Eamonn's Dublin Chipper

"Thanks Be To Cod." That's the saying over at Eamonn's Dublin Chipper, one of way too many delicious places to eat in Old Town, Alexandria. We love Vermilion, Farrah Olivia (tear), The Majestic (same owners!), enjoyed 100 King, and let's not even talk about the shopping. OH the shopping.

ANYWAY! Eamonn's. The menu is small, the tables are few, and the food is fried. But don't let that scare you. There's nothing heavy about this fried food--although I can't speak to the desserts (fried Snickers or Milky Way, anyone?). You've got some protein options, including "Batter Sausage," which I'm guessing is...battered and fried, like everything else, but you've got to be CRAZY not to get good old fish and chips. I read all the Yelp, Urbanspoon, and Chowhound stuff about Eamonn's and decided we should get "small" cods--apparently the portions are unreliable, and often a small is the same as a large, but for $3 less. Also, with fries, I was sure there was no way we'd leave hungry.

The fish was super hot, super fresh--a crispy crunch on the outside, but flaky yet still moist white flesh within. And the fries were to die for. I mean chips! Keep in mind that this is a messy adventure. You won't get a plate, just your food in a paper bag, Dublin style (I guess?).  But we did get handwipes, which I totally kept in my purse in case of a future sinkless emergency.  Seating is limited, and the "outdoor" space isn't charming at all.  And FYI, the "smalls" were more than enough for both of us.  

To summarize: We had a great time here. We weren't expecting a sit-down fancy place, and so we enjoyed the yumtastic food that came to us with matching smiles. Would it be great to have plates, a long beer list, funky outdoor seating, and an amiable waitstaff (as opposed to the one dude who was perfectly friendly, but seemed more like he belonged at Urban Outfitters or something)? Sure it would! But we can do without. We'll definitely go back to Eamonn's the next time we're craving cod and chips.

Eamonn's Dublin Chipper
728 King Street
Metro: Blue and Yellow Lines to King Street

FTC Starts Schoolin' Bloggers!

You can read about it here, here, here, or here.

And this is the part where I reveal to you, after 170+ posts and 2+ years, that I...don't take free stuff. Except for the same amouse bouche that's offered to the other diners, if it's that sort of establishment. I get emails from people being all like "come to my super expensive event and I'll give you a few tickets to give away on your blog," and it's not that I'm anti-contest (even though I never win those darn Express ones), it's just that I want to be speakin' from the heart when I say that Ray's the Steaks rocks and Kora is a major disappointment (btw, it was). You can't buy my love!

Anyway, just busting out some compliance for you this Monday evening.

Poste Brasserie

We recently had a delightful brunch with good friends and he who must be our youngest friend. I'll get his meal out of the way first--the 3 year old had a bagel and cream cheese.

On to the old folks.

First, please do yourself a favor and GIVE IN to your inner self. You know, the inner self that is saying "get the house made doughnuts, you fool!" Let yourself go. There is a fine assortment (usually more than one chocolate, so less fighting than expected) and each one makes you wish it was a never-ending bowl/Mary Poppins/Olive Garden situation.

I had the ridiculous Brioche French Toast. I usually go for something omelette-y and healthy, but I was craving some ridiculosity, so there it went. The pieces were super thick, crunchy on the outside, and all around delightful. I don't have a picture of it, and for that I apologize.

BUT, two at our table got the Eggs Hussarde. Apparently invented in New Orleans, this combination of slightly scooped-out baked potato (swoon), merchand de vin sauce (hearty and flavorful), and poached egg (go, yolk! Infest everything, in a good way, with your deliciousness!) was simply magical. It's topped with bacon strips, which definitely are not necessary for the flavor explosion if you're not a fan/keep kosher/watching your sodium intake.



Service was attentive and charming, the patio was lovely, and I can't wait to do it again. P.S., brunch is Saturday AND Sunday. niiiice.


Poste Brasserie
555 8th Street, NW
Metro: Red, Yellow, and Green Lines to Gallery Place/Chinatown

Obviously

The President can't stop copying me.

First he tailed me to Ray's. Then Dairy Godmother. Now, for their anniversary, he goes to Blue Duck Tavern?! Lest we forget where we spent our anniversary this past May--BLUE DUCK TAVERN.

I know, I know. Ray's and DG are wildly popular (not super widely popular, but at least notorious enough to have really intense and loyal followings), but Blue Duck? That's not a place everyone has been. It's not as obvious as Citronelle for a Presidential event, and it's....in West End. Really.

I'm not sure if BDT honored him in DG fashion, but I'm sure I'll find out soon. Happy anniversary, POTUS & FLOTUS!!!!

Some competition for Ray's the Steaks?

Pay no regard to my failed attempt (in the comments) to implore Michael Landrum to open an enormous Ray's Hellburger in the Marriott Residence Inn, right across from Ray's the Steaks.

Instead, apparently Fire Works restaurant is coming. What is it? I have no idea. Here is the blurb from DCmud, The Urban Real Estate Digest of DC:

"Fire Works will occupy approximately 5,500 square feet at the street level on Clarendon Boulevard and open up to the Western end of Courthouse Plaza for patio dining. The 240 seat (160 indoor, 80 outdoor) restaurant will offer upscale casual dining featuring local, fresh and organic ingredients and is expected to open in Spring 2010."

Supposedly it's the same Fire Works as Fire Works Pizza in Leesburg. Anyone been? Is it any good? Should Faccia Luna be worried?

But my dreams haven't been crushed yet--there's still over 3000 sq ft of retail space available. Michael Landrum, are you listening now???

Thanks LB for the link!

Two Items of Interest

If you live in the DC Area: You can buy tickets to see one of your favorite Food Network stars this November doing a demo, or maybe go to their book signing. I'm still on the fence, but I'd looooove to see Paula Deen. It's tough, because I definitely make more Giada recipes, but I just want to give Paula a big hug like she's my grandma. I reaaaally want to go to her restaurant in Savannah. <3 No one even sent me an e-mail asking me to advertise this (and I ignore them all anyway!) so it's just a PSA for those of you who live on FoodTV/HGTV like me. This photo of Paula is from the event web site!

If you live in the NJ/NY area: Discounts in New Brunswick for Friday Night Date Night offer a STEAL at some area restaurants, including the fancy-shmancy deliciousness that is The Frog and the Peach. I probably can't get from DC to central Jerz fast enough on a Friday afternoon to enjoy this, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. Mmmmm, cheap(er) food...

Coming soon, blogwise: Ridiculously amazing brunch dish at Poste, revisiting Beck, first look at Kora (from Chef Morou of Farrah Olivia), and Eamonn's.

Postcard: Before you leave New Jersey...

I know. Every time you leave New Jersey you are crying too hard to imagine stopping for a nice meal. But if you can hold it in until you cross the Del Mem Bridge, then stop around Exit 8 off the Turnpike for brunch at The Blue Rooster.

This place is cozy. And yes, I mean small, but I also mean adorably squishy and cute, and you want to cuddle on the windowsill seat with a girlfriend and drink tea and eat sandwiches for hours, later picking out a cookie from one of their MANY delectable baked goods. The house was built in 1850! Their selection of teas is impressive, and if you're around for tea time you should definitely stop by.

My omelet was cheesy, tomatoey, and spinachy, and not the least bit dry. I could tell this cheese was the real thing because when you took a bite of omelet, you tasted CHEESE, not a flavorless gooeyness. The special pancakes of that day were grainy, wheaty, and all around delightful. But the best part was the jam...OH the jam. Basically, blueberries in their natural state doin' their thang (being awesome). By the end of breakfast I was eating the jam with a spoon, and I'm not ashamed. So whether it's baked, cooked, sauteed, flipped, brewed, or jammed, it's delicious at Blue Rooster. And you'll get a piece of chocolate before you leave :)







The Blue Rooster Bakery & Cafe
17 North Main Street
Cranbury, NJ 08512