701

701 is known for its vodka selections and sophisticated American fare. For starters, try the foie gras raviolis. Other recommendable dishes are the medallions of venison with sweet potatoes, gala apples, and lemon-orange whiskey sauce, and the cra ... more

701 is known for its vodka selections and sophisticated American fare. For starters, try the foie gras raviolis. Other recommendable dishes are the medallions of venison with sweet potatoes, gala apples, and lemon-orange whiskey sauce, and the crabmeat-stuffed, Serrano-ham wrapped cod. Artful presentation makes the food all the more enticing. Portions are generous and service is marvelous. This restaurant is literally steps away from the Archives-Navy Memorial Metro stop and a short walk from several theaters. Its plate-glass windows allow you to watch commuters, theatergoers, and tourists scurrying along Pennsylvania Avenue. Walls, glass partitions, and columns in the dining room create pockets of privacy throughout. Live jazz plays nightly. less

We went to 701 a while back on the spur of the moment and really enjoyed ourself. My son and I started by splitting a dozen oysters on the half shell. We had ordered Blue Point, but they were out so they brought us a dozen Moon Stone oysters. The ... more

We went to 701 a while back on the spur of the moment and really enjoyed ourself. My son and I started by splitting a dozen oysters on the half shell. We had ordered Blue Point, but they were out so they brought us a dozen Moon Stone oysters. They came with two different dipping sauces, one ginger and vinegar, the other a herb vinegarette. The oysters were very flavorful and presented very well (they gave use each a plate of 6.) My wife had the lettuce and pecan salad, even though the server kept saying that he thought she ordered the salmon ceveche he did bring the right thing. <br> For our entrees my wife had the diver scallops. Four scallops with an eggplant puree as a side. Not bad, but kind of small for the price. My son had the rack of lamb, excellent. He ordered it rare and it came just right, very tender and full of flavor. It is served with white bean cassoulet and braised greens. I had the NY strip, also served rare and very good. Served with a side of garlic mashed potatos. <br> Desserts were the signature cashew bar with banana ice cream for my wife (we all shared as she couldn't finish it.). Very large and if you are into cashews, great. My son had the best dessert, the selection of chocolates. All six were excellent, and very chocolaty. I had the apple tart with cinimmon ice cream. Not bad, but I wish the server had told me that the sorbet of the evenig was cassis and champaigne. I would have had that as I love cassis sorbet (I am so upset that Haggie Daggie doesn't make it anymore) <br> We ended the evening with coffee for the wife and I (excellent and freshly made), tea for the boy. <br> We took a 99 Martinelli RRV PN with us. I wish I had decanted it before going, but traveling on the METRO made that an impossibility. We did have it opened as we arrived and did not drink it until the entrees, but it could still have done with some more time. The restaurant provided nice stems for the wine. <br> Service was very good, but I would have liked a little more info about dessert. They asked if we wanted regular or sparkling water, and the boy decided that he wanted sparkling. We had two bottles of it, and there was no charge on the bill, very classy I thought. <br> Corkage is $15, and the wine has to be something that is not on their list (not a problem with the Martinelli, and next time I think I might take a Rochioli). The server took on look at our bottle and raised his eyebrows with approval and said no more. <br> We had a table at a window overlooking the Navy Memorial. The full eclipse of the moon added another interesting touch. (I told you it was a while ago) <br> All in all a very good meal, if a little dear (the oysters were $30, entrees in the high $20s). The restaurant is very nicely laid out and is not at all noisy. A jazz duo (piano and bass) was playing the entire time. It is a very easy walk (2 blocks) from the MCI Center exit of the Gallery Place Metro stop. We will go again. less