Martin's Tavern

This Georgetown, family-owned classic restaurant--open since 1933--is a gem. You can feel the history as soon as you walk in the door. The menu was extensive and everything we ordered was delicious. Our special guest this week was Meme! It was nice to spend time together and share with her all of Julia's updates.

This week, we talked about the looming November 1 deadline. Julia is working on finishing up her Carnegie early decision application, in addition to six other early action applications. Julia also shared Chris's list. He's not applying early decision anywhere, but he has a good list of schools (similar to Julia's, in fact). :)

Steven, Mom, and Julia

Presidents from Truman to George W. Bush have frequented Martin's. Favorite booths are labeled with plaques. 

Petite Crab Cake Appetizer

Rare Bison Burger with Fries.

Grilled Salmon with rice pilaf and broccoli

Seafood Pasta

Ty Cobb Salad

Recommendation: Steven said it was the best bison burger he's ever had.

Restaurant info: 1264 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20007; 202-333-7370; www.martins-tavern.com; info@martinstavern.com

Carnegie Mellon

Carnegie Mellon Sleeping Bag Weekend has to be included on the blog--even though we technically did not eat out together in DC. We will count our lunch together at Carnegie...pasta, marinara and meat sauce, salad, green beans, rolls, and cookies for dessert. Besides talking to each other about the school, the lunch gave us an opportunity to talk to other perspective students, parents, and a current student.

 

The current student (from Silicon Valley) said he loved the school and chose it over Georgia Tech Institute. He pointed out the great recruitment opportunities and hopes to return to California when he graduates. He said that some students can burn out after four years, but it is usually a small number. The best thing he said was that if you are looking for parties, this isn't the school for you. They have a lot of fun, but are serious about their academics and changing the world. Love it.

 

As for Julia and Chris... Julia is going to apply early decision and Chris is undecided. The experience was a bit of a reality check; you met your competition--and there were plenty from the DC metro area (several girls!!). 

Pittsburgh, PA

By far, the two cutest kids attending the event, Chris & Julia.

Bodega: Spanish Tapas & Lounge

Bodega is located smack in the middle of Georgetown; however, at 5:30pm we were seated immediately and our food came quickly. Everything we ordered was delicious. The atmosphere screams Spain and we sat in the bright bay window (otherwise, the rest of the restaurant is quite dark).

Tonight we talked about the college essays. Yay--the common application essay is finished and Julia has her personal statement written. NCSU's earliest deadline is October 15 and she's going to make it, no problem. 

Recommendation: Steven recommends the Spanish Tortilla. Julia and I couldn't pick favorites--it was that good.   

Restaurant Info:

Phone: (202) 333-4733
Fax: (202) 333-4909
E-Mail: info@bodegadc.com
Address: 3116 M St NW
Washington, DC 2007, USA
Web Site: www.bodegadc.com

Brocheta de Pollo al Ajillo con Salsa Picante de Pimiento
(Grilled Chicken Skewer Served With A Spicy Pepper Emulsion Sauce)

Brocheta de Solomillo de Ternera
(Beef Tenderloin Skewer With Red & Green Peppers, Onions, And Cherry Tomatoes) 

Pulpo a la Plancha
(Seared Octopus with Potatoes and Smoked Paprika) 

Salmón con Aceitunas y Alcaparras 
(Salmon With Olives, Capers & Shallots )

Tortilla de Patata con Chorizo y Jamón Serrano
(Spanish Tortilla with Chorizo, Topped with Ham)

Judías Verdes Finas Salteadas con Almendras
(French Green Beans with Almonds) 

Chandelier above our table.

From our table, looking at the bar.

Pinkberry

Dessert on the west end of Georgetown at Pinkberry.

Greek yogurt with fruit

Hazelnut yogurt with strawberries, chocolate chips, chocolate sauce, and almond roca.

Das: Ethiopian Cusine

This was our first visit to Das on the east end of Georgetown and we were not disappointed. The food was amazing! Our server was helpful with her recommendations and we walked away very full and content.

We ordered the Shrimp Tibs and the Das Combination Vegetarian Entree Sampler, which included Ethiopian harvest vegetable specialties, split pea kik alicha, red lentil miser wot, collard greens gomen, and cabbage and carrot with ginger and garlic. 

We also ordered the Das Combination Chicken and Beef Entree Sampler; this featured chicken doro watt, beef kaey watt, beef alicha, and beef cubes segana gomen.

Yikes, after listing it all out--that was a lot of food. The injera (unleavened bread) was delicious, especially after it soaked up the sauces. There is no forks, knives, or spoons; you use the injera to scoop up the food with your hands. 

Tonight's conversation was focused on Penn State. I brought the application overview print out and we quickly ran through it. Julia is confident that she can reuse most of what she is already preparing for the common application. First priority is the SAT Math 2 subject test next weekend, then finishing those essays. Go Julia, go!

Das

View from our table of M and Penn.

Bright inside, we were early so there are some empty tables.

Das Combination Chicken & Beef and Das Combination Vegetables

Recommendation: Highly recommend the chicken doro watt (great red pepper sauce), shrimp, and beef segana gomen. We would definitely go back. 

Restaurant info: 1201 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-333-4710, www.dasethiopia.com.

Moby Dick: House of Kabob

Super Combo Salad

We could eat here every weekend...for the blog's sake, we'll explore other eateries.

 

There are 17 locations of Moby Dick--and we know why! The gyros and combos are flavorsome and filling (huge portions!). The place is always full and the wait for the food is never too long (and always worth it).

The last time we were here--two weeks ago--I think our focus was on Julia's boyfriend, Chris, and nothing regarding colleges.

 

Recommendation: The Super Combo salad or platter with sirloin and chicken are the tastiest.

 

Restaurant Info: Georgetown location: 1070 31st Street N.W., Washington,DC 2007, 202.333.4400  

Georgetown location

Casbah Cafe - Moroccan/Mediterranean

Last weekend, we ate at the Casbah Cafe in Georgetown. Loved it! We started with pita bread with yogurt sauce and fried calamari with marinara sauce--yummy. For entrees, we ordered lamb/beef gyro combo, beef/chicken gyro combo, and chicken souvlaki (perfect amount of spice). The combos came with hummus, rice, tabbouleh, and pita bread.

At first, it was a little disconcerting that there was only one other party in the restaurant; however, the food was wonderful.

Our conversation centered around getting together with the college counselor at school--common application, essays, deadlines.

 

Recommendation: Gyro or souvlaki--can't go wrong.

 

Restaurant info: 1721 Wisconsin Ave, NW - Washington DC - 20007 - 202 342 3854