Top Eats of 2011: Savory
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 29th, 2011
The countdown continues. Today’s category of food is savory. I’m definitely a sweets person — it’s always all about the sweets, always — but let’s face it, you need real savory food to survive.
So here are my top picks of savory items I’ve consumed in the NoVA area this year. For pure survival, that’s all.
Top Five Savory Foods of 2011:
5. Super Pollo (Arlington)
After a serious hunt for a good Peruvian chicken joint, Super Pollo hit the spot. I never thought I would enjoy plain chicken that much, but with the spice rub that coats the crispy skin with oil, I could probably eat an entire chicken myself. The meat inside is so juicy and tender, and when you dip it in the sauces (I love the spicy green one) it’s to die for. The sides are great, too, with plenty to choose from. My favorites are the fried yucca and the plantains (see, there’s my sweet tooth again).
4. Gazpacho at America Eats Tavern (Washington, D.C.)
José Andrés’ benefit restaurant in partnership with the “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” exhibit popped up in D.C.’s Penn Quarter on July 4th and will be closing exactly a year later on July 4, 2012, so if you haven’t been yet, you better go! This was a great dining experience, from the educational aspects of the menus with a history of American food to the typical José Andrés creative molecular gastronomy exhibitions in his food. The gazpacho I had there was easily the best gazpacho I’ve ever had, in its simplicity and bold flavors of individual ingredients coming together in my bowl right before my eyes (literally — the waiter poured the tomato broth over my vegetables and olive oil).
3. Izakaya Blue Ocean (Fairfax)
If you love sushi as much as I do, you have to make your way over to the deceiving location of the Pickett Shopping Center off Main Street in Fairfax where this hidden sushi haven is located. This is one of the most authentic places I’ve been to in the area, and it makes for an incredible lunch-time experience. The eel-avocado and spicy tuna rolls I had at the sushi bar were spot-on. Great service, too — and, of course, home to my favorite mochi ice cream.
2. “The New Luther” at ChurchKey (Washington, D.C.)
Fried chicken with smoked bacon on a glazed doughnut? Let’s be honest, this sandwich is the type of food you can only eat once a year — maybe once a lifetime. But 2011 was my year of the New Luther, and I enjoyed every bite. I was debating whether to add this to the savory or sweet list due to the fact that it’s a sandwich with a sweet glazed doughnut in place of your typical bread or bun. But since it’s served for lunch with french fries, I decided it is most certainly savory. The doughnut just adds a nice little sweet tone and balances out the salty fried chicken and bacon. Mmmmmmmmmmm.
1. The Italian Store (Arlington)
This place is heaven to me! When I’m missing all the Italians and likely mobsters from New Jersey, I just take a trip to the Italian Store. I love walking around and seeing their Italian specialties in the store while waiting for my massive, oily, and, best of all cheap, sandwich. They’re all good — from fresh prosciutto to layers of spiced ham with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and hot peppers, doused in oil and vinegar, to the best thing (in my opinion) they offer: their fresh mozzarella.
Melt in your mouth.
-Julia Harbo
Tags: 2011 best eats, America Eats Tavern, blue ocean, ChurchKey, countdown, countdown to 2012, D.C., food, Gut Check, José Andrés, julia harbo, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, Savory, super pollo, the italian store, the new luther, top foods of 2011