Last night we took Samuel to D'ACQUA which over a year ago took over the space vacated by the ill-fated SIGNATURES at 801 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (tel 202-783-7717). The gorgeous sleek, warm and elegant feel is now gone and replaced by a bistro feel of muted terra cotta arches and walls, green tablecloths and shimmery sheer drapes. Sadly, the drapes adorn the floor-to-ceiling windows which allowed way too much cold air to penetrate (ok, it was the coldest night this winter) them.
The long L-shaped bar remains, now with two flat screen TV's that can be seen from most of the dining room; I hate this. Televisions are fine for bars and cheap establishments as pizza parlors, but not for a fine dining location.
Samuel did get a great plate of PENNE Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce and lots of cheese, which was so huge, we took home more than half of it. I could not help feel that they don't really want to cater to children (even though the dish was available and only $10) and this was somehow evident in the speed with which every course was delivered; WAY TOO FAST. We were out of there in just over an hour, which is just ridiculous, especially when the place is not that full and the table is not needed (which is still NO EXCUSE!).
Will and I took one look at the $30.08 3-course Restaurant Menu with its somewhat unexciting 4 appetizers and totally boring 3 entrees and decided to go a la carte, raising the price of dinner about $40-50, but at least giving us some delicious food that we desired.
Incidentally, the three entrees were a Ravioli with Chard and Ricotta filling, Salmon and a Lamb Steak; see what I mean. Furthermore, why should an establishment known for fish offer only ONE fish entree; this is a total lack of understanding of Restaurant Week.
Anyway, we ordered a delicious bottle of VINNAE JERMANN 2005 Bianco Veneziana Giulia from Friuli, clearly a blend of wines which neither the waiter (when asked)nor the bottle elaborated on. Excellent long thin breadsticks and some of the best FOCACCIA around with fresh tomatoes on every giant slice made us happy as Samuel conducted with the breadsticks!
We ordered Samuel's pasta at about 7:10pm and it arrived steeping hot less than 5 minutes later and our appetizers followed shortly thereafter before 7:15. Will had the BURATA CHEESE and a gorgeous CHERRY TOMATO SALAD wrapped in a cucumber cylinder ring. I adored the tender, tasty BABY CLAMS with WHITE WINE and loaded with Garlic, but must agree with Mr. Sietsema (of the Wash Post) that the one piece of grilled bread that accompanies it is not nearly enough to mop up the yummy broth. How chincy can one be with the bread?
At about 730pm our entrees arrived while we still had our appetizer plates in front of us; for me this is unacceptable, Will had the tasty MONKFISH wrapped in PANCETTA with fresh Herbs, Lemon, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Shitake Mushrooms, while I opted for the GROUPER with SAUSAGE & LENTILS which was a huge portion loaded with simply cooked fish and a superb sauce of lentils and tons of slightly spicy sausage chunks.
Sam enjoyed a tasty scoop of MIXED BERRY Sorbet which came with one blackberry and one slice of strawberry (do I seem cynical here?), which he wolfed down and proceeded to lick the plate as well. I joked that he might consider eating the plate and he mockingly took a bite of it! Will and I decided to opt for the signature STRUDEL which was Banana with Raisins with Pecans in Caramel Sauce on the menu. Our server apologized and said that because the strudel was one of the 3 or 4 choices on the Restaurant week menu they had run out of it (and it was only about 655pm!). Will decided on the TIRAMISU and I had a bite feeling very full and just wanting to leave..which we did at 710pm.
So, while the dishes were great, for the most part, I felt the warmth was at tepid and the speed to fast, and the essence of Restaurant Week totally missing.
