Although swiping your card at TDR and sitting with your new posse at may initially seem cool to incoming freshman, it will get old - especially if you don't take a TDR hiatus every once in awhile. Sure, TDR has stir-fry, a sweet salad bar and all-you-can-eat ice cream. But it is crucial to embrace other restaurants as well by leaving campus on occasion and sampling some of the local area's most delicious cuisines. Depending on your mood and cravings, here are some excellent places you should definitely check out this semester.
Thai: Neisha Location: 4445 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., directly across from the Tenleytown Metro stop.
Why Go There? Neisha is a popular AU student destination that serves up an incredible Asian cuisine. It has an extensive menu of soups, salads, appetizers, entrées and desserts. Try ordering the satay (chicken skewers with peanut sauce) for an appetizer, followed by the grilled salmon in banana leaves for an entrée. If you're still hungry, order "a la mode" for dessert (fried banana served with young coconut ice-cream.)
Sushi: Raku Location: 7240 Woodmont Ave. in Bethesda, Md.
Why Go There? Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post Magazine said, "If there's a Bethesda restaurant I'd like to see cloned, it's Raku!" The restaurant is decorated with bamboo, cozy booths and colorful parasols that hang from the ceiling. Try ordering the seafood spring rolls or any type of sushi listed on the menu - you won't be disappointed.
Italian: Angelico Location: 4529 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. in Tenleytown.
Why Go There? Huge menu, awesome food, prime location, AU delivery - need we say more? Angelico is an Italian eatery, but offers everything from buffalo wings and roasted lamb salad to pizza, pasta and cannoli. It's a great place to pick up a quick bite when you're in a rush and are craving some comfort food. Try ordering either the basic spaghetti with meat sauce or treat yourself to the shrimp italiano (fresh shrimp sautéed with garlic and marinara sauce, tossed with fettuccine.)
Pizza: 2 Amys Location: 3715 Macomb St., N.W.
Why Go There? 2 Amys has been written up as one of the best pizza restaurants in D.C. for years. Within walking distance of AU, 2 Amys is at the fingertips of students. D.C. Foodies wrote that "2 Amys is hands down, the most wonderful place in D.C. to get gourmet pizza." Skip an appetizer (although the potato and prosciutto croquettes are delightful) and go straight to the pizza menu. Just like traveling to Italy, you can order anything on the menu and not be disappointed. Both the classic Margherita and the Calabrese (tomato, anchovy, fresh mozzarella, parsley and olive) are among the restaurant's best.
Burgers: Five Guys Location: Everywhere. (Georgetown, Bethesda, Dupont Circle, Arlington, Va., Chinatown, etc.)
Why Go There? For out-of-towners who aren't familiar with this incredible burger chain, it's time to experience its utter deliciousness. Five Guys serves up classic burgers and cheeseburgers with no trans-fats and a plethora of available toppings including mayonnaise, onions, lettuce, pickles, grilled mushrooms, jalape�±os and the like. Also popular are the french fries, either regular or Cajun-style, and its kosher hot dogs.
Burritos: Chipotle Location: 4301 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. # B in Tenleytown.
Why Go There? Make sure you've been fasting for days before diving into one of these massive burritos! Chipotle's Mexican concoctions are huge, yet incredibly delicious and addictive. A growing chain around the country, Chipotle serves up scrumptious burritos, soft tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and, most recently, burrito salads! First-timers must try a steak or chicken burrito with rice, your choice of beans and a handful of other fresh toppings.
Frozen Yogurt: Mr. Yogato Location: 1515 17th St., N.W. near Dupont Circle
Why Go There? Trying to avoid those freshmen 15? Make a visit to Mr. Yogato, a very unique fro-yo parlor. Mr. Yogato carries 18 flavors of non-fat frozen yogurt and 40 different toppings including Captain Crunch, Junior Mints and toasted mini Eggo waffles and anything else their patrons could think up. The best part about visiting this healthy dessert haven is the crazy rules created by Mr. Yogato himself. If you wear a Yogato stamp on your head, you get 10 percent off your purchase, or you can get 20 percent off your total for reciting the Stirling battlefield speech from Braveheart in a great Scottish accent. Visit www.mryogato.com/rules.php for more Yogato rules.
You can reach this staff writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com
