Sandwich Bored
If bologna's fat Italian father can't save lunch, who can?
Young & Hungry By Tim Carman
Hard Times Cafe
News Bites from dining around town
Young & Hungry By Tim Carman
Family Style
Hank's Oyster Bar expands, but not at the cost of employees' home lives
Young & Hungry By Melissa McCart
Formaggio Meets Function
Hyattsville's Italian Inn still gets the magic of a well-made meatball.
Young & Hungry By Tim Carman
Wake Up Crawl
Does anyone eat breakfast anymore?
Young & Hungry By Tim Carman
Comida Central
Why are Salvadoran and Mexican cuisines forever entwined?
Young & Hungry By Tim Carman
Forsake the Dockside
Marina restaurant owners split; in Silver Sring, fine foods without a Whole lotta hassle
Young & Hungry By Tim Carman
The Right Stuff
If you want to learn how sausage gets made, you've pretty much got to teach yourself.
Young & Hungry By Melissa McCart
Teach Schnapps
Moe Harris instructs in the art of the drink.
Show & Tell By Amanda Hess
Seoul Meets Body
Dishing Expedition: Pages from a food critic's notebook
Young & Hungry By Tim Carman
Swiss Missed
How can miniature marshmallows hold their own against gourmet hot chocolate?
Young & Hungry By Tim Carman
Skull's Out
Done right, brains are the class of the head.
Young & Hungry By Tim Carman
Honor Thy Fava
In Alexandria, food from a real old town
Young & Hungry By Tim Carman
Restaurant Finder
Restaurants, Briefly
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
American
Dupont Circle: 1517 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC
$$$$
Kramerbooks & Afterwords offers a little bit of everything, for both before and during a meal. “It's great that the waiting area is a bookstore—you'll never get bored even if you have to wait a while.” “This is really a great restaurant for just about any occasion: date, dinner with friends, dinner with parents, anything. I've been for brunch, dinner, and dessert, and all were fabulous!” “Always dependable, Kramerbooks/Afterwords does a fine brunch in a wonderful location.” For dinner “I ordered the butternut squash ravioli with goat cheese—yum! Another dish was a jumbo crab cake over pasta with an Old Bay cream sauce.…The best dish by far was the Cafe Tagines with lamb—I don't usually eat much meat, but this lamb was wonderful.” “Afterwords entrees are hit-and-miss. But at $18 for three appetizers, getting the appetizer tray is a super bargain.” “And the portions are the perfect size—you'll have just enough room for dessert (and you'll definitely want it when you see what's in the display cases).” For those who want to stop by this Dupont Circle spot but don’t have an appetite, “They have some spectacular alcohol concoctions and a rather decent wine list.” Plus “the staff is very friendly.”
Nage
French
Downtown, Dupont Circle: Marriott Courtyard Embassy Row, 1600 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC
$$$$
On Scott Circle, in the Marriott Courtyard Embassy Row, is Nage. The name may sound familiar; there’s another one in Rehoboth, Del. If Saturday night is your big night out, then Nage should be your Sunday deliverance. “Nage is absolutely fantastic for brunch, particularly if your Sunday morning needs include hangover help. If the bottomless mimosas and Marys…don't do it, the Kill It Skillet (truffled mac & cheese, potato sticks, chorizo, bacon, and a fried egg) will.” And for those feeling a little better, “The short menu includes…decadent French toast and an underrated but highly flavorful grouper.” Dinner sounds just as promising in an atmosphere that “was a small, intimate place with glowing reds that made me feel very cozy.” “We had the mushroom strudel, which was a simple preparation but with amazing flavor.” “We also had the baked oysters, which were very good but a little too strong in fennel for me.” For the entree “we selected the roasted halibut dish over gnocchi. This was out of this world! The halibut was cooked to perfection….Not to mention the Gnocchi was very light.” “Our server throughout the night was good. Very professional in approach.”
Rhodeside Grill
American
Court House, Arlington: 1836 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
$$$$
The Rhodeside Grill is a true neighborhood joint in Arlington. The walls are decorated with the artwork by a local artist as well as other pieces that are related to the community and its history. A key for a neighborhood place is that you can stumble home. “For me the draw for this location is the great nightly drink specials.” “Not bad for a sports-type bar...service was adequate...good beer!” “I've been pleasantly surprised both by the food and service here.” “Our waiter's great service and friendly chit chat kept my party at our table drinking quite beyond our intended schedule.” The menu is pretty down-home and ranges from quesadillas to wraps to ribs. “I've had the salmon here several times; it's consistently great, and the price can't be beat.” “The Sunday brunch waffle station is good as well.”
Kirsten's Café
Deli/Quick Bites
Silver Spring: 9326 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD
$$$$
“Situated in a small strip mall on Georgia Avenue, Kirsten’s Café looks like just another Silver Spring storefront bakery/coffee shop. And it sort of is—it just happens to be what you hope every one of those little bakery/coffee shops is going to be.” “Have visited several times for breakfast and always left very happy! Favorites include their scones (so moist, tea/coffee isn't a requisite accompaniment) and their egg sandwiches (perfect egg to cheese to bacon ratio).” But there is more to Kirsten’s than breakfast. “Sandwiches—including a reconstructed turkey Cobb, a roast beef with caramelized onions, and a roasted eggplant—are large and thoughtfully crafted.” To top it all off, the “staff is friendly, and the ambience is sunny and pleasant.”
The Liberty Tavern
American
Clarendon: 3195 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
$$$$
In a historic building in the quaint Clarendon, the aptly named Liberty Tavern is serving up some Modern American cuisine, including a Sunday brunch. “The brunch table was diverse; pizza to salmon, French toast to pasta. Lots of meat but also big bowls of salad and fruit. I thought the haddock was especially tasty; girl friend liked the eggs and pizza. We both loved the mulled cider.” “The mimosa was made with fresh squeezed OJ, and a respectable Champagne. We all had coffee, and we all enjoyed the French-pressed high quality brew.” If you can’t get yourself out of bed for brunch, it’s also worth visiting Liberty Tavern for dinner. “Had the calamari to start and it was a good-sized portion and very tasty. The bread basket was awesome, with three different kinds of bread and fresh butter topped with fleur de sel - a nice touch!” “We shared the chicken pizza. The only downside to the meal was that the chicken was way overcooked and therefore tough.” Overall, “we enjoyed our visit. They let us sit outside with our dog, which was great.” “The service was friendly and obliging, even the busboy was smiling and helpful.”
