Art and Soul has been on our list of places to try forever now. The menu boasts upscale comfort food and a really interesting cocktail selection. Sadly, on the Washingtonian 2011 Best Restaurant List earlier this month, the editors said it’s on its way out. So we needed to get there quick! 🙂
We began with a drink of course. With such a creative selection, cocktails were an easy pick over wine.
I ordered the MCMILLAN PLAN – mezcal, cider reduction, mint syrup. Shown with my friends’ drink, the POCKET VETO – milagro silver, muddle blackberries, lime, rosemary.
I chose mine because our server said it tasted like warm apple cider. It was good but could not compare to the Pocket Veto! Lightly sweet and somewhat earthy thanks to the rosemary – that drink was phenomenal.
And then came the FOOD.
Cornbread from the bread basket.
HEIRLOOM SQUASH SOUP – cranberries, maple cream
On the online version of the RW menu, the soup came with maple cream. I was SO sold! However on the actual menu, maple cream had been replaced by pumpkin seed oil. Not as good – right?? But our kind server said they could do maple cream for me which made my night! It was well worth making the request. The soup was thick and savory – perfectly complimented by the cool, sweet maple cream. LOVED.
HERB ROASTED PORK CHOP – onion risotto, pear pecan compote, ham hock jus
Okay so I actually don’t “like” pork. But the onion risotto and the pear pecan compote just won me over! As I should have predicted, I thoroughly enjoyed those two components but I know I would have enjoyed a different protein more. No offense to the pork chop because I’m sure to others he was delish :).
APPLE CRUMBLE – vanilla ice cream
Although the picture didn’t come out blogworthy, this was a delight. You don’t get much more delicious than crumble topping now do you? Similar to Ris though, it was good but nothing out of the ordinary. I would have liked to see some more unique dessert offerings!
And now my stomach is at January Restaurant Week capacity.
Happy Friday friends! See you at the weekend.
mmmm. soups are tasting EXTRA good to me lately. not sure if it’s the cold weather or what, but i’m loving them! ❤
Beth, that soup sounds divine. Holy cow!
Oh I love the rosemary in the cocktail! It really elevates it to something luxurious,
What kind of utensil did they give you for your dessert? It looks like maybe you needed a Big Spoon.
Funnier than oatmeal, for sure.
What a spot! Why is it on its way out???? I love when a restaurant serves Cornbread in the bread basket- a great treat. And both the soup and dessert look out of this world. Great pick!
They didn’t say why – just was on one of those “hot and not” lists. I would like to know though – seemed pretty wonderful to me still! 🙂
One word: JEALOUS.
I keep saying if and when I get back to DC, I’m going to Art & Soul. Gotta love Restaurant Weeks!
I have yet to take advantage of a restaurant week – this looks so fun!
I am a pork lover, but would not have gotten it because of the ONION risotto – ew!
My MIL is nice and when she makes risotto, she puts in diced apples instead of onions for me!
Here is my version:
http://mybizzykitchen.com/2010/05/03/wonderful-weekend/
Hope you have a great weekend!
The food looks great, Art & Soul is on my list, waiting to go there.
AAH! I’ve been there before, for lunch. I think I had the catfish. It was seriously AMAZING.
Food looks great, drinks look better 🙂
I am a sucker for dessert so i am always bummed when I leaves something to be desired. The rest of the food sounds amazing!
I want that apple crumble… it looks scrumptious!!! 😀