Tasting Menus

[Pool Boy]

Was last night the breaking point for me? I don't know for sure, but I think I'm over tasting menus.

 

I am over tasting menus as well. They are only done truly well by a few - and it is hard to know if a new to you place knows what they are really doing. These days, I far, far prefer picking what I want and how much I want than leaving what I get to the chef or through a limited choice. I still CRAVE the days when Frank Ruta's Palena had a folded over menu where you could mix and match almost anything to a 3, 4 or 5 course menu of your choosing. A recent example of a really nice meal where I shunned the tasting menu idea was at Cityzen - wow it was tremendous.

That said, I'm going to be here tonight to check things out with my wife and some friends. Looks like I will probably have options and a good time.

[NolaCaine]

As a special treat, a friend is taking me to a fabulous, expensive, DC place that only serves a predetermined tasting menu. That's all I know. He's intentionally not telling me but I want to read food porn in preperation.

Ideas?

I only know of one: Komi.  I am not sure if that's the one though because I have a (recent onset) nut and dairy allergy and Komi specifically states that they don't accomodate dairy allergy.

Other ideas?

[lackadaisi]

Rogue 24?

[dcandohio]

Minibar?

[Joe H]

Obelisk or Marcel's, both of which are excellent and allow individual choices.

Marcel's dining rom has recently been refurbished; it does not receive enough attention on here.  http://marcelsdc.com/cuisine/dinner-menu/

Obelisk's sample menu:  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g28970-d450652-Reviews-Obelisk-Washington_DC_District_of_Columbia.html

[NolaCaine]

Thanks guys. I'd love to try Mini-bar but I doubt that's it. Komi is where I (currently) want to go but Marcel's seems likely. We discussed Komi and Marcel's a few months ago.

As you can tell, I am looking forward to it.

Rogue 24?

Now this one seems a possibility because I could see friend's wife picking this place. How exciting. I might have to walk down that crazy dark ally for an anniversary or something soon.

[Mark Slater]

Thanks guys. I'd love to try Mini-bar but I doubt that's it. Komi is where I (currently) want to go but Marcel's seems likely. We discussed Komi and Marcel's a few months ago.

As you can tell, I am looking forward to it.

Now this one seems a possibility because I could see friend's wife picking this place. How exciting. I might have to walk down that crazy dark ally for an anniversary or something soon.

I had dinner at Marcel's 2 weeks ago. Definitely try the Icelandic Langoustines and the sea urchin flan with lobster. Both, out of this world good.

[NolaCaine]

It was Makoto.  I loved the experience.  I noticed the thread is old and dusty.  I'll give it a little update today or tomorrow.

Quick review;  One of the items was divine. next level and heavenly.  Of the 7 courses, I'd say 5 were hits, 2 were ok, but that's in comparison to the others.

[DonRocks]

It was Makoto.  I loved the experience.  I noticed the thread is old and dusty.  I'll give it a little update today or tomorrow.

Quick review;  One of the items was divine. next level and heavenly.  Of the 7 courses, I'd say 5 were hits, 2 were ok, but that's in comparison to the others.

Please do write with some detail - I think that many people are gun shy of going to Makoto after the chef-owner passed away fairly recently. I'm glad to hear someone has taken the baton, and if you can find out who the main chef is now, that would be great.

[NolaCaine]

I didn't catch "Chef"'s name but he was in charge, clearly. I saw him correcting another chef (sternly) at one point. I thought the son took over.  Given the formality of the actual place, I tried to give a formal review.  But here are some informal musings:

1. This place has aged well.

2. It's small!  maybe 20 people at a time.

3. Staff tries to keep all at one seating eating at the same pace. We had  a slow eater and they did not allow her to slow their service.

4. Service was comfortable, formal, friendly, and maternal. Can I use that word? Our "waitress" (noun does not suite) was so nice to me as I had a little cold and I felt "mothered" and told what to eat in what order and how.  Oddly I also felt mothered when she said "that has cream, you shouldn't eat it."  :-) (I have a nut and dairy allergy)