Restaurant Brabo

     This evening we were joined by our fellow renaissance people:  Julia and Tony.  Tony and I went to West Point together and endured many long, cold New England bicycle rides together on the Army Cycling Team.  Nowadays, we opt for more leisurely riding and more decadent dining.  We will certainly share many more fine meals with this duo as we explore the culinary treats that the D.C. area has to offer.
     Olivia and I arrived a little early, so I enjoyed a Gin Blossom cocktail while Olivia had a virgin cocktail (ah, the pains of bearing a child).  Tony and Julia arrived shortly thereafter as I was finishing up the Gin Blossom.  It was a light apertif of Plymouth Gin (a personal favorite), St. Germain, and grapefruit juice.  Because I try to consume a paleolithic diet, this sort of cocktail is perfect with almost zero carbs.  In fact, it was so good that Julia, fresh off a stressful week with fun times ahead in Nigeria, opted to start with one as well.  Tony went with a cabernet blend and I wasn't far behind.
     To start with, Olivia and I split an arugula and frisee salad.  The most memorable thing about this salad was the peppercorns.  They were coarsely ground, but they must have been prepared in a certain fashion because they stole the show.  Tony and Julia had the same salad and also had some seared foie gras.  Julia licked the plate, so I think it was good.
     For entrees, Julia and I had the braised pork shank.  Tony had a steak with frites and Olivia had moules frites.  I can speak for the pork shank and the moules.  They were incredible.  The pork shank was braised for twelve hours arrived atop a bit of cabbage.  I don't remember the cabbage because the pork was so good.  The moules were great too.  With moules I tend to give them a thumbs up or a thumbs down.  There's really no in between.  These were thumbs up.
     For dessert, Olivia ordered creme brulee while I opted for a 10 year Fladgate tawny and Tony and Julia split a '93 somethingorother.  Discussion ensued about the distinctions between tawny and ruby and we were probably all wrong.  More research is in order.  Tony is still search google for the answer.
     All in all, this was a great evening and a great dinner.  Brabo is not inexpensive, but the service and preparation were top notch.  If you are looking for someplace nice in the Alexandria area, definitely give Brabo a chance.  We haven't tried the Tasting Room or Butcher's Block, but will at some point in the future.  As always, dining with great people accentuates the meal.  So, try Brabo (with good friends if you can)!