DMV Dining

We first visited The Salt Line back in November for Rachel’s birthday and recently returned for brunch, leaving both times with a smile on our collective faces. Chef Kyle Bailey, formerly of Churchkey and Birch & Barley, helms the Navy Yard kitchen that’s directly across the street from Nationals Park. Focusing on classic New England fare, The Salt Line is one of the best additions to the Washington dining scene in the past year.

We started Rachel’s birthday dinner with their Peconic Bay scallop crudo which was topped with pickled cranberries and spiced pecans.

The next selection from the raw bar was their razor clam ceviche. Prepared with charred tomatillo, jalapeno, and cilantro, the ceviche was another worthwhile appetizer.

The Stuffies, a trio of baked middleneck clams, smoked linguica, lemon, breadcrumbs, and parmesan, was a standout dish. A whimsical take on Casino Clams, I can see why this is one of their more popular menu items.

For our entrees, I opted for the eel cacciatore buccatini. Prepared with barigoule artichokes, hen of the woods mushrooms, and idiazabal cheese, the meaty pieces of eel wonderfully complemented the thick, freshly-made pasta.

Rachel went for the classic lobster roll, and how could you not? Dressed with just the right amount of mayo, the roll is generously stuffed with an abundance of lobster sandwiched between the warm, toasty bun.

We also shared an order of roasted brussels sprouts. Prepared with maple syrup, sriracha, fish sauce, and peanuts, this is one of the best preparations of this popular side dish in the area.

Just a few months later, we took friends that were visiting from out of town to Salt Line’s weekend brunch service which was equally as delicious as our previous dinner here.

First of all, be sure to order a batch of Parker House Rolls. These freshly baked, flaky rolls are a delight to share amongst your party.

The crispy duck confit is what a decadent brunch dish is all about: a slice of French toast topped with a crisp leg of duck and accompanied with cranberry orange sauce, honeyed walnuts, and whipped mascarpone.

Rachel’s Eggs in Purgatory was a New England interpretation on Shakshouka as the baked eggs were blended with clamato, middleneck clams, linguiça sausage, and a creamy polenta. My favorite dish, however, was the New England Smash Burger.

I tend to stray from superlatives but this is one of the very best burgers you’ll find in the District. Featuring two ground chuck patties, two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and mayo and sandwiched on a crispy potato bun, this is the quintessential burger.

The Salt Line is an outstanding addition to the D.C. dining scene, and given that they excel at both dinner and brunch, we’d recommend Kyle Bailey’s homage to New England cuisine in a heartbeat.

Photo credit: Greg Powers

We’re also very excited about the new outdoor lounge they’ll be adding just in time for MLB Opening Day. It’s going to be quite the happening spot come baseball season.

While the District keeps opening up more restaurants than we can keep track of, All Set Restaurant and Bar in downtown Silver Spring should not be overlooked just because it’s located in the ‘burbs. In fact, they’re serving up some excellent New England-style fare in a family-friendly environment.

Tucked away at the corner of Cameron and Fenton Street and just a block away from The Fillmore Silver Spring, All Set’s menu is seafood-centric while offering a contemporary twist on what you would find at a Maine lobster shack. And given that we have two young children, it’s a great place to bring the family given the extensive kids menu as well as the treasure chest of toys our kids got to play with while we waited for our food.

We kicked dinner off with a dozen oysters on the half shell and an order of chickpea fries. Prepared with shredded zucchini and roasted garlic and accompanied with an avocado lime ranch dipping sauce, the fries were a hit amongst the table and especially with the kids. And let me just say when you see your kids scarfing down fries made with chickpeas and zucchini instead of potatoes, it’s a pretty good feeling.

For our main course I went with the trademark fish and chips. This hefty portion of battered cod was accompanied with fries, coleslaw, and the staple tartar sauce and vinegar. One bite of the crispy, flaky filets of fish makes you think you’re in Cape Cod instead of downtown Silver Spring.

Rachel went with the Maine lobster roll, which you can order either Maine (cold with Tabasco lime mayonnaise) or Connecticut-style (hot with drawn butter) in a small or large format ($26 or $36, respectively). She opted for the warm version, which featured large chunks of lobster stuffed into the crispy, toasted bun.

All Set Restaurant and Bar is one of downtown Silver Spring’s better options and is a great place to check out whether you’re on a date or want to bring the entire family. They also have some excellent cocktails and have a terrific happy hour (including all day on Sunday!). We’ll definitely be coming back.

Needless to say it’s been quite a year, but that hasn’t stopped this blog from (slowly) ticking along and trying some of the latest and greatest places in addition to visiting some Silver Spring and Wheaton staples. And while we haven’t been able to contribute to this blog as much as we wanted to in the year that was 2017, all I can say is #TiredParents. Suffice to say I think we’ve had a year’s worth of Domino’s pizza between all of our son’s friends’ birthday parties. Anyway, onto the list!

Seafood Tower – Whaley’s

You see, the trick on dining out for Valentine’s Day is to go the day before Valentine’s Day. Besides that helpful tip, be sure to order the exquisite seafood tower from Whaley’s on your next visit to Navy Yard. A small tower is plenty for a party of two, and between the smoked catfish, squid salad, clams, mussels, shrimp, arctic char crudo and tartar, and last but not least, lobster tail…. well, you get the idea. Seafood towers are the best.

Maine Lobster French Toast – Kinship

Is there a more decadent dish than this in the District? No, no there is not. This is as good as it gets, folks. Eric Ziebold works wonders at Kinship and the lobster French toast is no exception. The buttery lobster pairs perfectly with the Fuyu persimmon and dollop of sesame mousse atop the buttery French toast, so much so that it justifies the $30 price tag. You’re most likely there for a special occasion anyway, so just get it. It’s also the perfect dish to hold you over while you’re waiting for that amazing roasted chicken.

Seoul Stopper – G by Mike Isabella at Nats Park

Mike Isabella is everywhere. Like, literally everywhere. And I’m not talking about his multiple restaurants in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Or even Isabella Eatery, his highly ambitious food hall in Tyson’s Galleria. Nope, I’m talking about his Jersey influences being stationed in Nationals Park with an outpost of G by Mike Isabella. The hoagie shop dishes out classics like his roasted cauliflower sub but it was the Seoul Stopper, a limited offering, which got me to visit his baseball venue not once but twice this season with the same order. Turns out NBC4’s Eun Yang was behind the recipe for this incredible sandwich courtesy of Isabella’s Sandwich Madness competition for charity. Composed of an enormous fried chicken thigh, Korean radish salad, gochujang glaze, and kewpie mayo, one could easily split this behemoth of a sandwich. Based on appearance alone it garnered enough interest from fellow Nats fans asking where I got it from.

Korean-style fried wings – The Bird

These are the some of the tastiest if not messiest wings you’ll find in the city. The triple-fried, organic free-range chicken wings from the restaurant featuring all things bird-related are bathed in a black sweet chili sauce and topped with cilantro. Ask for extra napkins, wet naps, and then more napkins.

Goden tibs and veggie combo – Bete

It’s no coincidence that Tom Sietsema dubs Silver Spring as “Little Ethiopia” as establishments like Bete consistently deliver some of the best Ethiopian fare you’ll find in the DMV. The goden tibs and veggie combo is the ideal pairing for a dinner for two. The array of collard greens, cabbage, split peas, lentils, carrots, and potatoes complement the wonderfully marinated beef tibs while you’re trying to wrap it all up in the injera. Incredibly filling and highly affordable given both the quality and quantity of food provided. If you get a chance to go out on a warm night, be sure to grab a spot in their adorable backyard patio!

Miso tan-tan ramen – Ren’s Ramen

We already know Ren’s is a Wheaton staple and arguably serves up some of the best ramen in the metropolitan area. You see, the thing is I’ve never deviated from the standard menu at the cash-only shop until recently and ordered this gem from their specials menu. Comprised of sesame paste, hot sesame oil, Bok choi, scallions, and ground pork, there’s no turning back now. Between the wonderful miso/chili broth and heaping mounds of ground pork, this is my new go-to from here on out as long as it stays on the specials board.

Eel cacciatore bucatini – The Salt Line

Chef Kyle Bailey is crushing it at one of the best new restaurants to open this year. This New England-inspired oyster house also makes some terrific homemade pastas and the eel cacciatore bucatini is no exception. Prepared with barigoule artichokes, hen of the woods mushrooms, and idiazabal cheese, the meaty pieces of eel wonderfully complement the thick, freshly-made pasta.

Snakehead fish sticks – Convivial

Cedric Maupillier’s excellent venue in Shaw is arguably our favorite restaurant in the District between the outstanding food and affordable prices. On a recent visit we started with the snakehead fish sticks, at considering they are listed under the “Nibbles” category, they are no by means a small portion! The “first bites” category on restaurant menus nowadays tend to be a taste or a tease of what’s to come from the chef. This dish includes a hefty portion of fresh snakehead deep fried with homemade tartar sauce. These are reminiscent to the type you had as a kid growing up, with a meaty and satisfying texture.

Fish and chips – All Set

This seafood restaurant has established itself as one of the better options in the Montgomery County suburb as they are consistently churning out great New England fare in a family-friendly environment (case in point, our server brought over a treasure chest full of toys for our kids to play with!). And you can’t go wrong with the trademark fish and chips. Prepared with battered cod and accompanied with house cut fries, one bite of the crispy, flaky filets of fish makes you think you’re in Cape Cod instead of downtown Silver Spring.

Arroz de setas y verduras paella – Jaleo

While Jose Andres has been working his way to sainthood with his charitable work in Puerto Rico, his D.C. restaurants are humming along without missing a beat. His flagship location of Jaleo in downtown Washington demonstrates why you always keep coming back to the classics. The paella is easily worth the 45-minute wait. Whether you opt for the vegan version like we did (as we had a paella-craving vegetarian dining with us), or choose the original rendition with pieces of chicken and rabbit, this vintage recipe is cooked to perfection and makes for the ultimate dish to share amongst your party of four (or more).

Butternut Squash Curry – Seoul Food

Rachel and I love Seoul Food. Like really, really love it. It’s bittersweet as they’re moving from their Wheaton gas station outpost to a full-fledged storefront in Takoma Park next year, so needless to say we’re taking advantage of their convenient location just minutes from our house while we can. The butternut squash curry is one of the best fall dishes you will find in the DMV. And I’m not using hyperbole here – it is utterly outstanding. Between the freshness of the butternut squash, hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, and just the right amount of spice, it’s a heaping bowl of deliciousness that equally provides as great comfort fare for the cold months ahead.

During our anniversary staycation in D.C. a few months ago, Rachel and I got to enjoy brunch at The Bird, the relatively new restaurant from the EatWell DC group. It might be their best addition yet.

We started things off with their Korean-style fried wings and I honestly could have eaten these all morning. The triple-fried wings are smothered with black sweet chili sauce and topped with cilantro, making for a very messy yet incredibly satisfying appetizer. It’s easily a contender for our annual roundup of best dishes.

The chicken and waffles were no slouch either. The Tennessee-style hot chicken leg quarter is placed upon a crisp buttermilk waffle floating in a sea of maple syrup. It’s a sweet and savory classic that doesn’t disappoint.

Rachel passed on another round of fried chicken for her course and instead opted for the shakshuka. Prepared with duck eggs, the shakshuka proved to be a hearty entrée with just a slight kick of spice.

Between the filling portions, affordability, and friendly customer service, The Bird is a great addition to the Shaw brunch scene. I’m already looking forward to my next batch of triple-fried wings.

I’m just going to keep this brief and say this: order the seafood tower. No, seriously. Skip whatever plans you had for dinner tonight, head to Navy Yard, procure a table at Whaley’s, and order a damn tower.

Opened by the same guys who brought you the great DGS Delicatessen, Nick and David Wiseman were inspired by the oyster bars of yesteryear as well as childhood visits to Crisfield’s (which we still haven’t been to since moving to Silver Spring nearly three years ago – something that needs to be rectified soon!) and introduced Whaley’s to the District.

And while we visited prior to the opening of their highly anticipated rosé garden, chef Daniel Perron has whipped up a handful of fantastic house cocktails that both wowed us.

We started the evening off with their day boat scallop crudo. Beautifully presented, it was light and refreshing while leaving plenty of room for our next course.

And back to that seafood tower. That glorious, glorious tower. It was a sight to behold. While we opted for the small version, Whaley’s also offers medium and large towers, the biggest of which will accommodate up to six people. But still, between the two of us, this was plenty.

A smorgasbord of treasures from the sea and priced at $65, the tower included smoked catfish, squid salad, clams, mussels, shrimp, artic char crudo and tartar, and last but not least, lobster tail.

So yeah, it was great. Like really great. I can’t remember the last time we’ve split a seafood tower let alone had so much great seafood in one sitting.

We closed out the evening with their chocolate tart. Topped with peppermint mouse and hazelnuts, it was a sweet ending to a very satisfying meal.

It’s a shame we’re not closer to Navy Yard because we would be taking advantage of their dollar oyster happy hour on a very frequent basis. But regardless, just go and order that tower already.

Rachel and I have lived in Silver Spring for about three years now and arguably one of our favorite spots since we moved to the neighborhood is Urban Winery.  It’s the first-ever urban winery in the Washington metropolitan area and is also the closest from our nation’s capital.

Founded by Georgia and Damon Callis, Urban Winery doesn’t actually have a vineyard but that allows them the freedom to produce wine with grapes sourced from all over the country. The opposite can be said about everything else found at Urban Winery – from to the meats to the local craft beers to even the wood Damon used to build the furniture is all sourced from Maryland. We highly recommend the Silver Spring White and the Winemaker’s Helpers, the latter named after the couple’s children.

Owners and founders Georgia and Damon Callis

The mantra of Urban Winery is “Taste, Learn, Create”.

Taste: The tasting room offers wine lovers an extensive list of wines that are produced in-house, in the state of Maryland, as well as national and international bottles.

Furthermore, they recently introduced a full mezze menu that also includes charcuterie and some delicious desserts (be sure to order the s’mores skillet!). And while one typically associates fondue with The Melting Pot, Urban Winery one-ups the chain with its own chocolate and cheese fondue offerings that will have you leaving Silver Spring very, very full.

Learn:  Urban Winery offers several classes in its barrel room as well as guided tours of their winery operations.  They host about two classes per month that include a trio of wine samples as well as small bite pairings.

Create: Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Urban Winery is that you can create your own private labeled case of wine! Divided into two sessions, aspiring winemakers will be able to bring home 24 to 30 bottles once the winemaking is complete. Whether it’s for a birthday party or a corporate function, Urban Winery gives guests the ability to bring home their own pinot or malbec, complete with customized labels!

The Urban Winery is the epitome of a locally owned business that not only produces some terrific wine but is also a warm and inviting space that is serving up some delicious food to boot. Considering how many times we’ve been based on past dates and happy hours, we can’t recommend it enough.

Oh, and be sure to use the hashtag #TasteLearnCreate on your next visit – you’ll get 10% off your bill!

For Rachel’s birthday dinner (which yes, was in November), we decided to venture to Shaw to dine at Tim Ma’s fabulous Kyirisan in Shaw. We heard great buzz about it from some friends and early reviews, and couldn’t wait to check it out for ourselves.

Situated in the heart of Shaw and just blocks away from the 9:30 Club, a place where Rachel and I frequented shows since ’99 (now we’re really dating ourselves!), Kyirisan uniquely blends French and Chinese cuisine in a homey atmosphere with friendly service and standout dishes. The menu is arranged into three categories: In the Ground, Under the Water, and On the Ground.

We started the first category with the deep fried tofu. Placed in a shallow bowl of black pepper sauce, and topped with scallion and picked carrot, the half dozen cubes of tofu made for a nice introduction to what was ahead.

The raw sea bass, artfully arranged with sliced radishes and oranges and complemented with a fish sauce aioli, was simply delightful.

Our favorite dish of the night, however, was the pan-seared scallops with coconut risotto and basil ice cream. Yes, you read that correctly. All of these ingredients worked masterfully with one another as we were instructed by our server to wait for the ice cream to melt in order to enhance the flavor of the dish. Boy was he right.  There’s a reason why this made our Best Dishes of 2016 list.

A closer runner-up would have been the Freebird Wings. Smothered with fermented chili paste, oyster sauce, and crème fraiche, it’s a messy but satisfying dish that definitely requires a few extra napkins.

As for dessert, just order the pandan cheesecake and thank us later. Adorned with a chocolate crust and glaze, a pandan anglaise, a dollop of Szechuan whip cream, and sprinkled with candied hazelnuts, it’s an incredibly unique dessert that rivals some of the city’s best.

We can’t forget to mention that we started the evening with some of the wonderful cocktails coming from the bar. Rachel ordered The Forbidden Fruit, a cocktail with spiced rum, cocchi rosa, apple shrub, cinnamon, and cranberry. She loved it so much she got it again as an after dinner drink at the bar. We were going to go elsewhere for a drink after dinner, but loved the drinks so much we decided to just stay at the bar and linger for a bit after our meal.

Kyirisan is a great addition to the District and Chef Tim Ma is doing some great things in his Shaw kitchen. We can’t recommend it enough.

Now that we’re a family of four, it’s more often than not you’ll see us enjoying Thai carryout or Peruvian chicken these days than dining out at all of the newest spots (and let’s admit it, even we can’t keep up with all of these openings). Nonetheless, we were still able to explore some great restaurants in the District during those very precious date nights, so without further ado, here are our favorite dishes of the year:

Pan Seared scallops – Kyirisan

While we haven’t had the chance to write up our fabulous meal at Kyirisan just yet (rest assured, we will!), Tim Ma’s latest restaurant is serving up one of the best scallop dishes in Shaw if not the entire District. The four perfectly seared scallops are placed atop a bed of rich coconut risotto and, get this, basil ice cream. Our server told us to wait until the dollop of ice cream melted before partaking in this amazing entrée. Patience is a virtue but it paid off, immensely. There’s a reason why this is one of the most-ordered dishes off the menu.

Pork bahn mi – Mi Lay Cay

I’m ashamed to admit that after living in Silver Spring for over two and a half years that my first visit to the Vietnamese staple in Wheaton was only a couple of months ago. I sincerely regret not going there sooner. For starters, their bahn mi sandwich is tremendous both in size and value. Stuffed with generous servings of delicious pork and sandwiched by a crispy baguette, the foot long sandwich will run you just a mere $4.50!

Socca – Convivial

While the fried chicken “coq au vin” gets a lot of the well-deserved hype, the socca is just as good and twice as pretty. The chickpea pancake sets the foundation for a tower of beets, citrus fruit, shaved fennel, and picholine olives. The combination, as eccentric as it sounds on paper, works so effortlessly well.

Chicken Himmapan – Thai Taste by Kob

Look, I love the Bamee Moo Deang. I really do. But the chicken himmapan might be my new go-to dish after my last few visits to Phak Duangchandr’s amazing Thai eatery. The stir-fried chicken is served with cashews and dried red chilies that make for a spicy yet satisfying entrée.

Sansa Temple Bibimbap – Seoul Food

Like the aforementioned Mi La Cay, Rachel and I are kicking ourselves for not discovering this Wheaton gem sooner. While neither of us are vegan, the Sansa Temple Bibimbap is a vegan lover’s dream that appeals to carnivores alike. Prepared with sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, avocado, seaweed, and a blend of original and chives kimchi (both prepared-in house), this dish is just one of half a dozen vegan bibimbap preparations Seoul Food makes.

Cauliflower soup with Parmesan – Corduroy

It’s no secret that chef and owner Tom Power makes some of the best soups you’ll find in the District, and his trademark cauliflower soup is no exception. Topped with aged Parmesan, the rich and creamy cauliflower soup is an essential dish especially during these wintery months.

Lamb Ribs – Tail Up Goat

The newly Michelin-starred restaurant in Adams Morgan took a cue from its mentor at Komi by serving up a family-style platter of incredibly succulent lamb ribs. Meant for sharing and accompanied with sumac onions, beets, and a wonderful yogurt sauce, the Mediterranean-style dish is worth the visit alone.

Sweet Corn Agnolotti – RPM Italian

The Chicago import has been highly buzzed about since they opened earlier this year, but Rachel and I were very impressed with the pastas they were churning out of the kitchen, especially the sweet corn agnolotti. Topped with summer truffles and cracked pepper, the pillows of pasta basically melted in your mouth.

Ma Po Tofu – Bob’s Shanghai 66

I’ve been to Bob’s 66 twice this year and have had the Ma Po Tofu each time. And I don’t even like tofu! Yes, the soup dumplings are all the rage but for me to eat tofu and actually enjoy it is quite an extraordinary feat. I guess I really do like tofu. As long as it’s incredibly spicy, that is.

Shack Stack Burger – Shake Shack

I like Shake Shack. A lot. But you know what? A single cheeseburger isn’t filling enough when I’m at a Nats game. So why not throw a fried portabella mushroom patty filled with melted Muenster and cheddar cheese on top of it? Done.

Rachel and I have always been fans of Belga Café, Bart Vandaele’s Belgian restaurant in Barracks Row since it opened back in 2004. His second restaurant, B Too, is located on 14^th Street and offers a more modern take on the original both in regards to the food and décor. With both kids in tow, we made our way down to the District for Sunday morning brunch.

While we love Belga Café’s intimacy, it’s a bit tight when you’re arriving with a stroller and carseat. B Too, on the other hand, is much more spacious as we had no problem navigating the dining room with our five-month-old in the Snap n’ Go (parents, you know what I’m talking about).

After reenergizing ourselves with some coffee, I decided to be a bit daring and order the Green Egg McWaffle. The waffle muffin (yes, you read that right) was stuffed with green eggs, smoked salmon, cheddar cheese, and avocado cream. Certaintly one of the more unique brunch items I’ve encountered, my adventurousness paid off in what was a very savory, satisfying entrée.

Rachel one-upped my savoriness by ordering the lobster waffle, one of their signature dishes, which featured lobster bisque, tomato, and an herb salad.

When your brunch is that savory you need to balance it out with just as much sweet, and we did just that by capping our meal off with their decadent crepes.  The four miniature crepes were stuffed with banana, complemented with Chantilly cream, and drizzled with Nutella that nearly covered every portion of the plate. This honestly could have been a meal in itself as “decadent” would be an understatement, but it made for a fine ending to a very filling meal.

B Too is a great brunch option for those looking for options in the 14^th Street corridor, and we hope to come back for dinner soon for some mussels, frites, and of course more of their amazing crepes.

Rachel and I have always been fans of Fish Taco, the fast-casual taqueria tucked away in Cabin John. They recently opened a location in Wildwood Shopping Center in Bethesda so we decided to check out their newest site with the whole family.

We kicked things off with the classic elote, or Mexican grilled corn. Topped with cotija cheese, guajillo chilies, and their signature sauce, it’s the quintessential starter.

We also shared one of their special appetizers, beef brisket mini tostadas. The fried tortillas were stuffed with refried beans, pico de gallo, coleslaw, cotija, and crema. As you can tell by the description, they were indeed quite filling!

As for entrees, it was rather self-explanatory given the restaurant’s name. I opted for the blackened fish taco platter. Topped with chili lime sauce, cabbage, and pineapple-chile relish, it always tends to be my go-to dish.

Rachel got the grilled fish tacos which were topped with cabbage, mango pico, cotija, and chili lime sauce.

We also had the opportunity to sneak preview their autumn taco which featured black bean puree, acorn squash, avocado, and pesto that was prepared with pumpkin seeds and cilantro. It’s a seasonal delight that’s even vegan-friendly.

Fish Taco is one of those places where we’ve never had a bad meal, and being kid-friendly is always a plus. And now that they’re even closer to us with their new location, it’s a given that we’ll be visiting more often.

Fish Taco is located at Wildwood Shopping Center in 10305 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda, 7945 MacArthur Blvd in Cabin John, and 7015 Wisconsin Ave in downtown Bethesda.