Tag Archives: Logan Circle

Rice: Sautéed Chicken and Asian Pumpkin

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Rice: Sautéed Chicken & Asian Pumpkin

Eating at Rice in Logan Circle is like stepping into a spa. Its minimalist, natural décor coupled with the dining experience actually causes you to leave feeling lighter than when you came in. Unlike some Thai restaurants, the cuisine at Rice comes without the grease. Enjoy a guilt-free meal, eaten at the restaurant, as take-out or as delivery. They have one of the fastest delivery times in the area.

We loved learning that Rice owner Sak Pollert created the restaurant with the inspiration of his childhood in Thailand. Sticky, fragrant jasmine rice played a leading role in all three meals of the day, hence the name of the restaurant. All entrees are served with diamond shaped mounds of rice that come in a variety of colors and flavors. You never know which one you’ll get, it’s like playing rice roulette.

The menu at Rice is divided into three sections: Rice Specialty, Authentic Thai and Healthy Green. The Best Thing on the Menu: Sautéed Chicken and Asian Pumpkin with Basil and Peppercorns is highly addictive and can be found in the “Rice Specialty” section of the menu. Its mild heat is a treat for the tongue, as is the texture and flavor of the Asian pumpkin, also known as Kabocha. Unlike other pumpkin produce products, kabocha is available year-round and tastes much like a sweet potato.

Pumpkin makes another appearance on the menu in the form of Pumpkin Empanadas. We recommend these, as well as the Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad.

Sautéed Chicken and Asian Pumpkin not your BTM? Post your favorites in the comments section.

Top Five Eats to Beat the Heat

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DC is at the height of swelter season and so we thought we’d provide some recommendations on five treats to eat in the heat. If you venture out in the humidity, head to the following five spots for these cool dishes.

Mari Vanna's Borscht1. Mari Vanna’s Cold Borscht

Borscht is the perfect chilled, colorful summer soup. Unlike its hot winter counterpart, laden with beef, potatoes and sour cream, this vegetarian version is light and refreshing. Just don’t wear your best summer whites to eat beets. For more on what to order at this charming Dupont Circle Russian establishment (besides vodka), click here.

B TOO's Fried Orange Sherbet2. B TOO’s Fried Orange Sorbet

This is like the tempera ice cream you would beg your parents for when they “dragged” you to a sushi restaurant to “expand your horizons” when you were little. Fried ice cream is back with a bang at B TOO. This temperature impossibility sits atop sweet, candied fennel and is surrounded by fried basil leaves. Quite simply, it’s summer on a plate. For more on this Top Chef-studded Logan Circle restaurant click here.

Sushi Taro's Sashimi Omakase3. Sushi Taro’s Sashimi Omakase

You may not know the meaning of the Japanese word omakase, but chances are you’ve eaten a tasting menu or two in your time. Omakase essentially means you’re getting the top, chef-recommended selections of the day. And at Dupont Circle’s Sushi Taro, where they fly in a large portion of fish from Tokyo, you’re in for a wild ride. Sometimes, it’s far more fun to let the experts decide! There’s nothing steamy about sashimi, it’s light and fresh and the perfect summer eat. For more on Sushi Taro, click here.

Del Campo's Scallop Ceviche4. Del Campo’s Grilled Scallop Sushi Ceviche

It’s sushi, no it’s ceviche, no wait, it’s both! Del Campo continues to turn out great grilled items and this one in particular is perfect for warm weather. The scallops sit atop nigiri sushi-like rice mounds and are adorned with a smoked uni sauce. A little bit of raw, and a little bit of heat. We just visited Del Campo in Chinatown and had the special opportunity to interview Chef Victor Albisu. Click here to hear his thoughts on the most popular, and most daring, menu picks.

Teddy's Crab and Avocado5. Teddy’s Crab and Avocado

Teddy’s is a great second edition to the presidential-themed dining establishments in DC. We admit that Dupont Circle’s Teddy might be a little more fun in the winter, when it’s time to pack on the pounds by eating game meat, carbs from the heartland and rich desserts. However, there are a couple items on the menu today that are ripe for summer consumption. The best of which is their crab and avocado dish served with grilled corn and a sauce that’s worth soaking up with their homemade breadbasket. See our pick for Best Thing on the Menu here.

Agree/Disagree with our top dishes? Tell us in the comments section or on the BTM Facebook page.

Birch and Barley: Fig and Prosciutto Flatbread

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Birch and Barley Flatbread

There is much to be said about a perfect pair – bubbly and caviar, peanut butter and jelly (or bacon!), truffles and risotto…. But, there is even more to say about a triumphant trio that unites three flavors that cover every square inch of taste bud.

Birch & Barley’s Best Thing on the Menu: Fig & Prosciutto Flatbread Gorgonzola Cremificato & Caramelized Onions is just that. Figs, prosciutto and blue cheese of any breed go hand-in-hand-in-hand. The figs are sweet and caramelized, the prosciutto savory and salty and the Gorgonzola tart and funky. The onions are a nice addition to this threesome.

The Best Thing on the Menu isn’t the only reason to eat at Logan Circle’s Birch & Barley. In fact, here are five more:

1. Casual Meal or Fancy Dinner, It’s Your Choice

Your meal at Birch & Barley is what you make it. Go for pizza, Brät Burgers and beer or opt for a fine dining experience with menu items like grilled octopus and striped bass. They even offer a tasting menu, so you can put your meal in the hands of the chef and leave the task of decision-making in the dust.

2. Beer. Beer, Beer, Beer

Great news! Downstairs at Birch & Barley you are still privy to ChurchKey’s beer bible and daunting draft list. They boast having an arsenal of 555 varieties of artisanal beers. Wine pairings are a thing of the past when you enter these doors.

3. Two Words, Bread Board

You know you’re in for a good meal when the bread arrives. The steaming pretzel rolls get a special shout out. It’s hard to pass by sidewalk diners in the summer and not swipe one.

4. Built-in After Dinner Drink Plans

You’re done eating dessert and the question arises, where to now? How about just heading upstairs for a more boisterous atmosphere, where you’re sure to bump into friends, literally.

5. Reservations, Finally

With 14th Street becoming a lollapalooza of new restaurants, reservations are finally opening up at this highly coveted locale.

Fig & Prosciutto Flatbread not your BTM? Post your favorites in the comments section. More reasons to love Birch & Barley, share those too!

Le Diplomate: Sea Scallops with Spring Peas, Orzo and Carrot Vinaigrette

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Le Diplomate Scallops

At last, Philadelphia food mogul Stephen Starr has made his DC debut with Le Diplomate. We hope that this cousin to “Parc” in Philly is the gateway drug to many more Starr restaurants like Alma De Cuba, El Vez and Jones making their way down 95 South to the District.

The restaurant interior, as well as the patio seating, has succeeded in capturing a French feel. This holds especially true for the “Garden Room,” which is appointed with green tiles and a glass ceiling, lending a very Gatsby vibe to your dining experience.

Chef Adam Schop churns out wonders from the kitchen including The Best Thing on the Menu: Sea Scallops with Spring Peas, Orzo and Carrot Vinaigrette. What the menu doesn’t tell you is that the carrot vinaigrette packs a curried punch. This perfectly balanced dish took us by surprise. Come for the frites; come back again and again for the scallops.

There’s something on the menu for every season at Le Diplomate. When November rolls around, we’ll be sure to visit and order two helpings of the Beef Bourguignon to prepare for hibernation.

One note of caution, if you make your dining decisions based on decibels, Le Diplomate reaches the upper echelons of being boisterous. But to most, that’s part of the charm.

The talk around Logan Circle tables these days seems to center on determining if the mussels are better at B TOO (Previously covered on BTM here) or Le Diplomate. We want to hear from you, share your favorites in the comments section.

Commissary: Portabella w/ Chickpea Puree, Purple Kale, Chevre, Quinoa Risotto & Red Pepper Coulis

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Commissary is exactly what it bills itself as, “Your Neighborhood Place.” It’s like the college sweatshirt you have been wearing since even before you got accepted as a student ten years ago. It’s familiar, cozy and the perfect fit for many casual occasions.

Commissary’s brother and sister eatwelldc restaurants receive greater fanfare, especially The Pig, where you still can’t walk in on a weekday. However, there are some real innovative dishes appearing on Commissary’s menu that are equally worthy of foodie applause.

The pizzas, burgers, tacos and other fare at Commissary do the trick, but these types of dishes are hard to ruin. What’s difficult, however, is creating a filling, creative, flavorful and innovative vegetarian dish that will please carnivores and herbivores alike.

The Best Thing on the Menu: Portabella w/ Chickpea Puree, Purple Kale, Chevre, Quinoa Risotto & Red Pepper Coulis can be found in the “Dinners” section of the menu.

We recognize that the photo looks a bit like a crime scene, but give the complex flavors and array of textures a chance. The brightly-colored red pepper sauce is so much more fun than a tomato-based sauce. Enjoy the BTM, but note that it does not translate well to take-out.

This BTM was recommended by a blog fan and boy, was she right! Have a dish you think we should dive into? Contact us at bestthingonthemenu@yahoo.com.

It will be interesting to study how Commissary and Logan Tavern fare with the upcoming Logan Circle grand openings.  Stay tuned!

Stuffed Portabella not your BTM? Post your favorites in the comments section.