Photo courtesy of DC Harvest.
It’s hard to keep track of what’s opening on H Street but thankfully I have friends who do it for me. We picked DC Harvest, 517 H Street NE, for our monthly night out and the Southern girl in me was very glad we did. Two words: fried chicken. No, make that four words: sous vide fried chicken.
The warm and inviting space was filled with everyone from couples enjoying an intimate dinner, to friends gathered around the bar, to a quiet baby letting his parents enjoy a night out. The gracious service, led by owner/manager Jared Ringel, made the restaurant feel like an old friend, right down to the staff.
The waitstaff wears flannel shirts, a nod to rural roots of the locally sourced seasonal cuisine cooked up by chef Arthur Ringel, who formerly headed the kitchen at Hank’s Oyster Bar in Dupont Circle. He pairs the seasonal ingredients with local products as well as with seasonal cocktails and American beers, wine and spirits. The menu is also filled with house-made pastas.
The fried chicken is to die for. Although it’s a bit ‘spendy’ for three pieces at $24, I’ll be visiting again on a Monday or Tuesday night to take advantage of this special. The veggie slaw that came with the chicken was a perfect light and tangy accompaniment. The weekly specials list also includes braised brisket; this makes me think going back on a Wednesday or Thursday might also be in order.
We started our meal with an assortment of salads and vegetables. The Sicilian cauliflower was a tasty and surprising combination of orange, lemon, garlic and paprika and actually seemed like it would be at home in an Indian restaurant. The pink beets paired with olives, fried chickpeas and sheep’s milk cheese, blended tart and sweet in a delicious way. The standout on the simple market green salad were the piquant pickled shallots. Appetizers also include sweet potato and apple cider soup and local oysters. There’s a nice list of meals for kids, with flavors that do not feel dumbed down. I haven’t met a kid that doesn’t love a $2 cocktail mocktail?
The entrees include grilled swordfish, scallops and quinoa cakes, but we were drawn to the pasta dishes. The rich mushroom ragu was the highlight of the whole wheat pappardelle dish, but I hope the kitchen tones down the pepper a bit. The spelt linguine wasn’t as tender as I expected and the spicy house-made lamb sausage overpowered the rest of the dish. I did like the dish’s pairing of swiss chard and mint with garlic bread crumbs.
Very sated, we tried to skip dessert but were easily convinced to try the s’mores pot du creme. Mmmmm…the homemade graham crackers, caramel and fig marshmallows put the creamy chocolate goodness over the edge. Next time, I’ll try the honey walnut tart, or simply have another cocktail. The New-fangled, a blend of Catoctin rye, orange, grapefruit bitters and pineapple juice was delicious, and the Betty White also got high marks.
The brothers Ringle have opened a tasty addition to the H Street dining smorgasbord. I can’t wait to see what winter brings to their menu.