Thai Chef — Dupont Circle

Thanks to my blogger friend VeggieLove for recommending Thai Chef because I finally went!  In addition to VeggieLove’s recommendation, I was excited about trying Thai Chef because I have walked by there a million times!  It’s usually pretty busy, which means popular, but not always good.  In this case, it’s good!  Also, here is their menu:

      

August 2008 Update: Thai Chef now offers free delivery from 5 PM-10 PM and a minimum $20 order. 

• Food: I stopped by to pick up an order to go.  For lunch, I thought I’d get an order of fried tofu and tuna and salmon nigiri.  Then I ordered Pad Thai (last photo on the right) with tofu and medium spice for dinner.  The tofu was crispy fried goodness and was nicely complimented by the plum-peanut dipping sauce.  I wasn’t expecting too much from the nigiri, but I got to tell you — it was really good.  Finally, I took a couple of bites of the Pad Thai.  It wasn’t spicy at all, but there was a strong hint of peanuts (even though I didn’t want any — so a heads up to those of you who have peanut allergies!).  Am sure they used peanut oil in the cooking process.  The tofu was fried and there was a lot of it.  Oh — and in my to-go bag, they put a packet of soy sauce for the nigiri.  Nice!

   

• Service: Since I went for pick-up, my interaction with the servers was pretty minimal.  But it seemed like people were getting what they needed, when they needed it.
• Atmosphere:With a little sushi station immediately in front of you when you walk in, there’s not as much room as you’d think in this 2-story restaurant.  At the sushi station, they have these cute backless wooden stools which are surprisingly comfortable.  In the summer, the floor-to-ceiling windows open.  It’s a comfortable, casual restaurant.
• Attire: Casual
• Price: $$
• Overall: I’m planning on going back for the fried tofu and sushi.  It’s good, reasonably priced, and convenient to home!  The Pad Thai was OK, but nothing special.

Happy Hour:  Sun-Thurs 4-7 PM with $3 beer and wine.  They have their “Drinks that Make You Brave” mixed drinks menu for $3.50; wine by the glass is $3; Sake small is $2.95 and large is $5; beer is $2.  Sushi is half-priced (meaning about $3-$5). 

Details:

• Reservations accepted.
• Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM-10:30 PM; Fri 11:30 AM-11 PM; Sat 12 PM-11 PM; Sun 12 PM-10:30 PM
• Address: 1712 Connecticut Ave NW; Washington, DC 20009
• Ph: (202) 234-5698

 

RedRocks Pizzeria – Columbia Heights

Last week, I went to RedRocks Pizzeria with some friends in Columbia Heights.  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, since I’ve read and heard a bunch of mixed reviews.  I thought their menu looked decent and reasonable. I already knew all about the brick-oven pizza.  I also read Tom Sietsema’s review which gives more information on the owner. 

My verdict? It was decent.Was it like the pizza I had when I was in Italy?  Absolutely not. 

• Food: Based on the reviews I had seen, the sausage and pepper pizza was the best of them all.  I thought it had a decent flavor which means there wasn’t too much sauce or cheese that masked the flavor of the sausage and peppers.  I also ordered a small mixed green salad, which was fine.  There was nothing remarkable or memorable about it.   We also ordered the “Burrata Buffalo” with olive oil and sea salt.  Now here was an appetizer that didn’t last long on our table.  The buffalo mozzarella, for those who may have a preference, had been soaked in water.  It was still very tasty!  

• Service: I know others have criticized their service, but our waitress was very nice. She refilled our water glasses on a frequent rate and our food came out at the appropriate time.  

• Atmosphere: We sat inside in the back.  It was definitely cozy though so make sure you like your dining companions!

• Attire: Casual
• Price: $$

• Overall: It was fine.  I won’t ever suggest going, but I’d go again if someone wanted to go.  I’ll definitely never crave their pizza though.

 

They have a separate take-out menu, but do not deliver.  Their wine list is not impressive, it’s definitely more of a beer place.  You can tell when you see their drink menu.  On tap, they have Chimay and Allagash White. Finally, they have alfresco seating.

Happy Hour: It’s daily from 5pm-7pm and 10pm-12am.  It’s 1/2 priced cheese pizza, $4 rails, and $3 glasses of house wine

Details:

• Reservations are accepted and recommended during “peak” hours. 
• Hours: Mon-Thu 5 pm-midnight, Fri 5 pm-1 pm, Sat 11 am-1 am, Sun 11 am-midnight
• Address: 1036 Park Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20010
• Ph: 202-506-140