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WHERE -- Washington DC Last Post 11-16-2007 10:44 AM by jaimetown. 439 Replies. | Sort: |
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Pool Boy  
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13767
 | | 01-19-2004 03:56 AM |
| Here is a thread to post DC restaurant reviews and the like. | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com |
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13767
| | Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13767
| | 01-19-2004 10:27 PM |
| Mendocino Grill & Wine Bar
This review is from last May 2003. Mrs. TJ and I went here for an encore of our 10th anniversary dinner (which was at Laboratorio).
Mendocino Grill & Wine BAr is a small place -- seats maybe 30-35 plus maybe 10 at the bar and a couple two tops at the front of the place. It's cozy, but can get noisy. They have mirrors here and there so even those of you seated towards the wall can see what is going on behind you and in the rest of the dining room.
They have a pretty decent wine list and they have plenty of choices by the glass, as one might expect. I've rarely done the by the glass thing there, but it'd be fun to do so I am sure. This time, we were BYOWing it with a 1998 Viader (which was super and is still Mrs. TJ's favorite red wine ever to date).
Mrs. TJ opened with a favorite appetizer of hers in the form of the Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Bruschetta. It's an old stand-by for her, but it is wonderful. Balsamico with mushrooms and onions and tomatoes. Yum.
She followed it up with a Duck Breast with a fig sauce, corn cake & carrots (some pearl onions in with the fig sauce too). Dee-lish. Only complaint was there was not enough (crispy) skin with the duck.
I started it off with a corn-chipotle chowder made with sweet corn, chipotle aioli, red pepper coulis and very thin tortilla strips. This was delicious.
I followed it up with a Strip Steak with stilton butter, twice baked potatoes and bitter greens wilted in fat. The steak was perfectly medium rare and excellent.
I remember having dessert, but I cannot remember what it was we had. We've usually had pretty good luck with desserts here. I'd guess one of us got some sorbet and something else for the other.
The 98 Viader was superb. TNs will be posted.
I'd definitely recommend this place. It's located on the east end of Georgetown's M Street. Parking is usually not a problem, just a few short blocks of a walk usually.
I'd considered this place as one of the places I wanted to hold that inaugural VC Rocks event that begat the DC Crü, but they'd have to shut the place down for the night. Ah well. Go and enjoy it when convenient for you! | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
| dinwiddie
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2192
| | 01-20-2004 01:56 PM |
| Gee Wiz TJ,
Talk about being a recycler. But it is good to have links like this. Now I just have to think about what else to add. | | | |
| dinwiddie
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2192
| | 01-20-2004 02:04 PM |
| (Copied from a previous post on that other wine board)
Ardeo in Cleveland Park
I ate at Ardeo last night and had a very enjoyable meal. I picked it because it is on the list of restaruants that permit corkage (see post above)It is located at 3311 Connecticut Ave, across from the Uptown Threater.
Dinner was very good. The boy started with oysters on the half shell (very fresh and plump, with a real taste of the the sea) then had the New York strip steak. It came just as ordered, very rare, and was very tender and flavorful. He ended with the cheesecake (very large slice)
I started with the Crispy Fried Calamari with Guajillo Chile Cocktail Sauce and Roasted Garlic-Lemon Aïoli. As an entree I ordered the crispy duck breast in a cabernet sauce with garlic mashed potatos and baby green beans. It was perfect, tender, flavorful, and pink in the middle. For dessert I had the chocolate pecan torte and a glass of the 1996 Tokaji Aszu 5 puttonyos. All were excellent though at $13.50 a glass, the Tokaji was a little high.
My wife had Frisée and Romaine Salad with goat cheese, sour apples, walnuts and a sherry vinaigrette then Pan Roasted Chesapeake Rockfish with Wild Mushroom Risotto, Scallions, Radish and Citrus Soy. She also had the torte for dessert.
My sister started with spinach salad with dried cherries, Stilton cheese and red onion dressing then an asparigass and mushroom rossotto that was outstanding, and ended with the Creme Broule.
Coffee for all ended the meal.
Service was excellent, no water glass ever got to be less than half full, everything was presented beautifully, the server was friendly and knowledgable, and we were never rushed.
The entire meal, including tax, tip (20%), and corkage for the four of us cost me about $220. Valet parking (a must as this is Cleveland Park) was $5.
For wine I took a 1999 Richoili PN Reserve. (My last) Complex with lots of lush, yet not jammy fruits, cherry, blackberry and a hint of spice. As the evening progressed (it was difficult to wait until entrees were served, but we managed by having a glass of a nice vouvray from the list with the appetizers) it opened up and brightened with a long, clean finish. Both women (wife and sister) commented that it became much better as the evening went on. I wish I had been able to decant it for a couple of hours before dinner, but that is a no-no in DC. I agree with the 91 pts it got from WS.
The wine list was pretty good, and well priced for DC, thought there was nothing spectacular on the list. It has been changed somewhat from what is on the web site, but is still in that class and price range. Stemware was adequate, but not special. | | | |
| dinwiddie
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2192
| | 01-20-2004 02:13 PM |
| La Colline
This place has been around for about 10-15 years and each year it gets better. It is large but somehow it never loses the personal touch. The food reflects the season and the menu is different every day.
Try the grilled rockfish with a coulis of red bell peppers or the lamb shank stew. Wine list is more than ample. The last time I was there Jake had escargot, pan roasted breast of Long Island duck and a very nice apple tart. He liked it a lot. I had the rockfish and was in Heaven. Lunch time when Congress is in session can be fun for viewing the "power lunchers" as this place is just steps away from the Capital. Service was wonderful. When we took a friend there for her birthday, they presented her desert on a plate that had been decorated with candy writing and flowers. I have never been disappointed or left without being full. | | | |
| Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13767
| | 01-20-2004 02:55 PM |
| | DW-- I figured we needed a more central repository for this sort of stuff. Since Rev and the guys have made no moves to create a restaurant section, I figured I'd help organize things a bit better. Thanks for posting in those other reviews, too. Youdaman!!! | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
| travelrep
Northern Virginia
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2140
| | 01-21-2004 12:22 AM |
| TJ/Din...
Have either of you eaten at Palena in DC? I've heard very good things about that restaurant and have seen it mentioned on the VC site but don't remember if anyone had ever posted their comments about the restaurant. Any thoughts?
T-Rep | | | |
| Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13767
| | 01-21-2004 05:07 AM |
| I have yet to do a writeup travelrep. But....
RUN RUN RUN TO PALENA!
It is the most amazing yet underrated restaurants in the city. $20 corkage makes it fun too. I will write it up tomorrow morning. | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
| dinwiddie
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2192
| | 01-21-2004 01:23 PM |
| Beduci
Mediterranean food done very well. I especially enjoyed the shrimp and scallops and the pan seared duck breast with fresh chestnuts. The dover sole also was very good.
The real real reason to go to BeDuCi however is the wine list. Jean-Claude has put together a fairly extensive list at a very reasonable price. There are some very expensive first growth bordeauxs and California Cabs, but there are also some very good values. You can get a very good wine in the 30 to 40 dollar range that would cost you at least $50 at some of the other restaurants in town. Wine Spectator has given the list an award and it is well deserved.
I asked about corkage and was told that it would be the cost of the least expensive bottle on their list. | | | |
| dinwiddie
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2192
| | 01-21-2004 01:33 PM |
| Located in the George Hotel on E Street near Union Station.
French bourgeoise cuisine with a contemporary American twist. We started our meal with the restaurant's signature dish, a gallantine of duck with foie gras, excellent, and I am not a big foie gras fan. Karen had the striped bass with saffron-and-fennel bouillabaisse sauce since it was recommended in the Washingtonian. Excellent. Jake had a hanger steak (what else) and I had the rabbit with mustard sauce (also recommended by the magazine review) All were wonderful. Rather than dessert, we had the cheese plate. Very nice with some cheeses I'd never heard of.
I wouldn't recommend it for an off-line however as they have a corkage policy that says no more than two bottles per table. | | | |
| dinwiddie
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2192
| | 01-21-2004 01:47 PM |
| To add to the places Karen and I have eaten in DC that we liked:
Marcel's, is in the West End on Pennsylvania Ave. in the space that some of you old timers will remember as where Yannick Cam's Provence was.
A Belgian/French restaurant, where game is often the centerpiece of a meal. We started with a gratin of mussels with tomatoes and Gruyère cheese for Jake and I, and Karen had the crab flan.
For entrees, Jake had the buffalo, cooked rare and very flavorful. I had the osso bucco and Karen the grilled rockfish. For dessert, we had to try the poached pear stuffed with caramel and pecans and wrapped in puff pastry that is a signature. Well worth the ordering. Strong wine list, though I'm not sure what the corkage policy is as we did not BYO the night we went.
As a nice touch, they offer a pretheater menu that includes valet parking and limousine transportation, allowing you to return to the restaurant for dessert or drinks. | | | |
| Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13767
| | 01-21-2004 02:30 PM |
| | Great write-ups, DW. Vielen dank! Grazie! | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
| whiner
Second star to the right, and straight on till morning
Wine Thief
Posts: 2875
| | 01-22-2004 09:07 PM |
| I posted this on WS, too....
Jaimetown and I had an Offline here this past night. TN's can be found in the Events section, the TN-Italy section, and on WS.
This restaurant is located just two blocks from my apartment, so I've been there on numerous occasions. In the past, the wait staff has seemed quite young, although, today the wait staff was a bit older (and my previous server who would always comp me has moved back to CA ). One reason I keep going back to this restaurant is that it is appropriate to walk in with jeans or with a suit, in either case you wouldn't feel out of plce.
Food-wise, this was my worst experience at New Heights to date.
Jaimetown and I both ordered the "Duck in Syrah Reduction with Truffles" appetizer, an appetizer I had ordered before. The presntation was completely different from the last time I was there, now incorporating a phylo dough pastry which had not been present before. The duck was cooked medium-well, as opposed to the seared, medium-rare that I prefer. The sauce was still out of this world, but I never want the sauce to be the highlight of the dish, in this case, with the chewy, slightly overcooked duck, it was.
My lamb was presented beautifully, but, again, while I had asked for it medium rare, it came out medium, in some parts, medium well. The lamb was served with potato pastries which had way too much nutmeg in them but also with oyster mushrooms which, while I'm still uncertain how they were cooked, were sublime. The dish matched both the Barolo and the Tua Rita Giusto di Notri perfectly.
The cheese course, for $9.50, was large and had 5 or 6 good cheeses on it. We ordered 2 cheese courses for four people and it was the perfect way to end the evening.
The chef at New Heights has become the executive chef at Butterfield 9 as well, and I fear this may be hurting New Heights. He, clearly, was not at New Heights this past night.
Still, based upon my previous experiences, and the fact that the exprience last night was good (just not great) I will certainly return to New Heights at some point. I'm just not dying to go back.
a | | I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland.
-- Woody Allen | |
| Corkage
Grape Puncher
Posts: 975
| | 02-16-2004 02:03 PM |
| After thoroughly enjoying the DC Cru offline at Gabriel, another wine friend and I decided to take our wives there for Valentine's dinner. As I mentioned in another thread, although Gabriel was booked, Ruqaiyah (the manager) booked us for our preferred time in a nice booth after I "flashed my DC Cru card."
I loved the food at the night of the Offline and the Valentine's dinner was another repeat. Gabriel does what they call "small plates" or basically tasting courses. They recommend that you try 3-4 courses mixed up. Although they offered the small plates that night ($8-14 each), we oped for the 5 course prix fixe menu for $60 and brought 3 bottles of wine and ordered some port/muscat off the wine list. My wife and I ordered the opposite of each other so we could try all courses:
First three courses paired with 1999 Louis Latour Chassagne Montrachet "Morgeot"
Courses 3 and 4 paired with 2000 Tandem Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard
Course 4 paired with 1995 Ch. Beaucastel CdP
Course 5 with two ports and muscat form the wine list (unmemorable)
First Course
Oyster Parfait with Cucumber Gelee & Osetra Caviar. We were a little concerned that from the description this would be a green oyster jello, but we were wrong. A large oyster was placed in a glass with a cucumber puree and creme fraiche. Very nice.
Second Course
--Asian Pear & Crab Salad with Watercress & Curry Vinaigrette. The little crab sanwiched between pear slices was nice, contrasted with peppery watercress. Not too much vinegarette.
--Study of Beets with Beet Sorbet, Goat Cheese & Arugula. This was beets three ways and I don't like beets. They taste like dirt and sugar. But the goat cheese thing was tasty.
Third Course
--Seared Sea Scallop with Carrot & Ginger Sauce, Sauteed Pea Shoots. Nice scallop presentation executed perfectly but not overly remarkable.
--Seared Rockfish with Black Truffle Gnocchi, Grilled Prawn Broth. Awesome course, crispy fish skin but juicy meat.
Fourth Course
--Cranberry Marinated Venison Loin with Butternut Squash & Venison Jus. We ordered seared rare. Absolute tops. We had a venison course at the offline and this was even better.
--Duck Three Ways, Seared Breast, Foie Gras Dumpling & Confit with Blackberry Sauce. Probably my dish of the night. A perfect medium rare duck breast over confit and foie gras. Both the venison and duck paired nicely with the Ch Beaucastel.
Fifth Course
--Chocolate Marquis with Pistachio Ice Cream. This was good and I was a little buzzed (I had a couple of mojitos to start the evening).
--Mini Doughnuts with Vanilla Semi Freddo and Fresh Berry Compote. Also very good, reminded me of the little donuts they give you at the Lab.
To top it off, Ruqaiyah comped corkage on all three bottles ($15 per). Of course she tasted the wine with us and was a great hostess. | | | |
| Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13767
| | 02-16-2004 04:11 PM |
| Man, I think I need to take Mrs. TJ there. She loves crispy fish skin. And more. heh heh heh
Thanks for the foodie notes, Mon. Corkage.  | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
| jaimetown
DC area
Wine Labeler
Posts: 3535
| | 02-19-2004 05:13 PM |
| Bistro Bis
I see DW already posted his thoughts on this restaurant... here are my 2 cents.
I went to Bistro Bis for Valentine's Day on 2/13. The restaurant was bustling, but not overcrowded. It was a little noisy in the bar, and sound traveled a bit into the dining area too, but it wasn't too bad.
We started out with steamed mussels for myself and a lobster salad for my wife. The mussels were pretty bland and under-cooked, even though they were decently sized. They also had some sand in them, which is always fun. The lobster salad was nothing to write home about either. For the entrees my wife had steak frites which was very good, and I had grilled veal chop with a madeira reduction sauce with wild mushrooms that was fantastic. We had a 1994 Dominus with our meal, which was decent, but not spectacular like I had expected.
After our entrees, I ordered a Spanish cheese from Navarra called Idiazabal which was like Manchego with a little more smokey flavors and not as sweet. The sommelier helped me with this pairing and I shared a glass with him. He was a pleasant guy (but no corkage comped... no big deal). I have to say the cheese selection here was the most impressive - you can order 20 different cheeses, and it comes with dates, figs and nuts and other munchables. Reasonably priced too, for $4 a cheese.
For dessert we ordered a creme bulee which was pretty good.
Service was all around great. The valet parking guy, the hostess, our waitress and the wine steward were all on the ball this particular evening.
I'm on the fence as to going back - the prices were a little high, the food sputtered in the beginning but better later on, and the service was very nice. Corkage was $15, but 2 bottle limit per table. It may be a fun place to go, just to drink wine with the cheese. | | | |
| dinwiddie
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2192
| | 02-19-2004 06:33 PM |
| This Spanish tapas restaurant is located in the Penn Quarter at 7th and E NW. Very busy at lunch or dinner, it is a lovely place and is a lot of fun.
You can have a great time making a meal by picking 3 or 4 plates of tapas each, choosing among a combination plate of Spanish-style cured sausages, an excellent eggplant flan, paprika-tinged octopus salad, an earthenware dish of shrimp served in bubbling olive oil with garlic and dried hot pepper, a leg-and-thigh portion of duck with orange, seared scallops in Romesco sauce, and grilled head-on shrimp. They also have salads that are somewhat larger than the dishes of tapas. It's a lot of fun to go with a group and make a meal of tasting lots of different things.
The wine list is almost entirely Spanish, with a fairly large selection of Sherry by the glass (other wines too) | | | |
| jaimetown
DC area
Wine Labeler
Posts: 3535
| | 02-19-2004 06:37 PM |
| | Jaleo's got a fantastic wine list - well selected, and a lot of it reasonably priced. | | | |
| dinwiddie
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2192
| | 02-19-2004 06:41 PM |
| Located just off Dupont Circle on P St.
Evenings tend to be more crowded and noisy than lunchtimes, but it is an especially good place for Saturday lunch and Sunday dinner when it isn't as crowded.
The food is remarkable for its consistency and quality. They have, hands down, the best fried oysters in Washington. You can order them as an appetizer, accompanied by sweet-tart pickled vegetables, or at lunch in the form of a po' boy, also the best in town because the bread is flown in from New Orleans. Other good ways to begin are with the dark and spicy New Orleans-style gumbo; the gravlax, cured in-house in tequila; the barbecue shrimp with grits; or a very good Maryland crabcake. Other good dishes are the crabmeat imperial, a Mediterranean-inspired Chesapeake seafood stew in a tasty orange-fennel-tomato broth, and a fritto misto of shrimp, calamari, and of course, the fish of the day. Desserts are excellent.
Wine list isn't bad, and the prices fairly reasonable for DC. They do permit corkage, but don't remember how much the fee is. | | | |
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