Cava Barracks Row

We're settling in to our new apartment.  What a difference a few hundred feet makes!  One of the nicest perks is access to the renovated fitness center with a climate-controlled cardio machine room. The dangererous thing about our new gym is the tv attached to each machine.  While I was trotting along to an episode of HGTV's House Hunters, my boyfriend was watching Food Network's special on Greek food.  With the memory of whole roasted fish in his head, he was on a mission to find a place to try it.  After thinking about possible places, we had an impromptu dinner at Cava.  Without a reservation we had a short wait for a table, so we started off with some taramosalata ($5.95) and pinot grigio at the bar.  The pita is not made in house, so it's just ok, but the whipped roe dip was fluffy and delicious.

 We decided to try some new dishes, and went with the waiter's recommendation of grilled lamb chops $14.95.  They're served on a bed of french fries with lemon and fresh parsley.  The lamb was juicy and tender.

 Whole roasted fish.  Mkt. price $32.95.  This was a 1.5 lb. bronzino with parsley, lemon juice and olive oil.  Very simple preparation, and really enjoyable. 

Grilled Asparagus with lemon vinaigrette and feta cheese ($7.95).

Kellari Taverna DC

It's a fabulous conundrum to choose a restaurant for lunch with your coworkers when someone else is treating.  My boyfriend asked for some suggestions with food, service and close proximity to their office being the most important parameters.  I suggested Tosca, Central, Blue Duck Tavern, Bourbon Steak, Ris or J&G.  Those were a little far, so they went to Kellari Taverna, the Greek fish restaurant on K Street.  http://www.kellaridc.com/ Kellari has a great Business Lunch special for $24.95 for 3 courses.

 Spanikopita - spinach, leeks and feta stuffed in phyllo dough.

 

Grilled Calamari

 Rockfish with polenta and rapini

Grilled Salmon - grilled fennel, roasted tomatoes

 Galaktoboureko - vanilla bean semolina custard with phyllo dough

Yogurt Cheesecake

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These days with many offices cutting back on holiday parties, it was a lovely gesture by their coworker to take everyone out for lunch.  Sometimes I forget how lucky my boyfriend and I are that we work with really nice people.  I've been lucky to never experience the office mean girls or caustic bosses.   

All of the food was good and a perfect portion size for someone like me.  For my boyfriend, he could have used a little more I think. 

Samos Restaurant in Baltimore's Greek Town

On our way to see a Japanese band named Envy in Baltimore, my boyfriend and I stopped by a Greek place recommended by a friend.  We both love Mediterranean flavors, so we had to try out Samos after my friend raved about the food.  http://www.samosrestaurant.com/menu.htm

I didn't even know that Baltimore had a Greek Town, but judging by the lines of people waiting for a table at 6 pm on a Saturday, this is a popular spot.  It is cash-only, but there is an ATM near the restrooms.

Trio of Homemade Greek Spreads $9.75

Olive tapenade, roasted red pepper hummus, Melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant with garlic, lemon and olive oil).  My favorite was the eggplant but my better half loved the hummus. 

 Hot pita wedges.  So good with all of the spreads.

 Small Greek Salad $6.50.  (There's a large size, but this was perfect to share.)

The famous salad dressing comes on the side in a bottle.

Spanikopita $5.75

The flaky phyllo dough encased a nice mixture of spinach and feta cheese. 

Gyro Pita Wrap with everything $5.50.

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Samos is closed Sundays, has carryout and is BYOB.  They do not take reservations, and they do become busy, but the Greek food is worth the wait.

Cava Mezza on Capitol Hill

I love Greek food. I've been dreaming about Santorini for years. One day I'll make it there. Until then, there's Cava Mezze Restaurant. http://www.cavamezze.com/ I like the location in Eastern Market/Capitol Hill and look forward to having a closer one in Clarendon. Best place to sit is outside on their patio. Inside, it's very dark and very loud. I like to go with friends who enjoy sharing food. If you guard your plate and ward off tasters with your fork, we're not meant to be food friends. About 2 per person is a good starting point, later add another if you find yourself not bursting at the seams.

Eggplant dip - roasted baby eggplant with garlic, herbs and olive oil.
Taramosalata - whipped salmon roe...so fluffy, light and utterly delicious with warm pita bread. Spanakopita - spinach and feta wrapped in phyllo dough

Grilled baby octopus - so tender and delicious with a spritz of lemon juice

Pan-seared jumbo scallops on a mushroom risotto

Cava Mac and Cheese - papadelle pasta with Greek cheese and arugula

Spicy lamb sliders with jalapeno, feta, frisee and Greek yogurt.

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I've also tried the Saganaki, which is very theatrical with the flames shooting towards the ceiling, but this is more a dish for the eyes than the stomach. The crazy feta is good, but I can only eat a little bit. The mini gyro pita is a misnomer, as the plate includes 3 gyros and is not very mini. The chicken souvlaki was dry and I wouldn't order it again.

Z is for Zaytinya

Despite its former head chef Mike Isabella's less than enlightened view of his female competitors on Top Chef, I have liked Zaytinya since it opened in 2003. It's great for group dinners and solo outings. On an early summer afternoon, it was a fantastic place to sit outside and enjoy some small plates of Mediterranean food with a glass, or two, of wine.

Hommus with a pool of olive oil in the center and warm pita bread is my preferred way to start off.
Adana kebab with onions and sumac. Adana kebab is a Turkish specialty. A mixture of ground lamb seasoned with salt and red pepper flakes is formed around a skewer and grilled.
Kolokithokeftedes are pan-seared Greek zucchini and cheese patties.

Falafel (Lebanese), traditional chickpea fritters, are delicious wrapped in pita with h0mmus.

Lebanese shish taouk is grilled chicken with onions, sumac and garlic paste.