C Says...
For our last review of 2009, and for the decade (where oh where have 10 years gone!), I picked Eatonville based on the recommendation from a co-worker. I was a tad bit early thanks to the Circulator, so I arrived in time to partake in happy hour.
For those of you who know me, you know that I have been able to make perhaps two happy hours (for drink specials, not the DC-defined happy hour of drink when you get there) in 5 years, so this was a treat. The bar boasts some nice microbrews from across the U.S. and particularly the south, in keeping with the overall feel of the restaurant.
Once seated, we went a bit overboard with the ordering because there really was a lot on the menu we wanted to try. We started with hush puppies and the fried green tomatoes ordered by our guest reviewer. The hush puppies were not at all what I expected, but didn’t disappoint. Stuffed with rock shrimp and leek fondue with a creole sauce, it was a great way to start off the meal. The fried green tomatoes were good, but I strongly prefer the ones served up at Art & Soul.
For the main course I opted for the fish and grits. The fish part of this option changes regularly, and on this date it happened to be catfish, which I love. The fish was delightfully prepared and the jalapeno cheddar grits were absolutely to die for. Now, this dish comes with collard greens, which I’m not a big fan of mainly because of the washed out color they take on when cooked, but I tried them and they weren’t bad. I mean not something I’d order on a regular basis, but worth a try.
All in all I think Eatonville was a lovely choice to cap off the year, and I recommend it for a group of friends looking for comfort food in a comfortable setting. Here’s wishing you all health and happiness in 2010!
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The Other J Says...(see October 2008 for explanation)
After inviting myself to C&J’s monthly dinner, my (punishment) reward is to be the guest reviewer for y’all (I only use that term since we were eating southern style food). Call me J-2 or J2. But anyway, this month C chose Eatonville… a Southern/Cajun/Creole restaurant in NW. Upon walking in, the first thing that stands out is the décor. In the vast amount of open space there are giant murals painted on the walls (very colorful), rocking chairs at select tables, and jazz music! I could see how some might think it’s a bit overwhelming, but I found that it all contributed to the southern charm the restaurant is going for.
After sitting down, I eagerly dove into the menu. Though to be honest, I had already peaked at it online before arriving so I already had an idea of what I wanted. It’s not a very large menu but there were still plenty of appetizing options. We started with the fried green tomatoes (topped with corn salsa, red pepper aioli, goat cheese, and arugula) and the biggest hush puppy I have ever seen (stuffed with shrimp, leek fondue, and creole sauce). Yes, there is plenty of fried food to choose from! The tomatoes were outstanding and I think I was a bit greedy on my part devouring most of them. I also thoroughly enjoyed the hollowed out hush puppy, as it had quite a kick to it! And I think there was cornbread as well… but to me all cornbread tastes the same.
For dinner, I opted for the shrimp creole with long grain rice. I was hoping that it would be a bit spicier than it was as I’ve been on a spicy food kick lately. However, that problem was easily solved with a bottle of hot sauce (of which I added quite a bit). The shrimp were cooked to perfection and the dish was very flavorful. We also ordered a couple of side dishes for the table including mashed potatoes (which I didn’t touch as that belonged solely to J-1) and my personal favorite – mac and cheese. And this version did not disappoint. It was salted well, rich and creamy, and had a baked layer of cheese on top that added the perfect crunch. I just wish there was a dinner portion!
Overall, I had a very good experience at Eatonville. Our service was great as our waiter was quite funny and very attentive. The food provided that southern style comfort that I was looking for. And the ambiance was quite charming.
Eatonville - 2121 14th Street NW, 202.332.9672, www.eatonvillerestaurant.com
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Raise a Glass (But Not a Fork) to "Enology"
UPDATE - ENOLOGY HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS. J noticed this in March 2010 when he was in the neighborhood at a different establishment. The venue is now an Irish bar/restaurant.
C Says...
Now, I for one am a w(h)ino. I love wine. I love wineries. I love wine tasting. Maybe it's because I'm from CA, or maybe it's because I live close to some really great wineries in the VA (no really). So I was really pleased that J chose Enology at the corner of Wisconsin and Macomb NW for November's review.
Enology is a wine bar, and it lives up to the name. The wine menu is ridiculously extensive. You could literally sit there for 15 mins focusing just on whites. Rather than trying to narrow down a wine by the glass, or a bottle, J and I both opted for the flights.
Cleverly named, Enology's flights offer up a little something for everyone. I sampled three lovely syrahs (I wish I could tell you which ones, but Enology hasn't updated their site to reflect this offering, and I for one can't remember what I had, but I do remember I enjoyed them thoroughly).
Because enology is a wine bar, their food offerings are a bit on the sparse side. I had the calamari to start that's paired with a thai sweet chili sauce. The calamari were prepared nicely, and the thai chili sauce was great. For the main course, I had the flat iron steak and herbed fries. Now, I am not a steak eater. I rarely eat it and I never order it out at a restaurant. The steak was a bit underdone for my liking (more medium rare than medium), and the fries were great.
Overall, I'd recommend Enology for a few nice glasses of wine, or heck a bottle, with some appetizers to share. The food was good, but nothing to write home about.
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J Says...
Continuing to move beyond our geographical comfort zones, I chose Enology both for the location as well as the wine. The atmosphere is clean and crisp, though seating is a bit tight. And their recent decision to remove themselves from Open Table is certainly a mark against them in my book (particularly since I received notice my reservation was cancelled, until I called to confirm it was ok).
Moving on, the flights of wine were quite delicious and very economically priced. I chose the "Salad Bowl" which was a hodgepodge of white wines, including one from St. Supery in Napa. Quite refreshing, though I only fully liked two of the three.
And as C said, the food menu is quite sparse (in fact, it's the last two pages of a 12 page menu!). I started with the pesto flatbread which was plentiful in both quantity and flavor. I, too, chose the flat iron steak which I found undercooked and rather skimpy. Note to all restaurants - loading a plate up with frits does not cover up the missing steak!
As the service was a bit slow, we opted against dessert and were happy to settle our sensible check. I'm not in a huge rush to go back to Enology for dinner, but I'd sure do happy hour at the extensive bar before proceeding to other neighborhood restaurants.
Enology Wine Bar - 3238 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 202.362.0362, http://www.enologydc.com/
C Says...
Now, I for one am a w(h)ino. I love wine. I love wineries. I love wine tasting. Maybe it's because I'm from CA, or maybe it's because I live close to some really great wineries in the VA (no really). So I was really pleased that J chose Enology at the corner of Wisconsin and Macomb NW for November's review.
Enology is a wine bar, and it lives up to the name. The wine menu is ridiculously extensive. You could literally sit there for 15 mins focusing just on whites. Rather than trying to narrow down a wine by the glass, or a bottle, J and I both opted for the flights.
Cleverly named, Enology's flights offer up a little something for everyone. I sampled three lovely syrahs (I wish I could tell you which ones, but Enology hasn't updated their site to reflect this offering, and I for one can't remember what I had, but I do remember I enjoyed them thoroughly).
Because enology is a wine bar, their food offerings are a bit on the sparse side. I had the calamari to start that's paired with a thai sweet chili sauce. The calamari were prepared nicely, and the thai chili sauce was great. For the main course, I had the flat iron steak and herbed fries. Now, I am not a steak eater. I rarely eat it and I never order it out at a restaurant. The steak was a bit underdone for my liking (more medium rare than medium), and the fries were great.
Overall, I'd recommend Enology for a few nice glasses of wine, or heck a bottle, with some appetizers to share. The food was good, but nothing to write home about.
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J Says...
Continuing to move beyond our geographical comfort zones, I chose Enology both for the location as well as the wine. The atmosphere is clean and crisp, though seating is a bit tight. And their recent decision to remove themselves from Open Table is certainly a mark against them in my book (particularly since I received notice my reservation was cancelled, until I called to confirm it was ok).
Moving on, the flights of wine were quite delicious and very economically priced. I chose the "Salad Bowl" which was a hodgepodge of white wines, including one from St. Supery in Napa. Quite refreshing, though I only fully liked two of the three.
And as C said, the food menu is quite sparse (in fact, it's the last two pages of a 12 page menu!). I started with the pesto flatbread which was plentiful in both quantity and flavor. I, too, chose the flat iron steak which I found undercooked and rather skimpy. Note to all restaurants - loading a plate up with frits does not cover up the missing steak!
As the service was a bit slow, we opted against dessert and were happy to settle our sensible check. I'm not in a huge rush to go back to Enology for dinner, but I'd sure do happy hour at the extensive bar before proceeding to other neighborhood restaurants.
Enology Wine Bar - 3238 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 202.362.0362, http://www.enologydc.com/
Monday, October 26, 2009
Whole Lotta "Art and Soul"
C says...
For October’s selection, I opted for Art and Soul on Capitol Hill – I blame Top Chef Masters given that Art Smith was a contestant and chef/purveyor of this establishment. Apparently, it’s one of THE places to be seen if you’re a dork who considers politicians, lobbyists, and strategists to be celebrities.
The menu offers up a Southern flare and pays homage to seasonal ingredients. I chose the scallops with sweet potato mash, and ham (more like thick slab bacon) with greens and fried green tomatoes on the side. The scallops were hearty and paired nicely with the saltiness of the ham and the sweetness of the sweet potato mash, which was incredible all on its own. I ordered the fried green tomatoes expecting 3-5, but out came probably a dozen of the little suckers. I can’t remember if I’ve ever had them before, but I’m officially hooked. They were amazing.
My only complaint with Art and Soul (and not sure many people would find this as a bad thing), but our meal lasted all of 45 minutes: from being seated, to ordering, to eating, to clearing of the table. The ambiance is lovely and the food fantastic, but it did have a “treat ‘em and street ‘em” feel – but hey, we are in the throes of reforming health care, so maybe that was apropos.
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J Says...
It was a comfortable fall night when C picked the Liaison hotel's ground-floor restaurant for our October dinner. The city has been insanely busy this season so the immediate seating when we arrived was a bit surprising, even with our Open Table reservation.
Both deciding to skip the appetizer - yes, I skipped the mussels - and only do a glass of wine each rather than a bottle, this night was like speed-dating. I opted for the butter squash ravioli with seasoned vegetables. For an added bonus, I had to have a side of the buttermilk mashed potatoes. The proportions are plentiful and the food was, as standard, bursting with flavor. It had been several months since I had dined at "Art and Soul" but it was certainly as I remember it: classic, comfortable and convenient.
For those looking for a true DC experience, the decor is simple as not to compete with the powerhouse personalities lounging and dining within the restaurant (on the night of our dinner, Senator Ben "Benator" Nelson was there). The service is reliably efficient. And the evening always seems to leave a smile on my tummy.
Art and Soul - 415 New Jersey Ave NW, 202.393.7777, www.artandsouldc.com
For October’s selection, I opted for Art and Soul on Capitol Hill – I blame Top Chef Masters given that Art Smith was a contestant and chef/purveyor of this establishment. Apparently, it’s one of THE places to be seen if you’re a dork who considers politicians, lobbyists, and strategists to be celebrities.
The menu offers up a Southern flare and pays homage to seasonal ingredients. I chose the scallops with sweet potato mash, and ham (more like thick slab bacon) with greens and fried green tomatoes on the side. The scallops were hearty and paired nicely with the saltiness of the ham and the sweetness of the sweet potato mash, which was incredible all on its own. I ordered the fried green tomatoes expecting 3-5, but out came probably a dozen of the little suckers. I can’t remember if I’ve ever had them before, but I’m officially hooked. They were amazing.
My only complaint with Art and Soul (and not sure many people would find this as a bad thing), but our meal lasted all of 45 minutes: from being seated, to ordering, to eating, to clearing of the table. The ambiance is lovely and the food fantastic, but it did have a “treat ‘em and street ‘em” feel – but hey, we are in the throes of reforming health care, so maybe that was apropos.
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J Says...
It was a comfortable fall night when C picked the Liaison hotel's ground-floor restaurant for our October dinner. The city has been insanely busy this season so the immediate seating when we arrived was a bit surprising, even with our Open Table reservation.
Both deciding to skip the appetizer - yes, I skipped the mussels - and only do a glass of wine each rather than a bottle, this night was like speed-dating. I opted for the butter squash ravioli with seasoned vegetables. For an added bonus, I had to have a side of the buttermilk mashed potatoes. The proportions are plentiful and the food was, as standard, bursting with flavor. It had been several months since I had dined at "Art and Soul" but it was certainly as I remember it: classic, comfortable and convenient.
For those looking for a true DC experience, the decor is simple as not to compete with the powerhouse personalities lounging and dining within the restaurant (on the night of our dinner, Senator Ben "Benator" Nelson was there). The service is reliably efficient. And the evening always seems to leave a smile on my tummy.
Art and Soul - 415 New Jersey Ave NW, 202.393.7777, www.artandsouldc.com
Monday, September 28, 2009
Hands Up for "Town Hall"
C Says...
After a brief hiatus/August recess, we were back to our monthly dining, reviewing, and gab festing. Town Hall was a lovely choice for our September dinner. Located in Glover Park, the restaurant boasts a lovely neighborhood feel without a line out the door (of course this could be because it was a Monday night).
I selected the pork chop with goat [cheese] mac and cheese and sauteed apples, and the dish didn't disappoint. The pork chop was cooked to perfection with a lovely crust and the flavors were heightened with the apples. The mac and cheese was wonderfully prepared and left me wanting more. I didn't quite clean my plate, but it was close. The bread pudding we split for dessert was nice as well, and I'm not big on desserts.
If you're looking for a nice, understated, big on comfort food restaurant, Town Hall may be the choice for you.
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J Says...
In honor of the excitement of the August month at town halls across America (re: healthcare reform), I decided it was oh-so-fitting to go to DC's version of Town Hall for our return dinner. Unlike the excitement seen on cable news, this Town Hall was civil and stylish.
I started with the ravioli stuffed with portabella mushroom and spinach. Quite delicious and just perfect in proportions, I was eager to see how my Dijon roasted chicken breast with mashed potatoes turned out. As usual, I devoured the mashed potatoes and simply wanted more. The chicken was good and cooked well, but a bit small in size and by no means memorable.
A departure for us, we decided on glasses of wine rather than a bottle. And I ordered a dessert, for which C promptly enjoyed half. All in all, the check was quite reasonable and the food was flavorful.
I'd easily recommend this restaurant to local diners for its simplicity of location, friendly staff and accessible flat-screen TVs that allow Monday Night Football viewing with comfort.
Town Hall - 2218 Wisconsin Ave NW, 202.233.5640, www.townhalldc.com
After a brief hiatus/August recess, we were back to our monthly dining, reviewing, and gab festing. Town Hall was a lovely choice for our September dinner. Located in Glover Park, the restaurant boasts a lovely neighborhood feel without a line out the door (of course this could be because it was a Monday night).
I selected the pork chop with goat [cheese] mac and cheese and sauteed apples, and the dish didn't disappoint. The pork chop was cooked to perfection with a lovely crust and the flavors were heightened with the apples. The mac and cheese was wonderfully prepared and left me wanting more. I didn't quite clean my plate, but it was close. The bread pudding we split for dessert was nice as well, and I'm not big on desserts.
If you're looking for a nice, understated, big on comfort food restaurant, Town Hall may be the choice for you.
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J Says...
In honor of the excitement of the August month at town halls across America (re: healthcare reform), I decided it was oh-so-fitting to go to DC's version of Town Hall for our return dinner. Unlike the excitement seen on cable news, this Town Hall was civil and stylish.
I started with the ravioli stuffed with portabella mushroom and spinach. Quite delicious and just perfect in proportions, I was eager to see how my Dijon roasted chicken breast with mashed potatoes turned out. As usual, I devoured the mashed potatoes and simply wanted more. The chicken was good and cooked well, but a bit small in size and by no means memorable.
A departure for us, we decided on glasses of wine rather than a bottle. And I ordered a dessert, for which C promptly enjoyed half. All in all, the check was quite reasonable and the food was flavorful.
I'd easily recommend this restaurant to local diners for its simplicity of location, friendly staff and accessible flat-screen TVs that allow Monday Night Football viewing with comfort.
Town Hall - 2218 Wisconsin Ave NW, 202.233.5640, www.townhalldc.com
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Blah on "Belga Cafe"
C Says...
After a month-long hiatus, that was all my fault, we embarked for our June dinner at Cafe Belga in Eastern Market. I've heard great things about Belga, and had been wanting to try it for months. Sadly, it didn't live up to the hype. While the decor is quite lovely, and outdoor seating offers great people watching (when it's not 85 and humid out), the food did not live up to my expectations.
As the name implies, Belga's menu is an ode to all things Belgian -- beer, croquettes, and frites. I ordered the Chimey mussels which come w/ "real" Belgian fries and "real" Belgian mayonnaise. The mussels on their own were tasty, but the broth was bland and nothing I'd want to slop up with a piece of crusty bread. The fries were tasty and not overly salty, but I'll just never get dunking them in mayo. I've lauded Granville Moore's mussels in this blog before, and so far, nothing I've tried since comes close.
I'm not sure I'll be back to Belga for their take on these tasty little morsels from the sea, but maybe I'll be back for a nice beer outside with some good friends and good conversation.
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J Says...
Boy was that a long break from eating! But we roared back in June with a blah restaurant choice by C. While I liked Belga Cafe's decor, the service was only decent. And that would be the mantra for the night.
I started with the oven-grilled mussels on the half-shell with garlic butter, which were new to me given I've only had steamed mussels before. Quite delicious, so I remained hopeful for the main course. Sadly, the beer roasted chicken, braised Belgian endives with purple potatoes left me blue.
While I heart Belgium and spent several weeks at university in Brugge, I'm not fully in love with Belga Cafe. Perhaps if the line at Matchbox across the street is too long, I'll return to the restaurant for some wine (quite a good selection by the way) or maybe a beer.
Cafe Belga - 514 8th Street SE, 202.544.0100, www.belgacafe.com
After a month-long hiatus, that was all my fault, we embarked for our June dinner at Cafe Belga in Eastern Market. I've heard great things about Belga, and had been wanting to try it for months. Sadly, it didn't live up to the hype. While the decor is quite lovely, and outdoor seating offers great people watching (when it's not 85 and humid out), the food did not live up to my expectations.
As the name implies, Belga's menu is an ode to all things Belgian -- beer, croquettes, and frites. I ordered the Chimey mussels which come w/ "real" Belgian fries and "real" Belgian mayonnaise. The mussels on their own were tasty, but the broth was bland and nothing I'd want to slop up with a piece of crusty bread. The fries were tasty and not overly salty, but I'll just never get dunking them in mayo. I've lauded Granville Moore's mussels in this blog before, and so far, nothing I've tried since comes close.
I'm not sure I'll be back to Belga for their take on these tasty little morsels from the sea, but maybe I'll be back for a nice beer outside with some good friends and good conversation.
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J Says...
Boy was that a long break from eating! But we roared back in June with a blah restaurant choice by C. While I liked Belga Cafe's decor, the service was only decent. And that would be the mantra for the night.
I started with the oven-grilled mussels on the half-shell with garlic butter, which were new to me given I've only had steamed mussels before. Quite delicious, so I remained hopeful for the main course. Sadly, the beer roasted chicken, braised Belgian endives with purple potatoes left me blue.
While I heart Belgium and spent several weeks at university in Brugge, I'm not fully in love with Belga Cafe. Perhaps if the line at Matchbox across the street is too long, I'll return to the restaurant for some wine (quite a good selection by the way) or maybe a beer.
Cafe Belga - 514 8th Street SE, 202.544.0100, www.belgacafe.com
Monday, April 27, 2009
So Long "Comet Ping Pong"
C Says...
The first thing I noticed about Comet Ping Pong upon walking in was that this restaurant was clearly different from all the rest we've "reviewed;" and I loved it. Not only does Comet not fit into our recent "sustainable" kick, we were joined by two friends for our dining experience. This pizza joint in upper NW obviously caters to a younger clientele and families -- or those who are young at heart.
Inside are tables painted to resemble ping pong tables, and actual ping pong tables in back you can play in between bites of pizza or swigs of beer. Service was pretty good, but not great -- I blame the fact that there were kids running around with their "thermal detonators" (or ping pong paddles), so some corralling by the waiters was necessary.
The menu at Comet is pretty short, but there were enough choices to peak my interest. You can of course build your own, or go for one of their signature pies. I chose "The Jimmy:" meatballs, parmesan, fresh mozzarella and a tomato sauce. It was a nice, light pizza with good flavor. All the pizzas are designed to be eaten by one, but you could certainly share.
While I like Comet for it's atmosphere and reasonably priced menu, I think I'll opt for Pizza Paradiso or Two Amy's before heading back. Unless of course I'm in the mood to play some ping pong.
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J Says...
When you first arrive to Comet Ping Pong, you get the feeling you are at a fraternity house rather than a restaurant. The outdoor seating and weathered ping-pong table immediately made me think we would be eating off of paper plates and drinking out of red cups. My fears weren't far from the truth.
We sat on benches. We dined on converted ping-pong tables. We had watered-down cocktails. It was Sigma Omega Eww though, I will say, while limited in selection the food was actually pretty decent and priced accordingly. I chose The Smokey - smoky mushrooms, smoky gouda, smoky bacon, melted onions & garlic (hence the name) - and I consumed it all.
To be fair, as C said, the throngs of kids running around and sports videos projected on the walls make this out-of-the-standard monthly choice quite entertaining. However, if it weren't for the full bar (that C and I, along with the guys from The Bitten Word, enjoyed immensely), I'm not sure I would have restrained myself from tripping one of the running children. I even commented to the host on the way out that I appreciate the living reminder to always wear a condom.
In the end, it was an unexpected experience for DC and our standard monthly dinner choice - and now that I know what to expect, I'll be choosing elsewhere to dine.
Comet Ping Pong - 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202.364.0404, www.cometpingpong.com
The first thing I noticed about Comet Ping Pong upon walking in was that this restaurant was clearly different from all the rest we've "reviewed;" and I loved it. Not only does Comet not fit into our recent "sustainable" kick, we were joined by two friends for our dining experience. This pizza joint in upper NW obviously caters to a younger clientele and families -- or those who are young at heart.
Inside are tables painted to resemble ping pong tables, and actual ping pong tables in back you can play in between bites of pizza or swigs of beer. Service was pretty good, but not great -- I blame the fact that there were kids running around with their "thermal detonators" (or ping pong paddles), so some corralling by the waiters was necessary.
The menu at Comet is pretty short, but there were enough choices to peak my interest. You can of course build your own, or go for one of their signature pies. I chose "The Jimmy:" meatballs, parmesan, fresh mozzarella and a tomato sauce. It was a nice, light pizza with good flavor. All the pizzas are designed to be eaten by one, but you could certainly share.
While I like Comet for it's atmosphere and reasonably priced menu, I think I'll opt for Pizza Paradiso or Two Amy's before heading back. Unless of course I'm in the mood to play some ping pong.
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J Says...
When you first arrive to Comet Ping Pong, you get the feeling you are at a fraternity house rather than a restaurant. The outdoor seating and weathered ping-pong table immediately made me think we would be eating off of paper plates and drinking out of red cups. My fears weren't far from the truth.
We sat on benches. We dined on converted ping-pong tables. We had watered-down cocktails. It was Sigma Omega Eww though, I will say, while limited in selection the food was actually pretty decent and priced accordingly. I chose The Smokey - smoky mushrooms, smoky gouda, smoky bacon, melted onions & garlic (hence the name) - and I consumed it all.
To be fair, as C said, the throngs of kids running around and sports videos projected on the walls make this out-of-the-standard monthly choice quite entertaining. However, if it weren't for the full bar (that C and I, along with the guys from The Bitten Word, enjoyed immensely), I'm not sure I would have restrained myself from tripping one of the running children. I even commented to the host on the way out that I appreciate the living reminder to always wear a condom.
In the end, it was an unexpected experience for DC and our standard monthly dinner choice - and now that I know what to expect, I'll be choosing elsewhere to dine.
Comet Ping Pong - 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202.364.0404, www.cometpingpong.com
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Oh Yea for "Oya"
C Says...
What was supposed to be a double date turned into a threesome (hey-oh) for our excursion to Oya. Accompanied by J's better half JL(o), we headed to what has to be the trendiest restaurant we've selected, but with none of the weird "what is that?" on the menu.
Oya features a fab prix fixe menu that is typically $35. However, the week we went, the managers had opted to keep Restaurant Week prices to a startling $20ish for THREE courses. Yes. THREE.
I opted to start with the tuna tempura. This was nicely fried, and while a little light on the tuna flavor, paired with a fantastic pepper sauce. For my entree, I chose the scallops. They were cooked to perfection and matched up with some nice Pad Thai noodles. However, there were only three (wait, there's a theme here), and I easily could have eaten 3 more.
For dessert I opted for the sorbet medley, and chose passion fruit, pineapple, and mango (here we go with three again). These were a nice trio paired together -- a tropical frenzy if you will -- even if the passion fruit was somewhat overwhelming.
Oya is definitely a place I'll come to again, and perhaps bring back our 4th MIA dining partner for a nice dinner. I hear the sushi and happy hour is killer too.
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J Says...
A wall of chains greets you upon entering Oya, already signaling this is a different type of restaurant. It actually took our party of three a round of drinks before we put our finger on why Oya's decor and sheer size was more suitable to another city than DC. The falling water in the walls, the lighting fixtures, the loungy bar area perfect for being seen...each detail screamed extrovert when DC, by nature, is introverted. OMG we were dining in Vegas (without having to fly the middle seat on Southwest to get there)!
But enough about the actual space as the food is truly something I want to rave about. Opting against the fixed menu which was preferred by my dining companions, I chose to have the Rock n Roll sushi to start, with the lobster dumplings (on the starts menu) held over to accompany my main dish. Both were outstanding...and I had heard amazing reviews of the sushi so my expectations were already high.
For my main dish, while I was eyeing C's scallops, I went with the pork chop...partially because it was served on a bed of mashed potatoes, to which is my weakness. Knowing I would skip dessert, this was quite filling and quite tasty.
And, because I wanted to be adventurous due to the Vegas inspiration (hey, what happens in Oya gets blabbed on a blog!), I went with two of their signature drinks...one mango, one raspberry...and left the bottle of red to C and JL. I preferred the latter of my cocktails, for the record.
Hands down, Oya will become one of my top restaurant destinations in DC for a nice night out with friends, guests or JL. And I'll remember to always make a reservation because it appeared impossible to wait a reasonable hour or two for a table. Again, just like Vegas.
Oya - 777 9th Street NW, 202.393.1400, www.oyadc.com
What was supposed to be a double date turned into a threesome (hey-oh) for our excursion to Oya. Accompanied by J's better half JL(o), we headed to what has to be the trendiest restaurant we've selected, but with none of the weird "what is that?" on the menu.
Oya features a fab prix fixe menu that is typically $35. However, the week we went, the managers had opted to keep Restaurant Week prices to a startling $20ish for THREE courses. Yes. THREE.
I opted to start with the tuna tempura. This was nicely fried, and while a little light on the tuna flavor, paired with a fantastic pepper sauce. For my entree, I chose the scallops. They were cooked to perfection and matched up with some nice Pad Thai noodles. However, there were only three (wait, there's a theme here), and I easily could have eaten 3 more.
For dessert I opted for the sorbet medley, and chose passion fruit, pineapple, and mango (here we go with three again). These were a nice trio paired together -- a tropical frenzy if you will -- even if the passion fruit was somewhat overwhelming.
Oya is definitely a place I'll come to again, and perhaps bring back our 4th MIA dining partner for a nice dinner. I hear the sushi and happy hour is killer too.
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J Says...
A wall of chains greets you upon entering Oya, already signaling this is a different type of restaurant. It actually took our party of three a round of drinks before we put our finger on why Oya's decor and sheer size was more suitable to another city than DC. The falling water in the walls, the lighting fixtures, the loungy bar area perfect for being seen...each detail screamed extrovert when DC, by nature, is introverted. OMG we were dining in Vegas (without having to fly the middle seat on Southwest to get there)!
But enough about the actual space as the food is truly something I want to rave about. Opting against the fixed menu which was preferred by my dining companions, I chose to have the Rock n Roll sushi to start, with the lobster dumplings (on the starts menu) held over to accompany my main dish. Both were outstanding...and I had heard amazing reviews of the sushi so my expectations were already high.
For my main dish, while I was eyeing C's scallops, I went with the pork chop...partially because it was served on a bed of mashed potatoes, to which is my weakness. Knowing I would skip dessert, this was quite filling and quite tasty.
And, because I wanted to be adventurous due to the Vegas inspiration (hey, what happens in Oya gets blabbed on a blog!), I went with two of their signature drinks...one mango, one raspberry...and left the bottle of red to C and JL. I preferred the latter of my cocktails, for the record.
Hands down, Oya will become one of my top restaurant destinations in DC for a nice night out with friends, guests or JL. And I'll remember to always make a reservation because it appeared impossible to wait a reasonable hour or two for a table. Again, just like Vegas.
Oya - 777 9th Street NW, 202.393.1400, www.oyadc.com
Monday, February 23, 2009
"Proof" is in the Pudding
C Says...
After a $200+ dinner for dear J's birthday, I was hell bent on spending the same amount for my bday dinner in early Feb. While the tab didn't meet my expectations, the food certainly did.
After a rocky start with our server (read: 30 mins or so to take our order), the service picked up and the food made up for any lacking attention. Following a weekend of wine tasting, I opted for a martini with 3 olives (2 were free, $1 for a blue cheese stuffed one, thank you very much), that was delicious.
For a starter I chose the fresh cow's milk ricotta flatbread, which was divine. Think of a caprese salad with ricotta instead of mozzarella, add some prosciutto and throw them on a piece of flatbread with a little olive oil and basil, and enjoy! For my main course I opted for the seared Pennsylvania pork loin. If an empty plate at the end of a meal is any indication how good it was, then this was fantastic, since my plate was almost licked clean. Paired with a lovely risotto, the pork loin was perfectly cooked and very tender.
I really enjoyed Proof, even if the final bill disappointed, and would readily recommend it to friends and family.
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J Says...
This wasn't my first venture to Proof, but it was a nice return. And, given that it was C's birthday dinner, quite fitting that she try to inflict mortal harm to my checkbook at a truly wonderful restaurant.
As C alluded too (ok, she bluntly stated), our server Matt left much to be desired. But, looking past that (hence the appropriate tip), the wine and meal were fantastic as usual. I skipped a first, in truth to minimize the expected damage of C's $1 per olive martinis. I ordered the Pekin Duck Breast for my selection and, as expected, was quite pleased. I paired it nicely with a glass (or three) of Sauvigon Blanc.
In the end, C picked a winner and we'll surely return, likely with our significant others. I'll just call ahead to make sure Matt isn't working.
Proof - 775 G Street NW, 202.737.7663, www.proofdc.com
After a $200+ dinner for dear J's birthday, I was hell bent on spending the same amount for my bday dinner in early Feb. While the tab didn't meet my expectations, the food certainly did.
After a rocky start with our server (read: 30 mins or so to take our order), the service picked up and the food made up for any lacking attention. Following a weekend of wine tasting, I opted for a martini with 3 olives (2 were free, $1 for a blue cheese stuffed one, thank you very much), that was delicious.
For a starter I chose the fresh cow's milk ricotta flatbread, which was divine. Think of a caprese salad with ricotta instead of mozzarella, add some prosciutto and throw them on a piece of flatbread with a little olive oil and basil, and enjoy! For my main course I opted for the seared Pennsylvania pork loin. If an empty plate at the end of a meal is any indication how good it was, then this was fantastic, since my plate was almost licked clean. Paired with a lovely risotto, the pork loin was perfectly cooked and very tender.
I really enjoyed Proof, even if the final bill disappointed, and would readily recommend it to friends and family.
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J Says...
This wasn't my first venture to Proof, but it was a nice return. And, given that it was C's birthday dinner, quite fitting that she try to inflict mortal harm to my checkbook at a truly wonderful restaurant.
As C alluded too (ok, she bluntly stated), our server Matt left much to be desired. But, looking past that (hence the appropriate tip), the wine and meal were fantastic as usual. I skipped a first, in truth to minimize the expected damage of C's $1 per olive martinis. I ordered the Pekin Duck Breast for my selection and, as expected, was quite pleased. I paired it nicely with a glass (or three) of Sauvigon Blanc.
In the end, C picked a winner and we'll surely return, likely with our significant others. I'll just call ahead to make sure Matt isn't working.
Proof - 775 G Street NW, 202.737.7663, www.proofdc.com
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Almost "Hook"d...Almost
C Says...
After a few scheduling SNAFUs, January saw J and I land at Hook for his birthday dinner (read: I pick up the whole tab). I've been wanting to try this Georgetown establishment for quite some time, and actually had it lined up for MY birthday -- so much for being born in February.
Walking into Hook, I was taken aback by how empty it was, then remembered it was a Monday night. However, by the time we finished dinner (around 9:30), the place had filled up. The decor has a slight modern bent, with cream colored chairs and booths and lightly colored walls featuring photographs of fish.
Once again, J and I picked a sustainable restaurant. This appears to be a theme! Hook prides itself on buying fish from sustainable fisheries and fruits and vegetables from local farms. Yeah! The menu is so that you're encouraged to select a first, second and main course. I opted for only two, and picked butternut squash soup and the cod. The soup was wonderfully rich and creamy and featured lovely small bits of squash throughout. One of the best I've ever had. The cod was quite lovely and was paired with lentils and a tomato puree. At times I found the puree overwhelmed the delicate nature of the fish, but all in all I enjoyed the light crust on the fish and the meal as a whole.
I was quite content with my meal until the bill came. I was STUNNED that the bottle of wine J had selected came to $72 (apparently all the wine is $55+). The entrees were reasonably priced for a G-town restaurant, so I suppose they gouge you with the wine. I'm not one to balk at a pricey meal, but I honestly found this a bit extreme, and next time will settle for a cocktail with my meal, or just tap water.
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J Says...
A long journey to reach my birthday dinner (a whole year!), C and I ventured to Georgetown for Hook, a sustainable seafood restaurant on popular M Street. I got there early for a drink...a single Jack Daniels and Diet Coke...and was a bit taken back by the $11 tab. I guess it was foreshadowing the evening ahead.
As C alluded too, the menu was a choice of categories for which I gladly participated: 1st course - scallops; 2nd course - mussels (naturally); 3rd course - Arctic Char (from Iceland!). Each portion was appropriately sized for its reasonable price, though the only one that fully delivered on taste and quality were the mussels. The scallops left me wanting, well, non-sustainable, fully-grown scallops...and, as it was my first experience with char, it will be a texture I will have to become accustomed too.
While the food was quite enjoyable, the environment clean and well laid out, and servers knowledgeable and attentive, it was the wine menu (and its excessive prices) that will give me pause about returning. When a bottle is marked up 10x from the retail price, it's difficult to swallow no matter how good the Shiraz was. Even the per glass selection was ridiculously priced. I agree...and apologized...to C for the costly purchase, though I know she'll return the favor in February when it's her birthday dinner (read: J gets taken to the cleaners!).
All in all, I may return during an afternoon of shopping and leisurely lunch, but I won't be needing the wine menu any further.
Hook - 3241 M Street NW, 202.625.4488, www.hookdc.com
After a few scheduling SNAFUs, January saw J and I land at Hook for his birthday dinner (read: I pick up the whole tab). I've been wanting to try this Georgetown establishment for quite some time, and actually had it lined up for MY birthday -- so much for being born in February.
Walking into Hook, I was taken aback by how empty it was, then remembered it was a Monday night. However, by the time we finished dinner (around 9:30), the place had filled up. The decor has a slight modern bent, with cream colored chairs and booths and lightly colored walls featuring photographs of fish.
Once again, J and I picked a sustainable restaurant. This appears to be a theme! Hook prides itself on buying fish from sustainable fisheries and fruits and vegetables from local farms. Yeah! The menu is so that you're encouraged to select a first, second and main course. I opted for only two, and picked butternut squash soup and the cod. The soup was wonderfully rich and creamy and featured lovely small bits of squash throughout. One of the best I've ever had. The cod was quite lovely and was paired with lentils and a tomato puree. At times I found the puree overwhelmed the delicate nature of the fish, but all in all I enjoyed the light crust on the fish and the meal as a whole.
I was quite content with my meal until the bill came. I was STUNNED that the bottle of wine J had selected came to $72 (apparently all the wine is $55+). The entrees were reasonably priced for a G-town restaurant, so I suppose they gouge you with the wine. I'm not one to balk at a pricey meal, but I honestly found this a bit extreme, and next time will settle for a cocktail with my meal, or just tap water.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Says...
A long journey to reach my birthday dinner (a whole year!), C and I ventured to Georgetown for Hook, a sustainable seafood restaurant on popular M Street. I got there early for a drink...a single Jack Daniels and Diet Coke...and was a bit taken back by the $11 tab. I guess it was foreshadowing the evening ahead.
As C alluded too, the menu was a choice of categories for which I gladly participated: 1st course - scallops; 2nd course - mussels (naturally); 3rd course - Arctic Char (from Iceland!). Each portion was appropriately sized for its reasonable price, though the only one that fully delivered on taste and quality were the mussels. The scallops left me wanting, well, non-sustainable, fully-grown scallops...and, as it was my first experience with char, it will be a texture I will have to become accustomed too.
While the food was quite enjoyable, the environment clean and well laid out, and servers knowledgeable and attentive, it was the wine menu (and its excessive prices) that will give me pause about returning. When a bottle is marked up 10x from the retail price, it's difficult to swallow no matter how good the Shiraz was. Even the per glass selection was ridiculously priced. I agree...and apologized...to C for the costly purchase, though I know she'll return the favor in February when it's her birthday dinner (read: J gets taken to the cleaners!).
All in all, I may return during an afternoon of shopping and leisurely lunch, but I won't be needing the wine menu any further.
Hook - 3241 M Street NW, 202.625.4488, www.hookdc.com
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