Restaurant Review: Bistro La Bonne

On Saturday night, I had a real hankering for some French food upon returning to D.C. after a wonderfully relaxing week at the beach. Bistro Du Coin in Dupont is usually our go-to for this kind of food but we were up for trying something new since my days in D.C. feel like they are flying by. After a lengthy search on OpenTable, we settled on Bistro La Bonne on U Street. The review were consistently good and it was walking distance from the apartment.

Upon arrival, I have to admit that I was immediately skeptical about this place. First, there weren't many people there, which seems strange for a Saturday night in the city. Plus, the people who were there seemed to only be drinking and not eating. I worried that the reviews might have been good for a happy hour go-er rather than someone looking for a nice meal. I have to say that the outside decor screams more of a dive bar than a French bistro even though the website is what you would expect from a fancy restaurant. Dan said we could leave and go somewhere else, but I wanted to trust the the online reviews so badly that we ended up staying. Overall, I'm really happy that we stuck to our original decision and gave Bistro La Bonne a try.

The service was a bit slow at first, but we were forgiving once we realized that there was only one waiter for the entire floor. Our server, a French gentleman named Clement, was friendly, hospitable, and checked up on us often despite how many tables he was serving at the same time. The rest of the staff became very attentive even though we felt virtually ignored during the first 10-15 minutes.

Now, let's get to the more important part: the food. The food was absolutely fantastic. Dan claimed that his meal was better than he's ever had at Bistro Du Coin. After having a bite for myself, I have to agree that their steak frites dish was definitely up there. However, I'm not sure that I'm ready to give up my allegiance to Bistro Du Coin just yet. We started off with escargot and, not only were those little snails to die for, we couldn't stop dipping out bread in the leftover sauce. I had moules normades with bacon, apple, mushrooms, and apple cider sauce. I could not stop eating those little suckers - the mussels were just that good and the sauce was exquisite and perfectly complimented the mussels without being too overbearing.

I cannot recommend this place more to people who like French food (and even those who don't). There is a nice upstairs area for an intimate date or bigger tables for a group downstairs. And the prices are very reasonable for the amount and quality of food you get. I think it's worth a try for everyone in the area!

Check out the menu here.

Address: 1340 U Street Washington NW, DC 20009

Restaurant Review: Agora

Their yogurt dip is SO good.

It's been a while since I've written a restaurant review but I'm on spring break now and finally have the time to write this one. I've been to the Mediterranean restaurant, Agora, for bunch twice and both times were fantastic. They have a $30 all-you-can-eat brunch with bottomless drinks. You can pick any kind of drink you want; you are not limited to just mimosas or bloody marys. Since I'm not very adventurous at 11 in the morning, I went with a simple mimosa for my meal.

Their brunch menu includes staple brunch items like French toast, omelettes, and eggs benedict but also a selection of Turkish cheeses, Greek yogurts, and imported cured beef. The waiters keep the pita bread flowing so you can use them with your hummus and yogurt dips. The fixed price menu allows you to order whatever you want off the menu so you can experiment with different foods. The portions are on the smaller side so you can share items and try several dishes in one sitting. Everything on the brunch menu is delicious and there are plenty of options for guests who are gluten-free or vegetarian. I love their selection of cheeses which are so fresh and full of flavor. Also, their French toast is incredible. If you're in the mood for more lunch items then there is a full selection of flat bread sandwiches, salads, and other cold plate dishes. I personally love their grilled cheese sandwich with a side of tomato soup.

Plus, the waiters are super friendly and attentive even though the place is bustling with patrons on Sunday morning. This place is great for a big group of friends. I haven't had a chance to try their lunch or dinner menus but I would expect that they are just as good as their brunch menu.

I can't recommend this place enough. I know I'll be going back soon!

Address: 1527 17th Street, NWWashington, D.C. 20036

See their menu here.

Nasty reviews of classic albums

Led Zeppelin — Led Zeppelin
The critic: Rolling Stone’s John Mendelsohn

This review pissed off Jimmy Page so royally that he refused to speak to Rolling Stone for years, a fact that would cause the magazine much consternation throughout the ’70s as Led Zep bestrode the world like tight-trousered, mudshark-wielding commercial colossi. Still, you can’t blame Page for taking offense to this—amongst other things, Mendelsohn calls Robert Plant “as foppish as Rod Stewart, but he’s nowhere near so exciting” and lambasts the guitarist as “a very limited producer and a writer of weak, unimaginative songs.”

The nastiest bit: “In their willingness to waste their considerable talent on unworthy material the Zeppelin has produced an album which is sadly reminiscent of [the Jeff Beck Group's] Truth. Like the Beck group they are also perfectly willing to make themselves a two- (or, more accurately, one-a-half) man show. It would seem that, if they’re to help fill the void created by the demise of Cream, they will have to find a producer (and editor) and some material worthy of their collective attention.”

Black Sabbath — Black Sabbath
The critic: Rolling Stone’s Lester Bangs

There seemed to be some sort of fashion at 1970s Rolling Stone for making mystifyingly unfavorable comparisons between British bands and Eric Clapton’s supergroup Cream, because Bangs was at it in this piece, too. He spends a good half of hisreview comparing and contrasting Black Sabbath with Clapton et al, and eventually concludes that Sabbath are “just like Cream… but worse.” Um, no they’re not, Lester.

The nastiest bit: “The whole album is a shuck — despite the murky songtitles and some inane lyrics that sound like Vanilla Fudge paying doggerel tribute to Aleister Crowley, the album has nothing to do with spiritualism, the occult, or anything much except stiff recitations of Cream clichés that sound like the musicians learned them out of a book, grinding on and on with dogged persistence.”

Daft Punk — Discovery
The critic: Robert Christgau

Quite why anyone cares what the self-styled Dean of Rock Critics™ thinks is one of the enduring mysteries of the world of music—especially when he writes things like this startlingly jingoistic flag-waving dismissal of Daft Punk’s magnum opus, doing everything but accusing Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of being cheese-eating surrender monkeys. Exactly why he hated it so much remains unclear.

The nastiest bit: “These guys are so French I want to force-feed them and cut out their livers. Young moderns who’ve made the Detroit-Berlin adjustment may find their squelchy synth sounds humanistic; young moderns whose asses sport parallel ports may dance till they crash. But Yank fun is much less spirituel [sic], so that God bless America, ‘One More Time’ is merely an annoying novelty stateside. The way our butts plug in, there are better beats on the damn Jadakiss CD.”

Radiohead — OK Computer
The critic: Robert Christgau, again

Look, I could do a whole feature on Christgauian cluelessness, but in the interests of diversity, I’ll restrain myself to one more example of his talent for not only missing the point but covering his eyes willfully as he sails past it, all the while rambling on about how much he loves Pink Floyd. He declared Radiohead’s masterpiece of millennial angst his “Dud of the Month” on its release in 1997, apparently because it’s not as good as Wish You Were Here. Whatever, Grandpa.

The nastiest bit: “Radiohead wouldn’t know a tragic hero if they were cramming for their A levels, and their idea of soul is Bono, who they imitate further at the risk of looking even more ridiculous than they already do.”

The Rolling Stones — Exile on Main Street
The critic: Rolling Stone’s Lenny Kaye

Oh, Lenny Kaye. You’re a great guitarist, and a pretty decent writer to boot, but you got this one wrong.

The nastiest bit: “Exile On Main Street spends its four sides shading the same song in as many variations as there are Rolling Stone readymades to fill them, and if on the one hand they prove the group’s eternal constancy and appeal, it’s on the other that you can leave the album and still feel vaguely unsatisfied, not quite brought to the peaks that this band of bands has always held out as a special prize in the past… I still think that the great Stones album of their mature period is yet to come. Hopefully, Exile On Main Street will give them the solid footing they need to open up, and with a little horizon-expanding (perhaps honed by two months on the road), they might even deliver it to us the next time around.”

Weezer — Pinkerton
The critic: Um, Rivers Cuomo

Cuomo suffered something of a crisis of confidence after the release of what would subsequently come to be judged as his masterpiece, spilling his guts toEntertainment Weekly in 2001 about how much he hated it. Ye gods. If 2001-era Rivers had heardRaditude, he probably would have ended it all.

The nastiest bit: “It’s a hideous record… It was such a hugely painful mistake that happened in front of hundreds of thousands of people and continues to happen on a grander and grander scale and just won’t go away. It’s like getting really drunk at a party and spilling your guts in front of everyone and feeling incredibly great and cathartic about it, and then waking up the next morning and realizing what a complete fool you made of yourself.”

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Restaurant Review: Cure

Cure is located in the Hyatt Hotel in Metro Center and even though I pass it almost everyday since it's next door to my office, Tuesday was my first time having lunch there. The restaurant is a tapas (small plate) place but it is not Spanish food like you traditionally see at tapas restaurants like La Tasca and Bodega.

Their lunch menu is extensive but reasonably prices and reasonably portioned. I ordered the daily grilled cheese special (cheddar cheese and broccoli), asparagus salad, and Maryland crab soup. Everything was delicious and fresh. What is great about the menu is that you can choose 3 items for $13, 4 items for $16, or 5 items for $19. You can mix and match however you want or you could order only 5 items for your entire table; it's not restricted by person like some other restaurants are. There are several different salads and sandwiches on the menu so most people would find something that they like. Also, their bubble tea is very delicious and a great way to complement you meal.

Definitely a recommended place for lunch with a group of friends or on a date. There is so much seating and it doesn't look like it gets too crowded during the daytime. I'm eager to try them out for dinner!

You can see the menu here.

Address: 1000 H Street Northwest Washington, DC 20001

Restaurant Review: Masa 14

Chicken hash

This past Sunday brought my boyfriend and me to Masa 14 for some brunch. It's a Latin-Asian fushion restaurant near U street. We've passed this place several times but this was our first time trying out their food. Their brunch menu is tapas small plates with the option to do an unlimited brunch and drinks for $35. We decided to forego this option but it's a good idea if you're really hungry or indecisive.

There is a nice outside sitting area that was perfect for the weather. We started with two bloody marys and I ordered the veggie benedict with challah, spinach, tomato, and mushrooms with a side of cheesy grits. My boyfriend ordered the chicken hash with a poached egg on top and a ham flat beard. Even though the portions are small, it was perfect for brunch. The food was delicious and very reasonably priced per plate. I can't wait to go back and try something new. They are also acclaimed for their happy hour and dinners as well.

Cheesy Grits

The service was a bit slow but the restaurant was very busy so it was easy to disregard. The brunch menu is inexpensive and expansive. I highly recommend it.

See the brunch menu here.

Address: 1825 14th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20009

Restaurant Review: Quarterdeck

Artsy instagram shot.

Quarterdeck is a crab shack/seafood restaurant that one would appropriately describe as a "hole in the wall." I had heard such great things about it that I thought it would be the perfect place for a casual dinner with my dad, boyfriend, and roommate on Monday night.

One thing to note is that if you're planning on ordering crabs, it's a good idea to make a reservation so that not only are you reserving a table but you are reserving your crabs as well. This way you can get first pick for the biggest crabs that the restaurant receives that day. They don't know how big they'll be till the morning of but if you call then they can put you on the list for top picking. We only got a dozen of the regular size (smallest size) and boy we're they a lot of work. I would definitely consider ordering a small entree or appetizer with your crabs too.

Our server was kind and patient when I asked "How am I suppose to open these things?" because it was my first time. I had about four of the crabs in total and my hands were aching and covered in old bay. It was a fun experience though that I think would be perfect for the next couple months when the crabs are in season. They have an outdoor area that could seat a good amount of people and plenty of beer pitchers to go around

Don't bother with their soups. My clam chowder was lackluster but you should try the onion rings!

Menu is here.

Address: 1200 Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209

Restaurant Review: Fogo De Chao

I know many people have either been to or heard about fogo de chao before, but if there is anyone out there that wants more information about the place, then here you go!

My boyfriend's birthday was this past Wednesday  and I struggled to pick a place to eat. I went with the "oldie but goodie" approach since he's already been to the restaurant before and loved it so I figured it would be good to try it again (I've never been). Your first time can be a little overwhelming because there are so many steps to follow and it's helpful to have someone with you who's been before.

You first start with the salad bar. This isn't your country buffet salad bar....you will find all different types of vegetables, cheeses, and deli meats. Definitely try the apple salad! But be selective because if you fill up on this first course then you won't have much room for anything else. Once you are done, then the fun begins. You have a little card with a red side (no more food) and a green side (bring on the meat!).

When you're ready, you flip the card to the green side and all these servers with big stakes of meat come by asking if you'd like a piece. You can say "no thanks" if you don't want what they bring and wait for the next server to come by. The bacon-wrapped filet mignon, top sirloin, and pork sausages are all pretty good! The great thing is you get to try everything and see what you like the most. They'll also bring you three sides: fried plantains, crispy polenta, and mashed potatoes. And you also get cheesy biscuits. The key is to not fill up on the sides either...but they are pretty incredible. The managers are also very friendly; one came up to us and asked if we were looking for a specific meat that hadn't been by in a while.

Overall, it's a great experience and fun for a date or a group. We got there on the early side so it was a bit quiet but by 7:00 PM the place was packed. If the $51.50 per person price is too high for you, then try it out for lunch. It's the same food but for only $34.50. You'll just start your day in a meat coma. Definitely a pricier restaurant in the District but it's perfect for a special occasion.

The menu is here.

Address: 1101 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004 (They have locations all over the country though.)

Restaurant Review: Guajillo

I've been to Guajillo Mexican Grill several times over the past couple of months but this is my first post about it! It's located right next door to Ray's Hell Burger and it's my favorite Mexican food place in the area. The menu is extensive, the ingredients are fresh, and the atmosphere is always lively and fun.  The place is authentic Mexican food that stands out in the world of Tex-Mex restaurants and burrito chains.

Every time I've been there, they start you off with a basket of chips and salsa along with some kind of cheese sauce. It seems like it's different every single time.

I'm partial to the quesadilla (I've had them with beef and with chicken) but my friends love the enchiladas, tacos, and burritos. The guacamole and salsa are very tasty sides to add to your meal. The portions are HUGE so you'll probably end up taking half of your meal home to eat the next day. I think the service is great and the margaritas will get your night started right.

Check out the menu here.

Address: 1727 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201

Album Review: Gotye - "Making Mirrors"

Gotye whose real name is Wally De Backer (awesome name) is an indie musician who became an overnight sensation in the U.S. despite being well-known in his native Australia for a number of years. His hit single "Somebody That I Used To Know" with fellow Aussie musician Kimbra propelled him to international fame - and has been a song that I can't stop listening to and belting out at random moments.

Even though his third album, Making Mirrors, has been out for a couple of months, I finally had a chance to listen to it in its entirety after being obsessed with its hit single (he's released three other singles off the album but none have reached the success of "Somebody That I Used To Know").

This album is amazing. Gotye has so much versatility that I often forget that I'm listening to the same artist. He mixes rock, pop, a little hip hop, and even goes completely electronic by altering his voice in "State of The Art." He definitely reminds me of Sting in a way both in his Police days and as a solo artist. But don't think that that comparison means he's dated. I think a lot of people could listen to this album and find a song that they dig.

Here are some tracks with listening to:

1) Easy Way Out: The most recent single off the album. It's a more upbeat track that reminds me of The Kinks and early 70's rock.

2) Eyes Wide Open: A fast but somewhat haunting track that will get stuck in your head.

3) In Your Light: A happier, pop track that is reminiscent of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" if it was sped up.

4) Save Me: Gotye really sounds like Sting in this song and it reminds me of the slow rock of the 80's.

Restaurant Review: Snap

Last Sunday afternoon with its warm spring weather, I was walking around Georgetown enjoying the hoards of people and the beautiful Potomac River. When lunchtime came around, I wanted to try something new and a sign for "Snap" caught my eye with it's paninis, crepes, and bubble tea.

There was a pretty good size line in the shop so I was exciting thinking "Wow, this place must be good!" It took about 20 minutes just to order because there were only two people behind the counter; one  person was making crepes and paninis and the other person was taking orders and making bubble tea. This horribly inefficient system did not deter us (it should have) and we finally got to order. I ordered a spinach and olive crepe and my boyfriend ordered a chicken panini.

We were excited to sit in the quaint outdoor padio area where several couples and groups of friends were waiting for their food. Bottom line: this place will not get your food ready in a "snap." After about 30 minutes with no food (not even my bubble tea was ready!), my boyfriend finally got his panini and patiently waited for my meal to come. Another 15 minutes....nothing. Being the gentlemen that he is, he went back inside to ask the employees where my food was and they responded "we're putting it on now." It took probably another 20 minutes to finally get my food. The wait was NOT WORTH IT. The crepe was bland and I only ate it because I was literally starving from our 1.5 hour wait.

I only wished that I got a nutella and banana crepe so at least I could have been a little bit happier (nutella has a way of doing that). Do not bother going here, especially in Georgetown where there is a plethora of lovely restaurants and sandwich shops.

Address: 1062 Thomas Jefferson St NW (at N Canal St), Washington, DC 20007

Restaurant Review: Rice

Sitting inconspicuously on 14th street between Columbia Heights and Logan Circle is Rice, a thai restaurant that I went to before The Black Keys concert on Friday. We picked it because Pearl Dive, the oyster bar next door, had too long of a wait. We thought the menu looked decent and the price was reasonable and we left the restaurant extremely satisfied.

The ambiance is dark but modern - a nice setting for dinner. There were older couples and families having dinner around us and a decent group at the bar. Since we were still trying to figure out what to order off the menu, we decided to order sparkling sake (which was great) and green tea dumplings. The dumplings weren't the best we've ever had - that honor goes to Chinatown Express - but they were unique and tasty.

I decided on the sautéed vegetables and fried tofu and my boyfriend got penang chicken curry. My meal was delicious! The vegetables were fresh and cooked perfectly and the sauce was light but flavorful. The side rice was different (I think it was cooked with some green tea) but really yummy.

I would definitely recommend this place for someone looking for fancy thai food in DC at a great price. The menu isn't too extensive but the dishes are so good that it doesn't matter.

Address: 1608 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Website where you can find their menus: http://www.ricerestaurant.com/

Early reviews are favorable for "The Hunger Games"

There’s a lot riding on the March 23 release of “The Hunger Games.” Whether you like or loathe the film will be based on your personal preferences, but it can be universally agreed upon that “The Hunger Games” not only is a good movie, but that it succeeds as a fully fleshed out adaptation where most before it have failed.

This is coming from a die-hard “Harry Potter” fan. And while I wouldn’t consider myself a Twi-Hard, I am well versed in both the films and the books. So it’s not entirely objective when I say that both series’ onscreen adaptations are not that great, but it is an honest statement.

“The Hunger Games,” on the other hand, stands on its own as a movie. It deviates from the source material in a way that is honest to Suzanne Collins’ book, and also often strengthens the story. Much like HBO’s adaptation of “Game of Thrones,” every additional scene in the movie adds something that should have been there to begin with.

That’s not to say that “The Hunger Games” is without its flaws. Every movie has them. But that’s the key word right there. “The Hunger Games” is a movie in its own right whereas both “Twilight” and “Harry Potter” were chained at the hips to their source material.

This isn’t an editorial with the intention of bashing “Harry Potter” or “Twilight.” Both of those franchises are successful for a reason, and are good in their own right. “Harry Potter” tells the story of a boy wizard with a big destiny, while “Twilight” tells the tale of the unrequited love between a human and a vampire. The problem with those films, though, is that they don’t add much to the screen that wasn’t already on the page.

By contrast, “The Hunger Games” isn’t constrained by the book’s story. Collins’ novels offer hints that a larger saga is taking place, and the film shows us that. And its strength lies in that component of the movie.

The argument can be made that “The Hunger Games” was always going to be best served as a movie. The action-packed and dramatic story was constantly constricted by Katniss’s first-person perspective while it was always obvious that the tale being told was much bigger than just her. Without that restraint, the film was able to set the stage for the future “Hunger Games” films while also allowing the world of Panem to be fully developed.

There is one character in particular that gets a much larger role in the film than he does in the movie. His presence as a counterpoint for Katniss really works. By amping up his role in the movie (someone else will have to spoil who he is for you), the character helps highlight the brutality of the Capitol in a way just telling Katniss’s side of the story never would.

That’s not to say that “Twilight” and “Harry Potter” never stepped outside of the confines of the novels that they were based on, but those extra or changed scenes never quite worked the way they should have. Showing James, Laurent and Victoria killing innocent civilians didn’t have the same impact as hearing about the mysterious murders occurring in “Twilight” and wondering what was going on. And that scene in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” where Bellatrix Lestrange burned down the Burrow felt out of place and also makes little sense in the continuity of the story.

In those film franchises, there was always the sense that viewers who hadn’t read the books were missing out on something important in the story that wasn’t being portrayed on the big screen. That’s not how it felt walking out of the theater following “The Hunger Games.” The heart of the story was in that film, and it did just as good a job telling Katniss’s tale as the book did.

It’s yet to be seen if “The Hunger Games” will do as well in theaters as the “Twilight” and “Potter” films, but my gut says that it will. Even if it doesn’t end up breaking the same records that the precious two franchises set, one thing is certain: it’s a much better movie than either of those were. And this is coming from a girl who vehemently thought “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ deserved a Best Picture Oscar nod this year.


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Review: Fast Gourmet

Fast Gourmet is not a place that would immediately catch your eye as you're walking down 14th street. It's located at a gas station so you just assume it's a typical sandwich shop. After it was voted the best sandwich place in D.C. and I kept hearing praise from my friends, I finally had a chance to try it last Saturday.

I had to look at the menu for several minutes before finally making a decision. I opted for the falafel sandwich and had no idea what to expect. Usually places like this will give a descriptions of their sandwiches but Fast Gourmet just surprises you.

Despite having no idea what what going to be in my wrap, I was very pleased. The falafel was covered in yogurt dressing with onions, tomatos, beats, cucumbers, hummus. My meal was complete with a side of shoestring fries. My boyfriend order fried plantains with his cuban sandwich which were flavorful and cooked perfectly. The great thing about Fast Gourmet is the portions are perfect for lunch and you have tons of options.

I would recommend this place for anyone in the area! It definitely tops Taylor Gourmet down the street. The small eating area is great with a group of friends.

See the menu here.

Address: 1400 W St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Book Review: Have A Little Faith

Most people have read (or at least heard of) the Mitch Albom memoir, Tuesdays With Morrie, but he also released another nonfiction book in 2009 called Have A Little Faith. The story is very similar to Morrie in the sense that Mitch is learning about life and death through conversations with an elderly man; this time it's his childhood rabbi named Albert Lewis (aka "Reb").

Mitch himself grew up in a Jewish household and was very involved in his synagogue. When his daily life was consumed with work and family obligations, his faith took a backseat and became almost non-existent. His conversations with Reb not only help Mitch understand faith better but he reinvigorates his faith through his friendship with a Protestant pastor named Henry. These two, very different men from very different backgrounds reveals to Mitch the power of faith in their communities.

The book explores faith separate from religion which is appealing for those who consider themselves religious and those who do not. What I liked about the memoir is that it doesn't shove one view in your face - but the universal idea of faith that spans every culture, religion, and background. It's a very quick read (I finished it during my three hour train ride from NYC) but it will really make you think.  

Restaurant review: Zola

Holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries are a great time to explore the city for new, fancy restaurants. Valentine's Day brought my boyfriend and I to Zola Restaurant located in the heart of Penn Quarter. I was at a lost for words when asked what kind of restaurant it is; it's essentially American cuisine with a twist. You find all sorts of influences on the menu though - Asian, French, Mexican, etc.

From the outside, you'd expect the place to be traditionally fancy but it's actually quite modern and "clubby" (but not in a bad way). You have a bar/lounge area to your left and dining area to the right. I really liked the whole ambiance in the restaurant because it felt fancy but not uptight and stuffy. Plus where we were seated gave us an amazing view of the American Art Museum across the street.

Now onto the food...

Since we were excited we didn't have to order off the special Valentine's Day menu we decided to at least start with some appetizers before our entrees. I had the lemongrass mussels and they were incredible! Maybe the best I've had in D.C. and I tried tons of them. I couldn't help dipping all my extra bread in the broth. Dan started with a shitaki mushroom and she crab soup that was delicious and light. I ordered the strip steak which was cooked perfectly with shallot rings on top and mushrooms and sweet potato au gratin on the side. Dan ordered the venison loin that is smoked table side providing incredible smells when the waiter lifted the smoky bulb off the meat. We both shared a plate of truffle fries, ah-mazing.

All in all, a fantastic restaurant with a great menu and reasonable prices. Plus, the wine menu is quite extensive to fit anyone's preference. I didn't order a drink but I've heard good things about their cocktails as well.

Their menus are here.

Address: 800 F Street NW Washington DC, 20004

Music Review: Born To Die

Most people recognize the name Lana Del Rey because of her dreadful performances on SNL last month.  Her second CD, Born To Die, was released on January 27, 2012 to mixed reviews. I had a chance to listen to it myself and I personally think it's a fantastic album. I don't get how critics said it was boring and repetitive because Lana showed a lot of range despite having a sultry, airy voice. I think people are too hard on her because of her personal contraversies (she changed her name...seriously people that's big news?) and two crappy performances.

Let me start by saying that the girl can definitely sing. After her performance on SNL, I listened to her other live performances and she sounds 10x better than she did on television. Who knows if it was her nerves that got the best of her that night. If you don't believe me then you can listen for yourself here. Also, her first single "Video Games" is a fabulous track that will get stuck in your head after you hear it.

Plus, she co-wrote every song on the album which is commendable in this day and age in the pop music world. I'd like to hear more of Lana Del Rey (especially songs like "Born To Die") as her voice can be beautiful in a variety of different genres of music.  She gave us a little taste of her range in this album and I'm eager to hear more. The production of the songs on the album is also stellar.  I hope everyone gives this album a listen - it's a refreshing sound. Here are some of my favorite tracks besides her two singles:

1. Blue Jeans - A bluesy, folky song that is a little more low key than the second half of the album.

2. National Anthem - A more pop/hip hop track that is catchy and upbeat with violins in the background.

3. Dark Paradise - A powerful song with a great drum beat. The chorus really hits you.

4.  Million Dollar Man - A sexy, sultry song reminiscent of Nancy Sinatra.

5. This Is What Makes Us Girls - An anthem about being a girl always falling in and out of love.

Book Review: The Last Lecture

Many of you remember The Last Lecture on YouTube. Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnergie Mellon, gave his last lecture in Sept. 2007 before succumbing to pancreatic cancer a few months later. The lecture was titled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" where Pausch talks about his the lessons he learned as a kid and as an adult and how he tried to live his life to the fullest even before hearing he had a few months to live.

This book was born from the lecture and goes into further detail about his decision to give the lecture and details the stories that inspired him.

One of my favorite parts in the book is when he talks about his childhood and his amazing, supportive parents. I kept reminiscing about my childhood while reading how Pausch's parents let him paint his bedroom walls (my parents let me color our basement walls) and how he read the World Book but mainly looked at the pictures (I flip through the pages of the Britannica Encyclopedia that my grandparents had at their house). Sometimes being a good parent is find the balance between educating them and letting them have fun and be a kid.

This book is for everyone no matter how young or old. I really liked some of the lessons he gives: try to see the best in everyone, don't be afraid to ask, don't complain; just work harder. You really feel like it's your dad imparting his wise words on you. That's what Pausch wanted to create. He wanted this book to be something that his children could remember him by. It's a great read. I highly recommend it.

Restaurant Review: Ray's The Third

My best friend Rachael kept telling me about the new Ray's restaurant called Ray's The Third across the street from the infamous Ray's Hell Burger. It's advertised as a cross between Ray's Hell Burger and Ray's The Steak. Since it's basically down the street from my apartment, I finally got a chance to try it out this weekend.

When you first walk into the place, you are immediately hit with a waft of steak. We were seated very quickly which I always appreciate. The restaurant doesn't have much decor but it really doesn't need it and it just opened this fall. I think the lively atmosphere was enough with a wide array of people - families, couples, friends, etc. If the place was dead though, I think it would look really empty since there is literally nothing on the walls.

I ordered the filet mignon with frites and it was absolutely delicious and cooked perfectly. My boyfriend ordered the Blue Devil - a hefty steak with blue cheese and garlic. I took a bite and it was fabulous even though I'm not a fan of rare steak like he is.

My only complaint was the awful service. We waited way too long for the waitress to take our order and to give us our check. If she had been the one serving our food, I'm not sure if we would have made it out of there in a reasonable amount of time. I won't fault the restaurant itself for that because our food was great.

The menu can be viewed here. They have tons of stuff besides steak too.

Address: 1650 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209

Miracles Salon

I'm very picky when it comes to my hair so I've been to three different hair salons in the past year and a half and wasn't thrilled with any of them. I think I've finally found a winner and I wanted to share with my friends! It's called Miracles and it's the little salon next to the Roti by the Rosslyn metro.

For only $30 I got a shampoo, cut, and style and was out the door within 45 minutes. You really can't beat that kind of deal for a great haircut. My stylist was Maria and not only is she really good at what she does but she's also a sweet, funny person who loves chatting with her clients. She really listened to what I wanted and emphasized with the fact that I like to keep my hair long even after a cut. I've had way too many stylists who try and sway me to cut more off when I'm very reluctant to do so.

If you're looking to switch up salons, definitely try this place out! They do both men and women. I've seen online that men's cuts are around $20.

Address: 1501 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (703) 516-9800

Restaurant Review: Bread & Chocolate

When Sunday comes around, I get really excited about eating brunch and being lazy. My boyfriend went to GW so he had a small place that he wanted to go to in Foggy Bottom called Bread and Chocolate this past Sunday. It's right by West End Cinema so a great place to go to before seeing a movie. It's a European bakery that serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.

The restaurant is nothing fancy but you're immediately welcomed with a long display of cakes and pastries to get your mouth watering. I started off with a large hot chocolate since it was very cold that day. For my meal, I ordered two small plates - the potato latkes with sour cream and house-made apple sauce and the Birchermuesili, a Bread and Chocolate staple item. It's a creamy oatmeal dish mixed with fresh fruit (apples, grapes, peaches) and topped with walnuts and sliced strawberries.  Both dishes tasted fresh and delicious (and somewhat healthy!). My boyfriend ordered the Norwegian salmon dish with onions, cream cheese, on top of a plain bagel. I definitely snuck a bite of his meal and it was fantastic. The salmon was perfect without being too fishy and overwhelming whereas the bagel was fresh and warm.

I would recommend this restaurant for brunch because it is unlike the typical American brunch places that are abundant both in DC and Arlington. You will still find omelets and eggs benedicts but there are other items for those who want something new.

See the rest of their menu here.

Address: 2301 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 (There are also locations in Alexandria and Chevy Chase)