Dinner at Charlie Palmer

Charlie Palmer is basically a Hill institution located just west of the Capitol.  Known as a steakhouse for the wheelers and dealers of the Hill, I had this place on our list of places to try for a while.  I went during their summer prix fixe restaurant week, so I had three courses plus a chef’s treat.

My chef’s treat was a crispy potato with halibut.

For my appetizer I ordered braised short rib ravioli, with charred sweet corn, prosciutto, and mushrooms.  Clearly it was amazing!
 

For my entree I ordered their bistro steak, which came with feta, taggiasca olive, red onion, and olive oil crushed potatoes.  I ordered the steak rare and it came out medium well.  When I asked our waiter about it he said it had to do with the reflection of the light in the room… that was the strangest answer ever… but besides being cooked more than I prefer the entree was good.

For dessert I got the dark chocolate pavé with milk chocolate ice cream and a local raspberry salad.

The regular menu begins to get a bit pricey, so I recommend attending restaurant week and getting the $35.00 prix fixe dinner like I did.  Another fun tip is that CP does not have a corking fee for the first two bottles of wine, although they have to be American wine (except on Fridays).

Details:

Charlie Palmer Steak DC
101 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.547.8100
Serve: Lunch, Dinner
Price Range: $18.00 – $89.00

Dinner at Bistro Cacao

Hidden away on Massachusetts Ave on the edge of Capitol Hill you will find the best steak I have had in the District at Bistro Cacao.  The chef, Kemal Deger, focuses on a bistro-style French cuisine.  The décor inside is unique with deep reds and dark wood.  We have also sat outside on their large patio and enjoyed the breeze.

For an appetizer I really enjoy their escargot.  I love their filet mignon steak which comes with asparagus and potato gratin.  It is extremely well cooked and could probably be cut with a fork.  Plus it is only $28… and you would pay a lot more at other steak houses around the area for less taste.

Their desserts are really good too.  I got the special they had at the time that was similar to a cream puff with delicious melted chocolate on top.

Details: 

Bistro Cacao
320 Mass Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.546.4737
Serve: Lunch, Dinner
Price Range:  (Dinner) $7.95 – $27.95

Brunch at Ambar

For the 4^th of July we decided to do the $35 unlimited food/drinks brunch at Ambar on Barracks Row in Capitol Hill. We had been to Ambar for drink (post here) back in May, and that visit we had said then that we wanted to come back and try their food.  Their brunch menu is a combination of tapas, sandwiches, eggs, pastries, and crepes.  Plus mimosas and bloody marys. We decided to try a few different things since it was an “endless” selection of all plates.

For an appetizer we got the suckling pig (which I am not sure I had ever tried before) and mezze platter (because we love meat & cheese).

  

For our “main course” we got the roasted mushroom crepe and the ham & cheese crepe.  I fell in love with the mushroom crepe and actually ordered another one.  We also tried the fried chicken sandwich as well, which was the only thing we did not particularly like as it was not flavorful…

 

Finally for dessert we tried the fried apple rings and the strawberry waffle.  The strawberry waffle with nutella is where it’s at and is a must order!
  

Over all we loved the experience.  The food was flavorful, our waitress was super nice, the drinks were good, and the décor of the place with the wood and unique lights makes it feel like an experience and not just a meal.

Next time we will try for the lunch/dinner!

Details:
Ambar
523 8th St SE
Washington, DC 20003
202.813.3039
Serve: Drinks, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Happy Hour
Price: Unlimited Brunch-$35.00