Mount Vernon, a haven for millennials and college students has recently turned into a corridor for crime. There have been several incidents where law-abiding citizens have been mugged or gunned down leaving many Baltimoreans feeling vulnerable and insecure.
And this was during a time when many retail businesses were still on a rebound after been roiled by weeks of tense protests after the April 19th death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who was tossed around the back of a police van while he was shackled by his hands and feet. He died a few days later from a severe injury to his spine.
The protests began on April 25th as a peaceful demonstration outside the Camden Yards baseball park but eventually turned violent when demonstrators clashed with fans. Over the weekend, a plan at circulated on social meda
The following Monday, April 27th, a plan had circulated on social media for a purge event — a reference to the 2013 dystopian film in which all crime is made legal for one night — to start at Mondawmin Mall in NW Baltimore and to proceed down Pennsylvania Ave towards downtown. The police got wind of this plan and stopped all buses and forced all riders to disembark. The students then gathered together and started pelting bottles and bricks at the police. Violence escalated and rioters started looting the Mondawmin Mall. The violence continued for the next few days, resulting in 144 vehicles and 15 buildings been burned. Even after the curfew was lifted a week later, it took weeks before customers found it safe to return.
Sirena, the owner of Thai Landing on N Charles St. was a 30-something, slim woman with a bright smile and positive attitude. She agreed to hire me to design their website. Many people were still scared to come out, but they were keen to online ordering. She also needed help in drum up her business and attracting positive publicity.
I didn’t know too many people from Baltimore, but I did know someone from DC who had spent a lot of time there. His family was in the restaurant business, and as a realtor he was familiar with the lay of the land up north. As president of DC Asian Professionals and the founder of the Charm City Eats meetup group, he was well connected.
He agreed it was time to patronize local businesses and to host events that showed our true support.
“It is a prix fixed menu of their top Thai dishes for $25 per person,” I said. “The owner wants good reviews on Google and Yelp and wants the dishes featured on RUNINOut.”
“As long as she’s serving my favorites: pad thai, drunken noodles and massaman curry, I’m down,” he said.
“That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Sirena will be serving Tom Yum Goong, pineapple fried rice, grilled fish with lemongrass and papaya salad.”
“But we have a couple vegetarians in our group.”
“No worries, they have veggie chicken and duck and it’s hard to tell the difference.”
“That sounds amazing – I love Thai food, and I have lotsa faith in our community. Let’s support Thai Landing and Go Charm City!”
“So, Joe, did Sirena’s cooking live up to your expectations?”
“I’ll say — fresh, flavorful and healthy.”
“Thai Landing is my very first client in this city.”
“And hopefully many more. Baltimore may be rough around the edges. But she’s changing and growing every day. You should consider moving here one day.”
In 2013, Dishcrawl stormed into town giving RUNINOut a run for the money. During their events, food lovers gather together and visit several restaurants themed around a type of food or neighborhood. It’s a fun way to discover different restaurants, meet new people and enjoy some amazing food.
On October 5, 2013, Dishcrawl held the world’s largest one-day chef competition called Battledish where foodies and the general public sampled food from six different restaurants and chose their favorite dish. Events were held on Saturday in major cities from coast to coast such as Seattle, New Orleans, D.C., and San Francisco.
Qui-Juan Jones, the local coordinator asked me if I wanted to be a judge — he didn’t have to wait long for an answer. I was honored to be amongst a cast of scraggly bloggers and was looking forward to strolling up and down U Street sucking on grilled diver scallops from The Tap & Parlour, nibbling on buttermilk fried chicken from DC 9, and chewing on charred octopus from Ulah Bistro.
[ Image: Battle Dish Judges.png ]
Battle Dish Judges
DC-9 is a nightclub that hosted D.C.’s top go-go musicians from Chuck Brown to the Young Senators. Wayne Manigo is a huge fan of D.C.’s homegrown funk. In the early 70s, Chuck Brown laid the groundwork for new music inspired by funk, blues, soul, and salsa, and D.C. was where this groundbreaking genre was born.
“Yeah, the go-go music has made a huge impact in my life and my career in comedy. There were many nights I would stay out late at DC-9, but the beat was so infectious, it carried me through all during the week.”
Wayne was also interested in hearing about the Battledish competition.
“I have a lot of respect for the chefs that pour their blood, sweat, and tears on U Street — it’s hard to run a restaurant on these tough streets.”
I took a sip of my Absolute ruby red peach liqueur which was sweet but not strong enough. “Yes, running a business is a huge challenge here — it’s where many restaurants barely survive and die.”
Wayne took a bite of my hush puppies and nodded in approval.
“Down the road, in D.C. Central Kitchens, Chefs Jerald Thomas and Marianne trained me. I owe a debt of gratitude to these master chefs. Because of them, I’m no longer a starving artist.”
After Ulah was announced the winner, and everyone was stuffed and had a fabulous time, I thanked Qui-Juan for the priceless opportunity to serve as a judge.
“We should host an event together next time. Same format, the same number of restaurants, just sans the judging.”
“That’ll be great. Just networking eating and drinking. Where are you thinking?”
“We haven’t done many events in Virginia. Can we find a walkable place with lively nightlife, lots of young people, and diverse restaurants?
Tucked away just north of Arlington and west of Rosslyn, Clarendon used to be a sleepy town, straddling the line between city and suburb. In 2009, the Washington Post described Clarendon as “the hippest spot north of Richmond and south of the Potomac1
It was Saturday, August 9, 2014
Here are excerpts from the blog written by Annamaria for RUNINDC
[ Image: Annamaria @ Spice.png ]
Annamaria @ Spice
What a treat! You simply can’t beat five lovely restaurants in the heart of Arlington for only $40 per person. A play on those fun Pub Crawls that seem to be happening everywhere these days, the Clarendon Food Crawl, took lucky participants on a culinary tour of Ireland, Italy, Mexico & El Salvador, the Mediterranean, and Asia. Hosted by RUNINOut and Social Group D.C., it was well worth the time and money spent.
The group started at Ri Ra Irish Pub. The decor was amazing as it was built from authentic Irish Salvage materials some dating back over 100 years.
We started with the potato and leek soup with potato croutons and served with brown soda bread. This paired nicely with an Irish Mac & cheese with toasted bread crumbs with Irish cheddar.
We were served excellent fish and chips, prepared by Mike Grasso, accompanied by tartar sauce, a slice of lemon, and malted vinegar as is traditional in Ireland. The cod was cooked perfectly, flaky and wonderfully moist, inside with a nice thick beer batter and hand-cut chips. To top it off, we enjoyed a Guinness sundae Guinness draft on vanilla ice cream with Jameson whipped creme
Next, we traveled next door to Clarendon’s little slice of Italy at Faccia Luna. We were greeted with a huge buffet-style meal of pizza (pepperoni, cheese, and veggies) and salad.
This is Judy Castiglia’s first event with RUNINOut and was referred by her friend Jason “Foodgeek” of DCFüd.
“The crust was thin, but not too thin and it has great flavor. The sauce was tangy and garlicky, and the pepperoni was the perfect addition,” said Judy.
I was pleased to find they didn’t cook their pizzas to the point of being crackers as some places do. The Italian salad was an excellent complement to the pizza, and the accompanying choices of Balsamic Vinaigrette and Ranch went well with the iceberg, radicchio, mushrooms, and shredded mozzarella. Like Ri Ra, Faccia Luna’s decor was classy and gorgeous and definitely worth visiting. The restaurant has been a mainstay of Clarendon since 1992.
[ Image: Judy Castagna (far right) sitting across from Anna Maria.png ]
Judy Castiglia (far right) sitting across from Anna Maria
The third stop on our trip through the various nationalities of food along Washington St. was Mexicali Blues which boasted the largest patio seating on the block and its own charms such as the Coronita, an original mixture of a margarita served with a Corona held upside down inside the ‘rita.
[ Image: Qui-Juan Jones.png ]
Qui-Juan Jones (right) & friends
Basically, as you drank the margarita the corona replaced the missing liquid. On the inside, the restaurant boasted plenty of seating as well. This was most assuredly a great place for large get-togethers and events. The decor was a good mix of traditional Hispanic colors, paintings, and artifacts such as a bull’s head mounted in the corner, pottery, and the day of the dead painted skulls. Each person got a plate of the Yucca con Chicharron. The yucca which is a plant native to Central and South America was lightly fried but not well seasoned in my opinion.
The yucca root had a taste and texture similar to potato yet marginally sweeter. It was cooked to nice doneness where the skin was refreshingly crisp and the inside still soft. Naturally, it is very mild and I felt a touch of salt would not have hurt this side dish. My fellow table-mate at this event said traditionally he thought it was caramelized a bit more but not salted. That would have worked also in improving the tame taste of yucca. What did save the side dish was the outstanding horseradish sauce. I cannot say just how much I love horseradish, I swear I could eat it raw. For those not quite so fond of this root don’t despair, Mexicali Blues’ offering is light enough to please any palate. The cabbage salad that came with our small plate was lovely, crunchy, and spicy but not overly hot. Lastly, the Chicharron was less than optimal. The flavor was spot on, savory with plenty of spices blended in the sauce it is simmered in. The pork however was simply over-cooked which is a shame because there is almost nothing as good as a succulent bite of pork. I can’t write this place off entirely based just on the food sample and am planning on a return trip at some point if for no other reason than to get a Coronita.
At Spice, the fourth restaurant on our list, we were served family-style – one huge platter per table. Located right across the street from Mexicali Blues, this minimalist deli-style corner spot had limited indoor seating but their shaded patio was airy and spacious. For our meal, there was a choice of roasted chicken or salmon served on extra-long grain rice, with sides of potato or carrots, and salad. The roasted chicken had a good full flavor with just enough lemon and olive oil. The salmon dish was cooked with its combination of herbs and olive oil was absolutely deliciously infused into the delicate flesh of the salmon.
Yasser Mohammed opened Spice to showcase his wife, Rahma’s amazing cooking. “We want to keep the quality high. Each day we cook small portions in order to keep every dish fresh.”
The lamb was marinated for 24 hours. The Amoroso Hoagie rolls delivered from Philadelphia were made with 680-day-old prosciutto, imported from Parma, Italy. The chicken was grilled with seven different spices.
With Yasser’s eye for these fine details and Rahma’s natural flair for cooking, Spice offered an authentic Mediterranean menu in a beautiful, colorful setting.
The final big blow-out was at Hunan One next door. The inside was enormous with ample bar seating, plenty of booths, tables, and bar-stool islands near the windows that accommodated groups of all sizes. Starting with the bar they had a good list of beers and wines presented at nice discounts for our group. We got half off wine bottles, pints at $5.50, and $4.75 rail drinks. I split a bottle of a lovely White Zinfandel with Judy which went well with our samples. As was my tradition, I tried the hot sauce first. It was a spicy chili sauce that delivered a medium-hot level of heat but didn’t kick me in the mouth.
The spring rolls were light, fresh, and delicious and the chicken and beef satays were marinated with spices and served with peanut sauce.
My only real letdown was the crab rangoon which was a little toothsome and seemed as though it had come from a frozen bag instead of being freshly made. Also, it was overly sweet causing me to wonder how exactly they got it that sweet. Finally, the chicken wings were exceptionally seasoned with five-spice and were delectable! A thin layer of crust on the outside and perfectly done and juicy on the inside, they make my list of dishes to return and have more of in the future.
[ Image: Rob Webster .png ]
Rob Webster
On the whole, the Clarendon Food Crawl was a big success. The tour explored both familiar and new, agreeable experiences. Friends were made, good food and libations imbibed and we finally had our first food crawl in our belt.
By Annamaria
“Great job on the blog post Annamaria!”
“As long as there’s free food, I don’t mind writing for free.”
“I like you a lot better than Bindesh and Rob. They come to my events and all they do is eat, flirt with the girls, tell some jokes and maybe post pics on social media. You’re giving back to the restaurants by writing a decent blog and which many readers consider a credible source of information.”
Richard Sandoval doesn’t need any introductions or promotions. That’s why I was delighted when the General Manager of Zengo, Frank Ortiz, agreed to have me write a feature story to spotlight their new menu items. I invited Anca Grindeanu, a bartender at the Carving Room, to be a guest blogger for RUNINdc
Before the MCI Center, the home of the Wizards and Capitals was built in 1997, Chinatown was struggling with many restaurants and stores barely hanging on. Then came a wave of restaurants owned by celebrity chefs, such as Zaytinya by Jose Andres and Zengo by Richard Sandoval, which opened as Chinatown became less Chinese.
Zengo which translates to “give and take” in Japanese served up trendy fusion food in an upscale, eye-catching setting. One of the first things that struck me when I walked in was the mysterious orbs hanging from the ceiling as I ascended the stairs. The walls were full of colorful textures and murals with decor from all around the world.
Zengo was a sexy place to get a seat and be seen. Centrally located next to the Chinatown Metro, romanticos and politicos came here to feel glamorous and enjoy the haute cuisine.
We sat at the communal table by the bar, and the staff served us their prix fixe menu.
I took a sip of my ginger-infused bourbon, a sniff of vanilla and ginger to my nose with a slight, almost buttery scent. “Hey Anca, how’s your ceviche and Peking duck tacos?”
“Incredible!” she replied as she sipped on her passion fruit cocktail. “The fusion of Asian and Mexican is surprisingly successful.”
Anca nursing a cocktail
“Yes, what a fun place with spectacular food infused with creativity,” I replied. “Richard Sandoval definitely covers all the bases here.”
Zengo which opened in 2005 was Richard Sandoval’s first foray into D.C.. Since then he’s opened El Centro, Masa 14, and Toro Toro.
“You should check out Toro Toro,” Frank suggested. “It’s a Pan-Latin restaurant that features Latin fusion.”
The next day I gave Heather Freeman’s PR firm a call, and we set a date for another food tasting event.
On June 19, 2014, we held our event at Toro Toro. There we were immediately transported from McPherson Square to South Beach, Miami. If Zengo was sexy and exotic, Toro Toro is glamorous and adventurous. Upstairs is Latin-American fare and downstairs is an opulent lounge where Latin performers take the stage with late-night salsa dancing. The decor is swanky and the atmosphere is cozy and intimate. It’s Zaytinya meets Fogo De Chao and the drinks are boozy and delightful.
As a steak aficionado, I had previously enjoyed the AYCE “Rodizio Experience” where the servers brought out Brazilian skewers and small plates ad infinitum for $79. But today, we would focus on small plates: sweet corn empanadas, plantain chips with smoked guacamole, swordfish dip, tuna tartare, fish tacos, grilled pineapple, and a lot of caipirinhas and mojitos. It also helped that happy hour was from 5-8 pm.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying the food, sangria, and killer conversation.
I found Yoomie Huynh and Kanita Williams at the hors d’oeuvres table digging into the corn empanadas and talking shop.
“You’re always catching me eating!” Yoomie exclaimed.
Yoomie Huynh and Kanita Williams
“I grew up in Staten Island with a large Latino community, and yo amor empanadas,” Kanita said. “Can actually taste the flavor and texture of the creamy corn filling.”
Yoomie took another bite and amazingly cramming down a pie never made her look any less attractive. “This reminds me of the khinkali — meat-filled dumplings — I had in the Republic of Georgia where I served with the Peace Corps in 2011.”
“And Chito take it easy on the caipirinhas,” Kanita warned. “Remember, you’re the host tonight, so you better act like one.”
“They’re definitely easy to drink, but hard to pronounce,” I replied. “And everybody already expects me to lead by example. Don’t forget I was in the Navy.”
“I guess you’re be visiting the bathroom often tonight.”
“As long as I can pet the cowhide on the door, I’ll be fine.”
The usual suspects, Wayne Manigo and Orlando Darden were large and in charge. A few bloggers were also in attendance such as Jessica de Jesús from the Dining Traveler and Laura Hayes from Best Thing on the Menu. Jess is a Marine Corps Reservist who was one of the first women to complete male/female integrated Marine Combat Training in 1997. She was last stationed in Brussels and is now a Marine Corps field grade officer. Khoi, from Albuquerque, NM is an Air Force officer stationed in the Pentagon. In his free time, he travels to major food hubs all over the country to satisfy his epicurean tastebuds.
Khoi Tran
“I only have three great loves: people, food, and travel. Everything else is a consideration.”
“You should become a chef then,” I suggested.
“I had considered going to culinary school after college,” he said “Cooking is indeed an honorable calling.”
“I happened to have attended culinary school, courtesy of the US Department of Veterans Affairs,” Wayne added. “And one of my favorite gigs was cooking for D.C. Central Kitchen. We got up really early to work in the kitchen, but it was for a good cause, so I couldn’t complain.”
“Yeah, I know all about working early in the morning and being sleep deprived,” said Sarah Berghoff, an ER physician in Southern Maryland. “But that’s commendable — taking a stand against homelessness.”
“And we’re glad you’re here. How’s work?” I asked. “Not too stressful I hope.”
“Busy as usual. But I always try to make time to go for a run and yes to attend RUNINOut events.”
“You’re the best sweet Sarah, and my hats off to all the doctors and nurses in the frontline who are saving lives every day.”
I was also delighted to see Deb Santos chatting with Khoi and Orlando. All three had met each other at Tara Temple earlier this month.
“How’s the website going?” She asked.
“I would be lying if I said everything is hunky dory. Have just been overwhelmed lately.”
“I’ve noticed you’re still drinking quite a bit — have you started cutting back?”
“I always have the best of intentions, but when I get to my events, my adrenaline just flows, and I can’t seem to say no.”
“Are you reaching a point where your body and mind start to wear down? You need to stop and check-in and give yourself an opportunity to heal.”
“Yeah, I know. it’s been a huge struggle for me. I’m quite disappointed at myself.”
“You shouldn’t be. You’ve accomplished so much with your startup and events. Stop dimming the light and start feeling your magic. Take a moment to reflect on all you have done, all you are doing and where you’re headed. Big things are happening — don’t hold yourself back.”
When guests were leaving, I made sure to thank everyone for coming.
“C’mon Sarah, for old time’s sake, let’s get a pic together,” I said.
“Ok, but only if you promise to send me a copy,” she said.
Sarah Berghoff
“Of course, it’ll be all over the internet by the time you get home.”
“Hey Khoi, please take a picture of us in front of the entrance. Are you staying for salsa dancing?
“Gotta get going for the next foodie adventure,” he replied. “Lots of restaurants to visit, too little time.”
“Well don’t let salsa get in the way of progress. BTW, how much longer are you going to be at the Pentagon?”
“I’ll be getting ready to deploy to Kosovo for a peacekeeping mission later this fall.”
“Lucky you – Kosovo is a heaven for food lovers. I hope you love the food there.”
“I’ve never tried any dish that I disliked. Food to me is just an extension of culture. It can be different from what I grew up eating. It can be unusual if I haven’t had it before. But I’m betting it will be surprising in the best way.”
“Then what do you think of durian or balut?”
“Tried them both. The smell actually doesn’t offend me.”
“Oh, I heard that Richard Sandoval will be opening a Toro Toro Gastrobar in Serbia pretty soon. Maybe you’ll get a chance to visit and enjoy the sights.”
“Wow, Chef Sandoval is slowly taking over the world, one restaurant at a time, and yes, I’ve heard that Balkan women are very beautiful.”
Had a great time last night at a new D.C. Brazilian restaurant, Toro Toro with my very good friend Chito Peppler whose company, Runin Out was the host of last evening’s menu tasting event! One thing is for sure if you attend his events, you”ll experience cool restaurants, serving delicious foods, and you”ll get to meet/ network with some of D.C.’s most interesting people, who are guests at his events!
I met Wirut just outside the Irish Channel a year ago when he was opening up a noodle and sushi bar next door.
“sah-wah-dee.”
“Have you been to Thailand, the ‘Land of Smiles’?”
“Yes, Phuket, twice, both times by boat — when I was 5, living on a sailboat and at 17 on a frigate with the Navy.”
Wirut came over to show me some pictures of the beautiful island. “I’m from Bangkok but enjoy visiting Phuket. So much to see and do there just like D.C. and the cuisine is out of this world.”
“Couldn’t agree with you more. And I think it’s a wonderful idea to open up an Asian noodle bar here this side of Chinatown. There’s lots of noodle shops here, but almost all are Chinese – so an Asian fusion noodle shop will do well next to an Irish pub. They’ll come here to work off their drunk.”
And I would go to Absolute Noodle and Sushi to work on their website while slurping on udon noodles with bulgogi and sipping on Asian pear sake.
Like with many restaurants, I worked for a paycheck and a tab, so this was an excellent way to invite my friends for a meal and a chance for them to meet the manager and chef.
In early February, I invited food bloggers Jackie Woodbury, Bindesh Shrestha, and Simone Griffin, whom I had worked with on a writing project eons ago. I had not seen her since she spent a year working in China, and Simone loved Asian noodles.
Simone & Jackie reviewing menu with Wirut at Absolute Noodle
Working with Wirut also opened the door to working with their sister restaurant, Absolute Thai, down the road and owned by the couple Nay and Poupee.
Poupee showed me their outdated website. “We need to photograph all the dishes on our menu. Americans find Thai names long and confusing.”
March 11, 2014
I was expecting a large turnout. I invited a lot of friends as well as marketed the event on Meetup. For $5, you got a good sample of a wide variety of dishes from the menu.
The drunken noodles were perfectly spicy, smothered in basil chili oil. The pad see ew’s sauce was sweet and savory. The red curry with roasted duck was creamy with big chunks of pineapple. The curry puffs were crispy and flaky and stuffed with flavorful chunks of goodness.
Owners Nay and Poupee were happy to showcase their savory, spicy flavors to an eclectic group of desk jockeys who were delighted to get out of their cubicles and into the mix.
And I was pleased to greet every one of them.
Kanita serving Orlando Thai crispy wings
Kanita Williams enjoyed the Thai basil fried rice, and the crispy chicken wings with sweet chili sauce poured on top. “Helped a client get a DUI case dismissed today. It wasn’t easy, so everybody here, please catch a train or taxi home.”
“I’m walking, but if I ever get busted for a DUI, I want to be represented by you,” Orlando Darden said as he picked up a piece of chicken wing.”
Quentin Edwards took a bite of his shrimp spring roll dipped in peanut sauce. “Hey, Orlando, careful; those wings may be loaded with MSG.”
“That’s ok, cuz tomorrow, Kanita and I are going for a long run. She’s getting close to fulfilling her 10 lbs weight loss challenge. So I’ll allow her to splurge on special occasions.”
Jackie, Sophie & Yoomie
Jackie took a bite of her crispy vegetarian spring roll. “I’ll say this is a special occasion — a lot larger than the noodle place down the street. We must host an event together sometime.”
This event proved that Thai cuisine is loved by people from all around the world.
Natalia from Ukraine
There was Natalia, a woman from Ukraine, a graduate student at GWU who worked as a bartender at the Tabard Inn, a classic boutique hotel near Dupont Circle.
Sophie Mebarki & Timothy Kim
And Anne-Sophie Mebarki, a French girl who would be completing her bachelor’s from Catholic University this May. “I would like to work for a startup, and I love food. Are you hiring?”
“Absolutely, we have internships available. You should meet Suzannah, who speaks French fluently.
Yoomie Huynh admiring the shrimp noodles
Yoomie Huynh immigrated to Sioux City, Iowa, from South Vietnam with her family in 1985 due to the economic and social aftermaths of the Vietnam War. “Have you heard of Four Sisters in Virginia? Their family serves amazing Vietnamese dishes beyond pho.”
Then there was Quentin Edwards, who lived just a block from me in Anacostia. His Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) office was a block from the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. “I work only seven blocks from Chinatown, so I can come to more of your events.”
Quentin Edwards @ Absolute Thai
“Well since you love to run, you are welcome to join our EU Embassy Run this May? It’s kind of like a half marathon combined with an adventure race.”
“Absolutely, I’m planning to do a Tough Mudder this fall, so this will be a good forerunner.”
Since I spent a few days in Baltimore for the Drupal Camp, I used my free time to tour and explore restaurants nearby. Long before Baltimore was known as Mob Town, she was named the “Monument City.” 70 years before the iconic Washington Monument was dedicated at the National Mall in D.C., Baltimore’s own monument was erected to become the first landmark dedicated to President George Washington. The 178-foot white marble colossal column with GW standing on the top overlooks historic Mount Vernon, Johns Hopkins University, and various museums and galleries. Mounted on his horse, directly south of Washington, is the Marquis de La Fayette, a general from France whose contributions were instrumental during the American Revolution.
Despite the ornate memorials and classic architecture, Mount Vernon, once a haven for millennials and college students had recently turned into a ruinous corridor for crime. Lately, there have been many incidents where law-abiding citizens have been mugged or gunned down leaving many Baltimoreans feeling vulnerable and subjugated.
And this was during a time when many retail businesses were still on a rebound after being roiled by weeks of tense protests after the April 19th death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who was tossed around the back of a police van while he was shackled by his hands and feet. He died a few days later from a severe injury to his spine.
The protests began on April 25th, 2015 as a peaceful demonstration outside the Camden Yards baseball park but eventually turned violent when demonstrators clashed with fans. Over the weekend, a plan at circulated on social media
The following Monday, April 27th, a plan had circulated on social media for a purge event — a reference to the 2013 dystopian film in which all crime is made legal for one night — to start at Mondawmin Mall in NW Baltimore and to proceed down Pennsylvania Ave towards downtown. The police got wind of this plan and stopped all buses and forced all riders to disembark. The students then gathered together and started pelting bottles and bricks at the police. Violence escalated and rioters started looting the Mondawmin Mall. The violence continued for the next few days, resulting in 144 vehicles and 15 buildings being burned. Even after the curfew was lifted a week later, it took weeks before customers found it safe to return.
Sirenat, the owner of Thai Landing on N Charles St. was a 30-something, slim woman with a bright smile and positive attitude. She agreed to hire me to design their website. Many people were still scared to come out, but they were keen on online ordering. She also needed help in drumming up her business and attracting positive publicity.
I didn’t know too many people from Baltimore, but I did know someone from D.C. who had spent a lot of time there. His family was in the restaurant business, and as a realtor, he was familiar with the lay of the land up north. As president of D.C. Asian Professionals and the founder of the Charm City Eats meetup group, Joe Nam Do is very well connected. Just like John Tinpe from Burma, he was well regarded by the D.C. Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.
Joe wholeheartedly agreed it was time to patronize local businesses and host events that showed our true support.
“It is a Prix fixed menu of their top Thai dishes for $25 per person,” I said. “The owner wants good reviews on Google and Yelp and wants the dishes featured on RUNINOut.”
“As long as she’s serving my favorites: pad thai, drunken noodles, and massaman curry, I’m down,” he said.
“That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Sirenat will be serving Tom Yum Goong, pineapple fried rice, grilled fish with lemongrass, and papaya salad.”
“But we have a couple of vegetarians in our group.”
“No worries, they have veggie chicken and duck and it’s hard to tell the difference.”
“That sounds amazing – I love Thai food, and I have lots of faith in our community. Let’s support Thai Landing and Go Charm City!”
October 29, 2015
Over two dozen Thai food enthusiasts showed up that crisp fall night for good food and to bring good tidings.
We tasted several dishes on the menu, all large portions and all Thai sizzling hot.
“This is as hot as the real estate market in Baltimore right now,” Joe said.
I was devouring my honey duck curry. “There are some nice neighborhoods like Mount Vernon, but much of the city is run down.”
“Even homes in war-zone areas are selling like hot cakes. Yeah, you might have to invest $30K to rehab, but you’ll be getting a steal and there’s plenty of room for appreciation.”
“Well, I’m already invested in a low-income neighborhood — Anacostia in D.C., and I’ve lived there for 12 years.”
“I had a dream this morning that woke me up a bit early. I bought goldfish in N.Y. and had to bring them back to Baltimore. Unfortunately, the bag was too small and it was crammed with goldfish. I separated the fish into several bags and changed the water frequently to keep the oxygen fresh. Still, some fish died and a few jumped from the bags into the sink I was getting the water from. There was a sense of loss, but most of the fish did make it home. I woke up immediately and realized what the goldfish represented. Dreams and the subconscious are honest with us even when we don’t want to admit the truth.”
“Wow, Joe, you actually remember your dreams?”
“The ones that matter — these I write down so I don’t forget.”
It used to be part of the Tara Thai chain. But with a new owner, new renovations and Buddhist sculptures flanking the entrance, the name morphed to Tara Temple. If D.C. was the banquet hall, Arlington was the backyard. It was a town where I had the least amount of clients and the fewest number of events. So when manager Shine Chuenyam invited me to host an event at the Temple, I was more than happy to oblige.
When I approached, I was met by two mythical stone lions standing guard at an ironclad double door. As I walked in, I could see that the foyer was shaped like the entrance of a Thai temple with shiny red columns and a sweeping temple roof.
I was greeted by stone statues of Buddhist deities praying. And also familiar faces — Wayne Manigo my favorite local stand-up comic, and Orlando Darden, my favorite trainer were already seated at the bar.
The Temple was spacious with a large oval-shaped bar, plenty of comfy couches and semi-circular booths for those who yearn for a private conversation. The decor was sleek and modern and it definitely set the tone for the entire evening.
As I made my way around the bar, I noticed two lovely women with bronze skin tones and golden brown hair.
Deb Santos & Roxana Johnson
“Are you two sisters?”
“Close, we’re best of friends.”
“From around here?”
A petite girl with a toothy smile donned in a yellow floral print dress pointed to her friend. “Roxy is — born and raised. I’m Deb from Chicago.”
“Great sports city. So you must love Mike Ditka and Michael Jordan?”
“Absolutely, and Roxy is a huge Redskins fan, so she loves RG3 and Joe Theismann. I’m a huge Blackhawks fan.”
“And home of the deep dish pizza — what your favorite type of food when you’re really hungry and you care who you’re eating out with?”
Deb nursed her martini with extra vermouth. “Hands down, Sheecago is the best. Love the wood-fired pizzas from Matchbox to go with the milkshakes from Ted’s Bulletin.”
Roxy took a gulp of her Singha.”The birria tacos from El Rey and the soy garlic wings and kimchi from Bonchon.”
“Sounds perfect. And I just love the 1920’s art deco setup at Ted’s and the shipping container design at El Rey.”
It was at that time that Wayne came by to steal the show.
“And for laughs, you should check out the Bier Baron Tavern and Comedy Loft.”
“Girls, this is Wayne our resident comic. He’s also my top promoter who will attest to the fact that on RUNINOut you can search for your favorite type of food, events, ambience, or even team sports, and the site will provide personalized recommendations in the local area.”
Roxy’s eyes lit up. “Really, can you search who is serving the wheat beer, Hell or High Watermelon?”
“The Cantina Marina at the Wharf,” I replied in an instant.
“Can you search for places that are pet friendly?” Deb requested.
I quickly tapped into my phone. “Wonderland Ballroom — do you own a rescue?”
“Don’t have one yet, but I really want a Dalmation — heard they are beautiful and brainy.”
“Sweet. I have a pit bull named Georgia and a sun conure called Apollo — my parrot who likes to drink Guinness at the Irish Channel.”
Next, I strolled over to greet Christine who was sipping on a Singha Mojito while waiting for her lobster sushi roll.
Shortly after, Khoi Tran showed up. An Air Force officer stationed in the Pentagon, he is also a food connoisseur and loves to blog about his experiences.
“I love a Thai restaurant that serves good sushi,” he said. “Sushi that’s creative with a fine presentation.”
Shine Chuenyam brought out the next delicacy — the Sunomono Salad consisting of octopus, cuttlefish, cucumber, and seaweed over a bed of shredded white radish with sweet rice vinegar and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
For two hours, Shine kept putting out phenomenal appetizers like we were Thai royalty, and we were ordering $2.50 draft Kirin and Singhas like they were Poland Springs.
Orlando quickly showed off his chopstick precision skills by extracting a red cuttlefish out of the medley.
“Mmm, juicy and rich – it’s a cross between a squid and an octopus.”
“Nah, I’m good,” said Wayne. “I prefer to get my ink from Staples.”
Christine giggled then decided to bust out a one-liner herself. “So what did Sushi A say to Sushi B?”
“C’mon Wasabi,” Wayne replied cracking up together with Christine.
“That’s right, I forgot to tell you that’s not avocado that you’re eating,” Shine smiled as he poured another round of tequila.
All the guys partook, sprinkling salt all over the counter and sucking lemon wedges as if they were adult pacifiers.
“Wow that Don Julio really packs a punch,” said Orlando. “Now I’m ready to go in the ring.”
Wayne grabbed a tuna nigiri with precision and held it next to his mouth. “As for me, my lane is in the kitchen. Being a chef is hard work. But a sushi chef, all you gotta do is resist the temptation to not cook the food – how hard is that?”
Shine served an enticing plate of dragon roll. “Alright smart aleck, no more caviar for you.”
Wayne devoured the entire roll. “All joking aside, this sushi is out of this world. And the rice, you nailed it. It’s even better than my favorite spot on H Street, Sticky Rice.”
Since Khoi arrived a bit late, Christine was happy to feed him. Khoi was reluctant at first since as a military officer, he was used to fending for himself, but Christine wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“I’m a cook and feeding my friends is an act of love.”
“C’mon now, this isn’t omakase. Khoi can get his own damn unagi,” The Mezcal was making Wayne funnier by the minute.
I waited till Khoi finished chewing his nigiri. “So what do you do on your free time? Are you visiting a lot of different restaurants?”
“I wish I had time to do more. A lot of life doesn’t happen because I’m attending graduate school in International Relations — a lot of writing, poring over textbook chapters, and reflecting on feedback from professors and peers.”
Christine pulled the lobster tail out of the shell. “Yes, education is important, but so is making new friends.”
I turned to her and said, “You need to come to our events more often. No one will ever complain that they didn’t get enough to eat.”
“And you two bozos,” as I looked over at Wayne and Orlando. “You guys can take it easy on the booze and sushi. Sometimes, they just don’t go together.”
Orlando took another bite of his sashimi. “Talk about hypocrisy — I haven’t seen you stop drinking except when you were chatting up with the chics. When are we going running again?”
“Yes, I really need to seriously cut back in my drinking. Both my physical and mental health has taken a back seat.”
It was time to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and 2014 was the Year of the Rat. I picked up my 15-year-old son Colin from Herndon, VA, and drove him straight to Chinatown. Parking was a premium, but we were lucky to find a spot in front of the St Patrick’s Catholic Church, the giant bell announcing the hour of noon. A stone’s throw away, the red lantern fireworks dazzled on H Street along with confetti canons and poppers.
On this special holiday, we could stroll directly under the Friendship Archway and admire the golden color of the tile roof and the golden dragons prancing. Completed on November 20th, 1986, the monument is meant to celebrate the friendship between D.C. and Beijing, as well as reinforce the neighborhood’s Chinese character
There were no street vendors hawking steamed buns or peddling knock-off Gucci bags. On the corner of H and 6th, a front window is lined with light bulbs like a Hollywood vanity mirror. Passerby gawk while an esteemed noodle master stuffed dumplings and hand pulled noodles from scratch just like they did centuries ago.
Colin @ Chinatown
Having skipped breakfast, my stomach rumbled with hunger pangs, so Colin suggested we visit Ming’s next to Tony Cheng’s, the mainstay of Chinatown. Tony Cheng has ties to local officials and has served as an ambassador between the government and the city’s Asian American community. He once was invited to prepare a Chinese banquet for President Jimmy Carter in the White House and is a longtime booster of the neighborhood.
Ming’s which opened a couple of years back has co-existed under the shadows of Tony Cheng. While Cheng offers a wide selection of AYCE Mongolian BBQ, Ming’s has focused on smaller, exotic dishes focusing on Szechaun sauces and sauté.
As we entered the ornate restaurant with traditional wood carvings, we were lucky to secure a seat by the window as thousands of people were crammed tightly along the sidewalk.
We watched in awe as the parade of floats came to life along with high school bands, dancing dragons, and of course, the omnipresent politicians waving election signs and Taiwanese flags.
“Yeah, this is a political event thinly veiled as a festive parade,” said a patron who was seated at a table across from us. “There’s not much of Chinese culture in Chinatown anymore. Our beloved village has turned into a lifeless tourist trap.”
“Chinese businesses are closing up shop, and we’re left with a bunch of chain restaurants and Irish pubs that have meaningless signs written in Chinese,” his wife added. “There’s no authenticity — it’s like Chinatown in Disneyland.”
“Good point,” I added. “Every Chinese restaurant here is something to appreciate and treasure before they slowly die off.
“We love Chinese food, but It’s challenging to order here sometimes, the husband said. “There’s no pictures in the menu and no website to guide us.”
“No worries,” their server Emily reassured. “If you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them.” But on this hectic holiday, Emily was busier than a cocktail waitress at Mardi Gras and had no time to explain each fancy dish in excruciating detail.
The proprietor, Michelle Tam then swung by our table. “We have a lot of regular customers who order the same thing every time, which makes it easy for us. And then we have the late night crowd who can get rowdy and are happy to order drinks when most bars have closed their doors.”
“I guess when they’re liquored up, they aren’t too picky,” I said.
Colin and I ordered the chicken Lo Mein, scallop fried rice, and the congee with minced pork and century-old egg. Well, the hatching is not exactly as old as the hills. It’s actually a duck egg that has been submerged in a mixture of water, salt, coal, and calcium oxide for 100 days. The yolk turns dark green to gray and tastes rich like mature cheese. The combination provides it with a strong, flavorful, silky taste.
After our meal, I asked Michelle if we could chat for a few minutes.
“Yes, after the parade and festivities are over. Right now I’m swamped.”
I knew Colin was eager to get home and cheer for the Seahawks over the Broncos in the Super Bowl, so I drove him home and handed him his traditional red Ang-Pau envelope with a crisp $100 bill inside.
“Kung Hei Fat Choy. Hope the Year of the Dragon will bring you success in your studies.”
When I returned to Chinatown, I glanced over at the ubiquitous shops that attracted tourists but still catered to the ethnic Chinese enclave. I couldn’t help but think about the old men sitting in Full Kee Restaurant, drinking hot tea and playing mahjong as if this was just another day in Chinatown.
I arrived at Ming’s just in time to see Nian, the Dragon, and drummers dancing and sparring, wishing the proprietor, peace, a good harvest, and bountiful prosperity.
I was glad that the crowds had finally departed, and Michelle was able to take time to chat.
“Michelle, I just adore your cooking, but I heard that customers are confused by the names.”
“Really, gimme an example.”
“Well, what in the world is sea cucumber intestine with XO sauce, pork intestine w/ sour cabbage or braised pork balls in gravy?”
“Yeah Chinese dish names can be quite mysterious sometimes. But you know, I’ve got over 50 entree dishes and a ton of appetizers.”
“What do you say, I photograph all your major dishes and post them on our site, so people can choose their favorite ingredients, spices and taste preferences and save them on their food profile?”
“You’re welcome to take pictures, but it’s too expensive for us to prepare the dishes just so you can photograph them. You would have to eat it — all of it.”
The following week, I contacted my event wrangler friend, Jackie Woodbury.
“Bookalokal will be launching in D.C. this spring, and I’ll be the D.C. Coordinator. Let’s wait until then and host an event together,” she said.
So in May 2014, we planned a dinner party for the following week and invited a dozen of our friends. Each person would pay $25, and Michelle would serve all her favorite dishes for us to photograph before we served them to the party. Michelle also allowed us to purchase two cases of Tsing Tao beer at wholesale as long as we promised to not leave any remaining.
The guest list included Evelyn White, the CEO and founder of Bookalokal, Kanita Williams, my attorney roommate, John Tinpe restauranteur and activist who spurred the whole idea at Burma, Jason Morenz, the roving photographer, Orlando, my running buddy, and trainer, Jeff Tong who coached me at Startup Weekend Baltimore, Sarah Berghoff, an ER physician, Joey Garcia, a critical care physician, Khoi Tran an Air Force officer and food connoisseur, Rim Rivera, a defense contractor, and Kim “dancing queen”, an artist and marketing consultant.
“Chito, love how you turned this marketing event into a personal night out with friends, just like we did with Burma,” John said.
“Well, thanks for sparking the idea. How are things with Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs?”
“Everything is going well. Marion Barry (former Mayor and current Councilmember) hasn’t embarrassed himself lately, knock on wood.”
“Perfect, so what do you think of the cuisine here?” I asked
“Wonderful. Burmese food has deep roots in Chinese cooking, ” John replied.
“Delicious Szechuan cooking. Great presentation. Too bad more Chinese restaurants don’t get Michelin stars,” Khoi added.
By day, Khoi Tran works for the government, but by night and on weekends, he is either eating food, thinking about it, or planning his next culinary trip, even if he has to cross state lines (or international borders). From roadside stalls to fine dining, Khoi is open to trying new things as long as there are people to meet and share a meal with.
“The Foodie Docs approve – compliments to the chef,” Joey added as Sarah nodded in affirmation.
“Filipinos have always had a preference for Chinese cuisine,” Rim Rivera said. “It’s been part of our culture for hundreds of years.”
“Dunno about you, but mine is full and there’s no more room inside,” Kanita added. “Plus I have to file a motion first thing in the morning.”
“Yes, you guys have been a delight and have been overfilling with fabulous ideas. It was no coincidence that you all were personally invited. Here’s another wonderful idea — after we polish off this delicious feast, let’s roll across the street for some pints. The roasted malts at the Irish pub will help digest all this chow fun.”
I was attending the monthly Freelancers, 3rd Sunday meetup in Burma Restaurant in Chinatown on a chili March day in 2011. Located on 6th Street near the Friendship Archway, the second-floor restaurant is popular with local politicos such as Mayor Adrian Fenty and Attorney General Eric Holder, as well as artists and activists, and fans of Nobel Peace Price laureate Suu Kyi.
Many also came to greet the Sao (princess). Jane Nuwadee Tinpe’s husband served as a diplomat in Britain, India, and in D.C. The princess and her husband, a diplomat, lived in big houses that her family ruled for generations. She never had to cook because maids took care of their daily chores. But in 1989, they fled Burma after a coup and the military regime rebranded the country Myanmar. The Sao and her husband then opened this restaurant on New Year’s Day in 1990, and they have been serving mohinga and curry ever since.
John Tinpe, the youthful 40-something son of the Sao, is a globetrotter and public servant who has been recognized by the Mayor for his community service. For several years, he served as the Chair of the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islanders in the District. In 2010, he was instrumental in saving the Mayor’s Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA) when a budget proposal to demote the office and cut its staff was proposed.
In his free time, he works as a supernumerary or extra in the Washington National Opera and Kennedy Center Ballets at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
One particular patron was having difficulty deciding. He constantly ordered the Burmese mango pork, with the delectable pieces of pork braised with pickled mango; it simmered a lasting impression that he often savored during long days in the office. With the advent of the new year, he wanted to branch out and broaden his culinary horizon. But indecisiveness gripped him, and John Tinpe was getting a tad bit impatient since he had a whole dining room of guests.
“I can’t decide between the fish curry and tamarind fish. Why don’t you just choose for me?” he asked. “I make enough decisions at work.”
I looked at him in disbelief. “Wow, you make huge decisions for the government daily that affect millions, and you can’t choose a damn spice?”
JR, the event organizer, looked at his watch. “Wouldn’t it be great if all 30 of us attendees could order from the phones. Too many people, too many choices, too little time.”
“And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could discover who ordered what dishes in the past,” his son David added. “If I knew that a particular friend that I respected enjoyed a certain dish, that would provide instant validation.”
So when the last dish was served, and all the attendees were satiated, I gingerly approached John with these seemingly trivial issues.
He was beyond receptive. “Hey, why don’t you build a site where people can order dishes from their phones, then select and save their favorite ingredients and spices in their own foodie profile?”
“One customer always orders the mango pork, the other prefers coconut chicken curry,” JR chimed in. “Maybe they should be a little adventurous and switch orders next time.”
“I’m sure if they did that, neither one would complain, or notice for that matter,” John added with a healthy grin.
After working arduously for a week, I was ready to demo the prototype. It was unrefined and barely working, but the only goal was to prove John’s idea was viable. Now I just needed to find participants.
Last month, I attended an eatup hosted by Foodspotting. The site was launched in 2009 as a way to discover and rate specific dishes. While Yelp was focused on reviewing restaurants, Foodspotting would only feature the dish and didn’t accept negative comments. The Silicon Valley startup could not have emerged at a better time. With the advent of the smartphone and social media, food photography became a popular, ritualistic behavior and Foodspotting became the Pandora for food.
The eatup at People’s Ramen in Columbia Heights D.C. was attended by Nom Nom Boris, a food blogger “who is eating the world one dish at a time” and Dan Rosenstein, a professional food photographer. Dan was using a Nikon D500 DLSR, with a 24mm wide-angle lens. He covers all types of food and also shoots sports, concerts, corporate events, and parties.
Lisa Mathias, who was the local ambassador for the group, was also a writer for Citysearch, an online guide to finding local businesses. Over the year, she had compiled an extensive list of her favorite restaurants from different cuisines, so she was always open to new suggestions.
So I contacted Lisa with a suggestion for a new event.
“Perfect. I’m half Indian and half Filipino, so Burmese is right in the middle.”
During the eatup, the dozen or so foodspotters scanned a QR code that showed pictures of each dish listing their ingredients and flavors. The page also provided examples of people’s food profiles, so you could see what a particular person liked or disliked. Each person would then make their own selection and provide a brief critique.
What helped was that foodspotters not only enjoyed sharing food, but they had an inclination to discuss intricate details about which particular dish or ingredient they relished.
“Mmm the golden fingers — calabash sticks served with tamarind sauce and deep-fried to crispy perfection,” Lisa said.
I was in good cheer, as I collected lots of feedback which would assuredly enhance our growing trove of information.
Guests sharing plates @ Burma
“This was a fun event, and I’m glad you guys were able to test out our model,” I said. “John will be thrilled to see the results.”
“You have an interesting idea,” said Lisa. “Are you trying to build a competitor to Foodspotting?”
“Absolutely not. We’re here to complement not compete. While you deploy your army of foodspotters to taste and capture each dish, we’ll collate your content, so customers can make better, more informed decisions.”
Since I spent a few days in Baltimore for the Drupal Camp, I used my free time to tour and explore other restaurants nearby.
Mount Vernon, a haven for millennials and college students, had recently turned into a corridor for crime. There have been several incidents where law-abiding citizens have been mugged or gunned down, leaving many Baltimoreans feeling vulnerable and insecure.
And this was during a time when many retail businesses were still on a rebound after being roiled by weeks of tense protests after the April 19th death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who was tossed around the back of a police van while he was shackled by his hands and feet. He died a few days later from a severe injury to his spine.
The protests began on April 25th, 2015 as a peaceful demonstration outside the Camden Yards baseball park but eventually turned violent when demonstrators clashed with fans. Over the weekend, a plan at circulated on social meda
The following Monday, April 27th, a plan had circulated on social media for a purge event — a reference to the 2013 dystopian film in which all crime is made legal for one night — to start at Mondawmin Mall in NW Baltimore and to proceed down Pennsylvania Ave towards downtown. The police got wind of this plan and stopped all buses and forced all riders to disembark. The students then gathered together and started pelting bottles and bricks at the police. Violence escalated and rioters started looting the Mondawmin Mall. The violence continued for the next few days, resulting in 144 vehicles and 15 buildings being burned. Even after the curfew was lifted a week later, it took weeks before customers found it safe to return.
Sirenat, the owner of Thai Landing on N Charles St. was a 30-something, slim woman with a bright smile and positive attitude. She agreed to hire me to design their website. Many people were still scared to come out, but they were keen on online ordering. She also needed help in drumming up her business and attracting positive publicity.
I didn’t know too many people from Baltimore, but I did know someone from D.C. who had spent a lot of time there. His family was in the restaurant business, and as a realtor, he was familiar with the lay of the land up north. As president of D.C. Asian Professionals and the founder of the Charm City Eats meetup group, Joe Nam Do was very well connected. Just like John Tinpe from Burma, he was well regarded by the D.C. Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.
Joe wholeheartedly agreed it was time to patronize local businesses and to host events that showed our true support.
“It is a Prix fixed menu of their top Thai dishes for $25 per person,” I said. “The owner wants good reviews on Google and Yelp and wants the dishes featured on RUNINOut.”
“As long as she’s serving my favorites: pad thai, drunken noodles, and massaman curry, I’m down,” he said.
“That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Sirenat will be serving Tom Yum Goong, pineapple fried rice, grilled fish with lemongrass, and papaya salad.”
“But we have a couple of vegetarians in our group.”
“No worries, they have veggie chicken and duck and it’s hard to tell the difference.”
“That sounds amazing – I love Thai food, and I have lots of faith in our community. Let’s support Thai Landing and Go Charm City!”
Joe Nam Do and Lily enjoying the Pad Thai and guests
“So, Joe, did Sirenat’s cooking live up to your expectations?”
“I’ll say — fresh, flavorful and healthy.”
“Thai Landing is my very first client in this city.”
“And hopefully many more. Baltimore may be rough around the edges. But she’s changing and growing every day. You should consider moving here one day. They have a burgeoning Asian community.”
Sarah Berghoff was out with friends and wanted to visit a brand new spot in Shaw for cocktails and Asian-inspired cuisine. Upon entry, a 1920’s style mural with an icon of Charlie Chaplin came into view. The space was elegant with a speakeasy vibe. On the wall above the bar, The Tramp played on a reel.
A tall, burly man with a big smile came over and greeted them.
“Hi, I’m Armin. Welcome to Chaplin’s. We’re a ramen, cocktail, and dumpling bar.”
“What does Charlie Chaplin have to do with Ramen?” Sarah asked.
“Well, the legendary silent film star was adored in Japan. That’s because he could make people laugh without uttering a word.”
“What a charming connection. What do you recommend?”
“If you like your spirits strong, I recommend the Tramp. It’s Bourbon with a burnt orange peel. For ramen, I recommend the ASS.”
“Excuse me?”
“ASS – Asian Spicy Sour. chicken chashu, coconut milk, chicken broth, and pork butt. It’s our take on the ever-popular Tom Yum soup with noodles imported from Japan.”
Several minutes after Sarah and her friends sat down, the bartender with a cool Chaplin-style outfit served them their classy cocktails.
Armin came by again to see what they thought of the innovative cocktail menu.
“Fabulous. I can see you have broad experience in this industry.”
“Yes, I’ve worked in this business for over 20 years. At the Capitol City Brewery and most recently at the Saint Arnold’s Mussel Bar.”
“Amazing sounds like you’re a powerful force in the restaurant industry.”
“Well, the co-owners are bartender brothers, Ari and Micah Wilder – owners of Red Light on 14th Street – we’re a star-studded class.”
“You know there’s someone you should meet that’s an up-and-comer in this industry. He’s a quintessential foodie and has a finger on the pulse in this industry.”
Armin with Sarah
The next day I got a call from Armin.
“So Sarah speaks highly of you. I thought I was the Big Man on Campus.”
“You’re a rockstar, Armin. All I do is promote restaurants and host some events. You’re the brains behind your brand and do all the heavy lifting.”
“Well, we sure could use some help with marketing and developing our web presence. When we opened a few months ago, we were named The Chaplin. Now his estate is threatening a lawsuit so we changed it to Chaplin’s”
“I can help with the name change and ensure that your website and social media reflects the new and improved branding.”
The following week, I met with Armin and his co-owners, brothers Ari and Micah Wilder as they gave me a spirited tour of their cozy space.
The vibe and ambience were warm and welcoming and the Laughing Gas cocktail I ordered was potent and bursting with flavors.
“We figured out a way to compress carbon dioxide with helium,” said Micah. “You’re gonna sound really funny and everyone’s gonna be laughing at you.”
I also met Chef Myo Htun, a native of Burma who cooked under a Master Ramen Chef in Tokyo for 30 years.
“Chef Myo is a tireless worker,” Armin said. “He’s worked every day since we’ve opened. We should make him a co-owner one day.”
Chef Myo Htun
Chef Myo served me the Tonkotsu Ramen with the broth made from boiling pork neck bones – the collagen in the connective tissue transforms into gelatin, which gives the broth its silky texture. Inside the bowl were melt-in-your-mouth chasu pork belly and soft boiled eggs with custardy egg yolk.
“Your ramen kicks ass, Armin. I would love to host our next get-together here and invite all ramen enthusiasts to celebrate Shaw’s hottest, new setting.”
“Sounds like a fabulous idea. If we could also do a fundraiser for Bread for the City, that would be great also.”
The next month on October 22, 2014, dozens of ramen and cocktail fans converged at the downstairs bar for a private event.
Christine arrived early as usual and secured a spot at the bar.
“Hey Chris, good to see you. How was the military ball with Khoi?”
“The Vietnamese-American Military Banquet was an overwhelming experience with lots of shiny uniforms, great food, and formal traditions — we had a blast.”
“I can picture that. I’ve been to a few military balls myself. They can be quite fun. “
“Met so many amazing Vietnamese Americans and they gave each of us a commemorative coin.”
“Carry it around with you — it’s a good luck charm.”
“And I wish the best to Khoi as he heads to Kosovo for a six-month peacekeeping mission.”
To kick things off, many guests were introduced to the payday adult-only dumplings — infused with Japanese whiskey. You could choose from a steamed shrimp dumpling on a whiskey sour named The Cold War, a hot pork dumpling on a lemon emulsion, or a hot beef dumpling with Japanese whiskey.
“This is what happens when a couple of bartenders open up a restaurant,” Micah declared.
I’ve tried all three, and Micah told me to tap on the brakes. So I was happy to entertain guests to see which one they preferred.
BJ enjoying the dumplings
BJ McDuffie sampled The Cold War. “Mmm, the shrimp shooters are savory and boozy–a perfect combination. I’m ready for the next one.”
I ordered a Payday from Margaux behind the bar. “How was Drink the District BJ?”
“Meh, could be better — it was a scorching, hot day. But this is even hotter.”
“So, what have you been up to lately?”
“Bowling, bocce, and brunch — that ’bout sums it up.”
“Have you been to Alba Osteria in NOMA? They serve an awesome brunch and have a bocce parklet outside.”
“Not yet, but I’m a fan of Roberto Donna.”
“How about Myo Htun – what do you think of his culinary skills?”
Christine Bach enjoying the Cure & ASS
“By the juiciness of these dumplings, Chef Myo ranks up there with José Andrés and Richard Sandoval.”
As expected, our resident comic made a showing.
“One of my favorite indie chefs is Erik Bruner-Yang,” said Wayne Manigo. “And with my cooking skills and an endless supply of ramen, I could give Toki Underground a run for their money.”
“What if you’re a butterfly, but you’re too busy being a caterpillar?”
“Mine is Chef Anh Luu, who cooks Cajun/creole with Vietnamese ingredients,” Christine said. “And I like my ramen spicy, so I’m here to kick some A.S.S.” While she waited, she ordered the Cure, and Micah blow-torched a piece of rosemary on her fruity cocktail.
“Yeah, I know it’s all presentation, but I swear it does taste better,” she said.
Wayne took a taste of Christine’s Cure. “Please pour me a damn drink !! Do not put any herbs and spices in my cocktail that is only for food and also don’t light the dam thing on fire either!”
Armin put a hand on Wayne’s shoulder. “What makes Chaplin’s stand out from all the rest is the personality of our bartenders. People come from near and far just to have Jake (Jacob Simpson), Said, or Margaux pour them a drink, ask them how their day is going and tell a kickass joke. You’re hired.”
Margaux Donati mixed a Vagabond cocktail. “We love you boss. You’re a true friend.”
It was also good to see Deb Santos again.
“Hey Big Shot, how’s your growth?”
“A long, hard struggle and still tripping.”
“That’s normal. It’s important to show some self-compassion for your blunders. Don’t regret the things you have done as much as the things you never did. It’s better to get up and do something rather than nothing, and right now, you’re the big-time host of this fabulous party, so you should be grateful.”
“I can always rely on you for wise advice Deb. Still haven’t cut back on my drinking though.”
“Alcohol is a depressant and keeps us at a lower vibration. Try limiting yourself to two drinks and take small sips and plenty of water in between.”
“Limiting myself to two drinks is like telling my pitbull, he can’t eat my ice cream.”
“What if you’re a butterfly, but you’re too busy being a caterpillar?”
When Sarah arrived, I was pleased to show her my new business card. She liked the running Orangutan logo popping out on a yellow background. But when she turned it over, she nearly flipped out.
Sarah showing her picture to friends
“Whoa, you put my picture on the back!!”
“Well, you said you wanted to see the picture of us at Toro Toro.”
“But not on your business card.”
“But, your face is more interesting than mine,” I explained. “No worries, you’re not the only one — I also put Kanita and Jackie on there, too.”
“Well, I’m honored to be promoting your website,” she replied in jest.
“And I’m honored to have you serve as our de facto brand ambassador. After all, you introduced me to Armin and Chaplin’s.”
Later that evening inside the Opium Den, Armin and I were slurping on some ASS.
“So what do you do for fun?” He asked.
“Besides running and drinking, I like to go paddleboarding on the Potomac. I normally launch from the Slip Inn on (Joint Base) Bolling.”
“Right on bro. I love boating myself. We like to take the Chaplin’s crew and launch from Edgewater (MD).”
“So the neighborhood is continuing to change. What are your plans moving forward?”
“Perhaps adding a sushi joint next door or building an American diner across the street.”
I took a sip of the Kid cocktail “Would it be another Hollywood-inspired name?”
“Yes, Shawshank Diner comes to mind–one of the best movies ever made..”
“And Shaw is one of the city’s hippest up-and-coming neighborhoods,” I said.
“Indeed, my beloved community is still very much on the move. This is why I love this city.”
“I’ll drink to that — another round of yummy shooters, please. Take it easy on the whiskey.”
I looked over my shoulders and could swear I saw the stern eyes of Deb keeping me in check.
The A.S.S. is so savory, you can drink it by the bowl
