eating my way through washington d.c.

I studied electronic discovery at Georgetown this week for work.  Since M was unable to accompany me this business trip, my mom agreed to meet me in our nation's capitol - for a week of study, food, and girl time.

I would categorize both my mom and I as foodies, and so of course I would say our trip centered around gastronomic experiences.  There were three restaurants on this trip that I just adored: let me tell you what we had and where we had it.

On Wednesday - a recommendation by my bro - landed us at Fogo de Chao.  This is a chain of sorts, and usually I try to stay clear of chains, but it is what I would call a "limited" chain so we decided to try out.  Besides, who has ever been disappointed by Brazilian BBQ?? 

Upon arrival my mom and I got an extremely good cocktail - Caipiriha - I would say it was a mix between a Margarita and a Mojito - super yummy. 

 

First course was a great experience at the "salad" bar.  I had a wonderful assortment of  cheese, fruit salads, artichoke hearts, peppers, fruit, and ham.

For dinner, as a side, they served fried polenta, fried plantains, and potatoes.  During dinner the waiters brought around meat on skewers.  My favorites included the fillet Mignon and garlic beef. 

And you probably wondering what we had for dessert - Sangria of course.

Thursday - The next day some wonderful colleagues of mine treated us to dinner at La Perla (no this is not the expensive women's underwear).  Here, I enjoyed mussels, calamari, oysters, shrimp and scallops for an appetizer.  For my main course I chose ossobuco, a veal shank that is cooked until it literally falls off of the bone.  I paired my ossobuco with Cabreo (a great red that I will enjoy for years to come I am sure). For desert I had the chocolate mouse cake.

Friday - my final stop, Hill Country.  I walked about a mile in 95+ heat for this treat. I read about Hill Country, a BBQ market, in "Food and Wine" Magazine.  The first Hill Country caught on in NYC, and the owner, a Washington D.C. native, recently brought this great food home to Washington D.C.

I enjoyed moist brisket at Hill Country, it was so amazing, it had a little bit of a spicy bite and then it melted like butter in my mouth.  For sides I had pickled cucumbers, mac and cheese, and corn bread with a cinnamon butter.

Needless to say - I had a wonderful trip - and if you are in the Washington D.C. area you should check out these three restaurants - you won't be disappointed.