C Says...
J's selection for December proved to be quite timely. I like nothing more around the holidays than fresh ingredients and comfort foods. Agraria didn't disappoint.
I had been to this Georgetown eatery over the summer and was impressed by their commitment to organic and locally grown ingredients. The restaurant boasts its meat is grass fed from North Dakota and that the menu changes with the seasons to reflect the freshest ingredients possible. Apparently a Sunday night in December is the time to go, for the restaurant was practically empty. The ambiance is lovely, as are the restrooms, however I was taken aback by some of the music selections being piped in. Alanis Morrisette doesn't really scream "fine dining" to me, but perhaps it screams sustainable to some.
I had the rockfish as my main course, and it was quite nice paired with potatoes and a lovely aioli. The meal left me quite full, but I think that's mainly because I chose to not stop eating. For dessert, J picked a lemon treat that was fresh and delightful without being overly tart. Paired with a nice glass of port, it was a lovely way to finish off the meal. All in all, I enjoy Agraria for both the food they serve and the mission behind it.
However, I have to say you may want to reserve your trip there for when the weather is nice and you can score a table outside for some awesome people watching. Happy New Year!
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J Says...
Recommended by a dear friend (the restaurant's key team member and excellent chef in her own right), I gladly chose Agraria as C and my combined "Blog Dinner"/"Holiday Celebration." While more partial to South Dakota living, Agraria has established a unique style that truly stands out from the more standard, "common" restaurants on the Georgetown waterfront. From the warm greeting at the front to the attentive service throughout the experience, this was the perfect choice for C and I to mark our fourth holidays together.
Starting with the Wild Maine mussels (does North Dakota not have water?), the portions were plentiful and perfect. Joined by a lovely bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, I made short order of my starter in preparation for the New York strip that was waiting in the wings. Cooked at the right medium level, the grilled vegetables and asparagus were lovely accompaniment to the sizable steak. Add in the garlic mashed potatoes and then lemon pie that C and I shared, the dinner was quite lovely. If not for the random and seemingly out-of-character musical selection, the night would have been truly memorable for the food and ambiance alone.
In short, I will easily return to Agraria and have already recommended it to colleagues and friends. With the added bonus that I get to support a friend's place of employment, this is a no-brainer for the nutritionally, environmentally, and socially-conscious of Washington.
Agraria - 3000 K Street NW, 202.298.0003, www.agrariarestaurant.com
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
High Five'n "Marvin"
C Says...
After a protest from dear J over my first choice of November's restaurant, I decided upon Marvin at 14th and U. I'd never been to Marvin for dinner, but went there a few times over the summer for drinks seeing as it's one of the few places with a roof deck.
Named after DC native, Marvin Gaye, the restaurant pays homage to Gaye's time in Belgium with a menu pairing traditional moules frites, steak frites, Belgian beers, with more Southern cuisine like chicken and waffles. The decor is lovely with dark wood, pictures of Gaye all along the walls, and dim enough lighting that your dining partner looks amazing, but you can still see what you're eating.
I opted for an appetizer (hell it was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, why not) of goat cheese croquettes in a fig vinaigrette and micro greens. This was ridiculously good, and light. I would have ordered 3 more plates if I wasn't intrigued by the entrees. Sticking to the Belgian theme of the restaurant, I selected moules frites in a coconut curry sauce.
Now, normally when I've ordered moules frites, I'm lucky if I can get through the two dozen or so mussels that are delivered. Well, Marvin's doesn't disappoint. J and I ventured a guess that there must have been three dozen of them bursting from the bowl. While they were tasty, I have to say that Granville Moore 's are sublimely better. Now, this could have been because I was fighting a cold at the time, but I could barely taste any of the curry, while the hint of coconut was there to get the essence without overpowering sweetness.
Overall, it was a good dish, just not a great one. The frites were delicious (not too many I might add) and paired with a trio of dipping sauces. All in all, I would recommend Marvin and hope that it becomes a neighborhood destination in the vein of Bar Pilar, St. Ex, and other bars and restaurants along 14th Street.
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J Says...
After reaffirming to C that our monthly dinner should not include fast food establishments (though I offered to do a special with our top FF places), she saw the errors of her way and selected Marvin. Having never heard of the joint, I was happy to try it out.
History aside, the fresh look and boutique feel were quite enjoyable for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. While the table was small, the food portions were anything but as evidenced by C's bevy of mussels and my extra large (and very tasty) steak. Even my scallop appetizer was more generous than expected, though truth be told, not nearly as delicious as I had wanted. Though I concur with C that the frites were fabulous, even if I couldn't identify each of the dipping sauces.
And the service - a quite chatty, though in a good way, waiter named Jason - made the return of the original C & J even more delightful.
In the end, the pricing was what I would expect and the food was definitely worth the trip. While not an instant favorite for me, I'll certainly return regularly and bring out-of-town guests to a local institution that encompasses the history yet present-day livelihood of the city.
Marvin - 2007 14th Street (@ V Street) NW, 202.797.7171, www.marvindc.com
After a protest from dear J over my first choice of November's restaurant, I decided upon Marvin at 14th and U. I'd never been to Marvin for dinner, but went there a few times over the summer for drinks seeing as it's one of the few places with a roof deck.
Named after DC native, Marvin Gaye, the restaurant pays homage to Gaye's time in Belgium with a menu pairing traditional moules frites, steak frites, Belgian beers, with more Southern cuisine like chicken and waffles. The decor is lovely with dark wood, pictures of Gaye all along the walls, and dim enough lighting that your dining partner looks amazing, but you can still see what you're eating.
I opted for an appetizer (hell it was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, why not) of goat cheese croquettes in a fig vinaigrette and micro greens. This was ridiculously good, and light. I would have ordered 3 more plates if I wasn't intrigued by the entrees. Sticking to the Belgian theme of the restaurant, I selected moules frites in a coconut curry sauce.
Now, normally when I've ordered moules frites, I'm lucky if I can get through the two dozen or so mussels that are delivered. Well, Marvin's doesn't disappoint. J and I ventured a guess that there must have been three dozen of them bursting from the bowl. While they were tasty, I have to say that Granville Moore 's are sublimely better. Now, this could have been because I was fighting a cold at the time, but I could barely taste any of the curry, while the hint of coconut was there to get the essence without overpowering sweetness.
Overall, it was a good dish, just not a great one. The frites were delicious (not too many I might add) and paired with a trio of dipping sauces. All in all, I would recommend Marvin and hope that it becomes a neighborhood destination in the vein of Bar Pilar, St. Ex, and other bars and restaurants along 14th Street.
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J Says...
After reaffirming to C that our monthly dinner should not include fast food establishments (though I offered to do a special with our top FF places), she saw the errors of her way and selected Marvin. Having never heard of the joint, I was happy to try it out.
History aside, the fresh look and boutique feel were quite enjoyable for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. While the table was small, the food portions were anything but as evidenced by C's bevy of mussels and my extra large (and very tasty) steak. Even my scallop appetizer was more generous than expected, though truth be told, not nearly as delicious as I had wanted. Though I concur with C that the frites were fabulous, even if I couldn't identify each of the dipping sauces.
And the service - a quite chatty, though in a good way, waiter named Jason - made the return of the original C & J even more delightful.
In the end, the pricing was what I would expect and the food was definitely worth the trip. While not an instant favorite for me, I'll certainly return regularly and bring out-of-town guests to a local institution that encompasses the history yet present-day livelihood of the city.
Marvin - 2007 14th Street (@ V Street) NW, 202.797.7171, www.marvindc.com
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
"Dukem" Them Out
C Says...
This month's dinner had a twist -- for one, I had a proxy dinner partner. J's lovely and delightful boyfriend, J (I know dear reader, it's confusing). Secondly, we both were trying a type of food neither one of us had had before -- Ethiopian. I have to say I was super excited for this meal. After seven years of living in DC and walking by countless Ethiopian restaurants, I had never mustered the courage to walk in and try it.
Upon entering, I was pleased that for a Tuesday night, there was a good crowd -- including many Ethiopian expats. There was a keyboardist playing lovely background music, and a friendly, if not somewhat cheesy, atmosphere. Apparently, after 10 p.m., Dukem offers live music and dancing.
Since J nor I had ever had Ethiopian food, we asked our friendly waitress what we should try. She recommended the #6 combination platter, which consists of Lamb Wot (freshly made lamb stew that's a bit spicy); Doro Wot (a traditional dish of chicken stew simmered in berbere, red pepper sauce, or, in ginger sauce with garlic and onion); Minchet Abesh (finely chopped lean ground beef braised in milled ginger and garlic sauce); Tibs (tender lamb fried with onion, rosemary jalapeño pepper), and five vegetables (we had corn, tomatoes, onions, and a lentil stew). The entire meal is served with Injera (a surprisingly wonderful spongy bread that makes eating with your hands surprisingly easy and fun).
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this meal for both the quality of the food and the company I shared it with. While some of the dishes are labeled "spicy," I didn't find them overpowering or particularly hot. While some of the items were foreign to me, I tried all of them -- some were misses (the corn), but mainly they were hits. While I don't think Ethiopian will be a "go to" choice for future meals, it's definitely one I will consider and not say "no" to.
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The Other J Says...
As your guest reviewer this month, I was given the opportunity to trek into the city and dine with C at a restaurant of my choosing. This was actually a pretty daunting task seeing as how I live way up in Maryland and do not hear much about the good places to go in DC. I eventually decided on Dukem because it was easy enough to find, neither C nor I had tried Ethiopian food before, and the thought of eating with your hands definitely appealed to my inner child (plus, it came highly recommended from several of my coworkers).
After sitting down and taking a quick glance at the menu (which was small and simple), we informed the server that as first timers we would need help in making our decision. She was very helpful and recommended one of the many combination dinners so we could sample a wide variety of dishes which C and I happily agreed upon. Our food came out fairly quick and we were presented with a large platter of meat, veggies, and cheese.
Now comes the fun part! On the side was the injera bread, which I can only describe as a spongy pita minus the pocket, that we used to pick up the food. Tearing off little pieces of the bread, we dove in. I especially enjoyed the rosemary seasoned lamb with onions and peppers and also the ground beef in a ginger and garlic sauce, as I am a sucker for garlic (and yes, I had to check the website menu to see exactly what was in both). The vegetables were all very fresh as well, particularly the tomatoes and yellow peas. Though I must say that I am not a big fan of cabbage or lentils, so I tended to shy away from those.
One of the things I liked best about the meal was that since we were eating with our hands, it managed to fill me up without cleaning the plate - that might sound odd, though let me explain. If I were eating with proper utensils, I am sure I would have been wolfing down every last bit pretty quickly. But since I felt that I had a bit more work to do, it slowed my eating which made me feel pleasantly full and not overly stuffed. Make sense? However, as both C and I decided we were finished, we noticed that the table sitting next us, who ordered the same thing, had practically licked their plate clean. And our waitress seemed to express concern when she took everything off the table because we didnt do the same thing. Though I must say that I was very pleased.
I now consider myself a fan of Ethiopian fare and I would highly recommend Dukem for anyone who has not tried it before. The service was friendly, the food was tasty and reasonably priced, and before I forget - there is an extensive wine selection!
Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - 1114 U Street (@ 12th Street) NW, 202.667.8735, www.dukemrestaurant.com
This month's dinner had a twist -- for one, I had a proxy dinner partner. J's lovely and delightful boyfriend, J (I know dear reader, it's confusing). Secondly, we both were trying a type of food neither one of us had had before -- Ethiopian. I have to say I was super excited for this meal. After seven years of living in DC and walking by countless Ethiopian restaurants, I had never mustered the courage to walk in and try it.
Upon entering, I was pleased that for a Tuesday night, there was a good crowd -- including many Ethiopian expats. There was a keyboardist playing lovely background music, and a friendly, if not somewhat cheesy, atmosphere. Apparently, after 10 p.m., Dukem offers live music and dancing.
Since J nor I had ever had Ethiopian food, we asked our friendly waitress what we should try. She recommended the #6 combination platter, which consists of Lamb Wot (freshly made lamb stew that's a bit spicy); Doro Wot (a traditional dish of chicken stew simmered in berbere, red pepper sauce, or, in ginger sauce with garlic and onion); Minchet Abesh (finely chopped lean ground beef braised in milled ginger and garlic sauce); Tibs (tender lamb fried with onion, rosemary jalapeño pepper), and five vegetables (we had corn, tomatoes, onions, and a lentil stew). The entire meal is served with Injera (a surprisingly wonderful spongy bread that makes eating with your hands surprisingly easy and fun).
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this meal for both the quality of the food and the company I shared it with. While some of the dishes are labeled "spicy," I didn't find them overpowering or particularly hot. While some of the items were foreign to me, I tried all of them -- some were misses (the corn), but mainly they were hits. While I don't think Ethiopian will be a "go to" choice for future meals, it's definitely one I will consider and not say "no" to.
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The Other J Says...
As your guest reviewer this month, I was given the opportunity to trek into the city and dine with C at a restaurant of my choosing. This was actually a pretty daunting task seeing as how I live way up in Maryland and do not hear much about the good places to go in DC. I eventually decided on Dukem because it was easy enough to find, neither C nor I had tried Ethiopian food before, and the thought of eating with your hands definitely appealed to my inner child (plus, it came highly recommended from several of my coworkers).
After sitting down and taking a quick glance at the menu (which was small and simple), we informed the server that as first timers we would need help in making our decision. She was very helpful and recommended one of the many combination dinners so we could sample a wide variety of dishes which C and I happily agreed upon. Our food came out fairly quick and we were presented with a large platter of meat, veggies, and cheese.
Now comes the fun part! On the side was the injera bread, which I can only describe as a spongy pita minus the pocket, that we used to pick up the food. Tearing off little pieces of the bread, we dove in. I especially enjoyed the rosemary seasoned lamb with onions and peppers and also the ground beef in a ginger and garlic sauce, as I am a sucker for garlic (and yes, I had to check the website menu to see exactly what was in both). The vegetables were all very fresh as well, particularly the tomatoes and yellow peas. Though I must say that I am not a big fan of cabbage or lentils, so I tended to shy away from those.
One of the things I liked best about the meal was that since we were eating with our hands, it managed to fill me up without cleaning the plate - that might sound odd, though let me explain. If I were eating with proper utensils, I am sure I would have been wolfing down every last bit pretty quickly. But since I felt that I had a bit more work to do, it slowed my eating which made me feel pleasantly full and not overly stuffed. Make sense? However, as both C and I decided we were finished, we noticed that the table sitting next us, who ordered the same thing, had practically licked their plate clean. And our waitress seemed to express concern when she took everything off the table because we didnt do the same thing. Though I must say that I was very pleased.
I now consider myself a fan of Ethiopian fare and I would highly recommend Dukem for anyone who has not tried it before. The service was friendly, the food was tasty and reasonably priced, and before I forget - there is an extensive wine selection!
Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - 1114 U Street (@ 12th Street) NW, 202.667.8735, www.dukemrestaurant.com
Thursday, October 16, 2008
We No Like "Dino"
C Says...
I had heard great things about Dino, which opened a few years ago in Cleveland Park. And while I did enjoy my meal, I'm not sure the restaurant lives up to all the hype. The ambiance in Dino is lovely if not a tad cliché -- burnt orange paint, sconces, "typical" Italian decor. It's a well laid out dining room that is cozy without making you feel like you're dining on top of other people.
For once I decided to order an appetizer, and chose the Tuscan Plate (wild boar prosciutto and salami, crostini Toscano -- chicken liver pate, and pecorino cheese). The plate was delightful and just enough of each item to leave me wanting more, but not so full I couldn't eat my main dish.
For my main course I opted for the Rigatoni al Gorgonzola. Dino offers their pasta dishes either in a half or full serving. I chose the half, and it was more than enough food. The rigatoni is home made and served with a nice gorgonzola, basil and pine nut cream sauce. It was rather light despite the cheese and cream, but didn't lend itself to much flavor other than the lovely taste of gorgonzola.
All in all Dino offers something for everyone, and while I enjoyed my meal, I wasn't blown away. I'll likely return for a visit, but Dino won't necessarily be a "go-to" destination for dining in DC.
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J Says...
I'm not going to lie, this was C's choice and it clearly wasn't my favorite. While I would want to echo everything C has said, I can't because the experience was so unmemorable that I have no idea what I ordered. What I do remember is the decor (tacky), the location (parking-unfriendly), and the service (unattractive and humorless).
Let me put it this way, if gas prices remain low and all the other great (or even decent) restaurants in the city...and Virginia...and Maryland...and Delaware...are booked, then consider Dino. Actually, just order in Dominos...it'd be more reasonably priced and enjoyable. Just telling my truth...
Dino - 3435 Connecticut Avenue NW, 202.686.2966, www.dino-dc.com
I had heard great things about Dino, which opened a few years ago in Cleveland Park. And while I did enjoy my meal, I'm not sure the restaurant lives up to all the hype. The ambiance in Dino is lovely if not a tad cliché -- burnt orange paint, sconces, "typical" Italian decor. It's a well laid out dining room that is cozy without making you feel like you're dining on top of other people.
For once I decided to order an appetizer, and chose the Tuscan Plate (wild boar prosciutto and salami, crostini Toscano -- chicken liver pate, and pecorino cheese). The plate was delightful and just enough of each item to leave me wanting more, but not so full I couldn't eat my main dish.
For my main course I opted for the Rigatoni al Gorgonzola. Dino offers their pasta dishes either in a half or full serving. I chose the half, and it was more than enough food. The rigatoni is home made and served with a nice gorgonzola, basil and pine nut cream sauce. It was rather light despite the cheese and cream, but didn't lend itself to much flavor other than the lovely taste of gorgonzola.
All in all Dino offers something for everyone, and while I enjoyed my meal, I wasn't blown away. I'll likely return for a visit, but Dino won't necessarily be a "go-to" destination for dining in DC.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
J Says...
I'm not going to lie, this was C's choice and it clearly wasn't my favorite. While I would want to echo everything C has said, I can't because the experience was so unmemorable that I have no idea what I ordered. What I do remember is the decor (tacky), the location (parking-unfriendly), and the service (unattractive and humorless).
Let me put it this way, if gas prices remain low and all the other great (or even decent) restaurants in the city...and Virginia...and Maryland...and Delaware...are booked, then consider Dino. Actually, just order in Dominos...it'd be more reasonably priced and enjoyable. Just telling my truth...
Dino - 3435 Connecticut Avenue NW, 202.686.2966, www.dino-dc.com
Monday, August 18, 2008
Two, Four, Six, "Cafe 8"
C Says...
With this month's selection J and I decided to venture beyond our
usual NW quadrant and head to Eastern Market for some Mediterranean
fare.
Now, I consider myself to be a sucker for hummus, pita and
falafal and Cafe 8 does not disappoint. Walking in, I was a little
concerned considering NO ONE was in the restaurant. However, this
apprehension was quickly alleviated by great service, good ambiance,
and a good menu. The half priced sangria didn't hurt either.
Decorated with a flair for the dramatic (the "door" to the bathroom is
a wall of beads), Cafe 8 trends toward kitsch, but it totally works.
We started (now remember dear reader that I rarely eat appetizers,
however, also note above...sucker for hummus) with the mixed appetizer
plate served with warm pita bread. This appetizer selection was light
and left me wanting more (actually more bread, but that's a different
story).
For my entree, I chose one of Cafe 8's signature pides, a
traditional Turkish style pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven. The
dough is shaped like a canoe and the toppings are spread out inside
the canoe. My canoe, the Cafe 8, consisted of ground lamb, spinach,
feta, tomatoes and pine nuts; I chose to add olives too. This meal
was perfect, and didn't leave me feeling as though I needed to
unbutton my pants at the end of the meal (much to J's chagrin I'm
sure).
Overall, Cafe 8 offers a great alternative for us NW snobs
with an expansive menu of reasonably priced staples, a few surprises,
engaging service, and a terrific, eclectic ambiance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Says...
So this was my selection, aided by the recommendations as a "Top Neighborhood" choice on OpenTable.com. I made reservations, which obviously weren't needed on this Monday evening, and arrived early to enjoy a cocktail while I waited for C. Contrary to C's characterization, the restaurant did gain some patrons by the time we were finished our moderately-priced pitcher of sangria.
I have to agree with C's review of the hummus and ambiance...a first for our blog and why my review is so short! For my entree, I enjoyed the adana immensely, and it totally filled me up. I definitely did not leave wanting anything, except to return when the mood hits me to have a truly casual evening with great food and very attentive (and cute) staff.
Quite simply, a new gem to escape to two to three times a year, when you just want to forget you are in Washington...and the Washington Post's food critic, Tom Sietsema, pointed out.
Cafe 8 - 8th and D Streets SE, 202.547.1555, www.cafe8dc.com
With this month's selection J and I decided to venture beyond our
usual NW quadrant and head to Eastern Market for some Mediterranean
fare.
Now, I consider myself to be a sucker for hummus, pita and
falafal and Cafe 8 does not disappoint. Walking in, I was a little
concerned considering NO ONE was in the restaurant. However, this
apprehension was quickly alleviated by great service, good ambiance,
and a good menu. The half priced sangria didn't hurt either.
Decorated with a flair for the dramatic (the "door" to the bathroom is
a wall of beads), Cafe 8 trends toward kitsch, but it totally works.
We started (now remember dear reader that I rarely eat appetizers,
however, also note above...sucker for hummus) with the mixed appetizer
plate served with warm pita bread. This appetizer selection was light
and left me wanting more (actually more bread, but that's a different
story).
For my entree, I chose one of Cafe 8's signature pides, a
traditional Turkish style pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven. The
dough is shaped like a canoe and the toppings are spread out inside
the canoe. My canoe, the Cafe 8, consisted of ground lamb, spinach,
feta, tomatoes and pine nuts; I chose to add olives too. This meal
was perfect, and didn't leave me feeling as though I needed to
unbutton my pants at the end of the meal (much to J's chagrin I'm
sure).
Overall, Cafe 8 offers a great alternative for us NW snobs
with an expansive menu of reasonably priced staples, a few surprises,
engaging service, and a terrific, eclectic ambiance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Says...
So this was my selection, aided by the recommendations as a "Top Neighborhood" choice on OpenTable.com. I made reservations, which obviously weren't needed on this Monday evening, and arrived early to enjoy a cocktail while I waited for C. Contrary to C's characterization, the restaurant did gain some patrons by the time we were finished our moderately-priced pitcher of sangria.
I have to agree with C's review of the hummus and ambiance...a first for our blog and why my review is so short! For my entree, I enjoyed the adana immensely, and it totally filled me up. I definitely did not leave wanting anything, except to return when the mood hits me to have a truly casual evening with great food and very attentive (and cute) staff.
Quite simply, a new gem to escape to two to three times a year, when you just want to forget you are in Washington...and the Washington Post's food critic, Tom Sietsema, pointed out.
Cafe 8 - 8th and D Streets SE, 202.547.1555, www.cafe8dc.com
Sunday, July 6, 2008
My Mecca is "Vinoteca"
C Says...
Vinoteca isn't your typical wine bar. It boasts a lively interior decor and plenty of outdoor seating for nice DC evenings. Located near U Street, it's within walking distance to bars and clubs following your dining experience -- if that's your kind of thing. They also feature a variety of live music from flamenco night to mambo bands. While this is a nice feature, it can make for a noisy inside, so probably not the kind of place to take someone you're just getting to know.
J and I waited at the bar for a table outside (seeing as it was one of those rare June nights in DC where you don't stick to your chair or sweat thinking about how hot it is). While deciding what to order from the extensive wine menu, we were happily met with "half-priced wines from South America and Spain" night. This clearly helped us hone in on a selection and we settled on a nice wine akin to a pinot grigio. But be warned fellow diners, this half-priced wine wonderment applies to INSIDE the restaurant only. Once outside, you're slapped with full-priced bottles. Of course we weren't informed of this until after we'd ordered bottle #2 from our table outside.
The menu features a wide variety of selection and includes many "petit plates" perfect for sharing before a larger meal. I ordered the white tie pasta, which is made with house made bow tie pasta in a truffle butter sauce with Parmigiano reggiano, fresh shaved truffles and micro greens. While this dish sounds a bit heavy for a summer night, it was perfect. The sauce wasn't overwhelming and the portion was small enough so you didn't feel like a beached whale after the fact.
Overall, I think Vinoteca offers one of DC's more fun dining experiences and not in the chain restaurant way. For those of you looking for great wine and good food, this just might be your place.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Says...
On a rare Sunday evening dinner (Happy Father's Day), C and I headed over to U-street to try out Vinoteca. As our place in line was usurped by a rather yuppy-dressed couple, we waited for our outdoor table to be ready by enjoying the half-off bottle of Spanish (or South American, who can remember) wine at the bar. As C alluded too, the discount only applies to wine purchased inside - so shady, in my opinion.
I started with the 3 sliders: Lamb with Feta and eggplant, Bison with Mozzarella and grilled tomato, and Grilled Portabella mushroom with miso/tahini sauce. They were quite delicious and I think C was actually jealous of my selection. For the main selection, I tried to order the chicken but was stuck with the salmon (and I choose the word "stuck" quite deliberately). From what I recall, it was good but nothing spectacular. The reality is, after such a great appetizer that the meal became a letdown for me, so I enjoyed the second bottle of wine.
In the end, the service was quite good, the food tasty and, more importantly, was accurately priced, and the evening was enjoyable. It will not be a quick return for me, but I'm not opposed to another meal on Vinoteca...however, I'm more likely to go inside to order my second bottle of wine.
Vinoteca - 11th & U Streets NW, 202.322.WINE, www.vinotecadc.com
Vinoteca isn't your typical wine bar. It boasts a lively interior decor and plenty of outdoor seating for nice DC evenings. Located near U Street, it's within walking distance to bars and clubs following your dining experience -- if that's your kind of thing. They also feature a variety of live music from flamenco night to mambo bands. While this is a nice feature, it can make for a noisy inside, so probably not the kind of place to take someone you're just getting to know.
J and I waited at the bar for a table outside (seeing as it was one of those rare June nights in DC where you don't stick to your chair or sweat thinking about how hot it is). While deciding what to order from the extensive wine menu, we were happily met with "half-priced wines from South America and Spain" night. This clearly helped us hone in on a selection and we settled on a nice wine akin to a pinot grigio. But be warned fellow diners, this half-priced wine wonderment applies to INSIDE the restaurant only. Once outside, you're slapped with full-priced bottles. Of course we weren't informed of this until after we'd ordered bottle #2 from our table outside.
The menu features a wide variety of selection and includes many "petit plates" perfect for sharing before a larger meal. I ordered the white tie pasta, which is made with house made bow tie pasta in a truffle butter sauce with Parmigiano reggiano, fresh shaved truffles and micro greens. While this dish sounds a bit heavy for a summer night, it was perfect. The sauce wasn't overwhelming and the portion was small enough so you didn't feel like a beached whale after the fact.
Overall, I think Vinoteca offers one of DC's more fun dining experiences and not in the chain restaurant way. For those of you looking for great wine and good food, this just might be your place.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Says...
On a rare Sunday evening dinner (Happy Father's Day), C and I headed over to U-street to try out Vinoteca. As our place in line was usurped by a rather yuppy-dressed couple, we waited for our outdoor table to be ready by enjoying the half-off bottle of Spanish (or South American, who can remember) wine at the bar. As C alluded too, the discount only applies to wine purchased inside - so shady, in my opinion.
I started with the 3 sliders: Lamb with Feta and eggplant, Bison with Mozzarella and grilled tomato, and Grilled Portabella mushroom with miso/tahini sauce. They were quite delicious and I think C was actually jealous of my selection. For the main selection, I tried to order the chicken but was stuck with the salmon (and I choose the word "stuck" quite deliberately). From what I recall, it was good but nothing spectacular. The reality is, after such a great appetizer that the meal became a letdown for me, so I enjoyed the second bottle of wine.
In the end, the service was quite good, the food tasty and, more importantly, was accurately priced, and the evening was enjoyable. It will not be a quick return for me, but I'm not opposed to another meal on Vinoteca...however, I'm more likely to go inside to order my second bottle of wine.
Vinoteca - 11th & U Streets NW, 202.322.WINE, www.vinotecadc.com
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Duck, "Blue Duck," Goose
C Says...
I hadn't heard about Blue Duck when J proposed this for his monthly selection. After asking around for opinions from coworkers and friends, I heard nothing but rave reviews. Needless to say, I was quite excited for what lay ahead as I walked through the doors.
Well that proved to be an experience in and of itself; I almost walked right by it -- no neon signs here. The restaurant is located on the ground level of a hotel and is quite literally rectangular in shape -- maximizing the space.
I have to confess I was a bit confused by the decor and tone the designers were trying to set. Scattered throughout are glass "boxes" that separate booths -- which are really wicker love seats -- from the rest of the dining space. The seating was a nice rustic touch, as were the rocking chairs spread throughout, but they didn't mesh well with the modern feel to all the glass. There were cheese stations and wine stations also throughout the space. I love seeing food as much as eating it, so I liked this added experience.
We were a bit early for our reservations, so decided to have a drink at the bar (a pricey drink at that; thanks for paying J) before we were seated at a lovely row on banquettes. I had taken a gander at the menu a day or two before, and was excited to see a selection of seasonal proteins, fruit and and vegetables. In this regard, I wasn't disappointed; the menu reflects the wonderful products grown/raised by
farmers across the country.
I wish I could say the same for my entire dining experience. There weren't any specials on this particular evening, and I was left trying to decide whether to have crab cakes or the chicken. The waitress, who was lovely, explained that the menu
was "family style" and items were meant to be shared. Now, don't take family style in the Maggiano's meaning of the term. This is not a mound of pasta thrown on your table like you're a pig at the trough. But with each side dish priced separately and the entrees not accompanied with any vegetable, I can see why they'd encourage you to
have just 1 or 2 sides.
We placed our order, J ordered an appetizer that was NOT shellfish -- I was stunned, stunned!!! After polishing off a bottle of wine and an hour later, our food finally arrived (see J's theory here). J and I settled on another bottle of wine to curb
hunger pangs, and the garlic mashed potatoes as our side. There were definitely enough for both of us. I just wish I could figure out how to get my mashers to be that creamy at home -- but hey, I think lumps scream "home cooked." I ended up going with the chicken, and was sadly underwhelmed.
The chicken (a breast and two drumsticks) is prepared skin-on after marinating in a buttermilk concoction for a few hours. While this made the chicken extremely moist, it was under-seasoned, and lacking in flavor. Thank god the mashed potatoes were there. Despite the un-wow factor, I did manage to eat the entire breast, but mainly because I was paying $28 for it and was half of two bottles of wine into the evening.
Now, you loyal readers know I don't typically eat dessert, but I made an exception this time to see if Blue Duck could step up and turn "blah" into "yeah!!!" Well they came close. I decided on the apple pie with a scoop of ice cream (warning to readers, if the waiter asks if you want a bucket of ice cream, they mean 3 large scoops of vanilla in a glass bucket with a wooden spoon -- soooo cute, but so much ice cream. I think the couple next to us wished they hadn't gone with the bucket o' ice cream by the looks on their faces after plowing their way through). The pie itself was great and made with fresh apples and presented more as a tart. I
would have preferred a bit more cinnamon, but that's just me and didn't take away from it's overall goodness.
Overall dear readers, Blue Duck is not a place I would recommend for those of you looking to splurge on a dinner, as much as I really wanted to love it (because hey, who doesn't love ducks??).
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J Says...
Branching out to another part of DC, C and I headed over to Blue Duck on the border of Georgetown and Foggy Bottom. Arriving early, I enjoyed a drink at the bar which is not only segregated from the dining area, it is dissected into cubes of sitting areas with glass walls separating patrons. While the atmosphere is chic, the drink prices are steep at $11 a pop.
After a cocktail, we promptly moved to our reserved table. The wine list was plentiful and reasonably priced while the service was the triple A's: attentive, accurate and attractive. I was already liking Blue Duck even before moving to the menu, which continued to impress.
For starters and much to C's dismay, I dined on the braised rabbit which I dubbed "Fluffy." It was excellent, lush with flavors and leaving me excited for my main course: Kansas City Rib Eye. It did not disappoint...and did not last long, as I quickly devoured it upon its arrival. Equally delicious was the mashed potatoes, which C and I shared given that they are presented "family style" as with everything on the menu. The only critique I have of the food is that C's organic chicken was underwhelming, losing points for being less than flavorful or memorable. As you read above, C was more enthrawled with dessert than I was.
My one hesitation about returning to Blue Duck Tavern is legitimate and what I dubbed my "conspiracy theory." From the initial seating, the service was attentive and swift: water poured quickly, wine delivered promptly, appetizers presented in a timely manner. But after the rabbit disappeared (into my watering mouth), the clock-watching began. It continued for about 45 minutes, at a minimum. In the meantime, we finished the bottle of Sauvigon Blanc that we had ordered and...and here is where I believe the conspiracy comes into play...forced to open a second bottle to have when our main course was finally served. Now that I think about it, it was promptly after the second bottle arrived and was uncorked that our meals also came out from the black hole that was the kitchen.
After finishing, the check was quickly presented as to put an end to our 2.5 hour dining experience. For the record, this was our most expensive dinner to date by far.
Without question, I recommend Blue Duck Tavern for a more formal, but relaxed dining experience. I just don't recommend it on a night that you are in a rush...or don't want to be hungover the next day.
Blue Duck Tavern - 24th & M Streets NW, 202.419.6755, www.blueducktavern.com
I hadn't heard about Blue Duck when J proposed this for his monthly selection. After asking around for opinions from coworkers and friends, I heard nothing but rave reviews. Needless to say, I was quite excited for what lay ahead as I walked through the doors.
Well that proved to be an experience in and of itself; I almost walked right by it -- no neon signs here. The restaurant is located on the ground level of a hotel and is quite literally rectangular in shape -- maximizing the space.
I have to confess I was a bit confused by the decor and tone the designers were trying to set. Scattered throughout are glass "boxes" that separate booths -- which are really wicker love seats -- from the rest of the dining space. The seating was a nice rustic touch, as were the rocking chairs spread throughout, but they didn't mesh well with the modern feel to all the glass. There were cheese stations and wine stations also throughout the space. I love seeing food as much as eating it, so I liked this added experience.
We were a bit early for our reservations, so decided to have a drink at the bar (a pricey drink at that; thanks for paying J) before we were seated at a lovely row on banquettes. I had taken a gander at the menu a day or two before, and was excited to see a selection of seasonal proteins, fruit and and vegetables. In this regard, I wasn't disappointed; the menu reflects the wonderful products grown/raised by
farmers across the country.
I wish I could say the same for my entire dining experience. There weren't any specials on this particular evening, and I was left trying to decide whether to have crab cakes or the chicken. The waitress, who was lovely, explained that the menu
was "family style" and items were meant to be shared. Now, don't take family style in the Maggiano's meaning of the term. This is not a mound of pasta thrown on your table like you're a pig at the trough. But with each side dish priced separately and the entrees not accompanied with any vegetable, I can see why they'd encourage you to
have just 1 or 2 sides.
We placed our order, J ordered an appetizer that was NOT shellfish -- I was stunned, stunned!!! After polishing off a bottle of wine and an hour later, our food finally arrived (see J's theory here). J and I settled on another bottle of wine to curb
hunger pangs, and the garlic mashed potatoes as our side. There were definitely enough for both of us. I just wish I could figure out how to get my mashers to be that creamy at home -- but hey, I think lumps scream "home cooked." I ended up going with the chicken, and was sadly underwhelmed.
The chicken (a breast and two drumsticks) is prepared skin-on after marinating in a buttermilk concoction for a few hours. While this made the chicken extremely moist, it was under-seasoned, and lacking in flavor. Thank god the mashed potatoes were there. Despite the un-wow factor, I did manage to eat the entire breast, but mainly because I was paying $28 for it and was half of two bottles of wine into the evening.
Now, you loyal readers know I don't typically eat dessert, but I made an exception this time to see if Blue Duck could step up and turn "blah" into "yeah!!!" Well they came close. I decided on the apple pie with a scoop of ice cream (warning to readers, if the waiter asks if you want a bucket of ice cream, they mean 3 large scoops of vanilla in a glass bucket with a wooden spoon -- soooo cute, but so much ice cream. I think the couple next to us wished they hadn't gone with the bucket o' ice cream by the looks on their faces after plowing their way through). The pie itself was great and made with fresh apples and presented more as a tart. I
would have preferred a bit more cinnamon, but that's just me and didn't take away from it's overall goodness.
Overall dear readers, Blue Duck is not a place I would recommend for those of you looking to splurge on a dinner, as much as I really wanted to love it (because hey, who doesn't love ducks??).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Says...
Branching out to another part of DC, C and I headed over to Blue Duck on the border of Georgetown and Foggy Bottom. Arriving early, I enjoyed a drink at the bar which is not only segregated from the dining area, it is dissected into cubes of sitting areas with glass walls separating patrons. While the atmosphere is chic, the drink prices are steep at $11 a pop.
After a cocktail, we promptly moved to our reserved table. The wine list was plentiful and reasonably priced while the service was the triple A's: attentive, accurate and attractive. I was already liking Blue Duck even before moving to the menu, which continued to impress.
For starters and much to C's dismay, I dined on the braised rabbit which I dubbed "Fluffy." It was excellent, lush with flavors and leaving me excited for my main course: Kansas City Rib Eye. It did not disappoint...and did not last long, as I quickly devoured it upon its arrival. Equally delicious was the mashed potatoes, which C and I shared given that they are presented "family style" as with everything on the menu. The only critique I have of the food is that C's organic chicken was underwhelming, losing points for being less than flavorful or memorable. As you read above, C was more enthrawled with dessert than I was.
My one hesitation about returning to Blue Duck Tavern is legitimate and what I dubbed my "conspiracy theory." From the initial seating, the service was attentive and swift: water poured quickly, wine delivered promptly, appetizers presented in a timely manner. But after the rabbit disappeared (into my watering mouth), the clock-watching began. It continued for about 45 minutes, at a minimum. In the meantime, we finished the bottle of Sauvigon Blanc that we had ordered and...and here is where I believe the conspiracy comes into play...forced to open a second bottle to have when our main course was finally served. Now that I think about it, it was promptly after the second bottle arrived and was uncorked that our meals also came out from the black hole that was the kitchen.
After finishing, the check was quickly presented as to put an end to our 2.5 hour dining experience. For the record, this was our most expensive dinner to date by far.
Without question, I recommend Blue Duck Tavern for a more formal, but relaxed dining experience. I just don't recommend it on a night that you are in a rush...or don't want to be hungover the next day.
Blue Duck Tavern - 24th & M Streets NW, 202.419.6755, www.blueducktavern.com
Sunday, May 4, 2008
"Ulah" La La
C Says...
Owned by the same proprietors of Stoney's on P Street, Ulah is less neighborhood bar, and more neighborhood bistro. Located on U Street, Ulah specializes in basic fare like burgers and pizza with the occasional entree thrown in for good measure. Spread out among 2 floors, they both feature their own bars and banquettes to maximize the space.
J ordered mussels to start (told you, you'd see a lot of this), and I ordered the mojito chicken as an entree. Marinated in a lime and mint sauce it's served with "risotto verde." The chicken was nicely grilled and had a light, citrus flavor. The risotto had a strong mint flavor, which I enjoyed, but was a bit heavy on the butter. It's a simple dish, but was perfect for the mood I was in.
We ordered dessert, which is unusual and were met with a huge chocolate cake. I had my share of bites (5) and thought it was a nice way to finish off the meal.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the evening came when we received our bill. Monday nights are apparently 1/2 price bottle of wine nights when you order 2 entrees. So, J and I basically enjoyed are least expensive meal of this experience on a fluke -- about $35 each for an appetizer, 2 entrees, a bottle of wine, and dessert. Not too shabby for an up and coming urban bistro.
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J Says...
When C first suggested Ulah, I did not know what to think…or how to pronounce its name. Those hesitations quickly faded as I walked into the aesthetically-pleasing spacious, yet quant restaurant in the up-and-coming U street corridor. From the charming votive candles mounted on the exposed brick wall to the standard bar for which those who did not make a reservation in advance were confined too, everything in Ulah stated (subtly of course) that this restaurant was here to stay.
The service was playful yet sweet, with the waitress having a bit of a problem with the screw-cap bottle of wine. The mussels appetizer was delicious and plentiful – I could barely eat the last one as C was not in the seafood mood. For my main course, I enjoyed the shrimp and scallop linguine which provided more than enough to satisfy my hunger. And, quite frankly, it was well prepared and proportioned at a very reasonable price ($18). And, as C said above, the dessert was a nice way to end the relaxing evening.
Perhaps the only demerit to Ulah would be its simplistic and short wine list. However, the venue does get points for half-priced wine night on Mondays and, if someone is truly looking for a “wine restaurant,” they would go to one of a dozen specialty spots in the city that have opened within the last year.
I would be doing a disservice to our readers if I did not say that I have a special fondness for Ulah for two reasons: first, it is the first high quality, low pretentiousness restaurant to open near to my home in the city, which immediately makes it one of my new favorites. And, secondly, it is the site at which the brainchild of C and I…this blog…was born. While neither of these sentimental moments should take away from the simple fact that this is a very solid and soon-to-be staple restaurant for DC.
Ulah - 1214 U Street NW, 202.234.0123, http://ulahbistro.com
Owned by the same proprietors of Stoney's on P Street, Ulah is less neighborhood bar, and more neighborhood bistro. Located on U Street, Ulah specializes in basic fare like burgers and pizza with the occasional entree thrown in for good measure. Spread out among 2 floors, they both feature their own bars and banquettes to maximize the space.
J ordered mussels to start (told you, you'd see a lot of this), and I ordered the mojito chicken as an entree. Marinated in a lime and mint sauce it's served with "risotto verde." The chicken was nicely grilled and had a light, citrus flavor. The risotto had a strong mint flavor, which I enjoyed, but was a bit heavy on the butter. It's a simple dish, but was perfect for the mood I was in.
We ordered dessert, which is unusual and were met with a huge chocolate cake. I had my share of bites (5) and thought it was a nice way to finish off the meal.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the evening came when we received our bill. Monday nights are apparently 1/2 price bottle of wine nights when you order 2 entrees. So, J and I basically enjoyed are least expensive meal of this experience on a fluke -- about $35 each for an appetizer, 2 entrees, a bottle of wine, and dessert. Not too shabby for an up and coming urban bistro.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Says...
When C first suggested Ulah, I did not know what to think…or how to pronounce its name. Those hesitations quickly faded as I walked into the aesthetically-pleasing spacious, yet quant restaurant in the up-and-coming U street corridor. From the charming votive candles mounted on the exposed brick wall to the standard bar for which those who did not make a reservation in advance were confined too, everything in Ulah stated (subtly of course) that this restaurant was here to stay.
The service was playful yet sweet, with the waitress having a bit of a problem with the screw-cap bottle of wine. The mussels appetizer was delicious and plentiful – I could barely eat the last one as C was not in the seafood mood. For my main course, I enjoyed the shrimp and scallop linguine which provided more than enough to satisfy my hunger. And, quite frankly, it was well prepared and proportioned at a very reasonable price ($18). And, as C said above, the dessert was a nice way to end the relaxing evening.
Perhaps the only demerit to Ulah would be its simplistic and short wine list. However, the venue does get points for half-priced wine night on Mondays and, if someone is truly looking for a “wine restaurant,” they would go to one of a dozen specialty spots in the city that have opened within the last year.
I would be doing a disservice to our readers if I did not say that I have a special fondness for Ulah for two reasons: first, it is the first high quality, low pretentiousness restaurant to open near to my home in the city, which immediately makes it one of my new favorites. And, secondly, it is the site at which the brainchild of C and I…this blog…was born. While neither of these sentimental moments should take away from the simple fact that this is a very solid and soon-to-be staple restaurant for DC.
Ulah - 1214 U Street NW, 202.234.0123, http://ulahbistro.com
You Say Chic, We Say "Rasika"
C Says...
I'm a sucker for Indian food -- I think it's the curry and the naan, and Rasika does not disappoint.
It's a cozy restaurant in the heart of downtown; you could practically stumble right by it, if you're not on the look out. The lighting and red decor makes for wonderful ambiance, and the service was spot on.
I went for an old standby of chicken biryani, and was met with a preparation and plating that I've never seen before. The chicken came with the sauce in it's own metal bowl (think mini witches' cauldron) that kept the entire dish warm, with a bread topping (think chicken pot pie). Our waitress deftly sliced open the bready topper to let out a rush of aromatic steam. I'm not usually one for gimmicks at restaurants, but this was fun, and served a purpose -- all of a sudden you're hit with wonderful Indian aromas that are unparalleled in any other cuisine. The dish was phenomenal and I again had to have the server take my plate away before I descended farther into one of the seven deadly sins.
The entrees are reasonably priced, and well worth every penny. Rasika apparently also does a great lunch and participates in Restaurant Week -- so make your plans now.
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J Says...
Going on the advice of a trusted colleague (thanks Dana!), C and I ventured into the backstreets of the popular Chinatown-Penn Quarter section of the city. You’d almost miss Rasika if you weren’t looking for it…it’s camouflaged nicely into this quiet street in the urban jungle of DC…but once inside, it’d be hard to refocus your eyes. From the bar to the dining room to the kitchen and the bright red walls, the restaurant fills the room with vibrancy and energy. And the smells are heavenly.
While I don’t quite remember what I ordered for a starter – and C quickly jumped on it as well – my chicken makhani was so delicious and tasty that I had almost wished I ordered two courses of it. Very traditional yet very authentic, I found the meals and preparation to be of genuine class and respect. Coupled with a fine wine selection and very attentive, though not over-bearing, staff, I immediately recommended Rasika to my cousin and his wife who crave REAL Indian food.
If not already, Rasika will soon be popular with the DC journalist-elites for its chic feel yet decidedly non-American cuisine. This could be cause for concern as it may ruin the intimate feel of the restaurant in the long run. However, as long as the kitchen keeps producing the rich array of smells, sights and tastes as it did that March night, then I will surely be returning.
Rasika - 633 D Street NW, 202.637.1222, www.rasikarestaurant.com
I'm a sucker for Indian food -- I think it's the curry and the naan, and Rasika does not disappoint.
It's a cozy restaurant in the heart of downtown; you could practically stumble right by it, if you're not on the look out. The lighting and red decor makes for wonderful ambiance, and the service was spot on.
I went for an old standby of chicken biryani, and was met with a preparation and plating that I've never seen before. The chicken came with the sauce in it's own metal bowl (think mini witches' cauldron) that kept the entire dish warm, with a bread topping (think chicken pot pie). Our waitress deftly sliced open the bready topper to let out a rush of aromatic steam. I'm not usually one for gimmicks at restaurants, but this was fun, and served a purpose -- all of a sudden you're hit with wonderful Indian aromas that are unparalleled in any other cuisine. The dish was phenomenal and I again had to have the server take my plate away before I descended farther into one of the seven deadly sins.
The entrees are reasonably priced, and well worth every penny. Rasika apparently also does a great lunch and participates in Restaurant Week -- so make your plans now.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Says...
Going on the advice of a trusted colleague (thanks Dana!), C and I ventured into the backstreets of the popular Chinatown-Penn Quarter section of the city. You’d almost miss Rasika if you weren’t looking for it…it’s camouflaged nicely into this quiet street in the urban jungle of DC…but once inside, it’d be hard to refocus your eyes. From the bar to the dining room to the kitchen and the bright red walls, the restaurant fills the room with vibrancy and energy. And the smells are heavenly.
While I don’t quite remember what I ordered for a starter – and C quickly jumped on it as well – my chicken makhani was so delicious and tasty that I had almost wished I ordered two courses of it. Very traditional yet very authentic, I found the meals and preparation to be of genuine class and respect. Coupled with a fine wine selection and very attentive, though not over-bearing, staff, I immediately recommended Rasika to my cousin and his wife who crave REAL Indian food.
If not already, Rasika will soon be popular with the DC journalist-elites for its chic feel yet decidedly non-American cuisine. This could be cause for concern as it may ruin the intimate feel of the restaurant in the long run. However, as long as the kitchen keeps producing the rich array of smells, sights and tastes as it did that March night, then I will surely be returning.
Rasika - 633 D Street NW, 202.637.1222, www.rasikarestaurant.com
Please Pass the "Black Salt" and Pepper
C Says...
Listen up you car-less DCites -- if you depend on Metro or cabs to get to your preferred destinations, you likely won't be able to enjoy what is an incredible restaurant. I recommend Zip-car-ing ASAP to experience this lovely restaurant nestled in the Palisades (and nowhere near any Metro stop). Upon walking in to Black Salt you'll be greeted by friendly staff and a fish market where you can select from fresh catches of the day and dry goods. When I chose Black Salt for my birthday dinner, I had no idea it was one of "those" DC places -- you know, the ones where the "stars" go. On this evening, we encountered some of DC journalism's finest -- Tammy Haddad and Linda Douglass. For a couple of DC star lovers, this added some major street creed to my pick.
Black Salt's decor is intimate and well-laid out. There is a side room that lends to an open view of the kitchen, which I always love. It's committed to sustainability of fish, which warms the cockles of my lovely liberal heart.
Many of the items on the menu trend toward Latin inspired dishes, and are essentially one-pot wonders. I ordered the Parazuela which consists of sea bass, mussels, shrimp, pulpito (baby octopus, okay, not so much a fan of that...it's the tentacles), and sweet potatoes in a coconut chorizo broth. This recipe hails from Peru and was simply incredible. It had sweet and savory flavors that were complex in their simplicity. The chorizo added a nice hint of spice and the seafood was made to perfection (I passed the pulpitos on to J for him to enjoy). This is a very stew-like dish and is super filling -- I quite literally had to have our server take my bowl from me. I would love to go back for the chef's tasting menu, but I'm not sure my belly could handle it.
Kids, really -- find a car and get thee to the Black Salt. It's well worth the trek.
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J Says...
The first pick of C definitely left me scratching my head – not because of the amazing feast I was about to have, but because I couldn’t quite figure out how to get back to civilization. Having only heard about the Palisades, it was an eye-opening experience to find its existence…and to taste the fantastic cuisine of Black Salt for my hard work (read: driving C).
While C was awe-struck with the A-list DC celebrities dining in the restaurant (living in LA for 5 years, I prefer the real stars), I was enjoying the level of details that this “fish market” had employed to really take you away from that stereotype. Comfortable, cozy and curious, I couldn’t help but eyeing the other tables to see which of the plentiful dishes they selected. As I could not find what I ordered on their standard online menu, I believe I tried the Chef’s special that evening…and I recall it went down quickly as I eyed dessert.
The entire experience was absolutely brilliant, until you receive the check. Not going to sugarcoat it…the sticker shock of the bill is perhaps the one downfall. You may be saying that I shouldn’t have ordered dessert or that additional glass of wine (we always order a bottle to start)…but really, the selections are too good to pass up. Thus, be prepared for the bill by making this a truly “for special occasions” place since this will ensure you don’t ruin the unparallel experience that is Black Salt.
Black Salt Fish Market & Restaurant - 4883 MacArthur Blvd, 202.342.9101, www.blacksaltrestaurant.com
Listen up you car-less DCites -- if you depend on Metro or cabs to get to your preferred destinations, you likely won't be able to enjoy what is an incredible restaurant. I recommend Zip-car-ing ASAP to experience this lovely restaurant nestled in the Palisades (and nowhere near any Metro stop). Upon walking in to Black Salt you'll be greeted by friendly staff and a fish market where you can select from fresh catches of the day and dry goods. When I chose Black Salt for my birthday dinner, I had no idea it was one of "those" DC places -- you know, the ones where the "stars" go. On this evening, we encountered some of DC journalism's finest -- Tammy Haddad and Linda Douglass. For a couple of DC star lovers, this added some major street creed to my pick.
Black Salt's decor is intimate and well-laid out. There is a side room that lends to an open view of the kitchen, which I always love. It's committed to sustainability of fish, which warms the cockles of my lovely liberal heart.
Many of the items on the menu trend toward Latin inspired dishes, and are essentially one-pot wonders. I ordered the Parazuela which consists of sea bass, mussels, shrimp, pulpito (baby octopus, okay, not so much a fan of that...it's the tentacles), and sweet potatoes in a coconut chorizo broth. This recipe hails from Peru and was simply incredible. It had sweet and savory flavors that were complex in their simplicity. The chorizo added a nice hint of spice and the seafood was made to perfection (I passed the pulpitos on to J for him to enjoy). This is a very stew-like dish and is super filling -- I quite literally had to have our server take my bowl from me. I would love to go back for the chef's tasting menu, but I'm not sure my belly could handle it.
Kids, really -- find a car and get thee to the Black Salt. It's well worth the trek.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Says...
The first pick of C definitely left me scratching my head – not because of the amazing feast I was about to have, but because I couldn’t quite figure out how to get back to civilization. Having only heard about the Palisades, it was an eye-opening experience to find its existence…and to taste the fantastic cuisine of Black Salt for my hard work (read: driving C).
While C was awe-struck with the A-list DC celebrities dining in the restaurant (living in LA for 5 years, I prefer the real stars), I was enjoying the level of details that this “fish market” had employed to really take you away from that stereotype. Comfortable, cozy and curious, I couldn’t help but eyeing the other tables to see which of the plentiful dishes they selected. As I could not find what I ordered on their standard online menu, I believe I tried the Chef’s special that evening…and I recall it went down quickly as I eyed dessert.
The entire experience was absolutely brilliant, until you receive the check. Not going to sugarcoat it…the sticker shock of the bill is perhaps the one downfall. You may be saying that I shouldn’t have ordered dessert or that additional glass of wine (we always order a bottle to start)…but really, the selections are too good to pass up. Thus, be prepared for the bill by making this a truly “for special occasions” place since this will ensure you don’t ruin the unparallel experience that is Black Salt.
Black Salt Fish Market & Restaurant - 4883 MacArthur Blvd, 202.342.9101, www.blacksaltrestaurant.com
The First Dine: Tempting our "Palette"
C Says...
For what is for all intents and purposes, a hotel restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised by the un-hotelesque quality of this restaurant. A nice touch is the maitre d' greets you by name. Granted this host got our reservation's name wrong, but hey, points for trying. Overall, service was pleasant and they were attentive without being at the table every 5 minutes to make sure we were doing okay. The decor and atmosphere is modern, yet comfortable. Art adorns the walls and fresh flowers are on each table. Nice touch in my book.
You'll come to realize that J. likes to order appetizers, and has a penchant for mussels and scallops. I, however, refrain from ordering pre-dinner food mainly because it tends to ruin my appetite. Now, don't fault me for not having an extreme recollection of this dining experience (hey it was 4 months ago), but I believe I got the salmon (helps I checked their online menu and that I tend to order a lot of salmon when going out to eat) It's done with skin on, which I think is a nice touch and helps the fish retain its flavor, and is served with lentils.
Overall, I enjoyed Palette. The price is right for the quality of the food, and it was an enjoyable dining experience. I don't think I'll return for a meal, but that is in no way a reflection of the restaurant -- there are just too many other places in DC to indulge my gluttonous tendencies.
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J Says...
Palette can be easily missed if you are driving by yet another hotel in DC too quickly, which is sad but expected. Very subtle in its exterior, the restaurant is beautifully laid out, though not visually-stunning on the interior. You’ll have the sense that you’ve eaten at Palette, though it was just a different name in a nameless urban city. And the grilled Colorado lamp chops – to which I ordered at the amusement of C. – would be equally good at any other restaurant across the country.
As this was our inaugural feast and I had first pick of location, I went back to a restaurant that I had previously dined…and I believe enjoyed…though had little recollection. That is, perhaps, the biggest challenge Palette faces – it just doesn’t stand out among DC’s vast selection of eateries. And again (as C. alluded too), four months later I am still drawing a blank on specifics, however I do recall that it was unusually quiet at the restaurant and that I did skip on dessert because I was not impressed by any selections (though the complimentary cotton-candy they bring to the table was unique and tasty on my palette).
All in all, the price was expected; the staff was welcoming and attentive; and the décor is relaxing. I won’t turn down a dining experience at Palette, but I’m not rushing to go back soon either.
Palette - 15th & M Streets NW, 202.587.2700, www.palettedc.com
For what is for all intents and purposes, a hotel restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised by the un-hotelesque quality of this restaurant. A nice touch is the maitre d' greets you by name. Granted this host got our reservation's name wrong, but hey, points for trying. Overall, service was pleasant and they were attentive without being at the table every 5 minutes to make sure we were doing okay. The decor and atmosphere is modern, yet comfortable. Art adorns the walls and fresh flowers are on each table. Nice touch in my book.
You'll come to realize that J. likes to order appetizers, and has a penchant for mussels and scallops. I, however, refrain from ordering pre-dinner food mainly because it tends to ruin my appetite. Now, don't fault me for not having an extreme recollection of this dining experience (hey it was 4 months ago), but I believe I got the salmon (helps I checked their online menu and that I tend to order a lot of salmon when going out to eat) It's done with skin on, which I think is a nice touch and helps the fish retain its flavor, and is served with lentils.
Overall, I enjoyed Palette. The price is right for the quality of the food, and it was an enjoyable dining experience. I don't think I'll return for a meal, but that is in no way a reflection of the restaurant -- there are just too many other places in DC to indulge my gluttonous tendencies.
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J Says...
Palette can be easily missed if you are driving by yet another hotel in DC too quickly, which is sad but expected. Very subtle in its exterior, the restaurant is beautifully laid out, though not visually-stunning on the interior. You’ll have the sense that you’ve eaten at Palette, though it was just a different name in a nameless urban city. And the grilled Colorado lamp chops – to which I ordered at the amusement of C. – would be equally good at any other restaurant across the country.
As this was our inaugural feast and I had first pick of location, I went back to a restaurant that I had previously dined…and I believe enjoyed…though had little recollection. That is, perhaps, the biggest challenge Palette faces – it just doesn’t stand out among DC’s vast selection of eateries. And again (as C. alluded too), four months later I am still drawing a blank on specifics, however I do recall that it was unusually quiet at the restaurant and that I did skip on dessert because I was not impressed by any selections (though the complimentary cotton-candy they bring to the table was unique and tasty on my palette).
All in all, the price was expected; the staff was welcoming and attentive; and the décor is relaxing. I won’t turn down a dining experience at Palette, but I’m not rushing to go back soon either.
Palette - 15th & M Streets NW, 202.587.2700, www.palettedc.com
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