What Micky Eats...

2025-09-27T16:23:00.005+01:00

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Chez Billy Sud

2023-08-26T22:00:00.112+01:00

Chez Billy Sud is a neighborhood French bistro and wine bar located in Georgetown. Closest Metro is Foggy Bottom-GWU.

After watching a play at the Kennedy Center, we took a quick cab ride over to Chez Billy Sud for dinner. Inside was small and charming with light blue and gold paint on the wall and a lovey outdoor patio as well. We ordered a bottle of 2015 Domaine Les 4 Vents, Crozes-Hermitage, Syrah. It was bold and tannic with lots of sediment, but paired well with our French meal.

There were many starters that caught our eye, so we decided to share three (ha!). The Foie de Volaille - or chicken liver mousse with Loupiac gelée was delightful. It was velvety and had a subtle kiss of sweet spice. The escargots were super tender - Burgundy snails with mushroom duxelles, parsley garlic butter, and topped with puff pastry. They were not overly garlicky and married nicely with the red wine. Keith also ordered the Crabe a Carapace - soft shell crab with sauce remoulade. It was sweet and hard to find seasonally, so our waiter was also jazzed that we ordered it.

For my starter, I ate the Loup de Mer - sea bass with fennel soubise, French beans, and almond-caper beurre noisette. The fish was cooked expertly with a crispy skin that added nice texture to each bite. The fennel and capers added a nice acidic balance to the dish and I devoured the whole plate.

Keith enjoyed the Confit Canard - crispy duck leg with roasted carrots and sauce a l'orange. The meat fell off the bone and the carrots added a sweet balance to the dish.

Lastly, we order Crème Brûlée with a madeleine to share for dessert. It was creamy and delectable.

Overall we had a very lovely meal at Chez Billy Sud. The food was excellent and service was friendly. The space was small and intimate, which is perfect for date night.

Total Rating: 4.55

Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 3.5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Love, Makoto

2023-07-15T00:00:00.180+01:00

Love, Makoto is a culinary love letter from Celebrity Chef Makoto Okuwa. Featuring full-service and quick-service options, this culinary collection offers Washington, DC residents and visitors a taste of Japan in the heart of the nation’s capital. We checked out the sushi omakase experience, called "Dear Sushi" that celebrates both traditional and envelope-pushing takes on sushi. Closest Metro is Judiciary Square.

For $75 per person, the menu honors tradition (old school) and showcases what Chef Makoto learned along the way (new school) — no need for guests to choose, everyone gets both! We also added on the sake pairing that was super fun and delicious.

First we started with snacks of Wasabi Leaf with yuzu, Japanese ginger, chrysanthemum flower. It was crunchy, sweet, and zesty. A great way to open the palate. We also had a warm Hatcho Miso Soup with wild parsley, tofu, Mozuku seaweed.

Then we hand two hand rolls. The old school version was Nakaochi Tuna with Tokyo green onion, fresh wasabi, wrapped in kontobi seaweed. The new school version was Blue Crab with dynamite sauce, flying fish roe. We both liked the warm crab roll better.

Next we enjoyed sushi rolls. We zig-zagged between old school and new school: Sakura Snapper that was konbu cured with sakura salt vs. bottarga and white soy. I preferred the Glory Bay Salmon with Matsuae konbu and sesame vs. seasonal truffle and lemon. While I appreciated the elevated ingredients of the new school presentation, I preferred the traditional version which allowed the salmon to shine. Akami Bluefin with soy marinade and wasabi vs. burnt negi miso, foie gras, scallion. I actually liked the new school better of these two.

Hamachi with yuzu salt and shiso flower was so classic and delicious vs. smoked ponzu, chili paste, and cilantro. O-toro with spicy koji and house soy vs. hay smoked, salted plum, and shiso. I preferred the new school version here because the smokey and saltiness paired so well.

Now, we decided the "super-size it" for an extra $25 and get four more pieces. Scallop with shiso, lemon, yuzu kosho vs. finger lime, kombu oil. I loved these both equally! We also ate Chu-toro with house soy, chili, sesame vs. Hokkaido uni, white soy, and sea salt. The uni sold it for me.

With this course Keith paired a cocktail called Paper Plane that was made with legent bourbon, red bitter, nonino, passion fruit, and kabosu. The passion fruit was strong and fruity. I ordered a glass of Gambino-Jules, Prosecco Rosé, Glera/Raboso, from Veneto, Italy.

Lastly for dessert, we ate Ichigo Strawberry - frozen strawberry mousse covered in a thin white chocolate shell. It was cute and fun to end the meal.

We had a great sushi omakase experience. Love, Makoto also has an izakaya option called "Beloved, BBQ" for all the meat lovers that we may have to return to check out.

Total Rating: 4.45

Food: 5, Price: 3.5, Service: 4.5, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Wineries of Southern Virginia

2023-06-18T13:58:00.004+01:00

Virginian wine is having a moment right now and so we decided to spend the long weekend exploring more wineries of the Blue Ride and Southern Virginia Mountains. Basing out of Charlottesville, we visited more wineries along the Gold Medal Wine Trail. The wines from this region embody this unique position in the world. They are lush but structured; aromatic, expressive and beautifully balanced—blending the subtlety of the Old World with the boldness of the new. Read my recap below:

Barboursville Vineyards is an 18th century estate that is breathtaking and was our favorite winery of this weekend visit. Situated on the broad, rolling plateau and foothills of the Southwest Mountains in the Virginia Piedmont, running parallel with the Blue Ridge to the west, the 900 acres occupy ground of sedimentary rock of volcanic origin, and separate stratifications of sandstone and conglomerates, with sloping exposures of even greater variety. We opted for a tasting on the patio of the Library 1821 that offers a changing selection of flights of current and older vintages.

I picked six to taste for $25: Brut Cuvée 1814, 2020 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, 2022 Viognier Reserve, 2021 Allegrante Rosé, 2020 Barbera Reserve, and the 2021 Cabernet Franc Reserve. My favorite of these was the Brut so I purchased a bottle to take home. With light bubbles this sparkling wine is created in the metodo classico and is 100% Pinot Noir of DOCG designation. Keith chose the Vertical Flight of OCTAGON 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 for $45. Of these, we also picked a bottle of the 2019 to take home. Described as: "A wine of noble character, created by blending estate-grown Bordeaux varietals, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, Octagon’s great prestige rests further on its being created only in fine vintages, and with the most astute selection from the harvest. This is the highest expression of our estate’s European derivation and inspiration, crafted to be a wine of distinctive character and age worthiness in every incarnation."

We stayed for lunch at their restaurant called Palladio. Here Keith ordered a full glass of of the 2021 Allegrante Rosé to go with his meal of Pork Belly and Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. I enjoyed a glass of the 2019 Nebbiolo Reserve with my Vegetable Frito Misto and Lobster Ravioli. Everything was lovely and we had a wonderful meal paired with wonderful wine.

Afterwards we took a stroll on to the historic Landmark Ruins of Thomas Jefferson's mansion for Governor James Barbour.

Technically not on the trail, we headed further south to visit one more winery before we headed to our hotel for the evening. Designed by Dave Matthews and master craftsman William Johnson and finished in 2000, the Blenheim Vineyards winery building was designed to have minimal impact on the environment. Blenheim Vineyards has been crafting quality and sustainable 100% Virginia grown wines and managing 32 acres of estate vineyards. The history of Blenheim Farm dates back to 1730, when John Carter, Secretary of the Colony of Virginia and eldest son of Robert "King" Carter, obtained a patent for 9,350 acres northeast of present-day Carter's Bridge in what is now Albemarle County. Here, John Carter maintained Carter's Mill on the North Hardware River, and his son Edward built the first Blenheim house before 1799. The house, named in honor of the War of the Spanish Succession, was fought for and won by the British under command of the Duke of Marlborough. It was at Blenheim where Thomas Jefferson and his bride, Martha, are said to have "rested and warmed themselves" after their coach stalled nearby during a snowstorm. We tasted the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Farm Chardonnay, 2022 Rosé , 2020 Merlot, and 2020 Painted Red. I loved the brightness of the Sauv Blanc and we also enjoyed the red blend and loved the unique artsy labels so also got a bottle of the Painted Red to take home.

To start day two we visited Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards a boutique winery producing award-winning estate wines and locally-focused food offerings together with integrated, custom-designed private dining venues for hosting weddings and private events. We sat on the outside veranda and tasted some of their signature wines from the gentle hills of the Monticello AVA paired with their house cheeseboard. The tasting was fun with an amazing view, and we bought a bottle of the 2018 Bundoran Blue to take home. Named as a tribute to the Bundoran Farm community where Pippin Hill resides while also paying homage to the signature, and ever-soothing, color palette of their sister event company, Easton Events. Despite the “blue” on the label, it is their signature, and ever-soothing, red blend.

Next, we headed west to Afton, VA and stopped at Veritas Vineyards which has grown into a 20-year-old family business that is on the leading edge of the Virginia wine industry. With over 50 acres in the Monticello wine region, and producing a complex portfolio of wine ranging from sparkling to beautifully balanced red wines, Veritas wine quality starts in the vineyard, and the terroir of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We sat inside for a tableside tasting and ordered some sandwiches for lunch. The Taste in Place flight featured 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Viognier, 2019 Merlot, and 2021 Claret. I also ordered a glass of the 2022 Rosé. Here we picked the 2019 Merlot to take home as it was rich with black cherry and soft chocolate. This place was very popular with ample seating outside on the covered patio or in front in the picnic area. Many groups brought their dogs and took a stroll along the vineyards.

Our last stop was at King Family Vineyards, a family owned and operated winery located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Crozet, Virginia just fifteen minutes from Charlottesville. The winery specializes in the production of ultra-premium wines that showcase the remarkable quality and terroir of the Monticello AVA. For $20, we enjoyed the in-person guided tasting of five wines. This experience was hosted by a Tasting Room Associate and is the perfect way to enjoy a variety of their wines. We loved the 2022 Crosé - a dry rosé named after the small town of Crozet and the 2020 Merlot that was smooth and medium bodied. The grounds were packed with people who were here to watch the polo matches that are held each Sunday at noon, from Memorial Day weekend through October, weather and field conditions permitting. Various food trucks are also available onsite.

Have you visited Southern Virginia wineries? Please share your favorites in the comments below!

Causa

2023-06-10T00:00:00.223+01:00

Causa is a Peruvian tasting experience by Chef Carlos Delgado that tours through Peruvian Coastal, Andes, and Amazonian cuisine. The tasting experience begins with a six-course menu that brings you on a trip through all of the magnificent natural regions of Peru. This menu is designed for guests to add daily selections of whole fish or seafood, from their Fish Market. We enhanced our experience with a wine pairing. Located in Blagden Alley, the closest Metro is Mt. Vernon Square- Convention Center.

We were seated at the chef's counter and were greeted with a glass of chicha morada kombucha to cleanse and then a glass of Cremant D'Alsace bubbles with some snacks featuring mussels, scallops, and dry aged ahi. Everything tasted fresh from the sea and was a great start!

The first course was Dry Aged Fish Cebicherias - cilantro leche de tigre, sweet potato, and chulpi. The cilantro was not only in the sauce but also "dusted" over our plate by the chef in liquid nitrogen form. The herb flavor was very strong but still allowed the fish to shine. The sweetness was amplified by the pairing of 2020 Joh Jus Prum, Kabinett Riesling from Mosel, Germany.

The second course was Uchucuta Cusco - roasted potatoes served with an addictive sauce of rocoto, chulpi, and huacatay. This humble dish was served with a glass of 2019 Vinyes Singulars, Salinar from Spain.

Third, we ate one of our favorites of the night - Street Food Barranco - anticuchos of salmon belly, pork belly (sub scallop for me), and wagyu beef heart (sub shrimp for me). They were lovely little bites and paired with the 2021 De Fermo, Pecorino 'Don Carlino' from Abruzzo, Italy.

The fourth course was a hearty Aji Amarillo Monsefu - crab, bomba rice, aji amarillo, leche de tigre. The rice punched with seafood flavor and the crab meat was delicate on top. This dish paired with our first glass of red - 2018 Ampeleia, Costa Toscana, Cab France from Tuscany, Italy. The wine was made in the ancient preparation in the clay amphora pots, which came through on the palate.

The sixth course was Pato Lurin - duck loin (sub grouper for me) with a sauce of chicha de jora and orange, served with a a side of the most delightful canario beans. These white beans were rustic and chunky on the bottom, then topped with a velvety blend on top, which just made for a luscious bite. Paired with two glasses as they could not decide which was best - 2019 Chapelle St. Theodoric, Les Sablons, Chateauneuf-du-Pape from France and the 2020 Rene Bouvier, Champ Salomon, Marsannay from France. While both glasses were very similar with slight berry forward notes finished with heavy barnyard funk, we both thought the Marssanay paired the best. However, to drink on its own Keith preferred the Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I was not surprised as he tends to like the super classic non-blends and this one was 100% grenache.

As a palate cleanser we ate a light orange granita with some lime zest. The bowl was a decent serving and could have been dessert on its own.

Lastly, we ate the Chazuta - macambo, passion fruit, mint, and matcha green tea served with a house cream sherry blend. The macambo is a white cacao and was presented in a soft mousse form that encased the passion fruit cream. The nuttiness of the sherry really complemented this dessert. I was too in the moment, and totally forgot to take a picture of this dish!

To finish the meal we were presented with some last treats - pineapple and rocoto pate de fruits (my favorite), bon bons with caramel, and chocolate biscuits with dulce de leche cream. They came in a neat wooden puzzle box.

Overall, the flavors were bold and fresh with creative combinations that really highlighted the many regions of Peru. We were very impressed by the knowledge of the staff as they explained each dish and each wine pairing as if reciting an executive summary to ace their final exam. The decor was bright and sitting at the chef's table was entertaining to see what dishes they were preparing, but a little awkward to turn our neck behind each time they came to present the next course. Nevertheless we had a wonderful meal and transported us back to Peru when we traveled there 8 years ago.

Total Rating: 4.03

Food: 4.5, Price: 2, Service: 5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Rare Steakhouse

2023-04-30T00:00:00.113+01:00

Rare Steakhouse brings together the best qualities of world-class dining venues with USDA prime, dry-aged steaks, exquisite wines and first-class service bolstered with Midwestern charm. Created by Wisconsin natives, Rare offers a classic and elegant atmosphere, striving to bring the nostalgia and romance of the classic steakhouse to life. Closest Metro is McPherson Square.

Keith chose this place to celebrate his recent promotion. We ordered a bottle of 2021 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, CA and it was the perfect wine to accompany our classic meal. With a deep garnet color and jammy notes, the blackberry and cherry flavors made for a smooth elegant drink.

To start we shared the Oysters on the Half Shell served with mignonette, cocktail sauce, and lemon wedges. Today featured Orchard Point from Northern Chesapeake Bay. They were very clean and a nice way to kick off the meal. We also enjoyed the large Shrimp Cocktail, which were plump and sweet. We were also served delightful Parker House rolls that were fluffy and warm, with salted butter.

Next, we shared the Signature Caesar salad made with romaine, baby red oak lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan, and an anchovy-heavy caesar dressing that I loved. This salad was more than enough for two people to share.

For his main course, Keith ordered the 22 oz Bone-In Ribeye with a side of Roasted Mushrooms. The meat was cooked perfectly to his liking and had great flavor. The mushrooms were also quite hearty.

I ate the Grilled Salmon served with roasted cauliflower, fingerling potatoes, green beans, and a lemon-brown butter. It had a little tartar sauce on the plate that was unnecessary. The fish portion was very large and although I tried, I could not finish it all.

We chose a liquid dessert to end the meal - Espresso Martini made with Stolichnaya Vanilla vodka, Mr. Black, Demerara, and double espresso. It was strong!

Overall, we had a classic steakhouse meal at Rare and while service was decent to start, as soon as it got more busy they were slammed and our dessert drinks took nearly thirty minutes to arrive. We didn't mind so much, since it gave us a chance to digest and talk without feeling too rushed.

Total Rating: 4.03

Food: 4.5, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jeans-George

2023-04-22T00:00:00.180+01:00

The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jeans-George is a casually elegant restaurant ensconced in the picturesque town of Pound Ridge, New York. Here, Jean‑Georges cultivates a truly seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine, with ingredients sourced from the Hudson Valley and New England, whenever possible. Constructed in 1833 as a residence and serving later as an inn, the building has been painstakingly renovated to preserve as many of the original materials as possible, including four working fireplaces.

We went to this restaurant to celebrate Keith's parents' 70th birthdays. Upon arrival, the rustic inn had charm and I was surprised by the casual attire of the staff - all in jeans and plaid shirts. The menu was pretty simple with quality ingredients, but nothing too elevated. For an initial drink, I ordered a bottle of Prosecco, Tullia Spumante NV from Veneto, Italy for us all to share. The bubbles were delicate and a nice way to open the palate. Afterwards, to go with our main meal we chose the Pinot Noir, Chapter 24 JG Cuvee 2020 from Willamette Valley, OR. It was a decent medium red wine that paired well with all the dishes we ordered.

We ordered a few starters to share. The Fluke Tartare with shiso, cucumber, and plum sesame was bright and interesting. I loved the crunch from the cucumber.

The group really liked the Broccoli Dip with Everything Pita and the Tuna Tartare with avocado, radish, and ginger soy marinade. Again, the freshness of the ingredients really shined through in each dish.

The Crispy Calamari had a little kick from the citrus-chili emulsion. The squid itself was tender and lightly breaded.

Another sleeper was the Octopus à la Plancha with green olive-citrus dressing, capers, mint and arugula. The char flavor from the grill really came forward and the Mediterranean flavors from the olives were just lovely.

For my main course, I opted for the Parmesan Crusted Organic Chicken served with white asparagus in a lemon basil sauce. The white breast meat was thick and huge. It was cooked perfectly, however the texture in the middle was too "fleshy" for my liking. The asparagus were more flimsy than I would have preferred, but the lemon sauce was divine!

Keith enjoyed the Swordfish Milanese with grilled lettuce hearts and brown butter. The meaty fish had great flavor. As a side dish, we also ordered the Roasted King Oyster Mushrooms. These, too, had a spicy kick from the jalapeño but were a nice side dish addition.

Lastly for dessert, we all shared the Molten Chocolate Cake with vanilla bean ice cream (basic), Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting (delicious), and the Puff Pastry Rhubarb Tart with marzipan ice cream (delightful!).

All in all we had a very nice dinner together to celebrate my in-laws. Service was great and the food tasted wonderful. It was a little on the pricey side and lacking creativity, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Total Rating: 3.85

Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4.5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

Bazaar by José Andrés

2023-04-16T00:00:00.301+01:00

Set in the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, the Bazaar by José Andrés is the culmination of a 30-year dream for Chef José Andrés. Drawing inspiration from this iconic location, which first opened in 1899 and served as DC’s General Post Office until 1914, the Bazaar is a multi-level destination reinvented with avant-garde and Americana-inspired decor. The Bazaar’s signature playful dishes are infused here with new menu items, boasting an Americana flair with a nod to U.S. history. Closest Metro is Federal Triangle.

Since it's recent opening, there has been much popular buzz about Chef José's newest restaurant and we were first to sign up for reservations nearly six weeks in advance. We are huge fans and were looking forward to a wonderful evening. Upon arrival, we were escorted upstairs to our table which had a great view of interior glass atrium with views of the clock tower.

We each ordered a cocktail - the Nitro Caipirinha caught my eye however the server was quick to dissuade me from ordering it claiming it was small and more appropriate as a palate cleanser. To me it felt like they just didn't want the hassle of the tableside presentation. So instead, I ordered the Salt Air Margarita made with Olmeca Altos blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime, topped with salt air. For $18 I was expecting something a little more wow, but it tasted great. Keith wanted to order the Magic Mojito whose allure was the cotton candy, but again the server told him it was "86'd" meaning it was no longer available. Begrudgingly he ordered the Ultimate G&T at the server's suggestion. It was classic with Hendrick’s gin, Fever Tree Indian tonic water, lime, lemon, juniper berries, and lemon verbena. It was very clean. Since there wasn't many other cocktail options, I inquired if they sold any wines by the bottle (the menu only listed by the glass). The server replied we could order any of the glasses by the bottle so I chose the 2021 Trosseau Gris Rosé, Two Shepherds "Fanucchi Vineyard" from the Russian River Valley, California. It had a little farmhouse funk from the extra skin contact but went well with our tapas.

Speaking of tapas, we were instructed to order four to six plates per person as everything is small and shareable. Our first bite was the Neptune's Pillows - a wonton shell stuffed with sesame rocoto spicy tuna tartare and topped with a slice of fresh tuna and fresh wasabi. The juxtaposition of crunchy and creamy was delightful. While 5 pieces of pillow came in a serving, only one piece came with the California "Funnel Cake" - seaweed funnel cake topped with avocado, Blue Crab, tobiko, mayo, and cucumber. I wanted to love this dish more, but the half bite was too small to really get anything.

Next we tried the Norwegian Lobster "Newberg" - seared Norwegian lobster in brioche with Newberg espuma. The sweetness from the lobster and all the butter in the cream made this dish a little too heavy for my liking.

Another favorite dish of the evening were the Mediterranean Mussels prepared in olive oil, sherry vinegar, and smokey pimentón. Presented in a "tin can" made of glass, this dish was beautiful! The mussels were incredibly clean and fresh and the smokiness was pleasant.

The Conch Fritters had a liquid center and sat on a little smear of onion jam and were topped with bonito flakes. These had great flavor, but again the "cream filled" fried bites were a little redundant. We preferred there to be a little more conch meat inside.

Keith enjoyed the "Philly Cheesesteak" - airbread stuffed with white cheddar cream and topped with Wagyu beef. This little handheld bite had good flavor but the texture/technique was too similar to the Neptune's pillows.

To lighten things up, and for the hotel's namesake, I wanted to try the Waldorf Salad. Pieces of endives were presented as little boats topped with celery, walnuts, grapes, and yogurt. It was a mess to eat, but had a nice crunch and was refreshing.

Keith also wanted to try the Oxtail Croqueta but the server advised it, too, was "86'd" so instead he chose the Bao Con Lechon - fried Chinese bun with pork belly. It was very authentic in Asian flavor and was a nice little bite.

From the vegetable section, we enjoyed the Eggplant Escalivada - Catalan style roasted eggplant, sobrasada, and Idiazábal cheese. this dish had another smoky creaminess that was nice to spread on the toasted bread.

Stuffed Piquillo Peppers were pretty on the plate. The Cabra La Mancha cheese was tangy and paired well with the mojo verde. The little piquillo tuile on top added a little crunch.

Lastly, for dessert we decided to try Key Lime Pie José's Way. Basically, it was a deconstructed pie with lime curd, graham cracker crumbles, raspberry syrup and a lime meringue that was vibrant and a great way to end the meal.

All in all we enjoyed all the tapas but were a little disappointed that a few of the items we wanted to try were not available. Service was hit or miss - our initial drinks came after our first bites of food arrived, and when pouring the wine the server spilled some didn't bother to wipe it up. They also didn't bother to wipe the table when clearing plates and didn't provide us with hand towels as we saw other tables getting this service. Also, the "coursing" was totally out of order. Each plate just seemed to come as it was ready from the kitchen - with no thought to progression of how the courses should flow. Nevertheless, the food was clearly the star and still a representation of what we expected from Chef José.

Total Rating: 3.98

Food: 4.5, Price: 3, Service: 3, Ambience: 3.5, Accessibility: 5

Le Clou

2023-03-18T23:00:00.151+00:00

Inspired by France’s best new restaurants, rooted in classic flavors with a modern sensibility, Le Clou is chef and owner Nicholas Stefanelli’s brasserie in The Morrow Hotel. Closest Metro is NoMA-Gallaudet.

For my birthday this year, we went here for dinner on this chilly night. We started with a glass of Cremant d'Alsace, Pierre Sparr,1 Brut, Reserve, MV. The presentation was fun as a large cart of the various sparklings available came rolling to our table. We enjoyed the fresh baked bread with salted butter as we perused the menu.

This soft glass of bubbles paired well with Oysters - we got a half dozen Wellfleet from Cape Cod Massachusetts and a half dozen Beau Soleil from New Brunswick, Canada. We loved them both - briny and slightly creamy.

Next, we enjoyed appetizers of Escargots - snails from Burgundy with loads of garlic butter, parsley, and lemon baked in a pastry shell called vol au vent. It was really garlicky and only a few snails, but they were tender and delicious.

Keith also enjoyed the Ris de Veau - veal sweetbreads with cauliflower, sauce gribiche, and lots of black truffle. The sweetbreads were cooked well and did not taste too gamey.

Up to this point, service had been great but we ended up waiting quite a while for our main course to arrive. The wait was so noticeable that our server had to tell her manager and they came over to apologize to us. I ordered the Coquilles Saint Jacques - roasted diver scallops with sunchokes. While it was cooked perfectly and tasted wonderful, it was slightly cold presumably from being forgotten about in the kitchen.

Keith ordered the Canard - confit duck leg with seared foie gras, toasted farrow, white miso, chanterelles, turnips, and griottes jus. Again, the duck was cooked perfectly but was cold. Keith enjoyed the earthy flavors of the miso and mushrooms. With our main dishes we also shared a side of scalloped potatoes with bacon. It was served in a cute mini Creuset.

Lastly, we were treated to a dessert of Le Clou Mignardise - a plate of traditional cannelle, pate de fruit, and chocolate truffle with a birthday candle.

Overall, we had a lovely dinner at Le Clou despite the minor hiccup at the end. The restaurant itself was modern, yet very loud with all the packed tables. It was also very bright, and we noticed they attempted to dim the lights twice to balance it out. The food was tasty and while the wine list can be a bit intimidating, they have a sommelier on hand who is eager to help. I also was envious of the champagne vending machine in the lobby! How cute!

Total Rating: 3.75

Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Mariposa

2023-03-06T01:00:00.090+00:00

Mariposa is a Latin-Fusion grill in Sedona, AZ from Chef Lisa Dahl that is perched atop a scenic bluff surrounded by red rock canyons. 13-foot tall gates are flanked by four fire-wok butterfly globes that guide guests to the entrance of the terrace that surrounds the 23-foot tall floor-to-ceiling windows of the main dining room.

We chose to eat here for our last night in Sedona. We ordered prickly pear margaritas - one made with mezcal for Keith, and then various tapas to share.

The Portobello Empanadas were savory with buttery dough, but could have used more filling.

The Ceviche de Camarones - Ecuadorian-style gulf shrimp ceviche with tostada chips, was our least favorite because the sauce was purely cocktail sauce. The Pulpo Parrilla - grilled Spanish octopus served with garbanzo puree, fennel slaw, and olive tapenade - had a smokiness that was pleasing and not overly charred.

Lastly, Keith wanted a little more meat so he ordered the Gaucho Plate featuring Beeler’s all-natural chorizo-link sausage, Spanish butter beans with house focaccia.

Overall, we were a bit underwhelmed with the food but the service and interior design of the restaurant still made for a pleasurable evening.

Total Rating: 3.83

Food: 3.5, Price: 3.5, Service: 4.5, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 5

Oaxaca Restaurant

2023-03-05T17:00:00.063+00:00

Oaxaca Restaurant in Sedona, AZ is an old world style Mexican restaurant that offers casual family dining with an extensive menu of traditional and modern Mexican flavors. With breath-taking scenery and beautiful views from the rooftop cantina, Oaxaca has earned it’s title of Local Secret/Big Find by Travelocity.com.

After some morning hiking, we were hungry and sun has started to shine so we walked over to Oaxaca Restaurant for lunch. We sat upstairs and had an amazing view of the snow-dusted mountains.

Fittingly, I ordered the Red Rock Enchilada - an overstuffed cheese enchilada, ﬁlled with avocado slices and sour cream, covered with enchilada sauce and melted cheese. Served with refried beans and rice, this dish totally hit the spot and was delicious!

Keith ordered the Pork Chile Verde - roasted pork simmered with cilantro, lime, and tomatillos, served with corn tortillas. His dish also came with refried beans and rice, and was very satisfying.

The only thing I wish is that we tried the house margaritas. Nevertheless, we had a great lunch at Oaxaca!

Total Rating: 4.43

Food: 4.5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 5

Cowboy Club Grill & Steakhouse

2023-03-05T00:00:00.104+00:00

Cowboy Club Grill & Steakhouse in Sedona, AZ originally opened in 1946 serving as the meeting place, pool hall, saloon, and grocery store to locals and tourists alike. During the 1950's and 1960's, over 50 Western movies were filmed in the area and many of Hollywood's biggest stars (legends like John Wayne, Burt Lancaster, Rock Hudson, Elvis Presley, and Joan Crawford) were known to enjoy the warm fire and welcoming atmosphere of this steakhouse.

Only a short walk from our hotel, we chose to eat here for dinner. The interior has totally been redone, so lost some of that old school Western vibe but the view of the red rocks mountains was still amazing. We ordered a bottled of Bonanza, Cabernet Sauvignon, from Rutherford, CA to accompany our meal.

To start we shared the Original Cactus Fries served with a sweet prickly pear dipping sauce. The combination of sweet and tangy was interesting, and the serving size was more than enough for two people to share.

For his main dish, Keith played it safe and ordered the Cowboy Ribeye - 14oz Angus beef cut served with seasonal vegetables and Yukon gold garlic mashed potatoes. He liked the extra touch of the big "cowboy" knife that was also presented with his plate.

I enjoyed the Wild Caught Salmon - 7oz filet serve with sautéed asparagus, trio of grains with baby kale, and chimichurri. This dish was cooked perfectly and really satisfying.

Lastly, instead of dessert Keith ordered a cocktail. The Old Duke - house made pecan infused local bourbon, prickly pear infused bitters, and an orange twist. It was a little on the sweet side, but a nice ending to his cowboy meal.

Total Rating: 3.63

Food: 3.5, Price: 3.5, Service: 4.5, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Merkin Osteria

2023-03-04T17:30:00.083+00:00

Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room and Osteria features wines produced By MJ & Jennifer Keenan, Tim White and team using fruit from 110 Acres of Estate Vineyards in both the Verde Valley and Willcox, AZ. We stopped here for lunch after visiting their other wine store in Jerome, AZ called Caduceus Cellars.

We started with tasting flights: TARZAN & JANE featuring Four Eight White / Jane Pink / Tarzan Red and SHINOLA featuring Shinola Orancia / Shinola Rosado / Shinola. We paired this with the daily bruschetta which had fresh bread topped with pesto'd white beans, feta cheese, and micro greens.

All of the pastas and breads are made fresh from scratch using Arizona heirloom and Italian milled wheat flour. I ordered the Gnocchi for my main dish. These traditionally prepared potato dumplings were served with a sage and prosciutto di parma cream sauce that was ♥to.die.for♥! The gnocchi were so soft and pillowy, and really helped soak up the wine in my belly.

Keith ordered the Italian Beef Sandwich - slow roasted beef and giardiniera on their house made foccacia with au jus on the side. served with tomato soup. While the meat had good flavor, it was overpowered by the bread.

There were so many other options on the menu, and the interior was large and spacious with plenty of seating outside on the patio as well. We really enjoyed lunch here during our day of wine tastings, in this old mining town area of Arizona.

Total Rating: 4.1

Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

Ingle Korean Steakhouse

2023-02-25T23:00:00.133+00:00

Ingle Korean Steakhouse is located in the heart of Tysons Corner and offers the finest selection of beef with a bold Korean flavor and seafood centric prix-fixe menu priced at $75 per person. Closest Metro is Greensboro.

Keith chose this restaurant for his birthday dinner. We started with a welcome dish of Warm Pumpkin Porridge 환 대 음 식. Since it had snowed earlier in the day and was still in the 30s outside, this was a comforting dish.

To drink, Keith ordered a small bottle of “Jinro is Back”. Jinro Soju is the predecessor of Chamisul Soju. Dubbed as the original throwback, this new release is the latest craze among soju lovers. It was light and smooth and went well with his meal.

Next we shared an appetizer of Japchae 잡 채 - wok-fried glass noodles with assorted vegetables. The sesame flavor was strong and overall these noodles were delicious. With it, came a small complimentary dish of sweet corn and cheese. I liked it - but Keith found it to be too sweet.

Our server then came to prep the tabletop grill and presented the banchan along with the assorted cuts of the day. He explained the various textures and flavors of each with their respective cook times. Keith enjoyed: Galbi 생 갈 비 (boneless short ribs), Marinated Galbi 양 념 갈 비, Outside Skirt 안 창 살, and Rib Finger 늑 간 살. His favorite was the galbi.

For our starch, I chose the Crab Fried Rice 게 살 볶 음 밥 that was studded with assorted vegetables, crab meat, and topped with a mound of Tobiko. There was loads of crab flavor in this rice and we had plenty leftover.

This was plenty of food and we ended the meal with an espresso for Keith and Caffe Americano for me. Overall, we had a nice meal and Keith was happy with all.the.beef - this restaurant is perfect for meat lovers!

Total Rating: 4.3

Food: 4.5, Price: 3.5, Service: 5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4.5

Surveyor

2023-01-21T23:00:00.109+00:00

Surveyor is the new restaurant that replaced Maialino Mare and celebrates classic American standards in a supper house setting. Closest Metro is Navy Yard.

We went for Winter Restaurant Week and were able to choose any starter, salad, and entree from the full menu for $55 per person. Though we had reservations, it was a bit crowded when we arrived and had to wait 30 minutes before a table freed up. Keith ordered a gin & tonic from the bar to drink as we waited.

To start, we got the Deviled Eggs with smoked pimenton and chives. These were super classic. We also shared the Crab Dip with smoked gouda and fried saltines. This dish was tasty, too, but nothing to rave about.

For my salad, I ate the Caesar - little gems, parmesan, and croutons while Keith ate the Wedge - egg, bacon, blue cheese, ranch, red onion. Both salads were basic.

For his main, Keith chose the 14 oz NY Strip that came with black garlic butter and creamed spinach. His steak was slightly overcooked but had good flavor, but the spinach was terrible.

I ordered the Crab Cakes that came with a sweet cole slaw and skinny french fries. The crab cakes themselves had a nice filling of crab but the remoulade sauce served with it was overly salty.

Lastly, for dessert we were presented with two store bought cupcakes - carrot cake and chocolate. It was a sorry dessert, but we understood since the main courses themselves basically cost the entire price of the RW deal.

Overall, the meal was generic and safe, but we would not return as there was nothing exciting or special.

Total Rating: 3.73

Food: 3.5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 3.5, Accessibility: 5

Cranes

2023-01-20T23:00:00.105+00:00

Cranes is a one-star Michelin restaurant offering Spanish-Japanese Kaiseki from Chef Pepe Moncayo. Offering seasonal tapas, desserts and bento omakase menu, we went for Winter Restaurant Week. Closest Metro is Gallery Place.

For $55 we got five courses and added on the beverage pairing for another $35 per person. the first course was Scallop in burnt citrus ponzu with apple. It was an interesting sweet and tangy combination and was paired with a glass of cava.

Next, we enjoyed the Poached Chicken in duck consommé with a chicken liver pate tostada. The broth was also very tangy and sweet and delectable. I loved the chicken liver toast. The texture on the chicken was a little too fleshy for my liking, but it was cooked through.

Truly blending Spanish and Japanese was the Fideua - crispy noodles mixed with brussel sprouts and topped with katsuoboshi bonito flakes. Paired with a glass of Joto "Green Bottle" Junmai sake, this dish was fun and tasty.

Keith enjoyed the Wagyu Cheek with watercress, rutabaga, and veal jus. This dish had lots of savory notes and was paired with a glass of Spanish red blend. I had a substitution of King Salmon for my protein and it was cooked perfectly.

Lastly for dessert, we enjoyed the Chocolate de Cabra - goat milk chocolate cremeaux with a caramel center. It was thick and luscious and a nice way to end our meal.

Overall we had a wonderful meal at Cranes. The umami bombs were strong in each dish and the blend of Spanish and Japanese was clear and executed expertly.

Total Rating: 4.6

Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 4.5, Ambience: 3.5, Accessibility: 5

Sushi Nakazawa

2023-01-12T23:00:00.106+00:00

Sushi Nakazawa is a one-star Michelin star restaurant located next to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in downtown Washington, DC and serves a Nigiri-sushi exclusive omakase menu consisting of approximately 20 pieces of nigiri. The fish and shellfish is sourced globally, with a special focus on Japan. The menu is priced at $180 at the sushi counter with the same menu available in the dining room for $150. Closest Metro is Federal Triangle.

We arrived on time and I was a little surprised by how small the interior was. Immediately in front of the entrance is the sushi counter, which was completely full. We were escorted around the corner to our table and soon started our courses. There is no printed menu, so I will do my best to describe each based on the pictures below.

The first course was a trio of salmon. All bites were delicious!

The second course was a seafood/shellfish course. From right to left (the order in which we were instructed to eat) is scallop, squid, sweet shrimp, and blue crab.

The third course was various white fish. All were super clean and delightful.

The fourth course was two different silver fish. these were also very fresh and clean to eat.

The fifth course highlighted tuna. From right to left - akami (lean), soy-marinated toro, otoro, and then otoro that was charred and slightly cooked.

The sixth course was uni - purple on the right, which was super light and refreshing and the one of the left was more creamy and briny.

The seventh course was the start of sweet with eel and then tamago (egg custard).

The final dessert course was a soy bean custard served with a glass of green tea. The combination was both earthy and comforting.

All in all the food was delicious - super fresh and prepared expertly. Service was above par but a little robotic. The dining room is a bit bland, and it was clear that the sushi counter seats are where the action is and would have been better for the full experience. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our meal and left with happy bellies.

Total Rating: 4.45

Food: 5, Price: 3.5, Service: 4.5, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Han Palace

2023-01-01T17:00:00.065+00:00

Han Palace located on Barracks Row offers dim sum and Chinese dishes in a casual atmosphere. Closest Metro is Eastern Market. For New Year's Day, we wanted dim sum! We walked over to the fairly new second location of Han Palace (first location is in Woodley Park) and saw it was already quite crowded, so we sat at the bar. While set tasting menus are available - Option A offers all the dim sum with hot tea for $38 per person with a two hour limit and Option B offers the meat and vegetable entree dishes for $48 per person - we decided to order a la carte.

The Soup Dumpling were stuffed with minced pork and had a warm soup inside. Unfortunately, some of our dumplings stuck to the box and the soup leaked out. These were tasty, but we've had better quality ones before.

We also ordered Shrimp Dumpling. These were just okay.

The Yang Chow Fried Rice came studded with roasted pork and shrimp and was very light and fluffy.

For something more substantial we ate classic Orange Chicken with a thick sweet and sour sauce and Crispy Eggplant also coated in a sweet sauce. The eggplant were stuffed with a sweet batter making these bite quite filling.

We had plenty of leftovers to take home with us. The decor inside was nice, but we were surprised by how small and cramped it was. I was a little let down by the dim sum, but I would go back again to try some other dishes.

Total Rating: 3.68

Food: 3.5, Price: 4, Service: 3.5, Ambience: 3.5, Accessibility: 5

Modena

2022-12-30T23:00:00.127+00:00

Modena transports you to the heart of good food in Emilia-Romagna and brings classic cuisine with a modern approach - taking cues from the season - all enhanced by chef John Melfi’s passion and creativity. Closest Metro is Metro Center.

We went for dinner on pre-New Year's Eve. I ordered a bottle of 2020 Fattoria dei Barbi, Rosso di Montalcino DOCG for us. The sangiovese was medium-bodied and tart. It paired well with our appetizers.

My favorite was the Crispy Fried Artichokes with Bagna Cauda, lemon oil, espelette pepper, and sea salt. They were meaty yet light and I loved the bright lemon sauce.

We also shared the Wood Grilled Octopus with local heirloom cherry tomato, ‘Nduja oil, tomato caponata, pickled Fresno chili. The octopus was tender and the tomatoes added some acid.

For my main course, I ate the 'Faller’ Wheat Squid Ink Chitarra studded with cockles, Maryland crab, shrimp, and sea urchin butter in a Sungold tomato sauce topped with pangrattato. This dish was so lovely and decadent! I loved the uni butter and the sungold tomatoes were sweet, which balanced with all the seafood.

Keith ordered the Charcoal Grilled Tuscan Style Veal Chop. It was served with charred rapini and marsala jus. Also, on the side was a little bowl of cannellini bean ragu with veal sausage. While the meat was cooked to the perfect temperature, it was brined and costed in seasoning that was extra salty. He really liked the humble bean ragu.

Overall, we had a nice meal out to close out 2022. We were too stuffed for dessert, but eyed a few stunners on the menu. We would return again for another upscale Italian meal.

Total Rating: 4.05

Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Irregardless

2022-11-19T00:00:00.225+00:00

Irregardless is a new wine bistro located along H St NE corridor that features a six-course seasonal tasting menu from Chef Ben Browning and a bar program run by Christine Cabatuan in collaboration with owners, Ian and Mika Carlin. Two tasting menus ($85), one omnivore and one vegetarian, are offered alongside two optional beverage pairings ($65), one of which will exclusively focus on Virginia wine and spirits. The Modern American tasting menus draw inspiration from the bounty of the Mid-Atlantic region, with a strong focus on local and sustainable ingredients. Closest Metro is Union Station.

We started with a shot of Gazpacho which has a bright zing from the basil and opened the palate for the full menu to follow.

The first course was Fluke Crudo with lime dressing, chili, radish, and grapefruit paired with a glass of Thibaut-Janisson, Extra Brut Chardonnay, from Waynesboro, Virginia. The fish was full of bright citrus flavor and was amplified by the soft bubbles.

Next we ate Figs with balsamic, yogurt, and za’atar paired with a glass of 2020 Viognier, Walsh Family Wines, from Purcellville, Virginia. The figs were not as sweet as I expected, which was a nice surprise. The tang of the yogurt also complimented the white wine. This was a very unique and enjoyable pairing.

Another unique dish that was a favorite was the Scallop Schnitzel - breaded scallops with a frisée salad topped with lardons and boiled egg. This dish was paired with a glass of 2020 Grüner Veltliner, Ox-Eye Vineyards, 'Grü-V,’ from Virginia and gave me "lunch in Alsace" vibes. It was delicious!

For the pasta course, I ate the Okinawan Purple Sweet Potato Gnocchi with sage, almond, beets, and ricotta salata. This dish was earthy from the beets and paired well with a glass of light-red 2020 Lightwell Survey, ‘Dos Idiots,’ from Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. A blend of 52% Cabernet Franc and 48% Petit Manseng, the palate was elegant and rich with ashy tannins and strong notes of ripe strawberry and plum.

Keith loved his Pappardelle with lamb ragu and parmesan paired with a glass of 2019 Barbera Reserve, Barboursville Vineyards, from Barboursville, Virginia. He could tell the pasta was made fresh and the sauce was very hearty and satisfying.

For the main course, I ate Shrimp and Grits with a spicy piperade. This dish was paired with a glass of 2019 Pinotage, Lovingston, ‘Single Barrel Gilbert’s Vineyard,’ from Lovingston, Virginia. The shrimp were meaty and cooked perfectly and the grits were super creamy. The smokiness from the wine really complimented this southern-style dish.

Keith ate Short Rib Bourguignon with mashed potatoes, carrot, chippolini, and mushroom paired with a glass of 2021 Tannat, Gabriele Rausse Winery, from Albemarle County, Virginia. The wine was bold and married well with this comforting beef dish.

Dessert was Sweet Ricotta with blood orange, vanilla, and sherry for Keith and Tarte pour Jim with apple, almond, and black currant for me. Both were paired with a glass of sweet wine 2017 Petit Manseng, Linden Vineyards, 'Late Harvest,' from Linden, Virginia.

Overall we had a wonderful meal - Mika was an excellent sommelier explaining each Virginian wine and gave generous pours to compliment the great food prepared by chef Ben. With all the recent buzz, the place was very busy and we noticed a few walk-ins had to be turned away. Additionally, our server mentioned they were trying to quickly turn tables and I could feel her rushed energy, which was a tad uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the space was bright and open and is a welcomed wine bistro that I'm sure we will visit again.

Total Rating: 4.33

Food: 4.5, Price: 3.5, Service: 4.5, Ambience: 4.5, Accessibility: 5

L'Auberge Provencale

2022-11-12T00:00:00.275+00:00

We did a romantic getaway to a quaint bed & breakfast, L'Auberge Provencale, located in Boyce, Virginia in Shenandoah Valley. While there, we dined at La Table - the restaurant located within the Inn that highlights Provencale cuisine. Just as they do in Provence, they employ a farm to table philosophy that leads their menus and experiences.

Since we were staying in the Inn, we decided to go all out and splurged on the seven-course Chef's Tasting Menu for $175 per person. Instead of the additional $155 wine pairing, we ordered a bottle of 2019 RdV Friends & Family that was an elegant red blend that paired perfectly with our meal. We had just visited the winery earlier in the day, so it seemed very on theme.

As an amuse bouche, Keith had a bite of Wagyu Tartare with shaved black truffle "Cigars" and I ate a version made with crab meat. It was a tasty start.

To open the palate even more, we enjoyed the Citrus Cured Hamachi served with a tender fennel orange salad with a Calabrian chili crunch that added a subtle kick. The fish was fresh and vibrant.

The Lobster Claw Ravioli was very al dente and served with wild mushrooms and just a few drops of consommé. While the umami flavors were amazing, the dish was just a little dry and could have benefitted from more sauce or broth.

Next, Keith enjoyed the Rabbit a la Royale with confit leeks, baby lettuces, and buttered radishes. The meat was not as gamey as expected and married well with the red wine.

My substitution for this course was Bouillabaisse studded with New England lobster, mussels, and white fish. There were a few hard parsnips and fingerling potatoes but the soup was lemony with a hint of saffron, and overall I enjoyed it.

The fourth course was "Slow Roasted" Squab. They first presented it tableside in a cast iron smoking over rosemary, then took it back to the kitchen to plate. Served with apples, endives, spiced honey, and Calvados (a brandy & cognac liquor). Keith loved this dish and it looked stunning on the plate.

My substitution for this course was a Crispy Rockfish topped with caviar and served with the similar sides of apples, endives, and spiced honey. This dish screamed Fall and was very satisfying. It was one of my favorite plates of the night.

For the last main dish, Keith enjoyed the Smoked Rohan Duck à la Presse served with baby carrots, a small dollop of persimmon puree, Quat Épices, and fennel. Cooked well, the meat was a tad cold but had good flavor.

My substitution for this course was Chicken Chasseur with parsnips, wild mushrooms, carrots, and broccoli. The chicken was a tad dry and needed a bit more sauce.

To segue into dessert, we had a nice chunk of St. Angel - a stinky soft cheese served with green olives and roasted blackberry. While there was a thin peppery crust on top, I would have liked a little more cracker to go with the cheese.

To finish, Keith ate Chocolate that featured quince pudding with apple jam, dark chocolate mousse, and TCHO gelato. It was not overly sweet and a nice way to end the meal.

I ate Automne - molasses cake with persimmon, brown butter chestnuts, pistachio and ube gelato. It was a nice blend of salty and subtle sweet.

Overall, we had a lovely romantic meal in this charming bed & breakfast. Service and attention to detail was on point. I appreciated how easy they handled my substitutions, which was nice and did not make me feel like I was missing out. We were stuffed when we left and happily walked next door to our room, which was so convenient.

Total Rating: 3.75

Food: 4, Price: 2.5, Service: 4.5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

RdV Vineyards

2022-11-11T18:00:00.174+00:00

RdV Vineyards located in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia offers an American Grand Cru that compares to classic Napa Valley and Bordeaux big hitters. The owner, Rutger De Vink, is a former Marine so it was fitting that we visited on this Veteran's Day. His passion for great wine is evident: “From the minute I began my search for a place to build our vineyard, my driving force was to find a spot that would produce a world class wine. After traveling for more than three years visiting sites on the West and East Coasts, I settled on this little hillside near the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia—an unlikely spot on its face—but the more I thought about the history of the region and the more we tested the terroir, the more we believed in this Lost Mountain.”

We had made reservations to take advantage of the holiday weekend, and enjoyed the RdV Tasting Experience that started with a glass of Champagne and guided visit of the state-of-the-art winery and caves, followed by a vertical flight of three wines.

The wine caves were built below and stop just short of the thick granite where the vines were planted. We got to see the tanks and the lab where they explore various blend ratios.

The vertical flight showcases vintage expressions of their flagship Cabernet-blend, Lost Mountain:

2012 - Cabernet Sauvignon 46%, Cabernet Franc 40%, Merlot 14%. Long growing seasons are often credited with producing wines of elevated aromatic and flavor complexity, and this is exactly what happened in 2012. The growing season began ten days early but mild temperatures and consistent rains resulted in a harvest that was a week later than usual. Several weeks of a stunning Indian summer in September provided the ideal amount of stress to beautifully ripen the Merlot and give the Cabernet Sauvignon the gentle push it needed. The resulting wines are characterized by rich flavors, charming aromatics, and a seamless structure. Having aged for 10 years in the bottle now, this wine has matured and was Keith's favorite.

2015 - Cabernet Sauvignon 66%, Cabernet Franc 31%, Merlot 3%. With a drier start than typical, the vines progressed through flowering beautifully just prior to consistent June rains. Late summer and early autumn were stunning for ripening and in the last week of September they began and continued straight through harvest, finishing a mere eight days later due to the very even fruit set. Thanks to those dry periods, the resulting wines are both powerful and balanced and produce extraordinary quality. This vintage was my favorite and had a wonderful perfume that reminded me of France.

2019 - Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Cabernet Franc 38%, Merlot 2%. The wines of 2019 are the beautiful culmination of years of relentless and incremental improvements in the vineyard and winery, married with the attributes of a stunning growing season. What began as a relatively cool and damp spring, steadily transitioned into a dry, warm summer, producing an impressively concentrated crop by the end of September. Attentive, diligent farming and respectful winemaking captured the fresh yet rich essence of the year, and the resulting wines are graced with the winegrower’s holy grail of power and elegance. This vintage is also delicious and still very fruit-forward and was available for purchase for $225 a bottle.

We enjoyed a seasonal charcuterie and cheese board with the flights and overall had a lovely visit on this rainy day. We learned this wine was named for a nearby hilltop on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains once surveyed by George Washington. Lost Mountain is formed from RdV’s granite soil with a foundation of their finest cabernet sauvignon. Bold yet restrained, with a depth of complexity that evolves with age, Lost Mountain is RdV’s enduring legacy and the culmination of the art and science of winemaking. It is probably the best wine coming out of Virginia today.

Bar Spero

2022-11-04T22:30:00.115+00:00

Located between Union Station and Chinatown in D.C.’s East End, Bar Spero is a seafood-forward spread focused on Mid-Atlantic fare from Reverie chef Johnny Spero. Closest Metro is Judiciary Square.

We came for a somewhat early dinner at 6pm, and the restaurant was already packed. The new building was modern and spacious. After a quick run down of the daily specials and the menu organization, we decided to share five dishes. First, the Hiramasa - a lovely fish from Japan served raw topped with charcoal cream, radish and shiso. This dish was super fresh and delightful!

Next from the daily menu, we ordered the Razor Clams. Simply grilled, these clams were giant and a little too plain for my liking. While there was sauce on the bottom of the bowl, it did not really come through and a few pieces I had were pretty gritty, which turned me off.

For a side, we chose the Sunchoke. This root vegetable was crunchy and served with an addictive sauce made of Virginia peanut praline and miso. Each bite was earthy and full of umami.

Next was my favorite dish of the evening - Scallops with smoked trout roe, potato mousse and salted lemon. Absolutely stunning and decadent! These paired well with a glass of bright acidic white wine to cut through the buttery flavors.

For a more substantial dish, we chose the Monkfish that was grilled in the fire with a sweet barbeque-like sauce topped with sidra blanc and confit garlic, served with "potato" pancakes. The fish was meaty with the large backbone in the center. I was expecting more latke-style potato pancakes, but what we had was very bready and chewy.

Overall, we had a lovely dinner at Bar Spero, and felt the seafood to be top quality and each dish to be substantial enough to share. I am happy to see chef Johnny flourish and do so well in our city. We've been fans since he opened his first place back in 2013 and have followed his career ever since.

Total Rating: 4.3

Food: 4.5, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4.5

Daru

2022-10-22T00:00:00.096+01:00

Daru is a new Indian restaurant and cocktail bar located just off the H Street NE corridor that opened during the middle of the pandemic. Adjusting a few times from a bar only, to delivery only, to now a full scale restaurant, the food has some familiar and inventive dishes that will awaken your palate.

We went for dinner on this pretty Fall evening and were seated indoors. Though we arrived just before 6pm, the restaurant quickly filled up all seats inside, at the bar, and out on the patio. To start, we shared the Chicken Tikka Tacos stuffed with tandoori chicken, red chili, sour cream, and red cabbage. The chicken spice had a nice subtle kick and overall these were a great bite.

We also shared a vegetarian favorite - Baigan Paneer Bhurji. Eggplant layered with scrambled paneer and topped with Granny Smith apples, surmac, and chaat masala. This dish screamed Fall and I liked the sweetness from the apples.

For his main, Keith ordered the Lasooni Lamb Chops. Heavily seasoned with black garlic, pink peppercorn, and Dahli yogurt the chops were chewy and crispy at the same time. They were served with some roasted potatoes and asparagus.

I ordered the Wild Mushroom Biriyani studded with cremini and shiitake, apricots, and seasoned with mace. I loved the dough top, so when you cut into it like a pot pie, the rice releases all the steam and the fragrance hits your face like a warm hug. It was served with a seasonal raita, tonight with bright pomegranate seeds. This dish was generously portioned - enough for me to share with Keith and even take some home.

Overall, service was great, very attentive, and the food was fresh and flavorful. The cocktails are highbrow akin to Columbia Room, where the co-owners once worked.

Total Rating: 3.78

Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 3.5, Accessibility: 4.5

La Bise

2022-08-16T23:30:00.031+01:00

La Bise is a modern, bright, and colorful 21st century French restaurant located just steps from the White House. We dined inside the vibrant new interior for Summer Restaurant Week and had a memorable French meal. Closest Metro is Farragut West.

We ordered a bottle of white wine from Loire Valley, France - the 2020 Domaine Claude Branger, "Le Fils des Grans Moutons", Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine. It was crisp with the gorgeous minerality of the region that I love and was perfect with our meal.

I started with the Summer Melon Salad with smoked Cavaillon melon, charred watermelon, and roasted heirloom tomatoes. It was a nice mix of sweet and savory and a great opening bite.

Keith ordered the Beef Tartare with egg yolk emulsion, locally foraged greens, onion and French bread.

For our main course, we both enjoyed the Mediterranean Sea Bass with braised fennel, citrus, and macadamia nuts. This dish was delightful! The fish was tender and the bright pops from the citrus and fennel really married with the white wine.

For dessert, Keith chose the Chocolate Pot de Crème. It was decadent and smooth.

I ate a seasonal favorite - Blueberry Tarte. The pastry shell was very hard and topped with a sweet pudding then topped with vibrant fresh blueberries and crumbles. It was a nice ending to my meal.

Three courses for $55 per person was a great deal for this modern French dinner. The ambience was jovial and the service was high-quality. Everything we ate was very tasty and fresh.

Total Rating: 4.23

Food: 4.5, Price: 3.5, Service: 4.5, Ambience: 3.5, Accessibility: 5