X Marks the Spot at GrillMarX Steakhouse and Raw Bar

I have been meaning to check out GrillMarX Steakhouse and Raw Bar in Olney since its opening about a month ago, but just didn't have a chance. Secretly, I have been waiting for it to work out the "New Restaurant" kinks, so I would love it. My plan has worked! Four of us had excellent service and delicious food. One of the owners previously worked at the now closed Houstons in Rockville, and some of the tried and true dishes are available here. GrillMarX is very busy and a happening place on a Saturday night. Although, the restaurant is in a shopping center (the Fair Hill Shopping Center near Harris Teeter) it is worth the trip. This is a perfect place if you live within ten miles or so of Olney, Maryland.

As long as a restaurant has a raw bar, I will be tasting. No disappointment here. The waiter, Sum Yung, suggest the fresh oysters from Cape Cod. They are a blend of sweet and salty, and expertly cut away from the shell. The three dipping sauces are quite fresh and wonderful: fresh horseradish, Texas Pete, and a combination of citrus juices. My favorite is to mix the fresh horseradish with the Texas Pete. I expect this combo to burn, but instead it is a tasty addition to the oyster. I like the large, tall serving stand for the oysters, however, I would use a smaller tray for only a half dozen oysters. Yes, I am a little bit picky.

One of our party has a mixed green salad to start. This is extremely fresh and just right. Our wait is a touch long for the entrees, but worth it. My Ahi tuna steak is sesame seared with wasabi-citrus dressing and rice noodle crunch atop sauteed spinach with red pepper. I must admit that I do have Ahi tuna quite often, and this one is very fresh, rare, and quite delicious. I like that is not a huge portion. All in all, it is quite good, but just a tad too salty for me.

My husband likes the basics, and he orders the old standby cheeseburger. He calls it quite juicy and comparable to one of the best in the area at Ray's the Classics in Silver Spring. The cheeseburger is a 10 oz. burger with melted cheese (usually cheddar, but he substitutes blue cheese), lettuce, and tomato. Surprisingly, the tomato is actually vine fresh, even in October. My husband skips the onion and switches the fries for a salad with no problem. The waiter is more than happy to make any changes. This restaurant really seems to agree that the customer is always right.

My brother-in-law and sister in-law share the GrillMarX bbq ribs, a full rack of slow cooked baby back ribs smothered in a smoky Chipotle sauce, served with french fries and cole slaw. I must admit that there are only a few places that deserve excellent ratings with ribs, and this is definitely one. The meat easily falls of the bone, the sauce is a sweet/spicy mix, and the fries are crunchy and perfectly cooked. Before they even start their meal, I am grabbing fries and enjoying every bite. The cole slaw is home made and a welcome addition to the plate. They both nod while devouring the ribs that the food is one of the best and worth the calories.

We glance at the dessert menu, but the majority are saying no more food. My husband and I actually would like to try the molten chocolate cake with milk chocolate Gnache, whipped cream, and peppermint or the vanilla bean creme brulee with whipped cream, but now we will have an excuse to return.



Other friends are eating dinner that night and give high marks for the tuna tartare, rockfish, and of course, steak. The bar is lively, modern, and inviting, and not overly loud.

 Be sure to make reservations, and enjoy a "Bethesda type" addition in Olney. It is about time.

Taste of DC is Just That!

A beautiful, sunny 80 degree day in October calls for an outdoor plan. I join some friends for the Taste of DC. For some reason, this event has been missing from DC for eight years, but it is back with a bang during the three day Columbus Day Weekend. Seafood seems to call my name with four out of the five dishes that I sample.

I begin with a small appetizer of fried oysters with remoulade sauce from Marvin, a DC restaurant inspired by Marvin Gaye and his life in Belgium. This dish is crispy, meaty, and a sweet start to my day. I will definitely check out this restaurant in the U Street/Shaw neighborhood, especially for the shrimp and grits and rooftop bar.

Next for a delicious taste of salmon tartare at Petits Plats, in Woodley Park near the zoo. Looks like a great place for lunch and/or outside dining. This taste is quite yummy and worthwhile, however, not to be compared with the tuna tartare at Raku in Bethesda.

Onto my only meat dish: duck and pine nut dumpling from Sequoia in Georgetown. Quite delicious and cooked perfectly, but not enough pine nuts for my liking.

One of my favorites is a surprise dish from Sushi Rock in Clarendon: "Free Fallin'" a beautiful roll (three pieces) of spicy tuna + scallion + akami + spicy aioli. This could have more zest to it, but I love the combination of flavors and delicacy. I would love to check out more dishes, especially sushi, from this restaurant, but Clarendon is usually not one of my go to spots. You never know, because the creative names of  rolls are perfectly named, such as: "You Shook Me All Night Long" or "Stairway to Heaven" or "Light My Fire".

The pieces de resistance of the whole afternoon is the succulent and perfect lobster roll from New York City's Luke's Lobster, right near Verizon Center in Penn Quarter. The longest line of the day is here, and it is worth every waiting moment. The lobster is chilled inside a New England-style split top bun with a secret, amazing sauce. I feel as though I am in Maine, by the water when eating this roll. Yes, I will be returning to Luke's again soon.

This is certainly my type of day: lots of tastes, beautiful weather, wine and/or beer tastes too, and no sharing of foods I don't love. Sorry that the Taste of DC is over for this year, but you can certainly check out any of these restaurants and take notes for next year's events.
 

Special Supano's?

Three couples are spending the weekend at the Renaissance Hotel in Baltimore, MD for a special big birthday. Reservations are made at Supano's Steakhouse for the proximity to the hotel, the live music, and the special food. Or is it special?

Photos, videos, and lots of ambiance all revolving around Frank Sinatra and his buddies are abundant and wonderful. Frank, Dino, and Sammy are alive and happening here. You definitely feel that you are back in time during the era of Rat Pack.

Appetizers start the dinner, but with no bread plates it is tough to begin. The crab dip becomes pretty cold and unappetizing by the time the plates arrive. The calamari and bruschetta are tasty, but cool. The waiter is adorable and friendly, but it is probably his first day. He doesn't really know that there is a difference between Zinfandel and Merlot. Warm bread and olive oil are served that beat out all the appetizers.

Dinner arrives one or two dishes at a time. Unfortunately, the cute waiter is busboy, server, sommelier all in one. It doesn't work out too well.

Starting with the positives: Have the Veal Francaise. It is lightly cooked with a delicious lemon sauce. "Steak and Cake" is a great way to go. The crab cake is gigantic and perfectly cooked, and the steak is cooked just right with plenty of flavor. Pasta in a light olive oil sauce with excellent spices is a classic. However,  DO NOT have the peppercorn encrusted tuna steak. It is completely overcooked (even though rare is requested), dry, and void of any real flavor. It is served atop a warm mushroom bacon salad, which is completely uneventful. While eating this dish, the owner appears. He offers to bring another tuna, but it is too late in the meal to enjoy it. Unfortunately, he chooses not to offer anything else.

Coffee is served, but with no spoons. This restaurant really needs a few busboys and chefs to straighten it up. A delicious Tiramisu cake is served to the birthday girl. That is always a great touch.

The restaurant is a in a perfect location in the heart of the Inner Harbor with entertainment. Go for the steak/cake, veal, pasta, and bread, but don't expect a bread plate or spoon.

If you would like to dance the night away and burn off some of the bread and pasta, walk over a few blocks to the Power Plant Live. You will not find Frank's music here, so instead be ready for top 40's of 2011. Start jumping now. We did.

Artichoke Pizza and More in NYC

Jon and I decide to escape to NYC to relax, eat, drink, and visit family. Even though we are original New Yorkers, it had been ages. We don't want to spend a fortune on a typical tiny hotel room, so after much research on Trip Advisor and discussions with friends, we drive to the Hampton Inn in Soho (four hours from MD to NYC). It is located right near the Holland Tunnel and even has reasonably priced parking a few blocks away. The hotel is clean, modern, and easy walking distance to everything we need: Soho, Chelsea, Tribeca, the Village, and the subway. Long story short, we check in and enter an ordinary room. Next we go up to the 19th floor deck to check out the view and we happen to meet the hotel engineer, Brian. Before we know it, Brian is upgrading us (I did ask) to a 19th floor suite with our own balcony facing the Empire State Building and a shower the size of a small room with floor to ceiling windows and six amazing jets. Sipping wine before dinner out on the balcony with the city sparkling with lights was like a postcard!
Dinner: Peasant in Soho. Probably overrated. Beautiful brick pizza oven in the rear and definite NYC vibe throughout. Homemade ricotta cheese is served to begin the meal. This is a great touch. Sarde Al Forno (sardines, olive oil, and bread crumbs) is quite large, fresh, and interesting. Roasted quail is a special and my entree choice. It is tasty, but not unique.
The restaurant is loud, the menus are very difficult to read (even for my 24 year old niece), and the food is fine, but not a must considering all the Italian restaurants in NYC. An old favorite, Crispo at 240 West 14th Street, is probably the best Italian restaurant outside of Italy. However, we are trying to focus on Soho for the weekend.

Breakfast: Amelia's in Soho around the corner from the hotel. Perfect breakfast place with many types of omelets, Challah French toast and outside tables.

Mid-Day Walk and Snacks: Chelsea Market. If you are in NYC, you should come for snacks or lunch.  I share fresh shucked oysters with my nephew. Sweet, fresh, inexpensive, and delicious!

Lunch: Artichoke Basille's Pizza in Chelsea. However, first earn your calories by walking the High Line, an elevated and landscaped sanctuary in NYC.  I have a huge slice of what they are known for: artichoke pizza. It tastes crunchy, creamy, and cheesy. This slice is amazing.

Afternoon Drinks (early Happy Hour): Imperial No. Nine located in the Mondrian Hotel in Soho. We are surrounded by glass chandeliers, glass bottles displayed, fresh herbs, citrus filled bowls, exquisite ambiance, and wonderful service. A Mojito with the freshest mint I have ever tasted is a delight! Also, a Prosecco Cocktail is quite elegant and wonderful.

Second Dinner: LureFishbar in Soho. Hard restaurant to get into. Happening Place! Extremely fresh and beautifully plated fish. Salmon tartare is fabulous. Seared yellow fin tuna with soba noodles, Thai peanut sauce, mushrooms, and lotus root is tasty, but over salted and not really special. This restaurant is the loudest restaurant I have ever been to in my life. Just plan on screaming to anyone during your dinner.

Second Breakfast: Bagels and sides from the market near the hotel on our balcony. Perfect!

Third Dinner: Trattoria Bolo. If you happen to be in the Warren/Basking Ridge area in NJ, this is the place to go. Chopped Salad with organic romaine, radicchio, endive, Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, cherry tomatoes, chamomile, infused figs, and Italian Herb Dressing is fresh and delicious. I can judge most Italian restaurants by the clams and linguine with white sauce. Sometimes it is too salty, or too sandy, or too plain. This dish with baby clams and roasted garlic is just right. The spices and liquid have me dipping the crusty bread over and over again.

Basically, you can't go too wrong in The City. We love eating and catching up with family, and we certainly will be back again soon.

The Beginning of Food Fun!

Although I have been sharing brief snippets (usually no more than 140 characters) on Facebook, I decided it was time to go full force and start a blog. For some odd reason, everyone loves hearing opinions about restaurants. I love eating (EVERYTHING!) and experiencing beautiful restaurants, so why not share my opinion? These blog updates will come occasionally (after all, it is not a job), but I promise to keep them brief and to the point. Here we go:

Rasika: The name just has me salivating:) - It is Restaurant Week in D.C., and this reservation was made ages ago. This is my second time to Rasika, and next time I will go to the bar, have one of their delicious martinis and eat endless portions of Palak Chaat which is crispy spinach, sweet yogurt, tamarind, and date chutney. Hearing the ingredients don't do it justice at all. It is beyond divine! Also, a standout worth having every time is the Tamarind Black Cod with star anise, black pepper, roasted chili, and upma. This is mouth-watering amazing! Of course, during Restaurant Week dessert is included, so why not indulge. The fabulous waiter (who was there for every explanation and need) brought us four desserts, instead of one for each of us (three women). He sure knew how to play us. Believe it or not, the winner is Mango and Black pepper Sorbet. It is hard to explain why this is so good, except it is like a mini July 4th in your mouth. First, you enjoy the beautiful mango (fireworks) and then the black pepper explodes. Wow! Everything is beautifully prepared and presented. I highly recommend Rasika to all lovers of food!