Restaurant Week Wrap-Up

A few weeks ago, Washington experienced a bi-annual event called Restaurant Week (during which restaurant goers can enjoy a three course pre-fixe lunch for $20.09 or dinner for $30.09). I have heard people compare Restaurant Week to Valentine's Day--lots of people are dining in fancy restaurants they wouldn't otherwise, the wait staff is overworked because tables are booked back to back, and tips are paltry compared to what they usually are. Even with these drawbacks, I see RW as a time to try new restaurants I wouldn't usually. And I have to say, there are few things more fun than leaving work in the middle of the day to have a pre-fixe lunch at a swanky restaurant.

So here goes my little recap of my four Restaurant Week outings this year...

DC Coast
DC Coast is located right around the corner from my office so I have actually been there several times, including restaurant week a few years ago. (And funny enough, I was actually with the exact same people, Julia S. and Elissa F., for both visits--I've placed "now and then" photos below for comparison). In addition to the fresh seafood and open, airy decor, this restaurant featured one of my favorite desserts from RW 2009. The Vermont goat cheesecake with pistachios and strawberries is not to be missed if you happen upon it at DC Coast anytime soon. It was the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and savory. And a pretty significant step up from the dry chocolate cake which was the other dessert option.




Zola
I ventured to Zola with a big group. Let it be know that the restaurant accommodated our large party with ease and even offered a black napkin to those of us wearing black pants to eliminate the dreaded white lint from napkin issue I know you've experienced in the past. My two favorite Zola dishes were actually appetizers. The mushroom fonduta (according to the interweb, fonduta is "an Italian style fondue made of Fontina cheese and served over toast or polenta") was excellent, as was the cold tomato and watermelon soup. I just love cold soups. The butter that was put on our tables when we arrived at Zola was outstanding. It was sprinkled with some sort of exotic orange salt (I wish I could remember where it was from).



Mio
Mio is also located very close to my office. As I sauntered out of my office, crossed the street, and entered Mio's cool and simple dining room most of the day's work concerns ventured to the back of my head. I had a cold cucumber and yogurt soup as an appetizer which was fantastic. As I mentioned, cold soups are some of my favorites, so when they're on the menu I usually order them. (Sadly/shockingly, I didn't have my camera for this meal, but please trust that it was delicious and a good RW lunch destination.)

Tabbard Inn
I actually discovered the bread pudding featured in my 100th post during a RW dinner at Tabbard a few years ago. Although it was not on the menu this year, I did LOVE the dessert items our table shared (hazelnut chocolate cake and another kind of bread pudding). I dined at Tabbard with Stephan K., Jessica T., and Jessica's mom visiting from Atlanta (hi Mrs. T!). I enjoyed both the stories of Jessica's childhood and the delicious bread basket. The pastry chef at the Tabbard Inn has now impressed me multiple times, including the delicious cake he made for Caeden D. and Antigone H.'s wedding reception also hosted there. (I was so wowed, I decided to go back for brunch a few weeks after RW--stay tuned for a guest blog by Carolyn G. about this).