Samantha L.
Yelp
For a ladies' night out, we checked out The Grove Restaurant located in Cabin John Village, where Lahinch Bar & Grill used to be. I love how the restaurant was decorated with a floral theme. We were seated near the entrance. There was a dratt, and it felt like an icebox. Our server Chris was hospitable and knowledgeable about the menu. We loved hearing his recommendations of food and drinks. We also liked how they changed silverware between courses.
For drinks, we were surprised that the high proof and low proof cocktails were the same price. Our party had Basicilata, Español Noche, Manhattan, Milanese Manhattan, and Mediterranean Sunrise. If you like a cocktail that is fruity and refreshing, I'd recommend the Español Noche.
For appetizers, we got different appetizers, so we could try each other's appetizers. We ordered the Burrata Salad, Iberian Black Sausage, Rainbow Beet Salad, Unexpected Oxtail, and Veal Cheeks. Among the five appetizers I tried, I liked the Iberian Black Sausage, Unexpected Oxtail, and Veal Cheeks (in that order). The Iberian Black Sausage consisted of toasted bread topped with tomato confit, spaniard black pig sausage, garlic demi glaze, and quail egg. The combination of flavors and textures wowed me. The Unexpected Oxtail consisted of brioche bread stuffed with braised oxtail and guanciale baked, sliced, and served over creamy mashed potatoes with savory oxtail jus. It reminded me of a Beef Wellington. The mashed potatoes were buttery and resembled the one served at Joel Robuchon restaurants. The Veal Cheeks consisted of sous vide veal cheeks, caramelized red onions, celery root puree, and thyme demi sauce. It was tender and tasty.
For entrees, we got different entrees, so we could try each other's entrees. We ordered the Pork Belly, Chicken Chilindron, Halibut, and Duck Breast. The Pork Belly consisted o a braised pork belly, carrot, asparagus, potato bacon tart, and tricolor coulis served in a thyme demi sauce. The Pork Belly had a melt in your mouth effect. The Chicken Chilindron consisted of chicken breast, spanish chorizo, and potato confit in a chunky tomato sauce finished with a sherry reduction sauce. I liked how it was skin-on chicken breast. The skin was crispy and juicy. However, the chicken was surprisingly dry. The Halibut consisted of seasoned halibut, served with calamari, cockle clams, peeled cherry tomatoes, creamy yellow bell pepper sauce, and celery root puree. The fish was flavorful, but the other components lacked flavor. My friend didn't like how this dish got cold really fast. The Duck Breast consisted of duck breast seared to perfection, served with broccolini, cipollini onion, and potato confit over celeriac puree in a sweet and tangy blood orange sauce.
Unfortunately, by the time we finished our entrees, we didn't have any room to try their desserts. I'd definitely return to try their other appetizers, including their Poached Oyster, Toasted Crystal Bread, Tuna Tartare, and Beef Tartare, and other entrees, including Day Boat Sea Scallops, Filet Mignon, and Lamb Shank.