Piero's Corner: Work in Progress in Fairfax

 We usually don't do SNO in August because of the family vacation, but this year Sheri needed it because she is now an empty nester.  Kari's daughter had a soccer game scheduled so we picked a restaurant in Fairfax to make it easier for Kari to get there.  Hurricane Irene came to town and the game was cancelled but we kept our plans.
The decor is very warm and inviting.  Golden walls, stone bars and wood oven, dark furniture, tiled floors, black masculine chandeliers.    Piero's Corner  considers itself, "an authentic, yet casual dining experience."  Our experience was too rushed by an inexperienced yet attentive wait staff.  Food was tasty or bland.   

   

The warm, crusty bread arrived with olive oil infused with basil, garlic and parmesan cheese on the side.  That was delicious.  Kari ordered Mary's Lobster Bisque which was creamy with a hint of lobster flavoring but lacked seasoning, lobster meat and any hint of Cognac or Sherry.  When Kari asked if she would get some Sherry, the waiter checked and replied that she could buy a shot from the bar.  Serious????  Sheri's mesclun salad with balsamic vinaigrette was fine.  However, when ordered as a side salad it comes without roasted pears, dried cranberries and gorgonzola cheese which was a disappointment.  When Sheri was told her pizza (her main entree) would come out quickly, she had to ask the waiter to make sure they held the pizza back and serve it with the other entrees. Really???

Lori's Trittico di Pasta looked delicious when it arrived.  It is a pasta sampler if you will.  Lobster ravioli with a cream vodka sauce, capellini with a hearty tomato sauce with goat cheese, and lasagne croccante with arugula.  There was enough for two.   Kari's Calamari Grigliati had a generous portion of tasty grilled calamari on   top of fresh spinach nicely dressed with a light lemon vinaigrette and feta cheese.  Sheri's crisp cheese and tomato pizza with anchovies arrived on

wood platter.  It was very bland and needed seasoning and more stuff.

A lively band playing in the wine tasting room made you feel you were in the Mediterran.  That very enjoyable.

So mixed reviews all in all.  Piero's Corner definitely has potential but there is work to be done in the kitchen and training needed for the wait staff.  This is a very nice restaurant which needs to live up to its atmosphere and prices.

Circa at Clarendon

 

Sheri's son Jake is working in the kitchen this summer at Circa and some family friends have an interest in the restaurant so we decided we wanted to check it out.  We went for lunch on a recent hot and humid Friday afternoon but alas Jake was not working.  However, Jake's boss and manager stop by to give us a very welcoming "hello" and it was great to meet her.

There are Circa's in Dupont Circle (the original one) and now Foggy Bottom.  They are very contemporary spaces with long sleek bars and communal tables, extensive wine lists, outdoor patio seating, flat screen TVs highlighting sports and music, serving "American fare with an international flair."  Circa at Clarendon is on a corner and utilizes the outdoor space beautifully...nice furniture, umbrellas, fountain.  Inside, more than half the space is the extensive bar and communal table.  Lots of windows and high ceilings make the dining room bright and airy.  Sleek, crisp and clean lines give it a very "energized urban" feel.

After ordering ice teas, crispy crust doughy slices of french baguette served with flavorful olive tapenade and creamy butter arrived.  The soup of the day was a veggie soup with spinach and lentils.  Sounded appetizing so Sheri ordered a bowl and share tasty "fork-fuls" with Lori and Kari.  Lori enjoyed the light, summer flavors of the watermelon-mozzarella-arugula salad with candied almonds, pickled red onion, and crispy prosciutto in a honey-mint dressing.  Kari's grilled chicken, sun dried tomato paste, swiss cheese, dijonnaise and arugula panini was served on parmesean-crusted ciabatta bread and with crispy fries.  It was delish.  Lori and Sheri helped themselves to some fries...yum.  Sheri's chicken mango salad arrived fresh and chilled.  Lots of mesclun salad greens, grilled chicken, mango, grapes, shredded carrots, cranberries, and goat cheese with orange-ginger dressing.   The dessert list looked delectable including chocolate chip cookies but we were full.  Sizzling summer heat does affect the appetite unfortunately.

We are anxious to come back in the evening to check out the dinner menu which we hear is fabulous (from Lori's daughter Amie and other young professional friends) and scene which we hear is lively but maybe a little to young for us???
www.circaatclarendon.com

"Watershed" Gem in NoMa

Lori had been wanting to go to Todd Gray's Watershed restaurant for months so we decided to celebrate her birthday there on a recent hot, humid June night.  Todd and Ellen Gray opened the restaurant recently in the NoMa (North of Mass Ave) neighborhood, and Chef Gray enjoys creating regional cuisine using seafood, and produce from growers and producers from Maine to Florida..as they call it,"Coastal Cuisine of the Eastern Seaboard."

What a treat to get street parking right in front of the Hilton Garden Inn where the restaurant is housed on the second floor.  The surrounding area is full of new residential and office buildings housing restaurants and a Harris Teeter.  The cool teal, beige and brown decor are warm and inviting.  Floor to ceiling windows and high ceilings set off a cheerful and comfortable ambiance.  It was too hot to enjoy the lovely outdoor patio with brown rattan furniture and beige cushions.  We walked through the modern lounge full of business people and tourists, and past the raw bar. Sleek black and brushed nickel tables (including some long, tall communal ones) with rose orchard plants as centerpieces, and cloth and leather chairs fill the dining room.  Squares of fabric, mirrors and colorful metal fish sculptures adorn the walls.  Mosaic tile and granite complete the cool and refreshing look.  We had a view of the somewhat open kitchen.

Thanks to a person with connections (you know who you are) we got royal treatment from the wait and bar staff, hostess,  and chef.  We ordered drinks (Lori sipped a NoMa Blend, a Stoli ohranj, lemon and soda concoction, while Kari and Sheri savored chilled white wine) and grilled sour dough crostini with wild mushroom with sweet garlic and crispy onion to start.  We don't think our very friendly and attentive waiter with a very thick Guinea/French accent was in the know originally, because out of nowhere a bartender arrived with complimentary muli-colored refreshing lemony drinks with berries and umbrellas in delicate petunia-shaped glasses, and birthday greetings for Lori.  Before we knew it complimentary appetizers of "Shed" hush puppies-so crispy and airy- with a tangy orange-colored dip along with steamed slightly crisp asparagus with butter garlic ailoi showed up at the table along with warm, doughy bread in dainty wire baskets.  Not that we were complaining mind you...it was a wonderful treat and great surprise.  We are not sure what our fellow diners were thinking between all the attention (and food and drinks) we were getting and all the pictures we were taking...maybe they thought we were celebrities who knows...it was a hoot.

 Now for dinner....Sheri enjoyed the delicious smoked Carolina trout with arugula leaves, cucumber noodles, and trout roe vinaigrette.  Lori shared bites of her meaty and zestful Watershed crab cakes served on top of crisp shoestring potato patties, wilted spinach and caper remoulade sauce.  Kari choose two appetizers to satisfy her love of shell fish...succulent steamed Maine mussels with delightful tomato and garlic broth with white beans, and crispy Point Judith calamari with Watershed aioli, scallions vinegar and olive oil.  More white beans would have been appreciated.

The staff brought out a small scoop of vanilla ice cream with a candle that wouldn't go out which was very nice and we sang happy birthday to Lori.   But we wanted something chocolate.  So we devoured the dark chocolate pudding with banana ice cream and crumbled chocolate cookies served in a large stemless wine glass, and the warm, perfectly crisp and gooey chocolate chip cookies we asked for on the side.  Scrumptious.  And, once again, specialty cocktails showed up in dainty glasses...chocolate syrup drizzled on the inside slightly filled with something like Kaluha-an adult chocolate milk.  Yummmy!!!!  Lori opened her gifts.  More photo ops.  Out into a hot, humid DC summer evening with our delicious left-overs and a memorable evening.

Thank you Lizzie and the wonderful staff at Todd Gray's Watershed.  Excellent food, great service, amicable decor, easy parking (valet available too).   Ready to go back and enjoy the outdoor patio on a cool, brisk evening.  Visit www. toddgrayswatershed.com

Indian in Fairfax on a Rainy May Evening

So it's rainy and gray out, and we are off to Curry Mantra on Main Street, Fairfax.  It is in a small strip mall and not much to look at from the outside.  However, once inside it is warm and cozy with seating for about 50, and walls of orange and gold covered with Indian Paintings.  There is a very small bar as you enter and the kitchen with long skewers of meat hanging are visible through the oval window.  The place is packed.  We start gabbing away as usual and the poor young waiter can barely get our attention.  He was very pleasant and accommodating all evening in a very nice way.  Once we place our drink orders (small selection of wine, very limited beer selection is available but no alcohol), and he tells us the specials of the evening, we are back full force catching up on Lori's beach weekend, Kari's full weekend of kids' activities, and stuff going on in Sheri's life.  Then we plan Lori's June birthday dinner, Jake's graduation, and Father's Day.  Business is now done and we can talk about the news of the day.

Time to order.  The place smells divine with curry, ginger, and garlic smells floating through the air.  Curry Mantra is a vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian restaurant with chefs from various parts of India.  Their speciality is a wide variety of curries.  Local Indian customers come for the home-made Indian cuisine.  To start we enjoy the Naan, white flour flat bread baked in a tandoor (clay oven) with Raita, a home-made creamy yogurt sauce blended with cucumber and herbs.  The Naan is lightly crispy on the outside and soft and dough inside.  It arrives warm and toasty.  We also ordered Kabili Chana Kabob which is ground up chickpeas with cloves, black pepper, garlic and ginger made into small patties lightly fried and served with a sweet and tangy chutney sauce...this is a chef creation and it was tasty.  Now on to the main course...Butter Chicken skewed in a tandoor and then sauteed in a special creamy red buttery sauce with special herbs and spices.  The chicken was so tender and the sauce divine.  We also shared Lamb Mantra, a piece of lamb cooked in a dark brown curry sauce with a touch of chef mantra  (we think this is some special prayer, blessing or song over the food).  It too was very tender and flavorful.  The entrees were served in unique Indian mini brass bowls on top of a tiny flame.  A bowl of long grain basmati rice with a smattering of peas on top accompanied the main meals.  We enjoyed every bite on our large colorful square plates, and did our best to finish it all off, but Kari went home with the "goody" bag this evening of delicious left overs to share with her family.
Everyone was so friendly, welcoming and such good hosts.  We will be back for more Curry Mantra.
http://www.dccurrymantra.com/

April in France and Belguim-continue

 Later in the month, we enjoyed a vigorous game of doubles tennis and then cruised over Chain Bridge to Et Voila on MacArthur Blvd. for lunch.  It was a cold and rainy day so we were looking for some warm and comforting food.  The Chef at Et Voila is from Belgium.  Our waiter was very friendly and appeared to have a French accent.  The attractive space is small and narrow with a small bar.  The restaurant prides itself on serving natural, local grown produce.  Once again, Kari and Dad enjoyed the same dish:  Casserole de Moules Diable Pommes Frites, succulent steamed mussels in flavorful garlic white wine sauce with tomatoes, shallots and tasty lobster bisque.  A side of crispy Belgium fries accompanied the large bowls with lids.  Mayo and ketchup were ordered to dip the yummy fries in.  Delicious bread and butter was enjoyed in the remaining broth.  Lori ordered the Sandwich de Homard et Ses Chips au Panais, a delicious and moist lobster sandwich with parsnip chips and mache salad.  It tasted divine.  Sheri enjoyed the warm melted Guyere cheese over white ham on a toasted thin slice of delicious french bread.  The Tartine Parisienne et sa Salade Verte came with lightly dressed greens.  Pleasant ambiance and staff.  Good food.  Worth a visit.  http://www.etvoiladc.com

April in France and Belguim

 

Well, not really but we did have a great April enjoying the Picasso exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond followed by lunch at Can Can Brasserie in Carytown, and later in the month tennis and lunch at Et Voila on MacArthur Blvd, in DC.

The Picasso exhibit was fabulous, but we were extremely impressed with the architecture of the museum, fabulous gift shops with friendly volunteers and staff, and expansive space with tremendous windows and light for numerous exhibits.  The Amuse, its restaurant, is very chic and contemporary with lots of windows. The museum is well worth the drive.  Visit http://www.vmfa.state.va.us

Can Can is fun and very Parisienne in its decor and feel.  It was a beautiful day so the large front windows were open.  It has a massive bar, high ceilings, fans, dark wood, and tin ceiling.  Our waitress was super friendly and Dad enjoyed talking to her about traveling in France.  Dad and Kari enjoyed the savory Bouillabaisse with shrimp, mussels, clams and fish in a saffron, rouille tomato-fennel broth served with warm and doughy bread and crispy frites..  Lori loved the tasty Braised Lamb Sandwich with rosemary aiole, braised cabbage, and citrus and chickpea salad.  Sheri enjoyed the light and flavorful Roasted Chicken Salad with arugula, apricot, pistachio and lemon herbes aioli.  We have been here once before and definitely plan to come back for great atmosphere and good food.  http://www.cancanbrasserie.com

Kari's weekend continues

Back to our home away from home for our sunset cocktail hour with hummus, pita, olives and carrots.  We quickly freshened up and we were back on the road again going north to the big city.  Our friends who own the condo strongly recommended Catch 31 in the Hilton on the boardwalk.  Talk about chic, cavernous, open space with huge modern lights hanging from the ceiling, circular booths, open kitchen with eating bar, and huge lounge area with bar and flat screen TVs for the March Madness crowd.  Sheri was disappointed with our table.  While it was a window seat, it was in the corner away from the action and she was facing a wall.  We had called several times to let the staff know this was a special occasion so our table was a disappointment at least to Sheri.  The waiter was a little stiff initially rattling off the specials and how to read the menu.  However, by the end of the evening, we made him laugh and he warmed up to us.  Now to what you really care about...the food.  It did not disappoint.  Broiled fresh mahi mahi and rockfish served with savory risotto carbona, moist oyster mushrooms, tasty pancetta, brown butter spinach and chive oil (love the lime green color).  Need we say more....The other entree we shared was perfect fettuccine with sauteed fresh shrimp and chicken in a gorgeous gorgonzola cream sauce, roasted tomatoes, and pepper.  Our taste buds were in heaven. www.catch31.com  Off to see the moon!!!

Back to Aqua Boogie for Mums champagne (Mom and Dad's favorite) and yummy chocolate cupcakes from Pastry Expo in Merrifield.   Kari opened gifts wearing a silver and pink tiara and purple feathered boa.

Day 3

We toasted off the new day with bagels, salmon, cream cheese, fresh fruit, juice and left over cupcakes.  Having picked up Starbuck's the day before, we nuked the coffee and enjoyed hot beverages.  We sadly packed up and loaded the car realizing the weekend went by too fast.  We drove down to the Back Bay Park at the end of Sandbridge and walked among the dunes to the beach.  Very windy and cold, but sunny.  No one else was there so we had the beach all to ourselves.  After an hour of walking, we were in the car heading north to Bubba's Seafood Restaurant & Crab House on Shore Drive. However we got tangled up in another marathon and it took one and a half hours to get to North Beach following detours.  Saw some beautiful neighborhoods though.  Bubba's was on the water and we sat on the covered deck.  Great view watching boats coming into the marina.  Broiled fresh tilapia (catch of the day) and crab cake ("Absolutely the best") sandwiches with fries, lettuce, tomato, onion and ice tea.  Simple but so delightful.  Never ate so much seafood in a short period of time like this weekend. www.bubbasseafoodrestaurant.com

 Stuffed with seafood we headed home the back way via Route 17.  Pretty countryside and nice ride until we got to Fredericksburg.  Both Route 1 and I-95 were backed up so it was a very long ride home, but the memories and chance to be together more than made up for the hassle.  Great sisters.  Great Memories.  Great Restaurants.  Now that is something to talk about.  (It took us a week of diet and exercise to lose our "weekend" weight.  Can't wait for Lori's 50th next year.)