Zengo- Washington DC

Amidst the sea of culinary attractions in Washington DC’s China Town, stands another brilliant creation by Chef Richard Sandoval.  Zengo, which means ‘give and take’ in Japanese, is an Asian-Latin fusion restaurant that playfully brings together the sophisticated flavors of both cuisines.   I recommend starting with a few of Zengo’s innovative and satisfying sushi rolls.  Prepare your palate for a medley of flavors ranging from subtle and buttery to bold and fiery.  The depth of flavor in these rolls are equally matched by the elegance of their plating.    My favorites include the Volcano Roll, which boasts a perfectly balanced filling of blue crab, salmon, and jalapeño aioli, and the Angry Zengo Tuna Roll, which is comprised of spicy yellow fin tuna, wasabi tobiko, avocado, and a sesame-chipotle rouille that will leave you licking the plate.

Next I enjoy the Won Ton Tacos.  This light and vibrant dish is comprised of charred ahi tuna and sushi rice, topped with mango salsa overflowing out of crispy won ton skins serving as makeshift taco shells.  This is not a dish to miss.  The Crunchy Calamari is a fantastic appitizer to begin with as well.  Chef Sandovol highlights the delicately breaded calamari with lemongrass and garlic atop a lush mound of mixed greens and an orange-coriander sauce that is, in my opinion, the star of the show.

When it comes a entrees don’t miss the Grilled Ahi Tuna.  The truffle and orange in this dish are the perfect accent to the mild tuna and creamy avocado.  The hibiscus-pomegranate-soy that adorns this dish will leave you wanting to eat the flowers out of your own garden.  Simply put, the floral elements in the sauce add an unforgettable layer to this divine offering.

I have yet to try their desserts but I have heard wonderful things about the Lemon Yuzo Cake which enjoys a sweet and savory chinese five spice custard sauce served with  ginger ice cream and sesame lace. MMMmMmMmM!!!

Matuba Arlington, VA

This is the kind of place you would totally miss if if you weren’t paying close attention. Sandwiched between Bangkok 54 and the Draft House, Matuba’s modest decor and intimate size only add to the sweetness of the deal. When you walk in the door you stand awkwardly in the small narrow room until one of the busy waitresses waives you to a table. The service ranges from good to slow and the waitresses can get a little cranky but with good company its worth the wait and the tude. Mondays they have a discount menu with delicious little morsels ranging from a buck to $5 that are great to add to the spread of usual suspects.

The menu is traditional Japanese with a full sushi bar and a lovely array of noodle entrees and combination plates.  Matuba delivers the goods. Their rice is flawless in all its perfectly starchy, slightly warmer then room temperature, never separating from itself, but never too gummy …glory.   Matuba’s spicy tuna hand roll is simple, clean, and unmatched in my mind and mouth. The spicy salmon roll is an excellent choice as well as the soft shell crab.  I must also mention of the calamari salad. OMG. I love it.

Don’t miss this Arlington staple!

Thai Square Arlington, Va

If you want some of the most authentic, fiery, soul consuming Thai food in the DC metro area, give this place a go. Make sure to call ahead or you might be waiting a while. They stay fairly busy but fear not…they deliver. Oh yes folks. You read that right. So let me give you a few examples of the delicious Mom and Pop dishes that will immediately burn their way into your heart.

First, the Somtum also called papaya salad, is an absolute must. Julienned green papaya with tomatoes, peanuts and dried baby shrimp tossed in their chili-lime dressing will melt away the days stresses. Don’t fight the heat in this dish, just let it take you over and I promise you wont stop eating it until its gone. The sauce in this dish is the kind you suck off the plate with your straw. Give me a funnel and some Thai Square chili-lime dressing and I’m a happy girl.

Next I love to get the Yum Talay. This is a spectacular mix of seafood including muscles, scallops, squid, and shrimp. Everything gets tossed in the straw worthy chili-lime dressing with red onion, cilantro, and scallions and is served on a bed of lettuce. A great start to any Thai meal.

Then we have one of their signature dishes…the Crispy Honey Roasted Duck. This is the dish that brings the masses. The honey roasted duck is battered and fried with aromatic Thai basil leaves and chili peppers giving everything in the dish a crunchy texture. The duck meat itself is tender, moist, and fatty creating a savory, succulent complement to the batter. The basil really kicks this one up too. It is fried to a crisp and scattered around the duck like basil gold leaf.

So those are the 3 dishes that I regularly get. I also hear that their crispy squid with basil is die for. I wouldn’t doubt it if the other dishes I have had are any indication of the quality of food these people are making. I love you Thai Square.

T.H.A.I. in Shirlington

OK, so this is my first posting. I’m starting with something easy that I know pretty well. Thai food has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. My father was stationed in Korat Thailand during the Vietnam War and through his lost innocence gained a great appreciation of the Thai experience. I am very grateful that he has passed down to me his passion for their cuisine. T.H.A.I. in Shirlington has been a go to place for “feel good food” since I moved to the area a few years ago. Not your traditional Thai cuisine but an interesting modern take on classic flavors. They have managed to set the bar pretty high for themselves and have yet to disappoint me. I mean seriously, these people have never given me anything that wasn’t fantastic.

I usually start out with the Popcorn Shrimp that are rubbed with Thai spices and served with a sweet-chili dipping sauce. The breading is crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. The shrimp are tender and perfectly cooked. The chili sauce is a a staple and rightly so. It’s bold, spicy, sweet flavor accents the subtle spices in the breading and brings the flavors together.

Next, I get the Genral Tso’s Bamee. This is Thai in Shirlington’s take on the Chinese classic General Tso’s chicken. This dish starts out with chicken breaded with panko bread crumbs and fried to perfection. Then the chicken is tossed in a tangy sauce and served over a plate full of bamee noodles that are both thick and satisfying. They are joined by slivers of spring onion, carrot, and bean sprout which provide a heartier crunch next to the delicate panko. It just feels good in my mouth. I enjoy the interesting textures and the elegant flavors. This is a very beautiful dish.

My other fav. dish at Thai in Shirlington is the Spicy Eggplant. There is not much I enjoy in this world more than Thai spicy eggplant. Theirs tops the charts. Each slice is like a little piece of art that you need to savor and appreciate. The light purple eggplant complements the golden brown tofu and bright sweet red peppers in texture and color. The heat in this dish is perfectly balanced and brings the black bean garlic sauce to the next phase of punch you in the face good. Last,

I would like to address the delicious evils of the Fried Roti Dough. This is Thai crack. I’m not even sure how to describe it other than seared sweet dough. It’s stuffed with taro root paste and dusted with powered sugar and a drizzle of honey. They cut the dough into bite size squares and serve it atop a scant scoop of taro root ice cream garnished with taro root chips and a Thai orchid. It is this food that makes me happy to be alive.