Hi from Toronto

[Aleta]

Hey Washington DC Chowhounds! We'll be visiting and staying downtown (no car) for 4 days in August. The primary objective is sightseeing and museum visits for my 11 yo. The secondary is to enjoy some of your good food. I've done some homework and have a short list. If you have had bad experiences in any of these places, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Zola - I hear the lamb burger is pretty good and the restaurant is pretty close to our hotel.

Acadiana - I miss southern food although I've never eaten down south in a restaurant that looks like this. Has anyone tried their crab cakes?

Palena - I think this is a local favourite and I understand there's some ongoing construction. We should be okay to take the subway at night, right?

Legal Sea Foods - I've eaten at this place several times and the only reason why I'm planning to eat there on this trip is the location. We'll be at the Spy Museum on Sunday. Can anyone recommend other restaurants open for lunch/dinner in this area on Sundays?

In case you want to give us restaurant recommendations, we're not interested in Asian, French, or Latin / Spanish cuisine. We have had (and will have) lots of opportunities for those. We hope to sample some food that is distinctive of your area.

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Legal Sea Foods - 7th Street
704 7th Street, Washington, DC 20001

Palena
3529 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Acadiana
901 New York Ave NW Ste 200A, Washington, DC 20001

[Rick Azzarano]

If you want some food that is "distinctive" to this area, you should try some Ethiopian food. DC has probably the best (not meaning to start a fight) Ethiopian in the country. And, if you're staying near Union Station, Ethiopic restaurant (at 4th & H Streets, NE) is very close by.

[Aleta]

I salivate at the thought of Ethiopian! I tried this cuisine in DC back in the 80s and loved it. Unfortunately, my dining partner can't take anything even mildly spicy (wimp) and is allergic to nuts. Mexican is about as far as he can go - and even then, I usually end up eating any raw onions in his ceviche. One day, I can only hope...

Thanks for the thought, Rick.

So, I still the need the answer to the question about Rays. Which one?

[Aleta]

Hey DC Hounds! We had a great time in DC, eating and sightseeing. Thanks again for all your recs and especially metro advice. We took the yellow line straight from the airport to Oohs and Aahs, arriving around 2:30 pm. There was a table upstairs and the chef/owner kindly offered to help get our luggage up (we declined; needed the workout in anticipation of the meal). Asked for 4 different sides for 2 dinners but somehow got 2 identical sides: the collard greens and the mac n cheese. While we were waiting, we were given a sampler of the different sides so we didn't mind too much. My favourites were the mac n cheese and the sweet potatoes (my mouth is watering just thinking of the gingery flavour). I had the broiled crab cakes (trying to be a good girl lol!) and Son had the meatloaf. Both were super delicious and made even better by the gigantic lemonade.

Our other favourite meals were, in order of satisfaction:

Oyamel: great modern Mexican! Such flavours and textures! Steve, you were right; I can't
get this in Toronto (or anywhere in Canada, for that matter). The last time we ate so well was in Mexico City. Loved: tacos of goat, pork and grasshoppers w/ avocado; ceviches of yellowtail and marlin. Unimpressed by so-called corn tamale which was served on a husk but was so wet that it was more polenta than tamale. Service was excellent from
entrance to exit, which was amazing given the popularity of the place.

Rays the Steaks: you are all so lucky to have a place like this! The quality of the food was excellent and the prices were so good. We arrived 30 minutes late (metro jammed by 2 political rallies on the Mall) but they honoured our reservation graciously. I had the filet mignon with seared foie gras and truffled porcini mushrooms. Son had the filet mignon wrapped in bacon. I asked for medium rare and got medium. Son asked for medium and got medium rare. My foie gras was cold in the centre. All small details that we could overlook, considering it was a Saturday night and there must have been a dozen people waiting for tables. Next time we're in DC, I'll be back at Rays.

Maine Ave Fishmarket (loved the crabs) and Zola (Son loved the lamb sliders but I thought the rest of the food was okay).

Cafe Atlantico: we had the Latino dim sum brunch and I was not impressed at all. Perhaps we should have ordered a la carte to experience Jose Andres' best. The service and the calibre of food were a far cry from Oyamel.

Thanks again, Steve, Woodleyparkhound, DennisS, Hamster, ktmoomau and everyone else!

[Steve]

Thanks so much for reporting back. Maybe they are slipping at the Cafe Atlantico Dim Sum Brunch.....

Sounds like it was mostly hits for you. Glad you braved Oohhs and Aahhs - again, I was trying to steer you to the type of food and experience unavailable in Toronto. Not that I've ever been there!

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Cafe Atlantico
405 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

[Aleta]

IMHO Steve, the only food we do better in Toronto is Chinese. :-)

One more place we really liked was Pitango Gelato, 2 doors up from Oyamel. The fruit sorbets were really good but 2 flavours that were outstanding were the Cardamom and Black Tea.

[MrsWheatie]

TO my hometown!!! I was suppose to go up a week ago, but plans changed :-( Anyway, for a crabcake you might want to try Market Lunch in the Eastern Market (same Metro stop). It is near Capitol Hill and has counter no table seating. I will also throw in the mix Corduroy which is at the Convention Center stop. We enjoy his seafood preps.

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Market Lunch
225 7th St SE Ste 12, Washington, DC 20003

[Aleta]

Thanks MrsW. If you do come up to TO, bring your jacket. We had a spell of brief snow yesterday! Today is nicer.

[Aleta]

My son was so interested in Oohs and Aahs that he found their website.

http://www.oohhsnaahhs.com/index.html

[Steve]

Just don't be shocked when you see the place. It is a true hole-in-the-wall (you should have seen it before they painted!), but everytime I go I talk to folks who have traveled across town to eat there.

[Aleta]

Thanks Steve. I'm not expecting the Ritz here :) At least it won't have a bullet-proof partition wall separating the servers from the customers and a sliding trap for exchange of money. That's a description of my old favourite fried chicken joint in San Francisco. Have you tried the crabcakes? We may have to order more than we can eat and take it with us for a dinner of leftovers.

[Steve]

Yes, the broiled crabcake is my favorite in the area. If you are three people, I would go for the grilled shrimp, the broiled crabcake, and the lemon pepper wings. Greens, rice with gravy, cabbage, and sweet potatoes as sides. You may never have to eat again.

[Aleta]

Hey All! We're getting ready for our trip. Cafe Atlantico Latin dim sum - reserved, ditto Zola and Oyamel.

We're staying near Union Station. Any recs for good steak around there or Smithsonian Air & Space? I'd like to try Ray's but I don't know which location is closest. Many thanks!

[Dennis S]

The original is an Orange line metro ride away.

[Aleta]

What station, please?

[Dennis S]

I think Clarendon, but it may be Court House (sorry - it's been awhile for me and I went by car - not driving).

[weezycom]

It is the Courthouse metro stop on the orange line. There is the new Ray's that's opened in NE very recently (with a more southern slant to the offerings), but I'm not familiar enough with that area of downtown to be able to tell you how close/far from your hotel that is.

[Dennis S]

I thought it was courthouse, but again it's been a long time, and when I googled it came up Clarendon. Thanks for the confirmation.

And - I am excited about the NE place. May have to try it for lunch before long. The Southern flair sounded phenomenal. Especially the chicken. Smoked and then fried? Get outta here.

[hamster]

You could also take the red line to Silver Spring, Ray's the Classics. That might be an easier trip.

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Ray's the Classics
8606 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

[Aleta]

Thanks, all. Ray's the Classics will be closer to the hotel, or at least on the same line.

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Ray's the Classics
8606 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

[Aleta]

Rays - which one? If we're near Metro Center on a Saturday around 5pm, should we go to the one near Court House or Silver Spring? Does one take reservations and not the other? More importantly, is one better than the other?

Many thanks!

[ktmoomau]

If you are at Metro center I think Courthouse would be a better option solely because the Orange Line is generally less crowded, the restaurant is literally across the street from the elevator exit (and 1/2 block from the regular exit) and they do take reservations. I think Ray's the Steak is slightly more focused on steak, while classics has some other things on the menu. I highly suggest at Steaks getting the key lime pie and crab bisque, or splitting them as the steaks themselves are huge and come with free mashed potatoes and creamed spinach and fudge at the end.

[Aleta]

Thanks very much! Looking forward to the crab bisque, creamed spinach and key lime pie. And of course the steak.

[Indy 67]

I know that Acadiana doesn't earn much love on this board, but I adore their brunch time Bloody Marys and their Char-grilled oysters. I've never done this, but I can see making a wonderful meal of a double order of Char-grilled oysters, a side green salad, and a Bloody Mary. Unless you can resist using the bread to mop up the wonderful garlic butter in which the oysters are grilled, I recommend you do not plan on taking a cholesterol test less than a month after the above meal.

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Acadiana
901 New York Ave NW Ste 200A, Washington, DC 20001

[Aleta]

Hi Everyone! I'm still planning our trip and having fun reading about the DC food scene. Our list now includes:

Oohs and Aahs
Oyamel
Cafe Atlantico
Palena

Thinking of replacing Oohs and Aahs with Art & Soul. Just for convenience's sake. Art & Soul takes reservations and is really close to our hotel.

I'd like a recommendation for crabcakes too. I know of Johnny's on the half shell and Legal Seafoods but I know I can do better. Thanks very much.

[woodleyparkhound]

Oohhs and Aahhs has crabcakes - either broiled or fried. You said you are "very adventurous travelers and eaters." I'd strongly advise you to stick with your plan to go to O&A!

[Aleta]

Thanks woodleyparkhound. What's the best time to go to O&A to avoid a long line-up?

[Steve]

I don't think you'll run into a long line at Oohhs and Aahhs. Follow my recs and you won't go wrong.

[Indy 67]

Under no circumstances order crabcakes at Legal. Legal does many seafood things well: great oysters on the half shell, steamed lobsters, and flawless timing when cooking fresh fish. However, it's crabcakes are loaded with so much mustard that the mustard drowns the taste of sweet lovely crab. If I want to eat spoonfuls of Dijon mustard, I can open a jar of the stuff. I want to taste crab in my crabcakes.

Other than Kinkead's I'm drawing a blank on places I've eaten crabcakes that respect the intrinsic wonderfulness of the crab itself. Having done you a huge favor by steering you away from crabcakes at Legal, I'll let others take over the responsibility of steering you to the right place if Kinkead's doesn't work for you!.

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Kinkead's Restaurant
2000 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006-1812

[Aleta]

Thanks Indy67, Kinkead's looks good. We might make it our post-Air&Space dinner.

Steve, I'm following you. We're arriving on a wkdy around 1:30pm. If we make a beeline to Oohs & Aahs, we could go directly on the Yellow line from the airport or take a taxi. Will one method take significantly longer than the other?

[woodleyparkhound]

You asked Steve (and you're right to follow his advice, BTW - he knows whereof he speaks) but I'll throw in my two cents, since I live on the Metro system. I would definitely take the Metro. Depending on how long you have to wait for the train (which could range from 10 seconds to probably about 10 mins. at that time of day) and whether or not you hit traffic in a taxi, the Metro might be faster -- but in any case it will be significantly less expensive. (under $3 vs. about, say, $50 in a taxi). Make a conservative estimate for how many times you'll use the Metro during your stay and buy a ticket at the airport in that amount -- $10 would probably be a reasonable amount. That way, you won't need to queue up to the ticket selling machine every time you take the train. Each person will need their own ticket - you need to put it through the machine at the beginning of your trip and then again at the end when you exit, so keep it close at hand. At the airport, make sure that the train you get on is a Yellow line train and not a Blue. If your Yellow line train terminates at the Convention Center, you will need to board a Green line train there headed toward Greenbelt -- this is easy; it will be running on the same track as your Yellow line train.

[Aleta]

Thanks, Woodleyparkhound, for your very specific Metro instructions. Yellow train it is. I've been reading up on the owners of O&H and they are an interesting couple. And my son loves mac n cheese.

[repete]

Those oysters at Acadiana are one of my favorite apps in town ... very, very good.

[Steve]

I'm not all that thrilled about Acadiana and have not had anything there that is very delicious. It is not 'Southern' it is Creole / Cajun. Have not tried the crabcakes.

If you are looking for GREAT southern food, and great crabcakes there is a complete hole-in-the wall called Oohhs and Aahhs, but it is a tiny soul food kitchen with four stools. If you want to eat in, there is a room upstairs with a few tables. I don't know how adventurous you are, but you are not in Toronto anymore. Right across the street form a metro stop. Also great is the grilled shrimp, and the lemon pepper wings. Greens and rice with gravy on the side.

The front part of Palena is considered the cafe, the back is the dining room. The dining room is by reservation, has a full menu, and is a bit pricey. The cafe takes no reservations, has a limited casual menu, but you can also order anything you want from the dining room menu.

Taking the subway is very safe at night.

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Palena
3529 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Acadiana
901 New York Ave NW Ste 200A, Washington, DC 20001

[woodleyparkhound]

I second Steve's recommendation for Oohs and Aahs -- great little southern food place and a total hole in the wall. I like their broiled whitefish and greens. If you get a meat and two or three sides, it will be enough to feed two people. O&A definitely falls within your desire for "food that is distinctive of [our] area." And it's dead across the street from the 10th St. exit of the U St. Metro Station.

Instead of Legal Seafood, I'd recommend Zaytinia -- a Jose Andres restaurant with wonderful Mediterranean food which is very close to the Spy Museum. They are open for lunch and dinner on Sun.

I agree that the Metro is VERY safe at night - no worries there.

[Aleta]

Thanks, Steve. I stand corrected. It's been so long since I had real southern or cajun that I blended the 2 concepts. I've read of Oohs and Aahs before and will add it to my short list. We are very adventurous travelers and eaters. Just back from Egypt, where we managed to find some delicious food in Cairo and Luxor, despite all the negative comments on Chowhound.

[Aleta]

Oops, I should've also said ,"No Mediterranean", since we had quite a bit of that style in Greece (before Egypt). Thanks, Woodleyparkhound for the great idea. I didn't realize that Jose Andres' places were all so close to the Spy Museum. Although I did say "No Latin / Spanish", the menu at Oyamel looks fantastic. The huitlacoche in rice and 5 different kinds of ceviche! One kind of ceviche paying hommage to El Bajio in Mexico City even! Strange, I don't recall El Bajio being famous for or even serving ceviche. Nevertheless, Oyamel looks better than any Mexican we have up here in Toronto. Can I assume that Jose Andres' restaurants are all pretty good?

[Steve]

Oyamel has some really terrific food, though I'm not crazy about the antojitos. The albondijas and the chile en nogado are great. I seriously doubt you can find this food in Toronto.

Maybe DC's best meal is the Latina Dim Sum Brunch on Sundays at Cafe Atlantico. There is a tasting menu (reservations) or you can order a la carte (reservations not necessary).

http://www.cafeatlantico.com/latinoDi...

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Cafe Atlantico
405 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

[Aleta]

I know that I had said "No Asian and No Latin" but do 2 negatives make a positive? The Latina Dim Sum Brunch at Cafe Atlantico sounds really interesting! Thank goodness for the tasting menu; at the a la carte prices, my 11yo future linebacker could do me some serious financial damage. I guess we could order the tasting menu and add 1-2 special a la carte items that are not included in the tasting. Thanks, Steve. And you are right about Toronto's selection of Mexican. Very limited.

Thanks too to Indy67 for your idea of a meal at Acadiana. Fortunately, I am amazingly cholesterol-free.