PlanetEye

Everywhere we turn these days, someone is talking about an impending recession and high gas prices.  There is definitely pain at the pump! Since Washington has increasingly been viewed as one of the more expensive cities in this country, I wanted to share some insight on some of my favorite cost-conscious places (and one not so cost conscious) to dine for that all important meal, brunch.  I titled this post "Brunch, Part 1" because as I discover new places, I will definitely let you know about them.

Utopia:  Utopia is on U Street which always seems home to new and interesting shopping establishments as well as restaurants.  Brunch is served from 11am to 4pm which is good also because you don't feel like you have to rush to get there before they stop serving.  I like Utopia because of the excellent customer service as well as the $1 mimosas and bloody marys.  I usually tend to go for the seafood omelette which is always delightful.  The food may not "wow" you but it is good for the price, but moreso, I like Utopia's laid back vibe.  For more info, please visit: http://www.utopiaindc.com

Marken Inn:  I am a big fan of the all you can eat brunch.  You can usually have a much wider selection of things and go back as much as you like.  Marken Inn has live jazz when brunch is served, from 10am to 3pm.  In addition to plain ole eggs benedict, they have lobster benedict (as you can see, I am really a big seafood fan).  There are also various made to order stations and typical breakfast fare as well.  Brunch is $28.95 per person but I will let you in on a little secret--if you sign up to receive emails on marketinn.com, you get coupons where you can usually get about $5 off the brunch price. I like Marken Inn because it is a place with great local flavor.  www.marketinn.com

This last recommendation is actually not for the cost conscious but if you are coming to DC for a special occasion and would like to do brunch, I would definitely suggest the Ritz Carlton.  The unlimited champagne and mimosas is wonderful! I went there years ago for my birthday and it was marvelous.  It is not cheap (at least $50) but if you are looking for great food and service, please take my advice and go there. There are numerous locations of the Ritz Carlton but the one that I would recommend is on 22nd Street.  Sometimes you just need to splurge! www.ritzcarlton.com

I recently visited a delightful new edition to Washington, DEKKA.  I first learned about one of DEKKA's retailers, Lily Lily! through a post on Daily Candy (which is a must read for every girl about town).  I checked out the Lily Lily! Shop website and saw some really cute items and learned that I could purchase the items at the local DEKKA showroom.

Upon my arrival at DEKKA, conveniently located on the always entertaining U Street, I learned that the showroom is a fashion, art and music cooperative, the first of its kind in Washington.  Each designer/retailer has a rack where they showcase their wares. 

What most impressed me about DEKKA was the exquisite customer service that I received prior to my arrival at the showroom and also while I was at there.  I contacted the owner of Lily Lily! to inquire more about an item that I saw on the website, and within minutes, she emailed me back with answers to all of my questions.  After several emails, I decided to make my way to the store to see what I could purchase.

On the day that I was there, the designer of YOSOY, was in the shop and was very attentive as I tried on various pieces.  I headed straight for the Lily Lily! rack and liked what I saw.  Lily Lily! specializes in pieces from international designers -- you won't look like everyone else when you walk down the street.  As I figured, I ended up buying something, two dresses.  I got a black dress from a Japanese designer that has really cute rosettes around the neckline and I got a plaid dress with puff sleeves. 

The stores is decorated with art from local artists and there is also a listening station with music from local musicians.  DEKKA is the perfect marriage of all things creative.  If you want to go to a place where you will be treated with the utmost respect and can also get a sampling of local talent, DEKKA is the place for you. I will definitely be a loyal customer!

For more information, please visit: www.dcafam.com and www.lilylilyshop.com

For my recent birthday, I had the pleasure of dining at a new restaurant inthe Penn Quarter part of DC, Asia Nine.  I had the most delightful dinner there and highly recommend a visit to this restaurant on your next visit to DC.

We took a chance in going to this restaurant because this was unchartered territory and the only review of the restaurant that we found was a not too positive lunch review.  I said, what the heck, let's go! We also took a chance because this was my birthday dinner as well.

I was intrigued because I had passed the restaurant a few times while I was in a cab and the bold colors of the sign intrigued me.  The colors are a bold orange and red.  I am also a big fan of asian food so I was intrigued.

We were immediately given a warm greeting by the hostess who agreed to let us sit anywhere we wanted.  Our waitress was very attentive and let us know that the restaurant has only been around for about two months.  She also filled us in about upcoming featured entrees. 

There is a bar area, a dining area, and also an area where sushi is prepared as well.  We got a comfy booth in the back of the restaurant and started to pour over the extensive menu.  I had thought about getting sushi but decided to go with something outside of my norm, curry.  There are three different curry dishes on the menu and I opted for the green curry.  It may sound nasty but it was delightful.  I think that the green comes from the basil that is in the curry.  There was also eggplant as well.  I got my dish with chicken.  I also got a soup appetizer that was flavored with lemon--again, I was trying to venture into new culinary arenas.  I was happy with that as well.

I learned that they have happy hour from 5-7 during the week and there are specials on food at the bar at that time.  There was someone else a few tables down from us who was also celebrating their birthday.  She looked about as happy as I was! We got out dessert complimentary due to the auspicious occasion.  We opted for the coconut ice cream. I am already thinking about who I can bring next to enjoy this new restaurant.  

For more info, please visit:  www.asianine.com

As I was thinking about what to post today, I started thinking about things that I need to do this weekend and it occurred to me -- write about a place that you go to all the time.  I live near an area of Arlington, Virginia, called "Shirlington."  To me, Shirlington, until not too long ago, was simply one block filled with restaurants and a movie theater but it has definitely grown in the past year.

It always shocks me how people will tend to flock to certain hangout spots, including restaurants.  I have noticed that on Sundays, the Carlyle Cafe, is always packed around brunch time.  I have been there and found it only so-so but others rave about it.  My hairdresser LOVES their waffles.  I think that I will have to give this place another try because there are TOO many people there during the weekends.  The bar area is nice but isn't all that large. 

In addition to the Carlye Cafe, there is a Capitol City Brewing Company, which is always good for watching a basketball game on television or just hanging out near the bar.  There are also numerous ethnic restaurants in Shirlington as well, such as, Charlie Chiang's (Chinese), a thai restaurant, Guapo's (Mexican), and Aroma (Indian).  Recently, I went to Extra Virgin, one of the newest restaurants in Shirlington.  This italian restaurant has a really nice ambiance and has live music most nights of the week.  I highly recomend the risotto with shrimp and prosciutto.  Yummm! 

Shirlington is also home to a Virginia outpost of Johnny Rockets, need I say more? There is also a second location of the locally owned bakery, Cake Love, if you want to get your cupcake fix satiated.  With all of these new places, traffic in Shirlington has definitely increased. 

For those of us who live in the area, I have been happy that there is a new Harris Teeter grocery store within walking distance.  There is also a new theater in the area as well, Signature Theatre. 

If you are in Northern Virginia, take a little time out to visit Shirlington.  You may find yourself waiting outside to get into the Carlyle Cafe. 

For more info, please visit:

http://www.villageatshirlington.com/

This is a post that only a lover of fine crustaceans will appreciate.  I heard from a friend about a place called Captain Billy's.  My friend raved about this place being good for steamed crabs and they even said that they say Nicole Richie dining there! The kind of place where they lay out the crabs on the table and you can just go to town.  However, when I heard that it was a long drive, I wasn't too sure about it, but figure, why not? I may even see a star or two.

Well, when I finally decided to go, the drive was nothing to worry about.  Captain Billy's is in Newburg, Maryland, and from Arlington, Virginia, it only took about 50 minutes to get there.  You can tell when you are getting close because we saw numerous large signs indicating "Captain Billy's Straight Ahead."

I love seafood, and crabs in particular.  As you come closer to Captain Billy's, the road turns to gravel and you can see water as far as the eye can see.  In addition to crabs, they also serve regular seafood platters as well.  To me, you can get that at Red Lobster, but crabs done right is hard to find.  We ordered what was supposed to be a dozen crabs and had a grand old time.  I truly think that we got more than a dozen because between the two of us, we had several crabs to take home.  I also tried their cream of crab soup.  Wonderful!  I tasted more cream than crab, but oh well.  For a dozen of crabs, the cost was $35. 

There is also space for outdoor seating near the water but it was too cool to sit outside that day.  We definitely plan to go back.  I was very pleased with the service and the food! They also serve fruity drinks for a good price as well. 

For more information, go to www.captbillys.com

Since the weather is beginning to warm up, DC will soon be flooded more than ever with tourists.  Here is the skinny on the more popular tourists attractions in Washington and the low-down on how to make sure that you are able to get tickets.

1) U.S. Capitol:  You can get a tour from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Capitol Guide Service Kiosk near First Street SW and Independence Avenue.  If you get there early, this is your best bet to get tickets.  The tour of the Capitol is really nice.  You get to see where our laws are made and get to hear neat historical facts and stories.  

2) The Supreme Court: The Court is in session the first Monday in October through late April.  During this time, visitors can listen to the oral arguments and the 30 minute Q&A between the attorneys and the justices. If you only want a quick peek of the justices, you can get that as well. Tours are only given when the Court is not in session. Tours begin on the half-hour from 9:30 to 3:30 p.m.  You don't need to make advance reservations. 

3) White House:  In order to get a self-guided tour of the White House's formal rooms, you need to be part of a group of 10 or more and request the tour through your member of Congress.  The tours are only given between 7:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.  You can submit a request up to six  months in advance.  The tour is free.  If you request a tour in advance, you will learn the specific time and date of your tour one month in advance.   It's been years since I have been on a tour of the White House, but I can say this--don't be surprised when you don't see much of the White House.  Most of the White House is closed for visitors. 

Happy Touring!

Last weekend, I finally went to Palena for dinner.  I say finally because my husband and I received a gift certificate to dine there as one of our wedding gifts.  We decided to use the gift certificate for his birthday last Saturday.

I looked at the website before we went and saw that you could only dine in "courses."  For example, you can purchase two, three, or four courses and dessert.  These prices aren't cheap.  The menu online look pretty good so I figured, why not? 

I can't say that I was overwhelmed or underwhelmed.  It was just ok.  However, for the prices that they charge, I would have expected Palena to be a bit bigger and to also not be adjacent to an Exxon gas station.  The decor could have been spruced up a bit with some more color.  I saw alot of black and white photographs on the walls. 

As for the food, it's hard for me to classify it other than saying shi-shi.  There were goose eggs and also octopus on the menu.  I did have the grilled octopus as one of my courses and it wasn't bad.  It's wasn't chewy either.  I had scallops for another course and fish as my main course.  My desert was good, a warm german apple cake.  My husband preferred the meat dishes and had the mixed grill of duck and pork as his main entree.  We both shrugged our shoulders in agreement that it was ok and that we wouldn't go back.  We don't feel that the evening was a waste, it was just something different.

To me, if you are a true foodie, you may like Palena a bit better.  For more information, go to www.palenarestaurant.com