Visit Washington DC: Cafe Soleil, Zenebech Injera and Don Juan Restaurant

I arrived in Washington, D.C. late in the afternoon which gave us time to do a little site seeing.

 

 

 

We were a bit tired and lazy, so we ended up just finding a place nearby. The place we found was Cafe Soleil. We were drawn in because of the happy hour specials, but since we didn't inquire about it until after being seated, we didn't get any of the specials because we didn't want to move to the small bar. I still got a drink called an Orange Crush that can only be described as like a Mimosa but a lot lighter and more watered down.

 

Service was horrible and ridiculously slow. You know it's really bad when there is contemplation to leave because you get seated and it takes over 10 minutes before you even get menus; let's not even talk about the time it took to get water much less anything else.

 

The menu options weren't that appealing, but I really wanted the Steamed Mussels which by the way were really mediocre (tasted frozen) with about half of them not even open.

 

I felt like the Mussels were not going to be enough so I also ordered the Spicy Blue Cheese Onion Flatbread. It taste just like it sounds, too much going on that it was pretty gross.

 

My fiancé had the Hiedenberger which he describe as a fake Big Mac.

 

Based on that disastrous dinner, I vowed to make the next day about getting some of the better food DC has to offer. The first stop, Zenebech Injera for Ethipopian. I ordered the Kifto, but my fiancé mistakenly ordered it well done when wanted raw, so it was disappointing. It was a huge plate of food that could serve multiple people for a good price.

 

 

Stuffed we decided to do a little more site seeing before we continued stuffing our faces.

 

Next stop, Don Juan Restaurant, for Salvadorian food but really I just wanted to get some Pupuseras. Overall the food was pretty tasty and again a huge plate for a great price.

 

But, before headed home, we finished off the DC trip with some cupcakes from Sprinkle (we really wanted some from Baked and Wired but the line was huge and I hate to wait). As the cupcake revolutionizers Sprinkles definitely impressed.

 

Washington DC is a great place to visit because it's such a melting pot and offers easy access to a great variety.

Café Soleil

839 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20006

(202) 974-4260

www.cafesoleildc.com

Zenebech Injera

608 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 667-4700

www.zenebechdc.com

Don Juan Restaurant

1660 Lamont St NW, Washington, DC 20010

(202) 667-0010

www.donjuandc.com

El Rinconcito El Chele - Coral Gables, FL

Dining at El Rinconcito El Chele makes me feel like I am back home in Cuba (at least that I want I imagine it would feel like). I am not Cuban and I have never even been to Cuba, but if I did, this is how I would want it to be. Despite the lack of parking and the crowded atmosphere during the lunch hour, I keep going back.

 

The food is really good, fairly priced, and huge (you can share). I typically get the Pork Chops (it comes with two), moro and tostones (big but not crispy).

 

 

After eating all of that, at this point, I am stuffed, but I always have to finish off lunch with bunelos cubanos, which is like sweet heaven.

 

 

 

El Rinconcito El Chele

3791 Bird Rd, Miami, FL 33146
(305) 444-0700

Yuca Restaurant - Miami Beach, FL

A quick lunch with friends turned into a random stop at Yuca Restaurant. I had heard of the restaurant prior to this but never eaten here and when we walked past and no one was really eating there, we were hesitant to go inside but we were starved and decided to take the risk.

Based on first impressions this is a tourist restaurant in the tourist district where they have employees outside trying to usher you in. We got caught in the trap, but fortunately the food wasn't bad. I ordered a Mojito that I thought was good. I have had plenty duds and this one stood out.

Despite all the tasty sounding Cuban food choices, I had a Tuna Tataki Salad. I found it to be light and refreshing.

My friend also ordered a salad, the Warm Goat Cheese Salad. She is a huge goat cheese lover so she really enjoyed it.

The only disappointment that afternoon was the Frita Cubana Burger. It lacked pizazz and the meat was lost inside the bun.

The food wasn't exceptional but I also did not try any of their Cuban/Latin dishes. I did like the ambiance which was modern-esque yet bright and inviting. Service could have been a bit friendlier but this is Miami Beach. I probably would never go back but they shouldn't be counted out if you are hanging out at Lincoln Road Mall and looking for a quick lunch.


Yuca Restaurant
501 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 532-9822
www.yuca.com