McFadden's in Foggy Bottom

I've been to McFadden's a few times and this is a place that can be either really good or really bad. The really good times seem to be when students from James Madison University are throwing a party there. On this particular night I went it was thrown by these JMU students, apparently they do this all the time as this is probably my 4th time attending one. If you know the name of the people throwing the party you can get open bar for a few hours and it'll cost you $20. You think McFaddens would be like your typical Irish pub but not this place. There's two levels and the top level is very small and has only one bar. The basement level is huge boasting two bars on opposite sides and some booths and tables to eat when they're serving dinner. I've only been there late at night so the atmosphere could probably be more relaxed. Everytime the JMU students have parties here, it seems that all the girls come out. Usually this place is packed with mad dudes and only a handful of girls because they usually show a lot of different sports games on the tv's. The music is top 40 which is not very appealing but I guess since this place attracts mainly caucasians, they must cater to their tastes. The JMU females apparently love to get really drunk and dance on the bars, that means you losers might have a chance to score with one of these inebriated co-eds. The place gets packed easily and sometimes its difficult to get a drink at the bar because of the girls dancing on them or the dudes trying to peek up their skirts. Open bar was good but a little stingy on the liquor and when they say open bar its just a liquor and a balance or a bud light. A good place to watch some sports if you don't mind standing up the whole time and only good if the JMU students are throwing a party there which is not very often. McFadden's did not meet my expectations but nevertheless, not all places will. 2 stars.

New Orleans Cafe in Adams Morgan

Walking down 18th St, the New Orleans Cafe looks like a small mom and pop restaurant. The cafe itself is quite small with very few tables and it makes you wonder how this place survives in a high rent area such as Adams Morgan. Apparently this place has many regulars and is quite popular with people looking for true cajun food. The menu is like any New Orleans themed restaurant with your po' boys to your gumbo and jambalaya. But this place is as authentic as it gets, I thougt I even heard Emeril yelling BAM! from the kitchen. The food was excellent and the owner loves to give you that southern hospitality. Chat it up with him he's a very friendly guy, I forgot his name, and if he likes you he'll finish your meal at the end with some powdered donuts for dessert. A very good place for a first date as you won't have to deal with crowded lines and it gives you a nice quiet place to chat. The prices were very reasonable, much cheaper than most places in Adams Morgan, so for you non ballers that can't afford to take your girl to Ruth Chris go here and you'll still be able to get some action. 4 stars.

The Reef in Adams Morgan

I took a few friends of mine to the Reef, while they were visiting from New Jersey, for some drinks so we could catch up before we got blasted at the other bars in Adams Morgan. The Reef has three levels, though the rooftop level is usually closed during cold or inclement weather. The first floor of the Reef is a fairly small bar not enough room for dancing mainly just sitting and chatting. It's usually either very crowded or very empty, most people prefer the second level where it is easier to maneuver and more seating available. The second level is lined with about 6 fish tanks of various fish, very relaxing, telling you that this isn't a place where you'll find drunkards throwing up next to you or screaming for more yager bombs. The place attracts young professionals and students looking to just grab a small bite to eat and some good quality beer to sit down and just talk. Definitely a good pregaming place is if you don't mind the expensive drinks and the couples that usually come here to conversate on the future of their relationships. We didn't order any food but i can't imagine it being that great considering the menu is quite small and the environment feels more of a restaurant bar, where people just drink waiting for their tables. If you're lucky and get a table you'll have a direct view of the bars in Adams Morgan so you can figure out which spot to go to. The rooftop offers really good views of downtown Washington and a good place to bring a girl and woo her with your useless facts of the Washington Memorial and Capitol building. For those people that still have that college mentality, this bar caters to you as well. If you get bored realizing that girls just come here to talk or pregame, and not hook up, you can go play some darts for pitchers of beer. To sum it all up, The Reef has great beer, nice views, and lots of couples. If you want to have an intellectually stimulating conversation with a girl and not have to deal with the noise and drunkedness of others around you, then go here and you won't get laid. 3 Stars.

California Tortilla in China Town

California Tortilla caught my eye as I was looking for something quick to eat. Not wanting to deal with the long lines in Chipotle I decided California Tortilla might be the next best option. Inside the walls are lined with hot sauces from all over the country, ranging in mango flavored sweet sauces to the spicy jalapeno sauces. No doubt in mind this place was good. I order my meal, a Havana chicken burrito, and make my way to the sauces as you can try practically all of them if you want. The sauces were excellent and the burrito was good but stingy on the chicken, definitely not up to par with Chipotle and Baja Fresh. Very busy atmosphere, typical of a fast food restaurant. Warning: If you choose to eat here be very careful that you will be accessible to a bathroom within 1 hour of consumption. It was one hour after eating here I immediately asked myself "WHY?!?!" My stomach was soon growling and could feel a shart coming on. Don't let this happen to you, follow your instincts and go to Chipotle or Baja Fresh. No wonder California Tortilla is only local to the DC area, they cannot get enough customers to come back there. If you are looking to soil and embarass yourself in front of others, by all means eat here but at least put a diaper on. 1 star.

Thai Square in Arlington, VA

Thai food seems to be all the rage in DC nowadays. One particular place stands out above the rest though, at least from the perspective of Thai natives in the DC metro, and that's Thai Square. Located on Columbia Pike in Arlington, Va, right down the road from the Pentagon, this place looks like a hole in the wall more than an extravagant restaurant. Then again hole in the wall places are truly authentic and by far the best cuisine known to man. The decoration is simple and there are not a whole lot of tables for customers, so the wait is usually long (they only take reservations for parties of 8 or more). Don't let that deter you from eating here though, the cooking will make up for the wait. The waitresses are very helpful and nice like they just arrived from Bangkok willing to cater to your American needs. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes from crispy duck to mussels with lemon grass and basil. My choice for dinner tonight was the crispy duck, green curry chicken, and your traditional pad thai. Truly authentic and lauded by all the Thai natives and Americans that flock to this place. Throw in some coconut trees and you'll feel like your on the beaches of Phuket eating like a king before your 40 baht ($1US) private massage. Dishes average $9 and the Thai beer, Singha, is a little expensive because it's imported but well worth it. Just be careful after eating here because you'll never want to eat Thai food again if it's not from Thai Square. 5 stars.

Modern in Georgetown

This past Saturday was my first time to go to Modern in Georgetown. This lounge is located a few stores away from the infamous Rhino Bar and Pumphouse and doesn't attract the beer guzzling sports fanatics. The bar caters to a more professional group of people looking to dance and have a few drinks and network with other young professionals. People always say you don't want to meet your significant other in a bar but this is the type of place where you just might find them. Either they're successful and not lazy or mommy and daddy are. This club does have a sense of VIP perse, you can use a password to get free admission before 10 pm or reduced admission after. But don't worry even a loser like you could get the password simply by getting their weekly email newsletter. The password for the night was "Pimpin' all over the world." Once that was said my entourage descended the stairs to the sight of an impressive sunken bar with white chairs surrounding. Looks like the queer eye guys were asked to decorate. Drinks are fairly easy to get and not as crowded as other places in Georgetown. An ample amount of dance space allows you to grind with the beautiful women this place attracts. Once you find one, take her to the plush seating to tell her about your experiences volunteering in Venezuela and she's all yours. The price of drinks were fairly reasonable but be weary of the $8 dollar Long Island Iced Teas because it's practically iced tea, the cute bartender obviously was stingy on the liquor, as I was on my tips. Definitely a good place to go when visiting DC and to meet respectable women. 4 stars.

The ins and outs of DC

This blog is going to be for those people that want to experience the best restaurants and the best clubs and bars in DC from a young professional's point of view without breaking the bank. Who said DC was for all the big whigs and aristocrats of America? Fun times can be had for all in DC if you know where to look and have an agenda.