Monday, May 3, 2010

Founding Farmers vs. Farmers & Fishers

Founding Farmers and Farmers & Fishers, "sister" restaurants, both bring a lot to the table.

Founding Farmers is in the Foggy Bottom area, whereas Farmers & Fishers is on the waterfront in Georgetown. Point 1 for F&F for it's location.

Founding Farmers' food is slightly better in my opinion. Both restaurants have very good food and affordable prices. But I like more of the food options on the FF menu (cornbread with butter and honey spread is amazing). Point 2 goes to FF.

The "vibe" at FF is also better. F&F has these plastic green and white checkered tablecloths that are gross. Point 3 to FF.

Both restaurants pride themselves on their mixed drinks, which are very impressive. The offerings seem very similar, but FF has "recession proof" drinks that are 3-4 bucks less than the other cocktails, and F&F does not have this option. Point 4 to FF.

Finally, for kicking us out of F&F when the bathroom started flooding even though people were still working on their drinks, and with no compensation, final point to FF.

So all and all unless you want to be near the Waterfront, if you're choosing between these two restaurants, go to Founding Farmers- beats Farmers & Fishers 4 to 1.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Open City - 2331 Calvert Street NW

Boy was I struggling when I got up on Sunday. The Kentucky Derby always makes for a LONG day and my roommates and I had spent the majority of it drinking mint juleps at Bourbon. I had to make a decision...throw in the towel and call it a Sunday or slam a Powerade and head over to Open City for brunch. I'm glad I didn't choose to melt into the couch.

I had never been to Open City, buuuut I knew it was there because of its proximity to the worst establishment in D.C. (Woodley Park Cafe). The wait was about 30 minutes so we picked up some smoothies from the little cafe they have inside. They were way too expensive, but they were really fresh and made with real fruit. It was a beautiful day outside so we chilled on the benches and hung out with a pit bull named Misty until our table was ready.

We were seated after about 30-40 minutes and the table was kind of sticky, but I will chalk that up to how busy they were. The most surprising thing about this place were the prices! Everything was under ten bucks and a brunch place in DC will usually run ya around 15-20. They serve breakfast all day here (money) and have a variety of pizzas and sandwiches as well. The vibe is really cool with all of the windows open and, a huge patio, and solid tunes over the sound system. For 9 bucks I got a 3 egg omelet with smoked salmon, tomatoes, and cream cheese. All of the breakfasts also come with choice of grits/hashbrowns and some toast. The hashbrowns were a welcomed change of pace to the terrible breakfast potatoes that most places serve up here. Since I've been here I have yet to find hashbrowns that are as good as the ones from Waffle House. My omelet was freakin awesome and it filled me up for under 10 bucks. Other orders included: a blt and a wide variety off egg and hashbrown combos. All of these orders received good reviews and the turnover once we sat down was relatively quick.

I was not expecting much from Open City, but I am now a fan and will recommend it to anyone who asks. Next time I go I would like to try and go in the evening so I can stay longer and enjoy a few drinks with my dinner. I give it a B+.

Highlights: smoked salmon and cream cheese combo coupled with a great scene.

Lowlights: Waiter didn't check in after taking our orders and our table was sticky :)