Ambar

"Where southeastern Europe meets Southeast DC," Ambar is a Serbian-owned restaurant along the bustling Barracks Row that features Balkan inspired dishes emphasizing meats and cheeses. The name refers to a Balkan building used to dry maize. With a desire to introduce DC to cutting edge Balkan cuisine, proprietor Ivan Iricanin has created a dining space that will delight and indulge the senses. Primarily featuring "small plates" Ambar will also offer wines and spirits from the Balkans not often experienced by the American diner. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

Hazel

Hazel, located in DC's Shaw Neighborhood, provides a thoughtful dining experience that is of high quality and sophisticated, yet without the stuffiness as noted by the acclaimed food critic, Tom Sietsema. The menu is a collection of distinctive and satisfying medium size plates featuring global influences, each with a story that is meant to be shared. Closest Metro is U Street.

Lincoln

Lincoln's seasonal menu showcases simplistic market fresh dishes by Chef Demetrio Zavala crafted from fresh ingredients supplied by local farmers, daily seafood catches by local fishermen, and artisanal meat from ranchers around the region. The chef includes many nods to Abraham Lincoln’s favorite foods including oysters, gingerbread and chicken fricassee.  Closest Metro is McPherson Square.

Doi Moi

Doi Moi (pronounced "doy moy') is a new Thai and Vietnamese street food restaurant along the bustling 14th Street NW neighborhood.  Brought to us from Chef Haidar Karoum and restaurateur Mark Kuller, the team behind Proof and Estadio, as well as Adam Bernbach, the bar manager for both of those restaurants, there have been rave reviews of this modern hotspot.  Closest Metro is U Street.

The Gryphon

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The Gryphon is a meat and raw bar social house from the owners of the boutique steakhouse, Lost Society. The Gryphon encourages its guests to socialize through eating and drinking, while providing a lively, energetic and fun atmosphere.  The menu features an assortment of premium aged meats, a full raw bar and specially crafted cocktails to accompany the "something for everyone" dining atmosphere.  Closest Metro is Dupont Circle.

Manhattan Beach Post

Manhattan Beach Post is a soulful restaurant under Michelin-star Chef David LeFevre offering a more rustic menu of playful, artisanal dishes designed to be shared, and complemented by artfully crafted cocktails and small production wines.  When you dine at MB Post, you’ll find a carefully edited selection of seasonal dishes. Categorized by Breads; Charcuterie, Cheese and Larders; Vegetable dishes; Seafood dishes; and Meat dishes, all are meant to stand on their own as a dish, not sides, for the table. The goal is to encourage guests to sample their way through the menu and enjoy an array of new ingredients, flavors, and textures.

Dragonfly

Dragonfly is Old San Juan's most hip, ground-breaking, and talked about restaurant.  Featuring cutting edge Latin-Asian Fusion cuisine and sushi, Chef Severo Duran mingles exotic spices and ingredients with creative twists.  Designed to resemble an old opium den in tropical Asia, Dragonfly's sexy gold and red interior is the perfect place to go for parties and special occasions.

Policy

Last data I was here: 02/13/2010

Restaurant: Policy (http://www.policydc.com/)

Location: U Street

Total Rating: 4.3
Food: 5, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5


Summary: Serving small plates to share and fancy cocktails in a hip and urban atmosphere while quoting "Truth, Love,Liberty", Policy is one of the newest restaurants to hit the U Street area. No one cuisine is prominent, rather a fusion of flavors collected and presented as trendy tastes to be shared and chatted over. Executive Chef Brian Murphy's culinary talents are highlighted throughout the menu and satisfy the taste buds. The main door screams with neon lights and splits the entrance of Policy for the restaurant to the right or the club upstairs. The dining area is very Las Vegas loungy, with the red vinyl booths and dark woods. Mini spotlight lighting at each booth and retro table designs add to the cheesy flair, yet upstairs boasts an eclectic urban club/lounge with chandeliers and graffiti-ed walls. Closest Metro is U Street.

We went for Valentine's Day and although Keith mixed up reservations (we arrived a day early) they were able to seat us anyways. It did not seem too crowded inside and our server, Sasha, was very friendly, explained the menu and presented each plate as it came out with ease. We did not have high expectations and were delightfully pleased with our meal. We ordered five plates to share and a side. Each came out piping fresh and very tasty. The portion size was decent for the small plates concept. We enjoyed our meal and the dessert was fantastic. I was not too impressed with the overpriced cocktails though. Next time I might stick to wine. All in all, Policy is a fun place and I would recommend it for a romantic date rather than large group parties since the only seating offered are little booths.

What I ate:

Yellowfin Tuna Tartare

with mustard oil, avocado, smoked sea salt, baby mizuna,

served on local bibb lettuce and with wonton chips

♥Sauteed Forrest Mushrooms♥

with stone ground grits, fig vin cotto and rosemary

Lobster Crepes

with blood orange sauce

Scalloped Potatoes

with Parmesan Reggiano

♥Chocolate Cake♥

with chocolate crispies, peanut butter ice cream,

peanut butter cream icing, and peanut brittle

Plus Keith ate:

Braised and Grilled Short Ribs

with Miso-Mustard Glaze, Chiles, and Cucumber Salad

Veal Duo

Crispy Veal Sweetbreads and Braised Cheek

with parsnip puree, brussel sprout sauce, and dried cranberries