Bourbon Steak: Hello...and Goodbye Chili Dog

Bourbon Steak's Red Apron Half Smoke with Venison Chili

Metrocurean's February Delicious Deal led us to Bourbon Steak to try out new chef Adam Sobel's bar menu.  At the princely sum of $7--beyond a bargain at a restaurant whose entrees hover around $50--the off-menu "smoke and stout" special included a local Red Apron dry-aged beef and pork half smoke and Dale's Pale Ale (they were out of stout).  Before you drop everything and run to Bourbon's lounge in droves, this special ended in February.  However, I spoke to the folks at Bourbon late last week, and they informed me that they are thinking about making the special available again--or even adding the half smoke to the lounge menu--no decisions have yet been made.  In the meantime, I am not below begging, so Bourbon, please, please, please consider adding this delicious dog to your menu.

But our Saturday night was not just half smoke filled. Upon arriving, both the lounge and restaurant were absolutely jammed, but we managed to snag a bar table among the sea of beautiful people and cougars.  The style factor here was higher than most DC restaurants -- except for maybe the W -- so I was glad I opted for heals and a dress over Uggs and jeans.  The service was attentive and incredibly efficient. 

We started with lobster corn dogs, a staple on the lounge menu.  For $15 you get six mini lobster filled fried dough balls on sticks.  I was impressed with the amount of lobster and thought this take on comfort food was a fun and easy to maneuver bar snack.  We paired these little guys with classic cocktails -- a Hemingway for me (rum, grapefruit, and maraschino cherry) and a gin and (house made) tonic for B; both were textbook.

Now onto those dogs.  There were actually two half smoke choices.  I opted for the venison chili version with charred jalapeno and cheddar cheese sauce.  The chili would be delicious on its own, but was well matched with the cheese sauce and crispy baguette which both countered the heat and soaked up the juices.  B had the so-called NY Cart Style with sauerkraut, spicy ketchup, and onions.  This more traditional presentation was equally as delicious and elevated street food to high art.

We also shared a requisite order of Bourbon's famous duck-fat fries.  A crispy, indulgent trio (complimentary in the dining room) of herbed, Old Bay, and cheddar fries were paired with homemade ketchup, cheez-whiz, and barbecue sauces.

Our experience at Bourbon (great service, creative cuisine) will certainly lead us back for a splurge dinner in the near future.  Delicious, stylish, and trendy all in one -- how often do you find that in DC?!

And if you are so inspired and can't wait until Bourbon decides whether to add the chili dog to the menu, We Love DC details Sobel's recipe for the venison chili: top a Red Apron half smoke and you have yourself a hearty meal!

DC Represents: The People's Best New Chef

Four DC-area chefs snagged nominations in the Mid-Atlantic category of Food and Wine's People's Best New Chef Contest.  And unlike most industry awards, this one allows the eaters (us!) to pick the winner.

And since I pride myself on being an over-achiever-eater, Eating Around DC has feasted on the fabulous but varied cuisines of each of the four chefs--on multiple occasions.  It is going to be a tough choice, as these chefs all manage to combine the traditional with the trendy across cuisines as diverse as Italian, French, Cajun/Creole and American classics; dining experiences range from counter service to white-table cloth elegance. 

Linked below are the reviews of the four nominees' restaurants in the last year -- guaranteed to make your mouth water.  This is going to be a tough choice... I am still deciding on which one will earn my vote.  What do you think?

Kyle Bailey, Birch and Barley
Daniel Giusti, 1789
David Guas, Bayou Bakery
Nicholas Stefanelli, Bibiana

Voting is open through March 1st on CNN's Eatocracy, so go support the DC food scene and vote.  No matter which chef wins, let's see DC on top.  And if you were looking for an excuse to get out this weekend, now you have four -- after all, all voters should be as well-educated as they are well-fed!

Have Yourself a Tasty Little Christmas: 1789

The Tombs Decked Out for 1789 Christmas Eve Patrons

Though we have called DC -- okay, technically, Arlington -- home, for five and a half years, this was the first Christmas that we have spent in the metro area.  After a warm, delicious, and festive Christmas Eve dinner at 1789, this dining experience may become a new yearly tradition.

Given its proximity to Georgetown's Holy Trinity Church, 1789 is a tough reservation to be had for Christmas Eve, and we were lucky to secure a table at 8 about three weeks prior.  We have dined at 1789 before, but never during the holidays.  The festive decor, garlands, and greenery throughout its series of dining rooms exuded holiday comfort.  Add to that the surprise of carolers and the space transformed into a Christmas scene right out of a Charles Dickens novel!  And despite what sounds like an excess of holiday cheer, 1789 managed to be festive without being cheesy.

From start to finish the experience was exceptional.  The restaurant was well prepared for the crowds and opened the cozy--yet normally filled with Georgetown students--basement bar, the Tombs, exclusively for 1789 patrons waiting for their reservation.  The blazing fire, and gratis beer, wine, and champagne, was a wonderful start to the evening, and kept everyone in the holiday spirit!

The service upstairs was attentive, and with the exception of a slight delay in our entrees, spot on all night. It being a holiday, we we did not exercise restraint, so please do not be alarmed by the bevy of food photographs and descriptions that follow.

1789: Beef Carpaccio with Hard Boiled Quail Egg, Garlic Chips, Capers,
and Chili Oil

This split portion of the carpaccio was decadent with a silky, smooth texture and overall richness enhanced by the quail egg.  The capers and the garlic chips were a nice salty contrast.

1789 Mushroom Tart

The amount of wild mushrooms crammed ever so carefully into the puff pastry was quite the feat.  This earthy dish was my favorite of the night.


1789: Raspberry Point Oyster Gratin 

The oysters were plump and juicy topped with house cured bacon and tangy gruyere cheese.



1789: The Christmas Goose

The carolers propelled me to go Dickinsonian and order the Christmas goose.  I had actually never eaten goose before, but was quite impressed with this grass fed option atop a turnip puree.  The meat was not overly gamey, but tender and almost like a cross between chicken and a fillet (for lack of a better comparison).  The caramelized dark meat atop the breast melted in your mouth.  Long live the Christmas goose!

1789: Prime Rib

B opted for the prime rib, a thin cut which he described as succulent and rich in its au jus.

1789: Eggnog Bread Pudding

We of course had to have dessert, but after all that food decided to share.  The eggnog bread pudding was a delicious take on a holiday classic, amped up with housemade chocolate ice cream, butterscotch roasted pecans, and sour cherries. Even more rich!

1789: Cocoa Dusted Hazlenuts

And to make the evening and the following day a little bit sweeter, Christmas Eve diners left with a present of cocoa dusted hazlenuts.

1789 provided a delightful atmosphere and delicious food from start to finish.  Entree prices hover in the mid to high 30s, and our dinner, with $20 corkage (we brought an amazing 2000 Margaux that was gifted to us), the myriad of food described above, tax, and tip came to $190.

Femme Fatal: Cafe Atlantico Women and Wine Dinner

A women-in-wine themed evening promised a world renowned chef from a well-regarded DC restaurant and wine poured from the winemakers themselves. It had all the makings of a great night.  But the Wine Entre Femmes, Beautiful Side of Wine Tour tasting dinner at Café Atlantico on Wednesday, November 10th failed to live up to expectations.

I was originally on the wait-list for this $95 per person dinner inclusive of wine but exclusive of tax and gratuity. I got the call the day of that a space had opened up; thrilled with the prospect of a midweek excursion, I quickly called another wine lover to take advantage of what sounded like the perfect evening. Neither of us had tried Café Atlantico and were looking forward to sampling Jose Andres’ creations which included scallop, quail, duck, short-rib, and venison -- a seemingly hearty, fall menu -- paired with wines from the Napa Valley.

From the moment we arrived, I had my doubts. All attendees crowded into the bar and were painfully, slowly seated upstairs in the cramped main dining room. The menus describing the pairings looked as though they were printed by a not-so-into-their-job intern; what was supposed to be a booklet was instead a stapled, unordered mass.

And that hearty menu? Ridiculously small portions, many of which missed the mark, leaving my friend and I ravenous, and looking forward to breakfast. While the short rib and venison were both excellent, and the rum cake Mini-Bar inventive, it required immense effort to flag a server to figure out the nuances of each dish.

I usually revel in the intimate experience of wine dinners, and love to learn about the wine, the food, and the thought behind the pairing choices. But in this case, this educational element was almost non-existent, with zero explanation of the food and only a haphazard attempt by a few of the winemakers to discuss the pairings over the din of everyone’s conversation. While the winemakers did circulate table-to-table by the end of the evening, it was too late, as many of the 12 wines were long-drunk and those tiny portions, long-devoured.

I expected more from Café Atlantico, and will not soon be back.  Fortunately, my favorable impression of Jose Andres returned later that week with a Friday-night dinner at Oyamel. More to come…

J&G Fishhouse (?)

Eating Around DC is back from the west coast and has a back(b)log of DC food experiences to share.  First up: J and G Steakhouse.  After a hectic week, B and I chose J and G not for the obvious, but for the fish options.  As any DC'ite can attest, it seems we have more steakhouses per capita than we have Starbucks outlets!  And B and I are steaked out. 

Having loved our experience at Jean Georges' Kauai Grill last spring, and given the rave J and G reviews, our expectations were high.  But the modern, club vibe (house music pumps throughout the lobby bar) of the W DC upon walking in gave us abit of leeriness about the relaxation factor, if not the crowds.

I am happy to report that our fears were assuaged and expectations exceeded.  The whole J and G experience is one that I hope to repeat.  The ambiance was modern but unfussy; soaring windows and larger-than life suede banquet seats.  Both our server and the sommelier were attentive, friendly and exceedingly knowledgeable.  The pacing was spot-on, allowing time for us to savor each dish.  And every element from the cocktails through to the dessert was thoughtfully prepared, inventive, and full of flavor.

J and G Steakhouse: Grapefruit Gimlit

Made from grapefruit vodka produced in small batches in Napa Valley (wish I knew about this a few weeks earlier), this was a tart, refreshing apertif.

J and G Steakhouse: Calamari with Yuzu Dip

The calamari appetizer was fried so delicately that it almost melted in your mouth.  The CO2-infused dipping sauce added to the levity with its airy texture and citrus notes.

J and G Steakhouse: Seared Atlantic Cod Scallion-Chili Sauce

I challenge any steak to stand up to the rich flavor of this cod fillet, which was meaty without the meat and enhanced with a wonderfully pungent spicy sauce.

J and G Steakhouse: Glazed Short Ribs with Crunchy Cheddar Grits

And for the record, we did not completely forsake meat. The short ribs were oh-so fork tender. The playful package of phyllo-wrapped grits was not only creative, but the crunch yielded to both sweet and savory goodness. 

Our evening also included bacon-wrapped shrimp and the ubiquitous half-baked chocolate cake.  Both of which were spot-on flavor-wise, if a bit less inventive.

J and G is another one of those places that is not inexpensive, but it is not unreasonable and delivers a wonderful experience from start to finish.  On this particular trip we brought our own wine, but the sommelier had us sample a fabulous Napa Cabernet, Faust, that we hope perhaps to enjoy a full bottle of next visit.  Dinner with two cocktails, two appetizers, two entrees, dessert, corkage ($25), tax, and tip was $200.

Casa Nonna

Casa Nonna, the Italian-American family style eatery from the BLT group, is a vast improvement over this Dupont location's former occupant, the California Pizza Kitchen...though I must admit that such an accomplishment could not be easier to attain.

Unlike BLT Steak, the prices here don't require an expense account, but the food is in no way the same caliber.  The standouts included the garlic bread (served gratis) and a lasagna with meat sauce, which contained sweet pillows of cheese filling enrobed in a rich sauce.  But there are some misses too.  The chicken parmigiana was thicker than the traditional Italian-American preparation and described by a friend as "chewy".  One of our dining companions remarked that some of the dishes were not "piping hot," likely indicating an unduly lag time on the warmer.

The large round tables, with built-in lazy susans, are great for sharing the family-style portions, which worked well with our party of six. One major issue with the dining room is the noise and the lack of any sort of sound absorption. The restaurant--even only 3/4 full--is extremely loud and nearly impossible to hear someone across the large table.

One anomaly--while everything from salads to entrees is meant to be shared, desserts (our tiramisu was delicious) are dainty.  While the presentation is creative, the individually-sized portion seemed incongruent to the concept. 

The service was attentive, but the up-selling attempts were overly transparent. This is certainly not the best Italian in DC, but by far better than the relatively new DC outpost of the infamous NYC originated Carmine's, of whose atmosphere and food I am highly skeptical of based on a recent happy hour experience, which emphasized quantity over quality.

I would recommend Casa Nonna as a fun option for groups as it provides choices to please pretty much everyone at prices that won't scare those who aren't accustomed to dining out in DC.  Casa Nonna also offers a carafe of decent house red wine (reminiscent of Ida's in Boston's North End) for $25, great for sharing.  Pastas which serve 2-3 hover around $20 and the shared entrees start at $28.

Westend Bistro: Good but not the Best in the 'Hood

Eric Ripert's Westend Bistro is one of those places that has been on my must-try list for quite some time, but with such, delicious and varied options in the neighborhood (like Ris and Grillfish), B and I did not try it out until just this past weekend.

On a whim, rare for two type A planners that are notorious for making restaurant reservations weeks ahead of time, we called a half-hour in advance (following some potent and retro-priced martinis at Martins in Georgetown), and were able to secure an outdoor table on an unseasonably warm October evening.   We appreciated the last minute table on the patio, a pleasant, candle-lit space.  But, once seated, we discovered that 22nd Street is a highly trafficked roadway complete with semi trucks and tour buses.  Couple that with the adjacent fire station, and you have a veritable traffic symphony -- so next time inside!

The food overall was good to great. Bottom line, you can find better for the price in the immediate neighborhood (see above).  While the chef is known for his shortribs, the standouts were of the crustacean variety. If you do go, you will not be disappointed with the escargot and mushroom casserole appetizer, which brings out the earthiness of both, in a tender, buttery preparation perfect for a fall evening.

The shrimp and grits were bathed in a spicy tomato sauce with house-made chorizo.  The flavors gave this low country classic the feel of a paella.

The aforementioned shortribs were fork-tender, served over truffled mashed potatoes with root vegetables, but the depth of their flavor in no way compared to Central's take served over papardelle.

The wine list, is brief, but offers both reasonable options and splurge-worthy bottles.  We opted for a mid-priced Pinot Noir.  

The service was attentive and knowledgeable, including  the hostess catching B and I before we left one of our shopping bags at the table (must have been those martinis and that Pinot!)  Our dinner with two appetizers, two entrees, and a bottle of Pinot Noir, tax, and tip was $185.

Cuba Libre DC: A Cacophony of Cuban Cuisine

Cuba Libre's DC outpost opened this past week to much hype, marketing "preview" prices in an attempt to lure skeptical Washingtonians (like B and me). All food menu items are 50% through Thursday and then a 25% discount from the 8th - 13th.

Good thing we didn't have to pay full fare for the food.  The descriptors that immediately come to mind: loud, beyond over-the-top themed (crossing way over the line into tacky); mediocre, overpriced food;  excellent mojitos.

Let me start with the decor.  They say the restaurant is designed to look like Havana in the 1950s with fake Spanish-style balcony facades along the wall and indoor street lamp replicas. Not being alive in the 50s coupled with never (sadly) having been to Cuba due to ridiculous US restrictions, I cannot speak to the authenticity of the design.  But the whole setup did bring to mind Disney World's Pirates of the Caribbean ride--I kept expecting anamatronic figures pop out of the windows above.  If that weren't itself over the top,  blasting Cuban music muddles with the dining room noise to such an extent that you have to yell across the table to converse.  Some of the kitsch is OK--soap in the restrooms dispensed from rum bottles and the check arriving in a cigar box--but, good God, most of the rest is headache-inducing. 

While the restaurant gets kudos for a well-trained, efficient staff, our waiter was easily the most annoying waiter we have ever had in DC.  Sadly, we are no stranger to his antics, we remembered his verbosity at an experience at an otherwise good restaurant (and will thus remain nameless) a few years ago.  He has been in the city a while, and half way through his six (!) minute recitation of the wonders of each and every appetizers, certain signature phrases reminded me of him and his aforementioned antics.  This guy did not stop.  The entree overview was closer to seven minutes, followed by the dessert introduction which I could not even bring myself to listen to.  With eyes glazed over, B and I shuddered every time he said he would be back, because we knew what was in store.  A for effort--someone payed attention in server training--and A+ for annoying!

I will say that the mojitos were extraordinary--the sugarcane is scraped in-house--and would be the only thing that would pull me back into this establishment. 

All drinks are made with house cane sugar, and this Pyrat Mojito had such a refreshing taste, that I could forget the manufactured surroundings for a minute.

Appetizers regularly range from $6 - 13 (when they say small, they mean it) and entrees from $18 - 32.  The food itself is decent, but in no way tastes as though it was inspired by a James Beard award winner (as the waiter reminded all of his tables many times) nor is it commensurate with the full-freight prices.  And certain unseasonal accouterments were just perplexing; to wit, the arroz con pollo was topped with tasteless tubes of asparagus.

The best options of our six courses of the night,were the big eye tuna ceviche, with coconut milk and jalapeno...

...and the ropa vieja, which was traditional and tender, served with plantains over white rice, though it could have used a bit more spice.

I should also mention that the toasted Cuban (it was actually closer to French) bread with mango butter was addictive and delicious.  But in my experience, Cuban food, like arroz con pollo, ropa vieja, and the trademark Cuban sandwich are often best enjoyed at local, hole-in-the-wall type restaurants.  While, again the food at Cuba Libre is not bad, the prices are way out of whack.   This horrified B as a Tampa native, since he was used to the massive flavorful $5 sandwiches of Ybor City, which, by the way, are made on bona fide Cuban bread.

Bottom line? Cuba Libre provides a themed dining experience in DC, and I have no doubt that tour buses, bachelorette, and birthday parties will soon descend.  But this not a dining experience I for one want to remember.

A Big Bite of N'awlins in DC: Desperados Burgers

Desperado's Burgers is the first DC outpost of the New Orleans Port of Call burger bar which sits on the outskirts of the French Quarter.  Like the original, this quaint U Street operation showcases the same big juicy burgers served with a side of loaded baked potatoes, and potent cocktails (but on the latter, unfortunately, DC law precludes 'to-go cups').

I applaud Desperado's for their ability to recreate the feel of New Orleans; not the over-the-top Bourbon Street debauchery, but of the off-the-beaten path neighborhood bars you can find in the Big Easy if you know where to look.  The bar-restaurant is galley style, brick, dimly lit, with a chalkboard listing the beers, with friendly, low-key service.  The whole place probably only seats about 30 people, which raises for me the dilemma of whether or not to tell anyone--much less blog--about such a gem that I like too much to risk contributing to crowds.  But obviously the altruistic side of me won out.

So here is the scoop: the burgers are big and juicy, close to the size of Hellburger, and come with a variety of hearty toppings to choose from including blue cheese, avocado, and  bacon.  I especially liked the Cajun burger which added  a nice heat.

Desperados Blue Cheese Burger with Loaded Baked Potato

On my last visit,  a weeknight, I did not venture into the cocktails, but instead went with one of the five draft beers, each of which served in their logo glasses. I loved the hoppiness of my choice, the Baltimore Deadlift IPA, but I would have liked to have seen some Abita offerings, given their New Orleans routes. 

There are a few kinks to work out.  The potatoes could benefit from some additional cooking time and are not yet up to snuff with their original counterparts; and the burgers, while moist, juicy, and delicious, were not all served at the requested cooking temperature. 

As much as I hate to drive more people towards this spot, I do recommend trying it out.  The atmosphere cannot be beat, the burgers are some of the best around, and it is a great way to escape DC for a while.  Burgers are $9.50  and come with the choice of baked potato or french fries, though I recommend the baked potato without question, even if they do still need to perfect the cooking time.

As of this posting, Desperados Burgers is still lacking a website.

Happy Birthday! Eating Around DC Turns One

Wow. I cannot believe a year has passed since I started this blog. Almost 130 posts and 7 Food Field Trips later, this project has taught me:

1. How much I eat out. I only blog about half of my restaurant dining experience since I also have to work full-time to fund this endeavor.  But if someone would like to pay me to do this, please do let me know!
2. That cupcakes are by far the most popular--and controversial--food topic in DC right now.  When Eating Around DC broke the news on cupcake bouncers, this site saw some 3,000 hits in a single day.
3. How much I truly enjoy writing about food and turning people on--although in some cases, off--to unique food finds and experiences.

Eating Around DC is promising to be a rambunctious toddler in the coming year, with a reservation I was able to score (after three days of persistent calling) at French Laundry for October and a site redesign (once I master this blogger application), which will hopefully result in more user-friendly eating guides for both DC and Food Field Trip locations.

Thanks for reading! And please keep the comments, suggestions, recommendations, and feedback coming: eatingarounddc@gmail.com.

Go for the Beer and the Bread: Birch and Barley

Birch and Barley is a unique addition to not only DC's, but as reported recently, the country's culinary beer scene -- and I am not being dramatic.  The emphasis on beer and food pairings is unparalleled.

We first tried this restaurant back in early January and were impressed.  We were back again on a recent Friday, taking advantage of a cool by-this-summer's-standards evening and dining on the patio.  It being mid-August, we were able to walk in without a reservation -- my favorite part of August in DC!  While we waited about twenty minutes, we enjoyed summer beers in the upstairs bar: Harpoon and Sierra Nevada.  The latter was a surprise standout.

Unlike our first visit we ordered a la carte and took advantage of the 4 ounce taster option available for all 50+ tap beers.  We left the beer choices in our waitress's hands.  I was quite happy to see Greg Engert approaching with two of the nights choices.  The fact that even after being the first beer-guy named to Food And Wine's top 100 sommeliers he is still so hands on is a testament to how unique this place is, as well as how much care goes into both the beer choices and the food options.

Like on our first visit, Greg's knowledge and passion shines through and when he speaks about the beer, from its origins to its flavors, you cannot help but sit on the edge of your seat eagerly engaged and ready to conquer this wonderful world of beer that he so aptly describes.  A nice touch was when discussing one of our favorite beers from the last visit, an Italian beer brewed in an African-style with myrrh (tasty!), Greg returned to our table with samples of a beer currently offered with similar notes.

The food is very good, but not good enough yet to garner a place on my top five list -- though it is getting there.  If everything was as delicious as the bread board that starts the meal -- this time consisting of pretzels, olive rolls, and cornbread -- then it would surely be one of my go-tos.

An appetizer of head-on jumbo shrimp over tomatoes, feat, olives, and saganaki had a nice, salty bite.

The fig and prosciutto pizza was  good, rich, doughy, and such an ample portion that it was easily two meals.  In fact, it was even better the next day as leftovers, after the blue cheese and fig flavors intensified and merged overnight in the fridge.

And dessert, a peanut butter tart, with a mini-whiskey milkshake, and malted milk sorbet was delicious and would have been exceptional had not been for a heavy hand with the cinnamon.

Birch and Barley is not inexpensive, but it is a good value.  An appetizer, two entrees, dessert, six four ounce pours, tax, and tip was $98.00.  The upstairs bar, Church Key, has a different food menu with some mighty fine looking cheese fries, but it is first come first served and we have yet to find a seat up a there -- our next beer conquest!

Bibiana's Piatti Piccoli, Bravo

Bibiana has been on my short-list of must-try DC restaurants for almost six months now, so I was excited to finally taste the Tom-approved Italian cooking a few Fridays ago. My expectations were high; Bibiana is under the same umbrella as Rasika.  And having been there before for drinks and dessert, I knew I already adored the dimly lit interior, with its larger than life black and white prints of  Italian scenes, and rich dark wood and orange tones offset by modern, large stainless steel chandeliers.

We were not disappointed. Bibiana is a fantastic addition to the DC Italian dining scene, with a fairly extensive Italian wine list, attentive, but not hovering service, and a varied menu focused on seasonal ingredients. But--and this is a big but--I did not think it was quite at the level of Tosca, especially the pasta dishes.

Where Bibiana really shines is in their Piatti Piccoli.  The fried pumpkin blossoms were so delicate and light with a touch of sea salt that the flavor of the blossom was elegantly showcased and while fried, tasted lighter than air.  The chicken liver was rich and smooth, but what really set it apart was the pickled red onion and grilled bread which made for an extremely flavorful and well-balanced bite.

The split burrata, a fresh Italian cheese made with mozzarella and cream, pictured below was paired with heirloom tomatoes and basil.  It was decadent and creamy.

The pasta entrees are where some seams started to show.  The veal ravioli in a brown butter and sage sauce topped with shaved pecorino was a good flavor combination, but the pasta encasing the filling was too thick and muted the veal flavor.

The Maryland crab over black spaghetti was a better balance, but a bit muted in flavor as well and not overly memorable.  Next time, I think my strategy will be to try the meat/fish entrees vice the pasta. 

Dessert, an apricot semifreddo was as delicious as it is pretty; pure over-the-top apricot goodness: apricot-soaked cake, apricot gelato, and candied apricots.  It sounds like overload, but the varied textures and delicate preparations contrasted nicely.

Dinner with a bottle of excellent Primitivo, two appetizers, salad, two entrees, dessert, tax and tip was $165. 

Thumbs Down: Ted's Bulletin's Pop Tarts

This morning's brunch was an all-out breakfast (7:00, yawn!) owing to B's work schedule.  Fortunately, Ted's Bulletin, which I reviewed a few weeks ago, opens this early, even on Sunday.

So today, I decided to try one of Ted's Bulletin's delicious looking homemade pop parts that I drooled over on my last visit.  While seated in the nostalgic dining room,  I noticed a staff member carrying in a box of Dunkin Donuts for the kitchen staff and I thought: "Why would they be choosing munchkins and donuts over those delicious-looking pop tarts; do they know something I don't?"  Why yes, yes they did, it turns out. 

The pop tart arrived hot, with gooey frosting and whimsical colored sprinkles.  Good start!  I eagerly took a bite and it was dull, dry, and not even up to par with its mass-produced namesake.  Now I understand the donuts!  Though I hate to admit it, as a girl who grew up in New England, I can say those munchkins are quite tasty. 

Our other choice, the beer biscuits and gravy with lightly poached eggs, were once again rich and delicious.  This is a great breakfast bet, but stay away from those pop tarts in the window!

Is the Parisian Macaro(o)n rising in DC?

Cacao's Macaroons

With all this talk of cupcakes, I have been trying to scout out the next dessert food trend in DC.  I'm ready for something else.  A few years back I had some excellent chocolate rice pudding at a shop dedicated to the gloppy goodness in NYC, but as much as I had hoped, this innovative approach to a retro classic has not caught on.

What does seem to migrating this way are Parisian style macarons whose spelling adds an "O" for whatever reason when the treat crosses the Atlantic.  A new place in Cleveland Park, Cacao, serves dozens of varieties along with some other divine looking French pastries.

So is this the next big thing?  I am not so sure; I thought these sweet treats were just okay.  The macaroons do actually taste like the flavor descriptions from plain vanilla to pistachio to rose.  And the cookie part is light with a nice crunch and a moist inside giving way to the smooth, sweet cream filling.  But they lacked a certain zip and I don't think I will be back for more.

One thing that really irked me was the $1 upcharge for the plastic box.  Really?!  That seemed tacky.  And at $8 for six--without the box--it was not as if these were inexpensive treats.

My favorite macaroon can be found not in Paris but from Sucre in New Orleans; I've actually mail-ordered them (last year for Mardi Gras, along with their fancy King Cake) and they arrive quite fresh.

 Sucre's Mardi Gras Macaroons

Sucre's macaroons are slightly more expensive but have an ethereal look and taste divine.  So if DC bakeries are going to make this the next trend, they have their work cut out for them!