• 04Jan

    Body and Soul Brunches: Republic

    Starting in the New Year, I’m going to a church in DC’s historic Lincoln Theatre. This means that, besides feeding my soul every Sunday, I get the next year to take advantage of the food scene that’s blowing up across DC via the quintessential DC Sunday Brunch. But, who doesn’t get a bit tired of 50 different versions of Huevos Rancheros, Eggs Benedict, and French Toast – the average brunch trifecta? What I want to know is: if each weekly Sunday spot offers more than this usual trio, if their signature items from Monday through Saturday are also available for Sunday brunch, and if this place is worth both a brunch and non-brunch visit. So for the next 52 weeks, as I’ll be discovering the DC Sunday scene, I would love to share with you a small nugget on the food that fed my soul and then the food that fed my face!

    The first Sunday:Quickstat

    Did you know that coffee is being threatened by the drug cartel in South America? Per acre, cocaine is more profitable to farm than coffee or other produce, so in many places, farmers choose to grow cocaine instead of coffee for no other reason than a desire to earn a livable wage and support their families. Given this, I was inspired by an organization introduced at church today call Redeeming Grounds, that goes into the jungles of Columbia and buys coffee beans from farmers at prices above the market rate. Redeeming Grounds encourages farmers to consider growing coffee instead of cocaine by enabling them to earn a livable wage doing so. One farm at a time, this project is cutting into the heart of the drug trade and establishing generations of farmers that are willing to stand up to the cartels because they no longer need the drug trade to help feed their families.

    This is interesting to me not only because of their positive influence, but because I was struck at how it swims against the normative ‘Christian’ tide to be ‘good stewards’ of resources by getting the best deal on everything. This thought process often challenges the contrasting Christian principle of “loving your neighbor as yourself,” and propagates the demand for someone somewhere else to bear the burden of bringing this good deal to fruition. I’m so encouraged to see folks in this instance willing to look beyond the ‘best price’ to see the ‘bigger picture.’

    So, taking about the bigger picture but transitioning to food for my face (insert smiling emoji here), I want to encourage you to see the ‘bigger picture’ and know that glorious food can be found all the way to the far edges of the DC border: this Sunday, I ventured to Takoma Park’s Republic for Lunch. Read the rest of this entry »

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  • 13Apr

    Roscoe’s…I Return.

    I’ve been accused recently of never eating at the same restaurant twice.  Now I know, that’s a big, fat lie.  I’ve been to plenty of places numerous times, but I’ll admit I don’t have the impulse to visit many places a second time.  I did return, however, to Roscoe’s.

    I’d been to Roscoe’s immediately after they opened in Takoma Park – before their liquor license!  And months later, I have returned, with a full bar ready to great me.

    The food on my last visit was ok – there was room to grow.  This time the food was much better, but there’s still some room to grow.  We ordered some marzipan dates – tasty as they were caramelized with honey.  The pizzas took a while to arrive but had a perfect amount of toppings and crust was nicely cooked.  I will, no doubt, return a third time.

    I ask you to think about that restaurant you only visited once for whatever reason, and take another trip back.  And if it sucks, remember, it isn’t my fault.

    AEK

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  • 16Apr

    A Restaurant Explosion in Old Town Takoma Park (and the Olive Lounge & Grill)

    6a00d834515b4d69e200e55075d6bc8834-500wi.jpgBy Andrew Kohn

    Some of you are probably asking where Takoma Park is located, let alone what this explosion is all about?! As a resident of Takoma Park, I can happily inform you that we are on the Red Line – in Maryland – located at the stop right before Silver Spring as you leave the city, appropriately named Takoma Park. We currently have three restaurants in the downtown: Mark’s Kitchen, Middle Eastern Cuisine and Market, and the Olive Lounge and Grill.

    I recently ate at the Olive Lounge and Grill. An exceptional restaurant in Old Town if for no other reason then because it serves alcohol! I moved to the city knowing full well that law allowed no restaurant in the area to serve alcohol. (And it’s a testament to my love of the area that I still moved here after this full disclosure!) With the alcoholic about-face, however, restaurants are moving into the area left and right. Or should I say, I know of one new pizza location ready to open (soon?) – but I admit I only know this because of the sign in their window. There is talk of a few more establishments opening up in the next few months although there is very little outward evidence to support these rumors. With three restaurants already opened, adding to that number by one will increase our options by 25% – and that’s an explosion!

    At the Olive Lounge, a small cozy backroom restaurant accessible from the parking lot, we started with hummus and pita with falafel. The falafel was tasty, if not a tad bit dry, and the hummus was a true delight! For mains, I had a feta and jalapeno stuffed burger. Tasty for the price and there were tons of fries to munch on as well. And the fries went well with the extra order of onion rings – a treat we were told to order – and they were very nice. Not breaded but battered (my favorite), they were golden brown and, when you took a bite, the entire onion didn’t come out of its tasty casing in one large, long piece.

    There were four beers on tap – predictable but good (Dominion, etc). And this isn’t too shabby when you consider there was no alcohol in this area just a few months ago! There are also numerous beers by the bottle and organic red and white wines. Another great quality of the lounge, besides the fact I can walk there, is the price. For the quality of food, the price was wonderful! For a starter, two burgers, extra onion rings, and two beers we paid about $35 – a deal is a deal is a deal! Come on out and give the Olive’s a try – you won’t be disappointed!

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