Girl Meets Food

Hear how Sushi Rock ROCKS and taste what they ROLL at their grand opening party tomorrow, Wednesday, May 26, 2010 from 6:00 pm to close.

Come enjoy DC’s first and only Rock-n-Roll | Japanese Fusion restaurant as you mingle on the patio or in the bar. Experience samplings of their best dishes, compliments of the chef!  This will be a cocktail party with a cash bar and specials all night.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get the latest and the best of D.C.'s dining scene delivered to your desktop absolutely free!

There’s nothing I love more than a happy hour that offers quality food at a great value.  I’m talking about Art and Soul’s 5:01 Sessions.  From Mondays through Thursdays from 4:00-7:00pm, snag a space on Art and Soul’s comfortable front patio, and enjoy a refreshing Orleans or Washington Nut cocktail for $6.

I was able to sample many of the offerings for April’s  DC Bloggers Happy Hour.

My favorite is what I amusingly call Art and Soul’s upscale version of pork rinds.  Silky, curly ribbons sprinkled with Old Bay, they were light, airy, crunchy and full of pork flavor.

If you like spice, the crispy calamari is lightly battered with cornmeal, for a gritty, chewy texture that end with a fiery punch.  Try the tiny ham and cheese biscuits, or the deviled eggs, both which are reliable, comforting and filling.

The crispy duck wings were large and meaty, dripping with sauce—tasty, yet not conducive as finger food.

The most disappointing dish perhaps, was the fried green tomatoes, which were small disks overwhelmed by cornmeal batter, obliterating any delightfully tart tomato taste.

In addition to small bites, Art and Soul’s 5:01 Sessions offers specials on wine, beer and cocktails.  So today at 3:59pm, you know where I’ll be.

7:10 (7 Imaginative Food and Drink Pairings for $10)
CRISPY DUCK WINGS
Riesling ‘07, Mercer Estates, Yakima Valley
HOUSE CURED JERKY
Our Manhattan made with bourbon, sour cherries, sweet vermouth, and bitters
CRISPY CALAMARI
Gruner Veltliner ‘07, Brundlmayer Kamptaler Terrassen
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
Sauvignon Blanc ‘08, Palo Alto Riserva, Maule Valley
HAM AND CHEESE BISCUIT
Chardonnay ‘07, Errazuris Wild Ferment, Maule Valley
DEVILED EGGS
Put Ups Martin served with pickled onions, okra, beets and quail egg
PORK RINDS
A flight of four of our regional tap beers

The last time I was able to combine my love of movies, food and alcohol, it was at the Las Vegas Drive-In.  It was a dreadful experience at best.  Rob Zombie failed to direct, and the moment the crazed killer sprung from behind the trees, a 747 flew out of the airport, drowning out any climactic screaming.

And don’t get me started on the concessions.  The popcorn looked like it’d been sitting around since Oscar Goldman was mayor.

Not so at the Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse in Arlington, Virginia.  Unlike other movie theaters in the D.C. area, the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse is a fun place to satisfy all my cravings.

This historic 1930’s Art Deco theater isn’t sleek like the newest AMC theaters, but it is charming and well-kept.

The stadium seating features loungy leather chairs, tables and counters so that everyone has table service and a great view of second-run movies on a full-sized screen.

It offers a full restaurant and bar menu along with dirt-cheap movies for $5.50.  Go on a Monday, and you only pay $1.00.

That leaves cash to spend on tasty bites and libations.  Now, while the food is good, don’t expect CityZen.  It is a movie theater after all.

The menu offers everything from a bag of deliciously-seasoned popcorn to a New York Strip with au jus.  I love the black bean burger with Swiss cheese and mushrooms.  When I feel too skinny, I’ll order the potato skins with bacon and Cheddar cheese.  With a side of sour cream.

Try the Black ‘n’ Blue—steak and blue cheese on flatbread, drizzled with ranch dressing.  The fries are great—hot, slender, crispy, with just the right amount of salt.

In addition to second-run movies, the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse shows stand-up comedy and Monday night football.  Friday nights are wine nights, when the Washington Wine Academy hosts paid wine tastings before the show.

Are you a closeted movie nerd?  Join your brethren at special events like “The Lord of the Rings Movie Festival,” “Dude Fest: The Big Lebowski Movie & Music Night,” and “Office Space: Bi-Annual TPS Report Managers Meeting.”

The Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse is a smoke-free facility, and shows start promptly on time, with no previews or advertisements.  Door open thirty minutes before the show.  Get there early to snag a big, comfy seat and a frosty pitcher of beer.

Just don’t take my stapler.

Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse
2903 Columbia Pike
Arlington, VA 22204
(703) 486-2345