PerfectDCBites will be hitting the road over the next 2 weeks, bringing you some of the best bites from Dallas, TX. We’ll be serving this blog up some BBQ, Chicken Fried Steak, Tex-Mex, Fried Green Tomatoes, and so much more. Prepare to feast your eyes on Texas!
A culinary master in the Washington, DC area has passed away: Chef Francois Haeringer, owner, visionary, and pioneer behind L’Auberge Chez Francois, passed away at the age of 91 after complications from a fall.
We were fortunate enough to have dined at L’Auberge Chez Francois on two different occasions, and we treasured each visit. On our last visit, we saw Chef Haeringer scurrying around the restaurant, attending to the customers, the kitchen, and the waitstaff. He was so full of life and passion. We’re truly saddened at the news that his beautiful spirit has moved on.
As we were strolling through our neighborhood a few days ago, we noticed that Lyon Hall’s patio was finally open. It was a gorgeous day, and nothing sounded better than a cold beer on the patio of a new neighborhood restaurant. As soon as we were seated, the waitress greeted us with a very enthusiastic smile, and brought out a couple glasses of cold water as we mulled over the menu. Lyon Hall’s menu spans French, German, and Alsatian cuisine, with a distinctive emphasis on hearty country fare and a diverse and extensive selection of beer and wine.
For drinks, we each ordered a flight of beer. Each flight consists of 4 small glasses (approx. 5 oz each) of a different type of beer. I got “The Belgium” and Bill got “Rick’s Set.” Of course, we tried each other’s flights, so in all, we tasted 8 different premium and exotic beers. All were excellent and complemented our entrees perfectly.
For our appetizer, we shared the beet salad. Hidden under a bed of arugula were golden yellow and red beets, and 2 wedges of goat cheese. The combination of flavors was delicious, but the kitchen was a bit conservative on the “meat” of the salad. We each got a couple wedges of beets, and one wedge of goat cheese.
Next up were the entrees. Bill ordered the Sabodet Lyon Sausage, and I ordered the Lyon Hall Burger.
I asked for the burger to be cooked medium rare, and it was cooked perfectly. The meat was so juicy, but not to the point where the plate or bun were getting bloody. It was juicy enough for my entire mouth to really enjoy the flavor of the beef. The pickled shallots complemented the meat well, and the cheese gave the burger a nice kick, but wasn’t overstated, so it didn’t take away from the focal point of the burger: the succulent meat.
Bill’s sausage entrée was equally delicious. The house-made sausage had a soft, rich texture and a deep earthy flavor, the lentils were cooked perfectly (just a little snap to them), and the brown onion and mushroom sauce matched the woodsy feel of the sausage perfectly.
For dessert: Strawberry Rhubarb Brioche. Like the rest of the meal, every aspect of the dish exuded a fresh, house-made vibe. The balance of sweet and tart between the strawberries, vanilla cream, lemon curd, and rhubarb made for a delightful summertime dessert, and our only complaint was that it wasn’t served warm.
In a neighborhood seemingly saturated with an ever-growing array of trendy restaurants, Lyon Hall nonetheless managed to stand out. The is a great addition not just to Clarendon, but to the greater DC area. We’ll definitely be spending many of our evenings this summer on the Lyon Hall patio sipping beer and eating brats.
This is where our relationship with food all started, The Inn at Little Washington. This culinary landmark nestled at the foot of the Shenendoah mountains transported us to a place our mouths and souls had never experienced. It was an evening that touched every one of our senses and heightened every one of our emotions. The meal we had under that elegant tassled lampshade instilled in us a new respect for food. It uncorked a culinary discussion that we never knew we were capable of having. Every bite was simply sublime, and it was one of those rare occasions where one feels as though one is consuming art.
Just moments after these photographs were taken, he got on bended knee, and she agreed to pledge her life to his. Since our engagement and through our marriage, we have traveled through small towns and big cities, following our cravings and noses, and looking for the next perfect bite. This blog is a record of our culinary adventures.
