Eats in the East

Melissa's Splendid Table

Although I was headed for another conference (this time in DC), it was by coincidence that Shawn was going to be in the area as well. I got together with her and her family at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street. Virginia Ali, the owner, even came out to greet us. Many people order the half-smoke chili dog, which is chewy-firm and spicy but not crazy hot. This really hits the spot after a long day at the zoo or shopping in Georgetown. Our waitress recommended we try the Sweet Potato Cake, a "real down home cake" that is reminiscent of carrot cake (but better). If you are lucky enough to get a table, enjoy the service with a smile, with more than enough courtesy to go around.

The next day I went to Roha Ethiopian Restaurant, directly across Ben's Chili Bowl (since the line was going out the door and I couldn't get in). The waitress spoke little English but recommended a Doro Alicha ($10.95), a chicken leg in a curry-like sauce with chickpea mash, a lentil mix and a hard boiled egg, all served over a HUGE 14-inch plate of Ethiopian bread (Engera). I'm told this is usually white and extremely sour, but the one I had looked like a big airy taro crepe. Here's the kicker: No utensils! Good thing I watch the Travel Channel. Tear off a piece of engera and pinch the food in bite sized rolls. Everything tasted spicy and exotic, with interesting textures. It was like an Ethiopian super sized meal, and I could not finish it--leaving me full of guilt over the real Ethiopians who were starving at that moment.

I took a side trip to Frederick, MA, to meet up (again!) with Monica Pileggi--the transplanted Kaiser grad from Fodors.com--and her husband Tony.

We had dinner at Mama Lucia's, which is crowded all the time. Tony had the ravioli, his traditional standby. Monica had the special penne in a cream pesto with shrimp, scallops, and crab. I love creamy pesto, but I had to admit it was a little too rich for me. I had the lamb with mashed potatoes and a mustard-lamb jus. It was cooked to perfection wtih just enough fat to keep it moist and flavorful. The next day we GTG'd with more online friends (click here to see the full DC and GTG album) at the Pileggi home. Monica's cooking beats any restaurant any day!

On the way back to DC, we stopped in at Dino's. Take the Metra to Cleveland Station, when you exit, keep walking straight over one crosswalk, and it's right there. Dino's was hailed as one of DC's best new restaurants, but I'm not 100% sure about them. The food was good, but the service was definitely disorganized. Since we were still full from the GTG, I can only tell you about two dishes: the mushrooms & gorgonzola was a wonderful pupu full of flavor. The tiramisu was divine. It's not your usual tiramisu; in fact, it's more chocolatey than anything. But it satisfies without filling you too much.

"Omigod, that's my senator," I said to Joan Hisaoka as Daniel Inouye exited The Oceanaire. Apparently, many politicians enjoy this place....and we did, too. The crab cakes are sweet, with big chunks of crabmeat and not much filler. The grilled calamari and shrimp appetizers are also fresh, succulent, and...well, fresh.

If you go in summer, try the soft shell crab entree. This is the real deal! The crabs are gigantic! The halibut and the salmon entrees are also good choices; huge and moist, but equally delicious.

Everyone on Fodors.com raves about Jaleo. Their extensive list of tapas makes this a Spanish "Tokkuri-tei." A couple of dishes of note: One is the homemade chorizo on garlic mash ($6.50), which looks like pupu pups and taste rustic, but not spicy--the spice is in the sauce. The garlic mash gets high marks from me, being both garlicky and buttery. The garlic shrimp ($7.95) is served with the shell off and the taste is indescribable. It was as if the bartender had invited me to his auntie's house and she whipped up some snacks just for us.

Just one last note: I stopped at Paschal's in Terminal C of Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport. This is part of a chain in Atlanta but known for their traditional southern fare. If you have a layover and want a nice meal with table service, just head here. I had their famous fried chicken, which was everything I thought it would be--crispy, tender, salty, and comforting. The sides were just OK, but I think the southern service makes it what it is. My waiter Carlton was such a perfect gentleman that I completely forgot I was in an airport terminal.