Barberry BBQ Glazed Lamb Chop Kabob Wrap

Menu Item for Amoo's Event "Culinary Journey From Tehran To Memphis"

Goat Cheese and basil lime slow braised lump crab meatball

Menu Item for August 30, 2013 event "Culinary Journey From Tehran To Memphis"

Hot N Blue Koubideh Sandwich

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Takeateasy (Downtown DC)

Takeateasy is one of those restaurants I've seen grow in the past few months. The two brothers who opened this tiny downtown DC restaurant have an different view when it comes to South American cuisine. When they initially opened up, I heard about how these guys started this restaurant from scratch.

When you're in the hospitality industry, somehow you always know about other places and you always end up knowing someone who knows the owner or the Chef. Months ago, I was introduced to these two brothers via a friend who kept talking about Takeateasy all the time so finally I decided to try out this place. At first when you walk in, you'll notice that's its kind of dark, and there's no hostess, so it's important that you walk all the way inside so they can notice you! I usually sit at the bar. It gives me an opportunity to be little social with the bartenders! 

The drinks are amazing and the food is top notch. But the one thing that has stood out to me, was the Calamari. It's the best calamari in town. And believe me when I say it's the best. So tender, so soft and literally it melts in your mouth. The dipping sauce? Ketchup and mayonnaise mixed together and that's it! Simple but delicious. The breading that's used for the calamari, is made from beer batter, which for some crazy reason it goes so well with the ketchup and mayonnaise sauce. Takeateasy offers a variety of options on their menu, such as tapas, sandwiches and entrees which I've tried them all. They're all good but I've had better. On Fridays and Saturdays, they are open till late hours of the night and close around 3am!

Be sure to check out takeateasy while you're in the downtown area. It's definitely worth the visit!!

Chef Nacho and I hanging in his kitchen.

This guy is very talented!!

Cafe Romeos (Glover Park)

I moved to Glover Park in NW Washington, DC in November of 2012 and immediately fell in love with this neighborhood located on Wisconsin Ave, north of Georgetown.

This neighborhood is filled with all sorts of restaurants. You can find just about any kind of cuisine. From Vietnamese to Italian, American to Latin, tapas to egg rolls, carryout, and 24 hour spots that serve some of the best food in the area. 

When it comes to pizza, I tend to look for places that are not very well known. From my own past experiences, the best food are often found in the most random spots and or it's run by mom and pops. 

Cafe Romeos is one if those places. Though I have never been there during the normal hours of the day, I have never seen this place with people in it. And that's majority because they deliver and have a huge carryout business. Cafe Romeos does cater guest with full service if you chose to dine in. Right front of the entrance to the restaurant, there's a patio, room for several tables outside where they offer flavored tobacco hookahs. 

There are few tables inside and the walls are filled with Italian artwork and posters.

There's bottles of wine every where! The ceiling is clustered with plastic grape vines hanging down. It's not a place you go for ambiance and or romantic date. But for the unusual cravings for something fast, cheap and delicious in the most random times of your life, this is your place. I have tried the gyros, the wings, chicken parmesan, and their chicken sandwich which were all ok. But my heart belongs to their Margherita pizza which is made with homemade tomato sauce, slices of mozzarella cheese and I always ask for tons of basil on my pizza. Basil is my favorite herb and so when I do order this delicious pizza I ask the gentleman who answers the phone to hit me with extra basil. This pizza it's so heavenly.... It's just a pie of contentment!  

Go there for breakfast, go there after drinking, go there and smoke a hookah while sipping on wine and beer. There's never a wrong time to have their delicious Margherita pizza! 

Creamy goat cheese and basil slow braised meatball

Old Ebbitts Grill (Washington DC)

Old Ebbitts is the oldest restaurant in Washington D.C Established in the 1850's and currently they are running on a system that most restaurants in the area are trying to adapt. They are the parent restaurant of the Clydes Group of Washington and over looks their multiple locations in the Metro area.
This is the restaurant you go to experience the real Washingtonian way of dining. You can sense the grand feeling of dining politics.
Their late dining and raw bar only enhances the experience. But yet you cant find any better happy hour place in DC.
From Mondays to Thursdays the back area bar is the best part of the restaurant to be in during happy hours.
Try anything on the menu, you will not regret it! Excellent Oysters.

Mole Poblano (Chocolate Based) and saffron marinated boneless chicken kabob

The Cupping Room Cafe (Soho) NYC

After working for so many days in a row without any time off this past month, I thought it'd be a good idea to take few days off and venture out on my own to Manhattan New York. I am very familiar with New York City style of cuisine since I lived in New York years back working as a server at an Italian restaurant.

I learned that New Yorkers love variety.

So therefore for this trip I knew I had no problem finding those hidden gems. 

Though I have lived in New York previously, I had not spent too much time in lower side of Manhattan. I never really had the opportunity to try the restaurants In particularly Soho.

After my arrival in Manhattan, I made plans to meet a friend for dinner in Soho. 

We decided that instead of using the Internet to search for a good restaurant, we'd walk around Soho and pick a place together. We started to head north on Canal towards Broadway where at first you see nothing but clothing stores. As soon as we hit Broadway, we turned right and we noticed this tiny beige doors with steps front of it. There were candles lit on the side of the steps looking up towards the main entrance. As we looked up we saw wooden sign hanging on the upper right side of the entrance doors that said "Cupping Room Cafe" 

Natalia's curiosity led us inside and we were immediately greeted by a very friendly hostess. The first thing I noticed was the Music. "Where is this wonderful jazz is coming from" I asked. 

"It's coming from the back sir"  the hostess responded. 

So I asked her if she can take us to a table that was close to the band that was playing this amazing tune I was hearing. 

We were sat at a table directly across from the band. A guitar player, a drummer and a sax player. 

It was dark in the restaurant. Candles were lit everywhere. And noticed this beautiful black crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling that only enhanced the beauty of this tiny Soho bistro. 

First we asked for cocktails and came to find out that Natalia is a huge fan of Mojitos, so we both ordered the wild berry Mojitos that was made from scratch. Best Mojitos I have ever had. 

As we were sipping our Mojitos we were scrolling down the menu to choose an entree. 

Natalia noticed the duck stuffed ravioli that was steamed in a creamy garlic and white wine sauce. 

I noticed that the entrees came with mixed green salad. Natalia not being that hungry asked if we could split the entree. I agreed and waited for the meal to arrive. Meanwhile, the band was starting to warm up and the tunes were only getting better. I hadn't seen Natalia for several years so this gave us the opportunity to catch up. Minutes passed and our salad arrived followed be the ravioli. The salad was simple but delicious. Served with a side of French passion fruit vinaigrette dressing that was just perfect for this mixed fresh arugula and baby spinach salad topped off with walnuts and grated Gouda cheese.

Next up was the pasta! At this point it was time to order two glasses of Sauvignon Blanc to go with this dish. This ravioli was steamed in the white wine cream sauce and stuffed with duck breast fillet. It was Devine! Best way I have had duck. The cream sauce for this dish was balanced right. Not too garlicky and just perfect! 

It was a delightful experience as we drank wine, enjoyed very serene music and savored an awesome dinner as Natalia and I caught up over a great conversation. Definitely a place you'd want to check out of you're ever in Soho.

Unforgettable experience!