Jeremy and I went out for Valentine's Day, and had a magnificent time wining and dining ourselves at Petits Plats located in Woodley Park (by the zoo). It's a charming little French bistro tucked away in a townhouse across from the Woodley Park Metro station. Thoughts to describe bistro: charming, rustic, quaint, romantic, great place to people watch (especially on Valentine's Day:).
My favorite course on the prix-fixe Valentine's Day menu was the appetizer: Duo of Smoked Duck and Duck Rillette with Cornichon and Pesto sauce. I wasn't a fan of the smoked duck, but the duck rillette was something I'd never had before and it ended up being the perfect start. For those who don't know what a rillette is (I didn't), it is a preparation of meat similar to a pâté. The meat is cubed or chopped, heavily salted, and cooked slowly in fat until it is tender enough to be easily shredded, then cooled with enough of the fat to form a paste. Typically they are served as a spread for toasted bread. (Thanks, Wikipedia.)
For the entrée Jeremy had the Duo of Lobster and Scallops Served with Creamy Mushroom Risotto and Saffron Sauce with Piment d'Espelette. He's a big fan of risotto and thought it was tasty but wasn't too into the lobster and scallops. For myself, the Rack of Lamb Crusted with Dijon Mustard Served with Three Purée (broccoli, carrot, potato) and Thyme-Tarragon sauce. Great purées, especially the carrot. It kind of felt like I was eating baby food, but it sure hit the spot. The lamb was tender and juicy, and a nice touch with the Dijon. I love Dijon. I dream of moving to Dijon, France and just cooking with mustards all the livelong day. Slathering Dijon over baguettes and brioche, spreading it over crostini and crackers. Oh my...
I digress...
for dessert, Assorted Mignardises, which came as a trio of chocolate mousse, fruit tart, and lemon tart. Our favorite was the chocolate mousse. Paired with coffee, it was just too good. Oh I almost forgot, before the apps we ordered the cocktail special. For him, Kir Royal (Champagne, Crème de Cassis) and for her, a Bellini! (Champagne, Crème de Pêche). I was very excited to see Bellini on the menu because I've always dreamed of ordering "a Bellini with caviar please"...until I realized I was thinking of blini with caviar ...oops. :) Still, a delicious little drink.
I was quite excited about Petits Plats because I booked our reservation on Open Table, as a surprise for Jeremy. If you are unfamiliar with Open Table, you need to go visit the website. www.opentable.com. You just type in the name of your city, and a list of restaurants pops up, listing descriptions of each, price range, attire, etc. Très helpful for someone who doesn't know of many Washington, DC restaurants. I even made 2 reservations just in case...then canceled one for a different restaurant earlier that day. They probably don't like you to cancel the day of, but I had to be sure we had legit reservations. Come on, it's Valentine's Day after all! Restaurants in DC were jam-packed.
I was very pleased with the experience. And Jeremy had raved about the Woodley Park metro escalator and how it was the longest escalator in the world! (Not factual, but in his mind it is the longest.)I had to try it out. It is LONG. If you ride it in the winter, be sure to wear a scarf. Brrrr with the wind chill.
After Petits Plats we were feeling pretty lovey and a little tipsy. I mentioned how I've always wanted to go on a date to a piano bar so Jeremy did some research with the help of his Dad's Google research and via text we were able to get directions. A hop, skip and a jump over to the McPherson Square area and we found the place: Tuscana West. An Italian restaurant with a great old-fashioned looking bar and a little old man tickling the ivories. With martinis (her) and red wine (him) we sat and chatted, deeply gazing into each other's eyes [ok i'll stop with the lovesick now] in a corner on a couch by the bar, then ambled over to the piano man. He was playing what I thought was Blue Rondo a la Turk by Dave Brubeck, but it ended up actually being Take Five. I had fun talking jazz with the piano man as he was playing--so talented! Then after a few songs and more couch-time Jeremy stood up, walked around the little glass table to me, and in his wonderfully gentlemanly way, asked if I would like to dance. Of course! We danced the night away...the piano man even played the music theme of The Godfather. How perfect.
After Tuscana West, to be honest I didn't want the night to be over. It was magical and lovely and I knew the perfect way to end the evening. Oysters. We both love oysters, and have explored each other's palates together oyster by oyster. (I like them doused in lemon, tabasco, vinegar, and pepper on a saltine cracker, whereas my purist boyfriend sprinkles a little sea salt and tosses them back). So off to Clyde's we went. Clyde's is a favorite hangout of ours, over in Gallery Place/Chinatown. Sometimes they have an oyster happy hour (!!) with half-price oysters off of the raw menu, but not that night bc it was a holiday. (Really? Valentine's Day?) We had crab, oysters, and I might have ordered a martini? I cannot remember, the oysters were too delicious to remember the drink!
What an evening!
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Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Valentine's Day
Jeremy and I went out for Valentine's Day, and had a magnificent time wining and dining ourselves at Petits Plats located in Woodley Park (by the zoo). It's a charming little French bistro tucked away in a townhouse across from the Woodley Park Metro station. Thoughts to describe bistro: charming, rustic, quaint, romantic, great place to people watch (especially on Valentine's Day:).
My favorite course on the prix-fixe Valentine's Day menu was the appetizer: Duo of Smoked Duck and Duck Rillette with Cornichon and Pesto sauce. I wasn't a fan of the smoked duck, but the duck rillette was something I'd never had before and it ended up being the perfect start. For those who don't know what a rillette is (I didn't), it is a preparation of meat similar to a pâté. The meat is cubed or chopped, heavily salted, and cooked slowly in fat until it is tender enough to be easily shredded, then cooled with enough of the fat to form a paste. Typically they are served as a spread for toasted bread. (Thanks, Wikipedia.)
For the entrée Jeremy had the Duo of Lobster and Scallops Served with Creamy Mushroom Risotto and Saffron Sauce with Piment d'Espelette. He's a big fan of risotto and thought it was tasty but wasn't too into the lobster and scallops. For myself, the Rack of Lamb Crusted with Dijon Mustard Served with Three Purée (broccoli, carrot, potato) and Thyme-Tarragon sauce. Great purées, especially the carrot. It kind of felt like I was eating baby food, but it sure hit the spot. The lamb was tender and juicy, and a nice touch with the Dijon. I love Dijon. I dream of moving to Dijon, France and just cooking with mustards all the livelong day. Slathering Dijon over baguettes and brioche, spreading it over crostini and crackers. Oh my...
I digress...
for dessert, Assorted Mignardises, which came as a trio of chocolate mousse, fruit tart, and lemon tart. Our favorite was the chocolate mousse. Paired with coffee, it was just too good. Oh I almost forgot, before the apps we ordered the cocktail special. For him, Kir Royal (Champagne, Crème de Cassis) and for her, a Bellini! (Champagne, Crème de Pêche). I was very excited to see Bellini on the menu because I've always dreamed of ordering "a Bellini with caviar please"...until I realized I was thinking of blini with caviar ...oops. :) Still, a delicious little drink.
I was quite excited about Petits Plats because I booked our reservation on Open Table, as a surprise for Jeremy. If you are unfamiliar with Open Table, you need to go visit the website. www.opentable.com. You just type in the name of your city, and a list of restaurants pops up, listing descriptions of each, price range, attire, etc. Très helpful for someone who doesn't know of many Washington, DC restaurants. I even made 2 reservations just in case...then canceled one for a different restaurant earlier that day. They probably don't like you to cancel the day of, but I had to be sure we had legit reservations. Come on, it's Valentine's Day after all! Restaurants in DC were jam-packed.
I was very pleased with the experience. And Jeremy had raved about the Woodley Park metro escalator and how it was the longest escalator in the world! (Not factual, but in his mind it is the longest.)I had to try it out. It is LONG. If you ride it in the winter, be sure to wear a scarf. Brrrr with the wind chill.
After Petits Plats we were feeling pretty lovey and a little tipsy. I mentioned how I've always wanted to go on a date to a piano bar so Jeremy did some research with the help of his Dad's Google research and via text we were able to get directions. A hop, skip and a jump over to the McPherson Square area and we found the place: Tuscana West. An Italian restaurant with a great old-fashioned looking bar and a little old man tickling the ivories. With martinis (her) and red wine (him) we sat and chatted, deeply gazing into each other's eyes [ok i'll stop with the lovesick now] in a corner on a couch by the bar, then ambled over to the piano man. He was playing what I thought was Blue Rondo a la Turk by Dave Brubeck, but it ended up actually being Take Five. I had fun talking jazz with the piano man as he was playing--so talented! Then after a few songs and more couch-time Jeremy stood up, walked around the little glass table to me, and in his wonderfully gentlemanly way, asked if I would like to dance. Of course! We danced the night away...the piano man even played the music theme of The Godfather. How perfect.
After Tuscana West, to be honest I didn't want the night to be over. It was magical and lovely and I knew the perfect way to end the evening. Oysters. We both love oysters, and have explored each other's palates together oyster by oyster. (I like them doused in lemon, tabasco, vinegar, and pepper on a saltine cracker, whereas my purist boyfriend sprinkles a little sea salt and tosses them back). So off to Clyde's we went. Clyde's is a favorite hangout of ours, over in Gallery Place/Chinatown. Sometimes they have an oyster happy hour (!!) with half-price oysters off of the raw menu, but not that night bc it was a holiday. (Really? Valentine's Day?) We had crab, oysters, and I might have ordered a martini? I cannot remember, the oysters were too delicious to remember the drink!
What an evening!
My favorite course on the prix-fixe Valentine's Day menu was the appetizer: Duo of Smoked Duck and Duck Rillette with Cornichon and Pesto sauce. I wasn't a fan of the smoked duck, but the duck rillette was something I'd never had before and it ended up being the perfect start. For those who don't know what a rillette is (I didn't), it is a preparation of meat similar to a pâté. The meat is cubed or chopped, heavily salted, and cooked slowly in fat until it is tender enough to be easily shredded, then cooled with enough of the fat to form a paste. Typically they are served as a spread for toasted bread. (Thanks, Wikipedia.)
For the entrée Jeremy had the Duo of Lobster and Scallops Served with Creamy Mushroom Risotto and Saffron Sauce with Piment d'Espelette. He's a big fan of risotto and thought it was tasty but wasn't too into the lobster and scallops. For myself, the Rack of Lamb Crusted with Dijon Mustard Served with Three Purée (broccoli, carrot, potato) and Thyme-Tarragon sauce. Great purées, especially the carrot. It kind of felt like I was eating baby food, but it sure hit the spot. The lamb was tender and juicy, and a nice touch with the Dijon. I love Dijon. I dream of moving to Dijon, France and just cooking with mustards all the livelong day. Slathering Dijon over baguettes and brioche, spreading it over crostini and crackers. Oh my...
I digress...
for dessert, Assorted Mignardises, which came as a trio of chocolate mousse, fruit tart, and lemon tart. Our favorite was the chocolate mousse. Paired with coffee, it was just too good. Oh I almost forgot, before the apps we ordered the cocktail special. For him, Kir Royal (Champagne, Crème de Cassis) and for her, a Bellini! (Champagne, Crème de Pêche). I was very excited to see Bellini on the menu because I've always dreamed of ordering "a Bellini with caviar please"...until I realized I was thinking of blini with caviar ...oops. :) Still, a delicious little drink.
I was quite excited about Petits Plats because I booked our reservation on Open Table, as a surprise for Jeremy. If you are unfamiliar with Open Table, you need to go visit the website. www.opentable.com. You just type in the name of your city, and a list of restaurants pops up, listing descriptions of each, price range, attire, etc. Très helpful for someone who doesn't know of many Washington, DC restaurants. I even made 2 reservations just in case...then canceled one for a different restaurant earlier that day. They probably don't like you to cancel the day of, but I had to be sure we had legit reservations. Come on, it's Valentine's Day after all! Restaurants in DC were jam-packed.
I was very pleased with the experience. And Jeremy had raved about the Woodley Park metro escalator and how it was the longest escalator in the world! (Not factual, but in his mind it is the longest.)I had to try it out. It is LONG. If you ride it in the winter, be sure to wear a scarf. Brrrr with the wind chill.
After Petits Plats we were feeling pretty lovey and a little tipsy. I mentioned how I've always wanted to go on a date to a piano bar so Jeremy did some research with the help of his Dad's Google research and via text we were able to get directions. A hop, skip and a jump over to the McPherson Square area and we found the place: Tuscana West. An Italian restaurant with a great old-fashioned looking bar and a little old man tickling the ivories. With martinis (her) and red wine (him) we sat and chatted, deeply gazing into each other's eyes [ok i'll stop with the lovesick now] in a corner on a couch by the bar, then ambled over to the piano man. He was playing what I thought was Blue Rondo a la Turk by Dave Brubeck, but it ended up actually being Take Five. I had fun talking jazz with the piano man as he was playing--so talented! Then after a few songs and more couch-time Jeremy stood up, walked around the little glass table to me, and in his wonderfully gentlemanly way, asked if I would like to dance. Of course! We danced the night away...the piano man even played the music theme of The Godfather. How perfect.
After Tuscana West, to be honest I didn't want the night to be over. It was magical and lovely and I knew the perfect way to end the evening. Oysters. We both love oysters, and have explored each other's palates together oyster by oyster. (I like them doused in lemon, tabasco, vinegar, and pepper on a saltine cracker, whereas my purist boyfriend sprinkles a little sea salt and tosses them back). So off to Clyde's we went. Clyde's is a favorite hangout of ours, over in Gallery Place/Chinatown. Sometimes they have an oyster happy hour (!!) with half-price oysters off of the raw menu, but not that night bc it was a holiday. (Really? Valentine's Day?) We had crab, oysters, and I might have ordered a martini? I cannot remember, the oysters were too delicious to remember the drink!
What an evening!
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