For Samuel's last dinner before he heads back to LA we chose FANCY RADISH on H St, NE in a neighborhood that has completely changed recently and now is chock full of dining spots, shops, a Whole Foods and more. Fancy Radish is tucked in the middle of the block in a small space with a couple dozen tables max and is very unprecocious, yet has some nice art, exposed brick walls and simple decor. Our server Eva explained that the menu is meant to be shared and that for 3 people we would generally order 2 or more dishes per person.
I asked what dishes "we had to have" and she replied that everyone loves the RUTABAGA FONDUE and that after having it the day before one couple ordered two more!
She was so right, but we ordered six of the 10 items and did end up going back to that creamy rich fondue at the end for seconds!!
I started with a Fearless Forager made from scotch, shitake, Szechuan Amaro and Angostura Bitters. The drink had a slight mushroom hint, but was a scotch-lover's delight. Will loved his One in a Melon made with Watermelon tequila, Lime, Cucumber, Sparkling Rose, Rind Pickle and Lime Salt. Sam had two of the Vibrational Match made from lavender, Hibiscus, Butterfly Pea Flower, Lemon, Agave and Club Soda!
We ordered three dishes to start and loved the Pastrami Carrot Salad with Sauerkraut Puree, Smoked Mustard and Pumpernickel Soil which really tasted like sliced pastrami even though it was carrots!!
The Grilled Avocado is a gorgeous presentation with curtido, smoked tomato salsa, cilantro crema and pepitas, but was our least favorite item on the menu not because it was not good, but because it was not that exciting as the other dishes indeed were. Peruvian Potatoes were spicy and addictive with Aji Amarillo, Cilantro, Peanuts and Cured Olive, so much so that Samuel had to order a second plate which we all shared as well. We also adored the Heirloom Tomato Toast which was a couple of huge thick fresh country bread slices topped with gorgeous heirloom tomatoes, Basil Goddess dressing, Crispy Shitakes and Micro Salad mix on top. Our sixth dish was the delicious Spicy Dan Dan Noodles with red chile sesame sauce, Sichuan peppercorns and five spiced glazed mushrooms...so yes, they were spicy and yummy.
The wine list is varied and on the pricy side with almost everything over 460. We loved the Cab Franc/Malbec blend(served by the glass as well) called "Tu Vin Plus aux Soiree"(which kind of translates as "you came to the party again") from Fabien Jouves in Cahors, France which had a tad of earthiness but was on the lighter red side and went well with everything.
We all shared the Sticky Toffee Pudding with Bannoffee Ice Cream and Cookie Crumble because that is Will's fave English dessert, and while it was yummy, it was not a touch on the UK original.
So in a nutshell...the food here is superb, the prices on the high side, and some dishes excel and impress more than others. I would be worried to come here often if the 10 dishes on the menu don't change a lot, but I hope they do. It's a vegan delight, although, gluten might be an issue and we all had a delightful time and shall be sad to see Sam head back to LA this evening.
