Teaism (Penn Quarter, Washington D.C.)

Recently, on several occasions I've asked myself what am I going to do for lunch today? And Teaism continually comes to my mind. This Summer has been quite the scorcher in Washington D.C. and thankfully there is relief. The Moroccan Mint Iced Tea at Teaism chills me back down with a simple sip. The mint just effervesces coolness into each Summer breath.

The main attraction for me at Teaism is it's Korean BBQ Beef special they have on occasion. The Korean beef isn't your standard Bulgogi or Kalbi or whatever Korean beef dish that I've ever had the pleasure of devouring. But it's this marinated Korean beef that has been cooked slowly and during a long period of time to become this tender morsel of flavored meat. Cut into squares about an inch in size, the meat falls apart with the introduction of a fork. Accompanying it is about a bowl of rice and some fresh kimchi all on the same plate. I have had this dish at least four times now and the count will surely grow. As I will not review a place I have not been more than three times and am absolutely that I will come back again in the future. The meal is very reasonably price with both the Moroccan Mint Iced Tea and the Korean BBQ Beef costing around $12.

The restaurant is two floors and the top floor is where the entrance and registers are located. The top floor also has small dining tables and counter space around a corner to enjoy your lunch. The bottom floor is a bit more serene when it isn't crowded because its a bigger area and has a large Koi fish pond. Overall, the restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere except during the lunch rush hour when the line picks up. But otherwise, a great place to eat, drink, and read on a busy workday afternoon. It's an escape, although rather brief.

Conveniently, there is an attached tea shop right next door that offers a variety of tea to purchase. However, the store connected by name are separated by a wall. So you must go through a separate entrance to enter the tea shop.

Location: 400 8th Street NW. Washington, DC 20004
Phone: 202-638-6010
Website: http://www.teaism.com/Restaurant/Home2.html

Phở Hot (Annandale, VA)

The weather has been rainy, wet, and cold for the past few days. On days like these there is one type of food that cures the dreariness felt deep in the soul. Hot delicious Phở with some sweet and tangy Imperial Rolls. Phở Hot is a Vietnamese restaurant that provides a wide variety of Phở that you may not find at most other Phở restaurants. Specifically, their selection includes a vegetarian and a seafood Phở.

This place was discovered by a pescetarian friend of mine, who stayed away from Phở like a vampire from garlic until the discovery of a non-beef broth Phở. Phở traditionally is a Vietnamese beef and rice noodle soup. Phở is made with a variety of different beef cuts that gets cooked inside the scorching beef broth. It is served boiling hot with a side of optional ingredients such as bean sprouts, basil, jalapenos, and lime. You will always find Sriracha sauce (aka Rooster sauce) and Hoisin sauce (a plum based sauce) at the table to further alter the flavor of your personal Phở. Sriracha will add spice to the soup and Hoisin will add the sweet. Modify the Phở to taste with incremental additions of ingredients and sauce.

At Phở Hot I ordered Imperial Rolls for appetizer and the #12 Regular Phở. Imperial Rolls are made from minced pork, crab meat, egg, taro and jicama wrapped in rice paper and deep fried. A truly unique combination of ingredients that I haven't seen anywhere else. All the ingredients are wrapped in a crunchy spring roll shell. The dish is served with fish sauce for a sweet and tangy taste. The #12 Regular Phở is basically slices of eye of round beef steak and well-done beef flank. Mix that with a jolt of Sriracha and a minor dose of Hoisin and the dreariness in my soul is cleansed away with each spoonful of broth and mouthful of beefy noodle goodness. The second best part was the total cost of the meal was around $10. After the meal, you pay at the counter and plop your tip into a bin next to the cashier.

Some side notes, the pork dishes are not as memorable as other Vietnamese Phở restaurants. The bubble tea is mixed with blended ice and are not the milk and tea variety that I enjoy.

Location: 7442 Little River Tpk. Annandale, VA
Phone: 703-333-5955
Website: http://www.phohot.com/