Friday fish fries are a Lenten tradition in my hometown of Cleveland. For the month of March, every church and bar (don’t ask) has it’s own version. However, like snow in April, parking and cheap real estate, this Cleveland staple that’s scarce in the capital.
This spring, though, I’ve been on the look out for DC-area equivalent. So far, I’ve found two.
St. James Catholic Church
905 Park Ave., Falls Church
Fridays until March 26.
5 pm to 8 pm (or until supplies run out)
When I opened the door to this church’s basement rec room and was over-powered by the smell of battered fish, I thought I had hit the deep fry jackpot. I imagined little, Catholic grandma’s battering fish with their secret [insert Eastern European country] here recipe.
The reality — too salty fries, fish sticks and rock hard hushpuppies – was quite different. This fish basket was a far cry from the best of Cleveland — fresh Lake Erie perch served over hand-cut fries.
Of course, in this season of self-deprecation, it seems ridiculous to complain about a $7 dinner. Just maybe these people are giving up good, fresh food for lent. I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt and thinking of the cost as a charitable donation.
Reliving the college days in Charlottesville, Va.
Beer, bagels and burritos. It’s everything you need from a college town, and Charlottesville has it all. In an impromptu visit last weekend, we managed to relive the best of college life — from the $2 drinks to the cheesy 80s dance nights to the hungover breakfast bagel binge.
Read More »