Vitello's - Studio City, CA

Vitello's

On my third day in Los Angeles, I was really craving a chicken parm for lunch, so my Grandmother and I ventured off to find an Italian restaurant.  Being an Italian grandmother, I was very surprised to hear that she was actually a fan of Olive Garden.  However, she suggested we head over to Studio City, where she knew of a good restaurant.  We made the short drive into Studio City, where we drove along Ventura Boulevard.  Unfortunately, we had little success finding an Italian Restaurant that seemed worth going to.  One restaurant claimed to serve Italian food, yet featured only pizza and American-style sandwiches! There was not even any pasta on the menu!  The other restaurant we knew to have good Italian food was closed due to the fact that it was a Sunday.  This led us to Vitello's on Tujunga, just a few minutes from Studio City.

Upon arriving, we were a bit frustrated to find the parking lot next to the restaurant to only offer valet, which in this case was more of a hassle than help.  Heading into Vitello's, we found a uniquely designed restaurant with dim lighting and a wall of celebrity autographed photos of past diners.  The room we were led into featured a number of booths suitable for five to six guests.  Painted on the wall was a mural of an Italian city situated on the Mediterranean.  The restaurant was nice and quiet, which was perfect for my grandmother, who can have some trouble hearing in loud restaurants, and our waiter was very friendly.

As an appetizer, my grandmother ordered the fried calamari, while I got a cup of straciatella.  The calamari was easily the best calamari I had ever tasted in my life.  Breaded lightly with tremendous flavor, I got a nicely, but not overdone salty-citrus taste.  It was so good, I could not stop throwing more calamari into my throat!  The calamari also came with a marinara sauce that complemented the salt well.

After finishing our amazing calamari, my chicken parm arrived.  A small side of pasta with marinara sauce complemented my large piece of chicken.  The chicken was excellent, with a perfect blend of marinara sauce, cheese and chicken, none overpowered the other.  The chicken had a light breading that added a slight crisp to it and the cheese was applied generously.  With the calamari as an appetizer, this was enough to fill my appetite and satisfy my craving for a chicken parm.  Both my grandmother and I were very pleased with our meals, and she also found the tiramisu to be delicious.  A return trip to Vitello's is sure to be in the works.

Calamari: 10

Chicken Parm: 8

Straciatella: 5

Atmosphere: 6

Overall: 8

Ben's Chili Bowl - Washington, DC

Ben's Chili Bowl

The name Ben's Chili Bowl may ring a bell if the remote has ever been tucked under the couch with the Travel Channel left on.  A signature spot on the food show circuits, this Washington D.C. establishment has even been revered as a historic site.  Located in the famed U-Street Corridor in the Shaw District, Ben's has stood for over 50 years, withstanding the riots that swept away and forced out many other businesses in the area.  Thank God that Ben's was able to endure the obstacles though, as this is one restaurant worth a long drive.

Made legendary by comedian Bill Cosby, Ben's Chili Bowl has counted visitors such as President Obama among its clientele.  While waiting in line, you will probably even notice a sign that says "The following people eat here free: Bill Cosby, President Obama, and no one else."  Frankly, the sign makes sense.  Anyone who tries the Chili Half Smokes here would be compelled to eat here every day if offered free meals.

While a tourist might just head over to Ben's whenever hunger strikes, they would be unwise in doing so.  Planning can be critical in this eating-out experience as the lines can go halfway up the alley next to Ben's.  Between tourists and the D.C. locals looking to get their chili fix, a trip at the wrong time can include a lengthy wait.  Based on my experiences, some times to avoid would be sunny weekends around lunch time, as well as potentially late-night, when bar-goers look to solve their drunk munchies.

As for the atmosphere, once you get through the line and finally in the door, it feels as though you have truly exited D.C. and entered a popular Caribbean restaurant.  The speakers blare with tunes that would make Bob Marley wish he was buried under the building.  I literally think I have heard "Buffalo Soldier" every single time I have been to Ben's!  The Chili Bowl was opened in 1958 by Trinidadian immigrant Ben Ali, who has kept it in the family ever since.

While waiting for a server to take your order, the smell of the grill emanates as hundreds of hot dogs and half smokes slowly simmer.  Mayhem seems to fill the air as the many servers shout over each other taking customers orders in a somewhat disorganized fashion.  In fact, that would be my biggest complaint about Ben's Chili Bowl.  While it can be easy to initially place your order, keeping track of it is essential as   the staff often take many orders at a time and have been known to lose track of some.  Paying can also be confusing, especially when eating at the counter as different servers have different methods, some preferring to have you pay while receiving your food, some bringing the food to you at the counter, and some taking payment at the counter after the meal.

Now that we have ordered our food and received it, time to dig in!  Personally, I always go with the staple item of Ben's, the Chili Half Smoke, a Half-Pork/Half-Beef Sausage topped with Ben's secret chili, served with chips.  A side of Chili Cheese Fries and the meal is complete.  Each item sets you back about $5.45, a tad pricy for the items that you are getting, but nothing unreasonable, especially given the fact that you will not leave hungry and would pay double that for the same items at a baseball game.

Digging into the Half Smoke too early could burn your mouth, but will get the juices flowing in it and give you a terrific preview into what awaits.  Each bite provides a blend of hot dog bun, little bit of mustard and onions, and of course the sausage.  The chili, while nothing overwhelming, has a tiny kick to it to go with the special blend that gives it such a unique chili flavor.  Combine that with some liquid cheese that is not too thick making it the perfect complement, and the Chili Cheese Fries are really the gem of Ben's.  A cup (or in my case a pitcher) of water to wash the food down and this is heaven.  Although I have never personally tried anything else on the menu, I have accompanied people who have ordered the Chili Hot Dog and Chili Cheeseburger (a bit small, but nonetheless good).  They also offer a veggie chili and veggie burger for those with tamer tastes.

As a University of Maryland student, this was a trip I was willing to take whenever the chance arose.  If in the D.C. area, take a trip over to U and 12th Street for a memorable experience and a meal you will not forget.

Price: 7

Chili Cheese Fries: 10

Chili Half Smoke: 8.5

Service: 4

Overall: 9

Good Stuff Eatery - Washington, DC

Good Stuff Eatery

If the name Good Stuff Eatery sounds familiar, don't question yourself.  Chances are you might have heard the name before as its Owner and Executive Chef, Spike Mendelsohn, has been featured on the television show Top Chef.  However, the restaurant came to my attention after reading a magazine article raving about the tremendous burgers they offer.  In the area following a class tour of the Capitol Building, we made the short trek to the restaurant.

Upon entering, we encountered a busy restaurant, despite getting there around three in the afternoon.  However, after moving through the five minute line, my order was placed for a Spike's Sunnyside Burger accompanied by a side of fries.    While waiting for our food to be prepared, we grabbed a table and assortment of the various flavored mayos they had on hand.  Despite my dislike of traditional mayo, I gave each flavored one a try (they have Mango, Old Bay, Srichacha, and a few others) and found the Old Bay one to be a worthy dip for the fries.  Unfortunately, the fries as a whole were pretty poor.  Many were chopped too small and hardly even resembled a fry and the overall taste was somewhat bland.

If this review has you discouraged about ever visiting though, fear not!  One bite of the burger will change your mind INSTANTLY!  Spike's Sunnyside features an organic patty that has been carefully grass fed, then tops it off with a fried egg, some strips of bacon and a slice of cheese before finding itself on a brioche bun.  My teeth immediately clamp down, ripping through the egg and sending the yolk spewing from all sides.  The bite encompasses every part of the burger and it is magnificent.  The meat is thick and juicy.  It really feels like your are eating a burger as opposed to some thin patty that is then loaded with more produce than your average farm.  As for the egg, perfectly cooked, with running yolk, this is what really brings the whole burger together, adding a flavor not found in most burgers.  I have to say, the bacon is probably optional.  Although it did not hinder the burger much, it added little.  The other triumph of this burger is the bun it sits on, a brioche bun sturdy enough to withstand the dripping egg, yet soft enough to enjoy eating.  Though some of their burgers come on a regular potato roll, I would suggest requesting the brioche bun if your pick does not.  

This is the best burger (2nd place is the Green Iguana in Tampa) I have ever had and whenever I get the chance to enjoy this treat, I do not fail to pass it up.  Get over to the Capitol Hill area and check out this more upscale Five Guys style joint.  It is a trip you will not regret.

Burger: 10

Fries: 3

Shakes: 7

Overall: 9 (Just skip the fries)

Keens Steakhouse - New York, NY

Keens Steakhouse

If you have ever spent some time in New York, chances are you have heard of the well-known Keens Steakhouse.  I happened to be in the area following an interview near Herald Square so I met up with my Dad at this New York establishment.

The restaurant is dimly lit with a dining room and a separate room with a few tables and a bar.  We chose to sit at the bar, as they offered some bar lunch specials.  Being a famous steakhouse, the menu was rather high priced.  My Dad opted for the Miss ____, a burger without a bun, surrounded by salad.  I went the the Filet Mignon skewers, expecting a small amount of meat given its $20 price tag, but pleased that it included fries.

A short time later, out came the filet skewers, three piled together in a teepee shape.  One thing these skewers did not lack was a hefty amount of meat.  With a meat to peppers and onions ratio of about three to one, and roughly 14 ounces of meat, I could not believe what a deal I had just fallen into.  The meat was nice and tender, with enough juice to maintain the flavor.  My Dad liked his meal, but wishes he had gone with the skewers as I did, especially seeing as they were only two dollars more.  Take my advice, get to Keens on a weekday, slide into a bar stool and order the skewers.  You will not be disappointed!