StephenB's Profile
Lobster in DC?
The Clyde's special is a 1.25 pounder for, I think, $18.95. It's well cooked and nicely presented. You can get a second one, without the fixings, for $14.95. Btw, when I was at HMart recently, a voice came on the loudspeaker saying they were having a lobster special for $4.99 for the next ten minutes. The announcement was in Korean, but luckily I had my interpreter with me. For the half hour or so I was there the 10 minute deal was repeated twice. It reminds me of the old days when poor kids in Maine were the ones who brought lobster sandwiches to school.
Someplace other than Old Ebbitt for dinner w/ visitors?
I suggest Sea Catch on 31st NW, Georgetown. It's on the canal, so you have a unique Washington view (if you have a window table). The seafood menu is familiar to anyone, and some of it, esp the clams, is excellent. It is nicely decorated with a friendly staff. And by the way, they have free parking.
Best High End Happy Hour in DC
In my view, there's nothing that remotely compares to HH at Old Ebbitt's Grill -- half price on everything at the raw bar. A dozen littlenecks for 5 bucks. Their sumptuous Orca Platter (with lobster) is half of $95. However, it's only 3-6 p.m.(plus late at night), and parking can be a problem. But if you're looking for a HH bargain, you've found it.
Seafood restaurant in DC
Sea Catch. It's on the canal. Free parking. Nice atmosphere. Order soup, a sandwich and a salad.
Hong Kong Palace Menu -- Pick Your Faves.....
Looking for something different today, we ordered the spicy wontons, the seafood soup, shrimp with garlic sauce (not on the menu) and sliced pork with mushrooms (a today's special). There was an unwelcome hint of sugar in the shrimp but everything else was great. Even the tea seems to be of higher quality than that offered by other Chinese restaurants.
Old Ebbitt Grill Happy Hour?
A friend and I indulged in the Orca platter at Ebbitt's promptly at the beginning of Happy Hour, 3 p.m. We enjoyed it a lot, especially the large and succulent shrimp and the sweet, easily-accessible lobster. The crab claws seemed not quite thawed, and it would have been useful to have a nutcracker to get the last hunks of meat out of them. The clams were littlenecks, very tasty, and predictably little. There were six varieties of oysters available. I asked for four each of the Katama Bay (from Martha's Vineyarrd), Rappahonnick River (VA) and Wianno (West Bay MA). They were all good-sized and suitably briny with plenty of liquid.
Parking is a problem down there, but we lucked into a spot a block away.
The Orca platter is the best plateau de fruits de mer (shellfish platter) I have had in this area (I haven't tried Kinkead's yet). That includes Oceanaire and Sea Catch. It is a real bargain, irrespective of the Happy Hour rakeoff. And the quality, with the possible exception of the crab claws, is very high. To my surprise, a bloody mary was only $5, but I'm not sure if that's part of the HH bargain.
Previous postings here to the contrary, the Ebbitt's happy hour is more inclusive than that of other Clyde's restaurants. The Orca Platter, not offered elsewhere, is normally $95. It goes for half price, and if there are two of you, you pay half of that. In my view, the quality of everything except the crab claws was high. I don't know of a better deal for those who dote on shellfish.l
We had no problem getting a booth at 3 p.m.
Mark's Duck House
Here is a recent meal we had that worked out well:
Roasted Pig w/Crispy Skin*
Steamed Shrimp & Pork Wonton w/
Zesty Red Hot Chili & Brown Vinegar
Sauce (10)
Baby Clam in Black Bean Sauce
Spiced Salty Baked Quail
Marinated Duck Tongue
——————————————-
Steamed Flounder w/Ginger &
Scallion Soy Sauce
Salty Fried Fresh Soft Shell Crab
w/Chili & Garlic
Sizzling Beef Short Ribs
w/Black Pepper Sauce
Steamed Pork Hash
w/Chinese Anchovies
Stir-Fried Snow Pea Shoots
w/Garlic Sauce
Sliced Boneless Roasted Duck
w/Ginger & Spring Onions
Anti-fans of Joe's Noodle House?
Yes, Joe's Noodle House is terrible. I try not to eat there more than three times a week.
Questions about Sea Catch in Georgetown
1. Would you consider it a romantic restaurant? Why or why not?
Sure, dim lights, table for two, lovely view of the canal, but no violins.
2. Is it comfortable to dine at the outdoor tables right now (at night, 7 PM or so)?
Dumb question. The weather outside there is the same as the weather in the rest of Georgetown. A personal call.
3. How dressy is it? Are jackets required for men?
Not at all dressy, though shorts and (men's) sandals are not appropriate. Jackets are not required.
FWIW, I had their "Shellfish Skyscraper" last week. $70 worth of shrimp, clams, oysters, lobster, etc. Feeds two. The best I've had in this city, but not as good as places in NY and Paris.
Fruits de mer
I'm also an enthusiast of that dish. Permit me to make some observations without any clear advice on where to go in DC. I'll be interested to hear how Oceannaire works out. I've heard their plateau is good but way overpriced. The best one I've had stateside is at Balthazar in NYC -- $99 feeds three. And FWIW, I've enjoyed the plateaux in Paris, at La Coupole and Le Bar à Huîtres. (They, of course, lack Maine lobster.) A good one takes over two hours to consume and leaves you feeling light on your feet.
