Bayou's Rusty Holman Gets Two Stars From Tom Sietsema

Bayou chef Rusty Holman wins some high praise today from Tom Sietsema. The Washington Post critic not only gave the Foggy Bottom restaurant two stars, but also declared Holman the first chef he thinks of when he wants to visit New Orleans sans plane ride. According to the critic, Bayou's po' boys are seriously repping NOLA in the District, and little details (like bits of tasso hidden in a spinach salad) show a thoughtful kitchen.

Sietsema also digs deep into his '80s lingo to describe Bayou's specials:

"One day's special of chicken breast stuffed with locally made boudin (sausage made with rice and pork) got the table talking. The bodacious centerpiece was served sliced on a pool of mustard sauce, alongside crisp green beans perked up with sauteed red onion and ruffled potatoes."

Surprisingly, Sietsema's main critiques were of the not-brassy-enough gumbo and the over-salted jambalaya. But between a Hurricane that goes down smooth, a crawfish cheesecake that makes Sietsema wish he spent more time at the gym and a "soothing" bread pudding, all-in-all a good review. [WaPo]

It seems sickness and an uncooperative brisket foiled the Kliman household's Sedar plans, so the Washingtonian critic took his family to Rosa Mexicano for its Passover menu instead. Though the entrees were a disappointment, but Kliman raves about the Mexican chain's chunky charoses: "This year, the preparation is a wine-flavored puree topped with pistachios. I pronounced it the best I've ever tasted, when I was quickly reminded, in deference to the Jewish mother whose cooking shall always reign supreme — 'you mean: second best.'" [Washingtonian]

MIchael Grass hits up the Food Corner Kabob House V for a mini-review this week, and he finds the Afghan chain's first restaurant in the District consistently satisfying: "If you have a big appetite, don’t be afraid of the Super Jumbo platter, which comes with a variety of kabobs, including the quabili palau." [WCP]

THE BLOGS: Capital Cooking dubs Et Voila a great spot for date night; Adventures of a Florida Girl in DC got the pasta sweats at Fiola and recommends that you do, too; DC-Wrapped Dates has a meal at Komi that they "would live over and over again."

Bayou [Photo: Facebook]