Residents East of the Anacostia River have been active and adamant in their requests for more food options in terms of both delivery and sit-down restaurants, and there has been a great deal of progress thus far. Thanks to a campaign created by Latoya Watson, Caviar, Postmates, and Doordash have expanded their reach to Wards 7 and 8. While this is a victory and several steps in the right direction, there is more to do and always more progress to be made. In the Southern Marketplace Shopping Center frequented by residents in Oxon Hill, MD for Tiger Market, Joy’s Kitchen, and more is La Ceiba.

La Ceiba is a low cost sit-down Latin restaurant with strong Guatemalan influence. The owners, Mary and Noe Romero, pride themselves on using fresh ingredients to produce authentic high quality dishes at a low cost. They even make their own tortillas. Also, breakfast is served all day. A meal with two eggs, salsa, beans, and sausage costs $6.95. Jambalaya, a dish that is usually approximately $15 or over in most DMV sit-down restaurants is $12.50 at La Ceiba with no sacrifice of quality. Residents have been requesting more low cost food options like La Ceiba in their area, but what Mary Romero has noticed is that many of her customers are used to certain kinds of food, this being the reason why La Ceiba is among the ranks of hidden gems.

What La Ceiba offers is a combination of both the familiar and the new. While customers have the carry-out option that they do at Joy’s Kitchen, they can also dine in and sit at a table with a bright red floral tablecloth among equally bright and sunny decor. While customers can enjoy chicken dishes or mac & cheese, they can also try a shrimp quesadilla with homemade guacamole or a cheesy vegetable papusa. Even for creatures of habit, there will always be something at La Ceiba to fit a person’s tastes, and that’s one of many elements that makes La Ceiba stand out as a diamond in the rough.

Interestingly, while people east of the river have been seeking more dine-in options in addition to delivery options, La Ceiba has mostly taken carry-out orders. If more people are aware of all of what La Ceiba has to offer as opposed to its smaller components, it is more likely that they will see its inherent value and utilize it to its full potential. The full scope of their identity cannot be summed up in a few short sentences, but it can be tasted in their food.

-Guest Blogger, Anna Brailow

Soi 38 offers fantastic Thai cuisine in a somewhat obscure downtown location (21st and L). I’d never heard of it until  I started working nearby. I always thought I was spoiled for Thai food, living in the same neighborhood as Thai Square and Bangkok 54, and not too far from Rabieng and Duangrat’s. But Soi 38‘s creative, unique Thai food is amazing and a cut above the usual.

I visit fairly often, and so far, have had a variety of dishes, almost excellent. The focus seems to be a bit more northern Thai, with staples such as Nam Prik Ong, Khao Soi, and Kha Moo. I’ve tried the Kha Moo, Ped Roti, Yum Ped Yang, Pad See Eew, Ped Krob, Khao Soi, and Kanom Jeen.

The Ped Roti (duck roll) and and Yum Ped Yang (duck salad) were probably the dishes I would not order again. Something seemed to be lacking in both of them. The duck was excellent though. My favorites are definitely the Kha Moo (stewed pork leg with pickled mustard greens and Chinese broccoli), the Ped Krob (crispy duck with basil), and the Khao Soi (noodle curry with chicken). The Kha Moo is a new dish for me, but it is delicious; the meat is tender with a flavorful sauce and unique vegetables. Ped Krob is always a favorite of mine, and both the basil and duck are super crisp in this version. Khao Soi (egg noodles, chicken, curry) is pure comfort food and the curry is on point. Pad See Eew (wide rice noodles, vegetables) is another comfort dish and the vegetables and noddles were perfectly cooked. Kanom Jeen (noodles, green curry, bamboo), another new-to-me dish, included my Thai favorites: eggplant, noodles, and bamboo in a tasty green curry.

I still need to try dessert, along with their happy hour, which I hear has some great offering. Service can be a bit brusque; no one is all that friendly, save the hostess, but everyone is polite. If you’re ready to stop ordering Pad Thai, I’d head to Soi 38.

-LEM

Pups on the Patio Thursdays 4:00pm to 6:30pm!

We recently had the pleasure of dining at the new Silver location at Cathedral Commons (3404 Wisconsin Ave., NW)  and speaking with Executive Chef Ype Von Hengst (TV Food Network Chopped Champion and Unwrapped winner). I’ve met Ype previously and dined at various Silver Diners, but this was my first time at either Silver (bistro) location. Silver’s menu is definitely a few steps above Silver Diner (by design).

Other than whichever cocktail I happened to order, we enjoyed everything. But, while everything was good, the absolute standouts (that we would order again in a heartbeat):

Lamb Meatballs (appetizer)

Brussels Sprouts (appetizer)

Green Giant (fresh pressed juice containing kale, spinach, cucumber, and apple)

Four Berry Pie

They also did a great job with both the Mahi Mahi, but I enjoyed it more than my dining partner. It’s possible she just isn’t a Mahi Mahi person.

Silver has a great looking Menu. Items that we are excited to try if we find ourselves back at Silver include the Shrimp & Grits, Local Lamb with Cappelinni (because they did a great job with the meatballs), the Cauliflower Mezze, and the Vegan Lemon Tartlet (in addition to more Four berry Pie). 

-JAY

Karma Modern Indian opened it’s doors to the public at the beginning of February in Chinatown.  With it’s beautiful modern decor, ambiance and signature cocktails, it’s sure to be a hot spot for the DC professionals. It’s the place you want to be seen in and tell your friends about.

My take on it? It’s just another fancy restaurant with a bar where you can hang out after work with your fellow colleagues and sip on slightly overpriced cocktails.  They have a nice selection of signature drinks and the bartenders are fabulous.  They’re tentative and focused on their bar tending skills making the price worth every sip.  You have to love a bar that carries an array of bitters, herbs and fancy blocks of ice.

Food-wise. If you like spice, theirs will hit the spot. I’m not one to take much heat and if you have Butter Chicken on the menu, you better believe I’m going to order it. It had a little more kick to it than what I’m used to.  Not necessarily a bad thing but not my cup of tea.  The chicken was nice and tender and lots of butter chicken sauce goodness that you can use naan to sop up.  On a scale of 1-5, I would rate it a 3.  Great mixture of spices, tender meat and a great balanced portion of everything.

I also got a taste of their Grilled Shakarandi (cubed sweet potato + mint + tamarind chutney) and Tandoori Cauliflower.  This was very spicy to my palette but the flavors were great for both dishes but I just don’t know if I would pay the prices for these dishes. The cauliflower dish is $14.

Overall, would I go out of my way to come to DC to visit this restaurant? I would say no, at least not for the food. But I would definitely come around for a fun happy hour with friends and/or colleagues for some posh cocktails and ambiance.

Karma Modern Indian
611 I Street, NW
Washington, DC  20001
www.karmamodernindian.com

-ADT (Angie)