We returned to one of our favorite DC chef's home yesterday and RIS is as good as it ever was. It was Super Bowl Sunday and while the game was on with no sound at the bar, the place was quiet and even once 1/2 full with diners still maintained and elegant and quiet feel rare to DC dining these days. Even the diners were nicely dressed in suits, ties, jackets and dresses and it felt like we all wanted to just get away from everything that is sucky in DC AND WE DID!
We started with a Cowhorn Viognier Blend "Spiral 36" 2016 from Oregon's Applegate Valley which was creamy with legs and oh so perfect with our first courses. A yummy amuse of Potato-Leek Soup with fried leeks and chives on top started us off and the always delicious Scallop Margarita followed with granita of tequila and lime. the scallops marinated into gorgeous creaminess in the marinade pairing amazingly well with the wine.
The Portuguese Seafood Stew was magnificent and included a small piece of fish, mussels, clams, scallop, shrimp and chorizo in a romesco base which was just slightly spicy enough.
Our charming server Florence (from Montpellier) told us what was coming as we had a surprise tasting and we decided to move to a heavier red. Shaun, the manager, suggested a yummy Grenache Blend Alvaro Palacios "Camins del Priorat" 2017 from that wonderful region in Spain. I was worried it would be too young, but it was just right with the next course of Curried Cauliflower, Pomegranate Seeds, Greek Yogurt, lentils, Spaghetti Squash and a hint of citrus. The dish was rich and a bit heavy, but the weather had not totally warmed up yet and it was the beginning of February, so a perfectly logical choice and great for vegetarians.
A palate cleanser of PassionFruit Sorbet came and we began to wonder what had happened to the old style of class dining where a meal would not pass without a palate cleanser?? I miss the old days. The main course was a magnificently cooked Beef Tenderloin with a tangy bacon vinaigrette, pickled red onion butter(OMG) and Potato Raclette with red wine sauce. This is the ideal dish for any steak & potato person!!
Dessert was a platter on mini-desserts of which the Butterscotch Pudding with Cocoa Nibs was slightly grainy and our least favorite. The Berry and Pistachio Gratin with Vanilla Ice Cream was excellent and had just the right crunch on top while the Choux were pastry puffs cooked just right and not at all soggy filled with Hazelnut & Nougatine with a spun sugar tuile.
As if this was not enough, we got little goodie bags to take away, maybe I will get to see what was in it tonight!
It's is so hard to find fine dining, a quiet and homey space, and great food with great service all in one spot these days, but RIS sure rings it all up and Chef Ris Lacoste has been doing it so well here for a deservedly long time!
