Spork and Knife

UPDATE:

Arriving at B9 at 6:05pm the place was teeming with people waiting to get a taste of the “refrigerator temperature”/”good comfort food” short ribs. (Which type are they?  Keep reading)  I took my place in the makeshift line that wrapped around the dimly lit bar and waited patiently for my plate.  It took all of 5 minutes for me to clear the bar’s wall and on the other side find non-other-than Chef Harr himself serving up his prize ribs.  First thought, “Nice touch.”  “Way to face the nay-sayers head on.”  

While the sou-chef plated the truffle grits and garnishes, Chef Harr manned the all important ribs while chatting with each diner asking where they had heard about tonight’s tasting.” 

As soon as I received my plate, I cozied up to the bar and dug in.  The ribs fell apart with the first piercing of my fork (a good sign) and the first bite was melt-in-you-mouth good.  The smoky flavor of the sauce melded with the perfect hint of pepper to create one satisfying bite.  Add in the truffle grits and the short ribs clearly deserved the title of “good comfort food.”  It was almost odd to be eating such a dish in a trendy setting.  Straight from your grandmomma’s kitchen in the deep south is more what they personified.

As exemplified in the “Why i liked them” poster board for patrons to write down their thoughts as they departed…”Job well done.”  There were no notes on the “Why I didn’t” board. 

Butterfield 9…that’s where I’ll be tonight, because from 6-7pm Chef Michael Harr will be serving up a free (yes, I said free) tasting of his “good comfort food” short ribs. 

The free tasting is spurned from comments made by local DC foodie Don Rockwell who claimed the center of the ribs he tasted during his last visit came out “at refrigerator temperature.”   

 The comment did not sit well with Chef Harr, who has issued a challenge to all DC diners.  Come taste his short ribs and see for yourself.  He’s confident you’ll think otherwise. 

Challenge accepted.

Giving a personal perspective, Butterfield 9 sometimes gets a bad rap in this town, but in my few experiences the service was flawless and the food memorable.  While it’s been over a year, I can still remember the melt in your mouth scallops and creamy corn soup.  So if you can’t make it for the short rib challenge stop in sometime for dinner.  I suggest eating at the bar because if you’re like me, the $22-$37 entrees in the regular dining room are a bit on the high side.

*Bars are a great place to sample a restaurants food without spending an arm and a leg.  If the food is good you can come back for the full experience.  If it’s sub-par, consider yourself lucky that you still have that $50 to spend on next week’s groceries.