Since Will and Samuel took off for several days in Massachusetts visiting cousins, I decided to have a night out with a dear friend. Most of you know I would NEVER choose Morton's (www.mortons.com), but I had a coupon for $99 for TWO PEOPLE which included salad/surf & turf/ and dessert which was pretty amazing. We actually had an amazing time, and could not come close to finishing everything. So if I have to make one complaint, it's that the portions ARE TOO BIG.
The Morton's in Downtown DC is at 1050 Connecticut Ave on the mezzanine level and has a nice view out the windows of the local shopping area at Farragut Metro; the decor is basic with comfy chairs, lots of photos, beautiful flowers and wine displays. Oddly there was a pile of potatoes on one counter which had clearly been there a bit too long; was this art? Our table faced the small open counter steak kitchen where three chefs busied themselves with all the meat.
Kudos to this Morton's staff for their friendliness and efforts. When I was searching for a medium bodied wine and asked some questions of the manager Dave, he suggested a MARTINELLI not on the menu. He returned with a 2005 "Bella Vigna" Russian River Pinor Noir that at 14.7% alcohol was a huge Pinot, full of body that could easily stand up to a filet.
The huge loaf of warm onion bread came and we dug in smothering it with the delicious butter; clearly not a low cholesterol meal here. Our meal began with a choice of the Morton or Caesar Salad and we both took the latter, a huge plate of Romaine beautifully dressed and tasty with hints of anchovy in the dressing (but no whole fish); only the croutons were a disappointment, small and chintzy, so we ate the bread instead!
Next came a PETITE FILET with Bearnaise Sauce and the option of three "turf" combos. I chose the BROILED SEA SCALLOPS wrapped in BACON with Apricot Chutney which were yummy and moist, although you need to keep the chutney to just a dollop or it's too sweet. Rick chose the SHRIMP ALEXANDER served in a Beurre Blanc Sauce which was rich and creamy and had three huge shrimp as well. These were all yummy and the filets were perfect (even if at over 8 ounces each!). I especially liked the way the steaks were cooked just right but with a crunchy crispy outside edge.
We were each given a choice of a side dish (which can feed three people anyway!) so I went for the LYONAISE Potatoes loaded with sauteed onions and bacon bits (tasty) and Rick went for the perfectly SAUTEED MUSHROOMS.
Believe it or not the $99 for two included dessert and we both chose the (yes it was huge) slice of KEY LIME PIE smothered with whipped cream. I took a small bite and brought the rest home for Will to enjoy as I know how much he loves Key Lime Pie. It was delish, but I was way too full.
So, find a deal like this, or share each plate and Morton's might work for you.
