Yaku in Arlington, R.I.P.

Yaku: R.I.P.

Yaku suffered from an odd location (an apartment building with very little walking traffic, and a strange name (is it Japanese? Is it Latin? Is it Fusion?).

I only had a chance to visit once before it closed in January 2010. Service was very good (contrary to some reviews) and the food was very mixed. The dumplings we had (pictured at bottom) were quite good - as were the other appetizers, but the main courses were lacking.




Restaurateur Mauricio Fraga-Rosenfeld, founder of the Latin Concepts group, still has a number of other locations in his stable, including the nearby Gua-Rapo.

Meal: Dinner
Rating: **
Date: 8 November 2010
Address: 1900 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201
Website: http://www.latinconcepts.com/

Roy's: Not your parents' Trader Vic's

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine

Roy Yamaguchi opened the first "Roy's" in Honolulu in 1988. Since then, it's grown to a chain with locations around the country. I first saw a Roy's in Philadelphia and was intrigued by the concept. When I saw there was one in Anaheim, I felt I should give it a try.

My table started out with the Wood Grilled Szechwan Spiced Baby Back Pork Ribs and the Pacific Rim calamari. The ribs were excellent and I would highly recommend them. The calamari was something different. Cut in strips, the texture was more like that of lobster and didn't quite have the right "mouth feel" for squid. Different, but maybe a bit too different.

Others at the table had selections from the sushi menu (Lakanilau Roll Seared Kobe Beef wrapped around Dynamite Crab, Tempura, Asparagus & Avocado, and Auntie Lei’s Aloha Roll Spicy Tuna Roll topped with Hamachi, Salmon & Avocado). I tasted the kobe beef rolls and wasn't terribly impressed. Didn't quite work for me.

My own entree was the pork tenderloin (Apple Wood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Maple Miso Drizzle & Asian Pear Chutney). The pork was good, but a bit overwhelmed by all the accompaniments.

The Anaheim location has been open only a few months, but it looked like all the kinks were worked out. The host staff were very friendly and eager to please. The wait and other service staff were helpful (though not quite that familiar with the extensive wine list).

All in all, I think that Roy's makes a fine, but still "safe" exotic destination - a sort of Trader Vic's for the 21st century.

Dish: Pork tenderloin
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** of 5
Date: 30 June 2008
Address: 321 West Katella Ave. Suite #105, Anaheim CA 92802
Website: http://www.roysrestaurant.com/

Ten Penh, a solid 10!

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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/

Nexxt ... Please!!!

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

NexxtCafe

You're in Miami Beach on a beautiful spring night, it's not too hot or humid, you're out with friends after going to a museum reception. What do you want to top off the evening? Al fresco dining on a trendy and lively street (say Lincoln Road?). Of course. Where do you go, well, there, in the middle of Lincoln Road sits NexxtCafe (what is it with the lack of spaces? Is it supposed to be "webby"? Is it an attempt to be more "green" by saving ink, paper and pixels?).

Quick, grab a table for eight before someone else does (which they will) and take a seat. You'll get friendly and lively service, big drinks, and, sorry to say, mediocre food.

Well, you can't really have it all!

We had some pretty good appetizers (fried calamari, summer rolls, Chinese lettuce wraps). But then I made the mistake of ordering an entree. Maybe it was just having had a couple of fabulous meals, maybe I ordered wrong, but what came was the "Border Salad".

The waiter rolled up in a forklift and dropped off a heaping helpin' of chopped lettuce and lots of other stuff ... it wasn't bad, but, well, it just wasn't good. But there was a lot of it, which, well, means there was a lot of it!

Nexxttime, I'll stick with the appetizers, drinks, and people watching!

p.s. do visit the website, it has one of the cooler "restaurant themed" interactive menus I've seen

Dish: Border Salad and appetizers
Meal: dinner
Rating: * of 5
Date: 6 March 2008
Address: ‎700 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, FL 33139
Website: http://www.thenexxtcafe.com/

Sonoma ... the wine country comes to Capitol Hill

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar

The Penn. Ave., SE portion of Capitol Hill (the "House Side" for you DC insiders) has always been an interesting mix of divvy bars (see, for example, the Capitol Lounge) and upscale restaurants. One of the nicer on the "upscale" side to appear in the past few years is Sonoma.

On my most recent visit, my party of three opted for a three cheese platter (there's always an excellent selection, I usually just let the server pick for me from the cow/goat/sheep/blue options) and the bluebay mussels marniere with garlic, chili, and wine sauce. The mussels were good (but for the definitive mussels in the Washington area, I'll still point you to Les Halles way at the other end of Penn. Ave!).

Needless to say, the wine list is exemplary! But for those of you on a budget (uh, warning, if you're really on a budget, you probably don't want to come here!), there is always a good "house selection" that will not destroy your wallet!

If stopping by for a lighter meal, be sure to get a seat in the upstairs lounge. The low couches and open seating will make certain that you are seen and can be seen!

Dish: mussels and three cheese
Meal: light dinner
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 7 May 2008
Address: 223 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
Website: http://www.sonomadc.com

Creek 28, Miami Beach

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Creek 28

I'm not usually a fan of hotel restaurant, but Creek 28 is more than your typical hotel restaurant. Tucked into the courtyard of the historic 1936 Indian Creek Hotel (well away from the noisy glamor of South Beach, Creek 28 offers a fabulous dining experience.

On my visit, our table had the Beef and Lamb Goulash, Moroccan Lamb and Chicken Tagine, and Grilled Sea Scallops. All the dishes were excellently prepared with just the right mix of flavors. The tagine was served with a side of Moroccan spice that made wasabi seem mild.

The extensive wine list will compliment any of your food selections. I'll also point out the frequently changing specialty drink menu. On my visit, a dining companion had the vodka, vanilla bean, and hibiscus flower drink that was highly praised!

Meal: dinner
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 4 March 2008
Address: 2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33140
Website: http://www.creek28.com/

Fuzio Universal Pasta: Lunch

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Fuzio Universal Pasta is a small chain (locations in the California, Nevada, and Missouri (one of these things is not like the other!).

I visited the Fuzio location on Chestnut St. in San Francisco. It was well after the lunch rush and my party had the full attention of the wait staff.

I had the soup/sandwich combo and selected the ginger carrot soup and Italian club. The soup was quite good, but a little heavy on the ginger (in case you're not a big ginger fan - but then why would you order this in the first place?). The Italian club was on grilled focaccia with chicken, salami, bacon, and cheese. Just the right seasonings (Caesar dressing) topped it off.

A tasty meal for a good price.

Dish: carrot ginger soup and Italian club grilled sandwich, "light tropical" ice tea
Meal: lunch
Rating: *** of 5
Date: 16 Jan 2008
Address: 3100 Webster, San Francisco, CA 94123
Website: http://www.fuzio.com/