Thursday, January 31, 2013

The Liberty Tavern - Arlington, VA

Dinner 1/31/13

Bread & Butter - First, let me mention that this is not your run of the mill bread and butter. The bread is baked fresh on-site in the restaurant's bakery daily.  Pictured is a sweet dinner roll, a dark molasses bread, and an Italian feather loaf.  The scent of the bread permeates the nostrils! The butter is mixed with locally made Chevre cheese.

Pan Roasted Quail - The pan roasted quail was stuffed with a house blended sausage. It rested atop a bed of smoked collard greens and pomegranates. I don't like collard greens, but these were so good, I couldn't get enough!

DUCK FAT FRIED ONION RINGS - Rich and Tender, these onion rings were delicious.

SMOKED MEYER ALL NATURAL BEEF SHORT RIBS - heirloom carrots, goat milk polenta, porcini butter , red wine pomegranate jus. Tender, beefy goodness!

Cornbread-Crab Pudding -  This was a special request, as it only comes with one menu item and is usually not available a la carte. It's a cupcake made of cornbread and lump crab meat. Do I need to say anymore?

Gingerbread Shortcake - Gingerbread mini pancake puffs made into a whipped cream sandwich. All of it is resting in an apple caramel sauce with pomegranate jelly garnishing the plate.

http://www.thelibertytavern.com/home.php








Liberty Tavern on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Mon Ami Gabi - Reston, VA

Dinner 1/30/12

Escargot - Large snails simmering in garlic butter with a shredded spinach topping.  Very good!

Onion Soup Au Gratin - Flavorful onion broth with caramelized onions and herbs. Homemade bread croutons are soaking underneath the melted gruyere cheese.  Rich and flavorful, albeit a little too salty.

Chicken Grandmere - Half of a roasted chicken with sauteed bacon and mushrooms with a puree of potatoes.  The chicken was moist and had great buttery flavor. The bacon and mushroom medley was spot on, and paired well with the potatoes.

Bananas Foster Crepe - The winner of the night!  It was like eating spoonfuls of heaven! The crepe was enormous and then folded into a rectangle. The maple ice cream complimented the caramel rum sauce (fosters sauce). I recommend this dessert to anyone!

http://www.monamigabi.com/home/?loc=reston





Mon Ami Gabi on Urbanspoon

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Hank's Oyster Bar - Washington, DC

Dinner - 1/27/13

Hot Mess Cocktail (served up) - A perfect blend of Beneva Mezcal Anjeo, blackberry jalapeno syrup, and pineapple juice. This cocktail had a blended complex flavor, finished with a touch of fire on the tongue (Not overbearing at all).

6 Rappahannock Oysters (Left) - These were very large in size and mild in flavor.
6 Blue Point Oysters (Right) - These had the perfect combination of size, flavor, and brine.

Lobster Roll and Old Bay Fries - Wow, what a treat!  This lobster roll was full of fresh claw meat all nestled into a buttered, toasted brioche bread. The fries were perfectly cooked. The best part about this dish was that each component (bread, lobster, and fries) was equally delicious!





http://www.hanksoysterbar.com/


Hank's Oyster Bar on Urbanspoon

The Pearl Dive - Washington, DC

Bar Menu - 1/27/13

I stopped in on a Sunday afternoon in between lunch and dinner. The bar menu was the only food available at the time, but that didn't stop me.

Bardstown Derby Cocktail - Made from Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Grapefruit, Lemon, and Orange Blossom Honey, this cocktail had a citrus forefront with a strong whiskey punch. It finished with a hit of the honey.

Misc Oysters - (From Left to Right)
2 Warshore, VA - These were very light in flavor, but were creamy
2 Little Creek, WA - These had a stronger sea flavor, but were still considerably mild
2 Steamboat, WA - These were the most balanced in saltiness and flavor

*All of the oysters were very fresh tasting!

http://www.pearldivedc.com/intro



Pearl Dive Oyster Palace on Urbanspoon




Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Han Shin - Overland Park, KS

Lunch 1/2/13

2 Roll Lunch Special w/ Miso Soup and Ginger Salad - Ebi Roll and California Roll - It's hard to beat a $10 lunch with a great soup, salad, and sushi...and this special at Han Shin is no exception.  The soup and salad are good, but the main feature is the fresh, passionately prepared sushi rolls. 


Spicy Crab Salad - Coming from Florida, this is not something that is commonly known about or ordered. I was in to eat one day and the owner said, "let me make you something special." I was impressed that he could recognize the type of sushi that I enjoyed and made this delicious and crunchy crab salad.  I have been ordering this dish ever since that day!


http://www.hanshinkc.net/





Han Shin Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Restaurant on Urbanspoon