I love going to Grace's MANDARIN at National Harbor in PG County, but
now I also fear it. Avoid this area on Saturday night as parking can
be worse than horrendous. Stick to weekdays and the crowds at the door
are easier to negotiate through as well, the service improves as
well.
I generally avoid dining out Saturday, but it was the only time we
could see friends visiting from abroad and they were staying nearby
and we had just gone to Cirque du Soleil at the Harbor.
That said, our friends who live nearby always get the royal treatment
at Grace's, and that was indeed a godsend.
The DIRTY Martinis were as good as always with Gray Goose, but the
olives were more ginger than wasabi this time. Samuel chose the
CHICKEN DUMPLING Kids meal with Rice instead of LoMein, but Chicken
Fingers came instead of dumplings. This was rectified with a
complimentary order of PAN SEARED CHICKEN POTSTICKERS with Soy
Vinaigrette which Samuel gobbled up and we enjoyed as well! The PAN
FRIED CALAMARI was tasty, although our host thought over battered, but
perfectly crispy to my taste with the Bell & Jalapeno Peppers and
Peppercorn SAKE Sauce!
Tom Yum Soup (veggie version) came out with Chicken and they quickly
brought another veggie order (both bowls were happily accepted by the
table :-))
The JUMBO LUMP CRABMEAT SPRING Rolls are a big hit--huge, meaty and
crispy with a Chinese Mustard and Apricot Sauce so you can double dip
for varying flavors and levels of spice!
SUSHI/SASHIMI is of the highest quality with superb TORO & SALMON, but
don't miss the GREEN DRAGON Roll with Shrimp tempura, eel and tobiko,
a real treat!
Main courses were all superb but avoid the CRISPY WHOLE ROCKFISH if
you don't like dealing with bones. The fish was divine and the two
sauces varied and excellent: Thai Basil and the Scallion, Spicy Chili
Herb Butter.
PENANG CURRY is a super rich curry with chicken, pineapple, broccoli,
carrots, cauliflower, sweet peas and a hint of coconut to tame the
spice all served with a thick Malaysian Crepe which also helps to tame
the intense spice, which interestingly enough does not linger.
JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKES are all seafood and served with grilled
ASPARAGUS, and a Spicy Soy Mustard & Sticky Rice.
We loved every bite and were way too full for anything more than
fortune cookies for dessert!
On the way out a stop in the men's room revealed a urinal with a TV
screen tuned to FIV FashionVideo.com which I could have done without
having eaten so much, I really did not want to see models on a runway!
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