On a rainy Saturday in April, what better way to spend the day than inside slurping down high-quality, freshly shucked bivalves?!?! Top it off with a nice selection of beer (think Troegs, Allagash, and Brooklyn Brown Ale) and various fried foods (Old Bay fries, buttermilk onion rings, and fried oysters), it would be fair to assume that we will be returning for years to come.
Now if we could just convince a few friends to join us in our passion for oysters...
Monday, April 18, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Pupatella (Arlington, VA)
I'd heard about the food cart in Ballston, but never made it. This past Friday, Emily and I decided to experience our first Pupatella pizzas. What have I been waiting for?!?!?
The most obvious comparison is to Orso, given that both put out classic DOC Margherita pizzas. Pupatella's dough is chewier and saltier and Pupatella offers a more generous serving of buffalo mozzarella. The two tomato sauces are different, but both seem fresh and flavorful; Pupatella touts their sauce as authentic, as it is neither cooked nor aggressively seasoned. I don't know how pizza tastes in Naples, but Pupatella (and Orso) certainly leave me wanting to experience it first hand.
While I'm not sure about the goofy hats the pizzaiolo wear at Pupatella, I did like their proximity to the diners and the ability to see the pizzas cranked out.
Though not a classic Neapolitan pizza pie, I'll be interested in sampling their white sauce pie on my next trip (if I can talk myself of getting another Real Margherita).
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 9/10
Service: 3/5
Errata: 3/5
Total: 15/20
$$
The most obvious comparison is to Orso, given that both put out classic DOC Margherita pizzas. Pupatella's dough is chewier and saltier and Pupatella offers a more generous serving of buffalo mozzarella. The two tomato sauces are different, but both seem fresh and flavorful; Pupatella touts their sauce as authentic, as it is neither cooked nor aggressively seasoned. I don't know how pizza tastes in Naples, but Pupatella (and Orso) certainly leave me wanting to experience it first hand.
While I'm not sure about the goofy hats the pizzaiolo wear at Pupatella, I did like their proximity to the diners and the ability to see the pizzas cranked out.
Though not a classic Neapolitan pizza pie, I'll be interested in sampling their white sauce pie on my next trip (if I can talk myself of getting another Real Margherita).
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 9/10
Service: 3/5
Errata: 3/5
Total: 15/20
$$
Da Domenico (Vienna, VA)
Having driven by it for 20+ years, I wish I had gone to Da Domenico sooner. While the food appears to be classic Italian (I couldn't be regionally specific), the service takes its page out of Europe; that is, professional servers who will do anything but rush your lunch (even if you are in a rush!!!).
After reviewing the entire menu, I settled on the veal cannelloni. Not only is cannelloni one of my favorite pasta dishes, I love veal -- and Da Domenico's veal chop is touted as the best in DC. I figured their ground veal must be of a similar quality. I was not disappointed.
The cannelloni, stuffed with delicately flavored ground veal and spinach, is dressed with a thick gravy (and some cream sauce, just to kick it up a notch). I cannot remember enjoying cannelloni any more than I did at Da Domenico, and it's an absolute certainty that I will be returning.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 9/10
Service: 5/5
Errata: 3/5
Total: 17/20
$$/$$$
After reviewing the entire menu, I settled on the veal cannelloni. Not only is cannelloni one of my favorite pasta dishes, I love veal -- and Da Domenico's veal chop is touted as the best in DC. I figured their ground veal must be of a similar quality. I was not disappointed.
The cannelloni, stuffed with delicately flavored ground veal and spinach, is dressed with a thick gravy (and some cream sauce, just to kick it up a notch). I cannot remember enjoying cannelloni any more than I did at Da Domenico, and it's an absolute certainty that I will be returning.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 9/10
Service: 5/5
Errata: 3/5
Total: 17/20
$$/$$$
Comet Ping Pong (Washington, DC)
We've been talking about this place for a while, but have always treated the distance as an excuse to making our first trip. We won't be making that excuse in the future.
I ordered their specialty, The Philly. A calzone loaded with house roasted pork, garlic, red pepper, grilled broccoli rabe, and provolone cheese, this dish brought back memories of the delicious pork sandwich at Tony Luke's in Philly. I'll be returning.
One other note: Comet Ping Pong uses buffalo mozzarella cheese as their standard pizza cheese. This results in Comet Ping Pong getting automatic bonus points in my book.
Oh, and they have Lagunitas IPA on draft. This is a good thing.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 8/10
Service: 4/5
Errata: 4/5
Total: 16/20
$
I ordered their specialty, The Philly. A calzone loaded with house roasted pork, garlic, red pepper, grilled broccoli rabe, and provolone cheese, this dish brought back memories of the delicious pork sandwich at Tony Luke's in Philly. I'll be returning.
One other note: Comet Ping Pong uses buffalo mozzarella cheese as their standard pizza cheese. This results in Comet Ping Pong getting automatic bonus points in my book.
Oh, and they have Lagunitas IPA on draft. This is a good thing.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 8/10
Service: 4/5
Errata: 4/5
Total: 16/20
$
Pizzeria Orso (Falls Church, VA)
Following a seminar my firm gave at one of our client's offices, several of the associates -- at my suggestion -- hit up Pizzeria Orso to take advantage of their lunch special: $10 for their Margherita DOC pizza and a soda.
Orso lives up to its reputation. When it comes to comparing Margherita pizza, Orso's dough is distinctive in that it is a little drier than others, resulting in a crisper crust. Also distinguishing Orso is the scent of their Margherita pizza. Inhale deeply and the subtle scent of ganja sweetly wafts about.
Since the first trip, Emily and I have returned on several occasions and enjoyed the pizza every time. While we have also sampled some of Orso's appetizers, these have been disappointing.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 8/10
Service: 3/5
Errata: 4/5
Total: 15/20
$$
Orso lives up to its reputation. When it comes to comparing Margherita pizza, Orso's dough is distinctive in that it is a little drier than others, resulting in a crisper crust. Also distinguishing Orso is the scent of their Margherita pizza. Inhale deeply and the subtle scent of ganja sweetly wafts about.
Since the first trip, Emily and I have returned on several occasions and enjoyed the pizza every time. While we have also sampled some of Orso's appetizers, these have been disappointing.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 8/10
Service: 3/5
Errata: 4/5
Total: 15/20
$$
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Acqua Al 2 (Washington, DC)
THE MEAL
Appetizer: Burrata di Buffala
Entree: Topini al Radicchio Rosso (with our house tomato sauce, Italian red cabbage, mascarpone cheese and Parmesan cheese)
THOUGHTS
We went to Acqua Al 2 -- located adjacent to Eastern Market -- for a friend's birthday dinner. Ordinarily, servers struggle with tables of 10+ people, but I felt that our server paid close attention to our needs and accommodated my dining companion's dietary restrictions readily and graciously.
My dining companion and I began the meal with the homemade burrata di buffala, a delicate ball of mozzarella that, when cut, spreads like smooth butter. Served with a touch of honey and citrus wedges, I found the burrata to be a revelation. While I've always heard of burrata, I'd never enjoyed the pleasure until now. Needless to say, based upon Acqua's version, I will be making every effort to make burrata a larger part of my life in the future.
After the burrata, I selected the topini di radicchio rosso, a gnocchi-like pasta. While the gnocchi was a touch heavy (as opposed to light and pillowy), the sauce was rich and succulent, with tremendous depth of flavor. The sauce exemplified my understanding of the umami flavor profile, and gives me optimism that -- with a different pasta -- Acqua Al 2 could really deliver the goods.
Set in an upscale, but warm, building, Acqua Al 2 nicely balanced the formality of a nice dinner out with the hominess one expects from an Italian restaurant. I look forward to my return trip and to Acqua Al 2 improving upon my first experience.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 8/10
Service: 3.5/5
Errata: 4/5
Total: 15.5/20
$$$
Appetizer: Burrata di Buffala
Entree: Topini al Radicchio Rosso (with our house tomato sauce, Italian red cabbage, mascarpone cheese and Parmesan cheese)
THOUGHTS
We went to Acqua Al 2 -- located adjacent to Eastern Market -- for a friend's birthday dinner. Ordinarily, servers struggle with tables of 10+ people, but I felt that our server paid close attention to our needs and accommodated my dining companion's dietary restrictions readily and graciously.
My dining companion and I began the meal with the homemade burrata di buffala, a delicate ball of mozzarella that, when cut, spreads like smooth butter. Served with a touch of honey and citrus wedges, I found the burrata to be a revelation. While I've always heard of burrata, I'd never enjoyed the pleasure until now. Needless to say, based upon Acqua's version, I will be making every effort to make burrata a larger part of my life in the future.
After the burrata, I selected the topini di radicchio rosso, a gnocchi-like pasta. While the gnocchi was a touch heavy (as opposed to light and pillowy), the sauce was rich and succulent, with tremendous depth of flavor. The sauce exemplified my understanding of the umami flavor profile, and gives me optimism that -- with a different pasta -- Acqua Al 2 could really deliver the goods.
Set in an upscale, but warm, building, Acqua Al 2 nicely balanced the formality of a nice dinner out with the hominess one expects from an Italian restaurant. I look forward to my return trip and to Acqua Al 2 improving upon my first experience.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 8/10
Service: 3.5/5
Errata: 4/5
Total: 15.5/20
$$$
The Wine Kitchen (Leesburg, VA)
THE MEAL
Appetizer: Beet Salad (tangerines, roasted almonds, baby greens, goat cheese vinaigrette)
Entree: Short Rib Tacos; Espresso Rubbed Pork Chop (Brussels sprouts and bacon sweet potato spaetzle, cherry sauce)
THOUGHTS
We ventured out to Leesburg on a Wednesday evening with a Living Social coupon in hand, ready to sample the the farm-fresh food and wines offered at The Wine Kitchen. Any restaurant known as "The" Wine Kitchen must know that, comparatively, it is at the pinnacle of its genre. Call it a quiet confidence.
We began our meal with the Beet Salad. I find myself becoming more and more enamored with beets, and The Wine Kitchen dressed their beets nicely with a light and citrusy goat cheese vinaigrette. With the burst of the tangerine and the light nuttiness of the roasted almonds, I thoroughly enjoyed our choice of salad to begin the meal.
For my entree, I selected the Wednesday night special: Short Rib Tacos. Touted as being entirely homemade, The Wine Kitchen's short ribs were tender, albeit drier and less fatty than most short ribs I've ever had. I assume that The Wine Kitchen hand sorts out the fattier portions of the short rib, leaving the meatiest and most flavorful selections of meat. The Wine Kitchen then kicks the Short Rib Tacos up a notch with a homemade queso fresco drizzle and an ample portion of an avocado sauce (thinner than a guac). Wrap it all up in a homemade corn tortilla and I would certainly be happy to return to The Wine Kitchen on a Wednesday evening.
It bears noting, however, that I would be happy to return to The Wine Kitchen on almost any evening, given my first experience there. My dining companion ordered the Espresso Rubbed Pork Chops. I was fortunate enough to have two bites (with the sweet and sour cherry compote marrying flawlessly with the thick-cut pork chop), and a couple of moments gnawing on the bone. Yes, gnawing.
Not only did the food impress, but the atmosphere struck a nice balance between contemporary American food and intimate wine bar. Throw in an excellent wine list (with over thirty wines offered by the glass), and I'm sure I'll be back.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 8.5/10
Service: 4/5
Errata: 4/5
Total: 16.5/20
$$
Appetizer: Beet Salad (tangerines, roasted almonds, baby greens, goat cheese vinaigrette)
Entree: Short Rib Tacos; Espresso Rubbed Pork Chop (Brussels sprouts and bacon sweet potato spaetzle, cherry sauce)
THOUGHTS
We ventured out to Leesburg on a Wednesday evening with a Living Social coupon in hand, ready to sample the the farm-fresh food and wines offered at The Wine Kitchen. Any restaurant known as "The" Wine Kitchen must know that, comparatively, it is at the pinnacle of its genre. Call it a quiet confidence.
We began our meal with the Beet Salad. I find myself becoming more and more enamored with beets, and The Wine Kitchen dressed their beets nicely with a light and citrusy goat cheese vinaigrette. With the burst of the tangerine and the light nuttiness of the roasted almonds, I thoroughly enjoyed our choice of salad to begin the meal.
For my entree, I selected the Wednesday night special: Short Rib Tacos. Touted as being entirely homemade, The Wine Kitchen's short ribs were tender, albeit drier and less fatty than most short ribs I've ever had. I assume that The Wine Kitchen hand sorts out the fattier portions of the short rib, leaving the meatiest and most flavorful selections of meat. The Wine Kitchen then kicks the Short Rib Tacos up a notch with a homemade queso fresco drizzle and an ample portion of an avocado sauce (thinner than a guac). Wrap it all up in a homemade corn tortilla and I would certainly be happy to return to The Wine Kitchen on a Wednesday evening.
It bears noting, however, that I would be happy to return to The Wine Kitchen on almost any evening, given my first experience there. My dining companion ordered the Espresso Rubbed Pork Chops. I was fortunate enough to have two bites (with the sweet and sour cherry compote marrying flawlessly with the thick-cut pork chop), and a couple of moments gnawing on the bone. Yes, gnawing.
Not only did the food impress, but the atmosphere struck a nice balance between contemporary American food and intimate wine bar. Throw in an excellent wine list (with over thirty wines offered by the glass), and I'm sure I'll be back.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 8.5/10
Service: 4/5
Errata: 4/5
Total: 16.5/20
$$
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