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.)

"Kidnapped" Kari for her 45th to VA Beach

A couple of weeks ago, Lori and Sheri "kidnapped" Kari for her 45th birthday which really isn't until April 22.  We had a glorious weekend at friend's very cool condo facing Back Bay in Sandbridge.  The weather couldn't have been better...87 and sunny when we arrived.  We did lots of fun things including eating at some great restaurants (see notes below)...checking out the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia and Virginia Aquarium, cruising the boardwalk with all the Shamrock marathon runners and families, and walking the beach.  Cocktails and yummy appetizers were enjoyed on the balcony overlooking Back Bay and the beautiful sunsets.  We got a call from Dad on Saturday evening telling us to look at the biggest moon ever...so we did after dinner at Catch 31 on the beach.  It was spectacular.

Day 1
So to keep Kari on her toes guessing our final destination, we stopped off at Old Chickahominy House for lunch in Williamsburg.  Friends told Lori it was a place we just had to go to enjoy southern food.  Very small and old--some of the building is over 200 years old--although there is a large gift shop, and the restaurant was full of regulars. No reservations although we got on the list before we left home so we didn't have too wait long. Basically you get  unsweetened or sweetened tea.  Then you get flat rectangular biscuits which was a real surprise for us, ham, chicken and dumplings, and they really push the pie.  They thought we were weird not wanting any pie.    Being a Lenten Friday, Sheri had veggie Brunswick stew which was more like veggie soup. Biscuits were great even though they were flat and rectangular instead of round and deep.  Ham salty good.  Chicken and dumplings tasty and very filling.  www.oldchickahominy.com.

 After settling into our condo  (Aqua Boogie in The Sanctuary), we took a walk on the beach and saw a pod of dolphins flying out of the water and twirling around to our amusement.  When we decided we walked off lunch, we headed back to the condo to enjoy cocktails, nachos, fresh salsa and guacamole, and watched a beautiful sunset over Back Bay.  Ready for dinner, we skipped across the street to Baja Bayview Lounge & Grill.  It doesn't look like much on the outside but is very cute inside.  A little surprising it isn't more open to the bay views though.  (Dave Matthews mom lives nearby and sometimes he just shows up and plays until it gets too crowded.) Waitress was fabulous.  Above picture to the left is Angry Mussels which Kari, who loves mussels, and Lori enjoyed for the first time.  Lori was a little skimish but gave it a try.  They were served with a flavorful broth and toasted bread.  Sheri is allergic to shellfish which is a bummer.  We enjoyed mouth watering panko crusted flounder with crabmeat and spinach salad with grilled tuna and sweet vidalia onion vinaigrette.  Yummy all around.  http://hamptonroads.com/2009/06/baja-bar-and-grille-offers-sunset-views-live-music

Day 2

After a good night sleep, breakfast of yogurt, berries and delicious muffins from Greenberry's in McLean, we were off to Virginia Beach.  We stopped off at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia and saw an incredible exhibit by Marc Sijan.  The sculptures of people, many of his friends and family, are so real-like...muscles, facial expressions, veins, skin, everything.  You got to check it out. The museum is beautiful too and there was a great exhibit by area students as well. www.cacv.org

Back in the car, we drove a short distance and parked at 25th Street.  So excited to see the Norwegian Statue honoring American and Norwegian sailors who perished after a ship wreck.  We cruised up and down the boardwalk with thousands of exhausted runners (many dressed in St. Patty's day attire and colors) and their families with cameras and signs.  It was sunny with a chill in the air and slightly windy, but beautiful.  So fabulous being outside, hearing the waves breaking, and basking in the sun.

After all that walking (we must have burned off a couple of hundred calories at least), our minds turned to lunch.  To Mahi Mah's we headed for some more scrumptious seafood.  Wanting a nice ocean view and being warmed up from our physical exertion, we sat outside.  However, the inside of the restaurant was very cozy and attractive with a sparkling aquarium full of coral and brightly colored exotic fish.  Huge dark wood bar too.  Our waitress was nice, but a little busy and service was inconsistent.  We started off with avocado rolls which were delish.  Kari enjoyed a tasty Bloody Mary...it is her birthday weekend after all and the runners seated next to us were lapping them up. Crispy lightly fried tilapia tacos with shredded cabbage, cheddar cheese, chipotle sour cream, rice and beans, and a giant stuffed yellow fin tuna burrito arrived shortly after.  As you can see from the photo above, it was GIANT.  Fries, fresh tomato salsa, lettuce, jack cheese, sour cream and beans joined the burrito.  Tangy and spicy sauces heightened the flavor of the dishes.  Tasty all around.  Another home run.  www.mahimahs.com


Now it was time to burn off those calories although we were eating pretty healthfully.  Drive down the road a piece to the Virginia Aquarium which is packed with families.  As aquariums go, it was very nice and we got to pet some sting rays. www.virginiaaquarium.com.  

Restaurant 3-An evening of tasty Southern food and Parking Chaos

Appetizers

Meatloaf & Grouper

 Parking in Clarendon is not for the faint of heart...especially for middle aged Moms with short-term memory issues who can easily lose their way into a parking garage, find their way out, or remember where they parked.  To park near Restaurant 3, you enter the parking garage on Garfield, must pass numerous reserved or residential parking spots until you find one available for the public.  Then you pass a number of residential elevators to find an elevator you can use.  If you don't have your parking pass with you, you can't get out.  Once you reach the ground level, you exit on Fillmore.  Finding your bearings, you go up Clarendon Blvd, to the entrance of the restaurant.   No wonder Clarendon is full of young adults with no memory issues who walk or Metro to the area.  Being the Viking women we are (told that repeatedly by Dad), we forged toward victory to our reserved table.  Unfortunately, like many restaurants Sheri wasn't seated initially.  That policy is fine when all the tables are taken and turnover is key.  But there were numerous tables empty probably for patrons who were late because of the parking maze.  Finally, she was seated when she informed the maitre de the other two were parking.

The old ornate bar (found in Kansas in 1909) was jammed packed full of lively young adults seated at the bar, communal table, and lounge area with a flat screen TV.  Loud, vivacious, and happy conversations.  Many patrons left when they were told there was a hour or longer wait for a table.  The contemporary dining room was small but had a spacious feel to it.  Booths and tables weren't on top of each other.  Americana art adorn the otherwise simple, warm decor.  Lighting was perfect and conversation easy.

Staff and service were amazing.  Friendly but not over the top.  Water, wine, beer, bread and food appeared in a stealth manner.  Interruptions were subtle.  Just excellent service.

The menu was amazing as well as a fabulous offering of over 70 beers.  The corn muffins were a little dry but everything else was awesome.  We started out with crisp cool lettuce wraps with tender, juicy roasted duck and a spicy bourbon molasses sauce, and Grandma's Doris' Mac and Salad.  The mac and cheddar cheese was creamy and delicate with linguini noodles, and the salad was fresh, crunchy with a nice dijon vinaigrette.  For entrees, we shared the special tender grouper with a flavorful shrimp and crab mousse with a little kick to it, and pork and beef meatloaf stuffed with brie and bacon served with delicious mashed potatoes and crispy onion straws on top.  The portions were generous and presentation fantastic.  Left overs were taken home to be enjoyed.

Restaurant 3 is the third restaurant owned by Greg and Susan Cahill, and Jonathan and Bethany Sullivan (also own Whitlow's on Wilson and Mama Quans).  Chef Brian Robinson studied in New Orleans and it shows with the southern comfort food offerings on the menu.

Parking issues aside, Restaurant 3 is definitely a place where you want to go back for great food, plentiful drink, nice atmosphere and fantastic service.

www.restaurantthree.com

Busara Thai Cuisine

On a blistery cold and windy evening, we met at Busara in the Tysons area.  We were greeted by very friendly staff and seated near the back.  The decor is very colorful, eclectic, and contemporary.  Our waitress is from Thailand and has been in this country for four months.  She was very sweet and patient with us as it takes a while for us to even get to the menu.  She brought us chilled white wine and told us the specials.  We ordered soup to start...Tom Yum Goong and Wonton soup.  The Tom Yum Goong had shrimp and mushrooms in a hot and sour lemon grass broth. The Wonton soup was light and flavorful with light shrimp and chicken dumplings, veggies, and slivers of roasted pork.  Then we shared three entrees...Honey Roasted Duck, Moo Yank (pork), and Pad King (chicken).  The pork was our favorite with two different sauces, one spicy and the other more on the sweet side, brown rice and grilled veggies.  Yum.  The chicken was in a light bean sauce with ginger, onions, mushrooms and very moist.  The duck was served sliced with the skin and fat over steamed spinach, watercress, crispy noodles, sweet soy sauce and pickled ginger.  The author of today's blog liked it less than the other two sisters.

We enjoyed sharing what's new with our lives, and sat down to business coming up with a long list of restaurants to try.  If you want us to check a place out, let us know.

Our overall experience was very positive.  Easy parking, friendly staff, good food, and a cheerful and warm atmosphere.  We would recommend Busara's if you are looking for a good Thai experience.

Sheri and Kari check out the menu

Lori enjoys the cool decor

Yummy!

Lunch with Dad at Cassatt's

On a wintery day a couple of weeks ago, we were suppose to play tennis and lunch at the club.  However, Kari's wrist is broken and there were no courts available so we decided to meet at Cassatt's in Arlington.  It is a very busy, cheerful and fun cafe.  Dad, who is forever curious about everything, found out from the staff the owner is from Philly and so was Mary Cassatt, thus the name.  The owner used to own the seafood place in the back, and spent a year in New Zealand with his wife which is why there is a New Zealand influence to the cuisine and atmosphere.  The cream colored walls are adorn with art work by local artists with the Arlington Artist Alliance.  The art work changes monthly and is for sale or pleasant viewing.
The seafood bisque soup in a savory tomato broth with rice and a rich melody of fish, and chicken orzo veggie soup were piping hot and very flavorful served with toasted french baguette slices.  The pear walnut salad with chicken, sun dried cranberries and feta was served with a light vinaigrette.  The penne pasta in warm tomato sauce with orange slices, olives and lamb was mouth watering.
Staff is friendly, service is prompt although sometimes chaotic, parking is easy both in the front and back, and no reservations are taken but the waits usually aren't too long.  This is a casual venue with the kitchen visible.  If you wish to linger over "Flat White," one of their coffee specialties, it is better to come before or after the lunch and dinner rush hour.

www.cassattscafe.com

Background of Sister Night Out and the Three Sisters

Our Dad has said for years we should start reviewing restaurants since we have gone to so many in the DC, VA and MD area.  We usually go to restaurants we have read about or heard about from friends.  Sometimes the recommendations are great, sometimes not.  We go to expensive restaurants usually to celebrate birthdays, and to moderately priced and inexpensive places the rest of the year.

We have traveled and lived in the U.S. and internationally and have enjoyed a vast array of diverse cuisine.  We enjoy cookouts and camping as well as five star restaurants and hotels and everything in between.  We have been to formal affairs at the White House, embassies and other black tie events as well as neighborhood, sport team, and church potlucks.  We are decent cooks ourselves, and one of us is a great baker.  Sharing a good meal with family and friends is a favorite past time for us.

Caveats:  we eat out once a month.  We share what we order which is primarily soups, salads, appetizers and/or main courses.  We rarely eat dessert.  Two of us are wine drinkers, and the other sister favors beer.  Our comments are strictly personal and limited to that one time experience regarding cuisine, atmosphere, service, staff, parking and expense.  We meet primarily for dinner, and occasionally for lunch.