Everybody's A Critic Corner

Once again folks, it's time for another installation of EACC where I put my very valuable two cents in about restaurants in the area. This week's restaurant is Ulah Bistro. Owned by one of the investors of Tunnicliff's and Stoney's, a neighborhood favorite.

I busted in the door at 8 o'clock on a Friday night, I told the host that I am meeting a large group and we may be anywhere from 5 to 10 people. Now, any other place in this gawd forsaken city would look at me like was a non-tipping intern from The Hill, but they were super nice about it and gave us a table before we were a complete party. It turned out to be 8 of us.

Attendees: Mary Rice, Dags, The District, Hellen Bed, Yours Truly, Mango, His friend from 'round the block and DJ Skittles.

It is purports to be an American Bistro, whatever that means. The appetizer menu was a bit seafood heavy, with crabcakes, mussels and such and they threw us meat lovers a bone with chicken wings; I hate chicken wings (I will thank you now to spare the stereotypic jokes please). They offered entree salads, brick-oven pizza, sandwiches and standard entrees. We skipped the apps and went straight to the main courses.

Mary Rice got the Marghrita pizza - he liked it
Dags got a chicken salad, I think it was a Greek Chicken Salad
The District and Mango chose the Mojito Chicken with verde risotto. They enjoyed the chicken but the risotto is not as good as it sounds. It was actually sticky white rice with some cilantro mixed in.
Hellen and Mango's friend from 'round the block ordered the Turkey Melt they liked it, despite the soggy bread.
DJ Skittles and I ordered the NY Strip, which was cooked to perfection, a seemingly very hard task to accomplish in this city.

The decor is modern and a bit fancy for U Street. I like it. There is a small bar downstairs and they have an upstairs which they offered to show us, but we took a raincheck. The price was reasonable 8 of us ate and had a cocktail for $200. Service was a bit slow but I am not going to hold that against them since they had only been open for two days.

All in all it was a great experience. I will definitely go again. As a matter of fact, I already have. Kansas City Chief, Blackjack and I cashed in that raincheck to see upstairs that following Sunday Funday. We had drinks upstairs with the bartender who was easy on the eyes, but needed a refresher course on mixology. Yes, cutie a Greyhound is made with vodka AND grapefruit. He was nice though.

I highly recommend Ulah Bisto to the local neighboorhood folk, I discourage the suburban weekend warriors (Mary Rice excluded) and the Hill interns. We want this place for ourselves.

This place gets 6 out of 7 Jacks.