Sunday, March 16, 2008

Supping with Samuel in Bethesa-Persimmon & Grapeseed

We have been trying to take Samuel to more innovative dining spots and he seems to be doing fairly well...although PASTA is still his favorite.

We tried two Bethesda finer dining sports this weekend starting with PERSIMMON (www.persimmonrestaurant.com) where we have not been in years and joined our friends who have four kids aged 1-1/2 to 7 (a challenge in itself, let alone dining out).

The folks at Persimmon had told us they had items for children, but one must remember the key word here is "children's menu" or be specific. Upon arrival the options were limited, a burger or plain pasta with butter. Luckily our kids liked the pasta, but is was nothing to even write about. The eldest went right for the FILET on the menu with Mashed Potatoes, Spinach (which she would not touch; a shame) and the most tasty thin onion rings piled high. It was an adult and huge portion, but quite good as well. The adults started with a HENDRY 2006 UNOAKED Chardonnay which was a treat of true fruit and great wine. Will enjoyed the DUCK CONFIT with Flageolet Beans, my SMOKED TROUT SPRING ROLLS with Hoisin BBQ Spicy Peanut Sauce were fabulous, but the special of ASIAN BEEF TARTARE with Wasabi Cream needed more spice in the cream and more seasoning in the beef itself as it was quite bland.

All the entrees were hits from the BLACK SESAME CRUSTED TUNA with Daikon, Carrots, Sugar Snap Peas, Wakane Seaweed and Tamarind Drizzle to the Pan Seared ROCKFISH with LEMON GNOCCHI (these were fab), Spinach, Exotic (I find this an odd choice of words) Mushrooms, Roasted Tomato & Eggplant Coulis (luckily all the additions to the fish did not overwhelm the star itself as the Rockfish was superb moist and flaky), PORK LOIN CHOP Stuffed with Prosciutto, Fontina & Sage with French Green Lentils and Caramelized Pearl Onions (a bit heavier, but still yummy) to my superb MAGRET of DUCK with Sweet Potatoes, Duck CONFIT HASH, Celery Root Galette and Foie Gras Reduction which was another heavy and rich dish, but one I can easily rave over.

Our red wine was the manager's recommendation of a 2004 PALACIOS REMONDO "LA MONESA," a Tempranillo-Garnacha blend from Rioja Baja in Spain which went great with everything as it was medium bodied and full of flavor, but with no tannins at all.

The kids enjoyed CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM and an unexciting BREAD PUDDING but what was the busboy thinking when he brought an extra WARM BOWL to split up the ice cream between the kids?

After this we were full, the kids were full and I think all nine of us went home exhausted!

Last night we returned to the newly refurbished GRAPESEED (www.grapeseedbistro.com) in Bethesda, where we have always had a great time, and it was no different, even with Chef Jeff Heineman in absentia. The new Grapeseed is twice the size with the same (but newer) bar on the left, open kitchen at the rear and lots of tables, but the right side has a pricate dining are in the wine room, and another behind it with glass enclosed walls separating off a series of cozy intimate booths running the length of the opposite wall. Raves go to our server Christy who handles Samuel's every request and need and was as cheery, friendly and helpful as could be. We started with a bottle of DOMAINE LES BRUYERES CROZES HERMITAGES BLANC 2004 which was a revelation, so rich and creamy like a fine aged Rhone white or top level California Chard! Samuel got his dish (they don't have a children's menu here either, but they will make a larger number of options and what we did was pick an appetizer of FONTINA STUFFED MEATBALLS of Beef, Pork & Veal with Rosemary, Tomato Sauce, Polenta and ask to have it served on Pasta (excellent Fettuccine) and Sam rolled his eyes in excitement and adored every bite. He was even happier when Christy brought over a bowl of fresh grated Parmesan!

We were treated to an amazing (and huge) amuse of CRAB STUFFED SHRIMP on CHORIZO disk over a WHOLEGRAIN MUSTARD CREME FRAICHE which was faaaabulous.

The only slight disappointment of the entire meal was Will's starter called, GREEN, EGG & HAM (which Samuel got a kick out of) which was a slow poached organic egg in a martini glass over Pea Sauce and sprinkled with Crispy Speck. It just needed a little salt or something.

My FRIED CHICKEN LIVERS were amazing, crispy on the outside and served on small crispy bread slices with POBLANO & BELL PEPPER JELLY giving them a dash of flavor and slight spice (they could have even stood up to more). It was a huge portion and only cost $6.00! We switched to a tasty 2006 McLAREN VALE, Australia SHIRAZ from YANGARRA that went perfectly with Will's BRAISED LAMB SHANK with Rice, Beans, Arugola Salad and Gremolata, while I was thrilled with my PAN ROASTED CHICKEN (who EVER orders chicken?) with CHESTNUT & SAGE STUFFING in Sherry Vinegar Sauce. There was 1/2 of a huge chicken and I could only get through the huge juicy moist breast (and took the rest home for later!) and the stuffing was to die for.

Sam polished off three scoops of creamy tasty MANGO SORBET, Will took in three scoops of BUTTERSCOTCH ICE CREAM and I headed for the cheeses: BUCHERON Goat which was okay, but tasted unexciting and a bit harder than I like goat cheese. LA LEYENDA, a firm Spanish Sheep that was superb, and even Samuel liked it, and a tasty ROGUE CREAMERY SMOKY BLEU (smoked over hazelnuts) that was not too powerful or invasive; just right for me.

We went home very full, very happy and very thrilled that Grapeseed can accommodate Samuel and its new "space" makes it so varied you have several dining options (well, as far as where to sit).