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CUISINE

FEATURED CUISINE -


RedWhite Boneless Ramen - 294 Newbury St, Boston, MA,
"The format of the compact menu is create-your-own rice bowls, with a choice of toppings with intention—such as “Power and Muscle,” with vitamin-rich ingredients like broccoli, tofu, and brown beans—as well as sauces. Kobayashi says that each bowl is a low-calorie, 50-50 mix of greens and grains; guests can choose between red or white rice for the latter. Gluten-free guests can have a super-greens base... The flavor combinations are completely different from what’s currently available on the quick-service scene, Kobayashi says. He adds that consumers, like himself, don’t need to follow a vegan diet to appreciate the menu, because the flavors are so bold. Ueki uses an especially umami vinegar in the signature rice blends, for example, and he bolsters the citrusy yuzu sauce with a vegetable blend that amps it up to curry-like levels" ~ Excerpt from bostonmagazine.com and Link: Website - RedWhite Ramen has two locations in California and one in New York City.

DC AREA -

Toki Underground -    Located at 1234 H Street NE in Washington DC. "Toki Underground is a popular noodle shop located in Washington, D.C. Known for its hip, eclectic atmosphere and vibrant decor, it offers a unique dining experience. The restaurant specializes in Taiwanese-style ramen and dumplings, crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Toki Underground's cozy setting and flavorful dishes have made it a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike.

The house specialty is tonkotsu, a broth steeped with pig bones for 20-some hours. It’s fantastic–porky and full-flavored (don’t forget the dumplings on the side)." ~ Excerpt from Eat Around Town and Website

DAIKAYA -(705 6th St NW Washington, DC) (Two floors, two styles)
"Izakaya (2F) is a casual restaurant that serves Japanese comfort food to accompany a diverse selection of bar offerings. The izakaya experience is perfect for after work, before a big night out, as a full supper, or for late night bites with friends. The cuisine is freestyle and adaptive in nature. Each izakaya in Japan puts its own touch their menu items. The plates are typically small, so that one can sample many different items. Daikaya ramen (1F) offers Sapporo-style
ramen, which is widelyconsidered one of Japan’s most prominent and influential ramen styles. Sapporo style ramen is distinguished by itsChintan stock; a clear soup base that requires over 16 hours of careful preparation to achieve its delicate and complex depth. The stock contains chicken, pork, and beef. Our noodles are imported from Sapporo, Japan and made by Nishiyama Seimen Company according to the recipe we developed."   [Excerpting about from Website].   

Links: DAIKAYA Website

Raku Asian Dining Sushi & Sake - Bethesda MD   The Pan-Asian moniker includes Korean, Japanese, Chinese and other Asian cuisines. I have always liked their sushi and Japanese Tokyo Dashi style noodle soups.  Quotes: "I have been a couple times at this restaurant and would come back again! I truly recommend this place because they offer a good service, the food is delicious." "The menu is large and all the offerings are tempting! I don't think I've ever had a bad dish here. From the spring rolls to the salads, all the food is fresh." Trip Advisor and Website: Raku Asian Dining Sushi & Sake

Ben's Chili Bowl - located at 1213 U ST, NW  Washington, DC 20009, "On Aug. 22, 1958, Ben’s Chili Bowl was born. It was an exciting time on the U Street corridor, which was then known as "Black Broadway." Top performers could be found playing sets in clubs along the corridor, as well as eating and just "hanging out at Ben’s." The Bowl..."   Since 1958, through thick and thin, Ben's Chili's Bowl has endured social and political upheaval and half a century later now thrives. Situated on U Street in Washington, D.C., in a neighborhood that has seen some tumultuous shifts in economic prosperity but these days bares all the hallmarks of gentrification—there is a Starbucks only blocks away and one of the newest Metro station stops is located across the street. The construction of the station took over five years and negatively impacted Ben's business. "
"The closure of U street effectively cut off the Chili Bowl from the rest of the world. But just as it survived the race riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968, the economic crisis of the 1970's and the crack epidemic of the 1980's, Ben's succeeds because it sticks to the mid century ideal of providing good food at a fair price in a welcoming environment." 

Links: Review: nicksolares.com and Ben's Chili Bowl Website

The Oohhs & Aahhs Restaurant located at 1005 U St NW, in Washington, D.C.  "If you are looking for some of the best soul food in Washington, DC then Oohh’s & Aahh’s is your place! Â OOHHS & AAHHS Â is well known in the Washington Metropolitan area and is visited by many tourists and visitors throughout the United States. They have consistently received the Cheap Eats Award, and the Best Macaroni and Cheese awarded by Washingtonian Magazine."   Review excerpt: DC Nite Life and Link: Website

Carmine’s - In the DC area, located at 425 7th Street NW Washington D.C. 20004, but also located Times Square, NYC, Upper West Side, NYC Atlantic City, NJ, Las Vegas, NV, and Atlantis, Bahamas. Carmine’s is a family style restaurant offering Southern Italian cuisine. "Platters of homestyle antipasto, pasta, decadent seafood or meat entrees, and of course homemade desserts are all staples at Carmine’s, meant for sharing amongst friends and family.

When great food and wine are supported by friendly and knowledgeable service, the results are magic - we want every day to feel like a Sunday afternoon at Grandma’s!"   Excerpting parts from   Website: Carmine's.

Satsuma Japanese Restaurant located at 8003 Norfolk Ave Bethesda, MD 20814.  " Satsuma Restaurant, named for Japan's southwestern-most provinc, brings yakiniku to Bethesda for the first time.  Bethesda's Satsuma is two authentic Japanese restaurants in one.  The main entrance opens into a smart café-style dining room within one of those iconic curved Bethesda storefronts. The space is well suited to a quick meal of sushi or shared appetizers a la carte." - Website

The Yosaku Japanese Restaurant located at 4712 Wisconsin Avenue NW. in Washington, D.C.  was established in 1982. Since then, it has been not just a community favorite but also a well-known establishment in the Washington, D.C. metro area. It has been regarded by many as an important Japanese fixture visited regularly by not only Sushi afficionados but also by folks from the Japanese community, including members of the Japanese Embassy.   Link: Website;

KOTOBUKI RESTAURANT - (located at 4822 MacArthur Blvd NW, DC) "You won't find anything fancy here; there are no dragon rolls or cream cheese and salmon abominations, just standard sushi, sashimi, and rolls. The luxuriously fatty tuna is worth the few extra bucks, and the sweet inari has a strip of pickled ginger tucked inside for a nice spicy crunch. Simple is the way to order here, as the fish is typically very fresh and needs no more accompaniment than the ever present Beatles soundtrack playing softly in the background." DCist. Website: KOTOBUKI RESTAURANT

The Haikan located at 805 V ST. NW., in Washington, DC  "traditional Sapporo style ramen in DC. In addition to ramen, serving a playful selection of Japanese-inspired kozara (small plates) to share, or to start with, or to make a whole meal of by picking a few of them. Haikan's bar serves a collection of Japanese-inspired cocktails, and a concentrated selection of Japanese sake, shochu, beer, whisky, and more.."    Website

Hitching Post Restaurant - Located at 200 Upshur St. NW in Washington DC "Time mostly stands still at this longtime Southern draw in Petworth, which changed hands seven years ago but retains the neighborly spirit instilled by original owners Al and Adrienne Carter, who now live above the dining room and bar they turned over to chef Barry Dindyal. His menu kept the crowd favorites, including pork chops and fried whiting, but grew to embrace his taste for Indian. Hence the fried spinach with sweet yogurt and tamarind chutney, a hat tip to one of his previous employers, Rasika in Penn Quarter. Entrees come with a choice of two sides, making them good deals. Both the coleslaw and the potato salad merit blue ribbons, while the collards play up a thoughtful chef. Because Dindyal keeps pork out of the pot, his vegetarian customers can enjoy the greens, too."   Article excerpt: Washington Post and Website: Hitching Post Restaurant.

Menya Hosaki - Menya Hosaki is, in many ways, a business built on Ramen Shack’s foundation, carrying on the lessons that Shimamoto passed down to Yoo. Everything is fresh and housemade. Yoo has his own machine that turns out (at present) two kinds of noodles: thin, pale strands for his muscular tonkotsu ramen, and thicker, dappled whole-wheat noodles for his shoyu ramen, a semi-clear chicken-and-dashi broth that punches well above its weight class. Yoo has developed four aromatic oils that he uses to amplify and modulate his soups. He also has countless types of tare, the seasoning bases for ramen, none of which Yoo will discuss because these secret flavoring agents do most of the heavy lifting at noodle shops."    Excerpting parts from   Washington Post, Website: Menya Hosaki.

Cameron's Seafood -(8603 16th Street Silver Spring, MD) "Established in 1985. Now with 10 locations in the Maryland and Pennsylvania area, we are one of the largest seafood retailers in the region. We carry a wide variety of fresh fish and shellfish as well as a full menu of cooked seafood appetizers and platters. Cameron’s Seafood Market is the area’s largest retailer of Maryland Blue Crabs live or steamed with very competitive prices. Our mission as a company is to provide fresh quality seafood at reasonable prices to all of our customers."   Excerpting parts from   Website: Cameron's Seafood.

Open City   Located at 2331 Calvert Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Whether for brunch, a bite to eat after the zoo, or a late night breakfast, this upscale diner has it all... What happens when you mix a coffeehouse, a bar/lounge and an American diner? The answer is Open City which can appeal to early risers but also night owls. Breakfast is served all day and features a number of dishes for those with dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. Be sure to ask the server about the possibility of changing a meal to vegan or gluten-free. Try breakfast favorites including the brioche toast, buttermilk pancakes and chai waffle"    USA Today, Open City

The 90 Second Pizza located at 1077 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007  "90 Second Pizza is some of the best Neapolitan Pizza in the District and had to be near the top of our list of best pizza in Washington DC. Located in Georgetown and new to the area, you could blink and miss this fast casual shop, so keep an eye out! True to the name, the pizza cooks in 90 seconds thanks to their specialty oven imported from Italy. While the pizza cooks fast, the authentic dough takes over 48 hours to prepare and you can taste the quality! It is extremely chewy and soft, just the way we like it. The fan favorite pizza is the “90 Second” which has their famous San Marzano Tomato Sauce, mozzarella cheese and delicious spicy salami. Fold your personal pizza like a book and enjoy every bite. These pizzas are the perfect size and you don’t feel too full after having one, which we really appreciate. Added bonus, they have vegan options too!" FemaleFoodie.com, 90 Second Pizza Website

The il Piatto located at 900 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20006  "Nothing on the all-day menu is likely to send you to Google Translate. The selections read pretty much like answers to a game show invitation: Name a popular Italian dish! But who cares when the food is good? The juicy meatballs, showered with filings of pecorino cheese, are rolled from ground beef loosely held together with milk-soaked bread and egg and warmed in fresh tomato sauce. The fried calamari sport a clingy, paprika-spiced batter and get a nice charge from a garnish of pickled vegetables. A creamy tomato sauce supports a trio of arancini, golden fritters with molten interiors of rice and mozzarella." Tom Sietsema - Washington Post, Website

The Causa located at 920 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC  "Causa celebrates the South American country’s wealth of ingredients, culinary influences, and topographies in a towering, two-level building nestled in Shaw (920 Blagden Alley NW). The upper, more casual floor — coined Bar Amazonia — debuts Wednesday, May 4, with a bar, 50-seat patio, lounge, and a lush look. The fine-dining first level goes live later this month with a tasting menu-only format. Led by Peruvian-born chef and co-owner Carlos Delgado, the ambitious menu pays tribute to Peru’s three main geographical regions: the seafood-rich Pacific coast where its capital of Lima calls home; the dense Amazon rainforest; and the high-altitude Andes. Industry vets and Service Bar owners Chad Spangler and Glendon Hartley round out the Causa partnership. " dceater.com, Website

Oki Bowl at Georgetown, located at 1608 Wisconsin Ave Nw, Washington DC, DC , "Oki Bowl, located in the heart of Washington, DC, is a quirky noodle house that offers authentic Japanese cuisine and a unique dining experience. The restaurant's decor is as impressive as its menu, with mismatched lanterns hanging from the ceiling and walls adorned with rainbow posters and shelves filled with toys and trinkets. Despite its small exterior, the interior opens up to a charming space filled with flowers and lights.."" ~ Wanderlog.com


Oki Bowl at Georgetown: Website..


San Pancho Burritos Location: 7056 Carroll Ave Takoma Park, MD 20912 - "Their small storefront accomplishes two things at once. It fills the space previously occupied by the couple’s winning Mexican restaurant Cielo Rojo, which relocated to larger digs down the street this year, and it adds something fresh, from sunup to sundown, to the dining scene. Mornings bring burritos packed with fluffy scrambled (cage-free) eggs, poblano and onions. Lunch and dinner let customers also choose tortas and spirited Mexican drinks." Review excerpt - Washington Post,  Link: Website

A little Mission Burrito history...

Sushi Taro Dupont Circle- Location: 1503 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 - "located above a CVS, offers a divine sushi experience. The Kobe dish and NC Bluefin Tuna special are standouts."


"While the kaiseki entree features excellent sushi, the seafood in the hot pot was overcooked. The knowledgeable staff and extensive sake selection add to the experience. Despite the high cost, Sushi Taro's unique and delicious offerings make it a notable destination for sushi lovers." 

Link: Reviews: restaurantji.com, Sushi Taro Website

Pizzeria Paradiso -    Located at 2003 P St NW, Washington DC, "Dupont Circle can be on your route by default, the clients' piece of advice is to visit this pizzeria. The varied menu based on Italian cuisine is what you are offered at Pizzeria Paradiso Dupont Circle. You can always try perfectly cooked sausage pizza, lamb sausages and chicken wings at this place. Taste good tiramisu, cupcakes and bread pudding. Degust delicious draft beer, craft beer or house wine. Some guests like great americano, sparkling lemonade or bread drink at this spot. " ~ Excerpt from restaurantguru.com and Link: Website

Elmina - located at 2208 14th St NW, Washington, DC. Elmina is what happens when Ghanaian food shows up to DC’s fine dining scene in its Sunday best. The $135 four-course tasting menu blends deep tradition with sharp technique: think scallop crudo with citrus and coconut, rich palm nut stew with shrimp and octopus, and a jollof duck pot dripping with smoky, pepper-laced shito. The obvious move at Elmina, from celebrity chef Eric Adjepong, is to come for a birthday, anniversary, or some other occasion that warrants a nice


shirt and some planning ahead and sitting in one of the two dining rooms. And while it’s great for that, we also love to come here on a whim and sit at the bar for the more casual a la carte menu, where you can get bites like okra fries, octopus kebabs with a shito glaze, or a hamachi collar with plantain chips. In a city with one of the largest Ghanaian communities in the U.S., Elmina is an excellent—and long overdue—addition to the DC dining scene."   Website: Elmina.