Five New Menu Items You Should Taste

[ 3 ] December 13, 2010 | Johnna

Image via Pursuit of the Peacock

Bond 45 National Harbor– The Fravoli. Probably the largest fried ravioli you will see in your life stuffed with stracchino and mozzarella cheeses then garnished with prosciutto de Parma. This should honestly be the new therapy drug, it helped to ease all my troubles of the day.

Citronelle– Mushroom Cigars. Chef Michel Richard has one of those cuisine teams where they can turn anything into gold. Who would have thought simply stuffing some mushrooms into spring roll shaped form could be a tiny morsel of Utopia? Well it is and with the new late night hours (*Valet is complimentary after 10 pm), it’s worth stopping by to take a bite.

Ping Pong Dim Sum– Crispy Banana Rolls. If the first thought in my mind is “Omg, that was delicious” when I rewind my memory to the first time I tried a dish, then it is worth the mention. Basically, this is a crispy apple pie substituted with bananas and wrapped in spring roll form. I could eat about 10 of these in one sitting.

Merzi– Shrimp Naan Roll. Merzi is new to the District scene and is a quick stop on a fast run for food that is good but does not sacrifice the quality. If you are not into spicy aim for the mild warm sauce which is a buttery Makani sauce with a balanced mixture of mild Indian spices.

Ardeo/Bardeo– Crisy Risotto Balls. My favorite restaurant in Cleveland Park has reopened its door after weeks of renovations. Back with a vengence I can see with the taste of those risotto balls. Usually this is not my thing but these include everything I would want in fried starches: crispy, cheesy and stocked full of flavor.

Category: Announcements, Food.Fun.Stuff., Washington D.C.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.