Justin Betrus

Leisure

Americanization: What the pho?

When I left my small Midwestern town and moved to D.C., I promised myself I would embrace the cultural diversity of my new metropolitan home. So when I heard of the recent opening of Sprig & Sprout, it was with an exotic culinary experience in mind that I decided to make the trek up Wisconsin to indulge in some student budget-friendly Vietnamese-American food.

By January 17, 2013

Leisure

Taste of DC: The battle for the culinary crown

On Columbus Day, I ventured to Pennsylvania Avenue and scouted out some of D.C.’s best culinary offerings at the 2012 “Taste of DC” festival. More than 50 of the District’s top restaurants opened small stands and sold specialty items from their menus. The plethora of options made it difficult to choose between all the enticing flavors. Not surprisingly, I was “that guy” who walked back and forth in search of the most appetizing entrees, surveying unique food that expanded both my palate and my cultural horizons.

By October 11, 2012