I am not a fan of grits, which is probably why I never had the slightest interest in them or a desire to try them.  Okay, so I’ve never even had grits up until a few weeks ago.  I just mentally wrote them off and never thought twice about trying them because they appeared to be very similar to Cream of Wheat, which I do not like – the consistency, the texture, the grittiness – it just turns me off!  Shrimp and grits is such a  classic southern-style dish with a delicious history.  The look of it alone makes my mouth water, but I could never get past the grits! I decided to stop judging something that I’d never even eaten and give it a try.

The U Street Corridor in Northwest DC is bustling with eclectic and unique restaurants, bars, lounges and boutiques.  It is, hands down, one of my favorite neighborhoods in the DC area and is filled with so much history and substance. Marvin, a classic bistro and lounge named after the legendary Marvin Gaye, is nestled in the heart of the U Street Corridor and has some the best food in the area.  I visited this gem a few weeks back and decided to step outside of my comfort zone and order the shrimp and grits appetizer.  I’ll just say, I am extremely pissed that I waited so long to try this dish.  It is AMAZEBALLS! The grits were extremely smooth and creamy, and the shrimp were huge, juicy and flavorful. The dish just came together so well.  I can’t believe that I’m just now getting around to this southern classic! Continue reading →