Lunching in the DMV: Coffee

Showing posts with label Coffee. Show all posts

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Pho 95- Rockville, MD

Last night my friend Evil Ben was craving pho, so we hit up his favorite place, Pho 95 in Richie Center. That shopping center has India Grill and Jumbo Jumbo Bubble Express too. So there is a lot of free parking, and the closest metro stop is Rockville on the red line.

We arrived 30 minutes before they were closing, hence the lack of people in the shot, but there were some people that came in after I took this. The place was very clean and bright.

We both ordered a 'Vietnamese Ice Coffee with Condensed Milk' for $3.50. It was perfect! It was just as strong and sweet as I like it.

We both ordered small bowls of pho. I got the '#15- Slice of Eye-of-Round Steak' for $6.50. It was good, however not flavorful enough for me. Ben likes the clean tasting broth that allows for the noodles, meats and herbs to shine. The herbs were very fresh though.

I ordered a 'Rice w/ Grilled Pork' ($8.50) to-go for the bf, and he liked it a lot. I like how they serve other Vietnamese food other than just pho. Our server was SUPER nice and friendly, which left a good impression on me. I'm still a die-hard Pho 75 fan, but they don't offer any other food. I also liked Pho 95's relaxed environment.

785H Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
301-294-9391
Website

Sun-Thurs: 11am-8:30pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-9pm
Tues: Closed

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Bake Sale Recap/ Port City Java- Eastern Market, DC

Yesterday was my 1st time at Eastern Market.

Other then it being super windy, it was a nice day to walk around, check out the vendors, sell baked goods and sip on some coffee.

The night before I made 3 different kinds of pound cake for the sale using the original Cream Cheese Pound Cake recipe as my starting point. I made: Almond with Kahlua Glaze, Lemon & Poppy Seed with Lemon Glaze and Chocolate Chip with Peanut Butter Glaze.

Look at our little table! Earlier in the day the treats filled the underside of the table too. We raised over $600 for Share Our Strength, yey! Nationwide, all of the bake sales collectively raised over $16,500. Thank you everyone that came out and supported! It was a fun time meeting other bloggers and yelling out "Bake Sale" for a couple hours, haha.

Before my bake sale shift, I stopped by Port City Java on the corner to help wake me up. It's a tiny coffee shop that has a couch and a lot of outdoor seating.

I ordered a grande 'Iced Vanilla Coffee' for $2.92. Refreshing and I didn't have to add any sugar to it.

There were so many people and cute doggies that day. I'll definitely come back with mine whenever the weather is nice.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Seattle's Best Coffee- Kensington, MD

My good friend Evil Ben took me to his favorite coffee establishment, which happens to be Seattle's Best Coffee. I actually think this is my former college roommate Elahater's favorite place too. I've never had their coffee and decided to give it a shot.

The one we went to is located inside of the Borders Bookstore inside of White Flint Mall in Kensington. I don't believe they have any freestanding stores in the DC area.

There were a lot of tables with people reading, studying and using their laptops while drinking their coffee. We ended up sitting near the magazines so we could read and drink.

We ordered a 'Vanilla Iced Coffee' and it was really good. I didn't have to add any more sugar or cream. There was no bitterness to the coffee like Starbucks is known to have. You could tell the ice was filtered because of its clarity. It was a refreshing beverage and I'm glad my friend recommended it.

We also split an 'Asiago Cheese Soft Pretzel' which was a very light snack to go with the coffee. It wasn't greasy at all, which can happen when you add cheese to anything.

Overall, I had a great experience with their coffee, which makes me want to try other places outside of Starbucks. Sorry I don't have the prices, since Evil Ben was being a gentleman. It is also nice that you can bring your coffee/food around the bookstore so you can spend a quiet afternoon eating and reading for free.

Inside Borders Bookstore
11301 Rockville Pike
Kensington, MD 20895

Monday, December 14, 2009

Ba Le Vietnamese Food & Deli- Rockville, MD (CLOSED)

UPDATE (6/11/11): I don't know when or why, but there is a Closed sign in front. I can't tell if it's permanent, for relocation or renovations.

Last week I was CRAVING Vietnamese food. I don't know how to make it, and whenever I go back to visit my dad we go out to eat somewhere non-Viet. Ba Le has been my saving grace ever since I've moved out. Sometimes pho isn't going to do it, and I need some fish sauce over bowl of rice or noodles. Located across the street from Wintergreen Plaza on the Pike, there are only a few spaces around the restaurant, but more parking in the vicinity. The closest metro stop would be Rockville on the red line.

This is pretty much the view of the whole place, with a table or two on the right cut out of the frame. The walls are painting bright green and orange, but its a really cozy place.

The front counter sells smaller items like egg rolls, summer rolls, steamed buns, desserts, etc.

Along the wall is their drink selection. There's sodas, coconut juice, teas, etc. I'm a huge fan of chrysanthemum tea and the basil seed drink. As a kid I used to pretend they were tadpole eggs.

They also have a small retail shelf where you can buy coffee, dried fruit, candy, hot sauce, etc. I have that exact brand of coffee at home.

Speaking of coffee, I always have to get a 'Vietnamese Iced Coffee' for $2.75 when eat Vietnamese food. They have the mixture already made, add ice and seal the top for you. I think this makes the process faster and more travel-ready, however I don't think its as strong.

The bf ordered a 'Banh Mi Xa Xui(Barbeque Pork Sandwich' for $3. He's not a fan of the traditional Banh Mi Thit that has pate, headcheese, and ham in it, but this one he liked a lot.

I ordered the 'Com Thit Nuong (Grilled Lemongrass Pork on Rice)' for $7. It was so good. The rice was fluffy, the meat very tender and had great flavor. Really satisfied my craving...I ate every single grain of rice.

The bottle of fish sauce on the table was huge, but I used a lot of it on my rice and pork. Vietnamese food doesn't taste complete without it, in my opinion. That's like having Korean food without kim chi or fries without ketchup.

Enjoying his sandwich with his carrot toothpick...

The place is very laid back. You order and pay up at the register. It is self-seating with utensils on a shelf near the window. Someone will bring your food out to you, and its usually very fast. The menu consists of rice, rice noodles, grilled meats, seafood, soups, sandwiches and rice crepes. Food is affordable because nothing costs over $9.75. Bring cash unless you plan on spending over $10.

842 Rockville Pike #A
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 294-7808
Website

Mon-Sat: 9am-9pm
Sun: 9am-8pm

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Big Saigon- Rockville, MD (CLOSED)

Edit: 5/19/10- I drove by and it's not there anymore!! Maybe it was in a bad location (close to Ba Le, Pho 75 and Pho 95), but times are hard now, and unfortunate to see a business go under in less than a year.

Hey Everyone! This will be one of 3 posts that have been shot by my Iphone due to my doggie destroying my camera. My new camera came in the mail this week, so I can't wait to test it out!

The other week the bf and my younger cousin were craving Vietnamese food and decided to try out a new place called Big Saigon. It's located on Rockville Pike across the street from Wintergreen Plaza . The closest metro stop is Rockville on the Red line, and there are some free parking spaces around the restaurant.

It is actually really nice and new on the inside. I remember seeing a sign for their grand opening around December 2008. There are a good number of individual tables with linens and place mats which makes it look classier.

There are large plants scattered around and the mirrors on the wall makes the place appear larger. There weren't many people in there at the time so it was really quiet but I'm assuming its because no one knows this place is there.

I ALWAYS order a Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk when I eat pho. The caffeine helps counter act the food coma =) I got this drink for $2.50. Usually a coffee dripper is brought to you so you can pour it over the ice yourself, however this place does all of that for you before it reaches your table.

I was in the mood for pho, so I ordered a large bowl of #A9, which is slices of raw meat for $6.99. Unfortunately they only offer one size, which is large. I was really full afterwards, but I was able to finish it. It was good pho, clean tasting broth...maybe too clean for my taste. I like a lot of flavor.

One time I ate 1/2 my bowl of pho without putting in the basil and lime and it was definitely missing the right flavor. These are essential ingredients to make your pho taste good!

Boys will be boys and order a lot of food. On top of their large bowls of pho they ordered the '#24- Rice Vermicelli with Charcoal Lemon Chicken' for $7.99. The chicken was very juicy, tender and flavorful. A little greasy for my taste, but the boys loved it.

The restaurant was average to me. I almost wished we all ordered something different to get a full range of their menu. It's difficult for a Vietnamese restaurant that serves more than just pho to make it taste right because that isn't their only focus.
What is nice is they have a very large menu with around 100 items all priced under $12.95. Beat that! They also offer pre-fixed menus for large groups, and a weekly lunch special. They are also opened 2 hrs later than all of the pho places I know in Rockville, so its helpful late at night when you want something quick.
It's a new space, and the server was SUPER nice, helpful and friendly. That is rare to see at the Vietnamese restaurants because it's usually all about speed.
Even though the place wasn't crowded, there were a good number of people that came in for carry out orders. It's located 2 stores down from a well established Vietnamese restaurant called Ba Le, so competition might be rough. I hope they do well.

838 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20850
301-251-0066

Open 7 days a week: 11am-10pm

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Pho 75 - Rockville, MD

A couple weeks ago I met my dad for our bi-weekly Sunday lunch at Pho 75. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Pho, it is a rice noodle soup in beef broth with beef toppings.

Pho (pronounced 'Fuh') 75 is located in Rockville close to Montgomery College. The closest metro stop would be Rockville on the Red Line. Since it located in a shopping center there is free parking, however it is very limited. The shopping center can get crowded due to other restaurants and the fact that 7-11 and Radio Shack reserved about 1/3 of the lot. Pho 75 is (in a way) a fast food joint, so be patient because people are constantly in and out.

I've been to this place many times, and it is usually packed during lunch on both weekdays and weekends. It's a fairly small place whose main focus isn't the decor but the food. There are long communal tables in the middle and smaller tables on the perimeter. The utensils and sauces are already on the table in a holder. Some pho restaurants will offer other entrees or appetizers other than pho, but at Pho 75 that is their only dish along with some drink and dessert options.

As you can tell by the wall it has been recognized as a very tasty Pho restaurant in the area by Washingtonian Magazine and others.

Pho 75 is also a cash only restaurant, so make sure you go to the bank/ATM or have a friend spot you. They also collect your payment at their front register instead of at the table. Once at the register you kind of point to where you were sitting and some of the things you ordered, and they'll pull up your bill. I don't know how they keep track when it's packed in there, but I guess they have a system.

When ordering you have a small bowl option for $5.95 or the large option for $6.95. Let me say that the Large is in a HUGE bowl!
They have prefixed meat options to choose from or you can choose your own from their choices. They have options like tripe, tendon, raw meat, different cuts of cooked beef, or Vietnamese 'meatballs'. They also offer a chicken version.

I chose a small bowl with 'Tai' which is the slices of uncooked beef that cook in the hot broth on the way to your table. I love it because it keeps the meat very tender. The noodles and broth are amazing. There are 2 types of Pho noodles, thin (like these) or thicker. Personally I like the thinner ones and the chewy texture is just to die for. Their broth is what makes their Pho so popular. I feel that it has the most authentic 'home made' flavor, and doesn't taste one-noted.

Another helpful note when ordering is to know what you want before you get there, haha. It really is Vietnamese fast food. Once you sit down the guy hands you a menu and pretty much expects you to order within 5 seconds. This is probably because they frequent so many regulars that just spit out their normal 'Large #1 with an Iced Coffee' without needing to see a menu.

Every group of orders comes with a plate of 'fixens' including raw bean sprouts, lime, Vietnamese basil, cilantro and jalapenos.

On the table there are a few sauces. A red hot sauce, a brown sauce called Hoisin which is made from beans, and vinegar. Personally I enjoy putting hot sauce, Hoisin sauce, lime, cilantro and basil into my soup.

Along with my meal I always order an Iced Vietnamese coffee with Condensed Milk for $ 2.25. It comes with a glass of ice and your own personal coffee dripper. Inside of the mug is condensed milk and the coffee drips slowly into the mug...

...Give it a few minutes before removing the entire coffee dripper. Then stir the coffee and condensed milk together and pour it over ice. It's a VERY strong coffee, so the ice helps dilute it a bit.

Out of all of the Pho places I've tried in the area, this is my favorite. Since Pho is the only thing they serve, they were able focus on the one dish and make it amazing.

I would recommend it if you're in the mood for something quick and warm. It's not a place for a private/intimate meal since you could be sharing a table with other people. It's a great place to come with friends because it's very affordable and your Pho will come out a few minutes after you order it. Beware of the food coma that can come with eating Pho, so ordering a coffee to counteract it helps me at least.

771 Hungerford Drive

Rockville, MD 20850

301-309-8873

Hours - 9am-8pm - 7 Days a week

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