Author Archives for Elaine Liu

Komi (Washington, DC)


Johnny Monis, chef/owner of the acclaimed restaurant Komi, was recently named one of the best new chefs of the year by Food and Wine magazine. Liz Deutermann and I had toyed with the idea of writing a joint review, but following this accolade, the menu became prix fixe only with no ala carte items, raising […]

Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market


I’ve made frequent visits to the year-round farmer’s market in Dupont Circle for at least two years now. Each time, I’ve been transfixed by the gorgeous tables piled high with fruits and vegetables that travel hours to get to the city from nearby Virginian and Maryland farms. In the summer, I usually go for staples […]

Mount Vernon Wine Festival (Virginia)


Mount Vernon, the former home of President George Washington, occupies a gorgeously green space overlooking the Potomac River. While visitors flock to this historic site 365 days a year, one weekend each spring, hundreds of people descend upon the estate for the Mount Vernon Wine Festival, which showcases local Virginia wineries amidst the backdrop of […]

Bamian (Falls Church, VA)


When I think of Afghanistan, I think of a war-torn country, its people oppressed by years of tyrannical leadership. Until tonight, that is the only image I had of Afghanistan. After Afghani eating at Bamian, I am left with another impression, that of delicious, heavily-spiced, wonderfully exotic food.
Located in a strip mall on Route 7/Leesburg […]

Alba Bar and Grill (Boston)


Ten minutes south of downtown Boston, the city of Quincy hides a gem of a restaurant in Alba Bar and Grill, which serves up anything but your typical bar food. From its classy decor to its creative first-class cuisine, Alba stands out amidst the Chinese takeout joints of Quincy Center. At first glance, the restaurant […]

Bed (New York City)


My college girlfriends and I met up in New York this past weekend. We had a great time in Bed together. Get your mind out of the gutter - I’m talking about the uber-trendy restaurant made famous in an episode of Sex and the City! The place was perfectly appropriate for a girls night out. […]

Shabu in Park City, Utah


Shabu
Main Street Mall
333 Main St.
Park City, UT 84060 435-645-7253
To save money, our ski group decided to eat out only once during our four nights in Park City (not counting lunches at the ski lodge, which were entirely necessary). A girl I’d met during a ski lesson recommended Shabu on Main Street as a great Asian […]

Ray’s the Steaks (Arlington, VA)


After hearing about this local rival to Morton’s and Ruth’s Chris, I had to go check it out for myself. But three times I arrived at Ray’s doors and was turned away. The first time, the restaurant was closed (they don’t open Sundays and Mondays although that has now changed). The second time, the wait […]

Elaine Liu

As the child of Chinese immigrants, one a cook and the other a food-loving Singaporean, I grew up eating a conglomeration of cuisines to include authentic Chinese or spicy Singaporean for dinners at home, Americanized Chinese during shifts at my father's takeout place, and Asian-influenced "American" which my mother attempted during major holidays such as Thankgiving and Christmas. I later discovered the pleasure of well-made fast food from local delis and pizza shops around my college campus. But it was not until I graduated and moved from Boston to D.C. that I truly discovered the world of culinary delights. These days, I live, breath, and... well, EAT food! Although by day I am a normal office worker sitting in a cubicle 9-5, when I am not at work I am eating. Or thinking about what I want to eat. Or watching television shows about eating. You get the point. L'Academie de Cuisine in Maryland whetted my appetite during an intensive 6 month course which taught me fundamentals of French culinary technique. But that was not enough. My restaurant reviews and recipes overtook my blog until I was forced to create a new one (ChompOverload - http://www.chompoverload.blogspot.com) to indulge my culinary obsession. I may not be any sort of food professional, but I know what I like and I'm willing to share that with anyone who will listen - or read!