JLK Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 (edited) Those who know me will be very surprised to see this post, but after a lifetime of escewing salads, I'm suddenly finding myself wanting the green stuff. Maybe my body knows something I don't, but I'm actually craving the crunch of <shudder> lettuce and other salady things.The inspiration might have come from a wonderful salad I recently shared at Vidalia involving green and yellow beans, spinach and the most delicous duck prosciutto. Where should I go next for salad?The parameters:- I'm already familiar with the Cosis, Corner Bakeries, etc. of the world. I'm looking for your top picks for DC-area restaurants with good starter or entree salads.- Bonus points for salads that include steak, bacon or any other type of pork product.- Cheese is good.- Points deducted for salads involving seafood other than crab or lobster. Hey, this is my topic! I get to ask for what I like. Edited June 6, 2013 by DonRocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoganCircle Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 (edited) Have a look at these. I think some are fantastic. Salads (As entree)House Salad Crispy romaine lettuce, avocados, palmitos, red onions, green peppers, pepperoncini, tomatoes, spring onions tossed at your table with olive oil vinaigrette. $8.95 La Isabella Salad Romaine leaves topped with fresh tomatoes, avocado, red pimentos, green and yellow peppers, red onions, glazed pecans, Spanish olives and feta cheese tossed with extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. $8.95 Sunshine Salad Avocado, oranges, fresh corn, red & yellow peppers, sundried tomatoes, red onions, glazed walnuts and mix baby lettuce and spinach, tossed with olive oil vinaigrette with a touch of peanut dressing. $9.95 Fiesta Salad Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, olives, green peppers, avocado, pepperoncini and cheese, topped with chicken or beef fajitas, served with our delicious house dressing. $9.95 Monterey Salad Marinated chicken, fresh corn, black beans, cheese, tortilla strips, peanuts, tomatoes, baby lettuces, and spinach tossed with our olive oil vinaigrette and a touch of peanut dressing. $9.95 Brazilian Salad Grilled chicken marinated, with spinach and baby mix lettuce, avocados, palmitos, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions, zucchini, olives and parsley, tossed with our delicious olive oil vinaigrette and a touch of peanut dressing. $9.95 BBQ Ranch Chicken BBQ chicken, avocado, tomatoes, grilled corn, black beans, cucumbers and romaine lettuce all tossed with our house dressing, topped with crispy fried onions for crunch. $9.95 La Fernanda Salad Baby mix lettuce with chicken, red pimientos, green and yellow peppers, apples, red onions, almonds, sunflower seeds, tortilla strips and feta cheese, all tossed with our balsamic vinaigrette. $9.95 Salmon Salad Our delicious fresh herb-crusted salmon with baby lettuce, asparagus, red onions, cucumbers, and endive lettuce with our delicious olive oil vinaigrette, and a touch of peanut dressing. $10.95 They, not the Tex-Mex, are the reason to go to Lauriol Plaza. The Monterey is my favorite. Edited November 7, 2005 by LoganCircle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Ooh, great topic! The salad in the cafe at Palena recently had a hard shaved cheese, like Parm, mixed in with tasty greens, toasted hazelnuts, and a few golden beets here and there. It is salad-tastic. Right down the block, at Dino, the description of the chopped salad on the menu doesn't make you want to order it, but see if this description does: warm sauteed mushrooms and marinated artichokes, contrasting with cool greens, romanesco, beets again, and probably two or three more things I don't remember. Anyway, a nice hefty salad with contrasting tastes, temperatures, and textures to keep you powering through the whole plate. I believe both are dressed with a tangy, low-key vinaigrette that just sort of gets out of the way so you can enjoy the rest of the ingredients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Wilma Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 (edited) I've always been unreasonably attached to the "Roast Chicken Salad" at Carlyle in Shirlington. I think some of the other "Great American Restaurants" serve it as well. But Carlyle is closest to DC. From their menu...... Roast Chicken fresh corn, grape tomatoes, dates, sun dried cranberries, pine nuts goat cheese & champagne vinaigrette Edited November 7, 2005 by Free Wilma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC in DC Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Never had them, but the salads at Breadline always look good with a wide range of toppings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK Posted November 7, 2005 Author Share Posted November 7, 2005 Have a look at these. I think some are fantastic.These, not the Tex-Mex, are the reason to go to Lauriol Plaza. The Monterey is my favorite. Thanks, but...the wait? Ouch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK Posted November 7, 2005 Author Share Posted November 7, 2005 Buck's has made me a big fan of beets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shogun Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Never had them, but the salads at Breadline always look good with a wide range of toppings. Yes, I tend to gaze upon them with wonderment while waiting to order my sandwich. Actually, I've had salad there once, and it was very good. However, generally I'm there for sandwich! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capital Icebox Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 (edited) Restaurant Eve's salads are tops, and you can get them for lunch (along with a drink, entree or dessert) for $13.50. Edited to add: Their salads change every day, but I've worked through six or more of them and they have always been stellar. Edited November 7, 2005 by Capital Icebox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwertyy Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 "The Wedge" at Capital Grille is a salad in name only. The quarter-head of iceburg and tomato wedges are drowned in verrrry good blue cheese dressing and sprinkled with perfectly crisp bacon. Yummers. And, for others, without OP's seafood aversions, the Tabard Inn occasionally has a smoked trout, arugula, lemon, and parm (? hm. some such cheese. maybe pecorino) salad that is simply delightful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 For lunch, the Old Ebbitt Express has a different salad every day of the week. All are pretty good and usually cost about $7.50. The portions are enormous. Their taco salad comes in a torilla bowl about the size of your head. Sadly lettuce doesn't keep very well otherwise you'd be able to make two meals out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 The beet salad at Corduroy is stellar, if it's still on the menu. I had the wild mushroom salad at Circle Bistro. Mushrooms, lightly dressed frisee, lardons and a poached egg. Oh my. All evening every time I licked my lips I could taste the sweet and salty bacon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lackadaisi Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Yes, I tend to gaze upon them with wonderment while waiting to order my sandwich. Actually, I've had salad there once, and it was very good. However, generally I'm there for sandwich! Breadline to me equals lentil and feta salad. It is amazing. It is so amazing that I can never get myself to order anything else (although most everything else that I have tasted has been excellent). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonaire Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 I'm a big fan of the simple house salad at Bistro Bis. It's well made, not too big and perfectly dressed with a wonderful, tangy vinaigrette. I also think Capital Grille's steak salad is goodif you're looking for something a little heartier than your average salad. They have a Parmesan Vinaigrette that is pretty good (though a little grainy at times). The Thai Chicken Salad at Zola gets raves from my friends (have never tried). And finally -- my favorite salad in the entire city -- the Wafu Salad at Spices. Very simple salad -- iceberg lettuce, carrots and cucumbers (not usually the ingredients of a fabulous salad). What makes this salad great, however, is the dressing. It's a sesame/ginger dressing that should be put in a glass to drink it's so good. I have one at home in my fridge that will be devoured tonight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackers Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Wollensky's Grill (the more casual side of Smith & Wollensky) has the best classic Cobb salad that I've tried in DC. 19th St. between L and M. I believe they also have a good steak salad, but I always get the Cobb, so I can't vouch for the others. I think there is a price differential if you order it from the more formal side of the establishment, so take care where you sit if you are sitting outside on the sidewalk because it's hard to tell there's a difference out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK Posted November 7, 2005 Author Share Posted November 7, 2005 I'm becoming a huge fan of cobb salads. Avocado AND bacon together? Genius. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 (edited) Curly chicory salad with warm goat cheese and croutons at Montmartre is simple and yummy and the ginger salad at Spices is very tasty Edited November 7, 2005 by Tweaked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenticket Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Ray's the Steaks "Steak Salad" DEFINITELY gets the bonus points for steak. It is huge, has a ton of bleu cheese, atop a bed of romaine with some grape tomatoes thrown in, dressed in a vinaigrette, I believe. There's probably a good 2-3 meals worth of steak on there and it's a bargain at about $14.95 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsadler Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 and the ginger salad at Spices is very tasty Indeed. So's the one at Mandalay. And the Sonoma Goat Cheese Fritter salad (with tomatoes or beets depending on season) at Circle Bistro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 (edited) I like the bacon and egg salad that Eve once had. All you do is pierce the egg and let the magic flow (very much like soup at Palena). And for cheap fun, carry out: The Wafu (with shirmp) and the Ginger salad at Spices. I've always liked the simplicity of the salads at Colorado Kitchen, and a lot of times those salads have fat-laden treasures hidden inside. That one at Buck's is yummy. Iceburg is under-rated. Ray's steak salald is yummy. Edited November 7, 2005 by Meaghan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 "The Wedge" at Capital Grille is a salad in name only. The quarter-head of iceburg and tomato wedges are drowned in verrrry good blue cheese dressing and sprinkled with perfectly crisp bacon. Yummers. I like that salad a lot. I have not been there in some time now. Time for a return trip.I quite like the Caesar salad at the Ritz-Carlton at Pentagon City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwertyy Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Agree on the Spices ginger salad! Since we're going Asian, I'll add hearty support for the gado gado at Nooshi--cabbage, tofu, green beans, cuke, egg, bean sprouts, shrimp chips, and spicy peanut dressing. I'm utterly addicted to this dish, which is just a "sorta" salad--some ingredients are warm and some are cold, but it still is crunchy and salad-y. Gado gado appears to be highly variable--in a restaurant in San Francisco, it was served as more of a stir fry (and only cost $3!), and at a restaurant in Cambodia, it was more of a salad. Whatever. At Nooshi, get it to go so, when you get home, you can smash up the egg then shake it up in its little plastic container so that everything gets all mixed together. I guess I know what I'm having for dinner tonight... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. B Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 (edited) I like the bacon and egg salad that Eve once had. All you do is pierce the egg and let the magic flow (very much like soup at Palena). The royal trumpet mushroom salad with lardons and poached egg that I inhaled at Circle Bistro last Friday is to die for. eta:Heather had it first. Edited November 8, 2005 by Mrs. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinDC Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 If you don't want to wait at Lauriol for those salads, Cactus Cantina has the exact same ones... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC in DC Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 I'm becoming a huge fan of cobb salads. Avocado AND bacon together? Genius. When I clerked in Alexandria, I used to be a regular at this deli behind the federal courthouse (I think called New York deli or something like that). They had a great "california club" that was hand-carved turkey, avocado and bacon. Definitely YUMMY, if any of you lawyers (or jurors) find yourself down there (the courthouse is a bit too far from Old Town to walk). (Halfway through the year, I gave up pork so I had to get that sandwich without the bacon; it was still good though!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 If you don't want to wait at Lauriol for those salads, Cactus Cantina has the exact same ones... In general I think the salads are great, but I did have the Sunshine Salad at Cactus once, and they clearly hadn't reconstituted the sun-dried tomatoes. They were like little strips of red leather. (Rest of the salad was delicious though.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Gastreaux Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 I like the bacon and egg salad that Eve once had. All you do is pierce the egg and let the magic flow (very much like soup at Palena). It's back on the menu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokey Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 Breadline to me equals lentil and feta salad. It is amazing. It is so amazing that I can never get myself to order anything else (although most everything else that I have tasted has been excellent). I also really like the lentils and feta salad (although, if I do say so myself, I do a lovely one at home!).I also second what some have said about the ginger salad at Spices. In fact, i think it's about the only decent thing on the menu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyblues Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 I like a lot of the salads at Wheat Berry's on Connecticut Avenue in the old Amernick bakery spot. Favorites include the Israeli couscous with feta, caramelized onions and apricots, the sweet potato chicken salad with almonds and scallions, and the regular couscous with cranberries, raisins and scallions. I get food from this place more often than I probably should, but the owner is so nice and the food is consistently good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Johnston Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 Do not hate me for this.... I love the spicy fried chicken salad at TJFridays. Normally I try to avoid chains...but sometimes I just got to have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.A.R. Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 To eat good food is to be close to God. --Big NightTo eat at TG Friday's is to hump the devil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demetrius Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 I agree that the salads at the Breadline look great, and can also add that Marvelous Market also has good salads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Cafe salad at Palena! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giancarlo Buonarotti Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Cafe salad at Palena! the beet salad at corduroy the arugula salad at marcel's the radicchio salad at tosca the sata fe chicken salad at the cheesecake factory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilrus Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 (edited) the beet salad at corduroythe arugula salad at marcel's the radicchio salad at tosca the sata fe chicken salad at the cheesecake factory Sing with me - One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others By the time I finish my song? Edited December 15, 2005 by bilrus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giancarlo Buonarotti Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Sing with me - One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others By the time I finish my song? it's what it is, not trying to be something else just delivering their promise, no high horses just facts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilrus Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 it's what it is, not trying to be something else just delivering their promise, no high horses just facts I'm not being critical - I eat plenty of salads from chains. In fact, just yesterday I had the Cobb Salad from Champps for lunch for probably the 200th time in the seven years I've worked in Reston. But the first three restaurants on your list are easily among the best in the city. Cheescake Factory is flying in some pretty rarified air there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeuxblu Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 When you think of salads (or if you think of salads) where do you go to find that plate of raw veggies? Besides creating your own, are their places that stand out as serving a delectable salad or do we all fall back to the sneeze guard protection of Ruby Tuesdays? Rockwellians- where do you go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monavano Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Any of the Great American Restaurant places. http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diannesh Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 My two favorites are the Bibb Salad at Colorado Kitchen and the Butter Lettuce Salad at W Domku. Very simple, but, Yum, Yum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgarden Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Ginger/fried garlic salad at Mandalay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScotteeM Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 [Edited to start with] Every salad du jour I've had at Restaurant Eve has been wonderful! I have loved the ginger salad and the tea (?) salad at Myanmar in Merrifield. I've also had a great Caesar salad at Kinkead's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kturkey88 Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 I like the Fritto Misto Caesar salad at Chef Geoffs - a caesar salad with lots of lightly spiced calamari on top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 [Edited to start with] Every salad du jour I've had at Restaurant Eve has been wonderful!I have loved the ginger salad and the tea (?) salad at Myanmar in Merrifield. I've also had a great Caesar salad at Kinkead's. Where else can one get a traditional, well-executed Caesar salad? [Please excuse the unintentional pun.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apples & Bananas Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 Where else can one get a traditional, well-executed Caesar salad?[Please excuse the unintentional pun.] The Majestic in Old Town Alexandria has one of the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Clark Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 Do not hate me for this.... I love the spicy fried chicken salad at TJFridays. Normally I try to avoid chains...but sometimes I just got to have one. I have to confess. When I was in the marketing business and used to take clients to lunch all the time, I was often ordering that salad at the Fridays near my office. However, as the years went on it kind of lost something. But I turned on a lot of clients (even those that never hired me) onto that salad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Johnston Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 I totally agree with both these points! I have to confess. When I was in the marketing business and used to take clients to lunch all the time, I was often ordering that salad at the Fridays near my office. However, as the years went on it kind of lost something. But I turned on a lot of clients (even those that never hired me) onto that salad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAC13 Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Whenever I am craving a salad I head to Facia Luna in Clarendon for their trattoria salad (which includes spiced pecans, dates, olives, and feta). They have the best vinaigrette (homemade?) and I top it w/a generous piece of salmon which they cook to temp. My other go-to is Sweetgreen in Gtown. I know it is pricey but I love all the goodies they have to choose from and everything is always incredibly fresh. Plus, I can follow up my salad with some of their devine frozen yogurt-mmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsterriffs Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 My girlfriend got this the other night at Rustico and I tasted it and it was quite good: BUTTER GREENS & MARINATED TOMATO with framboise beer marinated red onion and icebox buttermilk dressing I got their beet salad which I wasn't such a fan of and I was a bit envious of the lady. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monavano Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 I second Majestic for their made at tableside Caesar Salad-it's the real deal and the anchovy puts it over the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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