On a recent trip to D.C., I made it a point to meet up with some good friends, during what little free time I had. Luckily a lot of my friends share my fondness for adventure, especially when it comes to food. They definitely did not steer me wrong, as I found two new favorites in D.C.!
Lincoln
Ahead of my trip, I got a list via
email of potential spots where I could meet one of my favorite couples for lunch. And one of the great things about Chris
and Dani is that they share my love of great food, eclectic décor and locally
sourced ingredients. With that in mind, it took me about two minutes tops,
after reading their recommendations and doing a quick Google search, to decide
upon Lincoln in Northwest D.C. (It also
didn’t hurt that the choice took me back to my old neighborhood, from when I
spent a summer in D.C. in college.)
Before I even
got to D.C. or tasted the food, I had a feeling I’d be writing about Lincoln. They
post six menus on their website, not including the bar menus, and they market themselves
as highlighting seasonal small plates. There’s two check marks for restaurants
I want to check out.
As we walked
into the restaurant, Chris pointed not to the dining room or bar as you might
expect, but to the floor. The floor at Lincoln is completely tiled in pennies
(keeping true to the namesake, of course). It has to be the most unique floor
I’ve seen anywhere. And the décor throughout the restaurant lives up to that same
standard of unique and contemporary interior design. It varies from room to
room – everything from what I’d describe as urban chic to more rustic home,
with pop art, luxe chairs, reclaimed barnwood and a wall to wall hutch. For all
the sophistication and amazing interior design, the atmosphere had the feel of
a neighborhood coffee shop, with a light chatter echoing throughout the dining
room. It felt more like the place where all the locals know to go for good
food, good drink and great company.
In contrast
to the décor, the food was presented with simplistic plating, but sophisticated
combinations of flavors. We asked our waiter for some recommendations when we
had trouble making up our minds, and proceeded to hear a list of about a half-dozen
dishes – that says something to me, when there’s not one favorite, especially
on an oft-changing seasonal menu. Despite my adventurous nature when it comes
to dining, I am a grilled cheese fiend, so on the recommendation of our waiter
(and because I may on some level tend to judge restaurants by how well they can
execute it), I ordered their seasonal grilled cheese. And it was no unassuming
grilled cheese, instead it was an absolutely divine combination of brie,
arugula, and grilled onions on a hearty rustic bread. From all our meals, it
was immediately apparent the attention given to each ingredient as well as the
entire dish. I didn’t partake in midday cocktails, but I’m told the bartenders
make some delicious drinks. If the fresh, fruit-infused lemonade was any
indication, I can only imagine. While I only dined there once, I am sure to
return on any future visit to D.C. because Lincoln not only had great food, it
epitomized some of the things I love about D.C. – art, culture, and adventure.
Le Diplomate
Later that week, I met up with
an old friend Millie to catch up over cocktails and appetizers at Le Diplomate. With Millie I've tried unique tea lounges and a previous Chasing Crumbs pick, Tropisueno (review), so I trust her to lead my taste buds in the right direction. Little did I know that her pick, Le Dipomate, is one of the hippest spots in town and fairly difficult
to get a reservation. The restaurant pays deference to French café culture,
with a lively, welcoming ambience, marbled countertops and windows onto the
surrounding neighborhood. The menu filled with classic French dishes, and an
extensive cocktail and wine list accompany it. Next to the bar oysters were
piled high, and fresh bread awaited us soon after we sat down. Since it was
early, I ordered sautéed spinach to accompany my cocktail, the pompidou
plombier. This unique bourbon cocktail combines crème de cacao and dark Italian
vermouth for a smooth drink that’s perfect for sipping. The spinach was great, just enough garlic and
not overdone. Millie ordered the onion soup gratinée, which was expertly
prepared with caramelized cheese on top and a rich broth. I can see why this
spot is so popular, it offers a welcome relaxed dining experience – in spite of
a bustling crowd, we didn’t feel rushed – and well-execute European comfort
food.
No comments:
Post a Comment