BRABO Tasting Room (Alexandria, VA)

THE MEAL
"Wild Mushrooms" Wood Fired Tart (with bacon and goat cheese)
"Braised Pork Belly" Wood Fired Tart (with roasted poblano, pickled red onion, and goat cheese)

THOUGHTS
We stumbled into BRABO Tasting Room on a whim, mostly because we were swinging by the Butcher's Board to seek what food products they carried (specifically, to determine whether they carried lardo). The Tasting Room is one of Robert Wiedmaier's three establishments in Alexandria, the casual bistro/trattoria option.

We opted to share two of the wood fired tarts (read: pizzas). The first, "Wild Mushrooms," was nicely flavored, albeit unimaginative. As I commented during lunch, I have come to expect the exceptional or unique when ordering non-traditional pizzas...and Wild Mushrooms disappointed. Nonetheless, the Wild Mushrooms provided an opportunity to evaluate the "tart" dough...and the dough really works at the Tasting Room. Thin and chewy, the Tasting Room delivered a dough that "crunched-up" nicely and provided a wonderful base for a pizza.

The "Braised Pork Belly," using the same delightful dough, epitomized the imagination that I expect when ordering such a specialty pizza. The braised pork belly had a more delicate/subtle flavor than other pork bellies I've enjoyed, with a tenderness similar to a braised short rib. Just goes to show that braising meat can produce magical results. In my opinion, though, what made the pizza was the roasted poblano. Adding smokiness and spice, the roasted poblano elevated this "wood fired tart" to something special. Throw on some cilantro and red onion, and this "tart" really worked it.

While the food was flavorful and fresh, I do not think I would return to the Tasting Room if the only option were the wood fired tarts. There are a number of pizza joints in the area which are producing pizzas better than those at The Tasting Room.

CONCLUSIONS
Food: 7/10
Service: 3/5
Errata: 3/5
Total: 13/20
$$