The DC “DCocktail” Series highlights the food, ambiance, and most especially the cocktails at restaurants in and around the District of Columbia. We find out about the background of the cocktail menu and how the restaurant uses it to make its mark on the nation’s capital. Our contributing writer, Nikki Vergakes, enjoyed a full tasting menu experience at this DC gem.
Top Chef All-Stars runner-up Mike Isabella opened “G” (2201 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009) next to his Greek restaurant, Kapnos, in July 2013. G offers a sandwich shoppe by day, and a four-course tasting menu by night, Wednesdays – Sundays. Not to mention, every Sunday Isabella features “Sunday Gravy,” a dining experience inspired by his end-of-the-week feasts at home. My tastebuds were so ready for a visit.
Cocktails
G, an Italian restaurant, naturally has a vast selection of red, white and sparkling wines. I can’t really say the same for the cocktail selection. They offer an aperol spritz, negroni, egg nog, and an amaretto sour. They also serve all drinks from Kapnos right next door, which has a full bar. While the daytime menu is limited, check out the nighttime drink menu here.
Food
We decided on getting the tasting menu to get the full experience. This included bread, an antipasti board, a pasta dish, a half chicken to split, and a dessert for $40 a person. We were starving from being tourists all day, so we were oh so ready.
The antipasti board included a pork terrine with a citrus mostarda, a season crostini with a foie gras mousse, a snapper croquette with a caper remoulade, and creamy burrata, grilled asparagus, and speck. Everything balanced out so well. The flavors, the textures, everything married together beautifully. I was ready for my next tastebud adventure.
My pasta dish of choice was the corn tortellini with maitake mushrooms, pecorino and chive. It was perfectly light and sweet.
Corn Tortellini
My mother got the chicken liver spaghetti. She loves chicken liver because it reminds her of her childhood. This was her childhood, yet a bit fancier! This dish was enhanced with sherry vinegar, brandy, and pecorino.
Chicken Liver Spaghetti
The half chicken was another beautifully balanced dish. Moist, flavorful chicken fell off the bone. It floated atop of salad of charred lettuce, tomatoes, squash, and country bread.
Chicken
The peach pie was a summery, light finish. It was topped with oatmeal pecan streusel and ice cream. I loved that the tasting menu was filling, enticing, and exciting, yet it didn’t leave me with a food baby.
Peach Pie
Ambiance
I would use the words modern, intimate, and low-key to describe the ambiance. The contrast between the bumping bar at Kapnos next door and the intimate dining experience at G actually mixed together well, much like their flavors in the food. While it was a week night, the low lights and music set an intimate ambiance.
I definitely suggest checking out G for delicious, Italian foods and great atmosphere. Tell them we sent you!
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Photo Credit: Nikki Vergakes and eater.com