Saturday night we were invited to the mock service
at Washington's newest hot dining spot. The owners of DC
Coast/Ceiba/Acadiana/Fuego/PassionFish/District Commons and more opened
PENN COMMONS yesterday next door to the Verizon Center at 700 6th St,
NW and I am confident it will be one of DC's busiest spots starting now!
The
restaurant is down several steps and is one large room with a bar at
the center. Sadly the stone floor and unfinished ceilings do make for a
noisy setting. We really did not need the TV's over the bar on as well
as the music (although I did catch the Yankees beat the Red Sox!). Our
booth was cozy and comfortable and the clouded and clear glass
surrounding us allowed glimpses of the street.
Our server,
Melaku, always had a smile and was there at every moment to satisfy our
requests. The Passion Food team has always gotten great help and it
shows here as well. He took our drink order and brought out a loaf of
the Hot Pretzel Baguette with Beer Mustard Butter that is requisite at
District Commons (there are similarities in the menu, but this is no
clone!).
I had a Pony Express with Smirnoff Vodka,
Stirring's Ginger Liqueur, Ginger Ale, Lime Juice & Lime which was
refreshing and cool. Will ordered the Penn Collins and asked if it was
sweet. Melaku thought it was, but he said the bartender told him it was
not. When it came, it was cloying and of course within seconds, Will had
a martini instead.
Starters are varied and Will ordered the
PULLED PORK HAND Pies which are two empanadas with Carolina
(mustard-base) sauce full of juicy meat and really filling. I had the
divine and cool GOLDEN TOMATO GAZPACHO with Crab and Cucumber Relish. It
was most refreshing on a hot evening. Samuel decided to do the DAILY
"PICK 3" which allows you to choose three items from a group of about 8
which are then presented in 3 adorable mason jars on a wooden board.
His
least favorite was the House Made Pimento Cheese as he generally does
not like soft cheeses or spreads, but bravo for him for experimenting.
The Char Roasted EGGPLANT with Pesto & Toasted Pine Nuts was like a
BabaGhanoosh on crack and we all loved the flavors, but Sam fell in love
with the Hand Cut STEAK TARTARE with Siracha Aioli. The aioli was mild
and a bit more spice would have been nice, but he was very generous and
shared this delicacy which he declared to be his new favorite.
Our
white wine was a Pearmund Viognier 20111 Vincroft Vineyard from
Virginia which was great with all these different flavors and tastes. We
moved on to a Matchbook 2010 Tempranillo from Dunnigan Halls which had
some spice and guts and went brilliantly with our two spicy mains:
Korean Grilled Rack of "PORK CHOP" with Quick Kimchi, Crispy Rice and
Spicy KBBQ Sauce which was a dream dish as was the Crispy Tempura SOFT
SHELL CRABS with Green papaya Salad, Cashews and a spicy Chili-Lime
Dressing. Sam went simpler with the Grilled Creekstone Farms Skirt Steak
with French Fries and a Whiskey Peppercorn Sauce, which we slathered
all over the crispy perfectly cooked meat with a small Obligatory Green
Salad.
The wine list here is nice with just under 50 choices
and many by the glass, but you can really go for the beers which include
over 80 beers/stouts/ales/etc including ones with names like
Hebrew David Slingshot Hoppy Rye
Shipyard Monkey Fist
Flying Dog/Raging Bitch
If you need help, ask for Travis the beer expert.
For dessert we chose the Mini Oatmeal Cookie Pies with Blueberry Lemon Mousse as well as a
Warm Fudge Cake(very rich) with Passion Fruit Ice Cream
Both
were yummy and we went home happy and fulfilled knowing that there is a
wonderful new spot in the Penn Quarter that indeed is NOT common.
