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