Firefly, Washington, D.C.....Not Your Average Hotel Restaurant
Written: Oct 18 '02 (Updated Oct 18 '02)
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Pros: Surprisingly excellent! Warm interior and expert cooking here
Cons: Small dining room--reservations can be difficult
The Bottom Line: A warm and attractive place for a good dinner or lunch. The service is attentive, the food is well prepared and the prices are fair.
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| tombarnes's Full Review: Firefly |
I went to Firefly in the new Hotel Madera on New Hampshire Avenue (near Dupont Circle) the first night they were open to the public. I had watched the place as the renovation of the hotel took shape over the past few months. What had been a dowdy Clarion Hotel was slowly transformed into a stylish new place called the Hotel Madera (whatever that means). The old restaurant, L'Etoile was banished from the premises and the new one took its place. This is actually a branch of a San Francisco restaurant of the same name. The verdict? Excellent! Especially for the price. The process here are not too punishing and one gets the expertise of a talented chef who has worked in some of Washington's better kitchens.
The Room
Like many of the restaurants in Kimpton hotels, this one makes an effort to stand alone, with its own streetside entrance and a separate staff than the hotel. The look is warm and inviting, with maize colored walls, a wall of birch (?) logs and a central tree-like sculpture. On the whole, it is a most welcoming space. While there is background music, it is neither loud nor obnoxious.
The Menu
The chef here really knows his business. A veteran of some of Washington's better restaurants (New Heights, Nora and 1789) John Weymouth has learned his craft well. Some of the dishes from the other restaurants have appeared under different guises here, but that is a good thing. The menu is well balanced and, best of all, it is most reasonable. The most expensive item on the menu is only $23.00!
First Course
The starters are as varied as they are interesting. I began with the Corn and Poblano Chili Chowder with smoked bacon, purple potatoes and cilantro oil ($7.50). The soup arrived in an enormous white bowl that almost suggested a nuclear cooling tower. The soup rested somewhere down in the lower third of the thing. There was more of it than one might have thought. Smooth, silky and seductive, the chowder had a strong corn flavor which was balanced well with the smoky bacon and the curious purple potatoes.
Other options were nearly as interesting. The Caramelized Onion and Chorizo Tart with its tangy mustard sauce and balsamic vinegar is nicely prepared, if slightly small. The crust is light and flaky and there is a strong onion flavor here, but not so strong as to overtake the rest ($8.50).
One might also choose the mussels from Prince Edward Island ($7.50 or $13.00 for a larger portion). Even the calamari is good here. Not fried, but grilled and served with a white bean salad and fennel ($8.00).
Main Courses
I chose one of the simpler items from the menu. One which had actually made its first appearance at Nora. While there was no stovepipe hat on the Roasted Amish Chicken with Red Chili Gravy, this is a transplant which is even better than the original at Nora. The chicken is sweet, spicy and moist, something which is not always possible with roasted chicken. All too often, the chef gets this basic dish wrong and it comes to your table greasy or dry as the Gobi. Not this one. The dish is also rather large, so you would do well to go lightly on the first course here. The slices of sweet potato are not even a disappointment. Sweet potatoes are often ruined by sauces which are too sweet, or are overcooked to the point of becoming a sweet mush. These are firm and flavorful and go well with the red chili gravy and the bright and chunky tomato salsa which comes with them. Only $15.50 for this one, and a good deal too.
The most expensive item on the menu here is the Grilled New York Steak, prepared traditionally with fries, but with a bit of salty Smithfield ham on the side ($23.00).
The Spice Crusted Lamb Chops with ratatouille and chick peas is one I might want to try when I return there for dinner next week ($23.00).
Side dishes are $3.50 and include spinach with garlic (enough garlic to make a difference, I might add), mashed potatoes saturated in olive oil, ratatouille or French fries.
Lunch
I have not yet been in for lunch, but there are several sandwiches averaging at about $12.00 or $13.00, Angel Hair Pasta with Lobster Mushrooms (?), parmesan and cream ($8.0 or $13.00). The Steak Frites is a bargain at lunch at only $13.00.
Dessert
Desserts are priced between $6.50 and $9.00. You might choose the orange and chocolate creme brulee or the stuffily named Presentation of Chocolate (I might have to try this one next week). The Pear Sorbet with Port Jelly and Almond Tuile sounds like a winner.
Wine List
I have not yet had the chance to sample their wines (I was working on the night of my last visit), but they do have wines ranging from about $18.00 for the least expensive Argentine white (Torontes) to their most expensive red, a California Roussane from Truchard (2000). Most bottles are priced somewhere in the comfortable $20's or $30's. Wine by the glass is a pleasant mix of offerings between $6.00 to $11.00.
Bar
There is a bar with about eight seats and a comfortable lounge area to the right of the dining room. The chairs and couches are particularly inviting. I look longingly at them as I rush past the place on my way to work just down the street. The music is generally light jazz and is kept to a respectable decibel level.
Dress Code
There really isn't one, but you would do well to show up in casual business clothing.
Service
The service here was attentive and solicitous. My waiter was a young medical student from the Czech republic. They do seem to have given their waiters decent training, and the staff are engaging. The restaurant is new and enjoying a burst of popularity, so reservations are recommended in the evenings.
As this is in a hotel, they also serve breakfast.
Reservations and Miscellany
As noted above, I cannot stress the importance of booking ahead for the evenings enough, at least right now. At lunch or breakfast, the place should be wide open.
The restaurant is open as follows:
Breakfast-Daily from 7:00 AM until 10:00 AM. A brunch menu is served on weekends.
Lunch--M-F 11:30 AM-3:00 PM
Dinner 5:00-11:00 PM , 10:00 PM Sunday.
Firefly
in the Hotel Madera
1310 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel. 202-861-1310
www.firefly-dc.com
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations I would suggest getting reservations for dinner. This place is enjoying a burst of popularity.
Best Suited For: Friends
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Epinions.com ID:
tombarnes
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Thomas Barnes
Location: Fort Lauderdale & Washington, DC
Reviews written: 684
Trusted by: 441 members
About Me:
With Barbara in Miami, 2004
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