We had dined a while ago at ESTUARY in the Conrad Hotel in Washington and we decided to return there again last week with the same friends. The setting is nice and also quite relaxing and quiet with a beautiful view over the rooftops of DC and we even got a nice sunset!
Our server Rafael was a bit overtaxed as there were only two servers working and at times we had to wave a couple of times to get his attention, but other than that he was super helpful with wines and making dining suggestions as well.
We started with a 2018 Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rose which was a nice aperitif and was great with our starters:
Ceviche of Himachi with Pickled Fresno Chile, Toasted Sesame, Red Onion and a divine Calamansa Granita on top. The dish had a nice spice and the granita totally complemented that.
Roasted Tall Timber Oysters came with garlic & chili crumbs and marinated trout roe while the Mushroom Strata was like a mushroom bread pudding with boursin aioli.
For the main course we moved to a novel red from Adelaide Hills, Australia called Unico Zelo "Pipe Dreams" 2021 that is a wonderful Nero d'Avola. We will have to search it out when we head there in February!
Seafood Carbona was shrimp, bay scallops and Middle Neck clams with pasta and Tobiko in a Chinese Sausage sauce that got raves. Seared Rockfish with mushroom larb and kaffir lime was in a green curry sauce with herb salad and also was a big hit. My Rabbit Guisado(stew) came with snap peas, new potatoes and grilled asparagus and was a hearty dish with superbly cooked meat in two different preparations(all fotos on FB).
Desserts were all excellent and we all shared the Cherry Clafoutis with Creme Fraiche, Almond Custard and Cherry Compote alongside the Tres Chocolates which is a very rich Tres Leches Sponge Cake with Mango Nectar(think salsa) and Chocolate "rocks." A yummy rich glass of Inniskillin Vidal Ice Wine was my dessert.
Estuary is indeed an easy place to enjoy, but the prices can get a tad high, but then most top hotel dining spots in DC are like that.
