Washington, DC New Menu Report: 3/2/16
This week, as part of our on-going series on pre-theater menus, we have a spectacular option to consider, also want to remind you to sample glasses of rare vintage magnum wines, have incredible cod from Norway available nowhere else, and there are new carry-out options from a high-end Italian restaurant. The District's usually slow food news is hot for March and we hope you enjoy the options.
Blue Duck Tavern
We hope you are enjoying the weekly Tuesday lineup featured in the "Blue Duck Uncorked" wine program at Blue Duck Tavern. Every Tuesday, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. until March 29, they are pouring one specially selected rare magnum not found on the restaurant's featured wine list. Lucky guests can count on Blue Duck Tavern general manager Joseph Cerione's choices and try each vintage by the glass for $30. Next Tuesday's selection for March 8 is an iconic domestic wine from California. It's the Judd's Hill Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley California 1998.
Casa Luca
If you love the food at Casa Luca and want to have it at home, now you can, thanks to the official launch of Casa Luca's "On the Go" menus. An addition to their existing catering service, they are now offering pick-up or drop-off menus that feature family-style platters of some of Casa Luca's favorite dishes, including Chef Erin's vergara meatballs with fontina cheese fonduta ($95 per platter; serves 10-12) and the cavatappi amatriciana with guanciale, roasted tomatoes, melted onions, and pecorino ($155 per platter; serves 10-12). A selection of sandwiches are also available, including The Luca, with prosciutto, roasted tomatoes, and basil pesto, and The Maria, with confit tuna, red peppers, olive tapenade, and spicy aïoli. Look for large salads such as the misticanza that includes Path Valley greens with seasonal fruit, almonds, and citronette; and desserts like torta al cioccolato, hazelnut cake, plus an assortment of Italian cookies and sweets. For additional pricing and information contact Casa Luca via email.
Legal Sea Foods
For seafood lovers, the taste of white, flakey cod is second to none and if you fall into this category then March is your month. This is the month that Legal Sea Foods is offering the world's best cod fish, also known as "the Norwegian miracle" or simply called Skrei® in Norway. Renowned for its incredible flavor and unblemished quality, this migratory species of cod spends its life in the cold, pristine waters in the Barents Sea off the coast of Norway and can only be fished in the months of January to April. To celebrate this year's catch, three of Legal Sea Foods' Washington area restaurants will be adding a special entrée featuring Skrei to their popular a la carte menu. From March 3 to March 30, this delicious fish, priced $27.95, is being served simply with green olives, Meyer lemon-artichoke relish, fingerling potatoes, and Brussels sprouts with bacon. To dine like a Viking, simply visit the Legal Sea Foods restaurants at 7th Street in Washington, D.C., at the Arlington – Crystal City restaurant on Jefferson Davis Hwy; and at Tysons Galleria in McLean, Virginia. For more information, please visit http://www.legalseafoods.com/
The Oval Room
Dining at a sophisticated restaurant and then heading to the theater can be one of the most incredibly chic ways to spend an evening in the District. For impeccable quality and dining pleasure, the best value in the city is unequivocally the pre-theater menu at The Oval Room. Priced at $39 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), this wonderful three-course dinner is served Monday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and as an added bonus, pre-theater dinner guests may also take advantage of validated valet parking for $8. Executive chef John Melfi's menu is enticing and includes brilliant choices such as flavorful baby kale with crisp apples and hazelnuts for a first course followed by the pumpkin and goat cheese risotto with Asian pear, pecorino gran cru, sage, and pumpkin seed brittle for an entrée. For the finale, we suggest a chocolate lover's dream dessert that includes La Bête Noir with white chocolate mousse, vanilla braised cherries and pistachios. For reservations or more information, please call (202) 463- 8700 or visit http://www.ovalroom.com.
Summer Whitford is the D.C. Editor at The Daily Meal and also writes about food, drink, and travel. Follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva, on Instagram at thefoodandwinediva, and read more of her stories here.