Tasting Journal

Black’s Bar and Kitchen
7750 Woodmont Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Tel: 301.652.6278
http://www.blacksbarandkitchen.com/

Open for dinner Monday through Thursday, 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.;
Friday and Saturday for dinner, 5:00 to 11:00 p.m.; and
Sunday dinner, 5:00 to 9:30 p.m.

My cousin Janine is in town for the holidays so we decided to catch up over some food and drinks tonight. We ended up at Black’s Bar and Kitchen in Bethesda… I can’t say enough great things about this place. It is without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants in the area. However before I continue, I should probably note that I may be slightly biased because I used to be employed there. In any event, my dining experiences are always wonderful at Black’s, and the food is incredible as well!

The restaurant is divided into two areas by a glass wall: the dining room area and the bar area. The dining room offers guests a more elegant dining atmosphere, complete with sparkling wine glasses and beautiful show plates. The bar area is less formal, but by no means at all less appealing. There is a rustic fishing theme going on here with live oysters being displayed in the center of the bar. There are oversized U-shaped couches and glass cocktail tables scattered throughout the room. Our destination tonight: Black’s hip and more casual bar area…

Happy hour is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the bar side, and offers $5.00 martinis and drafts as well as Chesapeake Bay oysters for 50 cents. There is also a smaller lounge menu in addition to the dining room menu; both are available on the bar side. Notable items include: the Shrimp Taco Salad, the Diver Scallops and the Duck Enchiladas (Roman’s favorite; located on the bar menu). Black’s is also known for his oysters, and offers a nice selection depending on the season.

Janine and Nick order drafts beers (I’m sorry I don’t remember which kind), and I had a dirty Grey Goose martini with olives (of course). Nick ordered some oysters: Bays and Malpeques. Janine and I both ordered the bacon cheeseburger from the bar menu. For my second drink I tried Black’s Lemon Drop martini made with Absolut Citron and Triple Sec, rimmed with powered sugar. It was a nice, light and tasty drink… not usually my style, but it was still good.

We didn’t order any desserts tonight, but for you dessert lovers out there, Black’s pastry chef, April, makes some really delicious treats! I’m a crème brulee kind of girl… the flavor varies upon the day, yummy…! Other items include: the Peach Armaretti Strudel with vanilla crème Anglaise and a house made peach sorbet; the Caramel Chocolate Chunk Tart served with some house made banana ice cream, chocolate sauce and fresh berries; and Black’s Chocolate Cake with milk chocolate frosting, vanilla bean ice cream, chocolate sauce, and white chocolate shavings!

FYI: Black’s Bar and Kitchen will be closed for renovation in about one month, and plan to reopen sometime in May. That being said, I suggest that Black’s lovers (and all others who love good food) go out and get their Black’s fix before their makeover goes under way… If I find out anymore details I’ll be sure to let you guys know!

restaurants, food, Bethesda, MD, Tasting Journal