It May Not be France But Hey ....
By Karen Fawcett
What a pleasant surprise to find a hidden restaurant that
serves some of the best French cuisine anywhere. And it’s not located in France,
much less in a big city. But the food, wine, service and ambience would give
most three star Michelin chefs a run for their toques as well as for their
money.
When it comes to Washington restaurants, Michel Richard, chef- owner of
Citonelle, and Krinn are considered competitors when it comes to making gourmets
feel as if they’ve experienced exceptional meals.
After two years of construction, The 2941 Restaurant opened in 2002. It’s
situated in a recently developed office complex that’s located one minute inside
of the DC beltway. But you won’t find a lot of politicians working the room at
lunchtime, as it’s too far from the Capitol to encourage easy commuting;
however, people wanting to sample this inspired chef’s food should make the
mid-day pilgrimage. Krinn offers a three-course pre-fix lunch menu for less than
$30 per person. It’s undoubtedly one of the best buys in DC area.
Thirty-eight-year old chef/owner Jonathan Krinn has
received rave reviews. A native Washingtonian, he attended Emory University
where he earned his BA in International Studies. But, his passion was clearly
elsewhere and he went on to attend L'Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg,
Maryland where he graduated with honors.
Post graduation, Krinn apprenticed with highly- regarded
local chefs; but continued his studies under the culinary watches of Alain
Ducasse at Le Louis XV in Monte Carlo as well as Paris’s stellar chef Michel
Rostang. Bonjour Paris readers are all too familiar with these chefs
extraordinaires.
Following his France stint, Krinn headed to the Big Apple
for four years where he honed his craft with the James Beard award winner Tom
Colicchio, at the Gramercy Tavern, Gourmet Magazine's "Most Exciting Chef in the
Country" Rocco Dispirito.
Krinn also spent time in the kitchens of Francois Payard, a
third generation French pastry chef born in Nice, and Vongerichten’s of
Jean-Georges, who was born and raised on the outskirts of Strasbourg in Alsace.
Jean-Georges has had a dramatic impact on the NYC restaurant scene and other
cities. Food lovers often try to snag a reservation at Vongerichten’s very
trendy “Market,” a Parisian hangout for the beautiful people who also happen to
like good food.
Belly up to the bar and you’ll be greeted by very Irish Kevin McKeon, who knows
most of the guests by name. Not only can you drink there, but also
approximately 20 people can dine from the complete menu while sitting on a
comfortable stool. Skip being confined to the limited selections traditionally
found on a bar menu. McKeon offers up some munchies, but only enough to lessen
the empty stomach syndrome after the drive and having the valet whisk your car
off to the parking lot.
This doesn’t imply that a lot of people don’t live in the Falls Church, Va.
Area, which is substantially more affluent than it was a decade ago. In
addition, an increasing number of people work in the region rather than
commuting into the Nation’s Capital. Virginia has experienced a boom of
commercial office buildings, located closer to Dulles Airport than they are to
downtown DC. If you time your flight layover correctly (and foodies have been
known to do that and more), reserve at The 2941 Restaurant if you’re out to
sate your palette and have had it with airline food.
Krinn produces between 100-300 dinners per night depending on the evening.
Couples wanting to tie the marriage knot are increasingly reserving the
restaurant because even though it’s close to DC, the bridal party and attendees
feel as if they’re in the country. Depending on the time of day, year and needs,
there are 200 full and part-time employees. The 2941 has a breathtaking garden,
complete with a dramatic sculpture, by Salvador Dali, where people may dine and
where many marriages have taken place. In the background, there are ducks
floating in the pond.
We opted for the tasting menu that changes frequently according to the season
and what appeals to Krinn’s fancy. One of the delights of our meal was the
perfectly cooked and presented foie Gras purchased from a farm in Hudson Valley
New York. We were spoiled by a starter of sable fish garnish with a vinaigrette
sauce and topped with a dab of Ossetra caviar. Our waiter Julio was diligent
about explaining the selections. Contrasted with many tasting menus, he assured
us that guests don’t leave the restaurant feeling overstuffed. Oven roasted
turbot with chanterelle mushrooms and venison were just a few more of the dishes
served on oversized white plates. Twenty-five percent of the restaurant’s
diners opt for the tasting menu.
The wine steward Stefano selected wines to accompany each dish. His choices
were right on the mark and complimented each course. The restaurant has an
extensive wine cellar that boasts 5000 wines with 600 labels, from France, the
US, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and more. 150 bottles
cost $65 or less.
People either like the very modern décor or it may not be their cup of tea. But
if nothing else, it’s extremely dramatic and airy in feeling. Even if you’re
sitting looking away from the lake, all you need to do is look up and huge
mirrors will enable you to see it.
Many people swear that the bread served at a restaurant gives the first
impression and sets the tone. Jonathan’s father, Mal Krinn, a retired
Washington D.C. ophthalmologist, is the artisan baker at 2941. A fervent baker
for 30 years, Mal trained in Italy as well as at two of New York’s well-known
restaurants, Daniel and Bouley Bakery.
Mal creates ten varieties of bread for the restaurant. Matching different
specialty breads with the dishes on Jonathan’s menu, diners enjoy generous
baskets of cherry chocolate, olive rosemary, cranberry pecan, parmesan cayenne,
bacon date, fig hazelnut cognac, pumpernickel raisin, sun dried current, white
chocolate currant, and French baguette. Here is a father and a son pursuing
their passions.
When asking what future plans Jonathan Krinn has on the drawing boards, the
spokesperson for the restaurant becomes exceedingly quiet. What she doesn’t say
is worth a 1000 words. I’ll bet anyone a dinner that this notable chef is going
to be spreading his wings and is destined to become a celebrity on the culinary
scene. He’s already made a mark. Watch it grow.
www.BonjourParis.com readers would gravitate to the restaurant even if it
were located in the France "profounde."
2941 Restaurant
2941 Fairview Park Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
Reservations: 703-270-1500
Fax: 703-270-1501
2941info@2941.com |
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