Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide: Other Archives

Other Archives

December 10, 2008

Shanghai Tea House

Shanghai Tea House, 2400 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-338-3816, open every day (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | MenuPages | Yelp | Chow Hound]

Sietsma likes this place but it is only OK. It does have better dumplings than anywhere else I know in DC but in Annandale it would not make the top ten. I quite liked the tofu and cabbage dishes, yummy. Cramped quarters. I can easily imagine worse places to eat, but if this is what you look forward to for your Chinese food, I feel sorry for you.

Posted December 10, 2008 07:17 AM | Permalink | Chinese , DC , Other | Comments (3)

July 05, 2007

Central Michel Richard

This was once the second best place in town but now it's just OK. Tourists have taken it over and it was never that cheap in the first place. Get out your copy of Brahms's Requiem. Originally the short ribs and the burgers were pretty good. But now, write it off if you really care about food.

Also see Michel Richard Citronelle.

Posted July 5, 2007 08:07 AM | Permalink | American , Bistro , DC , Downtown , Other , The Best | Comments (0)

December 06, 2006

Safari DC / Club

Safari DC / Club, 4306 Georgia Avenue, Washington, DC, 202-722-7701 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [chef moz | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

One reader recommends the beef samosa, I have yet to go Some sources indicate they have Afghan and South African dishes as well. The place is also a club, and it advertises music at night.

Posted December 6, 2006 08:37 PM | Permalink | African , Kenyan , Other , Reader Recommended | Comments (0)

December 05, 2006

Kotobuki

The best sushi right now and remarkably cheap, the sushi is only a dollar a piece, yet the quality is very high. A real find. I've been waiting for a price shake-out in the sushi market, and perhaps the time for that has come. The also have Saturday lunch and Sunday dinner, they don't take reservations. A Beatles soundtrack plays all the time. Don't expect good service or comfortable seating, but right now this place is essential dining. The shumai and lobster sushi are especially good, in addition to the usual winners.

Posted December 5, 2006 06:07 AM | Permalink | Georgetown , Japanese , Other , Reader Recommended , Sushi , The Best | Comments (0)

November 20, 2006

Great Wall Szechuan House Restaurant

Great Wall Szechuan House Restaurant, web site, 1527 14th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-797-8888, usually open (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper - also see "Oo Ma-La!" | openlist]

Most of the food is the usual junk. Their nine ma-la dishes, posted on a small menu on the take-out window, are another story altogether. Get the bean sprouts and the double cooked pork. Quite authentic. They’ve got the whole numbing bit down pat. Very cheap. There’s not a lot of variety here, but if you care about real Chinese food this is a place you must visit. Usually it is empty, but the proprietor tells me they have been around since 2002. Mostly they serve the neighborhood with take-out.

Posted November 20, 2006 06:03 PM | Permalink | Chinese , DC , Other | Comments (2)

May 21, 2006

BlackSalt

Way overrated and yes I love seafood too. It just isn't that good. It's OK, just don't make any big effort to go here.

Posted May 21, 2006 06:37 PM | Permalink | DC , Other , Seafood | Comments (0)

May 13, 2006

Neisha

Other locations:
7924 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA, 703-883-3588
4445 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-966-7088

Mom and pop Thai, with yuppie pretensions at the fringes. Tasty, cheap, but for me somehow not satisfying. The flavors are a little too sweet for my taste. Has started drawing some customers away from Duangrat’s.

Posted May 13, 2006 10:13 PM | Permalink | DC , Falls Church/Seven Corners , Other , Thai , Vienna/Tysons , Virginia | Comments (0)

May 04, 2006

Marrakesh

Fixed price meal, with many delicious courses. The lamb in honey with almonds is a favorite, as is the Bistillah (chicken pie with cinnamon and sugar), and chicken with olives. Needn't be done more than once a year, but must be done at least once in your life. Be hungry when you go. And try to avoid the belly dancing, if possible. Excellent decor.

Posted May 4, 2006 11:07 PM | Permalink | DC , Moroccan , Other | Comments (0)

April 29, 2006

Makoto

Ten small courses, (used to be $35), only four tables. A gem - one of Washington's best. The closest you will get to real Japanese haute cuisine here.

Posted April 29, 2006 09:13 PM | Permalink | DC , Georgetown , Japanese , Other , The Best | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

April 25, 2006

Heritage India

Heritage India, 2400 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, across from the Fresh Fields, 202-333-3120. (Also a Dupont Circle branch, 1337 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, near N Street, 202-331-1414, with a different menu.) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Why don’t they have an ethnic restaurant that adheres to mainstream restaurant standards of ingredients, presentation, and service? That’s Heritage India for you. Extremely yummy, one of the best Indian places around. Worth the trip into DC, even if you’re happy with your local places in VA or MD. Not as good as Indique, but still good enough to knock your socks off. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the new Dupont Circle outlet, which also offers Indian tapas.

Posted April 25, 2006 01:43 PM | Permalink | DC , Indian , Other , The Best | Comments (0)

April 24, 2006

Akosombo

Akosombo, 613 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-408-1133, closed Sunday, opens at 8 am for breakfast, closes 8 pm, don’t go after 6 pm I would say. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

I’ve heard they have spruced this place up a bit, but it remains a true mom and pop. Some of the dishes are excellent, truly spicy and authentic, but don’t bring your date here. I like it, but this one is for the brave. Great atmosphere, and a favorite with taxi drivers. Note that the neighborhood requires some courage after dark, and perhaps even before dark as well.

Posted April 24, 2006 08:57 PM | Permalink | DC , Ghanaian , Other | Comments (0)

April 16, 2006

Bistro Bernoise - Closed

Bistro Bernoise, 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW, Washington, DC, 202-685-3939, fondue on Tuesday nights only, or other nights with advance notice.

Closed. Apparently not enough other people liked fondue, either.

I hate Fondue, I refuse to go.

Posted April 16, 2006 09:57 PM | Permalink | DC , Fondue , Other | Comments (0)

March 11, 2006

Julia's Empanadas

Julia's Empanadas
2452 18th Sreet NW, Washington, DC, 202-328-6232

1000 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-789-1878

1221 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-861-8828

Should this be listed under Argentinean? Who knows. They have Chilean, Jamaican, and Bolivian style empanadas as well, even a vegan entry, all super cheap, good snacks.

Posted March 11, 2006 09:57 PM | Permalink | Argentinean , Bolivian , Chilean , DC , Downtown , Jamaican , Other , U Street | Comments (1)

Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide

All food is ethnic food.