Some people love crepes while others not so much.  I guess I fall in the latter category.  I can do with out thin pancakes for the most part.  What I can’t live without is great food and coffee and Cafe Bonaparte certainly delivers on both.

My favorite spot is at the bar where I can have a little more space if it isn’t too crowded, plus you don’t have to wait if there is a seat available.

The coffee here is excellent and I recomend the various espresso they have.  The Dulce Espresso starts out with a dulce laced cup and finished with whip cream.  Their lattes can be considered art in some circles but the taste is what is important and they deliver.

Their crepes are filled with fresh ingredients.  The Verona is filled with ground Italian sausage, caramelized onions, green peppers, and two cheeses, provolone and fontina.  I honestly wanted to pick this up and eat it like a breakfast burrito as I almost did with the Florentine.

The omletes and other plates servered are filling and some would find it difficult to finish the entire meal, I know I do and I can eat!

The sweet crepes are enough for 2 so share.  I’m not much of a sweets guy so I tend to go the savory route when it comes to crepes but if you must try one, go with the Dulce, which is filled with fresh bananas and Ducle de leche. 

This has become a favorite of mine.  It provides such an international flare and takes me back to Paris or Buenos Aires each time I walk in.

We ventured out last night to check out the new Kora Restaurant.  We had been big fans of Farrah Olivia in Old Town, Alexandria and were excited to see a less expensive venue Morou created with brother/partner Chef Amadou Quarttara.  If you go to Kora expecting a similar experience to Farrah Olivia, you will be disappointed.  Not only is the chef different, the service won’t be the same. With all the hype, people were lead to believe Chef Morou would be at the culinary helm here, but that is obviously not the case.

Pizza oven at Kora

This is a great place for quick bites out with their low cost pizzas or for special occasion date nights with the Foodie Feast 12 course tasting menu.  This tasting menu comes in a series of 3 with 4 dishes in each series.  At first glance I didn’t think it was enough food but like Farrah Olivia, it is most filling.  For the most part, the plates were excellent but it was certainly hit or miss.  Going with 4 tappas sized options per plate, you are sure to like at least 2 of the four.    After the first two series came and went we were suprised at the length of wait for our 3rd series giving us the impression we were forgotten.

The wait staff could use some polish and we found it a bit peculiar that the individuals who brought out our food from the kitchen explained each item versus our server.  With Chef Morou’s Farrah Olivia the staff made sure to be attentive to your every need without you having to ask.  The staff at Kora are not at that level but then again, neither are the prices.  

Kora will see me with some frequency, but I’ll probably sit at the bar and order pizza.

Haitian Painting by Casimir

If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities, the Embassy of Haiti and ServeDC are asking for volunteers to man telephone banks at the Haitian Embassy, 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. 

If you are able to offer mental health services and grief counseling, please contact the DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency at 202-272-6161.  

Additional information on support and volunteerism can obtained by contacting the Haitian Embassy – Greater Washington Haitian Relief Committee is 202-241-3593.

Material donations, clothes, food, toiletry items can be dropped off at the Haitian Embassy, Sunday, 17 January 2010, 11am-4pm, 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

Additionally, on Sunday, January 17th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM NOAH will be conducting a Survival Kit Drive at the Embassy.

Strength through Unity — L’Union fait la Force: A Service of Prayer for Haiti @ the National Cathedral Sunday, January 17th at 6:00 PM

When traveling around the globe you sometimes have to do a lot of research on where to stay, eat, and what activities to do. If you plan to be in New Your City anytime soon, one great option is to do walking Food Tours NYC. You can combine your sightseeing experience with a walking food tours. Authentic local foods in the city’s most unique neighborhoods. Visit Zagat-rated shops and favorite essential restaurants native New Yorkers frequent in Greenwich Village, Lower East Side, SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown. Mark my words, NYC is a big city with a lot of eateries and places to see. Don’t get swindled into eating at an over priced deli or a fake Ray’s Pizza. Enjoy and if you are in NYC sometime, let me know where you ate and stayed.

Seared Hake @ The Majestic

The Majestic has always been a staple for Old Town Alexandria foodies.  Their open kitchen provides a window into the sometimes chaotic world of culinary art.  The bar has always been filled with upper echelon whiskeys, bourbons, and rum.  And the bar is where you can get one of the best lunch-time deals.  For $13.00 you can select any item from their menu plus a non-alcoholic drink of your choice.  Always in the mood for a good deal, this happens to be one of my normal lunch hot spots. 

I typically go for the Royal Burger which comes with a Russian dressing and a side of fries.  For the price you can’t beat it, not even at BGR, and this burger is better.  However with the new year, I am opting more for salads and fish and this last visit was no exception. 

On this visit, I had the Seared Hake, which comes on a bed of cauliflower, celery confit, Meyer lemon, and an olive tapenade.  It appeared to be the most popular dish as my party of three plus the other three diners at the bar all ordered the same. 

The fish was cooked perfectly causing it to flake as I cut into it with my fork and yet it was still moist .  However the olive tapenade could have been a garlic tapenade as I didn’t see or taste olive but did have several whole garlic pieces.   It appears the Majestic has taken to heart the many complaints of “salty” food as this dish was under-salted.  I didn’t want to ask for salt as I didn’t see any handy but the individuals a few seats over had no such reservations and asked for salt after tasting their Hake.  It is nice to see them cut back on the salt as we can always add more easily.  The Majestic also makes their own flavored sodas, give the Lemon Lime one a try.