Last night we returned to LA MICHE (www.lamiche.com) in Bethesda after a way too long absence and still find the traditional French cuisine to be even better. We started the evening with Cava Sparkling (forgot the brand) and went right to red wine with a BOURGOGNE Hautes Cotes de Nuits Pinot Noir from Henri & Gilles Remoriquet in Nuit Saint Georges which was light bodied, but just right on a starting to get chilly fall evening.
Everyone had the same appetizer which was a fabulous combination plate consisting of: Green Lip Mussel and Crab Beignets (fritter) with caviar tartar sauce and Quail with Goji Berries in red wine served over thin slices of Yellow & Green Zucchini.
There were so many flavors and I opted to start with the seafood fritter and move to the quail as the sauce was richer and the berries intense. They both went well with the wine and we were all quite happy.
The entrees were varied and went from SALMON IMPERIAL to a superb ALASKAN HALIBUT with ARTICHOKE, CRAB & CAPER Lemon Butter Sauce to Frenched RACK of LAMB with Ratatouille, French Beans & Potatoes. I opted for the decadent VEAL RIB CHOP with OYSTER CREAM SAUCE which came with Roasted Potatoes and perfectly cooked French Green Beans. The meat was tender and tasty, but it was the sauce that was so novel and wonderful. There were a half dozen oysters or more in the rich sauce itself to boot!
With dinner a SANCERRE "La Crele" 2005 from Thomas & Fils was available for the fish folk, while us meat eaters went for the wonderful and bigger COTES du RHONE VILLAGES 2004 Rasteau from Tardieu-Laurent.
Desserts were varied as well and most gobbled up the CHOCOLATE GANACHE CAKE or a Chocolate ECLAIR, while I indulged in a superb light GRAND MARNIER SOUFFLE. There were also two dessert wines to satisfy the wide variety of desserts. A lighter, yet sweet DOMAINE de la MALETIE 2002 MONTBAZILLAC, while many of us preferred the sweeter heavier OLIVARES 2003 DULCE MONASTRELL.
After a round of port we all headed home sure that we won't keep away from La Miche as long next time! I'm hoping to attend their next wine dinner which is scheduled for December 5.
