NVM Review

By Warren Rojas

Talk about reverse-commuting. While the rest of us risk the perils of the Bay Bridge to visit Rehoboth’s marvelous Nage, founder Kevin Reading is often in town tending to the D.C. sibling—attached to the Courtyard Marriott in Scott Circle—he launched in 2006.

The flagship Nage has all the trappings of a chic metropolitan bistro: a handful of sought-after tables, lots of earth tones and natural light to soothe the senses and a full complement of snappy libations (watermelon-infused sauvignon blanc sangria) to keep the conversation flowing.

The seasonal menu features a number of signature dishes, rotating specials (select meats are often brought in from the old-school butcher shop next door) and a buffet of prix fixe ($35 for three courses) options.

An applewood smoked quail arrives splayed across a bed of goat cheese grits accented with mushrooms, pine nuts and a ring of fresh sorrel pesto (supporting cast almost steals the show). The so-called knuckle sandwich is a knockout, delivering tender chunks of lobster bundled with tarragon aioli and shredded lettuce, all pressed between a toasted croissant. Top honors, though, go to a roast veal chop escorted by a “truffled mac and cheese” that reveals orecchiette stacked with mushrooms, peas and asparagus (simply amazing).