Tag Archives: Crab

Mintwood Place: Green Gazpacho

Posted on by

Green Gazpacho

When life gives you soggy humidity and 90 degree days…make gazpacho. Or, at least eat gazpacho. This summery, vegetable-forward soup hailing from Spain typically presents as striking red, and can be akin to slurping salsa. But, Chef Cedric Maupillier takes a different approach at Mintwood Place, yielding The Best Thing on the Menu: Cucumber & Watercress Gazpacho with Crab & Avocado.

You still get the punch of Latin flavors thanks to the guacamole and crab-like mound peeking out from the bottom of the bowl, but the harsh tomato and onion flavor of red gazpacho is replaced with cooling cucumber and herbaceous watercress. Black tobiko (poor man’s caviar) punctuates the top of the crab concoction, adding a playful Pop Rocks texture. You’ll find the green gazpacho in the starters section; get it while it’s hot (outside).

Mintwood Place Beef Tartare

Built like a hedgehog, the potato-spiked beef tartare is also a must-order. If you’re just starting your vampirific raw meat eating career, dabble in the appetizer portion. Veterans can go big by getting the entree. Either way, the meat is minced and seasoned perfectly, threatening what we had previously dubbed the best tartare in DC (the BTDC).

Flammekueche

A final dish worth noting is the Bacon & Onion Flammekueche. This paper thin pizza is bursting with breakfasty flavor is the perfect way to start a meal with friends because they cut it into easy-to-share rectangles. We think they should offer a $1 off your flammekueche if you can pronounce it right on the first try.

Green gazpacho not your BTM? Share your favorites in the comments section.

Osteria Morini: Bucatini

Posted on by

Bucatini

Sea urchin is a foe to many people, probably because it has the consistency and flavor of fish Fro-yo. But, the sushi preparation of placing a patty of raw uni atop a mound of rice is not the only way to enjoy this briny, spiny creature. It Japan, it’s often used to give a savory boost to pasta sauce. And in the Italy? The same.

The Best Thing on the Menu: Bucatini with Crab, Sea Urchin and Basil at Osteria Morini is a divine combination of flavors and textures. Hollow bucatini is dotted with thick nuggets of crab and smooth slivers of sea urchin all in a sweet and spicy red sauce. For a glimpse at how much love (read: effort!) goes into pasta making at OM check out Eater’s piece on Matt Adler.

This rich dish usually rings in at $21. However, if you’re a ticket holder from a Washington Nationals game arriving after 9:00 p.m., it’s yours for a $12 steal.

Panini

Let’s say you’re visiting Osteria Morini for lunch looking out at the water. Maybe you took a mental health day or are just playing hooky down at the Navy Yard before a day game. Get a panini. It’s an under $20 way to experience OM and comes with super fancy potato chips and a crock of soup to use as a dipper.

Bucatini not your BTM? Share your favorites in the comments section.

You might also like Alba Osteria or The Red Hen.