i've been known to sit in front of my tv eating chocolate chips out of the bag while sipping a glass of cabernet...for dinner.
laugh all you want but for those who haven't tried it, well i recommend it - with caution. you see, when you eat a chocolate chip, then have a sip of your wine (assuming it's one that goes well with the chocolate), well all bets are off, my friend. the wine tastes better with the chocolate and the chocolate tastes better with the wine and so on and so forth. each brings out the flavor of the other.
one can plow through the entire bag of chocolate chips and the bottle of wine. you have to be careful with such an enterprise. no one likes a big fat drunk.
now that you know i love chocolate and wine together, you can understand my excitement over a new spot in dc that specializes in chocolates and wine. co co sala is uber-chic. music from underworld (or some other such group) fills the rooms, the red, the black, dark colors, glass, everything is very modular. mini fireplaces seem to pop up magically throughout the restaurant, and they're at eye-level. random, but cool. perfect on this rainy, chilly evening in the early fall.
i have to say i missed the food. due to the lack of blinking parking on this street and all streets around, and a full-on lack of parking garages, and no valet (at 8 pm - though the valet showed up around 9 - what gives?!), the girls had ordered and gobbled up the appetizers they ordered by the time i finally arrived (in a stressed out frenzy but still looking fabulous due to the illegal, right-up-front park job i finally decided to make since it was raining and i was late). what i can tell you is this: they shared shrimp mac & cheese, swordfish sliders and aztec cheese course - a mini enchilada with some accoutrements. they raved about the yummy little plates - all about $7 each. sorry i missed them - right up my alley.
we sat at the back bar - oh my, though they don't look it, these must be the most comfortable bar stools ever. they are square, brown soft leather and so cushy. we had a spectacular view of the open kitchen back here so i could see the efforts of the chefs as they work. shiny burger buns brushed with butter before being whisked off to their tables by well-endowed, red wrap-dressed ladies. (yes, i marveled at how good these ladies looked in their wrap dresses - boobies everywhere.) the final details being perched upon each plate. (not the boobies, you gutter brains - back to the food - the final details of the food were perched upon the plates!)
a portion of the bar is glass, showcasing the chocolates and bon bons you can purchase and take with you in their shiny little boxes with gold letters. the crowd is sophisticated, smart young professionals in designer suits - not the boring capitol hill staffer suits. like the chocolates, the crowd is complex and refined. a gentleman kindly sent us a round of "shots". these shots were a varied and heavenly composition of chocolate mousses (meese? mice?). a tiny spoon for each of us to taste. holy hazelnuts these were enchanting for this chocoholic. color me in love.
make sure you visit the restrooms before over-imbibing or if you're directionally challenged like me. the windows and mirrors are deceiving and you might find yourself pushing on doors that aren't doors at all. i can't even explain what happened - you have to experience it for yourself. this was like being on the starship enterprise and i disappeared for a minute. well, whatever. looking like a buffoon momentarily is a small price you pay for being in such a trendy restaurant.
by the way, this place was a cool bargain, as well; i got out with a $25 tab. this is unheard of, but believe me, i'm not making this up.
i know i haven't offered too much information in the way of the food here but if you want to check out a trendy spot, different from most places i've found lately, try co co sala.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
cafe du parc - williard intercontinental washington
when i walked up the red-carpeted steps and entered the grand lobby of the williard, i was transported to another time and certainly another place. maybe paris. i know everyone says the williard is a washingtonian fixture, the dining room having served almost every president since the 1850's, but i felt like i was in a different city for the evening. adding to this was the fact that i was out with a french gentleman who speaks very little english. my french is limited to all things food related and though i've been studying, i can only remember how to say things like, "ou est la change mon bebe?" where can i change my baby? not so handy for a single girl on a date. we both had french-english translation dictionaries with us.
cafe du parc is a place i've wanted to try but i always forget about its presence. who, at my age, living in the area, thinks of grabbing a bite at the williard? the menu is designed by chef antoine westermann, a top-michelin starred chef who, as a matter of fact, dined at citronelle one night when i was working. i was in awe and quite frankly, scared, to be cooking for him as he ate at the chef's table situated in the kitchen, adding more intensity to an already high-pressure situation.
of course, antoine westermann isn't really working in the kitchen at cafe du parc, just like most famous chefs these days aren't working in the restaurants that extend their illustrious legacies. that aside, to be seated in the cafe du parc, from the grand lobby, you walk up a flight of stairs opening to the kitchen; a bustling, lighted, casual-feeling kitchen with several young (and good-looking) french chefs - supposedly all trained in france under the master, himself. a well-suited young expediter stands at the pass. it's evocative of a cafeteria, in a way (minus the chef's jackets, of course). and i don't mean that in a bad way, it's just right in your pathway the minute you reach the top of the steps.
well i only got a glance of the dining room (which had a good vibe) before my date and i were whisked back down the steps and out to the patio. it was a nice evening, and i always prefer to take advantage of the outdoors. i wonder, sitting just outside this celebrated hotel, who else has dined in this spot? dignitaries, famous, old-monied. yes, yes and yes. lucky me. i probably would not have taken my french date to such a french restaurant, truth be told, but the reservations were made for us by a lovely french gentleman who knows every chef in this city and perhaps in all the important restaurants in the world. it goes without saying that we were VIP tonight.
excellent.
we ordered a bottle of 1994 crozes hermitage, a syrah from the rhone valley. the very french menu was complete with all things you would expect to find at a bistro. no surprises here. therefore, i told my date in my broken english (evidently i speak broken english when i'm with with someone who doesn't speak english) that i'm going to order the charcuterie as my entree. i wonder what a french person thinks of the knucklehead ordering charcuterie as an entree. i don't really care, to be honest, that's what i want and that's what i shall have. in my defense, there are more things on this charcuterie board than most places offer. traditionally french. The waitress informs me that it's enormous - she might have to bring over an extra table to manage it. ok, do whatever you have to do; i'm to look a damn fool here, go for it. my date ordered the braised pork belly. alongside, gratin of potatoes. french people never tire of their own food. i guess we, as americans, don't either though.
the chef kindly surprised us with an appetizer of seared foie gras with sauteed chanterelle mushrooms and a wisp of frisee salad. it was sweet and slightly charred and pillowy. it paired perfectly with the wine, lucky for us. it's good when the food arrives because this is something we can communicate about.
my texas-sized charcuterie board came and it was, unnecessarily big. the waitress wasn't kidding but i did not allow a separate table for my 2x2' board.
we made room and two corners hung off the sides of the table and it was practically in my lap, like a study board from college (or a high chair seat and tray). everything was spaced out so much you could park (smart) cars in between each item. that's why it's so big - certainly not because i'm a piglet ordering way too much food. (well it was too much food - this bountiful platter could easily serve 4 people). anyway, the highlights included a creamy pork rillette served in a tiny mason jar, foie gras mousse (more foie gras - it was a good thing i worked out that day) and the pate. especially the foie gras mousse i think - it was my favorite. the board included prosciutto and saucisson (sausage) and crusty bread, whole-grain mustard and cornichons (the pickles tasted old though - a small thing to overlook but still....). i enjoyed a taste of my date's pork belly - that's all i needed though. the rich, layer of fat was crispy-seared and the meat i'm certain was braised for hours and hours. to me, it was still perhaps a little dry (i know but i have to say something!). i didn't try the pommes gratin.
dessert options were minimal and again, tres francais. no chocolate to be found was saddening. no creme brulee to be had was somewhat disappointing. this is why french people are skinny. we ordered a macaroon with rasperries and strawberries and a quenelle of raspberry sorbet. it was nice and i didn't need anything else. it was nice, what else can i say. the macaroon was flawless? it was.
this dinner, though simple, lasted for hours as we flipped through our dictionary over and over to communicate as normally as we could. we struggled with our conversation so much we only drank one bottle of wine. strange for me and i'm sure even more so for a frenchman. it was fun and interesting (and exhausting). i really need need need to practice my french. this all concluded with an espresso. well, two, because as a piglet american i have to have two. one isn't enough. i joked about this and this frenchman delightfully agreed and joined me in a second round of espresso.
if you made it this far through my story, you get a bonus. when you go to visit, be forewarned: valet parking at the williard is $29. try to find parking around the corner. it's a lovely view, this area of town, anyway, and a brisk walk after dinner (full of foie gras) does us all good. thank heavens i've been good about carrying cash lately.
cafe du parc is a place i've wanted to try but i always forget about its presence. who, at my age, living in the area, thinks of grabbing a bite at the williard? the menu is designed by chef antoine westermann, a top-michelin starred chef who, as a matter of fact, dined at citronelle one night when i was working. i was in awe and quite frankly, scared, to be cooking for him as he ate at the chef's table situated in the kitchen, adding more intensity to an already high-pressure situation.
of course, antoine westermann isn't really working in the kitchen at cafe du parc, just like most famous chefs these days aren't working in the restaurants that extend their illustrious legacies. that aside, to be seated in the cafe du parc, from the grand lobby, you walk up a flight of stairs opening to the kitchen; a bustling, lighted, casual-feeling kitchen with several young (and good-looking) french chefs - supposedly all trained in france under the master, himself. a well-suited young expediter stands at the pass. it's evocative of a cafeteria, in a way (minus the chef's jackets, of course). and i don't mean that in a bad way, it's just right in your pathway the minute you reach the top of the steps.
well i only got a glance of the dining room (which had a good vibe) before my date and i were whisked back down the steps and out to the patio. it was a nice evening, and i always prefer to take advantage of the outdoors. i wonder, sitting just outside this celebrated hotel, who else has dined in this spot? dignitaries, famous, old-monied. yes, yes and yes. lucky me. i probably would not have taken my french date to such a french restaurant, truth be told, but the reservations were made for us by a lovely french gentleman who knows every chef in this city and perhaps in all the important restaurants in the world. it goes without saying that we were VIP tonight.
excellent.
we ordered a bottle of 1994 crozes hermitage, a syrah from the rhone valley. the very french menu was complete with all things you would expect to find at a bistro. no surprises here. therefore, i told my date in my broken english (evidently i speak broken english when i'm with with someone who doesn't speak english) that i'm going to order the charcuterie as my entree. i wonder what a french person thinks of the knucklehead ordering charcuterie as an entree. i don't really care, to be honest, that's what i want and that's what i shall have. in my defense, there are more things on this charcuterie board than most places offer. traditionally french. The waitress informs me that it's enormous - she might have to bring over an extra table to manage it. ok, do whatever you have to do; i'm to look a damn fool here, go for it. my date ordered the braised pork belly. alongside, gratin of potatoes. french people never tire of their own food. i guess we, as americans, don't either though.
the chef kindly surprised us with an appetizer of seared foie gras with sauteed chanterelle mushrooms and a wisp of frisee salad. it was sweet and slightly charred and pillowy. it paired perfectly with the wine, lucky for us. it's good when the food arrives because this is something we can communicate about.
my texas-sized charcuterie board came and it was, unnecessarily big. the waitress wasn't kidding but i did not allow a separate table for my 2x2' board.
we made room and two corners hung off the sides of the table and it was practically in my lap, like a study board from college (or a high chair seat and tray). everything was spaced out so much you could park (smart) cars in between each item. that's why it's so big - certainly not because i'm a piglet ordering way too much food. (well it was too much food - this bountiful platter could easily serve 4 people). anyway, the highlights included a creamy pork rillette served in a tiny mason jar, foie gras mousse (more foie gras - it was a good thing i worked out that day) and the pate. especially the foie gras mousse i think - it was my favorite. the board included prosciutto and saucisson (sausage) and crusty bread, whole-grain mustard and cornichons (the pickles tasted old though - a small thing to overlook but still....). i enjoyed a taste of my date's pork belly - that's all i needed though. the rich, layer of fat was crispy-seared and the meat i'm certain was braised for hours and hours. to me, it was still perhaps a little dry (i know but i have to say something!). i didn't try the pommes gratin.
dessert options were minimal and again, tres francais. no chocolate to be found was saddening. no creme brulee to be had was somewhat disappointing. this is why french people are skinny. we ordered a macaroon with rasperries and strawberries and a quenelle of raspberry sorbet. it was nice and i didn't need anything else. it was nice, what else can i say. the macaroon was flawless? it was.
this dinner, though simple, lasted for hours as we flipped through our dictionary over and over to communicate as normally as we could. we struggled with our conversation so much we only drank one bottle of wine. strange for me and i'm sure even more so for a frenchman. it was fun and interesting (and exhausting). i really need need need to practice my french. this all concluded with an espresso. well, two, because as a piglet american i have to have two. one isn't enough. i joked about this and this frenchman delightfully agreed and joined me in a second round of espresso.
if you made it this far through my story, you get a bonus. when you go to visit, be forewarned: valet parking at the williard is $29. try to find parking around the corner. it's a lovely view, this area of town, anyway, and a brisk walk after dinner (full of foie gras) does us all good. thank heavens i've been good about carrying cash lately.
Friday, September 12, 2008
redwood restaurant and bar, bethesda
it's rare for me to take a trip to bethesda. let's face it, unless you live there, it's a daunting thought, that drive. i have a close friend there so i am happy to report i have and will continue to go more frequently in the future. the drive wasn't really that bad after all.
redwood restaurant and bar is open and i made my first visit wednesday evening. it spans what seems like over half of a charming, bustling new pedestrian walkway called bethesda avenue. first impression of redwood was positively positive. the lighting is splendid - dark, cozy, reds and ambers.
to the right is a lounge area with modern low-set tables and comfy looking chairs. attractive people. a long bar.
to the left, a long and wide corridor of dining room tables, adjacent to a wait station that is the best looking one i've ever seen - you don't mind watching them fill water, tea pitchers because it's lovely. granite. modular. clean.
behind the host stand (overheard - one hour long waits), a wall separating another bar - you step up to it. it's secluded from the rest of the restaurant - next time i'll explore it. perhaps one doesn't feel isolated up there, or would you?
to me, almost certainly the best feature is the procession of floor-to-ceiling windows that flank the dining room tables so you're only arms reach from the goings-on in the courtyard walkway. not just any windows - they fully open up like towering shutters, transporting your table to the outdoors. it's charming yet cosmopolitan here. it's european. it's freeing. it's downright cool.
the bathrooms are tidy and again, modern but warm (the lighting in here, however, not so complimentary). it's nice when you don't have to touch anything. of note, the automatic paper towel dispenser is set to deliver the perfect portion and with only one wave of your hand you have enough to dry your hands. it's the little things in life.
redwood's atmosphere is well-balanced, managing to be quite warm while maintaining clean, geometric lines, chocolate browns and crisp whites. clean, clean wine glasses. in the back (i'll call it the back but there really is no back to redwood - it's thoroughly horizontal), there's a fireplace (and was that a buck's head on the wall?). nice, nice, nice.
on to the food. it will come as no surprise to those who know me, that an entree was out of the question tonight. appetizers here aren't meant to share - the appetizer menu is composed of salads, mostly. but, and to my delight: amish chicken liver mousse with poached figs and arugula. simple, delicious. the figs were poached like you'd poach a winter pear - in plenty of red wine or port, perhaps, star anise, vanilla and cinnamon i suspect. sweet, spicy, yummy.
the bread for the table was perfection. crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. i wished all bread was like this bread.
we shared a cheese board, nice selections of the usual and unusual. nice to see u.s.-made constant bliss. honeycomb was sticky and rich. the confit of apricots on the cheese board was flavorless and didn't add anything, really. my friend enjoyed a lovely beet salad (nicely diced and pretty), a vegetarian potatoes gratin was both interesting (i'll be stealing this idea - sorry - i loved that it was cut into a perfect rectangle and served on a rectangular plate) and tasty.
we also shared sides of cheesy grits, and macaroni and cheese, delivered in the tiniest le creuset daubes. so cute that if my balenciaga bag was bigger i might consider... well, i'm kidding, of course, i would never risk getting macaroni in my balenciaga. i digress. both needed a tiny bit of salt and the macaroni should've been al dente - in my opinion.
sadly, i can't report on dessert. there was a chocolate something rather that intrigued me and the waiter mentioned that the goat cheese (souffle, was it?) was "the bomb". yes, he used that word. oh and the service was well above average - attentive and helpful.
all around well done. i'll make that trip again - it was completely worth it.
did i mention that people in bethesda are particularly attractive?
redwood restaurant and bar is open and i made my first visit wednesday evening. it spans what seems like over half of a charming, bustling new pedestrian walkway called bethesda avenue. first impression of redwood was positively positive. the lighting is splendid - dark, cozy, reds and ambers.
to the right is a lounge area with modern low-set tables and comfy looking chairs. attractive people. a long bar.
to the left, a long and wide corridor of dining room tables, adjacent to a wait station that is the best looking one i've ever seen - you don't mind watching them fill water, tea pitchers because it's lovely. granite. modular. clean.
behind the host stand (overheard - one hour long waits), a wall separating another bar - you step up to it. it's secluded from the rest of the restaurant - next time i'll explore it. perhaps one doesn't feel isolated up there, or would you?
to me, almost certainly the best feature is the procession of floor-to-ceiling windows that flank the dining room tables so you're only arms reach from the goings-on in the courtyard walkway. not just any windows - they fully open up like towering shutters, transporting your table to the outdoors. it's charming yet cosmopolitan here. it's european. it's freeing. it's downright cool.
the bathrooms are tidy and again, modern but warm (the lighting in here, however, not so complimentary). it's nice when you don't have to touch anything. of note, the automatic paper towel dispenser is set to deliver the perfect portion and with only one wave of your hand you have enough to dry your hands. it's the little things in life.
redwood's atmosphere is well-balanced, managing to be quite warm while maintaining clean, geometric lines, chocolate browns and crisp whites. clean, clean wine glasses. in the back (i'll call it the back but there really is no back to redwood - it's thoroughly horizontal), there's a fireplace (and was that a buck's head on the wall?). nice, nice, nice.
on to the food. it will come as no surprise to those who know me, that an entree was out of the question tonight. appetizers here aren't meant to share - the appetizer menu is composed of salads, mostly. but, and to my delight: amish chicken liver mousse with poached figs and arugula. simple, delicious. the figs were poached like you'd poach a winter pear - in plenty of red wine or port, perhaps, star anise, vanilla and cinnamon i suspect. sweet, spicy, yummy.
the bread for the table was perfection. crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. i wished all bread was like this bread.
we shared a cheese board, nice selections of the usual and unusual. nice to see u.s.-made constant bliss. honeycomb was sticky and rich. the confit of apricots on the cheese board was flavorless and didn't add anything, really. my friend enjoyed a lovely beet salad (nicely diced and pretty), a vegetarian potatoes gratin was both interesting (i'll be stealing this idea - sorry - i loved that it was cut into a perfect rectangle and served on a rectangular plate) and tasty.
we also shared sides of cheesy grits, and macaroni and cheese, delivered in the tiniest le creuset daubes. so cute that if my balenciaga bag was bigger i might consider... well, i'm kidding, of course, i would never risk getting macaroni in my balenciaga. i digress. both needed a tiny bit of salt and the macaroni should've been al dente - in my opinion.
sadly, i can't report on dessert. there was a chocolate something rather that intrigued me and the waiter mentioned that the goat cheese (souffle, was it?) was "the bomb". yes, he used that word. oh and the service was well above average - attentive and helpful.
all around well done. i'll make that trip again - it was completely worth it.
did i mention that people in bethesda are particularly attractive?
Monday, July 14, 2008
sonoma
wednesday evening i had a date at sonoma. interestingly, since we didn't have a reservation, we were told we could sit at the bar or sit upstairs on those weird, too-low sofas. as we discussed leaving, we were interrupted by the hostess who informed us they would have a table in 10 minutes. (huh? why not mention that in the first place? of course we'll wait 10 minutes. geez, why is it so hard?!)
oh - a cancellation.
why is there only one sparkling wine by the glass at a "wine bar"? and it's a prosecco - sadly one that's too sweet to have more than one of, by the way.
charcuterie plate (of course i ordered it) was good but doesn't have the accoutrements that proof does.
i've only had meat and cheese at sonoma in the past so i was initially excited to see what they could do when using fire. i found the menu limited. i wanted something to jump out at me. the special sounded good but when i saw it arrive at the table next to ours, it didn't look as appetizing as it sounded.
waiter moved my OCD date's glass not by the stem but by putting his entire paw over the glass. i may not have noticed, but sadly he did, and he proceeded to obsess about it for the next 5 minutes until he could order another. ugh.
i ordered a cheese and mushroom tartelette as well as the pork tenderloin pate (both from the appetizer menu). i was a little saddened by the look of the tartelette (brown and dry) and by the fact it was slightly underseasoned; otherwise it was good - oh and the baby arugula salad perched next to it was lovely.
the pork tenderloin pate was - not surprisingly after i thought about it - dry. why attempt such a thing? pork tenderloin is always dry if cooked through. i needed sauce with my pate. or it needed a much larger fat percentage in the mixture. the viognier suggested was marginal too (and i usually love a viognier).
my date's hanger steak was undercooked and had to be put in the oven for a bit (um, i think refire in order here but what do i know? i'm just a cook). oh and the chefs knew i was there - love you chef b - come on though - had i been in that kitchen i would've been screaming at you - let's have some attention to detail when cooking for a fellow cook.
oh i hate sounding so negative but i must say i was disappointed. i looked so cute that night too. i should've had a big smile on my face with each bite.
perhaps it was just the company.
oh - a cancellation.
why is there only one sparkling wine by the glass at a "wine bar"? and it's a prosecco - sadly one that's too sweet to have more than one of, by the way.
charcuterie plate (of course i ordered it) was good but doesn't have the accoutrements that proof does.
i've only had meat and cheese at sonoma in the past so i was initially excited to see what they could do when using fire. i found the menu limited. i wanted something to jump out at me. the special sounded good but when i saw it arrive at the table next to ours, it didn't look as appetizing as it sounded.
waiter moved my OCD date's glass not by the stem but by putting his entire paw over the glass. i may not have noticed, but sadly he did, and he proceeded to obsess about it for the next 5 minutes until he could order another. ugh.
i ordered a cheese and mushroom tartelette as well as the pork tenderloin pate (both from the appetizer menu). i was a little saddened by the look of the tartelette (brown and dry) and by the fact it was slightly underseasoned; otherwise it was good - oh and the baby arugula salad perched next to it was lovely.
the pork tenderloin pate was - not surprisingly after i thought about it - dry. why attempt such a thing? pork tenderloin is always dry if cooked through. i needed sauce with my pate. or it needed a much larger fat percentage in the mixture. the viognier suggested was marginal too (and i usually love a viognier).
my date's hanger steak was undercooked and had to be put in the oven for a bit (um, i think refire in order here but what do i know? i'm just a cook). oh and the chefs knew i was there - love you chef b - come on though - had i been in that kitchen i would've been screaming at you - let's have some attention to detail when cooking for a fellow cook.
oh i hate sounding so negative but i must say i was disappointed. i looked so cute that night too. i should've had a big smile on my face with each bite.
perhaps it was just the company.
proof
wine is proof god loves us and wants to see us happy
ben franklin
i really enjoyed an evening at proof thursday night. i hadn't been since february and, at that time i didn't enjoy it as much as i had several times prior.
even sitting at the bar alone for 30 minutes - which i never do - was liberating. bartenders were sweet.
i really, really, really like this place. it was so light and summery inside (i thought it was a cozy winter spot). i moved outside when friends arrived. i didn't eat anything but charcuterie and cheese as this is what i typically do at happy hour. ann, our server, was fabulous, as always. wine great. i can't say enough good things. it was a perfect night.
ben franklin
i really enjoyed an evening at proof thursday night. i hadn't been since february and, at that time i didn't enjoy it as much as i had several times prior.
even sitting at the bar alone for 30 minutes - which i never do - was liberating. bartenders were sweet.
i really, really, really like this place. it was so light and summery inside (i thought it was a cozy winter spot). i moved outside when friends arrived. i didn't eat anything but charcuterie and cheese as this is what i typically do at happy hour. ann, our server, was fabulous, as always. wine great. i can't say enough good things. it was a perfect night.
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