Experience a Unique Style of Fusion Cuisine at Bombay Street Food
Bombay Street Food in Columbia Heights is restaurateur Asad Sheikh’s newest venture, and it pays homage to the street vendors of his childhood. Among the dishes Sheikh remembered from his childhood is Indo-Chinese chili chicken in a spicy tomato sauce with curry leaves. Another favorite is the vada pav, dubbed the “Bombay Burger,” consisting of a mashed potato patty topped with cilantro-ginger chutney. The Monsoon section of the menu reflects what people in Mumbai eat with their chai tea during the rainy season, featuring cheese pakora, vegetable pakora, and spicy chicken masala.
The 65-seat interior (with a private dining room and patio) has walls decorated with Bollywood performers, street food vendors, and Mumbai commuters. In addition, a photograph of Anthony Bourdain with the Bombay Burger honors the late chef’s journey to India. Visit Bombay Street Food daily for lunch, dinner, and late night eats.
Valentine’s Day is Around the Corner! Find Your Sweets at The Original Velatis
You can’t mention the great flavors of DC without talking about The Original Velatis. This independent candy shop has been making small batch caramels for over 150 years, using only high quality ingredients.
Choose from European-style smooth caramels or traditional American chewy caramels, along with a variety of chocolates, toffees, and other confections. The retail store on Georgia Avenue in Silver Springs has row after decadent row of sweets lining their display cases. Create your own box of truffles, turtles, and chocolates, or pick up a box of their beautifully wrapped sweets to gift. With Valentine’s Day coming up, a short trip over to The Original Velatis to get a present for your sweetie is just what cupid would suggest. And if you have a special occasion coming up, like a wedding or a shower, The Original Velatis makes custom favors and has party buffet packages for a sweet end to any event.
Lewi Café Pours Organic Coffee Sourced Fresh From an Ethiopian Farm
The Keffa province in Ethiopia cultivates huge amounts of coffee today as it has for many centuries. In fact, the word “coffee” is believed to be derived from “Keffa,” as the region is believed to be the original birthplace of java. That’s why Lewi Organic Coffee Farm, the sole provider of beans for Lewi Café, operates in Keffa.
The coffeehouse in Silver Spring is the farm’s first outpost in the US, serving its organic coffee directly from the field to your cup. The high quality of the Ethiopian beans really carries the coffee, so the baristas don’t craft any beverages that are too over-the-top. They mostly dole out cups of drip-brewed coffee and espresso, along with a handful of lattes and chocolate-infused drinks. These coffee-based beverages pair well with the light breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare on the menu, from Belgian waffles to fresh salads and soups.
