UPDATE: Mie N Yu is no longer open for business. it has been replaced by Ri Ra Irish Pub
I've done a write up on Mie N Yu, however it's been quite some time since I've revisited the restaurant. I recently got an invitation to try out the new "Social Underground" Blind Tiger Prix Fixed Menu. For $25 whopping dollars you get 3 courses. If you've ever been to Mie N Yu, you know the concept and theme of the restaurant is the Silk Road. It is amazing because they have trained and educated their staff extensively because they are quite knowledgeable about the topic, the restaurant and the menu. Despite the fact that I was invited to try the menu I will still give you my review the good with the bad.
When I walked in and checked in with the host she seated me and gave me a forewarning that I was going to have a waitress that had just started. (I believe her name was Karya). Despite the fact that she was new, she was knowledge, quick, efficient, and a pleasure to chat with. There is quite an extensive wine menu and I tried two cocktails on the cocktail menu. I didn't quite like the first one (Pink Pagoda) because it was just too sweet, but the second one (White Tiger) rectified their mixed cocktail menu.
The first course was an option of Zataar Hummus with Ful and the Sonomono Blue Crab Salad. My fiancee was with me so we tried both. We weren't fans of the Zataar Hummus with Ful. It was just a bit overwhelming and the spices actually took away from the Hummus. It was almost as if someone took all the powdered spices that are used in a curry, pan fried them in olive oil and just tossed it on top of the Hummus. The Sonomono Blue Crab Salad however, was AWESOME. The vinaigrette complimented the soba noodle salad quite well. The edamame, green veggies, soba noodles, and vinaigrette was well thought out, and a great cooling dish in these hot hellish weather days.
First course =)
Second Course Options - Char Masala Lamb Kabob and Beijing Style Lacquered Duck. Once again me and the fiancee tried both. The lamb and duck are both locally farm raised (in Virginia and Pennsylvania). The lamb kabobs were served with a roasted coriander yogurt sauce which went well with the gamey lamb. The duck had a sweet and spicy taste that had me craving for more. The flavor was really infused in the meat.
The Beijing Style Lacquered Duck
By the third course we were almost completely stuffed but we kept going. There are four options on the menu Pakistani Cinnamon & Ginger Striped Bass, Indonesian Scallop "Kare", Lamb Wild Mushroom & Tofu Fried Rice, and Indonesian Chicken "Rica Rica". We decided to go with the striped bass and the scallops. The striped bass is a MUST. The sauce was creamy, complimenting the spiced bass. I was in heaven with each bite. The scallops were surprisingly not as good as I expected them to be. I wasn't thrilled. The scallops seemed a bit over carmelized. I reiterate I HIGHLY RECOMMEND trying the bass dish.
Third Course
All in all the Blind Tiger Prix Fixed menu is not a bad inexpensive dinner option. The cost is recession friendly and dishes are palate worthy (plus or minus a few items). It's definitely a nice option to have, heck this is a great option for a large dinner party. With a few tweaks to the menu it could be superior. The decor, and options of seating on the Silk Road are a nice touch as well.
I've done a write up on Mie N Yu, however it's been quite some time since I've revisited the restaurant. I recently got an invitation to try out the new "Social Underground" Blind Tiger Prix Fixed Menu. For $25 whopping dollars you get 3 courses. If you've ever been to Mie N Yu, you know the concept and theme of the restaurant is the Silk Road. It is amazing because they have trained and educated their staff extensively because they are quite knowledgeable about the topic, the restaurant and the menu. Despite the fact that I was invited to try the menu I will still give you my review the good with the bad.
When I walked in and checked in with the host she seated me and gave me a forewarning that I was going to have a waitress that had just started. (I believe her name was Karya). Despite the fact that she was new, she was knowledge, quick, efficient, and a pleasure to chat with. There is quite an extensive wine menu and I tried two cocktails on the cocktail menu. I didn't quite like the first one (Pink Pagoda) because it was just too sweet, but the second one (White Tiger) rectified their mixed cocktail menu.
The first course was an option of Zataar Hummus with Ful and the Sonomono Blue Crab Salad. My fiancee was with me so we tried both. We weren't fans of the Zataar Hummus with Ful. It was just a bit overwhelming and the spices actually took away from the Hummus. It was almost as if someone took all the powdered spices that are used in a curry, pan fried them in olive oil and just tossed it on top of the Hummus. The Sonomono Blue Crab Salad however, was AWESOME. The vinaigrette complimented the soba noodle salad quite well. The edamame, green veggies, soba noodles, and vinaigrette was well thought out, and a great cooling dish in these hot hellish weather days.
First course =)
Second Course Options - Char Masala Lamb Kabob and Beijing Style Lacquered Duck. Once again me and the fiancee tried both. The lamb and duck are both locally farm raised (in Virginia and Pennsylvania). The lamb kabobs were served with a roasted coriander yogurt sauce which went well with the gamey lamb. The duck had a sweet and spicy taste that had me craving for more. The flavor was really infused in the meat.
The Beijing Style Lacquered Duck
By the third course we were almost completely stuffed but we kept going. There are four options on the menu Pakistani Cinnamon & Ginger Striped Bass, Indonesian Scallop "Kare", Lamb Wild Mushroom & Tofu Fried Rice, and Indonesian Chicken "Rica Rica". We decided to go with the striped bass and the scallops. The striped bass is a MUST. The sauce was creamy, complimenting the spiced bass. I was in heaven with each bite. The scallops were surprisingly not as good as I expected them to be. I wasn't thrilled. The scallops seemed a bit over carmelized. I reiterate I HIGHLY RECOMMEND trying the bass dish.
Third Course
All in all the Blind Tiger Prix Fixed menu is not a bad inexpensive dinner option. The cost is recession friendly and dishes are palate worthy (plus or minus a few items). It's definitely a nice option to have, heck this is a great option for a large dinner party. With a few tweaks to the menu it could be superior. The decor, and options of seating on the Silk Road are a nice touch as well.
