Komi does not list an email on their website. This makes me truly saddened because my plans for the morning included reading Fark, messing with my hair, and writing Komi to thank them in unseemly detail for the best meal I have had in a long time.
Maw has already enunciated the allures of this perfect dinner place, so I won’t talk about the food, but allow me to add my 2p. Komi is good. Good in a way that makes you blather to your coworkers the next morning. Good, like your next meal feels vaguely profane and sacrilegious. Good, as in a week later, you turn to your dining partner and say, ‘that was a damn fine meal’ and he’ll know you aren’t referring to the pizza you just ate.
The room is small and pretty, and so are the expert staff. They guide you through the short but exquisite wine list, and then bring you dish after dish of the kind of mouthfuls you must close your eyes to fully enjoy. After an hour you start entering an olive-scented haze of alcohol and goodwill. 12 hours later I am still imagining the crunch of sea salt on a stuffed fig.
I can’t write a letter to you, Komi, so I can only hope you google your name now and then. Bravo.

Choosing which establishment to patronize during Restaurant Week is always a challenge – who will offer full (or nearly-full) menu selections? Who will have a reservation free? Who will feature servers that roll their eyes at you when you say you’re there for the RW menu?
Take all those challenges and add a pair of semi-picky parents (though really no different than any other set who don’t consider special tibs one of the four food groups), and you had my dilemma for RW lunch selection. Figuring seafood would be a safe bet (neither parent likes Indian or non-Chinese Asian; Dad doesn’t care for Italian), I settled on DC Coast.
The Tunks restaurants really do a nice job of making you feel special during restaurant week. Though they slightly limit your dessert and appetizer selections, for lunch, we had our pick of the DC Coast entree choices. The service was attentive, and prompt without feeling rushed.
Our selections:
Yellow Tomato Soup: My dad raved. I was expecting something along the lines of Ceiba’s yellow tomato gazpacho, but this was warm, and a much richer offering. It was garnished with a sundried tomato mousse; yum!
Scallops appetizer: Two scallops, perfectly cooked, and accented with a spinach/bacon mixture and a pineapple sauce. Sweeter than my usual tastes, but the flavors all blended well.
Cold cucumber soup: Flecks of crabmeat make this one a winner.
Trio of sliders: I’m not partial to BBQ (sue me) but my father ordered this – a selection of chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket mini-sandwiches, and was more than satisfied. We could have done without the accompanying cole slaw.
Roast chicken with pomegranate sauce: This was delectably juicy, and the sauce was a nice touch. Accompanying vegetables were a bit overcooked, but were a colorful selection and candied pecans added a special kind of sweet something to the plate.
Blackened Tilapia: This was the meal’s gem – the fish was spectacular, and the paprika hollandaise that topped the asparagus was some of the best I’ve had.
I’m not a dessert fan, but the selections were good, and not too large to overwhelm at the end of the meal. I’d particularly recommend the lemon/blueberry creme brulee for something unique and delicious.
DC Coast is a safe bet for Restaurant Week: All the elements are in place to make it a treat of an experience for those trying to sample somewhere new at an affordable price.

It’s a brave soul indeed who is willing to forge through the throngs of Midwesterners that make up Old Town Alexandria’s main population. They bounce ponderously up King street and down to gape at the balloon sellers of the waterfront, their army son-in-laws looming out of the humid haze. Yes, it’s a veritable corn- fed amoeba, polyester-clad and sweating, waving maps and strollers and frappuchinos and canvas tote bags at the embarrassed scenery.
Which is why it’s so bizarre to come across 100 King . In a sea of restaurants that offer menus in three languages and Ruby Tuesday food, 100 King is shockingly acceptable. And no surprise, they are owned by the same family that bestowed upon us the Lebanese Taverna restaurants. This is a family that knows their hummus.
Decor is Helix Lounge meets Creme: fashionable and industrial, with just enough empty space to remind of a hotel bar. But that’s alright, because the food, oh the food. I’d suggest just skipping the mains and ordering your way down the appetizers/ tapas menu. The zucchini cakes are delicious and crunchy, the crab meat perfectly fishy and fresh. I shall be salivating for the polenta soufflé with blue cheese and mushroom sauce for days.
I can’t, in good conscience, suggest this restaurant as a destination. But for those who find themselves in the area, flee to this sane, tasty, pretty restaurant like it was the last bastion of culture in a very touristy world.
100 King St
Alexandria, VA

I’ve been meaning to try Komi pretty much since it first opened in 2004. It seemed the obvious thing to do – it was close by, the menu looked interesting, and everybody was raving about it – but the excuses were endless: I don’t have time, I’m too poor, no one will go with me, et cetera.
This week, as I found myself following my birthday by gearing up to leave DC for grad school in Atlanta, I realized that I had the perfect opportunity. Why? Well, because that means I was able to convince my parents to take me to Komi for a combined birthday/departure dinner! And so it was that we found ourselves with 8:45 reservations at Komi this Tuesday night.
We arrived, and the host walked us back from the entrance to the end of the long, hallway-like dining room, to the one round table in the place, set apart from the other tables, at the back corner. Right next to the kitchen, with it open door and large picture window to the inside. My father hates sitting near the kitchen, but before he could complain (which he was beginning to do, despite there plainly being no other tables available), I cut him off, saying that I was happy to get to peek in to this famed kitchen. You can’t see much through that picture window, but you get a hint of what’s going on, and I for one enjoyed the view.
We decided to go all-out, and each ordered the complete dinner and wine pairing – which was clearly one of the best decisions I’ve made all month. We began with a glass of prosecco – lightly carbonated, dry, with some mineral flavors – and a small bowl of house-cured olives. These were bright green, but had a texture and mild taste such that my dad commented that if blindfolded, he might have thought them black olives. They were tasty, either way.
After the olives began our flight of small plates, most of which were simply one bit’s worth for each of us – just a taste, leaving room for all that was to come. First, we had a delicious seared Greek cheese topped with steak tartar. Next came the Buffala – creamy mozzarella topped with anchovies over a cucumber-and-something puree, also quite lovely. After that, the first of the evening’s real knock-outs arrived at our table: three dates, stuffed with mascarpone cheese and a few well-placed grains of salt, rosted to gooey heavenliness. Next was the one thing we disagreed on: little sandwiches of pork shoulder and beets that were reminiscent of Chinese pork buns but also different. My mom and I thought these were divine, my dad was blah on them. Then, two at once: a plate of two deliciously battered soft-shelled crabs, and a set of three crostini topped with a fish roe sauce, both quite tasty.
The last of our appetizers were a perfect summer dish, and a perfect cap to this extended first course: watermelon slices, topped with a bit of strong feta and arucola leaves. Delish! The pacing of these plates was slow – there was a good pause between each dish – and I found it perfect. We savored each small plate, and had time for its flavor to fade from our palettes before the next experience began. I should also note that, more than once, we didn’t even notice the servers clearing our empty plates – they were that quick, smooth, and unobtrusive.
Komi
1509 17th St, NW
202-332-9200

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Truth be told, I’ve always kind of considered La Tasca the poor man’s Jaleo. The tapas aren’t as high a quality as the Jose Andres restaurant, plus La Tasca has the added “bonus” of sporting a decor that, as my friend Audrey put it, “invites the image of Antonio Banderas swinging in on a chandelier.” Plus, it hails from the dreaded “Arlington Chain Restaurant” family (though come on; there’s four La Tascas and three Jaleos. Is this really giving them a fair shake?)
I wonder if a poor man’s Jaleo with cheesy decor really is a bad thing. Sometimes you really are poor, and feel like taking advantage of La Tasca’s within-walking distance location. Plus, there’s the occasional roaming Flamenco dancer. I’ve found La Tasca’s tapas hit and miss, but they’re cheaper than Jaleo, have larger pitchers of sangria, and are a great place to hold a birthday gathering. On the negative side, our service was pretty inattentive (and I prefer the traditional tapas serving style of bringing dishes out when they’re ready, rather than overwhelming the table all at once).
So really, it’s your call. Don’t walk into La Tasca expecting a culinary epiphany. But don’t hang your head in shame as you enter its doors, either. But don’t worry. I won’t be coming by next week with a (wary) defense of The Cheesecake Factory. Some things are blasphemy.
The tapas we sampled this weekend:
Sangria a La Tasca: So fruity you forget it contains alcohol, their offering may be too sweet for some sangria purists, but it’s delicious and the pitchers are generous. And if it’s not your thing, they have about 8 other options for you (even, strangely, a Red Bull sangria).
Patatas Bravas: This was fried potatoes with a tomato sauce and a garlic aioli. A little on the soggy side, but satisfying (I must confess a prejudice; I don’t like mayonnaise, so I avoided the aioli)
Manchego and Jamon Serrano: Good ham and cheese, but definitely could have used a less generous dousing of olive oil
Monkfish: Subtle without being bland; I was a fan.
Baby Octopus: Just enough chewiness and crunch for my taste – a simple, paprika-based presentation.
Salmon y Queso Fresco: Almost seemed a little too NY-breakfast to be at home in a Spanish restaurant, these rounds of bread with cream cheese and salmon were nonetheless tasty.
Flank steak and potatoes: The sherry-based marinade for the meat was fantastic.
Tomato and goat cheese salad: A refreshing side dish, particularly in light of some of our heavier choices
Shrimp with avocado: The shrimp were good; they skimped a bit on the avocado, but it was a nice combination.
Lamb chops: Meaty offerings, nice and tender.
Marinated pork loin: I found the accompanying peppers overcooked and uninteresting, but the pork was thinly-cut and well-seasoned.

Update:
Oyamel has closed in Crystal City, and will reopen at 401 7th Street, NW in early 2007!
This fifth installment in the series will continue to focus on happy hour and daily food specials. The listed prices are after discount, but before adding tax and tip.
In the first installment of this series, I mentioned Tuesday nights at Ragtime’s Tuesday Night Raw Bar. It turns out that they also have a half price burger ($3.75 + fixings) night on Sundays from 6pm until closing. I stopped by last night and had a half a pound of shrimp ($6), and a drink, after already having eaten dinner. Weekdays from 4-8 pm, they have $1.50 Miller Light drafts, $2.50 rail drinks, and $2 micro brew of the month.
Faccia Luna in Clarendon offers a Monday evening pizza special in the Arlington location. 2 people share 2 small house salads or one appetizer and one twelve inch pizza with up to two toppings for $22.22, including two glasses of house wine or two non-alcoholic drinks. Faccia Luna also has a lunch special Monday through Friday of two slices of pizze with a salad and small soda for $5.75.
Molly Malone’s in Clarendon features half price ($4) burgers Mondays 4-10 pm Tuesdays 4-10pm is features half price ($5) Shepherd’s pie. Wednesdays 4-10pm is half price burgers ($4), and pub quiz night. Thursdays and Fridays 4-10 pm feature half price appetizers ($4-6.50), with Fridays including live music. Sundays feature half price ($4) Buffalo wings.
Cowboy Café features half price ($4) burgers all day on Tuesdays and 25 cent wings, $2.50 Miller High Life, and $3 Yuengling drafts Wednesday all day. Cowboy Café has a different blue plate special daily (all day) for $8.99. Their happy hour is 4-7 pm, and features $2 domestic bottles of beer, and $2.75 rail drinks.
Oyamel in Crystal City has a Taco Night on Tuesdays, during which fish or pork (soft) tacos are $1.50. Also included are a few other $1.50 items, including a Cesar salad with paper (thin) croutons. The webpage states that the tacos are $3.50 for two on taco night, but I was told on the phone that they are $1.50 each. Oyamel has a happy hour Tuesday through Friday 4-7 pm, during which drafts are $3, and rail drinks and margaritas are $4.
Where To Eat In Arlington When You Are Nearly Broke I
Where To Eat In Arlington When You Are Nearly Broke II
Where To Eat In Arlington When You Are Nearly Broke III
Where To Eat In Arlington When You Are Nearly Broke IV
Ragtime
1345 N. Courthouse Road
Arlington, VA 22201
703 243-4003
Faccia Luna
2909 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA
(703) 276-3099.
Molly Malone’s
3207 Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 812-0939
The Cowboy Café (No webpage)
4792 Lee Hwy.
Arlington
(703) 243-8010
Oyamel
2250-B Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 413-2288

All right, we’re not sure if many Fud-dies have the same pleasure of working in a Springfield, Va. industrial park as we do. But if your work atmosphere is more train tracks and shopping centers than DC power lunches and metro rides, you’re in luck.
A Chipotle just opened in the Springfield Plaza on Old Keene Mill Rd. Ok, not such a big deal. BUT they’re giving out FREE FOOD AND DRINK to celebrate their opening. Technically you need a coupon, but the nice guys at the door let us in, and gave us a stack of invites for tomorrow as well. Free food event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
So those of you stuck slaving away in scenic Springfield, console yourself with a burrito bol this week.

Restaurant Week in Baltimore has hit the midway point, and it’s three weeks until the summertime version of Washington’s Restaurant Week begins.
This will be my third RW in DC since I moved back to the area, and, so far I’ve made reservations for Bobby Van’s Steakhouse. I had been hoding off dining there until after I hit the lottery or found Tom Hanks’ wallet, but Restaurant Week will do. I’m also being dragged to a mystery in the District by some friends who want to keep it a surprise. Could it be Ceiba? Olives? Zola? There’s not too many restaurants on the list this year I wouldn’t try, though some more than others.
I’m curious what a chain (though, admittedly, a pretty good one) like McCormick & Schmick’s would offer that’s dramatically different than what they already make at lower price points. There are a couple of notable omissions from the list, such as Palena in Cleveland Park and Jose Andres’ Oyamel in Crystal City. Odd, since other restaurants of his, including all of three Jaleos and Cafe’ Atlantico, are listed.
A few notes to those who are new to Restaurant Week:
1) Make sure you note in your reservations or to your server that you’re looking for the specific Restaurant Week menu. It seems every year some diners make the mistake of thinking everything on the menu is suddenly $30, and that’s not the case. It is entirely up to the restaurant what they would like to provide for the RW price. Some places offer a few of their regular dishes at the discounted price. At others, they could develop a specific menu.
2) Substitutions are a tricky subject at some restaurants at any time, and particularly so during RW. Some chefs do not like to change what they feel is a masterpiece dish, where each ingredient combines to make a symphony of taste. Due to the demands of RW, other kitchens have already spent a lot of time preparing the RW menu in advance, and a substitution of a specific ingredient would be impossible to accomplish. Conversely, some diners do not like certain flavors, or have food allergies that must be addressed. Again, to avoid an unpleasant scene at the restaurant, call ahead. Most places will work with diners to help identify any food allergies in advance, and suggest other options.
3) Have no reservations about setting reservations – some of the more popular places are already booked during prime dining times, and only prepare a certain amount of the RW menu items. If you expect to walk into packed restaurant and order the RW menu at 10:30pm, you should expect to go hungry.
4) This is a great time to go to a restaurant that does not participate in RW. Have you been trying to score reservations to The Palm but keep getting shut out by the junior senator from Wisconsin? Or been desperately trying to go to Obelisk? Now might be your chance, as participating places are filled up.
What are your plans for Restaurant Week? What places do you want to attend, and which places will you avoid?

“Just what dc needs, another Sushi Restaurant.”
You may recognize this as the mating call of the DC Pretentious Urbanite as he tries to be suave at a prospective mate. This species can be spotted blocks away by their distinctively boring plumage, arrogant squawk, and, above all, unwillingness to admit that there’s no such thing as too many sushi restaurants.
Evolve, Pretentious Urbanite! The ability to experiment with new types of raw fish is a hallmark of civilization. Also, if you don’t cut it out, I swear I’m willing to substitute in for natural selection. If you had your way, we would not have DC’s newest, and most awesomest sushi place, Wasabi.
When it opened about 2 weeks ago, a decent number of DC-ers had never heard of conveyer belt sushi. You know, you sit at a counter, the sushi comes around, you choose what you want, the plates get counted at the end, dim-sum style. It’s a mainstay of most civilized cities, but bizarrely not here.
But this is not the usual conveyor belt sushi with large rubbery chunks of fish protein and rolls that look like the chef is being paid by the pound. When I was finally able to get a seat at lunch last Thursday, what met my waiting chopsticks were absolutely lovely, fresh tuna and salmon sashimi, freakishly perfect and unusual rolls, and then a whole bunch of stuff I’d never seen before at a sushi restaurant. Like melting yellowtail and flounder sashimi that had been marinated in soy sauce and herbs, cerviche-style. And spinach in a sesame seed sauce, tightly packed like a sushi roll. And what looked for all the world like kobe beef tartar, but probably wasn’t.
Don’t like it in the raw? Some of the sushi was cooked, like a duck and herb roll that looked delectable, but for those who despise anything with rice, there were a number of ‘Peruvian inspired’ fish and chicken dishes…and was that calamari tempura I just saw go by? The end result is, take your sushi-hating friend and invite her out for “Japanese Tapas” instead. This place is happy to cater to it. Also of note, The edamame- I know that sounds silly, but it was fresh, perfectly cooked, and had the biggest, tastiest salt crystals I’ve ever had the pleasure to crunch down on. Order it from the additional menu.
There are a couple teething troubles to work out- the waiters seemed ill at ease, and getting the check took a serious bite out of my afternoon nap. Conveyer belt sushi was created so that Japanese salarymen could cram and go, a paradigm that Wasabi will never duplicate unless their Hostess stops taking names by working forward from the last person in line . But that notwithstanding, this is my new favorite sushi place for three reasons:

1. They have take away. And I don’t mean that aweful, dry supermarket fluff either. If you ate it in the restaurant, there’s a decent chance it will be in the takeaway case, along with surprising complete bento boxes, seaweed salads, and traditional deserts. There’s also the same hot fish and chicken dishes, but they remain untried.
   
2. They are open for both Lunch and Dinner. A rarity in the Farragut North area
   
3. It’s right next to my office. That’s right, one block’s swagger and I can be in fishy heaven every day.

So here’s a standing offer for the next month: If this sounds like the place for you, drop a note to dcfud.writers@gmail.com to munch some ocean byproduct with me and feel happy with the world. Totally serious, I take my lunch at around 1:00, except Wednesdays. No Pretentious Urbanites allowed.
Wasabi
908, 17th St

Baltimore’s latest slogan is “Baltimore- Get in on it.” Precisely what one is supposed to ‘get in on’ is left up to the beholder. The slogan has not met with universal approval. One city councilwomen asked in confusion, “Get in on what?” Well, one thing you can get in on Baltimore’s very own Restaurant Week. From July 24th -28th you can eat a set dinner for $30, including a choice of appetizer, entree and desert. Some restaurants have a lunch option, while others offer the deal through the 30th.
In Washington, DC restaurant week is met with considerable fanfare, as gastronomes flock to enjoy expensive food at a comparatively cheap price. The whole idea is to present the opportunity to eat beyond one’s means without the financial repercussions, to get a true taste of the wonder and variety of food available in the city.
Baltimore’s exclusion and inclusion of certain restaurants is therefore of considerable confusion. Restaurants like Unos Chicago Grill, Café Hon (where one could theoretically eat $30 worth of food, if one’s arteries lasted that long), Mother’s Federal Hill Grill (according to their menu, a normal meal would be considerable below $30) and Red Maple (primarily known as a local bar and club) are surprises.
At the same time, some of Baltimore’s favorites are missing- I am looking at you, Brewer’s Art, the Bicycle, Sashas, and Charleston. However, I definitely advise on getting in on a number of the offering, including Sotto Sopra, Saffron, Petite Louis Bistro, Tio Pepe and Obrycki’s. More information is available at http://www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com/.