Welcome to FabFaves: Yaku

Let us first start off with introducing you to our new section: FabFaves.  A new section dedicated to our team’s fashion adventures, culinary explorations, and fabulous finds  through social gatherings, traveling, and everyday life. We hope to entertain and inform our loyal patrons and readers as we review restaurants, stores, and events, mainly in the DC metro area. And of course, we’ll want feedback. Let us know if our information was helpful, if you tried out our suggestions, whether you loved it, or hated it.

This genius idea was concocted over a happy-hour turned dinner during one of DC’s most exciting culinary events- Restaurant Week. A week where amazing restaurants open their doors with sample menus, slashed prices, and immaculate service all in the hopes of getting you hooked on their atmosphere and cuisine.

So, as it happens, our first restaurant, the very setting of our inspiration, is Yaku. Part of the Latin Concepts restaurants, Yaku is “Chifa” or in other words, Chinese and Peruvian Fusion food. Its atmosphere offers a zen-like ambience with simple warm colors and plenty of room to enjoy your meal without overhearing your neighbors conversation. Big windows add to the environment, filling the lounge with natural light and an epiphany-like sensation.

Happy hour started off with cheers to life, consisting of an Amor Prohibido cocktail and a Red Wine Sangria. The Sangria was overly sweet and quickly watered down with large amount of ice in the glass, but it was not a total loss. However, you must try the Amor Prohibido Cocktail. Spicy fused with sweetness, this cocktail is called Forbidden love for a reason, you will start cheating on your other standby drinks. Good bye dear cosmopolitan.

Following the Restaurant Week menu, we embarked on a four course journey of flavor, texture, and color. The wonton soup is delicious and a perfect way to begin your meal as it is delicate with big flavor, and yet not too filling. Katie ordered the Lomo Saltado for her main course. Big chunks of potato and tender beef in a sweet savory sweet sauce filled her with euphoric memories of her mother’s homecooking. I excitedly ordered the Whole Grilled Snapper (now be advised, it is whole, so if you can’t look at a fish tank while eating sushi, order something else). The Snapper tender with crispy skin smothered in a sweet crushed red pepper sauce with hints of lemon. Sided with broccoli and a delicious pepper fried rice, this meal was satisfying and could probably feed two.

Dessert sparked a bit of an internal conflict. Katie ordered the Banana Rolls and I, the Apple Wonton. The Banana Rolls were crispy bites that exploded with the soft sweetness of ripe banana and coconut, and just when you think it can’t get better than this, you eat an Apple Wonton. Little pockets of apple goodness physically transport you to Autumn, you can smell the cider and see the colored leaves falling at your feet. But then, you eat another Banana Roll…. Sufficed to say, there is no winner. Order both. And if you are by yourself, don’t worry about what other people will say, you’ll be that insanely amazing person at the corner table with two desserts.

Yaku's amazing Banana Rolls and Apple Wontons!

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