Saturday, January 9, 2010

The DC Restaurant Week Virgin

Considering the number of years that I have lived in the DC area, one would think that I have gone through the DC Restaurant Week experience at least once or twice. Well, that’s a negative. I suppose it is partly because my previous dining partner-in-crime and I dined out all the time, so there was no reason to wait to check out a place. It is also because I am picky with the items that restaurants choose for the prix-fixe menu. I understand that because of the lower price point, they cannot offer the usual luxurious dishes, but to have lackluster, unimaginative dishes is lame! This is the time to advertise the restaurant, to entice customers, and a roast chicken or a vegetable stir fry dish ain’t gonna cut it!  At least not for moi!

In keeping with my New Year’s resolution, I decided that I would participate in this year’s DC Restaurant Week. I have a couple of friends, Mr. & Mrs. Rupert and Dibby Spencer, who are also adventurous and are always up for new food experiences, so I thought it would be fun to invite them along. I also decided to invite Simple Jack, *strictly* under business pretenses only, since he may want to write about Restaurant Week from his perspective. A quick glance at the event website told me that the prix-fixe lunch and dinner are now $20.10 and $35.10, respectively for three courses, with nearly 180 metropolitan DC restaurants participating. I went down the list of restaurants and one place caught my eye right away: Café Atlantico. Now, I know that I said I was going to try and seek out new places, but I *love* Café Atlantico! I have eaten here many, many times and have never been steered wrong. I just know my friends would love this place as much as I do! I kept my fingers crossed as I clicked on the Restaurant Week menu on their website. "Please don’t let there be Roast Chicken on the menu!"

Let me tell you, Café Atlantico knows how to do it right! They put some of their best hits on the prix-fixe menu, namely the Conch Fritters, Duck Confit, and Grilled Flat Iron Steak! I have had all three and each dish is fantastic! I quickly wiped the drool off my face and sent the link to the Spencers and SJ. The seed to a memorable dinner has been planted and I can't wait until Tuesday's dinner for our potbellies to sprout! Nom nom nom!

405 8th Street NW
Washington, DC   20004
Café Atlántico on Urbanspoon

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