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!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
