Ducky Solo in Maryland - 10/19/2013

On another trip to our nation's capital.  I decided to try that hot dog place our lovely hip President ate and took a picture at that one time.  I'm talking about Ben's Chili Bowl.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bens-chili-bowl-washington

1213 U St NW
(between N 13th St & N 12th St)
Washington, DC 20009
Neighborhood: U Street Corridor

(202) 667-0909

benschilibowl.com

$6 Chili Dog with Chips

The sausage was nicely smoked and the chili was very flavorful.  The sausage also had a nice springy crunch when you bite into it that just enhances the whole experience.  However, the bun was like any other bread and was a bit cold and not too special.  The chips were ruffle like, but probably a random off brand. Despite the deliciousness of a smoked sausage, that does not justify the high price tag and small portion.  This place does have a lot of history even before Obama, so it is like a landmark in its own right.  I guess it is worth visiting at least once, but don't expect it to be the best meal of the day.  It probably will not be.

Ben's Chili Bowl - Ducky 3/5


http://www.yelp.com/biz/moby-dick-house-of-kabob-washington

1300 Connecticut Ave NW
(at N N St)
Washington, DC 20036
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

(202) 833-9788

mobysonline.com

Combo III: Lamb and Ground Beef over rice

Sadly, I think this was the most worth it meal in terms of taste, quantity, and cost I have had in the DC area.  For $15, I get complimentary pita bread with tzaziki sauce, and a meat and rice plate. MMM deliciousness.  Each combo plate comes with rice with some butter on top, a grilled tomato, and your choices of meat.  The ground beef kabob meats were grilled and nicely seasoned.  The lamb was equally delicious, but  a bit more chewy possibly due to the nature of the meat itself.  Not sure if its because of a long day of walking around DC, but this meal left me very satisfied as I contemplated what does Moby Dick have to do with kabobs.

Moby Dick - Ducky 4/5

 http://www.yelp.com/biz/dolcezza-artisanal-gelato-washington-6

1704 Connecticut Ave NW
(between N R St & N S St)
Washington, DC 20009
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

(202) 299-9116

dolcezzagelato.com

Thai Coconut and something Chocolate

You know another great thing about Dupoint Circle?  I get to return to that gelato shop after a kabob dinner.  They change their flavors every 2 weeks and this time they had Thai Coconut and (something Italian) chocolate.  I do not remember what the name of the chocolate gelato was, but it was something very Italian sounding.  The chocolate was very creamy and fudgy.  It was almost like eating delicious melty chocolate syrup that was so smooth yet cool.  The Thai coconut tastes exactly like an ice cream version of those little cans of coconut milk from grocery stores.  I'm a sucker for cold desserts.

Dolce Gelato - Ducky 4/5

Ducky Solo in Maryland - 10/05/2013

Just a simple Saturday Night Dinner.  Felt like eating French food, but didn't want to pay too much.  Yelp reviews say this restaurant would be a good compromise between price and quality. I decided to go to Bistrot Du Coin (http://www.yelp.com/biz/bistrot-du-coin-washington).  Another episode of Ducky Solo.

Table for One in the Corner for People Watching

Sautted foie gras with barley risotto and truffle sauce $14.95

About the size of a fork

 The foie gras was tender and flavorful.  It is nicely sauteed to have a thin crispy layer on the outside.  It tastes like any other foie gras I have had.  Nothing too special about it.  The risotto had a light hint of truffle.  It is interesting that it is a barley based risotto.  I have only had rice risotto, so it was an interesting change.  The salad and risotto gives a nice balance to the fatty greasy flavor of the foie gras.  Ducky 4/5

 Steamed mussels in cream sauce with celery, leeks, mushrooms, potatoes and bacon ~$12

Small Mussels about 1/4th a spoon

 The main course I ordered was the Mussels Normande with cream sauce, celery, leeks, mushrooms, potatoes, and bacon.  It was a bit salty, but it did flavor the mussels quite nicely.  The dish reminded me of clam chowder (cream based soup, mushrooms, potatoes, bacon).  The mussels were a bit disappointingly small.  I'm not sure when mussel season is, but that might explain why they were so small.  Some of the mussels had sandy bits in them as well.  Not the best mussels, but definitely not the worst.  Ducky 3.5/5

Bartlett Pear and Avocado Honey Orange $5.75

Dolcezza Artisinal Gelato (http://www.yelp.com/biz/dolcezza-artisanal-gelato-washington-6). This was a little cafe place that sold gelato, coffee, and churros.  They have many flavors of gelato which rotates every 2 weeks.  Some of them were very Italian sounding like chocolate amar.  I didn't feel like getting those flavors.  Maybe next time.  I always have a soft spot for fruity flavored ice creams.  I got two fruity flavors, both very delicious and worked well with each other.  The Bartlett Pear had a very strong pear flavor.  It was fruity and sweet.  The avocado had a more cool and crisp taste and very clean feeling.  Together they were even better.  Again another expensive gelato place, but I have a feeling this is the standard price here.  Good, nonetheless.  Ducky 4/5