Is it even possible to transform the waterfront near the Nationals Stadium into a Georgetown-like area? Serving New England classics and Chesapeake Bay dishes, this oyster bar is blazing the trail— or should I say the river—in an area that is likely to take off in the next 5 years. 

Located on Potomac Avenue in Southeast D.C., the nautical-themed restaurant serving craft beers and cocktails such as the Saltier Dog will transport you beyond land straight to the water through their exquisite menu.  

The grilled monkfish with the creamy, herbal, mildly spicy sauce typically made with a mix of almonds, green peppers and poblanos was spectacular. The braised golden tilefish (a delicate, low in fat fish with a flavor similar to lobster) with littleneck clams, squash and fava beans was not too far behind.
 
Because I am normally adverse to salt, oysters don't quite do it for me. Yet, this daredevil restaurant reviewer HAD to try the oysters, after all it is called The Salt Line- Oyster + Ale. And they... were... surprisingly good. Prominently displayed atop their raw bar, you can read more about their oyster selection, which come from different parts of the country.

P.S.  Get in and dine at The Salt Line! 

Admit it, you have flipped someone off. But what you didn't know is that you have been doing it wrong all along.

If there is a bird that needs flipping— in your mouth that is— it is Logan Circle's The Bird. Located on the corner of 11th and O St. NW, this colorful restaurant's avian dedicated menu will have your taste buds taking flight.

The spicy tomato curry duck meatballs with yogurt and cashews had me replacing the 'd' in duck with another letter in the alphabet. Yeah, it was that ducking good!

I thought, "Could they match the tasty goodness of the duck meatballs with the grilled tamarind duck breast?" And match they did. Marinated in tamarind, a tropical fruit with origins in Africa and primarily grown in the tropics, the duck breast is paired well with chili, garlic and crispy baby kale. It also comes with basmati rice, which happens to be my favorite.

I tried their grilled peri-peri cornish hen but will refrain from comparing it to another Portuguese-inspired African restaurant with a similar recipe. Why? Because the meatballs and the duck breast greatly exceeded my expectations.
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P.S. The Bird? Go flip it and flip it right!

This unpretentious yet exquisitely decorated restaurant offers Washingtonians a vibrant environment to enjoy Spanish and Latin American-inspired dishes. Tico, a colloquial term for a native Costa Rican (my home country— had to let you know!) is strategically located near the intersection of two of DC's most frequented streets, U and 14th in NW. 

Reason One
The Mexican-native, mountainous serrano pepper paired with lime and cilantro introduce a perfect balance of flavor to Tico's Tuna Ceviche. 

Reason Two
Coated by the hard, crumbly, Mexican cotija cheese; the Greek and Roman cultivated fava bean; and the smoke-dried jalapeño known as chipotle, the Roasted Cauliflower is one to order from the Small Plates section of the menu. 

Reason Three
My favorite (so far) is the Spicy Shrimp and Lobster, also found in the Small Plates section. In addition to the shrimp and lobster, this paella-like dish has chorizo and clams. Interestingly (and done well), Tico DC adds almonds and crispy rice to texturize the otherwise liquidy small plate.  

The mere fact this restaurant pays homage to my homeland through its name is enough for me to visit yet not enough to convince me to return. Last week, its food did. I will be back.

P.S.  Donde haya un Tico, esté donde esté, hay libertad. (Where there is a Tico, wherever he or she may be, there's liberty.) In other words, enjoy the liberating flavors of this D.C. restaurant.

P.S. by Paulo is a food-critiquing site dedicated to bringing Washingtonians the best food D.C. has to offer through short & pithy reviews. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PSbyPaulo/ and Instagram @PSbyPaulo. Share it with your friends!

Take me back, s'il vous plaît! This quaint, bustling brasserie located on 14th Street NW, draws inspiration from the Boulevard Saint-Germain cafes in Paris. The Eggs Norwegian— two smoked salmon eggs Benedict— and succulent Duck Sarladaises— a combination of two of France's most storied dishes— tell your taste buds one thing, je t'adore (I love you!).

But it was their superbly season roasted potatoes that surprised me most. This southwestern French side dish is traditionally prepared in duck fat, and at Le Diplomate it pairs well with the sauce hollandaise, which comes with the Eggs Norwegian.

P.S. If you have yet to visit Le Diplomate, then you're not doing DC right.

P.S. by Paulo is a food-critiquing site dedicated to bringing Washingtonians the best food D.C. has to offer through short & pithy reviews. Follow us on Facebook  and on Instagram @PSbyPaulo!