We the Pizza and Good Stuff Eatery

Our last day in Washington DC we asked for a popular local place to grab lunch.  We were told to check out "We the Pizza" or "Good Stuff Eatery."  Both restaurants are owned by a man who has appeared on more than one Food Network show.  It was a fun recommendation, albeit not the healthiest, and a great way to end the trip!

We the Pizza has fancy pizzas.

Good Stuff Eatery has burgers and fries and they also have great shakes.  We stopped there for dessert!

If you're in DC and near the east end of the mall, near the Capitol or Library of Congress, these restaurants are a few minute walk to the east on Pennsylvania Ave.  

Husband Rating:  4 stars

Old Ebbitt Grill

Our first night in Washington DC I wanted to eat as close the White House as possible.  I wanted to go to a place where all the action was!  Plus, I wanted something I could afford and enjoy.  We chose the Old Ebbitt Grill.  It is across the street from the White House.  You don't have a view of the White House because the Treasury Building is in the way, but you're very close!

The restaurant has been around since 1856.  Many Presidents have eaten there.  It is a busy place and I highly recommend going to their site and making a reservation in advance, if possible:  http://www.ebbitt.com

I had New England Clam Chowder for an appetizer.  Then I had cod with asparagus and potatoes.  Everything was delicious.  My husband had steak.  It was cooked exactly the way he likes it.  Usually his steak is over-cooked.  Not this night!

Washington DC is not known for being the least expensive place to eat!  Old Ebbitt Grill had great food and service at a reasonable price.  This was a good way to start our trip!

Husband rating:  4.5 stars

Hill Country Barbecue Market

Hill Country Barbecue Market is an easy walk up the street from the National Archives.  Here you buy your meat by the pound!  You can have sides like corn pudding and corn bread with honey butter.  It's southern-style comfort food at it's best!  I also enjoyed a giant apple crisp ala-mode.  Yum!

I like that the drinks are served in mason jars!

Husband rating:  4.5 stars

Sang Jun Thai Restaurant

My husband and I had an opportunity to travel to the Washington DC area last week.  It was our first time there.  We loved it!  We also loved the food!  Since I wasn't home cooking meals I'll review the places where we ate.  Next time you're in Old Town Alexandria you'll know where to go!

We walked down King Street where there are many shops and restaurants to explore.  We chose Sang Jun Thai Restaurant because my husband loves Thai food.  We both chose Pad Thai.  His had chicken and mine had shrimp.  I love that you can choose the level of heat you want in your dish.  My husband likes it hot and I don't!  So we were both happy.  The flavors were delicious.  The service excellent.  The view of King Street and all the people enjoying an evening stroll was great.  It's closer to the water than to the metro station.  Jump on the free Trolley if you don't feel like walking all the way to the restaurant.  But take time to walk back because the used book stores (sorry, I'm a book worm!) and dessert places will definitely be worth it!

Husband rating:  5 stars!

Cheese's Baked Macaroni and Cheese

from allrecipes.com, submitted by glittergirl94, with a few changes

INGREDIENTS:

1 (16 ounce) package fully cooked kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni 1/3 cup butter 1 small onion, chopped 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups milk 1 (10 ounce) package sharp Cheddar cheese, cubed salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 cup dry bread crumbs, or more as needed

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Cook and stir the cut-up kielbasa in a large skillet over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, until heated through and beginning to brown. Remove the sausage from the skillet, and set aside.
2.	Fill a pan with lightly salted water, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
3.	Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
4.	Melt the butter in the skillet over medium-low heat, and cook and stir the chopped onion for about 5 minutes, until translucent. Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook and stir the butter, onion and flour for 2 to 3 minutes to make a roux, and remove from the heat. Whisk in the milk a little at a time, stirring constantly, until all the milk has been incorporated, and return to low heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and cook over low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to finish cooking the flour. Whisk in the Cheddar cheese, a few cubes at a time, until all the cheese has been incorporated and the sauce is hot and smooth.
5.	Pour the macaroni into the cheese sauce, and stir to combine. Stir in the cooked kielbasa, salt, and pepper.
6.	Spoon the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top. Bake for about 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the crumbs are brown and the casserole is bubbling. Let stand for 15 minutes after baking, to set before serving.

It might help you to know that 8 oz's of macaroni is equal to 1.5-2 cups.

I used 1/2 the onion and 1/2 the bread crumbs.  I might melt 3 tbsp of butter and then add the bread crumbs and then top the pasta with that before I bake it, if I make this again.  I made the mistake of putting the onions in the pan I had just heated the kielbasa in and it was too hot.  The onions were on the burned side and it really was the downfall of this dish for us.

Husband rating:  2.5 stars

Boys say:  thumbs down

Pretty Marinated Chicken

from allrecipes.com, submitted by TaraNicole

I thought this sounded very cheesy-"pretty" chicken.  I mean how pretty can chicken be?  And I'd rather a recipe advertise tasty chicken instead of how it looks!  But I tried it and I'm glad I did.  This was as pretty as it was yummy!

INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup olive oil 2/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup lemon juice 2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring

2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard 2 teaspoons ground black pepper 2 teaspoons garlic powder 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, liquid smoke, mustard, pepper, and garlic powder. Place chicken in the bowl, and coat with the marinade. Cover, and allow chicken to marinate a maximum of 4 hours in the refrigerator.
2.	Preheat the grill for high heat.
3.	Oil grill grate. Discard marinade, and place chicken on grate. Cook 6 to 8 minutes on each side, until juices run clear.

I didn't make any changes to this recipe.  It is good just the way it is.  It does give the chicken a "sun-kissed tan" sort of look, as silly as that sounds!

We had this with corn on the cob, baked beans and a fruit salad.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Husband rating:  4.5 stars

Boys say:  thumbs up

Bolognese Pasta

allrecipes.com, submitted by Greg Johnson, with a few changes

1 pound ground beef (85% lean) 1 cup diced onion 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 carrot, shredded

1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 bay leaf salt and ground black pepper to taste 42 ounces canned crushed tomatoes (such as San Marzano®) 2 cups water grated Parmesan cheese

Heat a large skillet over high heat. Stir in the beef, onion, garlic, and carrots. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir in the oregano, garlic powder, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Add the tomatoes and water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the noodles, and return to a boil.  Cook according to package instructions then drain.

Serve sauce over pasta topped with Parmesan cheese.

I did 1/2 lb italian sausage and 1/2 lb ground beef.  I followed one reviewers tip to let sauce simmer with the lid on or it would be too thick.  I found mine was too thin so I would do this with the lid off next time.  

Husband rating:  3 stars

Boys say:  neutral thumbs