Tallula, with Chef Nathan Anda

[brioboy]

Ciroc vodka, Inniskillin Late Bottle Harvest Reisling, frozen grapes. Sorry, but if they sold this in paper bags I would have skipped the dinner and been sucking this down all the way home while crunching on the grapes for the nutritional value. Yes, it sounds damn odd, but works very very well with the sweet wine playing off the tart vodka.

Mercifully I was stuck in the back of a booth and so had to stay for the highly amusing dinner. We got one of everything on that part of the menu and while it ain't the Minibar it serves as a fun and reasonably priced way to interact with friends over and about food. When I saw the provenance of the restaurant I feared that this would feel like a chain but dang, they got it right. Or it could be that divine wine martini talking...

[Kanishka]

I ate at Tallula last night. Just a light dinner--the citrus cured salmon on a potato skin, the mini burger, the corn dog, and the fried green tomatos off the appetizer menu. Ate at the bar, so no real reflection on the service.

But the food was grand.

The bartender (Josh?) was spot on in recommending wine pairings, and both the mini burger and salmon were very good. The salmon was served with coriander creme fraiche. Imagine TGI Fridays potato skins as re-imagined by a fine cook. Loved it. The mini burger was also nice, sweeter than I expected. I suspect that if you asked for ketchup you'd be scowled at.

The corn dog and the fried green tomatos were better than good... they were awesome. The FGTs were served with duck cracklings and a bacon vinaigrette. Each element, alone, was moderate-to-okay; when put together it was a harmony greater than the sum of its parts. I highly recommend it.

The corn dog... well, I'm just going to say this: if you haven't tried the corn dog, you are doing yourself a disservice.

One small note: I had one drink of the martini menu, the Dirty Pete, which I didn't particularly enjoy. The menu describes a mix of olives and onions in the martini, and there were no onions in sight. And though I liked the use of bleu cheese (or was it feta?) stuffed olives, it made the vodka incredibly greasy. I'd go for a regular dirty martini next time.

Tallula is offering a fantastic deal for New Years... all you can eat off the amuse menu, drink specials, etc... all for I believe $55. The restaurant has more info. If I didn't have other plans...

Kanishka

Edited December 29, 2004 by Kanishka (log)

[Fred]

I had a good meal at Tallula last night with some friends. We sat in the wine shop and it was perfect for 6 people, definetly less noisy than the main room. I had to try the corn dog which rocked! I also had the fried green tomatos with duck crackling. Tomato's were great, and with the duck crackling and frisee it really came together. My main course was the Niman ranch pork chop. Cooked perfectly but a little dry somehow? I'm still confused about that one. The chanterelle spoon bread was very good and really rich. good times.

Also has anyone eaten at the bar infront of the kitchen it looked pretty cool.

[morela]

Fritz Hahn on Tallula

Maybe not such a bad place to have a review of the place, The On the Town column...

[BigWyoming]

I had my first Tallula experience last night, and even though I went in very much wanting to hate it for having the nerve to replace the hallowed ground that was Whitey's I had to walk out with a smile on my face and my belt loosened to the last hole.

If you're ever there and are in doubt about whether to order the short ribs or something else, go with the ribs. That is unless you're afraid of little things like saturated fat and cholesterol. But if you're a normal person go with the ribs and grits. It's a sort of smokey, cheesey, slightly spicy thing that caused me to suck on the bone until Ms. BigWyoming looked over and saw me and cursed me for gluttony.

Baby burger is good, if slightly overcooked. Foie gras sandwich is a pass. Both too little foie gras and too much preserves. A good idea, though.

The missus reports that the scallop ceviche was very good, if a little heavy on the serrano's, while I can report that the corn dog was so good I threatened to end our relationship when she reached over to steal the last bite.

We finished with the cappuccino creme brulee. Mmm, frothy....

As a side note, we were told that we were seated next to a certain prominent Washington Post food critic who also allegedly ordered the spare ribs.

[bilrus]

As a side note, we were told that we were seated next to a certain prominent Washington Post food critic who also allegedly ordered the spare ribs.

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And he reports back with 2 stars.

Sure seems like there are a lot of 2 star restaurants in this city.