Chris.Derecola

Not the one in Herndon, but rather the one in the Dupont area of NW DC. I’ve been interested in going for some time and finally managed to make it there. Below is the review I wrote on Yelp, which I’ve taken a liking to in recent months. I’d definitely recommend the restaurant to anyone.

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Russia House is one of those places where you can’t help but feel like you’re in a spy movie. The bar just inside the front door is very tiny, jam packed with people and the list of martinis available is nearly endless. That feeling is reinforced as you walk through the restaurant, with its crimson wallpaper and dark wood, winding down wooden staircases with a martini in your hand. Considering the lack of signage on the building and the heavy wooden double-doors (guarded outside by Russian bouncers and inside by a Russian hostess) that greet you, it being a private social club isn’t much of a stretch.

The service was exemplary. The waitstaff was attentive, without being pushy, and despite ordering our four courses over the span of several hours, they never pressed us to make the next selection or asked for the menus back. They were quick to ask if we had any questions and even offered to serve two separate smaller plates when we decided to share the entree (large plate) so we wouldn’t be two guys eating off the same dish.

~~ Food Disclaimer: I spent a few days in St. Petersburg a couple years ago and have a Russian-born friend who is an accomplished cook, so I’m kinda biased about Russian fare. ~~

The Moscow Borsch was very good. It was reminiscent of what I had in Russia, with its taste of fresh beets, but it wasn’t as good as homemade (is anything ever?). I certainly can’t hold that against it and I’d definitely order it again.

The Wild Game Sausage Sampler  was excellent. Each sausage had its own distinct flavor and each was some of the better sausage I’ve had. They really made pork sausage seem… boring.

Salmon Two Ways was an obvious choice and of it, the Cured Vodka Dill Salmon was the better of the two.

The Beef Stroganoff was disappointing. I really wanted to like it, but the tough, chewy beef made it something I wouldn’t order again. It had good flavor, but I had far better.

I think the prices are a little high but the food is good and there’s a great ambiance that you’re undoubtedly paying for. Despite the Stroganoff, I’m looking forward to going back. They have quite a few Russian beers, their vodka list is ridiculously long and much of their menu seems worth sampling. I also wouldn’t mind tasting all the caviar… on someone else’s dime.

Went to Inox a few months back but am just now getting around to writing the review. It’s interesting what you choose to write about a restaurant when the tastes are long gone; I suppose you end up with more of a macro view of what the place has to offer. I think I have a habit of getting bogged down in the details and restaurants should really be about how well they work and not whether your toast points were grilled perfectly. Moving on…

The chef at Inox is the same guy that was at 2941 when we went there a few years ago. I was told not to expect much, because the food was on par with what 2941 used to be. My source apparently thinks the new chef at 2941 is much better than the old, but since I enjoyed myself when I was there I wasn’t that concerned. I would, in fact, rate the food on par and given my prior review, that’s a good thing. The decor was of similar quality, although the fine dining nature was less airy contemporary and more warm lounge. The service was what you would expect of a restaurant of this quality.

The menu leaned towards seafood and higher end ingredients but there is probably going to be something for everyone who isn’t a vegetarian. The prices weren’t as ridiculous as I would have expected given the location and the portions, while appearing small, ended up perfect for a three course meal. The courses presented well, had balanced flavors and were generally pleasing. Not every dish was a home run but none were a disappointment. My courses were very rich, although that’s what I expected from ordering foie gras and duck. The seafood dishes appeared lighter, but I didn’t try any to be able to say with certainty. If you’re looking for a recommendation, I highly suggest the Duck Breast with Duck Confit-Pistachio-English Pea Agnolotti [ravioli], Heirloom Beets and Foie Gras Emulsion. It’s probably the best duck dish I’ve ever had.

All in all, it was a pleasant experience. I’d have a hard time not recommending it to someone looking for a good meal. I wouldn’t suggest large groups or going in without your shirt tucked in, but it’s a good place to sit down and enjoy your dinner.

This review has been awhile in the making, but I just haven’t wanted to sit down and really give it the time it deserves. About a month ago we did a quick 24 hours in Baltimore to get away from the hustle that is every day life. I looked around online for places to eat a nice meal and settled on Oceannaire [website has obnoxious music] because it got relatively decent reviews and was within walking distance of the hotel.

The decor of the restaurant was pretty nice; I’d best describe it as Morton’s with a distinct art deco flair. We were dressed in business casual but there were also folks in jeans as well as jacket and tie so it was somewhat impossible to feel out of place. The service was exceptional, with the white jacketed waiters striking that perfect balance between being helpful with recommendations and leaving us alone. Our wine glasses were never empty and up-sale was not a part of their vocab, even when we declined dessert (more on that in another post).

I’m always somewhat hesitant to try out chains because a lot of them end up with the same “American” menu and very rarely do they differentiate themselves. Surprised I’d never heard of this chain, especially since there’s one in NW DC, I figured it was worth a shot. Generally speaking, the food surpassed my expectations and I think I’m comfortable tagging it as outstanding. Not everything was completely memorable so I’ll hit some highlights.

• They brought out of pickled veggies and ceviche to start. This was pretty good but considering the amount of food we’d ordered, we didn’t eat it all before it was whisked away.
• We started with a cold mountain of shellfish; you can find a pic on my Facebook page if you really care. It was pretty good, but I’ve had better at Capital Grille. A few things, like the snow crab, didn’t have much flavor. Considering the price, I wouldn’t order it again.
• Melissa had grilled sea scallops and reported they were very fresh and prepared nicely. I didn’t try them so I can’t really comment.
• My main was seared yellowfin tuna which I ordered against the waiter’s recommendations of having it sashimi style. I love me some raw fish but I also like the sesame seed crust on the outside. As you can see in the pic above, it was mostly raw anyway… in other words, cooked perfectly. This dish also marked the first time I’d had real wasabi. No, not the dried powder crap you get with sushi but grated wasabi root. Holy crap was it awesome.
• I also splurged and ordered a side dish of foie gras. It was something like $17 for 5 thick slices, which is an incredible value, so I couldn’t pass it up. It was creamy and tasted a bit of egg yolk but lacked that gamey taste that the poor quality stuff sometimes boasts. Pan fried in butter and served with toast points, it’s some of the best I’ve had.
• Three words: Lobster Mac & Cheese