Tuesday, November 21, 2006

hello, fabulous

"One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating."
-Luciano Pavarotti

Bangkok Joe's
3000 K Street NW
(202) 333-4422
Cuisine: Thai
Price: $$/$$$

Bangkok Joe's is right at the heart of swanky DC waterfront culture--it's missing only the giant price tag. Appetizers run around $7, and entrees are $13. Whether you're hitting up the nightlife in Washington Harbour, hanging out on M Street, or cozying up to a movie at the giant AMC Megaplex nextdoor, Bangkok Joe's has your date night covered.

Belly up to the golden-lit bar and enjoy any of their cocktails while you wait for your seat. It's really crowded, but wait times are usually managable (est. 10-20 minutes). The super-chic decor inside has everyone in the mood for cool. Beware Armani-scented collegiates--they smell, but they usually don't bite.

After we got our seat, a cozy/chic table for two in a row--we ordered some awesome pan-seared appetizers and drinks to share:

Winter Squash Dumplings ($7 for 4):
Delicious. They sound a little weird, but we were both feeling brave and in the end - glad we took the leap. These savory-sweet pockets of squash were perfect--and not too filling.

Spicy Chicken Dumplings ($7 for 4):
This is the gold standard in chicken dumplings--spiced chicken and veggies inside, crispy/chewy dumpling on the outside. Great starters!

We also ordered a bottle of cold sake ($9) to split, and a Thai beer (Singha) draft apiece. I enjoy the beer/sake combination. Sake is a must with all asian cuisine, and the Singha just makes the dinner taste right.

I ordered the Chicken Basil Rice Bowl ($13): Spicy but not debilitating, super flavorful! The chicken was minced with basil, garlic, and chili paste to create a great example of a Thai standard.

Bangkok Joe's does a great job with their presentation and their details -- serving in gigantic, impossible-to-finish-sized bowls with giant red chopsticks. Their service is very, very quick -- which is great while you're waiting for a table but might make you raise an eyebrow when they bring you the food only 5 minutes after you've ordered it. All in all, this is a truly wonderful spot for dinner on the Waterfront.

Oh, and don't leave without checking out the shadow-dancer bathrooms...

No comments: