Rasika, High powered Indian fusion food

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Rasika

Billing itself as a "modern" Indian restaurant, Rasika (meaning "flavors" in Sanskrit) is one of the hotest tickets in Washington. Located in the increasingly trendy Penn Quarter, Rasika is smack in the middle of a number of theaters and the Verizon Center sports complex.

With a sleek modern decor, the noise level can get pretty loud - even at lunch (there is a private dining room). Also, for those of you silly enough not to make reservations, you might be able to squeeze in at the bar which has an ample seating area (this was my first experience at Rasika!)

On this visit, I was with a group of colleagues for lunch and we selected broadly from the menu and shared around the table. Our selections on this visit were:

Appetizers

• Tawa baingan (eggplant, spiced potato, peanut sauce)
• Palak chaat (crispy spinach, sweet yogurt, tamarind, date chutney)

Entrees

• Bhindi amchoor (sliced okra, dry mango powder)
• Tandoori salmon
• Vegetable moilee (mixed vegetables with chili and coconut milk)
• Lemon cashew nut rice

Bread basket

• variety of three breads

Dessert

• Mango kulfi
• Carrot halwa with cinnamon sabayon

So, where to start? First off, there wasn't a bad dish on the table, not even an average one. If I had to pick the dullest of the group, it would be the salmon. Salmon is probably my favorite fish and it is such a strong presence on the plate that it's hard to enhance it. In this case, the Tandoori salmon was simply a very tasty grilled salmon.

The eggplant appetizer was nicely served with 50 cent piece sized sliced of eggplant interleaved with finely diced potatos. The eggplant was very subtle and didn't overpower the potatos or peanut sauce.

The Bhindi amchoor (okra) was zippy with a snap of spicy hotness that hits you after a bite or two. A big fan of okra, I was intrigued by the preparation - thin, long slices (almost julienned). Even the non-okra lovers at the table were pleased.

The mixed vegetables were extremly rich, almost swimming in a soup of coconut milk; this made for a good pairing with the tasty lemon cashew rice Dessert was a pleasant Mango kulfi and an intriguing Carrot halwa.

Accompanied by a bread basket with a selection of three breads, it made for a great lunch!

Oh, did I forget something? No, I was just saving it for last. The Palak chaat. This is why you need to come to Rasika. This is the reason to stand in the bar area. Run, don't walk to Rasika for the Palak chaat! Now! Two words, crispy spinach. Flash fry spinach til it takes on a third state of existence garnish with yogurt, tamarind and date chutney and then watch it disappear. The spinach literally melts in your mouth letting the other flavors explode in your mouth. Simply fabulous!

As a side note, for your dinner visit, do sample something from the excellent wine selection. The sommelier is one of the best in Washington and the wait staff is well prepared to offer wine pairings.

Meal: Lunch
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 16 June 2008
Address: 633 D St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Website: http://www.rasikarestaurant.com/

Zorba's Cafe: Gyro gyro beer!

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Zorba's Cafe

I'm not quite sure I want to think how many years it's been since my favorite Greek place in Washington closed down (moment of silence please for the regularly lamented Vesuvio's Pizza in Dupont Circle, home of the perfect thin greasy pizza by the slice - for those who want to know, we lost Vesuvio's in 1996 to a Wrap Works, itself now replaced by a white table cloth joint).

But enough of that! At hand now is Zorba's Cafe, In the good old days of Vesuvio's (sorry, I must harken back), Zorba's was my "upscale" stop before (or after) an opening at the Phillips Collection (just around the corner) or before a night at the theatre. In those days, as an added bonus, the Skenderis Food Market was above the cafe (now converted into extra seating).

So, what does Zorba's offer? Well, great food, great prices, fast service, and a great view. Though the pizza by the slice is ok (a little thick and not greasy enough), the gyro (sandwich or platter) is fabulous. The various other typical Greek choices (mousaka, soulvlaki, etc.) are all excellent.

Service is fast! You order at the counter and pick up yourself. But don't bus your own table, the friendly staff take care of that for you.

I generally stick with the gyro sandwich and a cold beer (which comes with a frosty mug!) and sit upstairs to look out over Connecticut Ave. or, in nice weather, outside to get an even better look at the street life passing by.

Even though it's not Vesuvio's, if you're looking for a fast, tasty, cheap, and quintessentially local meal in Dupont, head over to Zorba's.

More photos from Zorba's.

Meal: Lunch
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 4 May 2008 (regular)
Address: 1612 20th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Website: http://www.zorbascafe.com/

Pop's is Tops for Old Town Ice Cream

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Pop's Old Fashion Ice Cream Company

A hot day, a long visit to Mt. Vernon, a stroll along the Potomac waterfront in Old Town Alexandria ... what else could top off the day but some tasty, cool ice cream?

Pop's has the look, feel, and smell of an "old fashion" ice cream parlor. Small tables, a nice big fountain area, mirrors on the wall, the usual.

The ice cream is tasty (and pricey - but where isn't a good cone pricey?). If you want some good ice cream in Alexandria, stop at Pop's!

Meal: Snack
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 1 June 2008
Address: 109 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Website: N/A

Ten Penh, a solid 10!

Tehn Penn
Originally uploaded by epilsk

Ten Penh

Located at the corner of 10th and Penn. Ave., NW (get it, 10/Penn?), Ten Penh offers an Asian fusion in an elegant environment. Choose either the dining room, the bar, or (weather permitting) the sidewalk tables where you can watch everything from Presidential motorcades to tour busses rolling past.

The elegance of the setting is more than matched by the spectacular food. I've never been disappointed by anything I've ordered.

My most recent visit was a lunch with colleagues after a half day presentation. Walking the few blocks through the unseasonable (even for Washington in early June) heat, we were a bit disappointed that the a/c wasn't keeping up with the stress, but we soon adapted. Water came quickly and the edamame (baby soybeans) hit the spot.

I went with the Grilled Thai Beef Salad (Mixed Greens, Carrots, Tomatoes, Chile-Lime Dressing), the others in my party had the Pan Seared Scallops (Asian Potato Cake, Fennel Tangerine Salad, Spicy Citrus Glaze), and the Pan Seared Ahi Tuna Burger (wasabi Aioli, Pickled Ginger and Asian Slaw).

Along with DC Coast, Acadiana, and Ceiba (I've only been to the latter), Ten Penh is part of the Passion Foods group.

A perfect spot for a business lunch, a romantic dinner, or an after work snack at the bar!

Dish: Grilled Thai Beef Salad
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 6 June 2008
Address: 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Website: http://www.tenpenh.com/

Amada, Philadelphia styled tapas

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Amada

Who can't find something to like at a tapas restaurant? Everything from meats, to cheese, to a variety of vegetables, mushrooms, to seafood. Best of all, if you don't like one thing, there's always more of something else (the downside being if you really love something, you'll have to order another one which is why I sometimes think "tapas" is Spanish for "dollars"!.

Amada has the trendy minimalist look often favored by tapas restaurants. Black tables, chrome chairs, high ceilings with the requisite high volume noise level. Amada adds a curious touch.

In the middle of the main dining area is a slightly raised pedestal with a long, rough cut family-style table with bench seats.

Service was great; the server was happy to offer suggestions (which I like in a tapas place) and filled out small plates to make sure we had enough to go around the table.

On this visit, our group of seven shared: cured meat selection (chorizo, serrano ham, lomo embuchado); three cheese selection; Spanish tortilla; artisanal Spanish olives; and ham croquets, grilled vegetables; grilled wild mushrooms; and chicken brochettes. All the selections were excellent! Standouts were the wild mushrooms and the Spanish tortilla (which was accompanied by a tasty side of queso.

A highly recommended stop if your in Philadelphia's Old City.

Dish: tapas selections
Meal: lunch
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 4 June 2008
Address: 217-219 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
Website: http://www.amadarestaurant.com/