Metro 29 - Arlington's Very Own Diner

Stuffed Green Bell Peppers

Ever since Silver Diner opened, there has been a reemergence of restaurants dedicated to homey, comforting diner classics. While Silver Diner does some things well (JAM and friends have enjoyed many of their shakes back in the day), I can't say that I'm a huge fan of the food overall. Living in Northern Virginia, just outside DC, has given me very limited diner experience. After having passed a local Arlington diner off Lee Highway many a time, and even seeing their commercials on our local television network, we decided to give it a try.

Shake, shake, shake...

When we entered Metro 29 it definitely evoked the diner feel with the cash register up front so you pay when you leave and an enticing glass case of cakes and pastries attracting the eye as you walk by. We were seated at a cozy booth and handed menus to peruse while our waiter grabbed us two glasses of water. The menu is ridiculously long, as many diner menus are. The usual homestyle breakfast assortments and entrees are offered, as well as a number of daily specials. Ariel had a hankering for a strawberry milkshake and immediately settled on that, while I took some time in deciding. We finally settled on splitting the stuffed bell peppers special which comes with soup, salad, potato, and vegetable.

Split pea soup

I hadn't had split pea soup in a while, and wanted to see how their version held up to my Mom's. The split pea soup arrived in its green glory crowned with croutons and a side of crackers and bread sticks. The soup was smooth and had a nice flavor, but was overly salty. The croutons were a little soggy, but were easily pushed aside. Not a home run, but not terrible either.

Ariel's milkshake arrived and boy will this frozen treat give u the shakes if you drink the entire sugar laden concoction. It was one of the largest milkshakes we'd ever seen. Ariel enjoyed the creaminess and the real strawberry chunks mixed throughout, but the overwhelming taste was of Strawberry Nesquik (or whatever artificial strawberry flavored syrup it is they use). We both thought our cousin Peter would've loved this drink because he couldn't get enough Strawberry Nesquik back in the day.

Digging in

After helping Ariel with her milkshake, I was ready for something savory. I had no idea how much food would be coming out. The green bell peppers came with a baked potato, a side of corn (the frozen kind), and a salad, as well as the bread basket we hadn't even touched.

The salad was mainly composed of bland iceberg lettuce, with a few measly tomatoes and the bread had an odd, slightly sweet flavor we couldn't pinpoint, but it didn't make us want to keep eating it either. While the sides were nothing special, the bell peppers were quite good. The ground beef filling was full of onions, garlic, tomatoes and seasonings. The saucy juices that spilled out when cutting into the peppers were very oily, which is probably why this dish was so tasty. All in all a satisfying, comforting meal that was best shared. The prices were a bit high, but when shared with a friend turned out to be a real steal (and with all the food they throw at you, you should definitely consider sharing).

A view of Metro 29 Diner

So for anyone looking for a homey, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal, hit up Metro 29 diner. It's not gourmet, but it'll hit the spot when your hungry on a cold winter night.

1.5 out of 3 JAMs

Metro 29

4711 Lee Hwy, Arlington 22207

Menu:

http://washingtondc.menupages.com/restaurantdetails?restaurantid=23778

Adventures in Northern California

Capitola Beach - surf competition.

AJ and I were lucky enough to take a trip to Northern California to visit his Uncle in Los Gatos (about an hour south of San Francisco). I could not have been happier with the weather, 70 degrees and sunny, a nice respite from the frigid East Coast. We took in the sights - surfing, mountain views, and sun.

75 degrees and sunny - could life be better?

DAY 1

Our first night in California we had the pleasure of watching the Golden State Warriors play from the 8th row back. (Thanks Uncle Peter!) These seats were perfect and we got to watch them win a game (a rarity this season). We headed toward the stadium early in order to avoid traffic, and decided to stop in Oakland/Berkley boarder for a bite to eat before the game. The downtown area is very cute, lots of restaurants and shops. We ended up eating at a chain, Pasta Pomodoro. For an italian chain restaurant we were very pleased with the quality and creativity of our dishes.

Pesto dipping sauce and foccacia bread.

Our server was very friendly and immediately brought us out some pesto and olive oil for our complimentary foccacia bread. The pesto was full of bright basil flavors. The bread was soft, but a little cold. But better than one would expect from this type of restaurant.

Farro and grilled vegetables with parmesan.

I ordered the farro with grilled vegetables and parmesan, while AJ ordered the pesto with whole wheat capatelli. I only vaguely remembered that farro was some sort of whole grain, and decided to order it out of curiosity.

Butternut squash ravioli with fried sage, crushed amaretti cookies, and parmesan.

Before our entrees arrived AJ and I split the butternut squash ravioli. This was definitely the hightlight of the meal. The ravioli were filled with sweet creamy squash and topped with fried sage, crushed amaretti cookies, and parmesan cheese. For those of you who think sage is too overpowering, this is the best way to eat it - the frying process mellows out the flavors and makes for a lovely crunchy topping. The amaretti adds to the liquorice flavors and the saltiness of the cheese cuts the sweetness of the squash. These raviolis could put some gourmet versions to shame.

DAY 2

We woke up bright and early the second day of our trip, and ended up visiting the charming "historic downtown" Campbell. Did you ever notice that "historic downtown" is a requirement on all signs even if a town was established 30 years ago? The "downtown" area only lasted a couple blocks, but there was a huge crowd swarming around one restaurant in particular - Stacks. It appears this is the place to eat breakfast on the weekends. Stacks offers all your breakfast favorites - omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, and their signature "stacks".

Coconut macademia banana pancakes.

After debating whether or not to get the lumberjack pancakes, a combination of wheat germ, blueberries, raisins, walnuts, and bananas, I decided to go with the more tropical themed coconut macademia banana pancakes. A full stack is listed as three pancakes, the short is two. AJ wanted to try some, so I went with the full stack. They initially brought out just one, which as is turns out would have been enough for me. These pancakes are the size of a plate. Surprisingly not too sweet, the coconut and nuts provided a nice crunch and texture. The warm sweet bananas were delightful. These pancakes are best served with a little butter and warm syrup.

Where ya at, where ya at? (AJ is excited for breakfast)

AJ got the manly "Stacks breakfast sandwich" - scambled eggs, ham, bacon, cheese, tomato and avocado all piled high on an english muffin. Piping hot, this sandwich is more than filling. I enjoyed my first bite - the sweet tomato and avocado livened up this protein feast. A couple more bites and reality set in. There are a just a few too many flavors going on here. The english muffin was dry and bland. I would have prefered this on a toasted bagel or multigrain toast. Unfortunately, Stacks doesn't bake its own bread.

Stack's Big Breakfast sandwich - ham, bacon, tomato, avocado, eggs, and cheese.

After our breakfast we walked around Campbell and then to downtown Los Gatos to check out some shops. After burning off our breakfast we stopped into Icing on the Cake to fulfill our sugar cravings. AJ's uncle likes to say that he will never move from Los Gatos because of this bakery. He is that in love with their cake. We decided on a caramel cupcake and a chocolate chunk brownie cookie. We headed to Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company to compliment our goodies with a coffee.

Los Gatos Coffee Brewing Co. - Amaretto latte and mexican mocha.

The coffee was the perfect compliment to our sweet treats. The mexican mocha had a very strong espresso flavor with a subtle chocolate flavor. If you love a strong coffee with a hint of cocoa, this is the drink for you. AJ and I preferred the amaretto latte, with a hint of sweet almonds.

Caramel cupcake from Icing on the Cake!

The cupcake was the winner of this afternoon snack. The frosting was buttery, light, and full of rich caramel flavor. The chocolate chip cookie was cloyingly sweet. The chunks of brownie tasted too much like chocolate chips.

Chocolate chunk brownie cookie.

Buttery caramel cupcake.

That evening we met up with some old friends in Mountain View for some ramen noodles. I had never been to a noodle bar before, and the novelty was quite fun. The seating is communal style, around a U-shaped bar. You may have to wait a little while to be seated if your party is larger than 2. Our friend Austin has some experience visiting Japan, so we deferred to him to interpret the menu. All of the bowls come with a flavored broth and similar accoutrements - hard boiled egg, pork, seaweed, and scallions (FYI: you can order more vegetables or meat at an extra cost). At Austin's recommendation AJ and I ordered the sesame broth.

Ryowa Ramen - sesame broth with pork, egg, noodles, scallions, and seaweed.

The broth was extremely salty, full of pork flavor. I couldn't taste much sesame flavor, and to be honest couldn't tell the difference between this broth and the miso. The noodles were of good quality. I added hot chili paste to the broth, and that really made all the difference. If you're in the mood for some spicy noodles, this should do the trick. The noodles cost around $6, but could definitely fill you up for two meals. We also ordered some potstickers. These were crispy on the outside with a nice pork and scallion filling. These were my favorite of the evening.

We ended up in Palo Alto at Red Mango for dessert. For those of you who haven't experienced the yogurt craze sweeping the nation, jump on the bandwagon already. The yogurt is tangy and not too sweet. I highly recommend the tart pomegranate flavor loaded with fresh raspberries and blueberries.

DAY 3

The Big Sur.

AJ loves pizza. He could probably eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And while I don't quite share the same affinity, I cannot resist a chewy crust piled with cheese. Pizzza My Heart is a chain located in Northern California. They offer a number of award-winning pizzas. We ordered a slice of the hawaiian and the Big Sur. The Big sur is piled high with sausage, pepperoni, roasted garlic, portabellos, scallions, mozarella. The roasted garlic makes this pizza - it is sweet but still retains a nice bite.

After lunch, we hit up the Farmer's market in Los Gatos. I have been deprived of a good farmer's market this winter, so it was nice to see sweet strawberries, oranges, and dates in season.

I can't wait to head back to Northern California, and not just for the weather.

Pasta Pomodoro

5500 College Ave

Oakland, CA

Stacks Restaurant

139 E Campbell Ave

Campbell, CA

Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co

101 W Main St

Los Gatos, CA

Icing on the Cake

50 W Main St

Los Gatos, CA

Ryowa Ramen House

859 Villa St

Mountain View, CA

Pizza My Heart

1390 Lincoln Ave

San Jose, CA

Chili Cheese Dog Goodness

For those of you who know me well, you know that (a) my teenage years were spent eating out at lots of fast food restaurants and (b) I love chili cheese dogs. Upon returning back to NoVa for a lovely vacation, I knew I needed to drag any of my lucky friends for a ritual trip to Vienna Inn, home of the what I'm convinced is the best chili cheese dog ever.

While, for the most part, my palate has matured and beyond my high school diet of Taco Bell, McDonald's, Panera, and Starbucks, something about heading down memory lane and stuffing myself with greasy food makes me smile.

Luckily, Katy, Phil, and Dan were willing to accommodate my cravings and we set off on a wet afternoon for loaded chili cheese dogs.

Ordering 2 each, the beauties quickly appeared at our table on their requisite plastic trays (reminiscent of a cafeteria or a Roy Rodgers), steaming hot, oozing melted cheese, meaty chili, and mustard onto their white paper wrappers below. Heaven.

Forcing ourselves to wait for them to cool, we finally all chowed down, and in the end, the only thing left on the trays were wrappers and piles of used napkins. The dogs were delicious - a slight snap upon biting into the dogs, with a mouthful of meaty chili (not spicy), spicy mustard (perhaps Goulden's mustard?), chopped fresh onions, melty cheese, and the white bread bun to mop it all up. Yes, I did use my fingers to pick up stray chili and onions. But, they were amazingly good and filling (2 is more than sufficient) and left us all in a happy state, knowing that not only were they culinary delights but also super cheap, with a total meal of 8 loaded dogs, onion rings, and 4 cokes, plus tip, equaling less than $30.

3 out of 3 JAMs.

(Note - Vienna Inn is not a fancy joint, and has minimal wait staff and serve-yourself drinks, but hopefully you're looking for an atmosphere to match a menu highlight of chili cheese dogs!)

Salute our 44th President & First Lady with Sushi...

The Michelle and Obama Rolls

Walking into the restaurant it was hard not to notice flyers tacked all over the walls denoting the Inauguration specials. What kind of sushi would appropriately reflect the history of Barack Obama's election to the White House? We dug deeper into the menu and noticed that there were three rolls being offered in honor of Inauguration Day: the Barack, the Michelle, and the Obama roll.

Malia and I decided upon the Obama - yellow-tail with tempura asparagus, topped with tuna. We couldn't leave Michelle out, so we ordered up a roll named in her honor - a generous filling of avocado, spicy tuna, cucumber topped with salmon. Oh yeah that Michelle is a spicy one!

Sushi chefs working their magic.

While we waited a good twenty minutes for our food to arrive, we sipped on some hot tea and took in the view of the sushi bar, highlighted nicely with some festive lights and pointsetta plants. The restaurant is divided up into sections with your typical bamboo screens. The place was warm and inviting. Arriving around 6:30, we were able to just beat the crowd that began to form.

Miso and salad.

The wait staff brought out our tea, soup, and salad rather quickly. They must have known how long we would have to wait for our rolls to arrive. The miso was nice, generally what you would expect at most japanese restaurants, but with lots of fresh scallions which added a nice crunch and zest to the broth. The salads that typically come with sushi are generally quite boring, iceburg with carrots and dressing. However, at my favorite sushi place in Vienna, Yama, the dressing is a lovely combination of ginger, sesame, and peanut flavors. The dressing at Sushi-zen paled in comparison, essentially a watered down thousand island. Do yourself a favor and skip the salad.

While discussing the expected chaos that is to arrive in DC and VA this weekend, our rolls were placed on our table. Finally we could eat! The service was slow, but the sushi was very good. The Obama won the taste test. The subtle flavor and buttery texture of the tuna contrasted nicely with the crunchy tempura vegetable. These clean flavors kept us coming back for more. The Michelle offers a spicy tuna without the company of its usual mayonaise or cream cheese partners, something to be appreciated. The avocado stood in as a nice substitute, offering the same rich texture, with a fresher and lighter flavor. The smoked salmon provided beautiful color and contrast to the spicy tuna. These pairings did not provide much textural contrast, however. The tuna, avocado, and salmon were extremely smooth and buttery, often making it a little hard to chew without everything slipping all over the place. The tuna could have been a little spicier, especially with the presence of the avocado to balance out the heat.

Our bill worked out to $17 a person for tea, soup, salad, and specialty roll. Not incredibly cheap, but not a bad deal. This place would definitely be ideal to visit with a group. Sushi-zen offers a number of platters to be shared, which can cut down on costs. There are also a number of coupons offered on their website.

Except for the service, I was rather delighted by my experience. It is nice to find a sushi place in Arlington that can be counted on for great quality and atmosphere.

1.5 out of 3 JAMs

Sushi-Zen

2457 N. Harrison Street

Arlington, VA 22207

Korean BBQ, where have you been all of my life?

Korean BBQ is something Ariel and I have been meaning to try for quite some time now, but for some reason or another had failed to indulge in this fun and flavorful cuisine. A JAM reunion right before the holidays gave us the perfect reason to head to Woo Lae Oak in Tysons Corner, VA.

Korean BBQ (Bulgogi Beef)

The Jang family started up a restaurant specializing in Bul-go-gi, or Korean Barbequed Beef, in 1945 during WWII when North and South Korea split. The Jang's left their home and relocated in the South. They called the restaurant Seo Lae Oak, meaning "House of the West". The Korean War caused the restaurant to be moved even further south of Seoul, until an armistice was reach and the government, as well as the restaurant returned to the capital. The Jang's renamed the restaurant Woo Lae Oak, meaning "House of Return". Woo Lae Oak has since expanded to various branches in Korea, Indonesia, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and Washington D.C., as well as the most recent opening in Tysons in 2006.

Tempura vegetables and calamari

The Tyson's location, right past Tyson's Corner Mall on Route 7, is a little hard to get to, with limited parking (although they do offer valet service), but is well worth the trouble. As you walk from the entrance into the dining area, a glass case of ancient Korean ceramics remind you of the country's history and beauty. The interior is sleek and sophisticated with decorative swirls of warm yellows and oranges on the walls. The booths are elevated slightly surrounding the rest of the tables in the floor space. All the tables come with a gas grill to cook the Korean BBQ right in front of you.

Gun Man Du (Korean dumplings)

Jenny, Ariel, our great friend Travis and I decided to share appetizers and the BBQ. We began the meal with fried calamari and tempura vegetables and Gun Man Du, flash fried dumplings filled with beef. The dumplings were gone in a flash. We all loved the carmelized, crispy and chewy wrapper and the pungent meaty, oniony flavors of the filling. The tempura was also delightful. The calamari and vegetables were fresh and the panko coating was light and crunchy. These apps were paired with two sauces, one soy sauce based and the other full of hot peppers. Yum!

Sides of pickled vegetables, kimchi, and seaweed salad.

After stuffing ourselves with dumpling goodness, we all ordered some hot tea to warm us up during what was a cold cold December night. Oddly enough the tea came in glass cups, but we weren't complaining. Shortly thereafter our Korean BBQ arrived: Dak (chicken breast), Dae Ji (spicy pork tenderloin) and Bul Go Gi (beef rib eye). All the meat came glistening red, dark pink and light pink. It really was a beautiful presentation. The meat came with a small assortment broccoli, mushrooms and carrots as well as a number of Korean side dishes. The famed fiery fermented cabbage called kimchi was a personal fave. I also enjoyed the various pickled vegetables and the fermented shrimp. The meat was cooked over the grill by our attetive waitress, and was the placed on our plates piping hot. The meat is meant to be eaten sort of like a burrito wrapped in lettuce leaves. A pinkish hued sauce slathered on the wrap was deliciously creamy, garlicky, and peppery. The caramelized flavors of the marinated meat was divine, although the spicy pork tenderloin lacked in spice. All the meat was tender and juicy, however I think the beef held up best to the spicy sauce and had the boldest, richest taste.

Sharing three meats among four was quite the challenge, but being the hearty eaters that we are, we managed to polish off the majority of the BBQ. Next time, however, we might opt for just two meat choices. Overall this was one of the most satisfying meals I have had in a long time, and I think everyone else agreed. I will definitely be back when my next carnivorous craving attacks! I can't forget that they have a number of vegetarian options and plentiful seafood dishes that looked mouth watering as well.

2.5 out of 3 JAMs



Woo Lae Oak
8240 Leesburg Pike
McLean, VA 22182

The Search for the Best Burger!

While the three of us take pride in our gourmet tastes, none of us can deny the pleasure of biting into a juicy, beefy burger piled with all the fixings. With so many burger joints popping up these days, our sights were set on finding the best burgers in NYC and the Washington DC area.

Although we share an idea of what the "perfect burger" entails, each of us has our own distinct palette. In order to give our ratings some context, each of us has created a profile of our specific burger preferences in terms of type of meat, doneness, toppings, and type of bun.

Jenny

No matter the venue from which my burger is served, I always, if possible, select medium rare. To me, the worst burger crime is to overcook a burger patty (with the small exception of fast food chains, like White Castle, where honestly I want every last germ and raw meat particle cooked out) so a restaurant that can serve me a nice, pink/slighty red, patty is a solid one. When I take that first bite into my medium rare beauty, I want burger juices to dribble out, indicating the burger rested for at least a moment, soaking into my bun but without reducing it to a disgusting mush. I need it cooked enough, however, to hold together while eating.

Buns to me need to be soft and preferably warm and a muted flavor - they are the supporting players and shouldn't be the main attraction. Again, mushy is not the way to go, so something hearty, and for nostalgia's sake, I enjoy a good sesame seed now and then. Preferred toppings range, but I hate mayo and generally put a hearty amount of ketchup and mustard (or BBQ sauce if that's what I've ordered). Onions, raw, are the best, or caramelized, along with melty bleu cheese. A hearty couple of slices of tomato and some lettuce top off the perfect burger to me! Whatever the price or variety, gourmet or not, during this Burger Wars I am simply looking for the tastiest burger. If it turns out it's a fast food one, so be it!

Ariel

While many burger places are serving up different takes on the classic burger, whether that be ground turkey or kobe beef, I must say that when I think of the perfect burger it has to be made with ground beef. Now that's not to say that I don't enjoy other kinds of burgers. In fact, one of my favorite burgers is the bison burger at Ted's Montana Grill, which I would take over the beef offering any day. But when done right, the quintessential beef burger just hits the spot. It should be pink on the inside (some places offer their burgers blood red, I think that sort of doneness is better served with a steak). The outside of the patty should be slightly charred - I love the caramelized flavors of grilled meat.

The meat and doneness are crucial elements to the perfect burger, but we cannot forget the toppings. I love that burger joints are offering some gourmet twists on the classic ketchup, mustard, cheese, lettuce, and tomato. However my toppings preferences definitely lean towards the minimalist approach - sharp cheddar cheese, juicy tomato (if you have a good tomato you don't need ketchup, caramelized onions, romaine lettuce, and spicy brown mustard). The bun should be hardy enough to stand up to a juicy burger, i prefer a brioche that is slightly toasted. Et voila!

Malia

A burger is just about as American as apple pie, and is a favorite for so many from the young to the old. I'm usually more likely to opt for thai or indian food these days, but there is something so comforting about biting into a big fat juicy burger. I will always have a fondness for McDonald's hamburgers because they were a special treat when Ariel and I were kids, but those patties don't compare to a fresh beef burger hot off the grill.

I find that the most satisfying burger isn't a fancy gourmet version with truffle oil and gruyere cheese. What makes a burger so good is the quality of the ingredients. Fresh ground meat hit with some grill seasoning, heirloom tomatoes, romaine lettuce, sharp cheddar cheese, red onion, spicy mustard and a dollop of ketchup on a fresh baked bun (brioche seems to be popular but I have nostalgia for the sweet potato rolls of my childhood). The meat should be grilled so that it has a slighty smoky flavor and a juicy pink center. I can't wait to kick off this search for the best burger - my mouth is already watering!

Next Up

Starting this Saturday, you can expect to read a review of two burger joints we have visited, one from Virginia, and one from New York. At the end of our search we will devote a post to our favorites, and an ultimate winner from each region. So stay tuned...same bat time, same bat channel!

Cranberry Walnut Carrot Bread

A plethora of baby carrots were sitting in my fridge, begging to be used. I had recently seen a recipe for carrot cake cookies on The Gastronomer's blog, and it inspired me to use my carrots in some sort of baked good. This could be a healthy treat, I thought to myself.

I scanned the internet and came across a "Cooking Light" recipe. I tweaked it slightly, adding cranberries and walnuts. The cranberries and walnuts were definitely a nice addition. The bread itself is fluffy, with a nice crunchy exterior. The spicy undertones from the cinnamon, ginger, and cloves are complimented nicely by the tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts. Next time I would toast the walnuts prior to baking, to bring out more of their flavor. The bread is earthy, and not too sweet. A perfect afternoon snack or breakfast treat, best served with a hot cup of tea!

Recipe is as follows.

Carrot Bread

3/4 cup sliced carrots (about 4 oz)
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (JAM Note: I used King Arthur's white whole wheat flour)
1 tsp cinammon
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 ground ginger
1/4 ground cloves
2/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 egg white
1/4 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup dried sweetened cranberries (JAM Note: add-ins optional)
1/3 cup chopped walnuts (JAM Note: add-ins optional)


Directions:


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


Place dried cranberries in a small bowl of warm water. Let stand for 30 minutes.


Boil carrots until tender (JAM Note: the baby carrots took about 6 minutes). Place carrots in food processor and chop.


Mix flour and the next six ingredients in a large bowl.


Whisk together carrots, sugar, yogurt, oil, and eggs.

Drain cranberries. Combine wet mixture, cranberries, and walnuts until just combined.

Butter an 8-in loaf pan. Pour batter into pan and bake for 50 min or until toothpick comes out dry (JAM Note: finished baking in 40 min).

Mmm fresh out of the oven!

2 out of 3 JAMs