Here's the menu
Valentine’s Dinner
$60 per couple
(plus tax and gratuity)
I
Goat Cheese in Caraway Pastry
with raspberry sauce and hot black bread toasts
II
Mixed Greens Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
Served with Danish bleu cheese, baby beets, pickled red onion, and warm hot-spiced pecans
III
Chicken Schnitzel with Mustard Sauce
Served with German braised red cabbage and Gruyère potatoes
or
Rockfish Meunière (pan-fried with lemon, capers, fresh dill, and Riesling)
Served with garlic-roasted fingerling potatoes and baby bok choy
or
Wild Mushrooms and Pappardelle
Served with oven-roasted Roma tomatoes and parmesan cream
IV
Chocolate Torte
Served with rose petal sorbet and white chocolate sauce
For reservations, call 202.460.7326 or email reservations@argonautdc.com
28 comments:
Please email reservations@argonautdc.com
we will be running transition menus for the next few weeks. you can look forward to new specials as we replace some of our old items - please bear with us.
Wow...if this menu is any indication of things to come, we're in for some real treats at the Argo!
Scott - any word on trivia night? Were you able to get in touch with Neal Racciopo?
Does anybody know what the actual Saturday hours for Argo are? The website says they open at noon (you have to dig to find any reference to hours, but it's listed under "News" on the website), but several folks trekked down there this past Saturday and they were hard-core closed. It sortof sucks when you bring new people in to your neighborhood pub only to find out they are closed contrary to their posted hours.
Wow - the Argonaut outpriced Napa for their Valentine's dinner! I hope all those out there who trashed Napa for being "too expensive for H St" can at least commend them for listening and trying to be more competative.
Folks, Napa is a "sit down restaurant" not a "tavern" (something we all kept asking for), they built from the ground up, and they did it without the financial backing or experience of Joe Englert. I think they've earned the right to charge a little more for their food, but like any good business they've listened to their customers and the community and introduced more competitive prices.
Now, saying all that.... would your Sweetheart rather go to a restaurant on Valentine's Day or a tavern??
Anonymous 11:20 - I think you've misread these things a bit.
Like the Rock N' Roll Hotel's offering for $40, the Argo's is priced per couple. That's $60 per couple, or $30 per person.
Napa1015's offering - like the one at Granville Moore's for $55 each- is priced per person. So a dinner for two at Napa is going to run you and your sweetheart $100 before tax and tip.
Personally, I think the price points for each of the places listed above make sense because they do take into account the nature of the establishment, the complexity of the offerings, and the overall tone they're trying to set.
Out of curiosity, what does Mr. Englert's involvement (or lack thereof) have to do with anything in this context? If the issue is "sit-down restaurant" vs. tavern, why mention him at all?
Not trying to be funny here- But have they gotten rid of those GIANT rats from out front at the Arg?
The one and only time I went there I had to fight and army of those nasty things upon my exit...The sound of them squealing trying to squeez throught the fence stayed in my mind for an entire month.....
I'm starting to see a trend here. I have to say that while it's pretty awesome we have a high calibur resturant in the makings in our neighborhood, the over-ambitious "anonymous" postings raving Napa and denouncing the other eateries on the strip are a bit much. It's disappointing, and there's certainly nothing wrong with supporting your brand. I just want you to know NAPA that I'm a little put off by it.
Well 8th I'm the one that posted about the rats at Arg and I've never been to Napa.
Yes I live in the nabe and I've visited a few of the other bars as well but I just don't see where these owners invested on presenting a "clean/fresh" looking atmosphere in alot of these new places that has opened. Look at the quality of renovations that they've done in other ares of the city ie: Estern Market, of even U Str. I was just turned off completely.
Taste of Jamaica is the cleanest looking place of all of the eateries on H street in my opinion.
That's great anon1221. I just find it hard to believe that:
a) There are that many people that hate our eateries on H St
b) There are that many people that have been to Napa, and think it serves ambrosia nightly.
c) All of these people from a and b starting reading and posting on this blog as soon as Napa opened.
Joe Englert:
NAPA is a great place. I went a couple of Fridays and was very impressed. Their prices were very reasonable, especially taking into consideration what quality ingredients and size of portions they offered. Very helpful staff, too. I think they are going to thrive.
Hats off to them.
I think with GM, NAPA and now with the new leaning of ARGO (green, ambitious, fun food) we have a great little dining corridor brewing.
Thanks to the neighbors of H for being patient while we overcome our growing pains.
Argo Presents:
"Booze Clues" Trivia Night
Every Wedensday night upstairs! starting Feb. 13th at 8pm.
Sorry about the mix up with the Hours- 3pm saturdays.
8th and El,
I don't think you should assume that anyone from NAPA is behind posts bashing any other place on H Street. It isn't as though they are really in competition with any of them. But people who read this blog like different types of places. Some of them really like the other places on H and are excited about NAPA. A few others have always seemed underwhelmed by the offering on H Street and are now very into NAPA. My take, all of these places, and that includes the theaters, benefit from each other. NAPA would likely not have opened on H Street if we didn't already have some taverns going strong. I read all the comments here and much of what flies around on the 6A listserv. I've seen people complain and ask why we don't have places like Belga or Jordan's 8 for quite a while now. Does anyone honestly think that places like this would even have H Street on the radar if it looked today like it looked 3-4 yrs ago?
Well put, Inked.
And let's not forget - Jordan's didn't come to Barracks Row until the rest of the strip was up and running for quite some time. They had to start with places like the Ugly Mug, Finn MacCool's and Marty's - not exactly haute cuisine or even steak-and-sushi.
Scott - "Booze Clues?" I love it! Can you provide more info on format, prizes, etc?
I agree with your last statement, but did all of these people with these opinions start reading this blog four months ago? I know that this is a very transient community South of H, but I can't see it swinging that fast from "GM's is an awesome spot" to "the Argo is so dirty. I'm going to Napa." It just doesn't sit right with me.
Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinions, and I have to admit that this is the only forum on the neighborhood I subscribe to. All I have to go on is this blog and the comments of my neighbors. I also might be a little biased, as I am a avid fan of GM's:)
I agree with Inked. Most of the higher end restaurants do come after other pub and mid-range (cost-wise) places show they can survive for a bit.
I don't see some grand conspiracy here.
Thanks Inked for helping to clarify. I'm Anon. 11:28 and no, I have no connection to NAPA and started to say that in my previous post. Like so many out there, I too want NAPA to thrive and realize it will take time, but it was very disheartening for all the posts over the months to be screaming for a "restaurant" and once the first nice, sit down establishment opens up people start trashing them because basically they're too expensive, when in reality they're somewhat comperable in prices to GM. And if you didn't like their food or service the first time - go back - they're new. If you still have a bad experiece, tell them or post it here and they will likely listen. After all they did try to respond to all the "high price" complaints.
And Mike 12:20, you're right I did missread things about couple vs. individual meal prices. So there I stand corrected, you are in fact paying restaurant prices to take your Valentine's out for a dining experience and tavern prices to take her to a bar.
Finally, I respect all that Joe Englert has done toward the revitalization of H St and agree completely with Inked in that it is highly likely that we wouldn't have a Napa if it weren't for the taverns brought here by Joe. However, Joe has never presented his establishments as anything more than a tavern - maybe even nice taverns - and still people demanded "quiet sit down restaurants". Once we had someone to take the risks to bring something besides a tavern to H, it was as if people had become accustomed to the tavern experience and tavern prices. He was mentioned in my post because they are in this together and in a way one's success is dependant on the other. I was glad to see Joe's compliments and plug for Napa.
I stand corrected. It wouldn't be the first time I was wrong about something. Here's to more "sit-down" places on H st.
Unfortunately 8th you are the one that took this thread in that direction. Someone before my comment refrenced something about the prices but thats it. I would have said the same comment if I went to Cafe Milan in Goergetown and experienced the Rats. For me I'm very picky about food-- and that experience was a turn off for me. It's one of those things- you know it's there but it's all good if you don't see it...Well hell I saw it...Not good at all... If those other places have the same issue they need to address them as well and get the city to take action.
I have never said anything about the two mice I saw at the Argonaut on two different occasions because being in the neighborhood I didn't want it to hurt the Argonaut. I've been back several times since and haven't seen any and will continue to go back - because I like food and the atmosphere and want to see them succeed. I'd like to think the little problem has been solved, but Anon 2:32 is right, once the bell has been rung its hard to unring it. I just go in wearing earplugs (and blinders) now.
I'm one of the bartenders at NAPA and feel the need to respond to some of these comments.
First off, I've lived in the neighborhood for about two years now. I cant get enough of the sweet potato fries at the argonaut, the bison burger at granville moore's or the jerk chicken at naby's.
Ive also been reading frozen tropics since i moved here. "Anonymous" posters frequent this blog with good and bad things to say about virtually every topic. They think the streetscape project is a good idea, they think it is a bad idea. They love granville moore's they hate it.
In this situation i think its very unfair to go out there assume I (or someone else) am trying to trash other businesses on the corridor so that NAPA thrives. First, its a ridiculous strategy and it wont work.
But more importantly, the great thing i've learned since working at NAPA, and meeting people like Joe Englert, and Tony from the Pug, and Chris (formerly) from Granville Moores is that we are all in this together. It's not so much of a us versus you attitude around here but more of a joint venture where we all have the same goal of seeing H street become a thriving business corridor.
Besides, living in the neighborhood I also know that if i wanted to trash a business around here, I wouldn't do so by saying i saw rats OUTSIDE the business. Hell, a rat ran through my backyard while i was bbq'ing....it's DC!
Anyways, those are my two cents.
See you at NAPA (or Granvilles, or the Argounat, or......).
-Scott
Thanks, Scott! We are all in this together!
anon who saw rats at argo has posted before in comments. can't remember when...
i'll respond as i did before to that -- it is kind of part of where we live. the city. you saw them outside -- at least they weren't inside!
i've seen rats on u street (the saloon), roaches climbing on wall in chinatown (matchbox)... it sucks, but if you don't like it, move to the 'burbs! ask any new yorker :)
My favorite rat army is at the Wendys off South Capitol Street (is that even still there?). Used to be we'd go through the drive-thru late at night just to see the rats. At first you didn't realize what it was. But then you'd notice that the entire area was covered in rats, so thick that you couldn't see the pavement underneath.
The two mice I saw were scurrying around on the inside, one on top of an empty table. But, I'll just leave it at that.
I'm not out to try and shut the Argonaut down, I've been several times since, and will continue to go - and even eat. I just trust that this little problem has been resolved. Long live the Argonaut -and all our new H St establishments!
If you can eat from Horace & Dickies, you can certainly tolerate a little mouse at the Argonaut! H&D is just plain dirty.
The two mice I saw were scurrying around on the inside, one on top of an empty table. But, I'll just leave it at that.
Grow up. It's winter time. I saw two mice in my bedroom last winter.
None this year, though.
...but I don't eat in my bathroom.
... or bedroom either for that matter.
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