Prix Fixe at 701

The Saturday before Thanksgiving, my usual dinner invitation fell through. In a panic and expecting a friend from Mexico who was looking forward to a traditional meal with dressing and Turkey, I kept clicking around Open Table looking for a reasonably priced menu that included the proper poultry.

I was happy to start our day at 701 - owned and operated by the same people that own Rasika, Aredo, and Bombay Club, I felt comfortable experimenting for the Holiday. Centrally located and easy to get to on the Metro, 701 has a full bar, a vodka bar, and live music every evening - with a 3 piece Jazz Band Fridays and Saturdays. We had a table facing the fountains and the layout of the dining room allows you to enjoy the music as well as the conversation. The servers are knowledgeable and courteous, and happily recommend selections from their wine list by the glass. I had an excellent Cote du Rhone which I sipped throughout my meal.

The Thanksgiving menu - a variation on their pre and post theater prix fixe included hot and cold appetizers (marinated mushrooms for my guest, and a lovely mushroom and walnut soup with pancetta and quail egg for me), entrees for every protein whim (we both had the turkey, which was moist and not overwhelmed by fixings, daintily arranged on the sides) and dessert (a perfect creme brulee for her, pumpkin cheesecake for me). The portions were generous without going overboard and featured the balance and freshness of modern American cooking.

This meal put me on good stead for other visits to 701, and for the other 2 invites we received after I had made my reservation. I happily had lacquered duck and braised chicken, all cooked separately.

701 Pennsylvania Restaurant
Navy Memorial
701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
www.701restaurant.com