Mintwood Place

This restaurant wouldn't have been on my radar at all if not for the EaterDC list of places serving Gazpacho during the summer.  The gazpacho was long gone by the time we got there but I'm so glad for the visit.  Truly, almost nothing to complain about it.  An upscale restaurant with Italian leanings, the food was outstanding and the service excellent.  Atmosphere was also impeccable (we sat outside) and this relatively high-end restaurant had a cozy, friendly, neighborhood vibe.  They aren't open for lunch, offering only dinners and weekend brunches.  We got there early but a line was forming -- a sign that this place is appreciated by the locals.  While nothing on the menu is listed as vegetarian there are a good number of dishes which are clearly meat-free and our server's first question was whether there were any dietary issues that needed to be considered, leaving me to believe they would accommodate special requests.  I would say, however, that the frequent use of cheese and butter make this a better choice for vegetarians than vegans.  The server was well-versed on the beer and wine selections, helping to guide my companions, and she seemed to know the specifics of every dish.  I began with the burrata appetizer.  Presentation on all the dishes was exquisite and photo worthy.  This was no exception.  The burrata came on a large dish (all the portions were nicely large) surrounded by yellow and red beet "carpaccio", hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds, some orange slices, chives and basil.  The combination was heavenly and the burrata top notch.  Crusty warm bread arrived before the appetizer along with a nice pad of butter (unfortunately not the honey or shallot butters mentioned in other offerings).  One companion opted to skip the main dish and made a meal out of appetizers, selecting the deviled pickled eggs, honey butter carrots and cold white peach and balsalmic soup, which she said was even better than the gazpacho we had expected.  The peach soup was smooth, balancing gentle flavors of tart and sweet.  Our male companion, not a fan of cold soups, said he would not only eat it but could swim in something so creamy and light.  The carrots were heirloom variety and melt-in-your mouth, with just enough sweetness.  The eggs looked like an Easter treat, bright pink from the beet pickling and topped like wedding cakes.  For a main dish one companion got the Steak and Frites.  He declared the steak "cooked to perfection".  I got the Orzo Primavera which, again, came with a flower in the center and "parsley pistou", making the dish almost too pretty to eat.  It's a credit to the chef that some of my less-favorite vegetables (summer squash, peas) were included in the dish and it was still outstanding.  I ate the entire thing rather than adhere to my typical custom of saving some for take-home.  Dessert was the blondie sundae, complete with buttermilk ice cream, brandied peaches, a bourbon caramel sauce and a huge tower of whipped cream.  Although it was a lot the dish was not overly sweet, with the blondie having a kind of gingerbread undertone.  Companions got coffee which arrived in huge cups.  Yes, the prices here are high but you get what you pay for and had it not been for my gluttony there would have been plenty of extras for a doggie bag.  My one and only note is that salt was heavily used in the dishes I tried -- those who need lower intake should inform the server ahead of time.  Service staff here were also superior and something you only see in a very well-run establishment.  We were checked on with regularity but not in an intrusive way.  Dishes were whisked away when empty but only when they were sure we were done.  New silverware was provided with every course.  A thoroughly enjoyable evening, and meal.

Upscale chef-inspired Italian-ish (website says French but that may be dated)
1813 Columbia Road, NW
https://www.mintwoodplace.com/