
-"G'day mate, what can I get you?" [Yes, the bartender was Australian]
-"I will have a Corona, please."
I proceed to put a five on the bar, thinking to myself, it can't be more than four dollars, and a buck for tip is plenty.
He takes the five, rings it up and gives me the five back.
-"That'll be $5.23."
-"How much?! $5.23 for this? You have got to be kidding me."
I reluctantly lay out six bucks and try not to take it out on the Aussie who is just working for tips.
Needless to say, I savored every cent of that Corona, lime and all. Okay, so I admit, I am a bit frugal. Nothing ruins my evening more than paying high fare for cheap beer. The only thing worse would have been having to pay cover to get in to pay for bad beer. La Tasca is on my s-list now.
My first FORK DC blog entry. After a long day at work...we are talking 11.5 hours, I decided to walk home from Farragut North, near my office. On my way, I walked by this new restaurant experience known as Vapiano Pasta Pizza Bar.
I have to admit, when I walked in and had to receive a briefing before dinner, just on how to order dinner, I was a little turned off. But, hell, I had a long day and the idea of having a steaming bowl of fresh pasta, made right in front of me, was truly appealing.
So, I get the briefing. I am handed a nice little credit card type thing and I am told to go to my station for either pasta, pizza or salad. There, I was to place my order, and simply hand the card over to the chef who would scan it to add to my bill. Simple enough. Well of course, I had to get a glass of wine and a bottle of San Pellegrino, because I am spoiling myself this evening.
So, here it goes...my first DC restaurant review. I have no idea on the protocol for a proper review, but who cares.
Atmosphere: A (-) minus - nice setup with comfortable metropolitan mix of Asian fusion decor with an art decco twist. The music was WAY TOO LOUD. I am a big fan of the big chalkboard with tips and funny phrases above the food stations. My favorite was the like that said "There is nothing like good food, good wine and a bad girl." My kind of place.
Food: B (+) plus. Well, I have to say I was impressed with the Arrabiatta's kick - since I like my food spicy. However, they were out of Penne noodles, and let's be honest, nothing goes better with arrabbiatta than penne.
Service: A (-) minus. I had a hard time hearing the chef while he talked over the loud music.
Price: I can't grade the price just yet, since I am sitting here writing this blog entry at the restaurant and I have no idea how much my bill totals. I kind of feel like it is that cruise ship set up where you just swipe your card as you go, drinking away your evening - only to be presented with a bill that is more than the entire cost of the voyage on the seas! All kidding aside, I have no idea what the damage will be when I leave here. I know I cringed when I saw that the San Pellegrino was $2.25 for an eight ounce bottle. Sacco di soldi!
Update: My bill was $25.00 - for pasta, a glass of wine and a bottle of San Pellegrino.
Chances I will talk about this place with my friends at work tomorrow: HIGH - overall, I really like the idea/concept and the staff was very nice. The bartender carded me, so I tipped her an extra few bucks. You gotta love feeling young in the city!
Final Thoughts: I think this could be a really fun place to bring a group of friends, split some salads, pizze (yes I spelled it with an 'e' - that is the proper Italian plural for pizza) and pasta...oh and get drunk. On all sides of me, there are beautiful ladies getting plastered. I think I just heard a shriek on my left.
