558593 Thu Sep 18 19:23:39 -0700 2008 11 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 4045969 DC Hounds, I'm looking for the best spots for lunch/breakfast/brunch. Staying at the Hotel Monaco but willing to travel a reasonable distance via cab. In town for a wedding so I unfortunately have no time for dinner (no mini-bar for me) Any must spots for lunch? *will be there over a weekend if that matters* Thanks in advance CF Thu Sep 18 19:23:39 -0700 2008 144856 The Chowfather AKA sobe 1 4047438 Lotta Trendy/Hot Restaurants in that area in a ~4 block radius - Rosa Mexicano - sorta Mexican - Oyamel - kinda Latin - Indeblue - vaguely indian - Oya - somewhat asian - Rasika - "updated" indian - Zola - new american - PS7 - new american - Zaytinya - turkish, greek, mediterranean - Cafe Atlantico - pan-latin - Matchbox - pizza and sliders - Tosca - Italian - Capital Grille - Steaks - Asia Nine - Pan Asian - Asia Spice - Pan Asian - Burma - Burmese - Oceanaire - Seafood - Fogo De Chao - Brazillian Steak House - Bistro D'Oc - French - Source by Wolfgang Puck - ? ^^All of these have something to offer, although it may be more than you really want to pay. If it were me, i'd make the trek (hail a cab) over to Brasserie Beck on 11 and K. If you need something quick - 5 Guys - best burger chain, imo - Potbelly - the go-to sandwich for many of my fellow cubicle workers Fri Sep 19 10:30:57 -0700 2008 4045969 123581 WestIndianArchie 2 4047862 Bistro Bis would be a short cab ride and they have really good brunch. Rasika- if they are open for lunch and you like Indian, it is extremely good, it is one of my top 5 in DC as the service is normally wonderful and the food is so good. I also really enjoy Zaytinya for lunch if you can sit outside and it is nice, but it isn't life-changing food, but it is good greek. Poste has decent breakfast brunch, but not as good as Bistro Bis. And if you want more like diner/street food Market Lunch will have breakfast on Saturday they have good blueberrry buckwheat pancakes and they also have good crabcakes when they serve lunch. Tosca has really good pasta, the rabbit ragu and veal dishes are my favorite, skip their desserts. Cafe Atlantico has a latino dim sum brunch on weekends I haven't been to, but gets very good reviews, it may be one of the other noteable brunches in DC. I have only been to Brasserie Beck for dinner, but I really enjoyed it, as well. Fri Sep 19 13:03:31 -0700 2008 4047438 92426 ktmoomau 1 4047448 And for Breakfast, I like the waffle place on E. Street. I've heard that Harry's on 11th/E street has a breakfast buffet, but i've never been. Fri Sep 19 10:32:56 -0700 2008 4045969 123581 WestIndianArchie 1 4047517 You must go to Brassarie Beck for Brunch...ORDER THE BACON...it will change your life. It's at K and 11th so it's alkable from Hotel Monaco. Also if you're a fan of farmer's markets, head over to Eastern Market and eat your way through the market or stop off at the crepe truck or Market Lunch. Fri Sep 19 10:54:39 -0700 2008 4045969 214256 Flaxen_Vixen 2 4047977 Other suggestions are 1) TEASIM (Dupont and other locations)for a quick breakfast/lunch. 2)MATCHBOX (Chinatown-Gallery Place) for a casual lunch/dinner (be sure to order the mini burgers!) Fri Sep 19 13:50:25 -0700 2008 4047517 204182 chicken kabob 1 4049030 Thanks for the great recommendations. The dim sum brunch tasting menu at Cafe Atlantico sounds great. Will also try to go to Brasserie Beck one day and Matchbox. Sat Sep 20 03:05:28 -0700 2008 4045969 144856 The Chowfather AKA sobe 2 4049324 Brasserie Beck is a Belgian brasserie, a particularly good choice for the brussel sprouts, gratin of potatoes with pork belly and the liver parfait. I believe they stock Rochefort Trappistes #10. I don't think Matchbox has anything to offer you can't get in Dade County. If you are starving for good Cantonese, then go instead for the duck stuffed with shrimp paste, oyster and ginger casserole, and chive flowers at Full Kee. Sat Sep 20 08:28:58 -0700 2008 4049030 10156 Steve 3 4050613 Matchbox may not have unique food BUT it is still delicious and has a good vibe. I still stand by my recommendation. Sun Sep 21 04:05:59 -0700 2008 4049324 204182 chicken kabob 1 4133066 Thank you for all your help. Unfortunately, we only had time for two meals during our stay and both were during brunch/lunch hours. We were also in a time crunch for the first meal so we opted to stay close and did Matchbox. Cool place with great beers and an interesting menu. Really enjoyed the mini burgers and the matchbox meat pizza. the mini crab cakes were good too. Day two we did the nuevo latino dim sum brunch at Cafe Atlantico. OUTSTANDING. What a great meal and experience. There were some real standouts (duck confit) and I will post back later when I have more time to elaborate. Wish I had time to try Minibar.... Thanks again Mon Oct 27 17:51:40 -0700 2008 4045969 229082 The Chowfather 2 4134165 Isn't that duck confit amazing!?!? When I went we did the whole menu (not sure if they still offer that as a tasting menu) and I was in a food coma. But the moment they brought out that amazing duck confit I perked right back up :) Tue Oct 28 08:36:59 -0700 2008 4133066 76776 Elyssa 3 4158666 Yes, the duck confit was amazing. The meal was great and the experience was a lot of fun. We opted for the tasting menu which was 14 chef's choice dishes for $35.00. It should be noted that the drinks were also very good. I started with a bloody mary which was really fresh tasting. Also enjoyed a mojito during the feast. I don't remember the exact order but here is a brief recap. There were no losers and several standouts. Standouts: Duck confit with passion fruit oil- everything about this dish was outstanding. The skin was perfectly crispy and the meat was melt in your mouth tender and both were really tasty. Hot & cold foie gras and corn soup- great combination of hot/cold and very flavorful. Seared cigala with vanilla oil- not a lot of meat but the vanilla really made this interesting. Grilled skirt steak “Carne Asada”- tender and packed full of flavor. real winner. Winners Watermelon and tomato skewers- simple and a nice refreshing combo. Jicama-avocado ravioli- light and tasty Oyster with mango-lime oil- oysters, mango-lime oil, enough said. Potato & vanilla mousse with American caviar- This is on the standout cusp. What a great combination. This probably belongs on the standout list.. Scallops with cauliflower puree- scallops were very fresh Good but not great Tuna ceviche with coconut- Not a big coconut fan so this combo didn't really do it for me. Coconut rice, crispy rice & ginger-least favorite dish. A coconut fan may disagree Fried egg with mashed black beans & pork- One of the larger sized portions and I actually devoured it but it wasn't special enough to make the standout list. Pineapple-unagi with avocado sauce- okayyy Conch fritters with a liquid center- second least fave. Didn't love the liquid center, usually don't.. Pan dulce with cinnamon syrup- nice end to a great great meal. This was an exceptional meal and experience and I highly recommend it. Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks for the recommendation. Sat Nov 08 14:53:34 -0800 2008 4134165 229082 The Chowfather