Sunday, August 26, 2012

Dining in D.C. - The Blue Duck Tavern



Welcome back Dear Readers, Dear Friends.

Dining in the Nation's Capital can be a real treat. 

And last week I traveled downtown for a very, very, lovely evening at

The Blue Duck Tavern. 

I suggest you do the same. 




The ambiance - American Craft/Minimalism - is very nice.

The service, by a woman named Darlin, 

was friendly, knowledgable, and attentive.

It could not have been better. 

The food was prepared and served beautifully. 




My brother Eric had come in to visit with me and he started off with the 

Butter Poached Maine Lobster 
Crispy Ossabaw Pork
Split Pea Emulsion

pictured at the top.

I started off with gorgeous, subtly full flavored

Oysters on the Half Shell
Housemade Vinegar, Shallots
Long Pepper.

I usually order oysters from 
Prince Edward Island or the Pacific Northwest.

These local oysters from the Rappahannock 
were a revelation!

In honor of our Dad

I had to try an order of the

Crispy Fried Veal Sweetbreads
Bourbon Marinated Peaches
Roasted Path Valley Farm Sweet Peppers

and I know that Dad would've swooned tasting them.
I did.




For his entree,
 Eric had the 

Wood Oven Roasted Barbeque Chicken
Corn Bread Puree, Collard Green Marmalade
Charred Pearl Onion.

He'd still be noshing on the 
Marmalade & Pearl Onions if there was any left!

This time of year I often indulge in duck 
and this night I truly enjoyed their

Muskovy Duck Breast
Duck Leg Ragout, Apricot Marmalade.




From their 

potatoes and grains 

section of the menu and the 

vegetables section

we selected 

amazing




Hand Cut BDT Triple Fries 

fried in duck fat of course.




Light & refreshing

Toasted Farro
Cured Tomatoes, Almonds
Lemon Confit, Mint

and 

Sauteed Spinach
Preserved Lemon, Spiced Pecans
Ricotta Salata.


Everything a delight.




Desserts included a delectable

Nectarine Blackberry Crumble, Cornmeal Crunch

and my




Olive Oil Hazelnut Genoise, Peaches, Rosemary.


Eric smacked my hand away when I reached over to bite his crumble!

And to think that I'd let him try my little slice of heaven!


Espressos were enjoyed by all.