http://www.mendocinodc.com/
I really enjoyed this dinner. We went with 5 people and had a great time. The repuation of the place with its nice ambience, comfortable bar area, and very friendly and knowledgeable staff proved absolutely true.
I had basically goat cheese filled ravioly as an appetizer, which were served with a nice creamy sauce. For entree I chose the hanger steak, which was crunchy on the outside (with additional salt flakes to pronounce that texture) and soft and tender on the inside- cooked exactly to the ordered "medium-rare". For dessert I had the apple beignets with cinnamon icecream and tried the pumkin breadpudding. I also tried the chocolate cake which I did not like that much, although it has a very striking shiny presentation. All desserts were very good!
I cannot wait to go back and try the other dishes, and for sure take a cab and have the wine flight. My Napa Valley red was a very good recommendation of the waiter.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Restaurant week D.C.: Lunch at Les Halles
http://www.leshalles.net/
This was a nice lunch. Restaurant week options were easy to maneuver- only 2 choices for appetizer and entree, only one dessert.
Introductory goat cheese on croutons were not crunchy but tasted ok. The beouf bourgignon was nicely cooked, very good meat quality. Unfortunately, there were neither starches nor veggies served with it- thanks to the waiters for not removing the bread bowl!!! The chocolate cake was better than the one served at Teatro Goldoni, but not exceptional.
The service was slow, but I guess that makes for the French charme. I would definitely go back for the atmosphere.
This was a nice lunch. Restaurant week options were easy to maneuver- only 2 choices for appetizer and entree, only one dessert.
Introductory goat cheese on croutons were not crunchy but tasted ok. The beouf bourgignon was nicely cooked, very good meat quality. Unfortunately, there were neither starches nor veggies served with it- thanks to the waiters for not removing the bread bowl!!! The chocolate cake was better than the one served at Teatro Goldoni, but not exceptional.
The service was slow, but I guess that makes for the French charme. I would definitely go back for the atmosphere.
Bar Mitzvah at Tragara in Bethesda
http://www.tragara.com/index.htm
Thisrestaurant is certainly well qualified to hold your party: There is a spacious "upstairs" with dance floor, separate restroom, and coat service. Loud music does not seem to bother the regular restaurant crowd downstairs so that the dancing is real fun.
However, the food is not great. We had a 3-course dinner for about 80 people. Appetizers served during reception were pizza pieces (mushy), chicken sesame sticks (Italian?), and lamb chop (decent). At the tables they first served a salad, which I could easily prepare at home and which was not in the least Italian. The main course was salmon, which was nicely cooked but with unexciting side dish of potato croquette and an overcooked vegetable.
It took very long to prepare the dessert- not sure if his was upon the host's request or an issue with the restaurant. In any case, we left befor trying it.
Overall, great party space but do not expect too much fo the food.
Thisrestaurant is certainly well qualified to hold your party: There is a spacious "upstairs" with dance floor, separate restroom, and coat service. Loud music does not seem to bother the regular restaurant crowd downstairs so that the dancing is real fun.
However, the food is not great. We had a 3-course dinner for about 80 people. Appetizers served during reception were pizza pieces (mushy), chicken sesame sticks (Italian?), and lamb chop (decent). At the tables they first served a salad, which I could easily prepare at home and which was not in the least Italian. The main course was salmon, which was nicely cooked but with unexciting side dish of potato croquette and an overcooked vegetable.
It took very long to prepare the dessert- not sure if his was upon the host's request or an issue with the restaurant. In any case, we left befor trying it.
Overall, great party space but do not expect too much fo the food.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Urban BBQ, Rockville
http://www.urbanbbqco.com/
I was soooo hungry when I went to order my food and it really came out very quickly. The ribs were good, although not special; cole slaw was very good with a radishy taste, and the fries were on the dark side for me but with good taste and salted well. The crabcake was fried and had a cripsy outside with a nice soft inside and served with a delicious tartar sauce. Overall, a great addition to the local fast-food choices.
I was soooo hungry when I went to order my food and it really came out very quickly. The ribs were good, although not special; cole slaw was very good with a radishy taste, and the fries were on the dark side for me but with good taste and salted well. The crabcake was fried and had a cripsy outside with a nice soft inside and served with a delicious tartar sauce. Overall, a great addition to the local fast-food choices.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Restaurant Week D.C.: Teatro Goldoni
http://www.teatrogoldoni.com/
We went for dinner at Teatro Goldoni last night at 7 pm and were looking forward to our first dining experience there. My champagne was flat (was exchanged for a fresh one), the salmon was overcooked and dry, the desserts were nice looking but very average in taste. On the way out, my jacket was held out for me to grab and put on by myself- no help offered. Through the glass window, we never saw big activity in the kitchen, although the restaurant was half full when we left.
This was certainly not the food experience I had expected from this place. I retained a feeling of being mob that is allowed into the holy halls of Teatro Goldoni, and is being fed mediocre food with an emphasis on quick turnaround of tables.
If this is the spirit, why does this restaurant even participate in restaurant week? I thought the idea of restaurant week was to make the cooking style and quality of the restaurant available to a greater public?
We went for dinner at Teatro Goldoni last night at 7 pm and were looking forward to our first dining experience there. My champagne was flat (was exchanged for a fresh one), the salmon was overcooked and dry, the desserts were nice looking but very average in taste. On the way out, my jacket was held out for me to grab and put on by myself- no help offered. Through the glass window, we never saw big activity in the kitchen, although the restaurant was half full when we left.
This was certainly not the food experience I had expected from this place. I retained a feeling of being mob that is allowed into the holy halls of Teatro Goldoni, and is being fed mediocre food with an emphasis on quick turnaround of tables.
If this is the spirit, why does this restaurant even participate in restaurant week? I thought the idea of restaurant week was to make the cooking style and quality of the restaurant available to a greater public?
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