Posto Post

I was all excited about putting those pork cutlets over some pea and mushroom risotto when Dana threw me for a loop: in the years since she'd last swung through Washington, she'd gone vegetarian on me! Strike the rice infused with chicken stock, we're wandering down to Logan Circle to see what's available. I know that we'll be able to find something at Logan Tavern or Commissary, so I figure why not wander a bit and see if we come up with something new for me and tasty for both of us.

We aligted at Posto (1515 14th Street NW), a newish place opened by the owner of Tosca and its Executive Chef. We'd wandered by because the location used to house a vegetarian restaurant. Basically, this is the Sette to Tosca's Cafe Milano. It's more toned down, cheaper, more accessible to the masses. It also has a more modern feel and the high ceilings really opened up the room. I could have done without the large video screens showing Italian steeples and grape vines, they don't change but always pull your eye as if they're about to. Fortunately, our waiter was cute enough to keep my attention, always an important consideration regardless of the cuisine.

Dana and I opened with the Antipasti special, a choice of 3 Affettati or Cheeses for $15 ($6 each). We went the cheese route, but there were several meat choices I'd have been pleased to sample in the company of a carnivore. We ordered the Gorgonzola and the La Tur. A pecorino completed our trio, a dry but strong taste making for an excellent cheese of the day. The portions are a little small, but would probably have seemed more sensible if we'd been pairing meat with our cheeses.

Dana was in serious heaven as she ordered her gnocchi. The restaurant was willing to switch out the regularly offered tomato sauce for a cream sauce, always a good sign that you aren't actually just getting a TV-dinner. I had one nibble--the bite of the gnocchi was perfect and the cream sauce was delicious. Not sure I could have managed an entire meal (lunch was pretty filling), but Dana, normally kind of a dainty eater, finished every bite.

I'd had pasta for lunch, so I went with a pizza. I don't usually expect much out of a pizza at these urban bistro type places, but my pizza (the Caprina) was amazing. I'd eschewed meat in case Dana wanted a bite, but think I might have landed the best option on the menu. The cherry tomatoes (always starting out with a good review if you include the best fruit ever) were perfectly ripe and the roasted peppers added just the right amount of heat.

Our server was a little overenthusiastic, but otherwise this made for a great little weeknight eat. Speaking of great little weeknight eats, it's time to head over to Sushi Taro for the OMAKASE!