YUMMEROOOOO!!!

New beginnings!

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MOVE OVER NYC & CHICAGO... MAKE WAY FOR NEW HAVEN'S APIZZA

The age-old question of 'which city's pizza is the best' will probably never come to pass. Years and years have gone by where New Yorkers and Chicagoans have laid claim to having the best pie of the land. And, depending on where you come from, you may very well agree with one or the other.

I, for one, was never a pizza aficionado... probably due to the fact that the DC area isn't exactly known for a clandestine mastery of the "apizza." (And no, I'm not even going to hint anything at all about Adams Morgan's infamous Jumbo Slice, which is delicious if you can't walk straight after a night of excessive drinking.)

Even as a college student, I preferred junkin' out on wings, instant ramen, and cheap Chinese take-out over Papa John's, Domino's, or Pizza Hut. If pizza is in the room, then sure - I'd grab a slice. But it's never been my first choice. As of late, I've found that I'm more inclined to dine over any pizza that isn't advertised on TV. (Uh, Domino's? Gross.)

I recently had a chance to visit the city of New Haven in Connecticut when I was a part of my friend's wedding there. It was my first time in CT, and the only thing I really had to go on was whatever my friend, Jess, told me of the place. New Haven is her hometown, and her deep Italian roots are very much institutionalized there. It is home to a sizable Italian American community, and this was especially prevalent in a little area denoted as New Haven's "Little Italy," just outside of Yale's ivy league campus.

My friend, Leah, and I made a pit stop at NH's Little Italy before we hopped on a train back to the DC area. Our mission: to have a taste of New Haven's slice of life.

We walked past a few places, one of which had a line spilling outside its doors. While we decided to skip out on the place that was suggested to us, we ended up at a cozy spot called Abate Apizza & Seafood Restaurant. A quaint spot with a "moms & pops" feel, it was the perfect place to lunch aI fresco.

In all my randomness, I ordered a cup of coffee... and we ordered fries (of course), a meatball sub, and a white pizza (sans tomato sauce, which I love, and topped with slices of fresh tomatoes). The French fries were as delicious as any Italian American could've made them (ha!), and the meatballs were tasty in all their tomato-esque glory (with an equally crisp, yet soft, Italian bread embracing them). And the pizza -- so simple, yet absolutely delicious.

Thin crust? Check.

While the crust fell a little on the bland side, its cracker-like texture around the edges made for a yum canvas for the deliciousness that lay on top of it. It certainly made for a very tasty pie, and since we were stuffed, we delighted in the fact that we now had food for the train ride. (So much better than the gross microwaved hot dogs that you pay an arm and a leg for at the cafe car.)

I, unfortunately, didn't have a camera on hand since my parents had taken theirs with them on their trip outside the country... and my camera is out of commission. But luckily, I did find pics from a fellow blogger named Robyn, who hosts a very nice food blog of her own: The Girl Who Ate Everything. So these photos belong to her:

New Haven's Abate Apizza & Seafood Restaurant (Photo courtesy of The Girl Who Ate Everything)

White Pie w/Fresh Tomato Slices (Photo courtesy of The Girl Who Ate Everything)

For me, New Haven pizza now tops my list... with New York pizza trailing just behind. Who knew?!
--

Abate Apizza & Seafood Restaurant, 129 Wooster St., New Haven, CT 06511, 203-776-4334

I SECRETLY WANT THIS...

This is my out-of-left-field thought of the day:

I secretly want this...



But since the price tag is making me quiver, I could easily go for this instead:



It's like comparing apples and oranges, I know. One is a full-on carry-on day bag, and the other is a work bag; I could go for either since I'm on the hunt for something functional in both respects. We shall see, though. I'm totally in need of a "happy birthday to me" kind of purchase, and these are definitely in line. Ha!

BANNER EXAMPLE

Yesterday, I was following the updates on the Philippine Elections (Halalan 2010). I ended up landing on a page with an article that somehow sparked my interest. To my horror, this is what came up:


OK, so it wasn't really the article that caused my stomach to churn, but the two - NOT ONE, BUT TWO - banner placements to "Find Your Filipina Beauty Today!"

Are you effin' kidding me?!

So, it's actually no surprise since Southeast Asian women have been objectified for as long as I can recall. And it doesn't matter which ASEAN nation you come from: Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, The Philippines --- they all fall prey to the world of "Mail Order Brides." I think I was just too shocked to see the banners, since it had been a while since I've been exposed to this kind of objectification and exploitation of my fellow Filipino (Filipina, in this case).

Shame on entertainmentandshowbiz.com for allowing such an add to run in this space. And to allow it to pop-up with an article on the Philippine elections makes it all the more disgusting.

THE 'CUPCAKE CRAZE' WAS NOT BORN IN DC

I blogged about the cupcake craze a while back, and now that I'm back in DC it seems that the "craze" hasn't simmered down one bit... not here, at least. And that's fine, because no matter how I look at it I think that I personally have an affinity to cupcakes (and all things baked). Blame my inner fat boy. (sigh)

Anyway, I had chatted with a foodie-friend about the DC area's cupcake craze --err, insanity is more like it, and how I'm partially over it not so much because of the cupcakes themselves, but because of some of the ridiculous things that I've been seeing online from my fellow Washingtonians. In the past few months I've read someone comment that the DC area is the "home" of the cupcake craze. Right. (yawn) I've also read someone's inner-most thoughts that DC will somehow become known for the cupcake, much in the same way that Philadelphia is known for their cheese steaks. Preposterous, I know.

Now, I love my hometown. In fact, there probably couldn't be a person more proud to be a home-grown Washington-area local as myself. But at the same time, I like to keep things real, and I always have to put things into perspective. I must refute these so-called ideas of Washington, DC and the cupcake craze...

#1. First and foremost, DC is not home of the cupcake craze. DC did not create the phenomenon, nor is it a pioneer in the process. Look back to 1988. NYC. Hell's Kitchen, to be exact. A little place called the Cupcake Cafe had opened up, and was one - if not the first - original shops dedicated to the cupcake. Then in 1996, NYC's now famous Magnolia Bakery picked up the momentum... blasting the cupcake into stardom through vehicles like "Sex and The City." Local NYCers then went on to other parts of the country to start their own (ie, Sprinkles in Beverly Hills).

NYC's Cupcake Cafe - possibly the birthplace of the cupcake craze (Photo from http://comradechufood.blogspot.com)

Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills (Photo from http://www.ozoux.com)

DC's cupcake craze eventually followed, and with much pomp and circumstance. And the craze only continues to flourish. With outposts like DC's Hello Cupcake and Fairfax Corner's Cupcakes Actually --both of which seem to be molded by the Buttercup Bake Shop/Sprinkles format-- the non-franchised aspect of the DC-area cupcakeries make it such an appeal, which can be problematic for franchises such as Long Island's Crumbs Bake Shop and BH's Sprinkles Cupcakes, both of which are expected to make their DC debut very soon. But the craze has only proven that there seems to be room for all. We shall see.

#2. Whoever had the bright idea that DC would become known for its cupcakes is seriously in need of a serious foodie re-eval. Who would compare a "DC" cupcake to a Philly cheese steak, or a NY pizza? I mean, honestly?! I shake my head in disbelief. If there is a food item in the DC area that comes close to taking the fame of being "indigenous" or our "trademark," it would be the half-smoke.

#3. The craze (which is sort of 5-minutes ago) seemed to have picked-up in DC a lot better than the Pinkberry-esque froyo craze that also enveloped the nation at one point. (And, no - DC definitely did NOT start that craze either.) But since DC is much smaller than other major cities, and because the cupcakeries tend to be populated in/around the same general area, one would probably think that - yes, the cupcake craze surely has its roots in DC. But yeah, not so much.

DC's own Baked & Wired in Georgetown (Photo from http://cupcakesomg.blogspot.com, a pretty cool blog if I say so myself...)

Anyway. I just had to set the record straight. I love that DC has embraced cupcake culture with open arms, but - as it is with everything else - a little humility will go a long way. Know history, know truth; no history, no truth.

(Haha.)

CURRENT OBSESSION: KRUNCHERS

I have been lagging with this blog, and I even went through March without a single post! The sad part is that March was full of some amazing experiences. I'll have to revert one of these days. In the meantime, I'll just dish about my current obsession of sorts: Krunchers kettle potato chips.


I'm seriously obsessed, especially with the Sweet Maui Onion flavor. And I don't even really understand how or why I am so enamored by such greasiness and crunch! But if you strip it all down, it's precisely just that: greasiness and crunch... (and flavor, too.) These chips ooze with them.


This is definitely a lame post, but whatever. I'm sure that this blurb will make you at least go out and grab a bag, and join in on the yum-ness that are these chips.

Ha.

KIM, ASADA, & ROCHETTE (with Nagasu on their tails!)

As we come to the end of another Olympics, I must say that I'm pretty flabbergasted at how fast time is passing by. I feel like I had just rang in the new year not long ago, and now I'm literally a day and a half away from March. Time flies.

And again, another Winter Olympics is on its way out.

I have to talk about the marquis event of the games -err, what the media tends to bill as "THE marquis event of the Winter Olympics" ... Women's Figure Skating.

No surprise, the fight for the finish was between the skating world's top two: South Korea's Yu-Na Kim (who took home the gold), and Japan's Mao Asada (who took home the silver). And each of them created records for the sport, and themselves. Kim's overall score is the highest ever in women's skating under the latest scoring system, and Asada became the first woman ever to land a triple jump (Axel, was it?) three times at an international event -- 1 in her short program, and 2 in her free skate. They both have much reason to be proud, as do their respective countries.

The bronze was the medal up for grabs, with several of the world's top skaters vying for the podium including Japan's Miki Ando (2007 World Champion), and the current U.S. ladies' top two finishers - Rachel Flatt and Mirai Nagasu. But the honors would go to Canada's Joannie Rochette, who - despite the passing of her mom just days prior to the ladies' short program - won the hearts of her fellow Canadians (and the world) by skating and pouring out her heart on the ice.

Not to be outdone, Mirai Nagasu - the 2008 U.S. Ladies Singles Champion - bested team mate, and current U.S. Ladies Singles Champion, Rachel Flatt, by finishing in 4th overall behind Rochette. Both of Nagasu's programs were seasonal and personal bests, and she was more than happy to finish where she did in her "maiden" Olympics berth. She was 6th going into the free skate, and finished 5th after.

Olympian-sized feats: Kim after receiving the highest scores ever in the ladies' overall, and an ecstatic Nagasu learning of her un-predicted 4th overall finish (just missing the podium) at the Games (Photos: Jamie Squire/Cameron Spencer/Getty)

Flatt skated a perfect, albeit conservative, long program. While she landed all of her jumps, and completed a clean routine, her combined overall score was good enough for an overall finish of 7th place (she placed 5th in the ladies' short, and 8th in the free skate).

Not a bad finish for the U.S. women, considering none of them were favorites to stand atop the podium. And with 12.49 points separating Nagasu from Rochette, it goes to show that the current U.S. silver medalist is now among the top skaters in the world.

Here is where I will get a little stank...

After the performance of Flatt and Miki Ando, I happened to be on Twitter, and noticed that Rachel Flatt was trending. I had to check out what that was all about, and to my non-surprise a lot of the 'tweets' were well wishes for her clean free skate. But soon, those well wishes turned into horror at the realization that Miki Ando had placed above Flatt for what seemed to be a not-so-great performance. Well, while that may be true -- I have to be real for a second... Yes, Rachel Flatt did well, but how can you compare her athleticism to Miki Ando's? Clearly, the reason why Miki was given higher marks is because she had harder elements. She may have had less speed in her program, but truth be told... she done jumped her ass off. Rachel Flatt's program, while a personal victory - and one that she should be proud of, was just a tad "flat" compared to the free skate routines of the other contenders, hence the 8th place finish.

To me, Rachel Flatt is a good skater, but not in the mold that superstars are made from. I truly believe she was lucky with her win at the U.S. nationals. She edges out her competition technically, however artistically I don't find her as appealing as other skaters like Nagasu. Where Mirai tends to fall short technically (she tends to face down-grades for under/over rotation with her landings), she excels artistically over Flatt. Nagasu has the potential to be as charismatic on ice as Michelle Kwan or Sasha Cohen. Flatt - well - eh...

That's just my opinion. Haha!

WORST. FRIES. EVER. (or not)

Those of you who know me well also know that when it comes to fries, my knees go weak. (French) Fries are practically my kryptonite. Sad, I know. How anyone can deny the awesomeness that are fries baffles me to no end.

Yahoo! Health recently posted an article titled "America's Worst French Fries (and What You Should Eat Instead)." Penned by two editors from Men's Health magazine, the article goes right into some of the "worst" fry options in several categories. Based on their findings, this is what we now know of American fries:

WORST CURLY FRIES: Arby's Curly Fries (Large), clocking in at 640 calories & 34 grams of fat. (The 'better' option from Arby's? An order of small Homestyle Fries, with roughly half the calories and fat.)

WORST WEDGE FRIES: Jack in the Box Bacon Cheddar Wedges, with 715 calories & 45 grams of fat. (Incidentally, I don't remember these being on Jack's menu...?!)

Best of the worst: Arby's Curly Fries & Jack in the Box's cheddar cheese fries

WORST FRIES FOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE: Dairy Queen Chili Cheese Fries, which boasts a whopping 1,240 calories. Why anyone would want fries from "Dairy Queen" is beyond me. Hello, ice cream and/or Blizzards only. Thanks.

WORST REGULAR ORDER OF FRIES: Large order of Five Guys Fries, which truly is a sopping mess of 1,424 calories. Fat. Pure fat. (They say that a half serving of their regular fries is better.)

WORST FRIES IN AMERICA: Chili's Texas Cheese Fries w/Jalapeno Ranch ---which sounds amazing...! But for 1,920 cals, not so much. Again, Chili's offers "homestyle fries" as the "better" option. *YAWN*

Apparently, the best fries in America still go to those Golden Arches. A small order of McD's french fries are still the best in the U.S. Which doesn't say much. For those who are actually a little more worldly, and believe that - yes, there is a world outside the United States, you must know that America simply does NOT have the best fries in the world. While the French may have coined the term, my heart (and vote) actually goes out to the Belgians, whose frites are simply the best fried potato sticks in all the Universe & World! (Note: The DC area needs to get on the bandwagon and open up a frites shop. DC, why are you so 10 years later with stuff, like cupcakes...?) And how genius are they for their specialty "dipping sauces...?" Gosh, I love those Belgians. Between their frites, their waffles, and their beers -- I just don't know which tops that totem pole. I give them all a big, fat '10!'

frjtz: My favorite Belgian frites shop in San Francisco

Special mention, however, goes out to the Canadians... French Canadians, to be exact. After all, they are the geniuses who were the promulgators of the ever-so-popular-yet-disgusting-at-the-same-time fries with gravy. And I'm not talking about the lame American version. The French Canadian Poutine Québécoise is a carefully prepared dish of French fries, topped with fresh cheese curd, covered with brown gravy. (No, I'm not talking about cheap-a$$ American cheese in a can, either.) Poutine has evolved to become a popular "greasy spoon" staple in Quebec, and most of Canada, spawning versions that crossed both the American and Mexican borders. (Think American cheese fries, or Mexican carne asada fries; the latter being YUM.)

Poutine Québécoise (Photo: Francis Vachon)

Needless to say, I have just gained an additional 7,000 pounds writing/typing this post. Yum.

VALENTINE'S DAY (THE MOVIE)

When I first saw the trailer for this film, the first couple of things that came to my mind were: 1) this is going to be a sad "American" attempt at Love Actually, and 2) this is going to be a hot mess of a movie --what, with all of the stars billed to be in it. However, because I tend to be a closeted sucker for cheese-on-the screen (and because I can't keep from checking out an Anne Hathaway or Jessica Alba film), I coaxed my non-Valentiney friend to come along. (Thanks, Shen! xo) Despite the unfortunate ratings, I thought that it turned out to be quite entertaining.

I won't say much about the plot since I don't want to give away any spoilers; it's still pretty new in theaters. I will say that Gary Marshall put together a pretty witty and clever film that delves into the different situations and aspects of our humanity as it revolves around the theme of "love." Whether it's falling in love with the wrong person, and missing out on the right one... or loving unconditionally... or learning to love yourself first --- there is a scenario in this film that will make sense to everyone.

Oh, and there are a few surprises. Some things to note: the story line centering on Grey's Anatomy's "McSteamy" (Eric Dane) will throw you, and the pair-up of Anne Hathaway and Topher Grace is surprisingly adorable. (Yes, I just said "adorable.") Interestingly, Emma Roberts stars alongside her aunt, Julia (Roberts)... though their characters' story lines don't physically interact. And the film serves as a reunion of sorts for Jennifer Garner and Ashton Kutcher (Dude, Where's My Car?).

In no way is this film a replication of the greatness that is Love Actually, but the cadence of the lives of the characters involved moves at a good pace, and the intertwining story lines are not far-fetched. In fact, it came off as real as can be. (And for once, Ashton did not make me want to gag.)

It also made me miss Los Angeles again. Much of the filming took place in many parts of L.A.: the Venice canals, Beverly Hills, the Valley... bringing a glint to my eyes.

And for Gary Marshall / Julia Roberts fans, you'd be wise to stick around for the gag reel that runs with the credits.

HIGH ON VANCOUVER

I am riding high on the Olympic wave right now.

I get like this every other year; every year of the games. I don't know what gets me more. It's a toss-up between the emotional and awe-inspiring opening and closing ceremonies, the drama-soaked stories created by NBC, the showmanship and camaraderie of the athletes, or the actual sports. Everything from downhill to short track to figure skating, hockey, and even snowboarding just seems to get me all the time. For the two weeks of the games I find myself totally gripping with anticipation as U.S. team members race to finish lines, or choking back tears as I hear the heart-tugging stories about struggle and redemption.

On the flip, it also turns into a forum for controversy. "Artistic" sports always trudge the fine line between objectivity and subjectivity. Case in point: figure skating. For many, the "sport" is probably the least "sporty." But for many still, it is the crowning jewel of the games... the epitome of what the games have become. Olympic figure skaters are pretty much like vampires compared to lycans... the princes/princesses compared to the paupers... they order the filet, and not the "chopped" steak --you get the point. I'm not sure how much I believe that myself, but when you look at it from the outside, that's what it looks like. It's probably the make-up and costumes. (...and the bows and standing ovations. Ha.)

Year after year, though, it finds its way to controversy. Some blame the new judging system, others blame tactical antics of the athletes themselves. Yes, that means you - Tonya Harding. This year's competition was definitely a dog fight for the men. Usually, an Olympic year gives way to a dramatic ladies' or pairs' competition. And in Torino back in '06 the fight on the ice was with the ice dancers. In 2010, however, the draw went to the fellas.

Evan Lysacek, the current U.S. champion, edged out reigning Olympic gold medalist Evgeni Plushenko from Russia. The last time a U.S. man won the gold in the sport was back in 1988 (Brian Boitano). The controversy in Vancouver: Evan didn't have a quad.

While Plushenko has acquiesced, and offered his congratulations to Lysacek, it was done with much talk against the direction the sport is headed towards, as well as with much questioning of the overall system of judging and scoring. Issue is, Lysacek didn't include a quad in his program because of a foot injury. Plushenko landed his quad, although he did it with a lot less smoothness than we're used to seeing from him.

So is it fair to say that skating, and winning, without a quad lessens the integrity of the sport? Well, that's what Plushenko is crying. And he's not alone. Veteran Canadian skater, and Olympian, Elvis Stojko, agrees (see here). While I see where they are going with this, I can't say that I - personally - agree. If you breakdown their performances during the free skate, Plushenko was tough... but not in the way you'd think. He was hard-edged, and almost heavy with his jumps. Lysacek, on the other hand, was steel... remaining straight-bodied with his jumps, and landing them almost perfectly. If you were to pare down each performance, Evan's was 99% flawless. Evgeni, who is capable of 110%, seemed to only muster a measly 95 --which should say a lot about his talent since he's been out of international contention for a few years leading up to these games. That differentiating factor: Evan had a great-great skate.

Evgeni can't win all the time. Winning a silver medal after years away from the sport? That's not too shabby.

Plushenko & Lysecek on the podium in Vancouver (Photo: AFP)

---

I am in awe at how true the idea is about having "6 degrees of separation" from a complete stranger.

My games sort of started off with the return of Apolo Anton Ohno, and his band of short track speed skaters. I noticed he had two other Asian Americans as team mates: Korean American Simon Cho, and Polish/Filipino American JR Celski. Ohno and Celski finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the 1500m race, earning their spots on the podium.

Living the dream: JR Celski (Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

As I started to follow the duo and their teammates, a friend of mine pointed out 3-degrees of separation from JR; his two brothers were active members of YFC (Youth For Christ) in Seattle back in the day. But my sister shortened the gap when she told me that I actually know one of JR's older brothers, who is one of her friends through YFC. After putting two and two together, I finally figured it all out... and this whole thing goes to show that we do live in a small world after all. (Check out JR's story here.)

Now I'm totally caught between feeling star-struck, and feeling like that's my little brother there on the short track!

You gotta love these Olympic games. Here's to Evan Lysacek, Evgeni Plushenko, and the Asian American short track triad of Apolo, Simon, and my Filipino brotha JR Celski!

OLYMPIC HATERADE...

Can we say "HATERS!!!"

[Viewpoint] Ohno: The undeserving medalist - INSIDE JoongAng Daily

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OH, VANCOUVER...

The 2010 Winter Games is upon us! Err... it's upon Canada. But once again, the (American) world is being looped-in via NBC. Personally, the Olympics is something that I respect, and I am always in awe of the grandeur that comes with the games --from the athletic prowess of the world's best, to the special care that the host country brings... it is something that is much bigger than any of us. And above all, it is a time when the nations of the world know no borders, and come to share in the spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition.

There is definitely something special about being part of the Olympic games.

Unfortunately, the games of Vancouver have been set-off with a tragic start. Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili, was killed after a training run on the Whistler Sliding Centre some 125 kilometers north of the Olympic city. The track, which claimed about 25 crashes during the luge training run, has become known for being a very hard course. Recent crashes along the track have prompted concerns about its safety.

Nodar Kumaritashvili as he prepared to take-off on a practice run

The passing of Kumaritashvili put a damper on the opening day of the games, and is sure to resonate throughout the course of its run. The Georgian team decided to remain in competition in honor of their comrade, and walked during the parade of nations with proud, yet somber, faces. Team members from other nations threw their support by wearing black arm bands.

Yesterday evening, NBC opened their telecast with the unfortunate news, and they moved forward by showing a clip of the accident on national TV. Bloggers and fans alike have blasted the network for what they deem to be a poor choice. Onecommented: "It should have never been shown! I changed the channel not to be a part of such a shameless act. Do you think it would have aired if it was the producers son. NOT! Ratings at any and all cost!" Similarly, another had this to say: "They never should have shown that. They should have respected his family and the fact the he had just passed. The videos were very uncalled for."

That said, I have to say that when I later caught the broadcast on DVR, I believe that the broadcast of the video and subsequent photographs were prefaced with a warning. So to those who claim otherwise, do make note. Also, and in defense of the network, and more importantly the journalistic decision behind the airing of the clip, I am glad that the footage was showed. For one, it is a clear-cut reporting of what happened. It sheds some light on the plight that our athletes go through for these games. The Olympics are more than over-sensationalized glorification of celebrity athletes. It is a true competition, with sports that are not always safe. For me, seeing the clip reminded me of the heart that athletes like Kumaritashvili have for their sport, even if it means giving up their lives for it. Secondly, the media is damned if they do, and damned if they don't. I must say that there are many times when I find myself abhorred by what the media reports. However, with this report - despite the horrific truth about the accident - I was thankful not in a macabre kind of way. But I felt that the network was being truthful about what had happened, and it made me feel a sense of loss, something I probably wouldn't have felt at the same level had I not seen the clip of the tragic event.

If viewers found the clips disrespectful, then fine. They are entitled to their opinions. However, I didn't find anything about the reporting to be disrespectful at all. There weren't any needless comments that were made along with the report, and all that was said was merely the truth. While watching the accident made me sick to my stomach, at the same time I truly felt sadness for the athlete, his family and teammates, and all of those concerned with these games --a sadness I may not have truly been able to comprehend had NBC not shown us what happened.

So to the network I say "thank you" for not glossing-over the incident. It was a story that had to be told, and I feel like NBC did what they felt was right.

Now... on with the show, Vancouver!

AGAIN AND AGAIN AND 'AGAINN'

Growing up in DC, I have always had a fascination of all things that are "across the pond." Everything from red telephone booths, to tea and scones, to 'bangers & mash' make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And I remember going to London for the first time and really feeling how "old" the city really is. I know that DC and New York City are pretty old as well, but London - as you know - is pretty ancient. But London (and England as a whole) is a place that knows how to mesh its rich history with the current day, and it's definitely at the top of my list of favorite cities.

One of Britain's best contributions to society would have to be the "public house," or "pub" for short. The British are geniuses for setting up these establishments meant for the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Throw in a little pub grub like salted crisps, pasties, and fish & chips, and you've got one hell of a good time ahead.

In the early 90s, a counter culture in Britain began to stem from the iconic public house concept. As "foodie" culture began to evolve around the world, the British began to take the concept of a fully-operable restaurant placed within a pub. Thus, a renaissance in pub and dining culture in Britain was born, as was the concept of the "gastropub."

The gastropub may not be as gritty as a pub can be known to be, however it is still a place where drinks are enjoyed plentifully. Couple this with carefully prepared food that goes above and beyond "pub fare," and you've got yourself a laid-back, foodie paradise. On our side of the pond, AGAINN proudly serves as a great venue to hang-out, eat, and drink to your heart's contentment.

Pronounced "aguinn" (a-g-uin), this recent addition to Washington, DC's list of trendy restaurants bills itself as a "contemporary British Isles Bistro." Like most of the new food establishments that are popping up around the city, AGAINN prides itself in the sourcing and use of local produce, and meats and seafood that are more or less organic and sustainable.

At the helm of AGAINN is Executive Chef Wes Morton, who spent some time in London prior to the restaurant's opening. There he found inspiration for many of the restaurant's offerings. He also brings a wealth of experience from some of the restaurant world's top spots like Thomas Keller's Yountville, CA mainstay - French Laundry, Michel Richard's DC restaurant maven - Citronelle, and Houston's award-winning *17 restaurant at the Alden Hotel.

Like most of the city's new restaurants, it capitalizes on an industrialized space: stone & wood floors, dark metal accents, and dim lighting. Hardwood table tops line the glass-windowed walls along the side of the restaurant, while booths and banquettes occupy the middle --giving that added touch of comfort that you'd usually find in a classic pub. The bar area is bustling, and the libations are plentiful. Beer on tap, beer in bottles, and top shelf alcohol (along with well selections) are of importance here. Like any restaurant, an extensive wine list is offered, as well as an interesting "Scotch List" which is sure to bring out the Englishman in all of us. At the bar I ordered a Manhattan as I waited for my table, and I can honestly say that the attention to detail that the mixologist gave to my drink perhaps made it the absolute best Manhattan (with Maker's) that I've ever had.

Public House elements: a partial view of one of several dining areas, and the Scotch collection

The food, just as well, was not a disappointment. My friends and I decided to partake in the 'restaurant week' menu that was being offered. Two of us decided to start with the pan-seared diver scallops, which were served on a bed of sunchoke puree & watercorss broth, with parsnip crisps as a garnish. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and were 'melt-in-your-mouth' good. Another friend went with the beetroot salad: a mixture of frisee, walnuts, young goat cheese, and honey dressing; a light and flavorful start to dinner. For the main course, my friends both went with the Tamworth pork belly, which was served with Anson Mill's white grits, smoked tomato jus, and baby mizuna (Japanese mustard leaves). It honestly tasted like it came fresh from my mother's kitchen; the rich flavors of Philippine lechon topped with culinary refinery. I, on the otherhand, decided to go the full length of the Brit experience with the steak & chips --an 8 oz Hereford hanger steak served with bone marrow persillade. I, myself, am a "fry guy." In this instance, the "chips" definitely took a back-seat to the hanger steak, which was full of flavor and tender. To follow, we each ordered our own sticky toffee pudding; a warm bread & toffee pudding glazed with toffee sauce, and served with stout ice cream; a delectable end to an amazing experience.

Delectable tastes: beetroot salad & Tamworth pork belly

AGAINN also offers a raw bar, charcuterie plates, and is open for lunch and Sunday brunch ($5 mimosas!). And a pub, gastro or not, wouldn't be a pub without "pub grub." Scotch eggs, Guinness-soaked pretzels, and ale-battered cod fingers can be enjoyed alongside specialty cocktails like Pimms Cup No. 13 or a Yeoman Afternoon.

Refinery: AGAINN's fully-stocked bar, and decorative accents

Located in the neighborhood of the city's new-ish convention center, and near other foodie spots such as Acadiana and Brasserie Beck, this DC restaurant is sure to have you coming back again... and again. (No pun intended.)
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AGAINN, 1099 New York Avenue (doors on 11th St.) NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-639-9830

(Photos from the restaurant's website.)

HAVING MY COOKIES (AND EATING THEM, TOO)

There is nothing that can come between me and my Nutter Butters. I kid you not.

Recently, my 5-year-old niece was over, and she decided to "hang out" in my room as I was cleaning and putting things away. She started picking through all my things: DVDs, CDs, magazines, pens, and even picture frames that sit on the window sill. I was barely paying attention to her when I noticed that I had a "snack pack" of Nutter Butters on the side table beside my bed. I honestly didn't think anything of it, until I noticed Lexie making her way toward it.

All of a sudden, a slight panic set in, and I sort of slowed my pace with the cleaning to see what Lexie was doing. At first, I instantly thought that she wouldn't even pay it any mind. My bro and SIL do an amazing job of teaching the kids about what's good for them, and what's not. I figured that cookies aren't generally a part of my niece's favorite things to eat. But in a second, a flashback came to my mind: The last time I was at my brother's place for dinner, my SIL had brought Lexie with her to pick-up food. When they returned later, I remembered that Lexie asked her mom if should could "...have my cookie after I eat my dinner?" At that realization, I looked at my niece as she moved in what seemed to be a slow-motion-like fashion. She reached out for the pack of cookies on my nightstand, and I turned white as a sheet.

At this point I had to make a decision in case she decided to ask if she could have them. Being her Godfather & uncle, and knowing in my heart that I love my niece to NO end, I figured that I'd just suck it up and give her the cookies if she asked. So in that brief instant, I knew that was what I was going to do. Here is how the conversation went:

Lexie: "Ninong, what's this?" (I noticed the wanting glint in her eye.)

Wen: (Pretending to not have been paying attention...) "What's what?"

Lexie: "This." (She was waving the pack at me at this point.)

Wen: (Non-chalantly) "Oh, those are my medicine cookies for my cough." (Add a fake cough here.) "When I eat it, yucky medicine comes out. It's so gross."

Lexie: (Immediately putting them back on the side table.) "Oh..."

I'm evil, I know. And I felt even more evil for lying to her! But then she got on top of my bed, and started jumping gleefully. Usually, I'd give her the look, and she'd get off the bed immediately. But I decided that she deserved this round since I terribly lied to her just so I could have my cookies... and eat them, too.

MANGIA, DC!

The Capital City is quickly becoming a veritable "foodie" city. However, one thing about the DC dining landscape is that there aren't any specific pockets of ethnic food enclaves. For instance, in NYC you definitely know where to find a plethora of Chinese restaurants, and even the trailings of a once-abundant Little Italy. Baltimore, too, boasts its own Little Italy, while San Fran is home to a quaint Japantown, China town, and North Beach (Italian). Then there's sprawling Los Angeles, with its many pockets of places specializing in Viet, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and even Indian cuisine.

DC, on the other hand, is a little more integrated with its food communities. Not that it's a bad thing, but you definitely have to venture outside the city limits in order to find a thriving ethnic food community like Annandale (Korean) or Falls Church/Eden Center (Vietnamese). And while I love that my Asian cousins are representin', I really wish there was an area that is more Italian-centric.

Nonetheless, DC has it's own spattering of Italian dining spots. They range from the chainey, to the hole-in-the-wall, to the "mom & pop's," to the high-brow. Recently, I was able to visit a relative new-comer to the DC-area's Italian dining scene: Potenza.

Conveniently at the corner of H and 15th Streets NW, Potenza sits comfortably on a large corner that is easily accessible to city dwellers, area employees, and visitors alike. As the latest addition to the Stir Food Group family (Zola is also theirs), Potenza is somewhat of a triple threat, serving as a trattoria, a bakery, and a wine bar.

I had the pleasure of dining at Potenza with two of my friends during this past restaurant week. For a Tuesday night, the place was bustling and packed. I presumed that the crowd was a mixture of restaurant week patrons and happy hour celebrants, but wouldn't be surprised if this is the norm for a fairly new-ish addition to the city's dining roster. As the DC palate continues to evolve to amazing levels of sophistication, Potenza fits in like a glove.

While the dining area could potentially seem a bit stuffy, it is pretty vast with a conglomeration of stand alone tables, against-the-wall seating, and large comfy booths. The wait staff is quick, and all casually sport their Italian "soccer" jerseys. When the place is packed, conversation nicely bounces off the walls, but not to the point of annoyance; it adds to the charm, and gives off a lively air.

A view of the bar

The food itself was very good, with dishes ranging from being on-point to being ridiculously excellent. This isn't The Olive Garden, that's for sure. And it's miles away from Maggiano's. Potenza is possibly the epitome of "mangia."

My dinner party enjoyed the following appetizers: Arancini alla Salsiccia di Cinghiale (fried risotto balls stuffed with wild boar sausage and provolone), Frittelle di Baccala (salt cod fritters, parsley aioli), and the Insalata Mista e Antipasti (Romaine, treviso, provolone, salami, roasted peppers, red onions, tomatoes, oil cured olives in a red wine vinaigrette). Together, the three would've easily passed as a full meal encompassing the strong, delicious flavors of the risotto balls, the perfectly seasoned cod, and the smart taste of the salad.

Our main course followed: Mezzelune di Ricotta (half moon pasta stuffed with ricotta, spinach, preserved tomato and fontina sauce), Coda di Rospo con Limone Olio' Oliva (lemon olive oil poached monkfish, pancetta, artichokes, olives), and Cotoletta di Maiale alla Milanese (Milanese style pork, arugula, charred lemon, parmesan and arugula pesto). The pork was nicely cooked as good as a Milanese can get, but was just a tad bit salty. But coupled with the mezzelune pasta, and it was a hit. The monkfish also shined with the infusion of the lemon, pancetta, and olives.

To end the night - we partook in three of their delectable choices of desserts: Bombolini (oven baked Italian doughnuts morello cherry confettura), Chocolate-Hazelnut Semi Freddo (milk chocolate and hazelnut mousse with an espresso sauce), and Tiramisú (Espresso soaked lady fingers layered with marsala whipped mascarpone, chocolate-cinnamon sauce). The Italian doughnuts would've been perfect with a cappuccino, and the tiramisú was pleasantly not-too-sweet. I've had instances where the tiramisú just wouldn't cut it: either too sweet, or not sweet enough. Potenza has the formula down. The clear winner of this round, however, went to the Semi Freddo... the hazelnut mousse being the clear stand-out.

Potenza might come off as a bit high-end, but with reasonable prices, and good food to match, the whole experience turns out to be more comfortable than anything else. And despite the fast-pace of restaurant week, no one seemed to rush us out of there. What we got was a perfectly quaint, and tasteful, dinner... which is really all you can ask for early on in the week. It is definitely worth a visit.
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Potenza, 1430 H St. NW, 1430 H St. NW, (202) 638-4444

(Photos courtesy of the restaurant's website.)

KALBI, BULGOGI, KIMCHI - OH MY!

This is a re-post from my Yelp! profile/account. Cheers!

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Annandale, VA. As a DC-area native, I've grown up to know that Annandale, VA is pretty much the Korean capital in Our Nation's Capital. (Ha.) It wasn't until I moved to Los Angeles, though, when I realized that all things Korean lead to Koreatown - smack in between West Hollywood and Hollywood. Now that is some serious Korean-ness right there.

After moving back to the DC area a few months ago, I found myself longing for the countless Korean BBQ spots that I had come to know and love during my stint as an Angeleno: Gui Mok, Manna, and my fave -- Tahoe Galbi. I also miss the other fried chicken places that popped-up alongside Bon Chon: Kyochon, O B Bear, or Chicken Day. And I can't even forget the light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel spot: BCD Tofu House. *swoon* Oh Koreatown, how I miss thee...!

Back in DC-town, I really have no other choice but to hit up Annandale. And I don't mean that in a bad way. It's just that it's not Koreatown as I had come to know it. But in all honesty, there are some gems in Annandale that are worth visiting multiple times.

Case in point: Hee Been.

Now from the outside, Hee Been does not look like a place that you would care to visit. In fact, it's right smack in the middle of one of Alexandria's more ghetto-er spots (which, by no means is truly "ghetto," PS). The building that it's in? Sad. The parking lot? I loathe. But you have to get past that, and step into the doors of Hee Been to understand and know that heaven really does exist. (Queue the music, Bob.)

On my first visit, which was actually post-LA (Can you believe it?), I was a skeptic. But as soon as I entered the doors, and the familiar smells came wafting at me, I almost instantaneously bowed to the greeter and an almost-fluent "an-nyeong-ha-se-yo" left my lips. Like clockwork, I got bowed back to, and was quickly ushered to my table. I felt like I was back on Wilshire and Grammercy again. (sniff)

Scenes from Hee Been

Hee Been is a Korean buffet, much in the same fashion that those Chinese buffets are set-up. Hee Been is obviously better, with less dishes to choose from (which I actually heart), and a raw meat bar where you pretty much pick-and-choose what you'd like instead of the waitstaff constantly bringing meats to you. Oh, there's also a sushi bar, which is a joke. One thing I've learned while being in L.A. is that you cannot trust sushi at a Korean-owned spot. It is just not the same!

I was a little unnerved at the fact that I had to get my own panchan*. I'm used to the servers bringing them on little plates, and spreading them out all over the table. But this is a "buffet" after all, so you're pretty much on your own - except for the cooking part. While they didn't have any panchan that I wanted to sing and dance about, everything was OK. The choice of meats was fine - the pork belly and bulgogi being my favorites. And the buffet dishes were diverse. How do you not love pa-jeon, malgeunguk, and tempura sweet potatoes?

The waitstaff was super nice compared to what I remember of Koreatown in L.A. I feel like in K-Town, it was almost normal to have a non-smiling person serve you, and you were always better off going with a Korean friend to help make things all the more easier (Thanks, C!). But in Annadale/Alexandria, the waitstaff was pretty attentive --smiles and all.

The interior is worlds apart from it's exterior. The decor is quite Korean with the paneled walls, use of dark wood, and decorative accents spread out across the place. There's even a stage in the main party room, where - I'm assuming - karaoke takes place on certain nights (among other things). And there are also smaller, more quiet party rooms in the back, where we held my mom's surprise birthday lunch last month.

Hee Been is definitely an OK spot. I'd rather go there than Gooldaegee (Honey Pig), which I'll save for another review. As I continue to find my little piece of L.A.'s Koreatown in Our Nation's Capital, Hee Been will have to be my go-to spot for now. This I don't mind so much.
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Hee Been, 6231 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA 22312-1716, (703) 941-3737

(Photos courtesy of the restaurant's web page.)