Surfside in Glover Park (Burleith to be exact)

If any of you have ever been to Belmar, NJ, there is a place called Surf Taco on Main Street between 10th and 9th. The food is ok, but what is interesting is the combo's they have and the crowd. This is late night beach-fare just a few blocks from Bar Anticipation (or BA if you're a local). BA is like Seacrets in OC, which I have to imagine most of you have stumbled into, or out of, at one time or another. Anyhow, I'm digressing. This place reminds me of Surf Taco.Surf's up dude. Welcome the newest addition to Glover Park. There are two new ones to follow (Kitchen and Blue Ridge), but I'll get to those soon enough.
The specials board. Always popular by the beach. The specials were interesting, but mostly re-mixes of the stuff on the regular menu.

The interior is spacious, noisy, open to Wisconsin Ave. as well as Tunlaw, and a fun place to be.

Order up! Step up to the counter and fill in your paper chit, or get one of the specials. It's all tasty, service is quick, and they've got a very casual air about them here....

My friend and I split a dish and shared two pairs of tacos. Good stuff. Interesting flavor, hot, and quick. Nice to be able to get food like this quickly, but remember, there is always a price. You could get a sit-down, three-course restaurant week lunch at many good restaurants downtown for what you pay to get some chips/queso, a pair of taco's, and non-alcholic bev here.

Convenience has its price.

Update: Grace's Mandarin at the National Harbor

Sorry, I've been remiss in posting. Things have been busy at work and I'm running to catch up.

So, here's the scoop.

I went back to Grace's Mandarin at the National Harbor: Wowed again.

The view is great during the day, and the lighting inside is something to behold in the evening.

$5.95 for a bowl of hot and sour soup? I scoffed, until I tried it. This is not the strangely-viscous stuff you get at your corner Chinese carryout. This is worth it. Try it if you get the chance.

The sushi was fresh and tasty. I was there about 1:30pm for lunch and the main dining floor was fairly full. The staff seems to be coming up to speed and I'm hoping that they'll be all polished by the time spring rolls around. You'll need reservations as this place is going to be the place to eat at the harbor.

Until next time...

Making the Blanquette de Homard Bourdain Style..

If you read my previous blog on this recipe (I'm usually not like this....), you know I love this dish. It's not too hard, it's impressive looking, the prep is easy (except for the murder of the innocent lobsters) and it tastes great.

For those of you who were wondering exactly, "How bad is the violence involved?" I've included a link to a video this time showing the actual massacre.

View it if you dare!

This was a dinner I prepared for my mother-in-law's Birthday last weekend.

Here is a picture of the finished product.

Enjoy.

Keep the letters and cards coming.