J&G Steakhouse - lunch
We went to J&G for lunch today. I don't know how crowded it usually is but it was pretty sparse at 12 today (MLK day). Perhaps it was the holiday. The food was pretty close to perfect. The view out the window of the Washington Monument is pretty amazing.
The service was excellent. They have a bread server who continuously came around and supplied a fresh chunk of chewy bread whenever you finished the last one. We also tried some of their custom made sodas/drinks. The cherry soda was very good; not too sweet and an intense cherry flavor. The green iced tea was a little strange. It had an intense green color that was a little scary. It tasted fine, but the color...
For appetizers we had the calamari and mushroom risotto. The calamari lived up to every review I've read and without question deserves its place on Washingtonian's 25 best dishes in DC. The calamari were very lightly battered - more like a good, light tempura batter - and were cooked perfectly. Their texture was like al dente pasta rather than the tough chewy stuff many other places serve. There were thin slices of red chili thrown in that were superb; very hot but added an interesting taste despite the heat. The Yuzu dipping sauce in combination with the peppers was perfect. The mushroom risotto was also excellent. The mushrooms popped with intense woodsy flavor and the rice was a creamy backdrop cooked just right. If I had to go back I don't think I could choose between the two. I'm glad I split them with my wife.
My wife had the Parmesan crusted chicken for her main course. It was cooked just right and the artichoke complemented it perfectly. I had the cod (served the same as the halibut which they list on their web site lunch menu). It was also excellent; the fish was snow white with a nice brown sear on the top. It flaked away with a light touch of my fork. The sauce gave it a bold taste with the chili in it giving a little shot of heat at the end.
For dessert we both had the warm chocolate with vanilla ice cream. As good as expected. All in all the food was really good with everything cooked just right with interesting flavors that blended when they were supposed to and always popped with something special. I'm not sure why it's called a steakhouse but its ranking as a top DC restaurant is well deserved. I look forward to going back.
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J&G Steakhouse
515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
By dacfood
on Jan 18, 2010 02:19 PM
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A beautiful day in Washington, election day no less. A Montreal foodie enjoying your city!
I too went to J&G for lunch as I was needing a break from enjoying the architectural beauty around me. I decided to head there on impulse and have no regret.
I was not completely alone, I had a wonderful book with me, Three Cups of Tea, but still, eating on your own is always a challenge and some tend to place you at the back near the kitchen door. UGH.
But I was given a wonderful table at the window, among the busy diners and appreciated the gesture, the service was awesome with not one but two servers making sure everything remained perfect. I went for the butternut squash soup, it was creamy beyond any cream soup I had in a long time, thickened with creme fresh instead of flour, the texture was satiny, it was served over mushrooms and cubed squash, I nearly licked the bowl clean, and though there was salt on the table, it is a first for me not to have used it at all during my meal, at all.
I then continued with their crab cake, how different! The pieces of crab were large and instead of fine bread crumbs, it was cubed bread, the flavours were a bit asian and instead of lemon, there was small quarters of grapefruit, and avocado, I was shocked by the flavours which blended beautifully on the palate, accompanied by a perfect glass of chardonnay, this lunch was memorable, so much, I barely read at all which says a lot in my case.
I did not have dessert, but I did have their cappuccino, again, just divine.
I saw that this restaurant does not always have great reviews, but hopes that those that go do speak well if they had good meals, as I know for a fact, it is a lot easier to come up here to write about an unpleasant experience than it is a good one.
On that note, I am seriously enjoying Washington, and the awesome food!
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J&G Steakhouse
515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
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Thanks very much for your report! I'm looking forward to reading more about your adventures, as events transpire!
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Hello Woodleyparkhound,
My days in Washington were too short unfortunately and the only other restaurant I enjoyed was Filomena's, I wasn't sure it was a Washington institution or not, but after having walked passed the pasta making lady, I knew I had to go. Will try to write more about it on a separate thread since this one is on J&G Steakhouse.
Ciao!
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J&G Steakhouse
515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
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great j+g steakhouse review. makes me want to go try their lunch prix fixe.
can't wait for your filomena's review. i havent been there before but i am curious, it is often mentioned on this board, especially for its pasta.
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Filomena does get some good notice on this board, but some bad also. I find it thick and gummy. Bibiana has some exquisite pasta, and so does Siroc, if a bit homier. They both slay Filomena.
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Siroc Restaurant
915 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005
Bibiana
1100 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005
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thanks, steve! so good to know. ill try both of your recs.
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At Bibiana, order the agnolotti and the fried artichokes. The menu doesn't change all that often. At Siroc the menu changes frequently. They usually have some kind of potato torte and beef rolls as appetizers which are excellent. The simple pastas like fettucini are homey and very well executed.
At both places you can order half-portions of pasta. Especially important at Siroc, where the portions are larger.
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Siroc Restaurant
915 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005
Bibiana
1100 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005
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