[from Susan E., PN contributor]
Greetings from a new resident of one the most fabulous neighborhoods in the District - Petworth! It's my hope to offer occasional insights about our 'hood from a fresh perspective. So where to start? As a non-cook, I must admit I have taken full advantage of the many restaurants within trotting distance from my new home. Here are my reviews of the joints I’ve discovered so far:
El Limeno - If you were to combine the soundtrack from A Night at the Roxbury, Selena, and Justin Timberlake’s new concert special on HBO, you don’t even begin to describe the techno-disco-hip hop-pop-mariachi fabulosity blaring out of El Limeno’s jukebox! Yes, it’s a smidgen loud... But the tamales and enchiladas are to die for and the Salvadoran meals are fantastic! I’ve tried their Chicken in Cream Sauce and many steak dishes and they’re all simple, uncomplicated, and savory. I think there were some Oreida french fries hidden in my steak sauce but I just went with the flow…
The Hitching Post - Can I get a ”Hallelujah” and “Thank you Sweet Jesus” for the good folks who have been serving up the best fried chicken, collard greens, and mac and cheese in these parts since the late 60s? Sorry for the blatantly religious terms here, but one bite of the HP’s heavenly soul food instantly brought me back to childhood Sunday afternoon feasts in the basements of my Floribama black southern church. The HP food was non-greasy, giantly proportioned and delivered with a smile. You just can’t beat that! You may have to wait a bit for your food to arrive, but hey - between the magenta leather seating, large screen TVs and friendly service…you’ll be plenty occupied and comfortable during your stay. I give it 3 snaps in a Z-formation.
Sweet Mango Café - Do I hear Harry Belafonte’s sweet voice serenading me in the background? Well I sure did when I bit into SMC’s tasty beef patty followed by curry chicken wrapped in a perfectly baked roti! SMC offers incredibly authentic Caribbean food fresh and fast. Their oxtail is fall-off-the-bone tender and I just can’t get enough of their cabbage and rice & beans. Reminds me of the islands.
Domku Bar & Cafe - A friend and fellow Petworth homeowner used to work at Domku every Sunday and raved about the food there. Well, he wasn’t playing around! It’s a mad cool atmosphere - authentically laid-back. The artwork and furniture look like the cafe from “Friends” - just in a much cooler, non-90s, non-cheesy kind of way. The food is Polish to the core, perogis and cabbage and latkes. I used to live in Michigan not too far away from Hamtramck so I know me some Polish grub… and this is it! Domku is the spot for Petworthians to see and be seen.
These are the obvious Petworth touchstones. Any other hidden gems out there?
Recent Comments