Check it Out: The Brown Bag

The lunch break; most fickle of all noon-time meals. Long enough to lure you out of the office, but never quite long enough to allow for a truly satisfying sit-down experience. Time is tight so you go for what's easy. Understandable, but all to often that means greasy, uninspired creations that more resemble cardboard than food. Fear not however, because there is a solution in the form of The Brown Bag.


With four location across the greater Washington area, including two downtown at 818 18th St. and 1099 14th St. respectively, The Brown Bag specializes in high quality lunch fare made fresh and more importantly fast. Since 2002, they have been feeding the city a scrumptious selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and even omelets. All made in-house daily and prepared to order.

As per the name, it's essentially like bringing your favorite lunch stuffs from home - minus the making it yourself part.

Take my word for it, this is good stuff. So next time you're slipping out of the office for a quick bite skip subway and do the Brown Bag thing.

Check it Out: Sequoia

As surely as summer follows spring, come this time of year, scores of DC residents begin flocking in droves to enjoy the sights and sounds down at the Georgetown waterfront. And for good reason, on a sunny day, there is hardly a better place to enjoy a light bite and a drink or two than on the patio of one of it's several seafood oriented restaurants.

While I had passed it countless times in my travels to and from Georgetown, this weekend I had the pleasure of actually sitting for a meal at Sequoia. A member of the Ark Restaurant group, and one of the larger, more well known of the waterfront establishments, Sequoia boasts a robust menu centered - though not exclusively - around all manner of seafood. I had a couple of oysters as a starter and miso mirin seared salmon for my main course, both of which were very tasty, and while the fish certainly isn't coming out of the Potomac (god forbid), its fresh enough. Along with the food we also ordered a bottle of Hugel Gewurztraminer 2006, which had a subtly-sweet flavor that complimented the fish nicely.


The Sequoia's service and decor are what you would expect from an upscale Washington restaurant, and the waitstaff is knowledgeable about the menu and more than happy to offer suggestions where needed.

As has become the norm of late it started pouring shortly after we got there, so understandably we decided to dine indoors. If it ever stops raining raining though Sequoia has a spacious patio that looks like it would be perfect if you're looking to eat outside.

Sequoia is a popular spot, so if you are planning on eating there I would highly recommend making a reservation (especially on the weekend). It certainly isn't one of Washington's little known eateries, but if you are in the mood for some fine seafood I would recommend you take a look at Sequoia.