TABERNA DEL ALABARDERO - - Spanish-style Sunday Brunch

There’s a new culinary treat—Spanish-style—in D.C. The well-known authentic Spanish restaurant, Taberna Del Alabardero, just kicked off it’s new Sunday buffet brunch featuring food from various areas of Spain. Last month, cuisine from the Galicia region was featured and I can’t wait to see what’s next. If you’ve never been to Taberna Del Alabardero, gong to a Sunday brunch will give you a good idea of what dining in Spain is like. Executive Chef Javier Romero is the creative genius behind the authentic brunch items including delicious desserts and all for only $38. You will also get to know their friendly manager, Marta Molina and Taberna’s experienced general manager, Javier Velazquez. Taberna Del Alabardero is located at 1776 I St. NW in the District. For more information and reservations, call 202-429-2200 and check the website at www.alabardero.com

P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is not your “pick an item from column A or Column B” type Chinese restaurant. And, yes, it’s a chain restaurant, but I like that because if you go to P.F. Chang’s in Arlington then go to other locations, the food will taste the same. Consistency is what you want when you find dishes you really like. Arlington’s P.F. Chang’s is a fun place and always busy, a sign of good food and good customer service. I suspect this is due to operating partner Rene Paglinawan and manager Kim McDonald. The menu is very easy to read and describes each dish so you know for sure what you’re getting. You can easily make a meal of small plates which include such items as chicken or vegetable lettuce wraps, spring rolls, dumplings, spare ribs, Sichuan chicken flatbread and more. Of course, there are the popular soups, wonton, egg drop, hot and sour and Chang’s chicken noodle. For main dishes the menu is divided into chicken and duck, beef, pork and lamb, seafood, noodles and rice and vegetarian. They also have a nice selection of gluten free dishes. My favorite dishes at Chang’s are salt and pepper calamari, crispy green beans, spring roles, all of the soups, Hong Kong beef with snow peas, ginger chicken with broccoli, mu shu pork, crispy honey shrimp, oolong marinated sea bass, vegetarian fried rice, Ma Po tofu and for dessert, banana spring rolls. Surprising to many, is the extensive beverage menu with so many specialty drinks. Being a Manhattan guy, I can attest to their top quality bourbon. There’s also an organic agave Margarita and an Absolut pepper vodka bloody Mary and many other special creations by Chang’s bartender, Casey Gray. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is located at 901 N. Glebe Rd., just a few block north of Ballston. For more information and reservations, call 703-527-0955 and check the website at www.pfchangs.com.