I kept my word and celebrated the first anniversary of Technicolor dining all weekend.
Day one: Art and Soul dinner featuring Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Art and Soul offers one of the most reasonably priced dinners in the DC metro area. I'd never heard of
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery before. A representative from this Richmond, Va based brewery talked about each beer presented - he was enthusiastic and engaging. A fellow diner recommended visiting Hardywood; I hope to visit later later this year. I especially enjoyed Hardywood's Pilsner, IPA, and Chocolate stout beers. The curried goat sausage dish and the suckling pig mole dish really showcased Chef Douglas Alexander's creativity and ability to bring forward flavors and textures. Just when I thought I couldn't eat anymore food, dessert was presented. Yes, I ate dessert. Fortunately, I took public transit to the event - a perfect opportunity to walk off some of the food eaten at this lush dinner. The closest metro stop to Art and Soul is
Union Station.
Day two , first stop: A visit to Stone Tower Winery
The visit to
Stone Tower Winery is always pictresque, even when the sun isn't shining. This visit was no exception. The weather was cool and rainy. As I approached Hogsback Mountain Rd. (the Winery is located on this road) I remembered that most of the road is not paved. I hoped that the road would be clear and that my vehicle wouldn't get stuck in the road. Visiting Stone Tower is like visiting the friends who are always having a good time. I was warmly received by the proprietors and fellow wine club members. Lacey Huber,one of the proprietors, told me that Stone Tower intends to host a wine dinner in early May. Check back for details about the dinner. Stone Tower is accessible only by car.
Bonus: Stone Tower Winery's owners have worked hard to expanded their tasting room and dining space. During my visit,
JulesBBQ was serving up on great looking and heavenly smelling barbecue. I didn't have an opportunity to try Jules' barbecue during my short stop, but I have promised to visit him to try his dishes AND he has agreed to an interview. Check back to learn more about Jules and JulesBBQ.
Day two, second stop: Béarnaise
I didn't eat any barbecue because I was going to eat at
Béarnaise with DG. We used a coupon that permitted us to consume a shared appetizer, an entree for each of us, a shared dessert, and a cocktail, beer, or wine of choice. We both had the Bardot Sling cocktail- a wonderful concoction featuring citon vodka and other citrus ingredients served in a copper engraved cup. We shared the warm goat cheese salad DG had the fish special- a grilled arctic char featuring mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, and clams. DG reported that the dish was amazing. I had the ribeye with Bordelaise sauce and frites; I took half the ribeye home. Our dessert was the perfect choice for sharing: profiteroles with homemade vanilla sauce and homemade chocolate sauce. After a less than pleasant experience at
Le Diplomate, Béarnaise is a venue I would visit again and recommend to others. DG and I both enjoyed ourselves The closest metro stops are
Capitol South and
Eastern Market.
Day three: Trummer's on Main dinner featuring Roots Wine Company
The drive to the
Trummer's on Main in Clifton, Va is also a picturesque drive. I was excited to experience the Oregon wines produced by
Roots Wine Company. The kitchen gods smiled upon me - I was initially seated next to Chris Berg, the wine maker. As he circulated from table to table Gray Mosby a wine distributor with
Nice Legs, LLC sat in the seat vacated by Chris. Chris and Gray were approachable, engaging and freely shared their knowledge with diners Chris told the table that he uses native yeast to produce his wines. I especially enjoyed the Melon de Bourgogne, Deux Vert Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon (2013)- it is styled like a white Burgundy. I also like the Pinot Noir, Roots Estate Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton (2012). I mentioned in passing that my appreciation for Oregon wines was growing and that I had learned a great deal from
Andrew Rich , another Oregon winemaker, whose wines were featured at a wine dinner hosted by
Restaurant Eve. It turns out Andrew Rich and Chris Berg are friends.
Trummer's on Main's sommelier, Diana Roderique, Chef Austin Fausett, and Trummer's pastry did a stellar job in pairing the wines with the dishes presented. I was very impressed with the chocolate pasta featuring wild boar paired with the Pinot Noir, Saffron Fields Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton (2012). I hope this dish will be on the menu in the future.
The evening concluded with a rhurbarb tart paired with a Pinot Gris. I enjoyed the fresh, citrus notes of the tart and like the gold leaf garnish.
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After three days of celebrating, I'm drinking lots of water and herbal tea, and walking to my destinations whenever possible.
A heartfelt thanks to the staff at each venue. After three days of celebration a solid foundation has been established for next year's anniversary celebration. How can the bar be raised? Stay tuned.
Be well,
Technicolor girl
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