Sietsema Praises Rose's Luxury in Capitol Hill

Tom Sietsema gives three stars to Rose's Luxury, which opened in Capitol Hill this October.

For sure, you'll want to return tomorrow for one of the best appetizers I've had in the past 365 days: crumbled pork sausage, litchis, coconut milk, tropical herbs and fiery habanero. "Mix it up and make it as ugly as you can," a companion and I get coached, the rationale being that an unbeautiful combination of lovely flavors makes for zestier eating. The exciting side trip to Southeast Asia is one of those dishes I'd file away as a last meal request.

Sietsema also gives Roof Terrace Restaurant & Bar at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts one star.

With its soaring ceiling and illuminated columns, the carpeted expanse still looks the part of a vintage ocean liner. And although hard rolls (and even firmer butter) smack of banquet fare, much of what follows on the new script, developed by executive chef Joe Gurner, deserves applause. [WaPo]

Jessica Voelker takes on Tom Power's Baby Wale and calls its menu "short and sweet, full of delicious, uncomplicated treats."

The soups that Power puts out at his high-end flagship, Corduroy, have a fierce following, and fans will be pleased to find nuanced, $7 bowls at Baby Wale. Among our favorites: a brew of celery root with lobster stock and cream. [Washingtonian]

Carole Sugarman has a Fuzu lunch at Newton's Table. She reports that lunch and carryout orders have increased since the switch and adds:

It seemed a little odd getting an upscale wine list along with a foldable fast food menu, but other than that, my self-concocted Fuzu (I opted for soba noodles, broccoli, snow peas, carrots, shrimp, scallops, scallions, peanuts and cilantro) seemed well balanced (albeit a little skimpy on the veggies), spiced exactly to specification, and was polished off down to its very last peanut. [Bethesda]

THE BLOGS: Don Rockwell calls the wine bar at Bistrot Lepic "just as wonderful as ever" and also enjoys Baby Wale; EMDM rounds up the best meals of 2013; Girl Meets Food recommends some dishes at Cafe Dupont; Masa 14 has an "exciting lineup of Latin-Asian small plates."