Blue Duck Tavern

[Teddybear]

Went last nite -- preferred to graze so ordered a range of appetizers and such --

marrow bones were very good, nice presentation, generous portion, especially like the roasted garlic that came with it.

pate -- way too rich for just two people -- one or two tastes were more than enough

salmon/pea dish -- nothing special

raclette -- not to my taste

french fries -- well they are french fries so I don't know what the fuss is about. Crispy, yes, but so what

roasted eggplant special -- I guess if you don't grow or roast your own this was ok, but nothing special

grits -- really, really, good

Perhaps if the bartender knew how to make a proper Manhattan I might have enjoyed it more,

[MarcDC]

I also love Blue Duck Tavern... One of my favorties in DC

[chicken kabob]

I respectfully disagree w/ the BDT lovers out there...While I LOVED the bone marrow appetizer & duck fat fries, I think the entrees(especially), creamed spinach (way too creamy) and desserts were lacking.
I ordered a steak and it was nothing great. I also find the atmosphere too sterile and institutional for my tastes. I am glad you all enjoyed your meals so much =)

[Manassas64]

I love this restaurant. We had appetizers out on the patio and dinner and dessert inside. We had the flaming chocolate cake and I had the best hot chocolate on the planet. I thought the fries were great. That's the reason I went to begin with, to find out about the famous fries made with duck fat. They were delish.

[ktmoomau]

Their grits are really superb. I agree this is a place that entrees really shine. I really think that their roast meats are what you go for, if you don't like veal, sweetbreads, duck or etc, then I don't know if you would enjoy it as much because that is what really shines for me.

[dcfoodie13]

I agree that the entrees are excellent, but I found certain appetizers just as good as the entrees. Last time I dined there, the pork belly was outstanding and the lobster was perfectly cooked.

[Teddybear]

Well this time neither was on the menu as we would have ordered both.

[reiflame]

I've had two really, really great meals at Blue Duck, but one of them was slightly marred when the bartender charged us $19 for a Manhattan. $19! For vermouth and whiskey!

Blue Duck is one of the few places that I find the main courses to be as good or better than the appetizers.

[Ericandblueboy]

Did you question the cost? That seems a bit ridiculous but I'm not a cocktail drinker. What do other high end restaurants charge for a Manhattan?

[reiflame]

No, we didn't (our mistake) - our table had been called and we were hungry.

At a nice restaurant, a simple mixed drink generally costs $10-12 with decent liquor.