Back in Action

MDC is back in the saddle. Since the beginning of the New Year, MDC has visited two new restaurants. First, the club met at La Ferme, in Tom's return to the club after his Texas deployment. La Ferme is known for its souffles and traditional-style French cuisine. The lamb shank was a hit amongst several diners, as was the various fish dishes. Much of the show, however, was stolen by appetizers like pumpkin-ravioli and duck confit in a puff pastry.

For restaurant week this month, seven MDC members met at Le Chat Noir, yet another French restaurant. Le Chat Noir is known for its crepes, both savory and sweet. They are less stringent than most restaurants participating in restaurant week and allow diners to select their own appetizer, soup, or salad, one entree, and one dessert all for the $35 restaurant-week norm. Unlike many other restaurant week prix fixe menus, Le Chat Noir offers the diner much more selection.

Highlights were the crepe savoyarde, moules frites, and various steak dishes. The desert crepes were, as always, spectacular. Unfortunately, Le Chat Perche, the upstairs wine bar and lounge, is only open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Le Chat Perche is a novel experience with a healthy wine bar selection and silent cinema playing behind the bar at all times. The dark-lit ambience sets an intimate tone and allows casual diners and wine enthusiasts to relax comfortably in this little-known niche.

Look to March for a new Virginia restaurant as yet unexplored by the Metropolitan Dining Club.