Arroz
Mediterranean Lemonade / Raspberry Lemonade
Burnt Eggplant – Moroccan Flatbread, Za’atar, Pine Nut, Black Garlic
Heirloom Beet Salad – Marinated Pear, Tahini Aioli, Zhug, Torn Flatbread
Foie Gras Parfait – Sesame Butter, Mission Fig, Burnt Honey, Ras el Hanout Doughnut
Patatas Bravas – Potato Terrine, Pimenton Aioli
Salt Cod Fritters – Salt & Vinegar, Sherry Aioli
Jamon & Manchego Sandwich – Serrano Ham, Sobrasada, Heirloom Tomato
Chocolate Custard – Brandied Cherry, Crispy Phyllo, Espresso Caramel
Originally encountering Mike Isabella’s cuisine during his time at Zaytinya and later thoroughly underwhelmed by Grafiatto it was not until after dinner earlier in the week at Kapnos that a party of three fully committed to lunch at Arroz, Chef Isabella’s Restaurant inside The Marriott Marquis stepping right into former boss Jose Andres’ strike zone with creative interpretations of Spanish Cuisine.
Located close to the Convention Center and several tourist landmarks but by no means a typical paint-by-the-numbers three-meal joint, entrance from a patio sporting tables with blue umbrellas bringing patrons to a hostess stand from which the Restaurant spreads long and narrow down Massachusetts Avenue, it was with the space well-populated at 1:15pm that an oversized four-top along the window was offered, service friendly despite the crowd and even apologetic about one fairly protracted kitchen delay.
Tapping the talents of Michael Rafidi as Executive Chef of Arroz, his cooking also previously seen at Michael Mina’s Wit & Wisdom in Baltimore during that restaurant’s earliest days, lunch at Arroz can be enjoyed as a three-course Prix Fixe or combination of items from sections listed as Snacks, Plates and Baked Bomba Rice, the latter clearly the source of the Restaurant’s name but served in such a portion that for three patrons it would limit the ability to try anything else.
Weighing options both as relates to the Restaurant and additional dining plans that day, the eventual decision to select one prix-fixe and fill in the rest with small plates proving quite adequate for three, it was with two flavored Lemonades in hand that Flatbread topped in Za’atar Spice was presented as a delivery mechanism for charred and pureed Eggplant topped in Pine Nuts, Tomatoes, Peppers and Herbs, everything about the dish dazzling from the colors to textures with a similar compliment befitting an Heirloom Beet Salad with torn and toasted Flatbread plus Onions and Pears.
Making a special request for Isabella and Rafidi’s dinner-only Foie Gras Parfait at lunch, the General Manager graciously making it happen on short notice, it was with plates reset that a wooden board was presented featuring the smooth liver surrounded in Sesame Butter with sweet and savory accoutrements, the best bite being a bit of Foie Gras on the fluffy Donut with a touch of Jam and a thin segment of pickled Onion.
Rounding out savories with three more items after a nearly thirty minute lag, the Ham and Cheese Sandwich from the Prix-Fixe fairly similar to what one might find in Spain but with a pressed Hoagie instead of Pan de Cristal, it was in a delicious twist on tradition that Arroz served their fried Baccala with a sort of British “Fish n’ Chips” Vinegar Aioli while saving spice instead for sliced, stacked and fried Patatas Bravas, an absolute show-stopper dish that outperforms any version seen from Albert Adria or the famed Tapas spots in Barcelona…so good, in fact, that it made the rather forgettable Dessert menu from which Chocolate Custard with bits of Cake, Cherries and bittersweet Caramel was selected forgivable.
https://arrozbymic.com/
