DC’s best food…is in Virginia

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have found my first DC dining experience that is just as good as anything in New York.  Ironically, I had to leave the District of Columbia in order to find it.  Northern VA is—for all intents and purposes—considered part of DC.  It’s the DC metro area, at any rate.  And it’s also home to one of the cutest cafes I’ve ever been to.  Café isn’t even the right word.  But however you want to call is, Northside Social out in Clarendon is a gem.

Northside is part café, part coffee shop, part wine bar, part locavore-hipster  heaven.  It’s in a little wooden “house” in the middle of an island at the intersection of several streets.  Service is café style place your order at the counter, pick it up and grab a table. That being said, the cashiers are some of the most friendly, knowledgeable staff members I’ve met in a long time.  Last time  I went to Northside the girl at the counter debated the relative merits of the muffin versus the pastry for quite a while, and was not afraid to give me her honest opinion (which I appreciate).

The menu is written on a whiteboard on the wall, and you look up to see sandwiches, etc. But these are no ordinary sandwiches.  These are gourmet, organic, locally sourced ingredient, sandwiches.  For examples, my personal favorite is the Roasted leg of lamb with pecorino, pear mustard, arugula, and

Roasted leg of lamb sandwich

cucumber yogurt on fresh focaccia.  It’s one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten in my life.  The leg of lamb is so tender, sliced paper thin and piled on top of the focaccia.  It’s sustainably raised and you can taste the difference.  The lamb taste like lamb.  Whoever designed the sandwich is a genius.  The condiments sound like an odd mix, but it all comes together in a beautiful medley of flavors.  The pear mustard adds sweetness and fruitiness. The pecorino adds a bit of salty sharpness, and the arugula a spicy freshness.  It is a triumph.

Braised beef brisket sandwich

Runner up for sandwich heaven goes to the Stout-braised Beef Brisket with Dubliner cheddar, horseradish crème fraiche, and watercress on oatmeal stout bread.  Just as with the lamb, the combination of flavors is balanced perfectly, although unlike the lamb, the brisket is warm!  The oatmeal stout bread is particularly well paired with the brisket and cheese.  It reminds me of something you’d get in an Irish pub with an aspiring gourmet chef.

I have yet to get to Northside early enough for their breakfast sandwiches, but I’m determined to do so because they feature the ever-famous Polyface farm eggs.  Ever since reading Omnivore’s Dilemma I’ve dreamed of the yellow yolky goodness of these extraordinary eggs.  The fact that Northside uses them speaks to its dedication to quality ingredients.

Raspberry "pop-tart"

Aside from the food, Northside is also a phenomenal espresso bar, featuring Counter Culture coffee from around the globe and home-made pastries, muffins, breads, etc.  Last time I visited I had a macchiato which was perfect. I also tried the raspberry “pop-tart” which was what a pop-tart would taste like if your grandma had never heard of pop-tarts and decided to fill some flaky pie crust with raspberry filling.  It was wonderful.  The crust was flaky and buttery, the filling wasn’t too sweet or gloppy.  It was simple, and delightful.

The last gastronomic surprise is the upstairs wine bar which opens after 5pm.  It’s simple with a reasonably sized wine menu, cheese, and a very knowledgeable sommelier/bar tender.  The atmosphere is unpretentious but also artistic, with paintings from local artists adorning the wall (for sale, naturally) and a giant chandelier made from milk pails.

Clearly, I’m quite smitten with Northside Social.  Perhaps because it’s been such a gourmet desert since moving here, but Northside warms my heart and raises my expectations for future DC dining.

Northside Social

3211 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 465-0145

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