Proof: In the Pudding?

...that, my friends, was the question over dessert at last night's preview dinner at Proof. My fabulous tablemate (Happy Birthday!) didn't think so: she wanted it to be more pudding-y. I just wanted a bit more ice cream with it. And that little convo about our bread pudding was the biggest complaint we could muster at our fabulous dinner.

Proof, which is a slice of New York across from the Portrait Gallery, has poached lots of talent from around town (from Asia Nora, Teatro Goldini and fantastic sommelier Sebastian Zutant from Rasika, to name a few). And running it all is detail-obsessed* owner Mark Kuller. Ask him about the little bronze-ringed candles at the table, the color of the menus, the grommets on the chairs, the deli slicer from the 1940's, the light bulbs--yes, the man has fretted over Every. Last. Detail.

After sending over two great bottles of wine (whose names I can't recall because, well, he sent over two bottles of wine. Oh, and topped it off with a bottle of exceptional champagne), we enjoyed selections from each of the courses:

Charcuterie: Proscuitto di Parma (exceptional) and Speck Wrapped Burrata (so eloquently described by me as "Adult Bubbalicious"--although now that I think of it, it's actually Freshen Up that had the surprise sweet center. Anyway, phenomenal).

First: Braised Meatballs and Blue Prawns (both yum).

Second: Wild King Salmon (not the most exciting choice, but solid).

Dessert: Incredible chocolate pie of some type and the aforementioned bread pudding (and French Press Decaf--yay!!!)

Final because we weren't quite stuffed enough: Cheese sampler plate (frigging incredible).

Then the tour: from the bathroom decor (laboriously chosen, see Detail, Obsession With above)--hot chick mural in the M, silver and fuschia garter patterned wallpaper in the W, the spotless spotless kitchen (new kitchens are always so fun!), the tiny tiny cramped office (two people were shoved in there when we saw it), the incredible-smelling wine storage room, the metal curtain that rolls out to create a private room for 12--this is a great new addition to the DC restaurant scene.

It officially opens for business on the 5th, so make your reservations now.

No cinnamon muffins, but he said he'd think about it.

Understatement of the century. Seriously.

The Fabulous, Fabulous Nick

R. Nichols Sale: It's almost over (tomorrow)!: save 30% off your R. Nichols order by listing "SWEET" as your code.

And now there are four whole reasons not to hate Orlando:
1.) Prive for blowouts
2.) Seasons 52
3.) Orlando Premium Outlets
4.) ....and the R. Nichols Shop, opening Fall 2007!

Above: Just The Ladies notecards, which I'm thinking will be the invites for my Pucci and Marimekko-inspired girls afternoon housewarming luncheon. As soon as I get some furniture!

News News

Tomorrow is the premiere of D.C. Scout, the Washington Post twice weekly (Tues & Thurs) e-zine that will feature happenings around the region, and will feature highlights from the Post, Post Weekend, Post Express plus original content. From what I am gathering, it's an evolution of ShopDC (whose site is now down--in preparation, I assume).

Keep your eyes peeled!

Tomorrow, or as soon as I have enough time to devote to its fabulousness: the FEAST that was the soft launch of Il Mulino New York on Vermont. Tres fabulous--make your reservations now--it opens next week (and for lunch a few weeks after!).