Cedar: Rustic Bounty, Washington Ambiance

August 28, 2012 by riverstone

Bringing the rustic bounty of the great outdoors into a modern urban setting is what Washington, D.C.'s Cedar is all about. The menu features a contemporary take on country ingredients using the freshest produce, meats, game, and fish . Starters include a hearty Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with apples and bacon, an uber-fresh Artisan Greens Salad with Meyer lemon puree, and a luscious Lobster and White Chocolate Soup with root vegetables. A roster of delectable entrees will make you feel like you’re picnicking in an enchanted forest, including Braised Wild Boar Shank, King Trumpet Mushrooms, Roasted Sturgeon, and Grilled Elk Sausage. Excellent service and a relaxed, contemporary ambiance make Cedar an excellent choice for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch.

Cedar

822 E Street NW

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 637-0012

http://www.yelp.com/biz/cedar-washington

By cyclonebill [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Cedar, New American, Restaurants in Washington, Washington Dining

Fogo de Chao: A Brazilian Steakhouse in Washington, D.C.

August 21, 2012 by riverstone

If you’ve never experienced a Brazilian steakhouse, here’s one tip: bring your appetite. The South American country is famous for preparing meat expertly on the grill, and Fogo de Chao brings the Brazilian steakhouse experience to the U.S. First opening its doors in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1979, the company has expanded rapidly all over the Western hemisphere. Regulars at the Washington, D.C. outpost rave about the many exquisite cuts brought to the table here, including the luscious filet mignon wrapped with bacon and the exceptional lamb chops. The way it works here is that you pay a flat fee per person – around $50 for dinner – and then servers come to the table with meat as it comes off the grill. You can take whatever you like, but make sure to leave room for the good stuff. The meal also includes a well-stocked salad bar.

Fogo de Chao
1101 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-4668
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fogo-de-chao-washington

By megan soh [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Fogo de Chao, Restaurants in Washington, Steakhouses, Washington Dining

Plume: One of D.C.’s Most Elegant Restaurants

August 14, 2012 by riverstone

Located near the White House in the Jefferson Hotel, Plume tops the list of D.C.’s most elegant restaurants. Prepare to be pampered from the moment you step off the cobblestone street and into the opulently romantic dining room glimmering with crystal chandeliers. The menu is inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello kitchen gardens, with the freshest ingredients and expert preparation at the hands of Chef Chris Jakubiec. Start your repast with the Maryland Crab Risotto or Butternut Squash Tartlet and move on to a delectable entrée like Grilled Colorado Lamb, Lobster Thermidor, or Slow-Cooked Moulard Duck. Let the sommelier guide you to the perfect wine pairing from Plume's expansive wine list and prepare to be wowed by a memorable evening. Plume is open for dinner only, Mondays through Saturdays.

Plume

1200 16th Street NW

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 448-2322

http://www.yelp.com/biz/plume-washington

By Tamorlan (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Fine Dining, Plume, Restaurants in Washington, Washington Dining

Tasty Surprises at Blue Duck Tavern

July 17, 2012 by riverstone

Blue Duck Tavern is a high-end dining establishment that offers some unusually pleasant touches. Graced by the Tony Chi makeover of the Park Hyatt in the Foggy Bottom section of the city, Blue Duck Tavern grants diners views of their open pantry and kitchen, and the benefits of a wood-burning oven. Menus at Blue Duck Tavern emphasize farm products and display the names of the purveyors of many menu selections. Oven-roasted bone marrow with garlic is one of the wows of Blue Duck Tavern’s reputation. Braised beef ribs and roasted 42-day aged strip loin are also top pleasers. A (perhaps) surprisingly popular dish is the whole grain mustard spaetzle ‘mac–n-cheese’ duck confit. Ditto the duck fat fried potatoes. Desserts compel your attention—chocolate cake flambé and apple pie are among the most notable. Blue Duck Tavern also serves an upscale breakfast and brunch—try the short rib hash with poached egg for a seriously flavorful meal!

Blue Duck Tavern
1201 24th Street, NW
(corner of M and 24^th)
Foggy Bottom Metro Stop
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 419-6755
www.blueducktavern.com

By LWY (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwy/3378367602/) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Blue Duck Tavern, D.C., Farm to Table, Locavore, New American, Restaurants in Washington, Washington Dining

Ceiba: A Taste of the Tropics in Washington, D.C.

July 10, 2012 by riverstone

The name Ceiba pays tribute to an umbrella shaped tree found in the Amazonian tropics. The food is similarly tropically inspired, drawing from recipes and ingredients from the Yucatan, Cuba, Peru, and Brazil. Favorites are the Beef Empanadas Argentinas, Guacamole de Molcajete, Yucatan Shrimp Ceviche, and the Tuna Tartare Tacos. The sizzling Queso Fundido con Chorizo – melted cheese with spicy sausage – is a guilty pleasure well worth the cholesterol and calories. Stop by for Ceiba's budget-reducing happy hour for $5 cocktails and half-price bar food. Friendly, attentive service, reasonable prices, and a roomy, comfy setting make Ceiba a perfect spot for lunch, dinner, or a drink and a snack.

Ceiba

701 14th Street NW

Washington, DC 20005

(202) 393-3983

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ceiba-washington-2

By stu_spivack (guacamole) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Ceiba, Restaurants in Washington, South American Food, Washington Dining

The Atlas Room: Global Flavors

June 19, 2012 by riverstone

When it comes to mapping out a great meal in D.C., put away your compass and head to The Atlas Room. The chefs have created an amalgam of global flavors using local farm to table ingredients combined with classical French and Italian culinary techniques. Each dish presents a central ingredient three different ways in varying portion sizes. Try the lamb meatballs with white bean puree, basil, and yogurt for starters. Other dishes include chilled seared tuna with horseradish cream, short rib ravioli, and fennel sausage dumplings. Don’t bypass The Atlas Room's roster of classically inventive cocktails using pre-prohibition recipes. The ambiance is modern and unpretentious, perfect for a meet-up with friends or date night out.

The Atlas Room

1015 H Street NE

Washington, DC 20002

(202) 388-4020

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-atlas-room-washington

By Rick Audet from San Francisco, USA (tuna tartar) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Fusion, Restaurants in Washington, The Atlas Room, Washington Dining

Ristorante La Perla: D.C.’s Classic Italian Food

June 12, 2012 by riverstone

Indulge your love of all things Italian at Ristorante La Perla. The plush decor is old-school formal, with a Venetian fountain, hand-painted tiles and murals, as well as a panoramic view of the Potomac. Owner and chef Vittorio Testa’s energetic charm enhances the restaurant’s ambiance as he strolls among tables to hobnob with patrons. House specialties include homemade pastas, gnocchi, risotto, fresh breads, and pizzas baked in wood-fired ovens. The Osso Bucco, Panino alla Vegetariana, Pasta Carbonara, and Fettucine Alfredo are standouts. Save room for some scrumptious tiramisu or a luscious slice of cheesecake. Ristorante La Perla is open for lunch and dinner Mondays through Fridays, and dinner only on weekends.

Ristorante La Perla

2600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20037

(202) 333-1767

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ristorante-la-perla-washington

By Robin [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Italian Food, Restaurants in Washington, Ristorante La Perla, Washington Dining

Minibar: One of Washington’s Most Unique Dining Experiences

May 22, 2012 by riverstone

Despite its casual-sounding name, D.C.'s Minibar is anything but a place to grab a burger and a beer. It’s actually the most exclusive eatery in Washington, where patrons scramble for months to get reservations for a seating at the restaurant’s six-foot bar. If you get a coveted spot, prepare to be served 25 or so mini-courses of unrivaled culinary inspiration. The restaurant is a product of the gastronomic inventiveness of Chef Jose Andres, who combines tastes, textures, and temperatures in a way that defies description, but is sure to amaze your palate. Minibar is located inside America Eats Tavern. At $150 a person, not including drinks, it’s an experience worth the price.

Minibar
America Eats Tavern

405 8th Street NW

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 393-0812

http://www.yelp.com/biz/minibar-washington

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Fine Dining, Minibar, Restaurants in Washington, Washington Dining

Some Outstanding Dishes at Siroc’s

May 16, 2012 by riverstone

Siroc offers lovely fare at affordable prices. Pasta dishes are among the favorites, and diners often comment happily that, when they’re torn between two favorites, the kitchen will accommodate them with half of each. Among the palate-pleasing pasta dishes that might call out to you are the black pepper tagliatelle, chestnut pappardelle, and saffron fettuccine. Some feature scallops or shrimp; others short ribs or prosciutto. Siroc also gets raves for its veal ossobuco during the cold months, and don’t miss the potato torte, layered with sweet onion and thyme, dressed with cilantro puree and sautéed wild mushrooms. Reviews tout Siroc’s desserts, especially the warm almond cake with blueberry topping and cinnamon zabaglione sauce.

Diners can lunch at Siroc any weekday and enjoy dinner all seven evenings of the week.

Siroc Restaurant
915 15th Street, N.W.
McPherson Square Metro Station
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 628-2220
www.sirocrestaurant.com

By Liveon001 © Travis K. Witt (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Italian Food, Restaurants in Washington, Siroc's, Washington Dining

Locolat Café: Savor the Flavors of Real Belgian Chocolate

May 8, 2012 by riverstone

Indulge in the sublime flavor of real Belgian chocolate at Washington, D.C.'s Locolat Café, where handmade confections are brought to a level of high art by owners Ada and Niel. Chocolate bars, truffles, cakes, and pastries aren’t all that’s going on at Locolat. The lunch and dinner menu includes a wide array of luscious sandwiches and paninis prepared with the finest ingredients like salmon, prosciutto, grilled vegetables, and gourmet cheeses. Add to the menu steamed mussels, salads, soups, quiches, and both sweet and savory waffles and you’ve got yourself a meal you can write home about. Locolat Café is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays.

Locolat Café

1781 Florida Avenue NW

Suite A

Washington, DC 20009

(202) 518-2570

http://www.yelp.com/biz/locolat-caf%C3%A9-washington-2

By cyclonebill (Fåreost med figenmarmelade) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Desserts, Locolat Café, Restaurants in Washington, Washington Dining