Fish Market's Anchor Bar in Old Town

Capping off a full afternoon of P90X, running, walking and attempts at frisbee (I'm still working on the toss), we headed to the Fish Market in Old Town.  Given the option between the restaurant and the livelier Anchor Bar, we settled into a wooden booth in the bar surrounded by tvs showing football and sporadic Simpsons audio.http://www.fishmarketva.com/index.php?/site/menus/

 2 pounds of snow crab legs with coleslaw, butter and fries ($31.99).

The Captain's Fried Platter of oysters, scallops, shrimp, fish fillet and crab cake with coleslaw and fries ($25.99).

***

We shared everything.  The crab legs were sweet and reminded me that we should pick some up the next time we go to Super H.  The fried crabcake was surprisingly good, not too much filler, and good flavor.  The scallops were plump, juicy and my favorite part of the mix.  The fried shrimp were forgettable.  The Fish Market's house pilsner is light and a good foil for the grease, and comes in 16 oz or 32 oz schooners. 

Lyon Hall Brunch with the Girls

 I have really patient friends.  They're kind enough to indulge my unrelenting desire to take pictures of our meals, for which I eternally heart them.  They're also super fun to catch up with over a leisurely brunch.  We met for brunch at Lyon Hall in Clarendon.  I knew from a previous visit that their breadmaker was good but didn't realize how good.  For the first time ever, I saw my step aerobics-teaching friend's head turn and watch a plate of donuts make their way through the room. 

 Bloody Mary with Grolsch chaser ($5)

 Kir Royale ($5)

 Selection of Housemade Donuts ($7)

My friends enjoyed the chocolate and the pistachio. 

I bet a plate of these warm donuts with LH's french press coffee is delightful.

 Scallop salad with citrus and arugula ($12)

 Lyon Hall burger with Chimay cheese and delicious frites ($10)

Poached eggs with spinach and hollandaise sauce on housemade English Muffins ($10)

Side salad ($4)

***

Once again, service was pleasant and it was lovely to catch up with my friends.  It's a small menu, but there's something for everyone and a nice addition to the Clarendon weekend brunch options.

Celebrating at Rays the Steaks

It was my better half's birthday recently. I thought long and hard about where to take him to celebrate. He's a pretty laidback guy, so I chose an old favorite with good food, great prices and a relaxed atmosphere. We went to Ray's the Steaks in Arlington, a nontraditional steakhouse.

Rosemary foccacia bread. Super soft and delicious.

Spicy cashew nuts.
Cup of Sherried Crab Bisque.
The cup is loaded with sweet lump crab meat, and the bisque is incredibly rich. It was so good I encouraged him to order his own, mostly because I was not capable of sharing.
We did share a light caesar salad.
Blackened Jumbo Scallops with carmelized onions and garlic.
These were sweet and spicy from the blackening seasoning, and cooked around medium-rare.
T-Bone steak special. The filet side was meltingly tender, while the strip side had a nice chew.
***

Along with our entrees came cast iron pans of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes that are free to every table. Both were very rich and creamy. Rays takes reservations for half of their tables, and they ask if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary when you call to make a reservation. A nice gesture was the free dessert of his choice.

Our server was energetic and helpful, without hovering. The sommelier was very kind and suggested three options for a red wine that would suit both the scallops and the steak. I choose the Layer Cake shiraz from Australia, priced at $29. For wine lovers, Rays has an extensive list of interesting varietals at very reasonable prices.

One of the best things is the ABC recorking rule that you can take your bottle of wine home if you're unable to finish it at the restaurant. http://www.winedoggybag.com/statelaws.htm I feel this allows restaurants patrons to drink and drive more responsibly.

Remembering PS7

Some places I try out I really enjoy but somehow never return a second time. PS7 is one of those restaurants. http://www.ps7restaurant.com/ Went during RW a few years ago, and everything was very good. Not that much has changed on their menu, except the delicious scallops are sadly absent. I would like to try out their lounge's cocktail list, but wish their lounge menu had sandwich options that were not so heavily meat-focused. PS 7 tuna slider...a perfect bite-size starter of three pieces of fresh tuna tartare on mini brioche buns speckled with black and white sesame seeds.

PS7 gnocchi with spring peas and corriander

perfectly seared PS7 scallops

PS7 chicken breast with English peas, chanterelles, earl gray, and pappardelle

PS7 steak with fried potato sticks

Logan Tavern

Maybe I've always been lured in by the bright lights of Whole Foods, or the super grilled cheese at Stoney's, but until last night I never tried Logan Tavern. After reading some less than glowing online reviews, it's easy to be a bit wary. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the endearing server; the manager who warned us about the rise in thefts from purses hanging off the back of chairs; and the eclectic menu. Forewarned is forearmed, and my clever friend gave me a purse table hook one year for Christmas. Clearly I was less than clever since it took me over 8 months to realize how to use it, but now it goes every with me and my purse hangs securely by my lap. Our server was attentive without being intrusive, and thoughtfully remembered to provide a dessert with a sparkler after hearing our group was gathered to celebrate a birthday while we were ordering cocktails.
Logan Tavern is offering a Restaurant Week menu for the entire month of August. They include a glass of wine to the dinner RW menu for $35, but if you opt to forego the wine, the price lowers to $28-30 instead. http://www.logantavern.com/

Buffalo Shrimp (small) - I didn't read the menu very well, perhaps over-excited about the chance to have a Buffalo-style non-meat item. I had envisioned fried shrimp tossed in a picante Buffalo wing sauce with a side of bleu cheese sauce. This version mixes the bleu cheese into the sauce. An interesting dish, the shrimp had a nice crunchy coating, but it could be a bit spicier.
Ginger calamari (small) - flash fried calamari mixed with a ginger sauce and red cabbage. Wonderful aroma and a surprisingly large portion.
Seared sea scallops with truffled polenta, wilted greens and sundried tomato coulis. Coulis is just a fancy word for a light tomato sauce. The truffled polenta was thoroughly enjoyed.

Grilled rack of lamb (medium-rare) with creamy polenta, green beans and a minted chili sauce.

Side order of crab and shrimp mac and cheese. Maybe the seafood was more subtle than I imagined, but it tasted like pasta with a light cheese sauce. The toasted bread crumbs added a nice textural juxtaposition.

***

I would definitely go back and try a few more dishes. When the weather cools down a bit the patio seats would be an excellent perch to dine and watch the denizens of Logan Circle parade by.

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.

***

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.