Daryll B.
Yelp
Huncho House is simply great. The food is innovative and comforting, the decor and service are welcoming, and the cocktails are creative. I have dined at HH several times over this year, and each time I left singing HH's praises. Each visit started the same way, upon walking through the door you are greeted and offered a taste of Champagne style sparkling wine. Is the Champagne Dom Perignon Brut? No. It is chilled Freixenet Ice Rosé and it is gratis, so no complaints. The ambiance is candlelight dark with the brightest lights coming from the open kitchen. The bar is tiny, really just for service as opposed to sitting. The space is small but in a cozy way. Naysayers will lament the use of the fake flower/plant walls and ceiling decorations.
The service, in my experience has been unfailingly great with a wonderful pacing of dishes from the kitchen. The service charge, 20%, is automatically added to the total bill pretax total, but it may shortchange the staff because they treat guest at levels worthy of 25% plus!
The food! The creative dishes seem to be a fusion of Asian, Italian, and African/African Diaspora. Reading the Chef-Owner's background and training, that fusion makes sense. I have hap the crab fried rice with the most succulent salmon on top. The dish is fresh, Asian-African in influences. Like a great Asian seafood fried rice mixed with Nigerian celebratory fried rice. The Salmon is soy glazed and grilled perfectly. The seared scallops over a creamy risotto (I believe it is a risotto or risotto style dish) is another favorite. The scallops are meaty and cooked perfectly every time. I also love the seafood noodle dish again with contributions from Africa, Asia, and Europe. The whole branzino is excellent, if a bit messy to eat, but worth it.
I highly recommend ordering the roasted Brussels sprouts. Tossed in butter and hoisin sauce, the roasted, I order them as an appetizer and as a side. The other great sides are the lobster macaroni and cheese and the creamy whipped potatoes.
Unfortunately, I have never tried the desserts. I am usually too stuffed. I spend my sugar allowance on the crafted cocktails. The "Date Night" cocktail made with D'USSÉ or Hennessy cognac, is a great twist on the classic Side Car cocktail. The Side Car will be the next Old Fashion, namely an old classic gaining favor with a new generation. I also tried the s'mores Old Fashion. It tasted like a s'mores but with liquor. They even garnished it with a toasted marshmallow lit aflame by a torch and delivered to the table all toasty, warm, and melty.
Five stars for the gem of a restaurant in Prince George's. Right across the street from the classic PG Plaza mall. I would have never imagined that the county would get such an establishment in the working class areas. It happened and Chef Tobias Dorzon made it happen.
My one small, but not deal breaker, quibble are the drink prices. At $22 plus tax and automatic gratuity, the cocktails for one is over $25. I understand inflation, but that is steep. Further, the cocktail menu does not list prices. The prices are whatever they charge, but just disclose them clearly and allow the drinker to make the choice. $22 seems on the very high end of the scale. Just know what to expect and make informed choices. Are they worth it? Close, but the prices may be $5 to $7 more than I would be comfortable paying. But I am frugal, so do what is best for your budget.
Five stars, easy.