Seafood Is What I Do

I not only like to eat good seafood but I like to cook good seafood to. And this past week I found myself in a seafood mood and decided instead of going to spend money on a seafood dish that I might as well make it myself. I came up with a cajun tilapia topped with mango salsa, pan seared scallops and shrimp with a homeade herb butter sauce, sauted string beans with red peppers, fried corn, and cabbage with red onions…OMG. Can somebody say “time to open a restaurant.” 

“If You #BeStarvin, I #BeEatin.”

Mom’s House is the Best House Pt. 2

Well, just so nobody thinks I am making up my post when it comes to my Momma, Rev. Dr. Nancy Lee, cooking Sunday dinner. Here goes what we had today for my brother, Rev. Tony Lee’s birthday dinner at the house. Lamb chops, barbecued ribs, string beans, great northern beans with rice, shrimp and chicken pasta salad, sweet potatoes, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. My Momma is a beast when it comes to putting together meals in a few hours. And it was some kind of good.

“If You #BeStarvin, I #BeEatin.”

From Beginning to End: It’s All Good

I had the opportunity to eat lunch at “The Wharf” seafood restaurant in Old Town Alexandria (119 King Street Alexandria, VA)…This was my first time and I have to admit that from beginning to end, it’s all good. The bacon wrapped scallops and fried calamari for appetizers, the seafood fettucini for my entree and the white chocolate bread pudding with raspberry, the coconut custard cream pie for dessert all were on point. The atmosphere reminds me a little of Jerry’s seafood in Lanham so don’t come for the ambience. But the food is all you will ever need to get by (Mary J. Blige reference). If you can, go for lunch b/c the prices are cheaper but the portions are still more than enough.

And can I tell you that seafood fettucini (lobster, shrimp, and scallops) is something I could eat for lunch every day. Well, if you get a chance make sure to check it out.

“If you #BeStarvin, I @BeEatin.”

Beef brisket, rice and gravy, fresh fried corn, candy yams, string beans, and rolls.

When it comes to my favorite place to eat it is definitely my Momma’s house on Sunday. She has been throwing it down every Sunday for my entire life (going on 40 years). No matter how tired she may be, she is going to make sure that there is Sunday dinner. No instant stuff, no pick up from Popeye’s, and no excuses…come rain or shine my Momma is putting it down on Sundays. Not only is there some good eating going on but over the years there have been great friendships and extended family that has become a part of this experience. And Sundays look like an episode from a reality TV show…action, comedy, politics, oh yeah and a whole lot of jokes from my father, Orlando Lee. It’s nothing like good food but there’s nothing better than eating great food with your family.

“If You #BeStarvin, I #BeEatin.”

MASA 14 Is Where the Tapas Are At

Shout out to my buddy Scott Jacobs who had us hit Masa 14 located at 1825 14th Street, NW in Washington, DC. If you are looking for great tasting tapas and a chill spot to hit that has an eclectic ambience than this is the place for you. The salt and pepper calamari, crunchy shrimp, and shrimp fried rice was on point. Prices are reasonable and the DJ was off the chain.

“If You #BeStarvin, I #BeEatin.”

My French Toast Is the Best

I have posted articles on Carlyle’s french toast in Virginia and Front Porch Cafe’s french toast in Miami. I talked about how both are exceptionally good and hard to vote on which one is the best. But the one french toast that definitely beats them both is mine. I can’t tell you the secret ingredient but all I can say is that it takes it to another level. I had my french toast this morning with my Goddaughter and between the food and the great conversation…good times by all!!!

“If You #BeStarvin, I #BeEatin.”

Food Brings Back Memories

Food has a way of bringing back memories…memories of Grandma’s house, a first date, a family reunion, etc. Certain foods can take you back to a specific place at a specific time. And this became so clear to me today as I made my 20 year old Goddaughter’s favorite dish…spaghetti. When she was young all she wanted me to cook was my homeade spaghetti. And now that she is older and chilling with her Godfather before she goes back to South Carolina State University for her sophomore year, she still wanted me to cook the dish that reminds her of all the sleepovers with movies, unlimited snacks, and no bedtime (her mother use to want to kill me…lol). And so tonight we are up eating spaghetti (in the picture), ice cream, potato chips, apples with caramel, and watching our fourth movie of the night with who knows how many more to see. 

“If You #BeStarvin, I #BeEatin

I Don’t Just Love to Eat, I Love to Cook

Just in case you didn’t know, I am not just a foodie that loves to eat but I am a foodie that loves to cook. I was taught by one of the most renown chef’s in the Washington Metropolitan area…you guessed it, my Momma. Momma Lee is known for throwing it down something mean in the kitchen. But what many folks don’t know is that she had her own catering business called “Lee’s Oven” back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. It was there that I found my passion for cooking. By age 12 I was helping my mother put dishes together for food gigs. And I will never forget the first time I cooked for my mother and she told me “boy, you put your foot in this.” We always talked about opening up our own restaurant some day. Well, this part of my blog is dedicated to my mother and it will feature my own cooking. I think I’m going to call it “What I Got from My Momma’s Kitchen”.

Well, today I decided to smother some pork chops (of course fried first) in some onions and red pepper flakes. You ask what is that on top of the pork chop, that’s just some homeade fried apples (granny smiths are my apple of choice). I then made some brussels sprouts with maple turkey bacon (from the Amish Market) and and added some parmesan cheese. And you can’t have smothered pork chops without some white rice w/ gravy coming down the side. 

“If You #BeStarvin, I #BeEatin”.

Shrimp Tempura Roll and Chuck Sliders: The New Surf and Turf

Sometimes the best food spots are the ones you never intended to go to. It’s the ones that you just happen to bump up on. It’s the ones that you just decided at the last minute to try. And can I say that Five Napkin Burger off of Lincoln and Drexel in Miami was the place for me on yesterday for lunch.

I decided to get the chuck slider and the shrimp tempura roll. The burger was off the hook. The Chuck slider is fresh ground chuck topped with Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions and a rosemary aioli. This burger is truly something that you have to experience to believe. The shrimp tempura roll was very good but what almost stole the show was the cookies and cream milkshake…OMT (Oh My Trinity). Fresh oreo cookies, some special syrup, vanilla ice cream, malt, homeade marshmallow cream (cream brule but not cooked), and 3 huge marshmallows on top that are roasted with fire. When I tell you I would fly back to Miami just for this milkshake, I am telling you the truth. Price ranges from $10 - $20 for entrees. Highly recommended and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

“If You #BeStarvin, I #BeEatin”

Granola Mixed Berry Pancakes: Front Porch Does It Again

You already know that Front Porch Cafe is my breakfast spot when it comes to the best french toast I’ve ever had. But I was also told I need to try the granola pancakes because they are just as addictive. I heard that people come from all over just to get a taste of these pancakes. 

Well, I ordered them, I ate them, I love them…these pancakes are great and I ordered mine with blueberries and strawberries on the inside…OMJ (Oh My Jesus). When I tell you I wanted to get up from the table and go to the kitchen and give the chef a hug. These pancakes are simply amazing and if you go to Miami then 1458 Ocean Drive has got to be on your radar. Prices range $10 - $20 (gratuity is included in your bill).

Shout out to Elizabeth my server for the week who I love…she even gave me extra props to make my photos look better.

“If You #BeStarvin, I #BeEatin”