Zuppa

I remember the last time I ate at Zuppa. The Thai Chicken Noodle Soup was sweet and spicy, a nice little combination. Last night I went back with two classmates for a meeting about Mini Cooper. The discussion went well, but the food discussion was GREAT! You see it was 8PM, kind of late for me to eat dinner since I already had a huge salad at 6. What would you eat?

That's right! The side of Baked Mac and Cheese and Homemade Bread Pudding with Homemade Coconut Brownie Ice Cream. The mac and cheese came first and it was to die for, even one of my classmates said this. WOW! This is the best mac and cheese I have had next to my grandmothers; yes it is true. Three minutes later my bread pudding came out and I said good bye mac and cheese hello dessert!

Bread Pudding to me should taste like, well bread and here it did; homemade bread. It had raisins in it and was sweet, but not overly. We were the only people in the restaurant, why? Did people think they only had soup? There is so much more now and yes I will be back.

Akida

I like Sushi, actually I just like Tuna. However, I do not like warm Sushi so I do not like Akida.

Southern Railway Deli

Do not be fooled by the name, there is nothing southern about this place and I am thankful for that everytime I go. There are a lot of options: sandwiches, salads, pasta, pizza, dessert. Walk up to the section you want, tell them what you want, how you want it and voila in 10 minutes or less you are walking to pay for your meal. I love the pasta options, always al dente. Talk about the salads, just like in NYC. Choose your base, and meat and then go for the rest. ENJOY!

It will not break the bank either. You can grab a seat and people watch if you like or take your food to go. I am so greatful that these people opened their doors and speaking of open, they stay open til midnight 3 nights a week. In Shockoe Slip? WHAT???

Weezies Kitchen

I was surprised to see a new place open on Cary Street, although the building is a little cave like no matter what color you paint the walls. The menu is small and I did have a hard time deciding what to eat. I wanted a salad, but the mac and cheese was calling my name as was the tuna melt and then I saw quesadilla's and nachos. OI VEY! So I decided to get the tuna melt. It was served open face on an English muffin. The tuna fish was good, not too much mayonnaise and flavorful with herbs. The tomato slice was HUGE, I loved it. The best part of the meal was the Soy-Ginger Dressing. I was dipping my tuna in the dressing, I was dipping the nachos in the dressing and I dipped my Mac and cheese there too. Yes, I got the nachos and the Mac and cheese. Ask for sour cream with the nachos!

The Mac and cheese, although it is not better then DeLessio it was nice. I tasted a little wine with the sharp cheddar. Well I approve of this new place. On to the next place. Oh yeah, the best is for last, Weezies stays open late until 1:30A.M...can't beat that!

CHEAP? Well stick to the lighter fair dishes and it is cheap.

Lebanese Taverna - Pentagon Row

This great little place tucked away in Pentagon Row was INCREDIBLE! The Baba Ghannouge was hands down the best I have ever tasted and I know good baba. The ample size portion was served with puffed pita, it was warm and soft. The Hommos was good, but had a little more tahini then I like.

My entree was the fish kabob, which was good and my lunch date had Fatteh Bell Diaje. I have never had it nor know how to pronounce this dish. After I tried a bite of it I did not care I could not pronounce the name, it was SO good! Chicken, chickpeas, radish, pine nuts and garlic smothered with a warm yogurt sauce. WOW! I would go back in a second.

Vapiano in DC

Crispy Thin Crust, Large Prawns, Arugala, Black Olives, of course cheese and sauce made this the best tasting pizza. Yes, it even tops Chicago Deep Dish. $10 for a nice size pie, who could say no! The concept of this chain works well. Walk in, grab a card (similar to a credit card), stand at the pasta section or the salad section or my favorite the pizza section.

Scan your card, and tell them what you want. You can walk to each section and scan your card it you like. Utensils, glasses and napkins are convientely located next to each section. You are given a buzzer that lets you know to come back when you food is ready. I feel cheated living in Richmond, that we do not have this restaurant, even in the West End.