On Saturday, The Sports Freak and I attended the Maryland North Carolina basketball game and was elated that our Terps won in overtime. While we wanted to stay and watch the storming of the court, we had early reservations at Cafe Atlantico for Restaurant Week, so we had to leave College Park quickly to get to Penn Quarter.
Just making it in time, we parked and got in the restaurant. Years ago, I worked around the corner from Jose Andres' restaurant, so I have sampled Cafe Atlantico's lunch menu before, but never dinner. TSF had never been there. Wow what a treat.
As part of Restaurant Week, they offered a $35.09 3 course dinner. In a great effort to entice diners, they placed the RW menu next to the regular menu. So many establishments miss this opportunity by printing the RW menu on a separate sheet of paper. Benefit for Cafe Atlantico, as the "Bacon and Eggs" caught the attention of TSF. I agreed to split it with him as RW offers a appetizer along with it. The "Bacon and Eggs" were simply amazing. I good portion of pork belly with Eggs 63 ("runny") on a bed of lentils were excellent. As the plate was delivered to our table, the aroma reminded me of Chinese pork belly. Perfectly cooked and seasoned, it was just a bit crisp on the outside and tender inside. It was one of the best dishes of the evening, so much so, that TSF said he would order that "for himself" next time.
The RW menu held up as well. I ordered the tuna ceviche. It was good and tasted a bit creamy with the coconut milk that surrounded it. I love avocado and the sliced half added to the dish. My only complaint to this dish might be that the tuna was lacking in quantity, but the quality and taste were great. TSF had the butternut squash soup and he reported it was fine, but he it wasn't his favorite dish.
The entree we both had was the Braised Beef Short Ribs. The meat was tender and well cooked. It was great, but there is almost an injustice to it as the accompanying butternut squash, spinach and mushrooms were so good, I kept going for those instead of the short ribs. The "moat" of potato espuma the entree was served in was great as well. Mashed potatoes are always a favorite, but the espuma may have topped the list.
We both ended the meal with the Warm Chocolate Cake. I am not usually a fan of dessert, preferring fruit or berries, but this was very good. The cake was as advertised, nice and warm, with the molten center. On the side, banana espuma and sliced banana lime salad, all good.
The only thing that I did not fully enjoy was the mojito I ordered. It was overpowering with the mint and light on the sugar. The mint made it nearly bitter and while I do not like too much sugar, it felt that there was not enough in it. Maybe that is just my taste, but it was not undrinkable, just not the way I enjoy mine.
Now the biggest problem going to Cafe Atlantico is being in the same building as Minibar. So close to the famed tasting menu with the small dining area, essentially a "bar" with only six seats. I want to go there, but my regular dining companions are not up for such an experience. So if anyone wants to accompany me, please let me know. I'd like to know I can use the reservation before trying to obtain it. For Cafe Atlantico, on our way out, the maitre d' informed us that RW would be continuing at their establishment for this week as well, so I might go there again.
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