47. Black Market Bistro

Well finally, I’ve started my culinary journey. Number one of one hundred (chronologically that is) happens to be Black Market Bistro in Garrett Park. I went with Julie, who had requested we dine at the Original Pancake House, but when I threw a fit on account of the 40 minute wait there we settled on something a little more off the grid. The fact that Black Market Bistro is an arms length away from the train tracks wouldn’t normally make me think fine dining, but the train is actually not intrusive at all and it was a real crowd pleaser for the under-6 years old set. 

Since we were having quite the ladies-who-lunch day, we both opted for a figure friendly salad. That idea sort of backfired when our lunch arrived and the plates were the size of a small studio apartment, but we figured there was a lot of green stuff on there so it was fine. I had the Marinated Hardwood Grilled Squid Salad, which was delicious. The squid was perfectly grilled, one of the few squid experiences I’ve had in a long time that didn’t leave me with thoughts of rubber and tire tread. The bulk of the salad was Greek-inspired, but the real showstopper was the red wine vinaigrette, which I would have bathed in had it been offered. Julie went with the Autumn Market Salad which really had just about every vegetable imaginable. And lots of goat cheese. I personally can get behind anything served with goat cheese. 

We finished our meal off with the Washingtonian-sanctioned chocolate bread pudding with vanilla ice cream. It was so good that Julie, a chronic speed talker, would actually interrupt herself to point out how good it was. It was like a cinnamon bun straight out of the oven, but gooier and with tons of chocolate. Chocolate bread budding, will you be my valentine?

All in all, a fantastic way to start out this project. Next up is Hook on Monday, so stay tuned.