Open City DC

Been doing a lot of Sunday brunches with friends recently. Evening Star Cafe and Afterwords Cafe were among the list and yesterday we tried Open City at Woodley Park. Brunch is usually brunch with its pancakes, eggs benedict, and omelets so I don't usually blog them, but this time I feel like it.

Open City has a very cute location with its outdoor seating and open windows, making the indoor feel like outdoor. I ordered the chorizo scramble, one of my friends had the Open City omelet, and my other friend got the belgian waffle. Everything was good and everyone was pleased. I was especially happy with my scramble because the chorizo and scallions added a good flavor to the otherwise ordinary eggs. Open City also features a diverse range of coffees and teas. I had the iced green tea and it was refreshing for a bright and sunny day.

4/5
http://www.opencitydc.com/

Bethesda Crab House Bethesda

In the last two weeks, I've been to two crab houses. Crab houses are great, it takes a bit getting used to the sludge and mess of it all, but it's fun so long as you don't mind getting dirty, wearing a bib, and seeing crab guts. I called ahead to reserve my dozen large crabs and they were beautiful. The meat was fresh and sweet. One of the major differences between west and east coast crabs is that the meat is a lot softer and sweeter, but of course, the crabs are not as large. The seasoning is strong and definitely numbs your lips after a while, but it's tasty and nothing that you can't get used to. We also ordered the seasoned shrimp, which were amazing. Huge shrimp that were so incredibly fresh and crunchy. The coleslaw and corn are nothing to share, but the experience was great and my family loved it. I also learned a new way to slice open a crab from a stranger - it was pretty awesome.

4/5
No website

Bacar SF

How disappointing. Maybe I shouldn't have had high hopes, but when you are going to be putting down $50 per person, how can you not? Anyway, Bacar wasn't that bad, but it was definitely not great. We ordered the pork belly to start. Very crispy fatty pig is what it was. We liked the sweet and sour onions that came with. The flavors were there and it was cooked well, but we were hoping for more. For our entrees, I ordered the duck breast and my friend had the suckling pig. Once the dishes came out, the problem was apparent. On my plate were five beautiful thick slices of duck. But where was the spinach, wild rice, and turnips? They were hidden in miniscule amounts under the duck. The ratio was unsettling. I finished everything besides the duck because there was too much! The suckling pig was the same. There was a giant cut of pork belly and another giant slice of pork and the accompaniments lay idly between. The quality of the food was there, but the proportions made me feel sick. After not finishing my plate, I thought I would give Bacar one more try and ordered the chocolate torte for dessert. It was good, but nothing to scream about. Overall, it was a disappointing meal.

2.5/5
http://www.bacarsf.com/