Brunch at Mussel Bar

If you follow the Bethesda Foodie on Facebook or Twitter, you know that we visit Mussel Bar pretty regularly. My husband is a huge beer connoisseur and I've been developing a taste for Belgian beer, especially since our summer vacation in Brussels (more on that later). Anyway, we've been to Mussel Bar at least 60 times for drinks or dinner but we'd never been there for brunch until just recently. We received one of the "Buy One, Get One" coupons from the bar manager, Leslie, and decided to put it to good use one Saturday. At Leslie's suggestion, we ordered the huevos rancheros and the eggs benedict with chorizo (a special). Both brunch items were very good. And in typical Mussel Bar style, they were meat-centric and a little spicy. Huevos rancheros is the most popular brunch item at Mussel Bar and I can totally see why. Poached eggs, spicy pork, peppers, and onions are served on a grilled spinach tortilla and smothered in hollandaise sauce. Ohhhh, the hollandaise sauce. MB's hollandaise has sriracha in it, making it a beautiful shade of orange and kicking up the heat. Yum. All brunch items are $12 and with our BOGO coupon, we paid $12 total. What a deal. Well, okay, we paid more than $12 because we got bloody marys.
We had such a good experience we decided to go back to Mussel Bar for brunch again last weekend. My husband couldn't resist getting the huevos rancheros again. I tried the omelette with chicken, spinach, and goat cheese. It was HUGE and tasty... but I gotta say, it's not as good as the huevos rancheros.

Mussel Bar is located at 7262 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10-3.

Winter Plates Lunch @ The Capital Grille, Chevy Chase

Wagyu Cheeseburger with fried egg, onions. Truffle fries with Parmesan.

Lobster roll (yes, it's HUGE) with roasted root veggies

I visited The Capital Grille, 5310 Western Avenue (Chevy Chase), on a chilly Monday afternoon a couple weeks ago with a friend of mine. Freezing cold and starving, we were ready for a big, hearty meal. We tried the new "winter plates" lunch menu, a collection of nine mix-and-match "plate" offerings - three soups or salads, three sandwiches, and three sides. Guests choose one from each category, creating a customized meal all for only $18. The plates menu is designed for busy professionals who only have an hour to spare for lunch. In fact, The Capital Grille promises to provide this three-plate lunch along with top notch service and have you on your way in just 45 minutes!

I decided to try the clam chowder, lobster roll, and roasted root vegetables while my friend ordered the roasted red pepper soup, wagyu cheeseburger, and truffle fries. After trying everything on the table, we decided that the wagyu cheeseburger was hands down the best option on the winter plates menu. It is most definitely as delicious as it looks in the picture above. After breaking the yolk of the fried egg, each bite of the succulent wagyu burger gets nicely coated. The truffle fries dusted with Parmesan are outstanding also. The truffle flavor and fragrance is easily detected without being overpowering. On the lighter side, the red pepper soup was very nicely done - not too heavy and just a little spicy.

Our waiter, Josh, was superlative and deserves mention. My friend, a resident of Chevy Chase, had dined at the restaurant recently and received a genuine warm welcome from Josh as soon as we sat down. He was extremely attentive throughout our meal and then tried to decline a generous tip as we were leaving, declaring the pleasure was all his. Of course I insisted but I was impressed by his statement. How charming.

Cesco Osteria

Cesco Osteria, 7401 Woodmont Ave, opened its doors back in December amidst lots of hype. I walked through the space shortly before it opened and was wowed by the beautiful atmosphere inside.
The Food - In January, I had dinner at Cesco and was delighted with my entree, wild Alaskan salmon with goat cheese served on a bed of spinach and sweet onions. It was perfectly sized, well-presented, fresh, and light. When I ordered, I was concerned that this entree would show up smothered in goat cheese but I was pleasantly surprised to find a nice unobtrusive dollop under the salmon fillet; not too much, not too little. My appetizer, the butternut squash soup special, was also light and fresh. This soup, along with others prepared by Francesco and his team, are made without heavy cream. Thank you. Don't get me wrong, I love a decadent cream-based soup now and then, but shortly after the holidays I was thankful for the cream-less option. I also tried the crab and avocado salad appetizer; this was good and well-presented but not the best I've ever had. The desserts are outstanding - every last one of them. And, like the dinner options, there were healthier options to choose from here too. Try the strawberry flower - sliced strawberries (arranged as a blossoming flower) served atop a sweet pear puree. Yumm! If you are in the mood for something more sinful, the bomboloni (Italian chocolate or custard-filled doughnuts) are outta this world. Seriously, delish. I don't have dessert pictures because everything was devoured too quickly at our table.
The Drinks - I ordered two different cocktails with my meal, the balsamic strawberry mojito ($15) and the lemon crush ($14). Both cocktails were tasty but very, very weak. For those prices, I was expecting a strong drink so I was a little disappointed there. I decided to return to Cesco a couple more times and try the drinks again before blogging about them. Sooo, since my meal in January, I've been back to Cesco a few times just for drinks. I went on a Sunday evening with some girlfriends when the bar was totally empty. We ordered a couple rounds of cocktails and the calamari. The calamari was very, very good. We requested our drinks be served "strong" and tried the balsamic strawberry mojito and lemon crush again. Much better. Perfect. At $15 and $14, that's still a little on the expensive side, in my opinion, but at least I felt like I was getting a decent amount of liquor in my drinks. We also tried the Se7en and the Succo di Pompelmo, both $14.
Probably the best trip to Cesco to date was when I visited around 11:30pm on a Saturday night after having dinner with my husband and father-in-law at Jaleo. The hubs and FIL were looking for a night cap before we took a cab home... you know, a nice glass of scotch or something. Cesco didn't have much selection with regard to scotch but we decided to stick around anyway because the place was HOPPING and the people-watching was spectacular -- international DJs were spinning back-to-back hits, women were dancing provocatively in the Co2 Lounge, the bar was packed, and architect/partner Mitch Weber was circulating the bar with an enormous grin on his face. My sweet FIL ditched the scotch idea and drank rum instead while we all watched a young woman straddle a handrail and shimmy up and down it while singing along to Michael Jackson.

Overall, I give Cesco a B+. I love the salmon, the atmosphere, the chef, Mitch Weber's outstanding personality and positive outlook, and the Saturday night people-watching. I think the prices are a little steep, especially for drinks. Cocktails are $14-$18, wine by the glass is $10-$15, beers start at $6 (think Miller Lite).

Fishermen's Grill: Best Lobster Roll Evah!

The Fishermen's Grill is the epitome of a New England hole-in-the-wall restaurant. I have been researching lobster rolls for years. I really like the Red Hook Maine-style lobster rolls here in the DC area but have yet to find the perfect lobby roll in Maine (where I should be able to find a great roll for breakfast, lunch, and dinner... right?)! Well, to be honest, I don't eat out a lot while I'm in Maine. My mother-in-law likes to cook and most meals are spent happily at home around the family dinner table. After Christmas, however, we made a special trip to Portland, ME, and I got the opportunity to try a famous Fishermen's Grill lobby roll.
Fisherman's Grill is the real deal - located next door to a fish market, this place has no problem getting fresh seafood. The interior is tiny and dated. Order your lunch from the counter and then sit at one of the few tables that line the wall. If you need to use the restroom, owner/manager Tom Hincks will yell from the kitchen, "it's small but it's clean, I promise". Speaking of Hincks, it's important to note that he seems to be the only person who works at Fishermen's Grill. He takes the orders, makes the food, and cleans up after you-- all with a smile on his face. That said, patience is appreciated. Hincks had a full restaurant when we were there and we waited about 20 minutes for our food to come out. While we waited for our meals, I flipped through Adam Richmond's book, America the Edible, and noticed that he had reviewed Fishermen's Grill and described the lobster rolls there as "pure ecstasy". This is when my mouth started to water.
When the food was finally delivered, we were pleasantly surprised by how delicious the clam chowder was. With more clams than anything else, the soup rivaled any I've had down here as most of them are heavier on potatoes than clams. The amount of lobster inside the lobster roll was thoroughly impressive. It was spilling out from the sides of the bun, making it difficult to eat. Speaking of the bun, it was the only place I saw room for improvement. The Red Hook rolls are really nicely grilled (like the outside of a grilled cheese sandwich) while the Fishermen's Grill roll was just lightly toasted - perhaps only to make it sturdy enough to withstand the pound of lobster inside rather than for flavor. The quality of the lobster meat was undoubtedly terrific and there was just the right amount of mayo to complement but not overwhelm the meat. Superb. The Fishermen's Grill is the frontrunner in my ongoing search for Maine's best lobster roll. Thanks, Tom.

Thomas Keller's Slow Cooker Cassoulet

This recipe is fabulous and foolproof. A definite crowd-pleaser. Perfect for a housefull of company. We made it on New Years day after reading this article, which states eating pork and legumes will bring good fortune in the new year. One note - plan ahead. It takes 9 - 10 hours in the slow cooker. Oh, and one more note - who has a slow cooker with the aluminum insert that can be used on the stove?! I need to get one! I have the basic ceramic insert for my All-Clad slow cooker so I have to cook everything in a separate frying pan before adding it to the slow cooker.

Ingredients:

• 4 lb. boneless pork shoulder, cut into 8 pieces and trimmed of excess fat
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 2 Tbs. canola oil
• 1 cup panko
• 4 oz. thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips
• 4 cups coarsely chopped yellow onions (about 3 medium onions)
• 2 cups dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 can (35 oz.) peeled Italian plum tomatoes, drained and
  coarsely chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 12 cups cooked Great Northern beans or other small white
  beans, drained
• 6 fully cooked or smoked chorizo or garlic sausage links,
  about 1 1/2 lb. total, each halved on the diagonal
• 1 garlic head, halved crosswise
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
• 1 lb. baguette, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
• Extra-virgin olive oil for brushing
• Coarse sea salt, such as sel gris, for garnish

Directions:

Season the pork generously with kosher salt and pepper; set aside.

In the stovetop-safe insert of a slow cooker over medium-high heat, combine the canola oil and panko. Cook, stirring constantly, until the panko is toasted and golden, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer the panko to a baking sheet and season with kosher salt and pepper.

Add the bacon to the insert and cook until crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Reserve the bacon fat in the insert.

Add half of the pork to the insert and brown on all sides, 7 to 8 minutes total. Transfer to a platter. Repeat with the remaining pork.

Add the onions and 1 tsp. kosher salt to the insert and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and softened, about 7 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 8 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, tomatoes and broth. Remove the insert from the heat and add the beans, pork, chorizo and garlic.

Place the insert on the slow-cooker base, cover and cook on low until the pork pulls apart easily with a fork, 9 to 10 hours. Skim off the fat, and remove and discard the garlic. Fold in the panko and the 1/4 cup parsley. Adjust the seasonings with kosher salt and pepper.

Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat the broiler.

Brush the baguette slices with olive oil. Arrange the slices, oiled side up, on top of the cassoulet, overlapping them. Broil until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes.

Let the cassoulet stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. Sprinkle each serving with the reserved bacon, sea salt and parsley. Serves 8 to 10.

Adapted from a recipe by Thomas Keller, Chef/Owner, The French Laundry.

Oh YEAH! Finally made it to Duckfat!

tasty local cider served in a mason jar

poutine

beet salad with goat cheese, pistachios, oranges, and a citrus vinaigrette

duck confit panini with pickled Maine blueberry and brie

DUCKFAT FRIES!!!!!!!!

Duckfat was opened in Portland, Maine, in 2005 by Nancy Pugh and Rob Evans. Chef Rob was named "Best Chef Northeast" by the James Beard Foundation in 2009 and recognized by Food & Wine as one of the "Best New Chefs 2004". Needless to say any restaurant with a name like Duckfat run by an award-winning chef deserves a visit, right?
Soooo my in-laws live in coastal Maine, about 40 minutes south of Portland and every time we've gone to Maine over the past few years, I have tried to go to Duckfat... but there has always been some crazy obstacle. Either we don't have access to a car, we have other obligations, or we make the trip and Duckfat is closed (yes, apparently they're closed on July 4th)... Anyway, the day after Christmas the stars aligned and we made it to the legendary Duckfat. YAY!
We arrived around 2pm and the tiny restaurant was packed. They don't take reservations (why would they?!) and all seats are used for diners...like, ALL of them. Don't try and sit at the bar and get a drink while you wait for a table - those seats are designated for eating and you've gotta put your name on "the list" to get a spot there. Learned that the hard way. Whoops.
Finally, after about 25 minutes, we were seated next to the window at a small communal table. We ordered the poutine, the duck confit panini, a large fries with all the dipping sauces, and the roasted beet salad. Here's the deal - the best part of the meal is most definitely the fries. Everything else was just okay. Next time I'll go just for fries and get a large cone of them for myself... yeah, they're that good. Sharing is too difficult. The duck fat gives the fries an outstanding flavor while making them crispier than your typical Belgian frites. The assortment of dipping sauces - aioli, Thai chili, horseradish mayo, curry mayo, truffle ketchup, and sweet and spicy mustard - were all quite good. We spent a good 10 minutes debating which sauces were the best. I really liked the Thai chili while my sister and brother-in-law raved about the truffle ketchup. The hubby liked the horseradish mayo. I'd say our least favorite was the curry mayo...and I like curry A LOT but for some reason it just didn't complement the fries as well as the others. Oh, and the poutine... good but the gravy saturates the fries and they lose their signature crispiness...which is kind-of a deal breaker if you ask me. But go ahead and try it and let me know what you think. Duckfat is located at 43 Middle Street in the heart of Portland, Maine.

Night Out at Graffiato

Tony Starr cocktail
thai chili infused mezcal, milagro tequila, market fruit puree, patron citronage, lime

Spiced beets

Crispy brussel sprouts - MY FAVORITE!

Lamb carpaccio

The countryman pizza - fontina, black truffle, and egg...lots of ooey gooey egg

Zeppoles

The damage...

One of my oldest friends was in town recently visiting his family for the holidays. We've been friends for nearly 17 years now and see each other once a year or so now that he lives in San Francisco. We decided to meet for a casual weeknight dinner at Graffiato, a place I've been dying to try since its doors opened on June 23rd (my birthday)! Getting a reservation was relatively easy...I heard it was nearly impossible to get your foot in the door at a decent hour last summer.
I was surprised at how unassuming and simple Graffiato's interior is... despite being surrounded by over the top restaurants in the surrounding areas of Penn Quarter and Chinatown. Graffiato's small wooden tables are situated close together, the noise level is high, the upstairs kitchen is open. It was a nice change from restaurants that overemphasize decor and under-emphasize the food. Graffiato is quite the opposite.
We decided to try the tasting menu ($55/pp) as there were so many tempting menu items. Our friends over at DMV Dining gave us some guidance too - insisting that we try the beets, gnocchi, and the hand cut spaghetti. Our meal started with marinated olives, lamb carpaccio, and flatbread with the famous pepperoni sauce. That pepperoni sauce is famous for good reason...it's salty, surprisingly smooth, and downright finger-lickin' good. The lamb and olives were okay...nothing special. Then it was on to crispy brussel sprouts (YUM!), spiced beets, and rabbit manicotti. The brussel sprouts were the definite standout here - halved and roasted with pancetta and served on top of maple-flavored greek yogurt with a sprinkling of hard boiled egg yolks on top. The perfect marriage of all things delicious. This course was followed by the countryman pizza (tastes good, looks unappetizing...close your eyes) and the gnocchi. Gnocchi was very well done with black truffle and wild mushrooms...but you've gotta like mushrooms...the mushroom flavor is very powerful. Dessert consisted of zeppoles with pumpkin caramel, a nice "light" treat after our heaviest course. Overall, Graffiato gets 5 stars for food quality. Well done, Mike. Can't wait to try your next restaurant, Bandolero!