Opening Soon: Bakery finally coming to Dupont/Kalorama

Just this past weekend, I was walking by the vacant Universal Gourmet space on Connecticut in Dupont near the tourist black hole known as Buca di Bepo, and I thought to myself how a quality baked goods and coffee shop would do amazing business in that location with the droves of workers walking to work and the tourists streaming from the hotels. Sure enough, Mark Furstenberg, the original baker behind Marvelous Market and international-banker-fav Breadline (who else can afford $10 sandwiches?), is opening a bakery!

Bakeries and butcher shops are sorely lacking from DC's retail landscape, but given the foodie explosion that's still burning strongly, it was inevitable that our sad supply of fresh yeast would soon be over. The only catch here is that Baker Furstenberg was not-too-long-ago hired as a consultant at downtown's G Street Foods, before he got the boot for not delivering (they make a deliciously modern cuban sandwich, fyi).

And don't forget the Bethesda Bagels that is opening just down the street in the thankfully-closed, former Johnny Rockets space (apparently chain-eating American tourists do have some standards). Kalorama is clearly the next 14th Street.

[via: Huffington Post]

Bread Furst (coming soon)
1825 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC
Neighborhood: Dupont
Metro: Dupont
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The Invasion of Pho & Shawarma?

The explosion of diverse, cheap food options Northwest DC continues, this time bringing not just one but 4 new locations of Pho and Shawarma spots (not all together)! Now all we need is a Camelot in Adams Morgan, and Sir Noshalot won't leave the neighborhood.

Holy Shawarmymuthu (Tamil joke...)
In Adams Morgan, two Shawarma options have recently appeared, helping cement Adams Morgan as the most well-rounded and inexpensive dining neighborhood. You can go from Brazilian to Drag Queen brunches to Himalayan in just a few blocks. Take that Crystal City.

Scooped from Prince of Petworth, Shawarma Spot is right in the middle of the neigbhorhood, taking over the once-anticipated but short-lived hot dog den, M'Dawg (which closed I think because of a dispute among its operators, and also because it wasn't worth the prices).

A little bit further along Columbia is Shawarma King, which looks polished from the pics. Let's hope both places are able to survive!

Shawarma Spot
2418 18th St
Washington, DC 20009

Shawarma King
1654 Columbia Road
Washington, DC 20009


Pho 5839101234340981
There are plenty of good pho options across the Potomac in VA, but the few places scattered around DC aren't terribly good, which is why the introduction of these new places in Metro-accessible neighborhoods is exciting.

Saigon Bistro on P Street in Dupont seems a little pricey from their menu and for pho, but some early tasting by Miss Crotchety suggests that Saigon Bistro could be worth it.

Meanwhile, over in Columbia Heights, Pho 14 will be opening soon (Feb?).

2 pho and 2 shawarma places within walking distance could mean my weekend lunch plans for the next few months are set. Coincidence that they're all opening with a new regime change in town?

Saigon Bistro
2153 P St. NW
Washington, DC 20037 (Dupont Circle)

Pho 14 (not yet open)
Near Park & 14th St NW
Washington, DC (Columbia Heights)

Las Canteras - It's aight

Some time ago, Las Canteras struck the neighborhood with such promise as a more upscale ethnic, sit-down restaurant that Adams Morgan was just dying for. (Lauriol Plaza doesn't count because for some reason the ethnic label doesn't apply and it's not in Adams Morgan.) Unfortunately, after a few visits, I can't say that Las Canteras offers more value than the numerous Peruvian food shanties around town.

Las Canteras reminds me of El Chelan, that old (by DC standards) Peruvian stalwart downtown favored by IMF/WB jet-setters. The quality of food is similar although the service and prices are more favorable than at El Chelan. The wait staff is friendly and efficient. Ask, and they will help guide you to recommended dishes, favorites, and potentially tricky items (i.e. spicy).

The mixed seafood ceviche was pretty good, but for my next visit, I eagerly ordered my favorite Peruvian dish, Lomo Saltado, a holy union of beef, french fries, tomatoes, soy sauce and other food trinkets. Unfortunately, it was terrible. The chef must have been high on cooking fumes because there was far too much soy sauce in the dish, and it just seemed to lack that special Peruvian greasiness that binds all the ingredients together. The guava-flavored flan was rich and flavorful, but a bit too dense for my flan preferences.

If you want Peruvian food in a nice setting, give Las Canteras a shot. For me, it's worth revisiting to check out some of their other dishes.

Otherwise, if you want damn good and cheap Lomo Saltado, supremely juicy roasted chicken, and light, caramely flan, the amazing La Granja de Oro is just 3 blocks away.

Rating: 2 out of 4 stars
Recommended: Ceviche?

Las Canteras
2307 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-265-1780

WaPo Listing & Map

Corn fungus...it's what's for dinner. (Super Tacos)

Sir Noshalot Says:
At least it should be if you find yourself in Adams Morgan, near Super Tacos and Bakery, née Pepito's II. Black and slimy generally goes on my "do not eat" list, but huitlacoche is an exception, an earthy, savory Mexican delicacy. The name's Aztec for "raven shit," but don't let that deter you; near as I can tell, it refers to the shit-eating grin you'll have as you savor each bite. It's packed into Super's quesadilla Mexicana along with sweet corn, oozing queso fresco, and a tangy green salsa. The masa wrapper can be a little too tough, but this is a minor annoyance compared to the luscious mess within.

Rating: 4 out of 4 blight-ridden kernels
Recommended: quesadilla Mexicana, carnitas taco


According to A-lo:
Once upon a time, Pepitos II was my reliable go-to shack for cheap Mexican fare in Adams Morgan. A name change to Super Tacos seems to have wrought more than just superficial evolution. I'm not sure if the joint is under new ownership, but the consistency of the food has unfortunately become suspect. However, that's not to say that you can't get some very satisfying Mexican food here, but be warned that results may vary.

My favorite item used to be the carnitas tacos, which were crispy, juicy, and flavorful. The carnitas tacos are still very good, but they're now a bit too dense and lack that magical crispyness that previously elevated them to one of my favorite foods in the city. The tacos are still better, in my opinion, than those found at Taqueria Distrito Federal in Columbia Heights, which are slightly overrated.

As Sir Noshalot describes, the Quesadillas Mexicans are indeed worthy of purchasing, although I'm less smitten with the huitlacoche—it's different and tasty but needs some more punch. I'm more partial to the gorditas which are perfectly fried with a remarkably flavorful meat filling.

Overall, Super Tacos is still the place for fast, tasty, and cheap Mexican in the city. It's located in Adams Morgan, so you can't ask for a more convenient location. Just be sure to load up on the free sauces, and if you have a bad experience, don't be discouraged from trying the same dish again. I'll be sure to report back in case they regain their previously stellar touch.

Rating: 3 stars
Recommended: Carnitas tacos, gorditas, Quesadillas Mexicanas


Super Tacos and Bakery
1762 Columbia Rd. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-232-7121 (they deliver!)

WaPo Listing & Map