Kotobuki

In this installment of The Great DC Sushi Restaurant Hunt 2009, we take you to Kotobuki in the Palisades neighborhood. (To read our musings on other good and not-so-good sushi options in DC, see our posts on Kyoto Sushi, Momoyama, and Sushi Taro) If you don't have a car (and haven't done the Avon Walk), you've probably never been to the Palisades. It's tucked away past Georgetown along the Potomac River and is not metro accessible. The main drag, MacArthur Boulevard is lined with shops and restaurants. Kotobuki is tucked upstairs in a two story brick building with the fancier Makoto japanese restaurant occupying space at the ground level (can't wait to try Makoto one of these days).

Kotobuki is tiny, with probably a dozen tables and a fairly small sushi bar. You're likely to be greeted warmly by the sushi chefs and hear Beatles tunes playing on loop in the background. I don't get it, but I like it.

The atmosphere is cute and the prices are very reasonable, so is the sushi worth the trek to the no man's land that is the Palisades? We think so.

B ordered an assortment of sashimi, nigiri, and sushi rolls to truly test drive Kotobuki's sushi menu. I had a few nibbles off of his plate and the fish melted in my mouth. The slices of fish were thick and delicious.

I, on the other hand, strayed from the sushi menu and ordered the Kamameshi Set, which is meat (chicken, in my case) cooked with vegetables in a traditional iron kettle and served with 4 "house special dishes" and miso soup. The special dishes consisted of pickled veggies and fat slices of sashimi.

I chose the Kamameshi because I'd never seen it on a menu before and was intrigued. I know this looks like worms in a bowl but it isn't . . . I promise. The rice continued to cook in the iron kettle as I ate so that it was nice and crispy by the time I got to the bottom of the dish. It was very similar to Korean bi bim bap but lacked that fiery kick that is common in Korean cooking. The chicken was tasty, but I think the dish would be improved by using larger chunks of chicken rather than the ground chicken you see below. This dish was priced at $17 but it included a ton of food: soup, sides, and a pot of filling (and tummy warming) chicken, rice, and veggies. If you're really hungry and not in a sushi mood, you won't go wrong with the Kamameshi.

Whether you're in the neighborhood or just in need of a Beatles and sushi fix, Kotobuki is worth a stop. This place is what Sushi Taro was before it got smacked with the uppity stick. Thank goodness we found you Kotobuki.

Second Thoughts from B

Three things stick out about Kotobuki and one, unfortunately, is the location. Not only is it not near any place we would normally go but it is so off the beaten path that you forget it is there. In fact, I was first introduced to this wonderful sushi hole-in-the-wall three years ago. It took this long for me to venture back, and as anyone who reads our blog knows, we're not exactly blown away by the more location-friendly sushi options in town.

The other notable elements are the generous helpings of quality fish that were featured in the sashimi and nigiri, as well as the overall quality and execution of all the sushi. To sum up, this is the best sushi I've had in DC (as far as the small and affordable category goes anyway) and I won't be making the mistake of forgetting about it when I get my next craving.

Kayaking on the Potomac - Jack's Boathouse

For two years we've driven over the Key Bridge on beautiful, sunny days and peered enviously at those people who are lucky enough to be on the waters of the Potomac. For two years we've looked over the bridge's edge and done nothing... until just recently when we took the proverbial plunge.

Spurred on by one of J's more intrepid co-workers, our group arrived one Saturday morning at a vibrantly colored shack at the base of the Key Bridge on the Georgetown side. This site has been the home to Jack's Boathouse since World War II and by all accounts, is still going strong based on old-time niceties. Each soon-to-be kayaker was greeted warmly by our host, who I can only assume was the Jack. Plucked from the pages of "The Old Man and the Sea" or perhaps an Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest, Jack runs his business as if it were set in Mayberry and had Andy, Aunt Bee, and Opie as regulars.

The point is that "Jack" and his team do everything they can to make sure you have a great day. Forgot your sunscreen? No problem. There's a bucket of communal tubes waiting for you. Need something to keep your cell phone dry? Take a ziplock bag, free of charge. No place to keep your car keys? Just drop them in the bin with everyone elses. Don't know how long you'll be out on the water? No need to worry about that either. Just pay for the first hour ($10) and settle up afterwards... scout's honor.

If the business end of Jack's Boathouse sends you back to an easier and simpler time, the kayaking part transports you to a peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. A couple of hours on the river is like a 3 day vacation. A little exercise, some sun and fresh air, and some amazing views. What you see is up to you. Go downstream and you'll find the city and its world-famous monuments, all while enjoying the peace and quiet of the river. From your kayak you can see the traffic and crowds that fill DC on a summer's day, but the beauty of it all is that you can't really hear or feel them. In other words, it is the perfect way to see the city.

Alternatively, you can choose to paddle upstream (or stay around Roosevelt Island) to avoid the urban landscape and take in the natural beauty that is often forgotten by those of us who work and live in DC.

As we've said before, J and I both grew up in the sprawl of concrete that is also known as Southern California. Among the not-so-appealing features is the fact that an hour's drive in any direction almost always lands you in the middle of more strip malls. A well-planned and navigated two-hour drive can sometimes get you to "nature" but even then, it depends on traffic. What I'm saying is that having a river with easy access via Jack's (and I'm sure other establishments) in the middle of town is something that no Washingtonian should take for granted.

Being on the river helps us remember that DC's sites are not only named after Presidents. Other monuments exist that go by the name of Oak, Walnut, and Ash. Our city's national treasures are also called Heron, Duck, and Crane. But the symbol of our nation, whether seen etched in granite or viewed high atop a tree from a kayak on the river goes by only one name: Bald Eagle.


J Says

I'd always watched enviously as kayakers made their way up and down the Potomac. I always assumed that they had their own kayaks or knew how to kayak. Now, after a visit to Jack's, I realize how easy it is to join them.

I don't have much kayaking experience but I found the river to be calm and easy to navigate. We went in the morning on a nice sunny day and had a blast. As we made our way back to Jack's around noon, the water was a bit rougher and the sun was beating down. I highly recommend going on the earlier side if you want to avoid the crowds and want to feel like you have the river to yourself.

The only drawback I can think of is the parking situation. Georgetown is not known as an easy parking destination. Jack's has a small lot (free for renters) but if that's full you're left to contend with meters (2-hour limit) or pricey paid lots nearby. If you don't want the parking headache, try the metro and Circulator buses to get you closer to the waterfront.

Now I'm going to go check the weather report to see if there's kayaking-friendly weather in store for the weekend...

Tackle Box

One Fish, Two Fish, Expensive Fish, Blue Fish.... While we'd love to write about Dr. Seuss, this post is about Tackle Box, a casual seafood restaurant in Georgetown.

Tackle Box is the casual cousin to Hook, the upscale seafood restaurant next door. I've never been to a traditional New England clam bake or lobster boil or anything like that, but thanks to Tackle Box, I feel like I have. The restaurant serves up top quality and sustainable(!) seafood in an atmosphere that can best be described as "nautical chic."

As we waited for some friends to arrive, we sampled the fried shrimp and sweet potato fries.

The fries were average but the fried shrimp were fantastic. They had a tangy, salty kick and were perfectly crispy. We'd come back to Tackle Box just for the shrimp (not too often though, because these definitely aren't every day dishes).

After a hot day kayaking on the Potomac, we were in need of liquid refreshment and the strawberry lemonade hit the spot. However, at $4.50 a glass (and not a very large glass), I don't think I'll be ordering it again.

I've read a ton of reviews of Tackle Box and they all mentioned the lobster roll, so I had to try it. As you know, I'm not from the East Coast and had no idea what a lobster roll was. According to our all-knowing friends at Wikipedia, a traditional lobster roll is associated with the state of Maine and contains "the fresh cooked meat of a one-pound lobster, tossed with Miracle Whip and served on a grilled hot dog bun or similar roll, served so that the opening is on the top rather than on the side." I'm really glad I read this description after I ate the lobster roll because I'm not a big mayo fan and try not to go anywhere near Miracle Whip. Luckily, Tackle Box's version was heavy on the lobster meat and light on the mayo. It was really tasty!

When ordering for B, I asked the cashier what he'd recommend. He suggested the grilled bluefish with walnut pesto sauce. It came with a side of corn on the cob and a cornbread muffin. The fish was outstanding: perfectly cooked with a sauce that was packed full of flavor. The only drawback? This little fishy was pretty small for the $13 price tag.

The corn and cornbread muffin were average. Next time we'd probably opt for other sides such as the grilled asparagus or mac n' cheese.

I thought the quality of food at Tackle Box was outstanding and I like the casual setting. I'm willing to pay more for quality, sustainable seafood but because of the premium prices, Tackle Box won't be on our list of regular lunch places but it's a great place to take visitors when you want to show them Georgetown.

Second Thoughts from B

J mentioned that there are cheaper seafood options in DC but I would argue that there are few that are better. Yes you're paying for the top of the line ingredients but you're also tasting each of these elements in the best possible way. A wise man once said, "Keep it simple, stupid!" and that is exactly what Tackle Box does. While I'm sure they have the skill to develop complex, bold, and flavorful sauces and dishes, there is no doubt that the central piece to each bite is the seafood. Good for them for sticking to their guns and keeping their priorities straight.

But enough speaking in the abstract, let's talk about the food! Seldom do you go to a restaurant and leave saying that "that was one of the best ------- that I've ever had." Well this is the first time in a long time that I've been able to say that twice. The shrimp and the bluefish were that good...

As for the shrimp, the crust was crunchy and perfectly spiced but the notable thing was the shrimp itself. It was so tender that it had a texture bordering that of a perfectly cooked scallop. It was an absolutely amazing contrast in textures and flavors.

The fish, on the other hand, was simply perfect. The sauce was certainly good and would have been great over a lesser piece of fish, but by keeping it simple, it was perfect. I just wish there was more of it.

Chef Oliver Friendly - Eat and Smile Foods

Several months ago J and I attended a couples cooking class through L'Academie de Cuisine. The class was led by alumnus Chef Oliver Friendly who proved to be highly skilled, personable, educational, and entertaining - as we described here.

Chef Friendly has spent time in the kitchens of PS7's and Hook, but has since chosen to run his own catering and cooking class company called Eat & Smile Foods. Among the services offered is a group cooking class where Chef Friendly arrives at your door with all the ingredients and equipment needed to teach and create a wonderful dinner. Recently we assembled 8 people at a friend's condo to eat, smile, and learn a little something about food.

Chef Friendly's culinary perspective combines formal French technique with local and organic foods. One of his favorite philosophies seems to be to "get out of the ingredient's way" and this can be tasted easily in his meals. They tend to be simple and use only a handful of ingredients, but celebrate each of the fresh flavors as individual elements combined harmoniously.

As described before, Chef Friendly's talent extends far beyond the kitchen. He is personable and engaging and was a perfect fit for our interested, yet novice crowd. Not only does it make for an atypical and fun night, he is also a tremendously good deal. Chef Friendly does the planning and the shopping (almost entirely at , comes to your door with everything that's needed, cooks and teaches for 2+ hours, and then cleans up and leaves you to a enjoy a wonderful dessert. At L'Academie, and probably any other top notch cooking school, this will cost you and 24 perfect strangers around $75 per person. Do it in your own kitchen with 6-10 of your friends and family through Eat & Smile Foods and it'll cost you $50 per person. Sign us up!

J Says

Before we met Chef Friendly, the words "cooking class" frightened me. I didn't spend a lot of time in the kitchen growing up and my "culinary point of view" is a work in progress (can you tell we watch our share of the Next Food Network Star?)

That said, Chef Friendly creates such a comfortable atmosphere that he makes me want to learn more about cooking and he has inspired me to eat locally as much as possible. In addition to learning a few skills, I got to enjoy an excellent meal.

We started off with a salad of baby greens, camembert cheese, pine nuts, and a homemade dressing.

The main event was a flank steak with a fresh tomato chutney served with a white corn/mint medley. Chef Friendly picked three types of tomatoes from his own backyard and they were fantastic (and I don't even like tomatoes!). The flank steak was cooked to perfection and the corn was packed full of flavor.

Dessert consisted of fresh peaches cooked with caramel sauce and topped with whipped cream. So good! The best part? Everything he did was easy enough that I really feel confident that I can do it too. While I'm far from appearing on the next Top Chef episode, thanks to Chef Friendly I feel much more comfortable picking up a knife (and holding it correctly) and tackling a new recipe.