Tomatoes Transformed: 6 Restaurants for Sweet Tomato Desserts

September 19, 2018 by Nevin Martell Leave a Comment

Tomatoes: technically a fruit and definitely sweet but still not generally considered dessert material. However, that’s changing as forward-thinking pastry chefs seek to redefine the summery produce. Here are six restaurants for sweet tomato desserts that will make you wonder why you haven’t always been enjoying them as an endpoint to your meals.

Nopa Kitchen + Bar, Washington, D.C.
Tomatoes and peaches live together in harmony in this pretty tart dappled with fresh mint. An orb of buttermilk ice cream and honey roasted pine nuts add more summery flavors. As if that wasn’t enough, the restaurant also offers a vanilla bean cheesecake gussied up with tomato-strawberry compote and basil gel. Make a reservation at Nopa Kitchen + Bar.

db bistro moderne, New York, New York
You say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to. Executive pastry chef Tyler Verbiak says tomato-strawberry verrine. The terrarium-treat is filled out with lemon verbena panna cotta, pine nut sablé, and basil sorbet. Make a reservation db bistro moderne.

Iron Gate, Washington, D.C.
Pastry chef Paola Valez’s desserts always display a deep creativity. Case in point is her milk chocolate and rum budino. The pretty pudding is topped off with figgy tomato jam, salty buckwheat crumb, and fresh figs. Make a reservation at Iron Gate.

Trust, San Diego, California
Sweet meets savory with a dash of herbaceousness. Slivers of strawberry-tomato tart are complemented by olive oil ice cream. Whipped mascarpone cream, black pepper, and thyme finish out this picture perfect confection. Make a reservation at Trust.

Washington, D.C. 2019 Michelin-Starred Restaurants: Book a Table for a Winning Meal

September 18, 2018 by OpenTable Leave a Comment

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We are pleased to highlight the honorees in the MICHELIN Guide Washington D.C. 2019. Sixteen restaurants are included, with The Inn at Little Washington receiving the region’s first three-star designation. Two restaurants earned two Michelin stars, and 13 were honored with one Michelin star.

Being included in the respected MICHELIN Guide is a sign of excellence and quality. In the U.S., 2019 MICHELIN Guides are forthcoming for Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

Congratulations to all the Washington, D.C. 2019 Michelin-starred restaurants on OpenTable, including:

Three Stars: The Inn at Little Washington (pictured above).Continue Reading

Sideshows: 11 Restaurants for Tableside Presentations That Dazzle

September 14, 2018 by Nevin Martell Leave a Comment

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Why simply have dinner when you could witness a spectacle instead? Chefs are staging elaborate sideshows to inject an element of drama into meals. Here are 11 restaurants for tableside presentations that will steal the show.

American Cut Steakhouse–Midtown, New York, New York
You’d better bring a friend if you want to finish this 28-day wet-aged porterhouse. That’s because it clocks in an impressive 40 ounces. As guests watch – and undoubtedly shoot video – the massive cut is flambéed. Make a reservation at American Cut Steakhouse-Midtown.

The Regional Kitchen & Public House, West Palm Beach, Florida
You could call this Southern caviar service. Pimento cheese is amped up with the guest’s choice of dill, parsley, piquillo and jalapeño peppers, bacon, and Florida blue crab. The spread arrives with housemade crackers and seasonal crudité. Make a reservation at The Regional Kitchen & Public House.

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, Vancouver, Canada
This bonbon cart is all our sweet dreams rolled into one. The candy store on wheels carries mini cassis and lime macarons, chocolate truffles, and lollipops. As if that wasn’t enough, marshmallows are toasted tableside. Make a reservation at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar.

Azabu, Miami Beach, Florida
This is not your average fried rice. It all begins with a toban grilling plate. King crab, crab miso, lettuce, and rice are piled on its sizzling hot surface and cooked as you watch. Make a reservation at Azabu.

Makoto, Bal Harbour, Florida
River stones are heated to create a primeval stove. Guests dip razor-thin slices of kobe beef into sesame-soy dipping sauce and then lay them on the piping hot rocks. After a quick sear, they’re ready to eat. Make a reservation at Makoto.

Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Chicago, Illinois
Servers at this steakhouse put on a heck of a show. The Spinning Bowl Salad – which features chopped lettuces, sliced beets, hard-boiled eggs, and croutons – is finished at the table. After giving the bowl a spin, the server pours in dressing from a gravy boat held above their head and then tosses together the components. Make a reservation at Lawry’s The Prime Rib.

Urban Farmer, Denver, Colorado
Diced beef heart and tenderloin are seasoned with black pepper, sea salt, raw organic egg yolk, chopped chives, and chopped chervil. Then chopped white anchovies, pickled mushrooms, grated parmesan, and extra virgin olive oil are added into the mix. A quenelle of tartare is placed on a confit egg yolk swoosh and garnished with grated cured and smoked egg yolk. Make a reservation at Urban Farmer.

The Brewer’s Table, Austin, Texas
These cabbage rolls hold heirloom grains and preserved tomato and sit in a pool of beer cream and charred cabbage broth. Cooked on the hearth, they’re finished at the table when the server chars them with a hot ember. No, you can’t take the ember home with you as a souvenir. Make a reservation at the Brewer’s Table.

Sweet Sandos: 10 Restaurants for Ice Cream Sandwiches

September 12, 2018 by Nevin Martell Leave a Comment

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Growing up, one of the best parts about summer was enjoying ice cream sandwiches. The crunch of the cookies contrasted wonderfully with the smoothness of the scoop, making the frozen finales feel like a double dessert. Here are 10 restaurants for ice cream sandwiches that will make your inner-child oh-so-happy as the season draws to a close.

Hinoki & the Bird, Los Angeles, California
These ice cream sandwiches have all the flavors of a s’more: chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers. All that’s missing is the campfire and an unfettered view of the stars. But you won’t mind, because you’ll be getting your s’mores fix like never before. Make a reservation at Hinoki & the Bird.

Summer House Santa Monica, North Bethesda, Maryland
Sometimes simple is best. Malted chocolate chip cookies hug a generous puck of vanilla ice cream. For a finishing touch, the sweet treats are dipped in chocolate chips. Make a reservation at Summer House Santa Monica.

The Mockingbird, Nashville, Tennessee
How do you improve an ice cream sandwich? Use doughnuts instead of cookies, of course! Sweet circlets covered with sprinkles and chocolate syrup embrace a rotating scoop. Make a reservation at The Mockingbird.

Le Diplomate, Washington, D.C.
Executive pastry chef Fabrice Bendano puts a French twist on the classic. He stuffs crunchy profiteroles with ice cream and fresh banana slices, and then douses the spheres with chocolate sauce. C’est magnifique! Make a reservation at Le Diplomate.

Boulton & Watt, New York, New York
The Giant Ice Cream Sandwich lives up to its name. A pair of cast-iron chocolate chip cookies bookend vanilla ice cream gussied up with rainbow sprinkles and chocolate crisps. Sharing is suggested, but we won’t judge if you scarf it down solo. Make a reservation at Boulton & Watt.

Fi’lia, Miami, Florida
These ice cream sandwiches have an Italian accent. Various gelato flavors are clasped between a pair of pizelles, traditional Italian waffle cookies. È fantastic (That’s fantastic)! Make a reservation at Fi’lia.

The Eddy, New York, New York
You’ll be drunk in love with this ice cream sando – literally. That’s because the smooshed scoop is made with zwack, a Hungarian amaro. Rye graham crackers and a drizzle of peanut caramel complete the boozy finale. Make a reservation at The Eddy.