The Metrocurean Week in Review

What people are talking about...

... Several new restaurants are poised to open in the next few weeks, including Rasika (week of Dec. 12) and Fogo de Chão (Dec. 7) of meat on spears fame (pictured). Meanwhile, the new Finn and Porter opened at 900 10th St. NW, and D.C.'s first big bowling alley, Lucky Strike, is now up and running at Gallery Place. (See what DCist had to say about the food and bowling.) ...

... The DC Chefs Magazine, the vision of Citronelle's Michel Richard, launched this week complete with a picture of Bistro Bis and Vidalia chef Jeffrey Buben and his wife in a tub full of onions. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital. ...

... Starting today, Dino will serve lunch on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. and brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On the lunch menu you'll find "panino al verdure," combining squash, zucchini, peppers and goat’s milk cheese on grilled ciabata, along with Dino's crostini, hand-cranked prosciutto and cheese plates. For brunch, there are "eggs Fiorentina," poached eggs with prosciutto in an orange hollandaise served with crispy grated fingerling potatoes; challa french toast with sour cherry vanilla syrup; and a fritatta with seasonal vegetables, potatoes and pancetta. Prices range from $2 to $16. ...

... Zengo is also now serving lunch and is offering a three-course menu for $19.50. Zengo also has a new chef in Graham Bartlett, who came from the Zengo in Denver. ...

... Celebrate the holidays Spanish style at Taberna del Alabardero with a traditional holiday menu that includes baby eel sizzling in garlic and peppers and venison loin with apple compote. ...

... Now that we've put the disgraceful memory of Americans dumping French wines in the gutter behind us, the French Wine Society, a new group formed in D.C. to promote French wines, launched their French Wine Thursdays last night at the Ritz. Each Thursday, a restaurant will host the rendezvous, which runs from 5:30-7 p.m. A $35 ticket gets you a free-flowing selection of French wines and hors d'oeuvres. Next week's party is at Bistrot Lepic. Tickets are available through the Web site. ...

... And finally, to stay up to date on the multitude of holiday-themed restaurant events coming up, check in with The List.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I was really excited to check out Zengo last night and got there rather late but nonetheless, curious to see the design of the space. Loved the space but hated the attitude of the host who brusquely told me that kitchen was closed.

Instead of being friendly and welcoming, he didn't offer much alternative and totally changed my enthusiasm for the restaurant to a disappointment. I hope that this is just an anomaly and that his attitude was from his having a fight with his boyfriend or something.
Shaw Rez said…
I've always experienced quite the opposite at Zengo--everyone's been overzealous about pleasing.
Amanda said…
That's too bad. Maybe, like you said, the host wasn't having the best day. Still no excuse for being brusque, but I don't think it reflects the service there as a whole. Did you head to the bar anyway or leave? The bartenders I've met have been really nice and helpful.
Michael said…
I just can't warm up to this place ... for one I made a comment to someone about the trash in the entry way -- and then I realized as I left after lunch that it's part of the interior design ... taking the trek up the stairs reminds me too much of the escalators that don't work at the Metro next door ... and the room is cold at heart to me ... other than that everything's fine ... look for this to exit left unless it can count on Clyde's overflow
Michael said…
but on the positive side, Zengo's personality takes on another identity when Sandoval is in town -- he's got that great, impish W. Puck smile and demeanor that you can't help but like ... then he brought to town last week his VP and chef from Pampano in NY (Josefina Santacruz) ... the E 49 & 3rd Ave place is a haven for 'corn smut' and New York Mag included her in their extreme eating feature ... she had just gotten in a fresh supply of grasshoppers from her mother in Mexico ... she's a chefly dream ... ok, I fell in love from across the room
Anonymous said…
We ate at Fogo with a group of previewer's on Friday night. The food was pretty good. Dinner is fixed price; $45 for all you can eat salad bar and meats.

The parmesan pork and the garlic beef were great. The filet was quite nice too. Lamb was very good.

Of the salad options, everything was fresh, well prepared and tasty. Since we didn't pay for wine I can't say how the list works, but I had a Chateau Greysac and a Brazilian Pinot Noir that were both very good.

Two bad things: smoking cigars is allowed at the bar and the front door, when opened, blasts the space with cold air.

Also questionable: no apps available at the bar. Lunch is available for $25 fixed.

Overall this is a great expense account restaurant and a fun group spot. They could use some music in the dining room, too.
Michael said…
I think Tom's review of Zengo is right on ... especially the service and the design issues ... and I can see now that the stairs/ceiling art/restrooms will be the source for "clever" word play.
Anonymous said…
The service at Fogo was stellar. From friendly if not "charming" drinks at the bar all the way to to swarming service at the table, and then after dinner drinks at the bar again. 100% enjoyable and the experience and food were all well worth the price of admission!!!
Anonymous said…
Lucky strike is awesome, for the record. I finally made it there this past week--good food (considering it's a bowling alley), great atmosphere, good bar, etc.
Anonymous said…
Lucky Strike is horrific. Obscenely expensive; I felt violated, but not in a good way. Never, ever, ever again. Not to mention terrible service (actually, we couldn't get any service) and ridiculous policies. 

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