The ambiance is sleek and modern, with cozy seating that makes the space as perfect for intimate meals for two, as for dinner parties of ten or more. Close to the Gallery Place metro station, 901, makes for a perfect happy hour spot for appetizers and drinks before heading home. Their theme, Sexy, Sophisticated, Sharing, is more than fitting.
The kitchen is managed by Executive Sous Chef Shawn Espy and Executive Chef Thomas Hall, who have designed a menu of succulent combinations. Their menu is divided into categories: By Land, By Sea, Sharing (Appetizers), Salads, Sandwiches, and Pastas. Informer Lifestyles writer Stacey Palmer joined me for a delightful tour of the menu, which saw us sampling a bit of something from every category.
Sharing, was the Lite fare menu and on it, it was hard to pass over the Crab Cake Sliders. Served with a Creole mustard on sweet potato buns, the sliders were a surprising departure from the beef burger or chicken sliders most restaurants offer. Few establishments make sandwiches using sweet potato rolls, which is a shame. Light, with just a hint of sweetness, the bread bodes well with those who want a vitamin A boost. Sweet potatoes tend to raise our blood levels of vitamin A. In several studies, sweet potatoes were found to contain between 100-1,600 micrograms (RAE) of vitamin A in every 3.5 ounces—enough, on average, to meet 35% of all vitamin A needs, and in many cases enough to meet over 90% of vitamin A needs (from this single food alone). But don't be fooled. Great things came in four, small packages! The crab cakes were fitted tight with lump crabmeat and seasoned to perfection. Also not to be missed among the lite fare items on the menu is the Japanese Tuna Tempura with avocado mousse.
By Land would not be the same without the Grilled Filet Mignon with Spinach potatoes, grilled asparagus, and sauce charcutiere. With a Ruth Chris within walking distance, 901 had to pull out all the stops on their filet. Espy and Hall produce a filet is both dense and juicy.
Portions are ample and the presentations speak volumes about just how intimate the Espy and Hall are with their food. Almost too appetizing to eat! Paired with the Crab Cake Sliders, you can actually get a little "Surf & Turf" action going.{gallery}/901{/gallery}
While I am a die-hard salmon fan, I was most impressed with the By Sea offering of Wasabi Seared Tuna with cilantro pesto, hazelnut-scented rice, and black pepper sauce. It was absolutely to-die-for! For those with a taste for the spicy, this is the dish. The tuna is cooked to perfection and the wasabi plays well against the cilantro pesto.
For vegetable lovers, one of the best plates in 901 is the Loigman's Harvest. Loaded with portebello, grilled eggplant, bell peppers, and sundried tomato pesto, this dish was among my favorites.
While getting those veggies in, both the 901 House salad with fire roasted red pepper, plum ginger dressing, and toasted sunflower dusted goat cheese, and the Hong Kong Grilled Chicken, with coconut curry chicken, citrus sesame dressing, will definitely hit the spot.
Among the Sandwiches, 901 Bacon Burger with smoked cheddar, beer braised onions, bacon, garlic aioli, on artisan sweet potato bun and the Bison Burger with curried onion straws, jalapeño jack, onion marmalade, also on artisan sweet potato bun, were both treats.
Everything on the dessert menu will soothe the sweet tooth. Among our favorites, was the Strawberry "Shortcake" with orange scone, mixed berries, Citronge, Chantilly cream, and citrus sugar cookies, and the Caramel and Chocolate Cake made of a Mexican chocolate lava cake, ground gingersnap, dulce de leche ice cream, and cinnamon tuile. For those who find it hard to decide, 901 offers a Dessert Sampler with a little taste of all their great desserts.