Firefly

Next up is Firefly; I’m apologizing in advance as I only have one picture. The restaurant is located an easy walk from DuPont Circle metro. The décor is beautiful inside, although the restaurant itself is located on the ground floor of a hotel (in the blink and you might miss it sense). The tree inside is gorgeous during the day (I went for lunch, not shocking, I know) and I can only imagine how pretty it must be at night. That being said, I wish the food had lived up to the décor. For an appetizer I had the salt roasted baby beets. I love the flavor combo of beets and goat cheese and so I was hopeful. While the food was good it was very small in portion and nothing about it jumped out and grabbed me. For a main course I ordered beef burger. There is something to be said for executing a good well-done burger. I order all my burgers/ meat well-done which means I always run the risk of getting a charcoal briquette.  I was very pleasantly surprised by this burger. For a thick burger it was perfectly cooked. All the flavors worked well together in this classic pairing. I was also able to pair my burger with greens instead of fries (I was feeling healthier that day). The beer-battered pickle was a whimsical addition to the dish and it really added a lot. I’m not generally big on pickles but this one went so well I actually ate the whole thing.

Burger

Overall the cost wasn’t bad but I think I would have found it to be a better deal if I had just gotten the burger. I’d recommend skipping the appetizer and going straight for the main course.

For my overall review I give this restaurant 2.5 out of 5 stars for reasonable price, fairly easy location, solid food, and excellent ambiance.

Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub

I went out to this restaurant, located in the Village of Shirlington, one Saturday recently. I was able to book in advance with OpenTable, which I always appreciate as I’m not a big fan of having to call for reservations. Parking in the area was free (in the garage) and easy to find.  I went with a group (note, more than 4) and they had no trouble giving us a nice and private table. The restaurant’s outside was bright red and easy to spot. The layout worked well so it felt like we had our own area. The staff was super friendly and very attentive without hovering. Ordering off the Brunch menu still offered enough breakfast and lunch options to make sure everyone could get what they wanted. Food ranged in the lunch category from salad to traditional Irish fare.

Smoked Salmon Salad

Shepherd's Pie

I ordered the Daily Chowder (Clam that day) and the Bangers ‘N’ Mash (read: Sausages and Potatoes).  

Bangers 'N' Mash

The portions were good for brunch being a larger than one would expect for lunch. The chowder was well done with a nice balance in the cream sauce to accompany the seafood. It certainly tasted homemade. It also came with brown bread, which paired nicely with the soup as well as being able to stand on its own with a sturdy and soft construction and a distinct flavor. The mashed potatoes in the Bangers ‘N’ Mash were excellent although I found the spice in the gravy to be a bit strong for my palate. The rest of the party all enjoyed their dishes and had no complaints.

Traditional Irish Breakfast 

Overall I felt it was a good value; I was able to get my meal, appetizer, and a drink for around 20 bucks. If you go I’d recommend picking one of the Traditional Fare items for the specialty and quality.

For my overall review I give this restaurant 4.25 out of 5 for a good price, fairly easy location, good/ unique food, and excellent service.

First Bite

Hey out there. So, this is my attempt at a blog (bear with me, I'm learning). I'm planning to write about the restaurants I've been to in the greater DC area, especially which restaurants I liked and why. I've been keeping a log of various places I've been and taking pictures of food along the way. At some point it was mentioned I should make it an official. In general I tend to visit these restaurants during the lunch hours so my reviews will reflect those menus. So, here we go. Let me know what I can add to the reviews to make them more useful and if there's anywhere you recommend I try.