OUT AND ABOUT
Insatiable
A
by Celeste McCall
s winter tightens its In Bloomingdale, I stumicy grip, we’ve been bled upon a delightful Asian exploring new and old gem at 1831 First St. NW, a neighborhood restaufew doors away from the Red rants. In La Cosecha, Hen. The cozy, eight-year-old the Latino market at 1280 Aroi Thai and Sushi Bar seats Fourth St. NE, Las Gemelas only about 25 diners but offers Cocina Mexicana has expandseveral dozen Japanese and Siaed into a handsome restaurant mese dishes listed on an extenwith a new moniker: Destino. sive menu. I ordered miso soup (Across the way, sister eatery ($3) and sumptuous pad thai Taqueria Las Gemelas continwith six large shrimp ($11.25) ues its fast-casual service.) washed down with Thai iced tea This is serious cooking. ($3). Since I was driving, I deExecutive chef Robert Aikcided to forego the warm sake ers’ menu showcases “modern from the full bar. My total bill Mexican” cuisine, inspired by was less than $20. favorite south-of-the border I was not the only diner imdestinations. Guacamole is pressed with the delicious food. updated with spiced pepitas One neighborhood family (pumpkin seeds) and flecked claims to eat there regularly ‒ In Latino market La Cosecha, the renamed Destino serves innovative “modern Mexican” cuisine. with queso blanco (mild white except on Mondays, when Aroi cheese). Even more innovative is closed. Menu favorites inis wonderfully smoky salsa caju clude several kinds of sushi and etarian quesadilla is packed with Brussels sprouts, (ground up smoked cashews enlivened with chipotsashimi, papaya salad, fried rice, cashew chicken, kale, cheese and salsa negra. A scattering of hazelnuts les). Dips arrive with blue tortilla chips. crispy flounder with choice of sauce, spicy eggplant, provides crunch. Among entrees, torta con jamon A tummy-warming bowl of sopa tortilla ‒ a vegetarian pad thai and drunken noodles. Prompt is basically a ham and (Mexican) cheese sandwich, traditional Mexican soup ‒ is replete with shreds and pleasant service complements the clean and atspiked with pickled jalapenos. Heartier main dishes of pork, velvety avocado chunks and blue tractive dining/bar area. Aroi also offers take-out. are the heads-on prawns, blue corn tamales corn tortillas. A meal in itself. A vegFor hours and more information, check the website: and pork belly with mole verde. www.aroithaidc.com. Cocktails? Besides deceptively Nearby, also in Bloomingdale, Side Door has simple margaritas (one with mezcal), Destino’s guacamole is enlivened opened downstairs from The Pub & The People with spiced pepitas and queso blanco, Destino’s bar team concocts a comescorted by blue tortilla chips. at 1648 North Capitol St. NW. The new retro bar forting hot buttered rum with passeats 25 guests, who perch on vintage bar stools sion fruit, a rose daiquiri with Mexand chill out over barrel-aged cocktails and a vinyl ican-style rum and a Paloma made soundtrack. Check out the pay phone by the tiny with tequila, grapefruit and five-spice bar. For now, hours are limited. For more informasyrup. There’s also a largely Hispanic tion, visit www.thepubandthepeople.com. wine and beer selection. The booze-free Jamaica is a delicious mixture of lime and hibiscus tea, attractively served in a tall glass. For hours and more information, visit www. In Logan Circle, Dolce Vita has arrived at 1610 destinodc.com. 14th St. NW, in the spot formerly occupied by Ghibellina. The newcomer is a destination for coastal Mediterranean dishes like luxe Iberico ham, beef souvlaki, chicken tagine, orzo risotto and minty This comes from husband Peter, who was driving spritzes. The show-stopping new look and fusion home after a doctor’s appointment:
Logan Lowdown
Something Old (and New)
1 2 M I D CI T Y D C N EWS . C O M
