Peaches, peaches everywhere!!!

Lunch at DC Coast.

I am constantly confused by this restaurant.  It’s not bad, it’s not good, it’s just nice.  The scallops are well cooked, the gazpacho was tasty (although the melon included was not ripe), and the bread is warm.  For dessert – peach cobbler.  Here’s a hint, heat it up.  Goodness.  A cold cobbler is like a yellow watermelon – there’s just something that’s not right about it.  In the end, I will continue to eat at the Coast for lunch but wouldn’t make it a dinner choice.

Dinner at Co Co. Sala.

I was excited to eat here.  I’d heard great things.  The fig amuse bouche was tasty.  The salad that followed had some odd combinations – cheese chunks with orange, along with some unidentifiable components.  Not the best.  For the entree, we could make a selection from a number of small plates.  I went for the “famous” bacon mac and cheese and the blue cheese burger.  The burger was delightful.  The mac and cheese was good, but not exactly famous worthy.  Perhaps people aren’t really creative at home and when they hear someone added bacon to mac and cheese they are agog with amazement and declare it the best thing they’ve ever tasted.  Let me also say I appreciate the chocolate covered bacon topping – it fits with the theme well – but it’s a little OTT.  Goodness, if you’re going to do it, deep fry it and then chocolate dip it!!!  Go all the way!

For dessert – peaches and cream.  Again, cold.  Is there some secret movement afoot to serve all things peaches cold?  As a people, as food lovers, we must derail this movement as quickly as possible!!  The chocolate candies served with the dessert were the best thing about it.  And the complimentary after-dinner drink was a nice surprise!  (I’m loving how restaurants are more and more offering an after dinner drink!!)

Dinner at Cafe Atlantico.

Super excited for this dinner!!!  P.S. I know I need to try the Mini Bar at some point…so, Cafe Atlantico, I’ll be back!!!  I love all things conceptual, and the cocktails – cotton candy mojitos?  HELLO!  I started with the tomato and watermelon salad.  It was salty to the extreme – verging on inedible.  But perhaps, it was supposed to be surrounded in a mist of sea air and I just didn’t get it.  For dinner – a skirt steak.  Very tasty!  And guess what…it was served with peaches!  For dessert, passion fruit sorbet.  Now I’ve had some post-traumatic issues with passion fruit after a torturous few months with them in Africa, but this was very delish.  I will overlook the sea inspired salad and return again.

Tonight, the adventure continues…Rasika.

AEK

The first stop…DINO.

I had been to DINO twice before.  The first time was delicious.  The second was a huge let-down.  And the third…Restaurant Week 2009…another success!  The most genius part of the meal – for an appetizer you can get a half order of pasta.  Then an entree.  And then dessert.  And, to top things off, you also get a complimentary glass of grapa or limoncello!

I had an order of the duck pasta and swordfish.  Both were wonderful.  The polenta and de-constructed lasagna were also delicious.  I can’t remember the names of the desserts, but they were tasty – and complimented by the orange-infused grapa.

Another great feature – all of their wines over $50 are 33% off until September 13th.  That makes a quality wine more affordable than a cheap-o one!

SEIZE THE DAY and head to Dino.  A restaurant week gem that offers the full menu, quality wine, and a buzz-worthy atmosphere.  Service, granted, was a bit eh – but he was covering the entire front room.  I can overlook it.

Next up….D.C. Coast for lunch.  I’ve loved it before, so let’s see it the love will continue…

AEK