Michel Richard's Citronelle

I know, it's been awhile since the last post--laziness and nothing more. But last night's dinner requires a little comment and at least some praise. For our fifteenth wedding anniversary, the wife and I decided to make our own contribution to the economic stimulus and blow an insane amount of cash at Michel Richard's Citronelle in Georgetown. I have to say, pretty impressive.

Once we found parking (valets are for wimps), the real test began. I had paid a ridiculous amount to have flowers delivered to the restaurant--would they be there or would the evening end in divorce and despair? As we approached out table I could see the roses (crisis averted). Kirsten, however, managed to sit down before she realized that spectacular flowers weren't on all the tables (should have paid $30 for the size upgrade, I guess). Anyway we chose the simply expensive three course dinner instead of the "you've got to be kidding me" eight course eating marathon.

Things started off with a three plate amuse-bouche: 1) a ratatouille taco; 2) a little piece of chicken with soy (I think) and black sesame seeds; 3) and a really delightful salmon/cream cheese "sausage" slice.

For apps, Kirsten had the "egg symphony," which contains no eggs. It was four little dishes 1) a lobster "scrambled egg"--I think maybe scallops--really good; 2) a gruyere tart (let's be honest does gruyere need a tart?; 3) a cauliflower mousse--one of the best bits of the evening; 4) a fairly boring tomato/mozzarella cup thing.

I had the surf 'n turf mosaic. This was quite a feat. They cut paper thin slices of eel, salmon, tuna, peppers, scallops, and steak, arranged them in a mosaic and drizzled with various sauces (all sort of balsamic like). For some reason, some body tossed a handful of black beans at it. Looked great, tasted good.

Kirsten's main course was the squab. The bird itself was fine (breast and leg confit served with a syrah chanterelle sauce). The real stars of the dish were the acutriments. First, little tiny cubes of foie gras (don't yell at me, they were small and wonderful). Second, what can only be called the greatest tater tots in the universe. Third, a marconi gratin that might have been worth the price of admission. All in all, one of the dishes that makes you realize how good school lunch could have been.

Now, I never order veal. But this plate I couldn't pass up. Veal three ways was thinly sliced shank with piles of cheek and sweet breads. All the cheap parts of veal made wonderful. This was drizzled with a morel sauce with chanterelles and asparagus

Next another little freebie: orange meringue with black cherry sauce.

For dessert, Kirsten had the big plate o'chocolate. Not sure what everything here was, but basically a dark chocolate tart and a cheesecake like thing with maybe toffee sauce. The rest of plate was back to middle school--the greatest kit kat bar (with hazelnut) and what can only be called a fudgesicle.

I had the strawberry cocktail (which was really summer in a cup). At the bottom, strawberry mouse. Then a chunky strawberry jam. Then little cookies and ice cream. Them sweet ice flavored with mint--excellent!

Finally they gave us a little anniversary plate with 1) an apricot chocolate layer cake; 2) stupid little cocoa biscuit; 3) a very nice Madeleine with Grand Marnier and raisins 4) finally the great thing ever--a raspberry infused meringue. (There was also a pretty lame, hardened piece of frosting with "happy anniversary" written on it.

So here it is:

Service: B+ (very attentive and somewhat helpful)
Food: A- (a few small things stood out, and the overall meal was excellent)
Bathroom: B- (nice, but yes there was a cockroach and I have the pictures to prove it)