| Address | 2029 P St., Washington, DC 20036 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (202) 872-1180 |
Much to my happiness I was taken to a surprise dinner at the best restaurant in all of DC -- Obelisk. Not only is the quantity impressive, but the quality is outstanding as well (my personal preference!).
Onto the meal:
It starts with a series of small courses -- not so small like Komi that one bite and it is gone -- but small that in 3-4+ bites you have tasted the treat, but have not become full. The small plates for the night were: fresh olives, homemade bread and breadsticks, Burrata cheese (heavenly - like a soft mozzarella!), lamb and beef meatballs (divine), salmon carpaccio (delicious), a tempura squash blossom filled with red pepper and goat cheese and pork pate (the mousse is just not my own preference - although Marc enjoyed it - don't tell mother!).
Onto the pasta course. We ordered one ravioli dish that was filled with artichokes and spring greens and another pasta that was filled with chicken in a very delicious chicken broth. The ravioli was amazing -- second only to the gnocchi that we had last year at the very same restaurant.
For our mains - we ordered a top sirloin that was accompanied by spinach and a delicious special kind of cauliflower that was covered in bread crumbs and looked like a little tree, as well as a squab (kinda like duck or chicken) that had a skewer of pork cheek and rested on a bed of some veggies. The meat was so tender and cooked perfectly while the squab was tasty but difficult to eat without getting dirty and just picking it up by the bone. Both dishes were a reasonable portion size and cooked to perfection.
Next came the cheese course which included one that was similar to a brie, one that was from the goat family and a last that was a harder one. These were accompanied by a green tomato jam. The brie and harder cheese were my favorites.
After a bit of a breather and break - we dove into dessert -- the most delicious and creamy fresh cherry ice cream accompanied by a fudgey chocolate cookie and a super moist chocolate raspberry cake served with fresh whipped cream. Both were decadent and divine!
Lastly, our plate of sweets, consisted of a thumbprint cookie filled with fresh caramel, a chocolate covered almond and a cherry jelly - a nice ending to an amazing meal.
Atmosphere and service: service is impeccable without being stuffy. You really feel as though you are in a neighborhood restaurant that happens to have amazing food. We had the same waitress as during our prior visit and she was every bit as friendly as the first time. The restaurant is not decorated in a fancy showy manner, there is not a scene, and really, we were the youngest couple by a longshot...but the food is so good - it is all worth it!
We visited Obelisk to celebrate my birthday and based upon the reputation this restaurant carries, it seemed like a safe bet. Overall it was a reasonable meal, but neither my wife nor I felt that it lived up the hype.
We were encouraged that the antipasti were quite interesting and based upon fresh ingredients and fresh approaches. If only a bit hurried by the staff. It was looking like the reviews were on target. My first course was smoked squid with pasta and my wife had the lamb ragu. Both of those were really quite good and very well prepared. But unfortunately things peaked there and dropped precipitously as we moved to the secondi. We decided to share the roast suckling pig for the second course. What appeared was a bland and woefully overcooked piece of shoe leather that was mostly inetable. This was made even more disappointing because I had selected a bottle of nice Sangiovese to match specifically with this course. We tried in vane to flag a server, but the dinner rush was on and they were too busy. Despite reviewer statements of an intimate service for only 36 customers, we found the staff stretched beyond capacity and the room itself to be loud and extremely boomy. When the staff did come back, she quickly whisked away the uneaten pig without even a question of whether it was okay and departed so hurriedly that we were not given a chance to comment. We decided to just let it go. The room was beginning to give me a headache and it was not worth volunteering information to a staff who did not solicit feedback (never once, not on any course!). Next came the cheese course that so many reviews have praised. It was nice, but uninspired. There was small selection of aged cheeses that we either have in our own cheese drawer or could easily acquire at the corner market. They were good cheeses, just pedestrian selections. I do not have much of a sweet tooth so I left dessert to my wife who opted for a nut tart that was nicely presented and was quite tasty I am told. I was a little irked that I could not scare up a cup of espresso to sip while my wife nibbled on her dessert. Only when her dessert was completed and the plate removed was an offer of espresso extended, by then too late. We just wanted to get out of there.
Overall Obelisk was a disappointment to us both. We both agreed that similar quality of their best courses easily can be found at other Italian eateries in the neighborhood, the atmosphere was too loud and crowded for us, and that in the price range, Komi is the superior selection.
I chose Obelisk because I was looking for an excellent meal, served in a non-pretentious setting. We were extremely happy with our dinner on both fronts. The ambience is warm and intimate, partly because of the low lighting and the small space. The antipasti were excellentburrata with a drizzle of really fruity olive oil, sprinkled with salt (so simple, but the crunch of the salt with the soft cheese was delightfully surprising); a salad of blood orange, fennel and olives (contrast of sweet, salty and crunchy was lovely); and frito misto (sardines, eggplant and onions) served hot and deliciously crispy. Main course of sea bass with meyer lemon, roasted cherry tomatoes and artichoke was amazingthe acidity of the lemon with the fish and sweetness of the tomato was perfect. The only real disappointment was the lentil soup as a first coursethe flavors seemed to be off. Desserts were good (the clove, black pepper ice cream that goes with the panforte was worth trying), although maybe not as strong as the previous courses. Excellent meal. Service was helpful and friendly, and non-intrusive. Would love to go back.
excellent. excellent. we went there with the Washington City Paper's $200 gift certificate, and we were amazed. the antipasti was amazing. many little choices to water your mouth. Though I must say that the main course did not meet my expectations. but I like how they treat you at this place. as if you deserve to try everything the place has to offer.
Our meal was amazing. The first course is an assortment of antipasti items. The deep fried squash blossoms stuffed with anchovies are quite possibly the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. Our entree was Roast Suckling Pig with a pepperonata and broccoli rabe. Exquisite. The pig was perfectly tender and juicy. Dessert: A cherry infusion with a scoop of almond sorbet. Not too heavy or sugary. Absolutely perfect for summer & a special occasion.
This is by far my favorite restaurant in DC. On my last visit I had the most delicious swordfish entree. My favorite dish at Obelisk is the homemade noodles with cockles...it is not to be missed.
Obelisk's staff and decor were warm, elegant, and casual -- without being overly-familiar -- which made the experience very comfortable and intimate. The centerpiece of the small dining room, a thick table loaded up with olives, fresh-baked breads, oils, etc. served as a quiet reminder of Italy's wonderful culinary traditions. The meal itself was also perfect. The portions of the five course, prix-fixe menu were sized so each course could be enjoyed equally. Because each course has only two options, vegetarians or very picky eaters may not be satisfied with the choices, but we loved the inventive ingredient combinations.
I thought the atmosphere was winning here. A rustic and quaint interior with just 38 seats. We experienced a really nice, attentive but not too suffocating style of service.
The food was very good but the over-all meal was a bit pricey for what was given.
A nice wine list.
My expectations were perhaps too high. It was a good meal. It is a place for foodies, very sophisticated food and good. The atmosphere was far too intimate, when I left I felt as though I should say good-bye to everyone eating at the restaurant. Not my type of dining.
The food was quite good but I wasn't wowed.
Sophisticated tastes and some traditional items, good service.
This was my wife and my first visit to Obelisk.
In a nutshell: it was absolutely fantastic, go when you can!
The meal: we both started with a glass of Proseco. Wine with dinner, a lovely half bottle of Italian red, sorry she chose and I cant remember exactly what it was. My starter was a wonderful plate of very delicate sardines, with an olive and blood orange (yes, it worked!) mixture on the plate to nibble alongside. Wife started with perfectly done white asparagus accompanied by shaved parmagiana. Pasta course: eggplant ravioli for me light and delicately, saltier than expected but that saltiness really worked.; flat egg noodle pasta tossed with crabmeat for her; yum. Main course: stuffed suckling pig, served over perfectly done fava beans sounds like heavy comfort food? It was delicious and surprisingly light comfort food. For her, a lovely piece of grilled grouper. Cheese: a dollop of a cow/goat/sheep milk mixture, served with a fantastic fig jam. For dessert: custard with a light blood orange sauce for me, apricot in a croissant-like pastry for her both absolutely great, not too sweet or heavy. And, perfect espresso.
The room: just lovely. You know its in a townhouse on P street. Only 36 seats. It was quiet but not at all hushed. Simple, straightforward. Very, very pleasant.
The service: perfect. Period.
Yes it's expensive. Cant do it everyday..and I cant wait to go back.
