Bistro Aracosia has become a neighborhood fixture of the famous parent restaurant in Springfield, VA and we heard the other night that McLean, VA will be the next benefactor of this family's wonderful dining spots!
We headed there Tuesday with friends visiting from Vietnam as we figured it was convenient(just minutes away) and novel for even them. It was a treat for all 6 of us. We ordered a bottle of yummy 2016 Cotes du Rhone La Colline de la Cabotte to enjoy while we perused the monstrous menu (always a problem) and our server Karen suggested we head right to the specials; always a good idea. Sam enjoyed a Mint Sour Cherry Mocktail and we decided to share a bunch of starters while we waited for one of us to arrive in traffic and headed towards three veggie options that we thought Sam would enjoy as well. Indeed, the veggie options here are huge and varied.
-Boulanee are Potato & Leek Turnovers served with an avocado chutney dipping sauce and have to be one of the best starters, although we had the other greens filling(sabzi) last time which were awesome as well.
-Aushak are Leek & Scallion Dumplings which come in a rich dill yogurt sauce that while delicious was a bit overpowering for some of us. I am not a huge dill fan, and it seems that Sam is even less. I guess it's best to ask how strong the spices(even if just dill) are before choosing! David, the manager, always offered to make the dish less or more spicier as well, but that is usually with the spicier main dishes as well.
Speaking of spices, while we sipped the wine we had plenty of that yummy Afghan pita-like bread with the four dipping sauces. ("The mildest was the Avocado/Yogurt with spices and they progress very quickly in spice levels to the Red Chile then the Thai Pepper & Green Herbs(almost tomatillo-like) and the intense Mango Sweet & Spicy, definitely the hottest, but still superbly tasty." is from my review earlier this year).
-the bread is also super with the final starter we choose, Barta- a simple tasty roasted eggplant puree akin to Baba Ganoush but more flavorful and smoky.
As if this was not enough, David also brought out a complimentary plate of the signature Grilled Lamb Chops which are seasoned so perfectly and seem to have not a touch of fat on them!
When we moved on to the entrees we also switched wines to a more full bodied Valravn 2016 Sonoma Zinfandel, which is probably the best lower priced red on the menu suited for the spice. Some of the wines here can get quite pricey!!
Will was leaning towards a sweet & savory stew, but ended up choosing a Chicken Lawaan which he said was a bit uninteresting, but then who orders chicken in a restaurant (unless it maybe pressed Amish style). The Lamb Chop Duo was a huge portion of 2 French ribs and a shoulder which were marinated to perfection and served with julienne carrots, raisins and roasted eggplant. The Mix Grill Mazza has lamb chop, beef tenderloin, salmon fillet, and seekh kabob all with that wonderful avocado chutney dipping sauce. It's truly a meat eater's delight, while Sam's veggie choice was a Spicy Risotto with Eggplant, Butternut Squash, Chick Peas, Lentils and Mung Peas with and Eggplant & Butternut Squash Bouranee. Saffron Salmon is still a huge portion and while it sounds light, it has Emerald rice and veggies and can really fill you up. My Veal Sabzi Lawaan was indeed on the specials menu and was a perfectly cooked veal stew with yogurt, greens, basmati rice, carrots and raisins.
Dessert was not even in our thoughts as we were all stuffed and headed home knowing that on a cold winter's night (yes, they are already here), Bistro Aracosia will always warm us up with delicious fare and friendly faces.
