Most of you know we don't do brunch too often, but we had a certificate which came as part of an auction item we purchased last year, so off we headed with a friend and her daughter (almost age 4) to ARDEO (www.ardeorestaurant.com) in Cleveland Park for brunch today.
We had not been to ARDEO in some time and it has been redecorated and has a new chef and things are doing great. The brunch package is $25 and includes a choice of any appetizer and main course from the menu as well as pretty decent unlimited Mimosas, champagne or o.j. (they use J. Roget sparkling.
We ordered Sam up the burger which was a huge and yummy juicy one to boot (he ate about 2/3 of the meat) and called CHAR BROILED NATURAL BEEF BURGER on the menu and comes with SPICY TOMATO RELISH (yum), SMOKED BACON, Cheddar Cheese (a slice of barely melted and looks processed on top of the burger; quality needs improvement here) and Hand Cut Fries. I find the term "natural" so odd as nobody seemed to
know what it meant. It was not "organic," but our pleasant and helpful server Katherin suggested it meant "free-range." the though of its opposite "unnatural" as a choice was daunting. The fries were spiced nicely a bit and it was a bit hit.
His 4-year old date had the scrambled eggs and was not too thrilled, but they were simply a special kids order...this place really caters to its menu and not kids.
There were yummy chocolate scones, corn bread and muffins as well.
The appetizers were also huge and tasty: SMOKED TROUT and POTATO SALAD with Chopped Egg, Fine Herbs and Capers was more like a potato and fish pate and needed only some tasty crostini to spread the yummy spread on. ROASTED BEETS came with GOAT CHEESE MOUSE, Orange Scented Marshmallows (an odd choice), Sicilian Candied Pistachios and was again a big hit. My STEAMED MUSSELS in Cider Vinegar with Shaved Fennel & Thyme was again a monstrous portion with a superb creamy broth that I had to drink up (they give you a spoon) full of huge plump tasty mollusks.
The main courses were just as good and leave you so full dessert is not an option. There are many choices and we had the SPICY FENNEL SAUSAGE FRITTATA as well as the GRANDANINA PASTA which is a Sardinian COUSCOUS cooked Risotto-style with "foraged mushrooms and roasted squash." The mushrooms were all tasty wild variants, some quite large and shapely and the dish was quite rich and yes, VERY filling.
Home now, I think I need a nap...
