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Posted
For the 500 block, DC Harvest should open soon, something that can be destination worthy.  I'm hoping it is of similar quality, yet of a markedly different style, as Boundary Road so we continue to elevate the neighborhood and attract more diners from other neighborhoods.

Jessica Sidman tweeted that DC Harvest is opening on Sept. 2.  It's at 517 H St, NE, DC.   More info about the restaurant is here.

Posted

Ask and ye shall receive.  TL:dr version, DC Harvest is a pleasant restaurant whose food just doesn't measure up.

The interior (at least downstairs) is warm and welcoming (except for a jarringly out of place neon corn logo on the back wall of the dining room).  They put in a large, curved bar that really eats up all the space up front.  We made reservations online, and requested a high chair in the comments section.  I was shocked (in a very good way) that our table was ready on arrival, with a high chair already waiting.  Nice touch.

I honestly didn't pore over the drink list too closely, as I already knew I wanted a beer.  Their draft list is a nice selection of local brews, and I went with the Port City Monumental IPA, while my wife chose better with the 3-Stars peppercorn Saison.

We started with chilled avocado soup with pickled shrimp and an heirloom tomato salad with thai basil vinaigrette.  The soup was very simple, with not much else going on other than avocado.  The problem was that it was very, very thick (like almost hummus consistency)...all fine, except they tried to serve it by pouring it tableside, but ended up having to shake the carafe like a ketchup bottle to get the soup out.  I honestly had to stifle a laugh.  The tomato salad was super-rustic, with quarters of tomatoes placed simply on the plate with a heavy-handed dose of vinaigrette.  I found it a touch too salty (which is saying something), but overall, our first courses were fine.

My wife went with a vegetarian pasta choice: ricotta/kale agnolotti in a tomato confit sauce with eggplant.  This dish was flat out bad.  The pasta had a very unappetizing graininess to it, and unfortunately didn't have any discernible flavor to offset the texture.  The sauce was simlilarly flat, and really needs to be re-worked.  There were pieces of eggplant scattered around that also suffered from a lack of seasoning.  These might have worked if they offered any sort of textural contrast, but they were soggy, and really added nothing.

I had the daily special, a smoked-then-braised brisket.  Our waiter (who was in a very "suggestive" mood...just on the wrong side of annoying with his attempts at upselling) "strongly" suggested I add a starch, so I ordered a side of roasted fingerling potatoes.  Turns out, the brisket comes with a reasonably portioned side of simply sauteed zucchini, so I don't know what he was going for there.  The brisket was completely forgettable, and sadly quite dry.  It was served with what must have been a single spoonful of braising liquid over the top.

I do compliment them on their kid's menu, which offers real food instead of crap.  The boy had a petit steak, cooked perfectly med-rare, and served with fingerling potatoes.  His steak was easily the best thing served at the table all night.

For dessert, we had the honey-walnut tart, which the waiter strongly suggested we pair with one of their dessert wines...we chose not to this time.  The tart was unfortunately quite dry, and we left a lot behind.  The slices of pluot served alongside were pretty tasty, though.

I really hate to give such a poor review to a place just a block and a half from my house, but it is what it is.  I know they are aiming for a kind of rustic simplicity, but all of the dishes we had indicate they have a ways to go to translating that simplicity to dishes that are worth shelling out $18 or $23 for.  I think they may also want to tweak the service-style a bit to a more laid-back, neighborhoody vibe.

I look forward to hearing other reports back over the next few months, but we won't be rushing back for dinner.

  • Like 1
Posted

Well, they haven't been open long, so hopefully they can make adjustments.  Based on our meal, I'd recommend the tri-tip steak.  The kid's portion my son had was actually quite good.

Posted

That's disappointing. We've been excited for it to open. I'll try to keep an open mind when we go tonight. 

I'll see you there tonight, Mark!

Well, they haven't been open long, so hopefully they can make adjustments.

This is actually the main reason I've waited to go. My roommate is a server there (though based on your description, Josh, it seems like you didn't have him when you went...he's a pretty chill dude), and I was hoping they would get in the groove in the first few weeks and work out any potential kinks in the kitchen and FOH. I'll be sure to pass your comments along so they can work on improving. Thanks for the posting your review - it sounds like you're in the same boat as me insofar as really, really wanting this place to kick ass and succeed...has the potential to fill a nice slot on our end of H Street that, really, only Boundary excels at right now. I'll report back to see if any of the other menu items are on point!

Posted

I have to basically agree with Josh. We had a very pleasant meal, and the place is a good addition to H Street, but they need to make some minor tweaks at least before they become a place I'm anxious to rush back to. It's a great looking place, and nothing we had was particularly bad, they just didn't really nail anything either. Service was good, if a little overly enthusiastic at times (and I'm confident we had the same server as you, Josh). 

  • Like 1
Posted

We had a very pleasant meal, and the place is a good addition to H Street, but they need to make some minor tweaks at least before they become a place I'm anxious to rush back to. It's a great looking place, and nothing we had was particularly bad, they just didn't really nail anything either.

Mark nailed it, as usual. I didn't think it was necessary to post, as my experience was basically the same as Josh's (and yours from the sound of it, Mark). I didn't dislike anything, but there were no revelatory dishes or anything that made me stop and go, "Wow - I can't get this anywhere else." Some minor tweaks to dishes would've improved them, and I think with some time, they should find their sea legs. Granted, I only had three items, so I think going back and trying more of the menu will be in order. As of now, however, this place isn't even close to taking over for Boundary in my weekly go-to's. Would love to hear what some others who have dined here think...

  • Like 2
Posted

Surprised not to see any more posts here.  Had post-theater dinner here last night and was impressed.  Service was friendly and informative; St. Mary's County Sweet Jesus oysters were excellent; catfish was fresh, well-seasoned and lightly crisped; and in keeping with the "healthy ingredient" theme, was served over a bed of roasted mixed root veggies.  Seems they're the veggie de jour everywhere now, but these were better than most, with multi-colored carrots and kohlrabi along with the usual fingerlings to give them some distinction.   All in all, a very good meal for a very reasonable price in a neighborhood that can be hit-or-miss.  Worth a look.

  • Like 1

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