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Justin "Perpetually Procrastinated Penmanship" C.'s Profile

Brain Free Food

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I have to think all day at work, can't someone else do it for me when I go out? Fortunately, if you eat at the right places that answer is a resounding yes. The "tasting menu" goes by many names: chef's table, degustation, omakase, prix fixe, wine/beer pairing dinners, or even a "grazing" menu. They all share one thing in common though, a reliance on the chef to feature their best dishes in order to truly highlight how they want their restaurant represented. [Note: I almost always order the tasting menu if it's available, but in some cases I want things that are only on the a la carte menu; therefore, I have included restaurants in this list that offer a tasting menu to make it easier for you to identify, even if I ordered something else.]

 1. Acquerello

1722 Sacramento St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 567-5432

Category: Italian

Neighbourhood: Nob Hill

5.0 star rating
  1/13/2010

Of all the meals we had in San Fran, Acquerello was the best. It's not just food, it's a full experience, and they provide the best service in the whole city. They're well trained, experienced, and professional, and one of the few Michelin quality…More »

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 2. 2941 Restaurant

2941 Fairview Park Dr
Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 270-1500
5.0 star rating
  3/28/2011 ROTD 5/12/2011

Here we are at another century mark. Although it may take me longer to get around to places that were significant to me, I do it with no less zeal or enthusiasm than when I first began reviewing. For my 300th entry, the OCD-numbers-freak in me…More »

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 3. Craigie On Main

853 Main St
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 497-5511
5.0 star rating
  3/3/2010

Craigie was the best meal I had in my entire stay in Boston, and a perfect way to end my culinary tour of the city. Chef Tony Maws does a fantastic job of using unconventional ingredients and powerful flavors to make really memorable dishes, and if…More »

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 4. Sushi Kappo Tamura

2968 Eastlake Ave E
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 547-0937

Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese

Neighbourhood: Eastlake

5.0 star rating
  5/23/2012

My meal at Kappo transcends anything I could ever put to words here or any other format. It was an experience, like watching a masterpiece being painted, and the best omakase selection of my entire life thus far. I should point out though that I…More »

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 5. Castle Hill Inn

590 Ocean Ave
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 849-3800
5.0 star rating
  6/25/2010

This place is amazing, although I almost never found it. It would have been a real shame to miss out too, as this is quite possibly the best meal offered in the state of Rhode Island. GPS doesn't exactly recognize the address, and the Yelp map…More »

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 6. O Ya

9 East St
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 654-9900

Category: Japanese

Neighbourhoods: Waterfront, Leather District, South Boston

5.0 star rating
  2/23/2010

I was so worried I would miss my reservation here, the place I wanted to go more than any during my stay in Boston. I took the "T" all the way to Savin Hill, to get to the "other East St" in Boston, not realizing it was the wrong place. Even when I…More »

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 7. Marcel's

2401 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 296-1166

Category: French

5.0 star rating
  7/18/2008

One of the best meals of my life. I was lucky enough to have my wife treat me here on my birthday and it went above all expectations I had.

The food was just amazing, in taste and presentation. We were both pleased with every dish they brought out,…More »

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 8. Gracie's

194 Washington St
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 272-7811

Category: American (New)

Neighbourhood: DownCity

5.0 star rating
  5/19/2010

It worked out quite well for me that the last meal I had in Providence turned out to be one of the best, as I left the city with a real appreciation for what they're doing there food-wise, and a new level of respect I certainly would have never had…More »

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 9. Fleur De Lys

777 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 673-7779

Category: French

5.0 star rating
  1/12/2010

I think this was perhaps my wife's most anticipated meal of our trip, mainly because of our shared fascination for the amazingly charming Hubert Keller. While dinner surely did not disappoint, we had no idea that Fleur De Lys was essentially "My…More »

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 10. Thai X-ing

515 Florida Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 332-4322

Category: Thai

5.0 star rating
  11/7/2011

So, here we are, another year older, and another century turned in the Yelp reviews, this time marking my 400th, and I couldn't imagine a better place to celebrate it than somewhere which has absolutely perfected my favorite cuisine and the…More »

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 11. Salts Restaurant

798 Main St
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 876-8444

Categories: French, American (New)

Neighbourhood: Kendall Square/MIT

5.0 star rating
  3/3/2010

I was constantly torn during my dinner at Salts between a range of highs and mediums, but luckily there were no lows. The restaurant itself looks more interesting from the outside than the inside, where it takes on sort of an old glamorous banquet…More »

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 12. Meritage

70 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 439-3995

Categories: American (New), Seafood

Neighbourhood: Waterfront

5.0 star rating
  2/19/2010

This was easily one of my favorite meals, and restaurants, of my 2 week stay in Boston in December. The ambiance in here is perfect for a multitude of dining situations, and the view (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) of the harbor is tough to beat. The…More »

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 13. Gary Danko

800 N Point St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 749-2060

Category: American (New)

Neighbourhood: Fisherman's Wharf

5.0 star rating
  1/5/2010

Right away I loved the ambiance of this place. The golden/orange hues everywhere and bright displays of flower arrangements spread throughout the restaurant give a super sexy vibe when set against the dark walls and low light in the restaurant. Gary…More »

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 14. Little Serow

1511 17th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Category: Thai

Neighbourhood: Dupont Circle

5.0 star rating
  11/3/2011 ROTD 3/14/2012 First to Review

To be the first customer anywhere feels nice, but when that place is the new Thai restaurant from the star chefs responsible for Komi, many DC citizens "best restaurant", it's extra special. Julia and I had been hearing rumors of the opening for a…More »

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 15. Ten Tables

597 Centre St
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 524-8810

Category: American (New)

Neighbourhood: Jamaica Plain

5.0 star rating
  3/2/2010

This is such a beautiful (http://www.flickr.com/...), intimate, little space (http://www.flickr.com/...) tucked away in Jamaica Plain, just outside of Boston. Some restaurants are tiny, and they feel that way, giving you a constant sense of being…More »

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 16. Blue Duck Tavern

1201 24th St NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 419-6755

Categories: Bars, American (Traditional)

Neighbourhood: West End

5.0 star rating
  10/27/2008 ROTD 2/14/2009

I think there appears to be 2 traditional styles of writing your 100th review. The first is to write about something quirky, funny or random, such as an Exxon station or your own ass, and the second is to do something really memorable and satisfying.…More »

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 17. Acadiana

901 New York Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 408-8848

Category: Cajun/Creole

5.0 star rating
  8/2/2008

Absolutely all around amazing!! This week we had one of the top 5 meals of my life at this place. I dined here with 3 other people, and tasted some of everything that each person got, and was not disappointed one bit. Here's a quick rundown of what…More »

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 18. Rioja

1431 Larimer St
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 820-2282

Category: Spanish

Neighbourhoods: Northwest, Lodo

5.0 star rating
  6/22/2010

The food at Rioja is absolutely solid, and I think it does a fantastic job of representing Colorado cuisine all around. Everything seemed well placed, and our whole team really enjoyed the experience and the service the folks at Rioja provided. There…More »

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 19. Oleana Restaurant

134 Hampshire St
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 661-0505

Category: Mediterranean

Neighbourhood: Inman Square

5.0 star rating
  2/19/2010

If you're dining in Boston and want to try something really different, then you've got to check out Oleana. It's rare to see places do pure Turkish cuisine, but to see them do it this well is truly a treat not to be missed. The decor matches the food…More »

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 20. Brasserie Beck

1101 K St NW
Washington, DC 20050
(202) 408-1717
5.0 star rating
  9/30/2009

Somehow I have failed to review Beck, despite it being perhaps my most recommended place to people who are asking for somewhere new to dine in DC. I have been to Beck three times now, all under very different circumstances, and enjoyed all three very…More »

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 21. Mannequin Pis

18064 Georgia Ave
Olney, MD 20832
(301) 570-4800

Category: Belgian

5.0 star rating
  3/9/2010 ROTD 4/28/2010

Since my 100th review was dedicated to an amazing meal my wife treated me to on my birthday, I thought it fitting I celebrate my 200th review with a meal that I treated her to on hers. While this may not seem the most likely of places to "treat"…More »

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 22. One Market Restaurant

1 Market Plz
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-5577

Categories: American (Traditional), American (New)

Neighbourhood: SOMA

5.0 star rating
  1/6/2010

Lunch here was exactly what I needed after the lackluster meal we had at Coi. Unfortunately for me they somehow managed to lose my OpenTable reservation, an occurrence which seemed common after overhearing several people who came in have the same…More »

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 23. 360 Restaurant

301 Front St W
Toronto, ON M5V 2T6
Canada
(416) 362-5411

Category: Canadian (New)

Neighbourhood: Entertainment District

5.0 star rating
  11/7/2008

This was my favorite meal of my entire trip through Toronto. Not only are the views amazing here, but the food is top quality, and the price you would pay to take the elevator up to the tower anyway is dropped (however, the meal isn't cheap, so it…More »

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 24. T.W. Food

377 Walden St
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 864-4745
5.0 star rating
  2/18/2010

T.W. Food's Tuesday tasting menus rock. It's an off night for most diners, but if you have a chance, make sure you book one of these if you've been wanting to try this restaurant, or just wet your toes in fine dining in general. For $49 you get 4…More »

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 25. Bistro 990 Restaurant - CLOSED

990 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M5S 3A8
Canada
(416) 921-9990

Category: French

Neighbourhoods: Discovery District, University of Toronto, Downtown Core

5.0 star rating
  3/31/2009

***** 4.5 stars *****

This was just shy of a perfect rating, but mainly because of the slight disappointment with the main course that may have just been my own silly delusions of grandeur. Overall this is easily one of the best restaurants in…More »

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 26. Aqua - CLOSED

252 California St
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 956-9662

Categories: Seafood, American (New)

Neighbourhood: Financial District

4.0 star rating
  1/13/2010

***** 4.5 stars *****
A Michelin 2 star restaurant that offers lunch service seems to be pretty rare, so we jumped at the chance to squeeze Aqua in to an already busy week of gourmet delights. We had a very solid meal, with a few nice surprises, but…More »

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 27. New Rivers

7 Steeple St
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 751-0350

Category: American (New)

Neighbourhood: College Hill

4.0 star rating
  9/8/2009

**** 4.5 stars ****

New Rivers has probably the best looking and most intriguing charcuterie and offal menu (http://www.yelp.com/us...) of any restaurant I've been in. Where else can you get Cocks' Combs and Duck Fries on the same menu? Sadly, this…More »

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 28. Boulevard

1 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-6084

Category: American (New)

4.0 star rating
  1/12/2010

I should start this review with the fact that were it not for the pastry chef this place would be receiving 3 stars, and that compared to some of the other high class, business lunch places I ate at in San Francisco they have a long way to go to…More »

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 29. Via Matta

79 Park Plz
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 422-0008

Category: Italian

Neighbourhood: Back Bay

4.0 star rating
  2/24/2010

I need to start this review with a simple question, so you can get a sense of my state of mind as I left Via Matta. How the hell can you have a 7 course tasting menu at an Italian restaurant and not be served a SINGLE pasta dish? I don't want to…More »

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 30. Bastille

1201 N Royal St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 519-3776

Category: French

4.0 star rating
  7/19/2008

I must say up front that we actually went to Batille for their Bastille Day Celebration, so our dining experience may be slightly different from what you would get on a regular night. The prix fixe menu was a great price for everything we received,…More »

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 31. The Oval Room

800 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 463-8700

Category: American (New)

4.0 star rating
  8/19/2008

This was a Restaurant Week 08 stop for us, and I think they did a great job of encapsulating everything that week is supposed to be about. The menu had plenty to offer for each course, and the wait staff was definitely on their game, trying to…More »

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 32. Mistral Restaurant

223 Columbus Ave
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 867-9300

Categories: French, Mediterranean

Neighbourhood: Back Bay

4.0 star rating
  2/18/2010

Mistral was my first taste of Boston, and it was a really pleasant welcome to a rainy, cold city. Apparently they offer a special prix fixe menu on Sunday and Monday nights, when restaurants are typically slower, for just $35. The menu is 3 courses,…More »

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 33. Society Fair

277 S Washington St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-3247
4.0 star rating
  2/1/2012

**** 3.5 stars ****

Society Fair is a combination of a lot of disjointed parts, all fighting to be the dominant element here, but I'm leaning towards the 4 side here based on the potential they have once all the pieces fall together in the right way.…More »

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 34. Radius Restaurant

8 High St
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 426-1234

Category: American (New)

Neighbourhood: Financial District

3.0 star rating
  2/20/2010

***** 3.5 stars *****

I can't remember the saying "You can't judge a book by its cover" being more apropos for a restaurant than at Radius. From the outside you can tell this is a swank restaurant (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), even without an Aston…More »

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 35. Coi

373 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 393-9000

Category: American (New)

Neighbourhoods: North Beach/Telegraph Hill, Financial District

2.0 star rating
  1/5/2010

Since leaving San Francisco no review has loomed over me more than the one I have to do for Coi. I have been debating for weeks now what score to actually give the place, because I know it should be a 5 star restaurant, the problem is they don't live…More »

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Recently updated lists from Justin C.

Oh No They Didn't! (52)

Avoid these places if you like any of the following things: your health, your safety, your money, your friends. You are very likely to lose any or all of the above by visiting them. These are the worst of the bad places I've been to, and you do not want to be on this list if you're a business (and somehow still IN business).

InspirAsian (49)

The continent of Asia provides us with a myriad of wonders from architecture to cuisine and everything in between. There are plenty of lists out there targeted to specific countries and their specialties, be it Thai peppers, Japanese noodles, or Chinese dim sum. I decided to make this list to share my favorite places that have ties to any part of the region, because sometimes we just want a little culture in our life, and aren't sure what we want but we know we want something new.

I Need A Drink! (89)

These places are focused in some way on the one thing we can almost all agree on, alcohol! Whether it be wine, beer or spirits that get you going, somewhere on this list is bound to have what you're looking for.

Crafty Cocktails (48)

When I stray away from my love of craft beer it's more often than not because the cocktail list is so appealing I just can't resist. I really appreciate bars that come up with their own unique mixes, and here are some of my favorites.

Fancy Pants (52)

Get dressed up before coming here, as these are the "nicest" places you can dine or go out (with no consideration given in this list to the actual food and/or drinks). If you're not looking spiffy here you might get some stares...

More Than Just A Spud (45)

I'm Irish, through and through. Some may think it's a stereotype that we love our potatoes, and they're right, but that doesn't mean it's not true. We put them in, on, and with almost everything we eat, and we love every bite. Somehow though, some people have found ways to screw up this most basic of vegetables, so I created this list to glorify those who truly pay homage to the lifeblood of my homeland. [Note: This list is more than just fries, although it is heavily favored in that that direction, but also includes places that do homemade chips, or homefries, as well as just great all-around potato dishes. It's also attempted to be somewhat ranked, with my favorites at the top.]

Tapas Teasers or Palate Pleasers? (9)

Is it a great way to share plates, or just an inevitable money-sink that leaves you hungry after? The small plate phenomenon is catching on quickly as kitchens realize they can make major bank by giving you little portions, but some places excel where others falter.

No Walls Needed (66)

Like the idea or not, mobile food is becoming more popular every month in major cities across our country. The lower cost of doing business, partly from no rental costs and typically self-employed labor, gives us quite often some very unique food ideas at relatively cheap costs compared to your standard restaurant. If you're going to venture out there and have something different, I suggest trying some of these places in your quest for ultimate food bliss.

Seattle Standouts (9)

From sun up to sun down I was pleased with so many aspects of the month I spent in Seattle. It was easily the freshest fish I had ever experienced, and the creative genes are flowing rampantly in the blood of its chefs. You can see all the high resolution photos of the trip here: http://www.flickr.com/...

Simply The Best (72)

My favorite places to have a very memorable meal. If there were ever any occasion that required dining on the best food possible, I would gladly have it at one of these restaurants. These restaurants do something special to set them apart from just my favorite places to eat, they provide you with a unique atmosphere or cuisine that is above and beyond just good food.

See all 51 lists »

"Yes, that is just a banana in my pocket, I love food."

Review votes:
4352 Useful, 2490 Funny, and 3711 Cool

Location

Washington, DC

Yelping Since

August 2007

Things I Love

Meat flavored meat.

Find Me In

Working by the White House or drinking somewhere in Logan / Dupont / U St

My Hometown

Charlotte, NC

My Blog Or Website

http://www.wellfedwell...

When I'm Not Yelping...

I'm usually eating somewhere I should be writing about

Why You Should Read My Reviews

I like to offer a photographic journey of my culinary escapades.

My Second Favourite Website

http://www.flickr.com/...

The Last Great Book I Read

Anything by the genius of satire: Terry Pratchett

My First Concert

Pearl Jam, 1994

My Favourite Movie

Shakespeare In Love

My Last Meal On Earth

Filet Mignon w/ crab on top and a Burgundy reduction, no sides necessary

Don't Tell Anyone Else But...

My DR says I have to stop having dinner for 4 unless there are 3 other people.

Current Crush

Minka Kelly. Me and the entire rest of the world.