🚀 go-pugleaf

I went to the Red Sage again last night, and I can't resist posting a few
tidbits about my new favorite DC restaurant.

First, we didn't have any problem getting reservations.  I called on monday,
and asked for anything they had on tuesday or wednesday.  They had 9:30pm open
on both tuesday and wednesday.  I originally booked for 4 people which went to
5, then 6, then 7, then back to 6.  They were cordial and helpful about making
and changing reservations.  Just out of curiousity, I asked how long I would
have to wait if I wanted a friday night at 8pm, and they said 4 or 5 weeks at
this point.

As has been my experience in the past, the food was just amazing.  I started
with a warm chorizo and black bean terrine, stuffed with goat cheese, and
served with a green chile salsa; a wonderful confluence of flavors and
textures.  Others at the table had oysters with a serrano mignonette (the
peppers and the large, sweet oysters played off each other wonderfully--perhaps
the best of the appetizers), a corncake topped with shrimp and salsa (very
good), and the Red Sage sausage of the day (pheasant and chipotle--another nice
combination of flavors).  My main course was rabbit, lightly coated with a
poblano & basil pesto and wrapped in bacon, served with the most amazing apple
and chile salad.  It was one of the best things I have ever tasted.  Others had
a sasparilla smoked duck (also a personal best, and I love smoked duck),
roasted pork with chipotle, softshell crabs and a lightly grilled tuna wrapped
in spinach.  Two of the entrees and two of the appetizers were among the best
items of their kind I have ever tasted -- an excellent batting average.

This time we also sampled their list of exotic liquors.  We began with the
special Daquiri, which is made by soaking vanilla beans and pineapple in three
kinds of rum for a couple of weeks; it's then strained and served over ice.
Wine was a '88 Canibel Pinot Noir (OK, not breathtaking, but much cheaper than,
say, the $90 '82 Lynch Bages, which would have been).  Then after dinner, we
sampled one of their half dozen different Calvados, an A.E. Dor cognac, and a
Framboise.  A distilled liquor drinker's paradise.

I also have to add that the service was great.  Our waitress was knowledgable,
helpful and present whenever we needed her.  She was especially good with the
three month old baby we had with us.  We stayed until well after midnight, and
we were not hurried in the least.  The atmosphere is the kind of relaxed,
informal sophistication that is much more common in the West than on the East
Coast, and the wonderful decor includes the contributions of dozens of artists.

Entrees range from $18 to $25, appetizers from $5 to $10.  Total meal including
alcohol, tax and a generous tip was $60/person.  If you want a special meal in
DC, skip Jean-Louis and I Ricci -- head straight to Red Sage.  They are located
on 14th between F and G, and the phone is (202) 638-4444.

						Larry
--
Lawrence Hunter, PhD.
National Library of Medicine
Bldg. 38A, MS-54
Bethesda. MD 20894
(301) 496-9300
(301) 496-0673 (fax)
hunter@nlm.nih.gov (internet)