Cheesehead and I went to DC Coast last August for Restaurant Week, and weren't really impressed. I'm hesitant to judge a restaurant solely from a RW experience, but it irks me so much when restaurants treat customers like cattle that week that the impression tends to stick. But, this week I had out of town people, and DC Coast had gotten a new chef since my last visit so I decided to give it another chance.
After some pretty mundane rolls, we started with some oysters, fois gras, and shrimp/risotto fritters. The oysters were large, plump, and fresh tasting. This was the first time I'd ordered fois gras and NOT had it whipped into a mousse, DC Coast presents merely a slab of the fatty liver with a side of some roasted apples and an apple mousse - a presentation that I thought worked really well and highlighted the rich liver. The fritters were crispy with a small shrimp inside - they were ok but I think there's only so much you can do with fritters.
My main course were the crab cakes with a creamy mustard sauce and cole slaw. The crab cakes were relatively small, and honestly not that great. There were multiple bites where I had bits of shell, and they tasted more of filler than crab (despite it being obvious there wasn't a whole lot of filler here) - for $29 I'd hoped they would use fresh crab. The cole slaw tasted out of a jug-o-slaw, and because it was on the bottom of the plate, it was very warm - seems like some creative plating could have fixed this problem.
Everyone else at the table enjoyed their entrees - two had the filet of beef, and one had a very lightly seared tuna. For dessert I had a pretty decent apple upside down cake, the chocolate tort and sorbets seemed to be hits as well.
My biggest complaint of the evening was the service. After waiting a considerable time for the waiter to show up, he refused to put our apps in at the same time we ordered wine. He also refused a request to ask if the kitchen could prepare the tuna sashimi style, aka just plate it raw. We were just asking him to ask, didn't seem an unreasonable request. Finally, I tried to order sides and was strongly advised not to by the waiter, as "all of the dishes come composed with their own sides". Ok... I'm torn on this one, because I would have appreciated had the dishes really come composed with their own sides. But my little dollop of hot coleslaw under two undersized crab cakes was underwhelming. That, and I just really wanted the hericot vert.
All in all, DC Coast was much better food on the second visit and worth a try, but service still seems to be a weak point.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Art and Soul
Meh.
Cheesehead, my dad and I all went to Art and Soul last night. Art Smith, best known for formerly being Oprah's personal chef, opened this southern restaurant last fall in the new Luminant Hotel on Capitol Hill, though the day-to-day chef was brought in from DC's Ten Penh.
The beer selection here started out the meal well - I had an Eggenberg Pilsner, which was probably the most recognizable of the selections on tap. It also look like they had a varied wine list and a fair number of house cocktails. And the skillet bread they bring out before the meal was a cross between a biscuit and a croissant while still warm.
We started with the Chesapeake Bay Fry, which was oysters, shrimp, calamari and hush puppies fried with old bay seasoning. The hush puppies were a bit dry, but all in all it was decent. We also shared one of the hoe cakes. This was an interesting concept, but seemed to work - it was several cornmeal pancakes topped with a salad of arugula, grapes, walnuts, and a vinaigrette dressing.
For my main course I had the salmon with fresh pickles, roasted potatoes, and a lemon tartare sauce. I normally don't order salmon at restaurants, mainly because it is so frequently overcooked, but I was relieved when the waitress said it was cooked to medium; figuring if they offered varied temps, they must do it right. Nope. The salmon was overcooked and dry. Now, I realize that chefs frequently take Monday as a night off so I'm tempted to give a pass on minor execution details, but the overcooked salmon I had last night cost just as much as a properly cooked fish on a weekend.
Cheesehead had a squash ravioli which was fine if unremarkable, and dad had the rockfish wrapped in Virginia ham and served over risotto, which seemed to be the best dish of the night.
So, ok, service was fine if a little slow, the ambience was pleasant, the food was passable for the most part but not great. Then the bill came. 3 people who shared two appetizers, each got an entree, no dessert, no sides, and a total of 4 beers came to $150 with tip. Seemed about 25% too high for the quality of the food, especially considering we did it pretty cheaply.
If I were on Capitol Hill and needed a place to eat, would I go to Art and Soul? Probably. But I'm not sure that says more about the restaurant or the lack of good choices in the area. I'd be awfully tempted to go to Bistro Bis or Johnny's Half Shell first, though.
Cheesehead, my dad and I all went to Art and Soul last night. Art Smith, best known for formerly being Oprah's personal chef, opened this southern restaurant last fall in the new Luminant Hotel on Capitol Hill, though the day-to-day chef was brought in from DC's Ten Penh.
The beer selection here started out the meal well - I had an Eggenberg Pilsner, which was probably the most recognizable of the selections on tap. It also look like they had a varied wine list and a fair number of house cocktails. And the skillet bread they bring out before the meal was a cross between a biscuit and a croissant while still warm.
We started with the Chesapeake Bay Fry, which was oysters, shrimp, calamari and hush puppies fried with old bay seasoning. The hush puppies were a bit dry, but all in all it was decent. We also shared one of the hoe cakes. This was an interesting concept, but seemed to work - it was several cornmeal pancakes topped with a salad of arugula, grapes, walnuts, and a vinaigrette dressing.
For my main course I had the salmon with fresh pickles, roasted potatoes, and a lemon tartare sauce. I normally don't order salmon at restaurants, mainly because it is so frequently overcooked, but I was relieved when the waitress said it was cooked to medium; figuring if they offered varied temps, they must do it right. Nope. The salmon was overcooked and dry. Now, I realize that chefs frequently take Monday as a night off so I'm tempted to give a pass on minor execution details, but the overcooked salmon I had last night cost just as much as a properly cooked fish on a weekend.
Cheesehead had a squash ravioli which was fine if unremarkable, and dad had the rockfish wrapped in Virginia ham and served over risotto, which seemed to be the best dish of the night.
So, ok, service was fine if a little slow, the ambience was pleasant, the food was passable for the most part but not great. Then the bill came. 3 people who shared two appetizers, each got an entree, no dessert, no sides, and a total of 4 beers came to $150 with tip. Seemed about 25% too high for the quality of the food, especially considering we did it pretty cheaply.
If I were on Capitol Hill and needed a place to eat, would I go to Art and Soul? Probably. But I'm not sure that says more about the restaurant or the lack of good choices in the area. I'd be awfully tempted to go to Bistro Bis or Johnny's Half Shell first, though.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Pat Green is coming!
DC Country fans take note: Pat Green will be playing at DC's 9:30 club on Saturday, April 18th. Tickets are $30 and are on sale NOW, and he usually sells out.
I went last year he was in town and it was an awesome show! Totally bummed I can't go this year due to a conflict.
I went last year he was in town and it was an awesome show! Totally bummed I can't go this year due to a conflict.
Its about to be the summer of our discontent...
Its official DCers, the Cherry Blossom festival is just 9 days away. And with the start of this yearly bash, comes the finish of something else - a peaceful, tourist-free (or greatly reduced) Washington, DC.
9 days until the standing on the left, the strollers, the blocking of the doors during morning rush hours (seriously people, you're on vacation, stay in bed until 9), the long lines at any downtown attraction and buses parked in front of the Hard Rock Cafe (not that I mind the tourists being sequestered in their respective traps). 9 days until that family of four is blocking the fare gates as you see your train pulling into the station, until there are crying children evvvvvverywhere.
We DCers are a hardy bunch (when it comes to tourists, not when it comes to snow) and adapt. We retreat from going out on the weekends, and withdraw into darkened bars after hours and suburbian utopias on the weekends. But for one last shot before they hit, I'd spend the weekend checking out the new American History Museum or the Capitol Visitors Center if you haven't been. Or hit an old favorite like George and Martha's place or the Galleries of Art.
9 days until the standing on the left, the strollers, the blocking of the doors during morning rush hours (seriously people, you're on vacation, stay in bed until 9), the long lines at any downtown attraction and buses parked in front of the Hard Rock Cafe (not that I mind the tourists being sequestered in their respective traps). 9 days until that family of four is blocking the fare gates as you see your train pulling into the station, until there are crying children evvvvvverywhere.
We DCers are a hardy bunch (when it comes to tourists, not when it comes to snow) and adapt. We retreat from going out on the weekends, and withdraw into darkened bars after hours and suburbian utopias on the weekends. But for one last shot before they hit, I'd spend the weekend checking out the new American History Museum or the Capitol Visitors Center if you haven't been. Or hit an old favorite like George and Martha's place or the Galleries of Art.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Austin, TX
Everyone loves Austin, right? I mean, you tell people you are going to Austin for five days, and you get a universal reaction of jealousy and comments professing adoration for this gem of small American cities. A few FYI's before I jump head first into my Austinisms, we don't have a rental car so we're confined to downtown, and we're here for a conference so can't spend the entire day exploring.
Having said that....
We're staying at the Omni in downtown Austin (not the Omni Southpark). This hotel is generic, could be any upscale chain hotel in any city, but I like it. The rooms are large, the staff is pleasant, the workout facilities are ample-to-good, and there is a rooftop pool. The biggest up here is the cleaning/turndown servicing. Basically, my room is cleaned twice a day - late morning they come in and do the standard cleaning, and then an evening turn down service that goes beyond just the basic turn down - they re-make the bed (I like afternoon naps), replace towels, and tidy up. The location is good - a few blocks off 6th St, but still relatively quiet. They also have a quiet nights policy where they investigate every noise complaint and no outside guests are allowed after 10pm.
The rest of downtown is pleasant enough, I'll admit that a good McDonalds somewhere downtown would be great, they seem to have an anti-corporate vibe going on here.
6th Street is clearly the main draw. A lot of local bars with good drink specials, inexpensive food and live music. Its sort of an inexpensive and relaxed version of a child between Georgetown and Adams Morgan. I also liked the area around 4th and Lavaca. Gingerman, with several locations throughout Texas, is my favorite so far. A hundred or so beers on tap make it a fun place to drink.
I guess my question is, what is there to do in Austin besides drink? Not that theres anything wrong with drinking, I'm a big proponent, but I'm not sure there is a lot here that would draw me back in the future.
Having said that....
We're staying at the Omni in downtown Austin (not the Omni Southpark). This hotel is generic, could be any upscale chain hotel in any city, but I like it. The rooms are large, the staff is pleasant, the workout facilities are ample-to-good, and there is a rooftop pool. The biggest up here is the cleaning/turndown servicing. Basically, my room is cleaned twice a day - late morning they come in and do the standard cleaning, and then an evening turn down service that goes beyond just the basic turn down - they re-make the bed (I like afternoon naps), replace towels, and tidy up. The location is good - a few blocks off 6th St, but still relatively quiet. They also have a quiet nights policy where they investigate every noise complaint and no outside guests are allowed after 10pm.
The rest of downtown is pleasant enough, I'll admit that a good McDonalds somewhere downtown would be great, they seem to have an anti-corporate vibe going on here.
6th Street is clearly the main draw. A lot of local bars with good drink specials, inexpensive food and live music. Its sort of an inexpensive and relaxed version of a child between Georgetown and Adams Morgan. I also liked the area around 4th and Lavaca. Gingerman, with several locations throughout Texas, is my favorite so far. A hundred or so beers on tap make it a fun place to drink.
I guess my question is, what is there to do in Austin besides drink? Not that theres anything wrong with drinking, I'm a big proponent, but I'm not sure there is a lot here that would draw me back in the future.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
One day fare sale
JetBlue is having a great one day fare sale today. Fares from Dulles are $29 (each way) to New York, 49$ (e/w) to many destinations in Florida, and $69(e/w) to California. Travel is only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but even if you just hit one of the cheap legs, its a real steal. Must be booked by midnight tonight.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Mie N Yu
Several years ago, there was a great uproar (well, as uproarious as foodies get) when Georgetown's Mie N Yu won the RAMMY award for best DC restaurant. I'd never been there, but it didn't really seem like the kind of place RAMMY judges would like - it's just as much about the "scene" as it is about the food. I guess it was continued reports of mediocre and overpriced food that kept me from visiting, until last Saturday night.
The interior is... weird. It has sort of an asian theme going on... but asian circa 1985. It does seem a bit dated, much like a stereotypical old chinese restaurant.
Service got off to a bit of a bumpy start, but to be fair the waitress had her hands full with a table of 6 next to us that took 20 minutes to order, then said they needed to be out of there ASAP. When she did visit, she was apologetic and attentive for the rest of the meal.
The menu is definately asian-focused, and I really liked that there were dishes containing influences from Afghanistan, as well as the more traditional chinese menu items. Small plates, appetizers to share, entrees, proteins to split, sides to share, and the addition of a restaurant week menu provided plenty of options.
After the complimentary edamame, we started out with the beef lettuce wraps, which were fantastic. Chunks of shredded beef came in a brown garlic sauce with crispy thai basil, presented with bibb lettuce leaves and a sweet chili dipping sauce. I could definately order these as an entree.
For my main, I had wild mushroom and soy tofu fried rice. The fried rice was good, but not great - very greasy. My +1 had the appetizer pepper-infused crab cake, which I wasn't a fan of. The crab was watered down, and all I could taste was black pepper with very little sweet crab flavor coming through. She also had a side of the (non-tofu) fried rice, which was a bit sweeter than my version, and frankly I liked it better. I had a side of edamame succotash, which had a smokey flavor with the addition of bacon without being too heavy. We skipped dessert - too full and they didn't look that great from the table next to us.
The beverage list we were given was outdated, which kinda sucked because the beer pricing was very odd. Stella for 6$ but Heinies for 10? It made me nervous to order the list of beers the waitress ticked off as new options. And the wines by the glass seemed excessively expensive (none for less than $10).
The food is exactly what I expected, good but not great. Then the check comes. $110 pre-tip seemed a bit excessive considering we split an appetizer, my entree was fried rice, and she had an app as an entree.
The interior is... weird. It has sort of an asian theme going on... but asian circa 1985. It does seem a bit dated, much like a stereotypical old chinese restaurant.
Service got off to a bit of a bumpy start, but to be fair the waitress had her hands full with a table of 6 next to us that took 20 minutes to order, then said they needed to be out of there ASAP. When she did visit, she was apologetic and attentive for the rest of the meal.
The menu is definately asian-focused, and I really liked that there were dishes containing influences from Afghanistan, as well as the more traditional chinese menu items. Small plates, appetizers to share, entrees, proteins to split, sides to share, and the addition of a restaurant week menu provided plenty of options.
After the complimentary edamame, we started out with the beef lettuce wraps, which were fantastic. Chunks of shredded beef came in a brown garlic sauce with crispy thai basil, presented with bibb lettuce leaves and a sweet chili dipping sauce. I could definately order these as an entree.
For my main, I had wild mushroom and soy tofu fried rice. The fried rice was good, but not great - very greasy. My +1 had the appetizer pepper-infused crab cake, which I wasn't a fan of. The crab was watered down, and all I could taste was black pepper with very little sweet crab flavor coming through. She also had a side of the (non-tofu) fried rice, which was a bit sweeter than my version, and frankly I liked it better. I had a side of edamame succotash, which had a smokey flavor with the addition of bacon without being too heavy. We skipped dessert - too full and they didn't look that great from the table next to us.
The beverage list we were given was outdated, which kinda sucked because the beer pricing was very odd. Stella for 6$ but Heinies for 10? It made me nervous to order the list of beers the waitress ticked off as new options. And the wines by the glass seemed excessively expensive (none for less than $10).
The food is exactly what I expected, good but not great. Then the check comes. $110 pre-tip seemed a bit excessive considering we split an appetizer, my entree was fried rice, and she had an app as an entree.
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