August. Dead month, right? Not in the foodie world, at least not in DC. Yes, things may be slower than usual, but I was still pretty busy shoving food into my mouth. I was lucky enough to preview upcoming Masa 14 and meet Kaz of Kaz Sushi Bistro, I headed out on the town with Donna for a locovore dinner at Charlie Palmer Steak, and I returned to some all-time favorites. Mostly I’ve been eating sushi and steak, seems to be the reoccurring theme this month. At least they balance each other out in the health department, right?
So here are the best of the best dishes I’ve eaten all month. I’ll give you a list of where I’ve been (also known as what we’re working with) and then give you a look at the best of the best. Can you handle all the tasty?
Where I’ve been: SEI, Commonwealth Gastropub, Los Tios, Ray’s The Steaks, Earl’s Sandwiches, Kaz Sushi Bistro, Charlie Palmer Steak, The Gibson, Tabard Inn, Marvin, Good Stuff Eatery, Piola, Taqueria Nationale, Vinifera, Eat Bar, Johnny’s Half Shell
‘Champers Bubbles 1’
courtesy of ‘super-c’
Cocktail: Champagne cocktail from The Gibson. I would be totally remiss if I didn’t pick a cocktail from The Gibson, DC’s infamous hidden speakeasy. Mixologist Derek Brown takes the task of creating craft cocktails for drink snobs very seriously, and I loved every minute of my bright champagne cocktail. I’ve been having a bit of a prosecco craving that I just can’t shake, and I think it started with this particular cocktail. I’d say more, but you really just need to go to The Gibson and get it for yourself.
Appetizer: Fish and Chips Sushi Roll from SEI. I liked almost everything I got at SEI and will definitley be back for more, but the thing that I’ll food dream about is the Fish and Chips roll. A traditional sushi roll cut into six pieces, the roll has flounder, malt vinegar and then the slices are turned on their side and topped with a tangle of french fries and a little wasabi tartar. I loved how fun it was, but also it was seriously tasty.
‘Creamy Corn n Crab Soup’
courtesy of ‘snapzdc’
Soup: Chilled corn soup from Charlie Palmer Steak . The corn soup at Charlie Palmer was cold and delicious. Creamy and lucious, it wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I was envisioning a sort of cold corn chowder, but this was just a wonderful smooth thick butter-yellow soup served over delicious chunks of crab. It rivals Westend Bistro’s Tomato Consumme that I can’t shut up about in the cold-soups-of-summer contest. And that? Is sayin’ something.
‘NY strip’
courtesy of ’emilygoodstein’
Entree: Filet with Blue Cheese Sauce from Ray’s The Steaks. I knew it was only a matter of time before I ate Ray’s and this dish ended up in an Eat Like Me. That’s because nothing can compete with a juicy medium-rare filet with that gorgeously delicious blue cheese sauce Michael Landrum whips up at Ray’s the Steaks. It’s just DAMN GOOD FOOD, no other way to put it. Pair it with the complimentary mashed potatoes (and ya’ll know how I feel about potatoes!) and some of the best creamed spinach around and I’m the happiest girl alive. While other dishes can be fancy-shmancy with all kinds of accoutrement and sauces dotted on the plate, sometimes it’s nice to return home to a simple steak, cooked to perfection, with back-to-basics sides.
Dessert: Plum Cobbler from Charlie Palmer Steak. I know. They’re on here twice. But it was good, what can I say? I’m not generally a fan of super fruity desserts, but maybe that’s because I haven’t met the right ones. And this plum cobbler is maybe the dessert of my summer. Farmer’s market plums served hot with a sweet biscuit baked on top – straightforward dessert shaped around quality ingredients. Even the thickest chocolate tarte cannot compete.
So there we have it – the best dishes of my August! What were yours? Anything I must try in September? A place that made you crave more? Do tell.
Please tell me Masa 14 is going to be awesome?