Cava - Greek Mezza

Mezza - are small plates. It originates from the Middle East and the Mediterranean area. After many rave review from friends, I had to check it out for myself. Located in Eastern Market are of DC. An area which I often neglect when I think of places to go out for dinner and entertainment.  Eastern Market is located in the historic Captiol Hill area.  They have an outstanding market on the weekends. I haven't been back since their market place has burnt down.

Back to my review of Cava. I suggest you take advantage of the happy hour before being seated since drink specials are only available at the bar. The decor was natural brick and wood. The lighting was horrible. It was so dark no one could read the menu. Our friends that joined us were on the special cleansing diet. All they could eat were the vegetarian dishes. So the full gusto of ordering lots of yummy meat dishes was a no- go. It's not like I really needed an excuse to go back. I recommend bringing a flash light and a group of friends so you can share and try all the different mezza's on the menu. The only dishes I don't have pictures of are the spanakopita were perfect flakey goodness and the worst dish the chicken souvlaki. The chicken was dry and bland.

Mezza

Scallops - Grilled perfectly with a sprinkle of lemon juice. They were lightly seasoned which brought out the sweetness of the scallops. Perfect!!

Saganaki - Flaming cheese - The waiter walks up and lights the cheese on fire. I could not for the life of me get my camera ready in time for the lighting of the cheese. A light breading of the cheese with a splash of brandy.

Lamb chops - They were seasoned well. It had me wishing there were more on the plate.

Rating:

 Cava

527 8th St. SE

Washington,DC 20003

(202) 543-9090

http://www.dc.cavamezze.com/

9713 Traville Gateway Drive

Rockville, MD 20850

(301) 309-9090

http://www.cavamezze.com/

A new location scheduled to open on July 01, 2010

in Clarendon, VA.

Ahi Poke Recipe - Hawaiian dish

This is a simple refreshing dish. You can pan sear the tuna if the idea of a completely raw dish scares you.

Makes 2 to 4 servings

1 pound sashimi or sushi grade Tuna

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

1/2 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce



In a bowl, combine tuna, soy sauce, green onions, sesame oil, Sriracha hot sauce, and mix lightly. Add the finishing touch with some seasame seed.

Durham, NC

My boyfriend Kris C. grew up in Durham, NC. He still has plenty of family and friends in the area and the surrounding towns. Before meeting Kris, I've never travelled south besides Miami, Fl. Most would agree that's not the true south. My friends were shocked when I told them of the great time I've had down in NC. People envision farms, Gone with the Wind and etc. I grew up in Md. Never had the desire or need to go south. I didn't know what to expect on my first trip to Durham, NC. Hands downs some of the most down to earth and hospitable folks I've met in my travels. Every chance for a gathering is a party and always involves delicious food. NC is the home of my favorite BBQ style. The vinegar base sauce is finger licking good!! I've heard of slow cooking but feeding the barrel wood all night long?? That's a passion for food!! The end result is the most tender, fall of the bone swine, beef, whatever you're cooking in those BBQ barrels. I've come to really appreciate Southern cooking and hospitality.

Rating:

With the research triangle, universities (UNC and Duke), and different cultural groups moving to the Durham/ Raleigh area has encouraged new restaurants. You can find great Indian buffets, Korean grocery markets, kabobs, great sushi rolls, and more. I'm going to review a few of my favorites. The following reviews are only the tip of the iceberg. Kris's parents and brother enjoy food just as much as I do. I really appreciate their kindness in sharing their favorite restaurants with me.

Sushi

Shiki Sushi (Durham)and their sister restaurant Tasu (Raleigh) 2 for 1 rolls anytime??I usually cringe when I hear of sushi specials. I was expecting alot of rice and poor quality fish. I was WRONG!!They have a crazy long list of creative rolls. I can't find anything in DMV( DC, MD, and Northern VA) close to that crazy list. It's a fusion restaurant meaning there's hope for non sushi friends. There's hibachi, Thai and Chinese dishes on the menu but I've not had anything else besides their yummy calamari. It comes light and crispy with this delicious sweet pepper dipping sauce.

Rating:

in this picture
Spiderman Roll, Manhattan Roll, Nemo Roll, Sweet Dragon Roll, Tokyo Sunrise Roll
Bonsai Roll, Crazy Roll, and Sumo Roll

Shiki Sushi
105 W NC Highway 54 # 211Durham, NC 27713-6647
(919) 484-4108
WEBSITE
http://www.shikisushionline.com/

Tasu
8919 Brier Creek Pkwy, Raleigh, NC‎ 27617
(919) 544-8474
WEBSITE
http://www.tasunc.com/

Southern

This is the first time I've had shrimp and grits. I've always thought it was an odd combination. It's become one of my favorite brunch meal especially when I'm in the south. Kris's parents took us to a little funky restaurant in Chapel Hill called Crook's Corner. The 2009 James Beard Foundation recognized Bill Smith as one of the Best Chefs in the Southeast.

Shrimp and Grits - creamy, the shrimp has a nice tangy bite to it. A lovely dish.

Rating:

Crook's Corners

610 West Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516-2318

(919) 929-7643

WEBSITE

http://www.crookscorner.com/

Dim Sum

Dim Sum is considered to be Chinese version of English tea time. Instead of scones and cucumber sandwiches, it'll include dumplings and chicken feet to snack while drinking tea. The best Dim Sum can be founded on the West Coast. Kris's mom came to visit us one weekend in Northern Va. We took her to Mark's Duck House (that's another review coming soon). She's never experience the craziness of carts and the lines. She enjoyed everything we threw her way and went back to Durham looking for a dim sum place. She found Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant. Kris's parents are now experts and order for me when I visit. The restaurant has the carts and the Asian folks waiting in line. The test to a good dim sum place are a few dishes. The pork shumai, shrimp rice crepes and chicken feet. I myself don't mind chicken feet but rarely dine with people who would share that dish with me. There are days that the pork shumai great and others are off days. The inconsistency is one of the few criticism I have with Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant.

Rating:

pillows

Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant

3003 Guess Rd Durham, NC 27705

(919) 479-8339

Founding Farmers

My sister's fiance has a group that meets up once a month with the common goal of good foods and good conversations (GFGC). This review includes tasting of fellow diners meal and my two trips to Founding Farmers. I'm not sure it's because I'm told their philosophy is to promote sustainable agriculture taste but every time I eat at Founding Farmers everything tastes extra fresh. It's a great restaurant and reasonably priced. The decor is open and airy with walls of jars of pickled vegetables. Reservations strongly advised. My rating for this restaurant is

pillows.

Small plates -
Skillet corn bread - had corn and comes with honey butter is the best in town. It's moist and flaky. Big enough to share between 4 people but 2 if (you're eating with my bf Kris).Devil-ish Eggs - The Combo the salmon and lobster eggs were delicious but the regular deviled eggs left much to be desired. It was missing relish, salt, and mustard.

Salad-
House Salad- interesting presentation. The croutons are delicious and made in house. I adore blue cheese so there was plenty of that in the salad. You can share this between 2 people.Soup- Roasted Tomato Soup- was simple and delicious.

Seafood -
Crab cakes are amazing!! 90% lump crab meat and 10% filler.Tuna - they ran out of this when i placed my order but a few people in our group had the chance to try it out. It was a seasoned well but a little over cooked. There was a touch of pink. I think Tuna should only be seared and it should be a beautiful ruby red 95% of the steak.Pub Fish and Chips- delicious. It's light and crispy on the outside and the fish is light and flaky on the inside. Hand- cut Fries are great . They remind me of Five guys fries.

From the Ranch -
Farmhouse Mixed grill- Meat lover's heaven. Tender pot roast falls apart when you touch it. No need for a knife.Boneless Rib eye- cooked to perfection and it was buttery. They seem to cook it to how you ask . I tend to order med rare. because I've had steaks arrive and it's almost cooked all the way through. This steak came out perfectly as ordered.

Signatures-
Southern Pan-Fried Chicken- The chicken was plain. It needed more seasoning, salt or something. You're better off with Popeyes. The waffles saved the meal with the surprise hint of cinnamon. Mac'n cheese was plain and a little dry.

Founding Farmers

1924 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (IMF HQ2),

Washington DC 20006

202.822.TRUE (8783)

WEBSITE

http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/