So last week I went into DC on Monday to see Bon Jovi at the Verizon center. This was the first time I had seen Bon Jovi in concert and I have been a fan for many years. The goal was to go to a nice meal before the show. I was with Heather and my wife Amy. Heather and Amy agreed on Proof and I thought it sounded OK.
To put it bluntly this restaurant kicked ass.
Aside from the menu being a little confusing I was blown away by the quality of the food.
We ordered nothing from the first page of the menu- which was mostly cured meat. We ordered gnocchi from the 1st and shared. It was melt in your mouth, buttery, potato goodness. Also some fresh herbs thrown in really livened it up, I was entranced every time I took a bite. What a fantastic way to start. I should say we did order a selection of cheeses before the first course, however I was not overall impressed with those. Since I chose them it is my own fault.
For my primary course I ordered the scallops. They were perfectly seared and each bite brought on a flood of taste and texture. There was no grit at all. This sounds like a given, but I cannot count the amount of times I have ordered scallops in a high end restaurant and gotten grit. The portion size was also perfect and the side dish of warm bread pudding (savory not sweet) was a perfect addition. Everything tasted fresh, clean and wonderful.
For dessert I ordered chocolate bread pudding. It was good- but the other components of the meal stood out as perfect.
A nod to the bar as well. I ordered a Manhattan with Makers Mark- olive- not cherry. It was perfect. I also ordered a Grey goose martini- dry and well shaken. Also perfect.
The experience was not pretentious (something I am always concerned about eating downtown) but welcoming and relaxed. Inside a brief walking distance from the Verizon center it was well placed. I was confused as to why they had open reservations just a few days before the concert and other restaurants in the area were booked. This place will be on my list from now on.
If you have a chance- GO.
http://www.proofdc.com/
The meal was better than the concert. Bon Jovi sounded fine- but I have yet to listen to the new album and he played a lot of songs from it. Overall I would classify it as too mellow. I wanted higher energy stuff. At least he still has his voice and good stage presence.
I could have done without the giant pictures of Obama and Oprah in the opening song (on the LCD screens).
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A nice Sunset in MX
I took this when I was in Mexico. It makes me relax just looking at it.....
It was, without a doubt, one of the best meals I've ever had. Definitely better than the concert. I was trying to figure out what was wrong with it, and too mellow sums it up. I'm used to literally getting a high from the energy of the concerts I usually go to and I left pretty underwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteP.S. - You forgot the port. Yum!
I'm with Heather - I was ready to rock out and when they would get you off of your feet and the blood pumping they would then play mellow songs - way too touchy feely. I'm not used to standing up and sitting down like I'm in church at a concert. Yay! Oh boring town again.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes what a fantastic meal - kudos to Heather's friend who said it was good because she was RIGHT.
Good meal, good company and an OK concert. Overall a good evening!
Well, the food sounded good, but I will never go to a concert where obama's is shown, he makes me want to gag!!!
ReplyDeletehmmmm, ok, you, and Amy...and Heather??? verrrrrrry interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun night. And I did forget about the port- that was a great choice. I wish I could forget about the pic of Obama- so sad for me to see. I was surprised Heathers Husband did not attend- however he may have been the brightest out of all of us since none of us were blown away and the tickets were $$$$
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