Tasty Memories of DC

As I am in the process of packing up my life to move down to Savannah, Georgia, I have been taking some time out to visit my favorite restaurants and bars in the DC area. I am sad to leave this area for many reasons, and I must admit that one of them is the great international food selections.

PHO 75
I think that my number one most frequented restaurant in Arlington is Pho 75, hands down. I eat there about once a week, more in the colder months. I have already been searching for a pho location in Savannah, and I am not sure I have found one, but I am just dreading leaving this Arlington joint. The aroma of their soup can be smelled from outside the door, and I am always drawn to the same selection, a small plain with vinegared onion. Mmmmm......I can admit that I am looking forward to eating there the next two weeks while we pack up the kitchen. At under $6.00 a meal, who can deny themselves that treat? Plus, it's gluten free!

LA TASCA
What can I say? I ate there mostly before I went gluten free, but they have some delicious 'gf' options too. The jamon serrano y queso manchego, patatas bravas con ali-oli, queso manchego, and champinones al ajillo are just a few of my favorites. The amazing food and multiple sangria selections made for great happy hour and birthday meeting places. I miss LaTasca already! Maybe I will be visiting there this week!

TASTE OF MOROCCO
I had wanted to dine here in Clarendon before we flew to Morocco over the holidays last year, but my boyfriend suggested that we wait and return after having 'real' Moroccan food. So we did. And let me tell you, a Taste of Morocco matches the dining experience we had in Fes almost exactly down to the menus and serving plates. I have dined at Marrakesh in DC, and, although I had a great time there, was a little disappointed in the quality of their food. The Clarendon location has impressed me every time I have been there. The wine served was the exact wine that I had puchased by the bottle in Morocco (for 60 dirhams, roughly six American dollars). The wine served here is $20 a bottle, which is pricy for me, but SO worth the memories. The bastilla is so flaky and moist, unlike the drier version we were served at Marrakesh. I have already found a Moroccan restaurant in Savannah, Casbah, and I am excited to sample their cuisine. You might find me at Taste of Morroco next week! Just talking about the bastilla makes my mouth water and crave some mint tea!

BANANA CAFE AND PIANO BAR
Believe it or not, I do have many favorites in DC, and the Banana Cafe and Piano Bar is always a great place to go in the summer. I LOVE their ceviche, and I have created a recipe of my own (posted earlier this year) that comes pretty close to theirs; atmosphere not included. I am also a HUGE fan of the stuffed yuca. I had never had stuffed yuca before dining here, so I do not have a comparison, but it is one of my favorite meals. Or, was one of them before going gluten free (the yuca is fried). Another perk of this locale? The piano bar!

GHANA CAFE
The Ghana Cafe started out as our number one pick in the DC area. We loved the small location, the friendly service and the huge Club imported beers. We had gone there a few times and when we returned a month or so ago, the friendly service was gone, the beer was very expensive, and they didn't have anything we asked for. My fried plaintains and peanuts seemed to lack love as well.

A few other place of note, Hotel Washington has a great rooftop terrace for watching sunset and catching up with friends. Tapatinis is always a fun hip place to go sample new martinis. Five Guys, I can not forget about Five Guys. We often talk about how profitable we could be opening up a location in Savannah.

There are so many places that I love here; my head is now filled with about 30 more 'favorites'. So perhaps I will make this a series....all I know is that I am really going to miss the big buffet of DC food selections! For now...back to packing....perhaps I'll stop for some pho first....