Blue Duck Tavern
Blue Duck Tavern is an open kitchen restaurant in DC that embraces rustic American fare in an eloquent way. Before I went, I wasn't sure what to expect at this location in the Park Hyatt since I hadn't yet been overly wowed by the standard cuisine in the nation's capital. Thankfully, I ended the week with a breathtaking meal at Blue Duck.
Triple frying potato slices is probably one of the best inventions in the cooking industry. It allows for the fries to be moist and fluffy on the inside but still have the most beautiful crunch on its exterior. And a refreshing pomegranate lemonade is perfect to wash them down! Oh, and make sure to dip it in that creamy, mayo-based sauce (who cares about the calories when you are already eating triple fried fries?).
With a wood-burning oven, they definitely utilized it for their rich, roasted bone marrow that's lathered with a light horseradish butter. Accompanied with roasted garlic, parsley and sea salt (don't be too liberal with these crystals), this dish was a divine starter. But beware not to eat too much - enough is provided for a party of four.
At this point, multiple waiters surrounded the table with dishes in hand. It's overwhelming to be served all your dishes at once! The seafood in DC, as expected, is very fresh! These slices of swordfish were so tender, and the fruits and vegetables really brought out the fish's own flavor.
What really surprised me was the preparation of this bird. One bite of the duck breast and I was brought into a dingy Chinese BBQ roast duck shop... but better. You see the thin layer of fat, but it adds the perfect juiciness to the duck. I must applaud them for this product - Blue Duck Tavern has certainly earned their name.
The sides are just as mouthwatering. I rarely look at vegetables and salivate, but salivate I did when I saw these dishes served up. Both had the ideal texture ratios and spot-on flavor profiles. When sides are this delicious, you know the restaurant itself is impeccable.
By this time, I was getting pretty full, but there was no way I was going to pass up roasted suckling pig! The tender meat melts in your mouth and is contrasted in texture with the crispy pork crackling. I would have devoured this entire dish if I didn't have Baked and Wired cupcakes and pie waiting for dessert...
Tips:
- If you only order a couple items, you DEFINITELY cannot miss out on the triple fried fries, roasted bone marrow and duck dishes.
- Make sure you make a reservation well in advance!
- This is a restaurant for family style dining, so don't order your own dish, share!
