Check it Out: Pho 75

Do you remember when you discovered your favorite food? Have you ever subsequently discovered a food that made you question yourself? Well in my case that answer is yes. About two months ago I discovered pho—Vietnamese noodle soup. I was taken to Pho 75 in Rosslyn by a friend who espoused its virtues. Since that first fateful trip I have lost track of the number of times I have immersed myself in the delicious world of pho.

Upon entering Pho 75 you might not expect it to be home to delicious foods. It is a large, unassuming, cafeteria-like room. If you were looking for something fancy the décor could be considered lacking. Apart from the scattered pictures from native Vietnam the walls are mostly bare. That is except for the wall dedicated to the Best Bargain Awards Pho 75 has received, for the last 21 years. Since Pho 75 first opened its doors in 1987 it has been receiving praise for its awesomely delicious and awesomely cheap fare (its cash only). That said however, the food itself is the real reason for coming.


A glance at the menu reveals that you only have to make a limited number of choices. Large or small bowl? What kinds of meat? Do I want a drink besides water? After making your choice (I usually go with a large number 9 and a Ca Phe Sua Da—Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk) you can sit back and wait for your food to arrive. And within a matter of minutes, arrive it does (I have yet to wait for longer than 10). Upon receiving your bowl and garnishing it to your liking with the provided bean sprouts, hot peppers, thai basil, and fresh lime you must then make a decision on what is arguably the most key element to a good bowl at Pho 75—the sauce ratio. The two sauces provided are a plum sauce and Sriracha hot sauce. The ratio varies. If you want a spicier bowl, as I do, try more Sriracha and visa versa if you prefer it to be sweeter, like my regular partner in pho does, you will use more plum sauce.


In case you hadn’t gathered, the food is fantastic, but more importantly Pho 75 is all about the atmosphere. On one hand, it’s a place built for camaraderie and shared experiences, but at the same time it can also be very personal. From what you order, to what sauces you use, to even how you eat it (chopsticks and a big soup spoon are your weapons of choice) each person has their own unique way of eating pho, and for that reason I won’t presume to tell you how you should eat your bowl of pho at Pho 75. That’s for you to decide.

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.

Check it Out: Greek Deli

Remember the Soup Nazi character from Seinfeld? The brutally efficient, yet immensely talented sous chef of a small New York soup shop. His cheap, delicious food was as renowned as his quick, unbalanced temperament. I am happy to say the the Soup Nazi is alive in well right here in DuPont's Greek Deli. Kostas, the bombastic owner, operator, and mascot of the restaurant seems to channel this character. Standing at the end of the long lunchtime line, you can already hear him berating his staff or a first-timer. Someone mistakenly confused the deli for Nooshi next door and asked Kostas what kinds of sushi he served. He screamed back, "DO I LOOK JAPANESE?" A man asked Kostas for hot soup to which he yelled, "WHAT? DO YOU THINK I SERVE MY SOUP COLD? MCDONALDS IS DOWN THE STREET!" All of this before he informed his staff, made up mostly of family members, "WHY DO I PAY YOU? TOO SLOW, TOO SLOW. ALL FIRED," and went outside to smoke a cigarette.


Aside from the entertainment, people return to Greek Deli time and time again for the superb and authentic food at an unbeatable price.

They serve an extensive menu of Greek delicacies. I typically stick with the Gyro Platter. A delicious pita stuffed with seasoned meat, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, feta, and drizzled with tzatziki sauce. It is served with huge portions of Orzo salad and Greek style string beans. All of this for just $8.99. Also popular is the Spanakopita (delectable spinach and cheese pastry), Pastitsio (a Greek lasagna of sorts), and their Greek meatball special. The portions are huge and typically all around $9. That's the reason the lunch line stretches out the door every weekday. No worries though, the line moves quickly as Kostas and his staff mean business (expect a 5 minute wait from the end of the line). Swing by, between L and M on 19th Street, pick up lunch, save half for dinner. Enjoy delicious and authentic Greek food with an authentic Greek temperament.

Check It Out: Loeb's Deli

Sandwiches are awesome. Whether you’re standing in line at Subway, tucking in to some $20 swank-wich piled high with top-shelf toppings or even whipping one up yourself, you do so with the confidence that unless something has gone horribly wrong along the way it’s going to be pretty damn good. There is something in the way that sandwiches can flit so effortlessly between simple to complex without losing anything in translation that sets them in a class of their own as far as food is concerned.

Despite this though, like bratwurst is to Germany or wine to France, sandwich snobs always seem subscribe to the belief that delis (particularly of the New York variety) are the end-all be-all when it comes to the matter, and while I’m personally partial to my own creations, they do have a point. The problem with so-called “New York style” delis though is… you guessed it, they’re tough to find outside of the big apple. It’s a shame for most, but Washingtonians can take heart because for almost 40 years Loeb’s Deli has been providing Foggy Bottom with some of the finest lunch fare in the District. Located near the intersection of I and 15th, Loeb’s is decidedly a lunch joint, only serving weekdays from 6:00 to 4:30.

One’s relationship with their sandwich of choice is an intense and personal one, so I certainly won’t presume to suggest what you should get at Loeb’s, but I always go for a Reuben and a bowl of Matzo Ball Soup and the combination has yet to fail me thus far.

If your lunch break finds you in the area, or looking for something new, head over to Loeb’s Deli and get your sandwich on the way it was meant to be done.

Check it Out: I-The Indian Experience

Some of my favorite meals have been the ones that I least expected. While anticipation is nice, it can even come close to the feeling of excitement that you enjoy after a particularly satisfying surprise. Yesterday I had that distinct pleasure when a friend of mine introduced me to I-The Indian Experience.

Located in Foggy Bottom just off the intersection of 16th and L Street, you enter into the restaurant beneath a vibrant magenta awning before immediately descending down a precipitous flight of stairs to the dining room below. As I had never before had the pleasure of dining there, my surprise at the cavernous subterranean scene which greeted me was matched only by that at the dimly-lit, wood-paneled, almost surreal vibe the place gave off. Almost as if i had somehow stepped back into some 1920's speakeasy or something.

The ambiance aside though, we had gone there there to eat, and the entire walk there had been spent listening to my friend enumerating the many virtues of The Indian Experience lunch buffet; Its 12 bucks. Its delicious. Some of the best i've had. Its all you can eat. Did I mention that its just $12? Suffice it to say I was a tad wary, sure it sounded great, but there had to be some sort of a catch. There isn't. Its every bit as great as it sounds, and if you even remotely like Indian food you owe it to yourself to go. Served every weekday from 11:30 until 2:30, the buffet features about six or seven different dishes of various curried and chili varieties with all rice and naan you might need to chow down how ever you may see fit. There is a dinner buffet too from 6:00 until 9:00 every weeknight as well, and though i have not yet sat for it, I can only assume that its every bit as good as the lunch one.

This place is great, between the food and setting i just dig it, and Im sure you will too. Just remember to bring your appetite because you better believe you're going to need it.

Check it Out: The Black Rooster

For some reason, the term dive-bar has developed a rather negative connotation in our culture. We think of dirty, uncomfortable, old-man bars when someone mentions a dive spot. But that's not all a good dive bar need represent. To me, it speaks of a comfortable, homey, small, friendly bar, where everyone in fact does know your name. Certainly there are some flops that aren't worth considering. But The Black Rooster Public House is one you should definitely check out.

This is one of the best pubs in the area. Yes, it is small. Yes, it is not well lit. Yes, it attracts a rather eclectic (read: older) crowd. But you will find a fantastic and lively atmosphere coupled with terrific and friendly service at this neighborhood bar. Having been a patron of this pub for quite a many months, I can tell you that the pub is either absolutely dead or absolutely packed. During the week, the happy hour professional crowd generally jams the place. They come for discounted drinks and great food specials. A pint of Budweiser or Bud Light is only $2.68, one of the better beer deals in town. All other draft pints (including Guinness) are one-dollar off. The food is perhaps the biggest draw. TO be honest, it is likely not the best food you will ever have. However for the price and quantity it certainly is one of the better deals. Tuesday night is my favorite for half-priced burger nights. Get a huge angus burger, with three toppings of your choice (Bacon, blue cheese, and fried onions for me) and fries for only $4.95. With a pint of the black stuff, you can have a fine meal for just $10 with tax and tip. Every weekday night has a different food special, all of which are worth looking into.


After enjoying your meal you can enjoy a game of darts for free, on one of their two boards or simply talk with the friendly bartenders or patrons. This type of atmosphere is a welcome change to many of the "hipper" but also colder venues in DC. Having enjoyed myself a bit too much on one Tuesday evening, I left my laptop at my table. The staff took it, locked it in the office, and I was able to pick it up the next day. I can't imagine many other bars in town where my laptop would have survived the night.