Komi The Incredible

Here it is folks: The 38-seater was Komi, and it was one hell of a meal--an experience really. 13 courses + 5 wines = 1 incredible, unforgettable Friday night!

As I've mentioned before on KFW, I'm obsessed with all things Greek ever since spending a summer there back in 2002, and Johnny Monis' Komi is no exception. Opened in 2003, this tiny restaurant puts out modern Mediterranean (mostly Greek-inspired) fare. Absolutely beautiful, creative, delicious, ethereal fare. (That last line forming A through F was completely unintentional, I swear.)

Anyway, I'll share a few of my absolute favorite courses so as to not reveal too much. Don't want to spoil it for anybody. The degustazione progresses from raw fish to a salad and light warm mezze to pasta to the main event, which is followed by cheese, a deconstructed cocktail on a spoon, then dessert--at least on the night we were there.

Of the raw fish, the standout for me, though honestly the 5 preparations were all magnificent, was scallops 2 ways. One consisted of a spoon filled with ceviche-esque scallop chunks; the other resembled scallop paillard or even scallop salami (in other words, flattened), rimmed with coarse-grain mustard and topped with a truffle shaving. Seemingly unusual. Really just exceptional.

The next standout was Caesar salad in a crouton. Biting into it released a burst of Caesar dressing. Amazing!

And last but certainly not least: a heaping pile of suckling pig meat for two, served with 5 toppings like tzatziki, housemade hot sauce, and pickled cabbage plus a side of puntarelle and rutabaga.

If you want to salivate some more, check out what the press is saying:

Food and Wine
The Washington Post
The Washingtonian