PlanetEye

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/

Last Friday, I went to a new place in DC called Park at Fourteenth. This club/lounge is right near K Street which as of late has been experiencing a whole new crop of upscale restaurants, clubs, and lounges.  I looked at the website before going and noticed that it said "Cocktail Hour" from 5 to 10 p.m.  I wasn't exactly sure what cocktail hour meant--was it happy hour? Were only special drinks served? Who knew. I read a review that said that it was important to be "stylish" which gave me pause because not that I would wear jeans, but who determines style? In any event, I went in my "Friday-work" attire which is not a suit but still office appropriate.  We didn't have any problems getting in.  The Park definitely has the feel of an older crowd and is decorated with plenty of oak.  Since we got there before 10 pm, I asked if there were drinks specials and was told that they just ended at 8pm.  Why wasn't this on the website?  The drink that I ordered was a whopping $11.  That is way too much for a rum and coke.

I asked a friend to meet me and I inquired with the superfluous three people at the entrance if jeans were ok and I was quickly told, "as long as she is stylish." That word again- stylish.  My friend got in.  There was no long line to enter.  There was also a makeshift velvet rope as well.  

 I think that this place is trying to be very exclusive way too early.  I mistakenly sat down on a couch and was told that that particular area was reserved for bottle service and had to get up.  There was no one waiting to sit there. 

Another interesting point.  There were a few times while we were there that a waiter would come up to us and offer us food.  At one point, a waiter offered us a little bowl of salad and another time a selection of mini hamburgers.  That's good if you are hunngry, but overall, I wasn't that impressed with the place.  Since last week, I have noticed that they have on their website the prices and selection of drinks between 5-8 pm.  That is a good first step in the right direction.  The Park will have a restaurant opening later this month.   

For more information, go to www.theparkatfourteenth.com