Johnna's Pick of the Week Archives

Johnna's Picks of the Week (February)
*Black History Month Edition*

*In honoring Black History Month, Johnna Knows Good Food Pick of the Weeks will feature black owned restaurants in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Celebrate and eat good food!

Rest-tau-rante
Marvin

Based on the time that Marvin Gaye spent in Belgium, Marvin's offers the perfect meeting place for Belgian and soul food. The atmosphere takes you to a café reminiscent of evenings spent in Europe with good friends and light conversation. After dining in the restaurant, take the party upstairs where another large bar can be found leading out onto a huge patio good for dancing, lounging and just enjoying the night air (the heating lamps make it even fun to chill outside during the winter months). Wanna go Belgian for the night?? Try the steak and frites…please share your fries, there’s enough for a whole army! Wanna go soul food?? Shrimp and grits…melts literally in your mouth;-)

Sweet Tooth
Saint’s Paradise Cafeteria “Daddy Grace”

So you think you know D.C.?? You haven’t been to Daddy Grace’s?? Please refrain from saying you know the city of D.C.’s best soul food until you have tried the food and sweet goodies of Daddy Grace’s. The banana pudding or cobblers (apple or peach) will make you forget you even had a diet in the first place. Laid out at the bottom of Daddy Grace Church on 601 M street, NW, this is a must taste. Don’t feel like sweets?? Try the mac and cheese or the smothered pork chops. It also doesn’t hurt that for under $10 you can have some of the best home cooked, fast food that the District has to offer.

Happy, Happy Hour
Mahogany

Lay back, chill and relax. These are the words that come to mind when thinking of Mahogany. Located in the heart of D.C. trendy, urban culture center, U street, Mahogany offers that vibe that’s needed after a hard day of work. Good cocktails and select appetizers for $5 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm Tuesday-Friday. With a happy hour this late, there’s no rush to get out of the office by 5 pm sharp…;-)

Food, Drinks, Dancing...Oh, My!!
Jin

Good food, good folks, good spirits! Food, friends and drinks. Jin draws in the D.C. areas working professionals looking for a good party and maybe a bite to eat in transit. Small and intimate, this Caribbean/Asian inspired restaurant is offering the 3-in-1 package when your looking for one;-) Try the Paradise Wing Tings, the Korean Vegetarian Egg Rolls, the Drink Pink cocktail and dance!...Try these all in this order and you might make Jin one of your regular spots for a good time.


Johnna's Picks of the Week (January)

Res-tau-rante
Zengo

This Latin-Asian fusion is a foodies dream come true. It is a time share: the food is served in tapa sized portions so parties can share. The succulent flavors of many Mexican favorites and Japanese inspired dishes meet here. Things to try: Angry Zengo (dee-lish!), the Volcano roll (blue crab never tasted so good), potstickers (lobster meat+blue crab+wasabi+shitake mushrooms=in love with this dish!!) and Won Ton tacos (where sugar and spice collaborate). Mojito's, Mojito's, Mojito's: Mojito de Mango...run and get one, quick!

Happy, Happy Hour
Dupont Grille

The decor: sheek and classic. The location: centrally located in D.C.'s Dupont circle. The happy, happy hour: perfect! $5 appetizers, $5 wines and $5 martinis will sell you on this spot. Not only is it the perfect place to wine and dine just about anybody from a client to a new beau, it is affordable for supreme service and taste. The calamari and "sliders" (mini burgers) are deelish alongside the peach or watermelon martinis. Fun times!

Sweet Tooth
CakeLove

Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes!! CakeLove is a true gem to the U street area in D.C. Founded by a former litigation attorney turned Food Network "Sugar Rush" star, CakeLove boasts some of the districts tastiest sweet treats. Sunday afternoons are the perfect time for this treat...no crowds, plenty of parking. What's your pleasure?? Cupcakes? Cake? Pastries? Poundcake? It's all here! Personal fav of the week: Vanilla cake cupcake with Raspberry buttercream icing...are you drooling yet??? (if your not drooling yet, try the strawberry icing...this should get you there...yum yum, gimme some!)

Food, Drinks, Dancing...Oh, My!!
Front Page

This is a night out on the town in one building! Everything can happen right here from enjoying a quiet meal in the dining room area to having a drink at the bar with the half-priced appetizers during happy hour to dancing the night away as the DJ blares the top 40 hits. The service is friendly offering a relaxing, comfortable meal and night on the town. Try this spot with a group of friends or a double date and be sure to bring a designated driver, as this place has been voted the #1 spot on the D.C. Happy Hour scene...Good stuff!
Picks of the week: the fried calamari here is pretty tasty and worth breaking your diet for a bite...

Johnna's Picks of the Week (December)

Res-tau-rante
Acadiana

So New Orleans comes to D.C....Well, not exactly, but this upscale New Orleans restaurant will take you back to the French Quarter. I know, I know..nothing is good as the French Quarter, but this place hits extremely close to the Bayou with tasty classic creole dishes. The southern shrimp & grits are my fan pick of the week, but I've seen some Louisiana natives give the thumbs up for the chicken and smoked andouille sausage jambalaya.

Happy, Happy Hour
Buffalo Billiards

Wine lovers (Hello, my name is Johnna and I'm a wine lover). This is the place to be from 4-7 p.m. Wine for 3 bucks, rail drinks 3 bucks (some $3.50), and selected drafts $3.50. Now your thinking this is no different from any other place in D.C.?? Well except for the fact that it is located in a huge basement space in the heart of Dupont Circle providing lots of room for large groups, 29 pool tables, 3 huge projection TV's for the Big Game...ohh and these jalapeno poppers I just love (sorry spicy foodieholics...they're not that spicy, eat them more for the cheesy part). The nachos are a hit too, so get some friends co-workers or whoever together and head down the Red Line to Dupont's underground secret.

Sweet Tooth
Posh
The name says it all: Posh. The interior decorator knew what this word meant, the bartender understands it and the chef...well, the chef definitely knows what it means. The chef has had his way with Posh by creating a cinnamon bread pudding recipe that has made bread pudding haters into a fan of this sinfully delicious dessert. Try Posh after work for a cocktail and dessert (it'll take the edge off from the long days work).

Food, Drinks, Dancing...Oh, My!!
Mr. Smiths of Georgetown

Oldies but goodies are the best. Mr. Smith's has been in Washington, D.C. for over 40 years. It offers a down home feel with a garden-like setting in the back with backyard tables and chairs. It makes you feel like you stepped into the bar where "everybody knows your name". The fully stocked bar with reasonable priced drinks and the Teriyaki Turkey burger go good together after a day of shopping in Georgetown's trendy shopping district. (ooo and how can I forget the musical/dancing part: KARAOKE!! They've hosted karaoke here and they do a sing-a-long piano bar @ the main bar every night. Fun times!)

Johnna's Picks of the Week (November)

Rest-tau-rante
Nooch

Why this place is hot? The Japanese-Thai fusion mixed with the funky art decor, all in the middle of Manhattan's Chelsea district, make this a match made in heaven. My personal favorite is the Sen Mee Pad Goong...there's just something about vermicelli in Thai spices with Shrimp that gets me going....

Happy, Happy Hour
Matchbox

Martinis, Martinis, Martinis! The bartenders are great, the mood is dimly lit (which is needed after a hard day at the office) and the drinks are NOT watered down (the bartenders are On-Point.). The 2$ off the small pizza's doesn't hurt either...the veggie pizza (dee-lish!!).

Sweet Tooth
PinkBerry

So I'm not a huge fan of yogurt, but this spot gave me some really good ideas for something I do like: ICE CREAM. Ok, so imagine a world where every kind of cereal you love to love can be the topping for your ice cream?? Well this is the fantastic concept that introduced PinkBerry to my world. If you're a fan of yogurt, try this hip spot that serves up fresh yogurt with a host of tasty toppings from Captain Crunch to fresh raspberries. My personal favorite: Fruity Pebbles!! ( I put it on top of my favorite ice creams i.e. vanilla, strawberry...yum!)

Food, Drinks, Dancing...Oh, My!!
Indebleu (after dark)

This is my new found jewel on a Saturday night: a drink menu in the form of the D.C. metro system, modern food with Indian spices, and a DJ who can appreciate Bizarre Ride II...this is my kinda place.