Looking back on my meal on Central I find it hard to believe that it took me almost three years to eat here. I know plenty of people who have dined there and loved it, but I never pulled the trigger. Well, I did a few weeks ago and it was worth it. The first thing that grabbed my attention while perusing the menu online was the fact that you could eat cheap here if you wanted to. I love the idea of going to a restaurant and being able to dine cheap or go big. This also makes it a lot easier to eat with a group.
Central is one of famed chef Michel Richard's D.C. establishments. When you walk into the penn quarter restaurant it gives off the vibe of a happy hour spot that turns into fine dining after 7. Danielle and I got the inside scoop on what the best items on the menu were from a friend who used to be a chef there. Some of the mentioned items were: Pork Belly Confit, Frisee Salad with poached egg, Filet Tartare, Loup de Mar, and the Lobster burger. We started with a couple beers and the Asian style Tuna Carpaccio. This was DELICIOUS! The tuna was sushi grade and cut very thin with minced ginger and some spice on top. The bread it came with was a little tough for the tuna, but it didn't change the dish too much. For entrees...She had the Frisee Salad with poached egg and I had the Loup de Mar (Sea Bass). This was the entire fish from head to tail and was minimally seasoned which I enjoyed. The lime vinegrette that came with the side salad was also good. The fish was HUGE and covered with grilled mushrooms which is one of my favorite toppings (on anything). I had never heard of poached egg on a salad before, but I had a bite or two and it was interesting...but not stellar. I was really full after this, but Central is pretty much known for their desserts so we ordered a couple. We decided on the Michel Candy Bar and the Bread Pudding. The candy bar was his take on a kit kat and was pretty cool. I wish it was a reeses or something though because Kit Kats aren't all that. The bread pudding was sooo rich. Personally, I like the bread pudding at Old Ebbit better. However, we got both of the desserts for free since we knew someone who worked there so no love lost there.
After being there once I definitely see what all the hype is about. Central is somewhere where people on a budget can eat like they aren't on one. I need to get back for happy hour to try some of those cocktails too. Shout out to Ayesha, our waitress, for the stellar service too.
Overall - A-
Highlights - Asian Tuna Carpaccio
Lowlights - We were stuffed in a corner booth since the restaurant was filled with actual ballers lol
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Sushi Sushi - 3714 Macomb Street NW
I am writing this review in memoriam. I've been to/ordered from Sushi Sushi at least 30 times. Danielle introduced me to this hole in the wall almost two years ago and I think it was some of the best sushi in the district. Well, Sushi Sushi is no more (as of about a month ago) and I wish I had gone there one last time and broke the bank.
Sushi Sushi probably got a lot of its business from overflow of 2 Amy's and Cactus Cantina. The space was pretty small and had a huge mural of the ocean on the interior. The service was always great and they delivered for free. Since I've been there so many times I thought I would just highlight a few of my menu favorites.
The seaweed salad here was a great starter. It was chilled and just enough food for an appetizer. There were 3-4 types of seaweed in the dish. This was a perfect dish to make you feel a little better about what you did the entire weekend. SS also had a great miso soup for like 2 bucks. Thats 2 bucks cheaper than most other places.
The best part of the restaurant was the "special" sushi rolls. All of the rolls were made with high quality fish, but each was done in a different way. What made sushi sushi great was the fact that these rolls were 5-8 bucks as opposed to 15-18 bucks at high-end sushi spots. The Macomb roll was far and away the best (california roll inside topped with red snapper and spicy mayo, served grilled). Since sushi sushi has been gone I have been ordering spicy mayo with my other sushi orders, but it just aint the same. My second favorite roll was the Ocean roll (battered yellow tail, salmon and red snapper inside topped by crabmeat and chef's special sweet sauce). Both of these rolls are huge! Easily twice the size of normal sushi rolls. The most unique thing that they offered was called "the smokey boat" (half avocado filled with crab stick topped with shrimp and home made spicy mayo and baked. served with a touch of chef's sweet sauce). This was kind of pricey compared to the rest of the menu, but it was well worth it the few times I ordered it.
Highlights - Macomb roll and free delivery
Lowlights - Its F'IN closed!
Rating - Solid A babay
Sushi Sushi probably got a lot of its business from overflow of 2 Amy's and Cactus Cantina. The space was pretty small and had a huge mural of the ocean on the interior. The service was always great and they delivered for free. Since I've been there so many times I thought I would just highlight a few of my menu favorites.
The seaweed salad here was a great starter. It was chilled and just enough food for an appetizer. There were 3-4 types of seaweed in the dish. This was a perfect dish to make you feel a little better about what you did the entire weekend. SS also had a great miso soup for like 2 bucks. Thats 2 bucks cheaper than most other places.
The best part of the restaurant was the "special" sushi rolls. All of the rolls were made with high quality fish, but each was done in a different way. What made sushi sushi great was the fact that these rolls were 5-8 bucks as opposed to 15-18 bucks at high-end sushi spots. The Macomb roll was far and away the best (california roll inside topped with red snapper and spicy mayo, served grilled). Since sushi sushi has been gone I have been ordering spicy mayo with my other sushi orders, but it just aint the same. My second favorite roll was the Ocean roll (battered yellow tail, salmon and red snapper inside topped by crabmeat and chef's special sweet sauce). Both of these rolls are huge! Easily twice the size of normal sushi rolls. The most unique thing that they offered was called "the smokey boat" (half avocado filled with crab stick topped with shrimp and home made spicy mayo and baked. served with a touch of chef's sweet sauce). This was kind of pricey compared to the rest of the menu, but it was well worth it the few times I ordered it.
Highlights - Macomb roll and free delivery
Lowlights - Its F'IN closed!
Rating - Solid A babay
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