Maple Ave Restaurant

Sometimes you come across a restaurant that you come in with trepidation and leave with your tastebuds rejoicing. This is what happened to me last Saturday. I know it has been months since I posted on my blog, but why not get back into the swing of things for Spring?

A friend of mine told me his mom highly recommended this new, barely 7 month-old restaurant in the heart of little Vienna, VA and told us to try it immediately. We agreed, and took our trek to the tiny restaurant. If you blink, you could miss it and parking is a bit awkward. Arriving with a 7:15 reservation the room was packed and people with a 7:00 reservation had been waiting before us. I noticed some were just starting dessert and I was starving. The owner suggested going to their newly opened bar section and I quickly obliged. As drinks were offered to us a gorgeous crustini bread platter arrived with the most delicious butter I have ever tasted. Pumpkin butter spread- I could eat it plain, although the health ramifications would be many.

We ended up trying the Pan-Fried Potstickers, with a great soy-based sauce that was mouth-watering then moved on and got not one but two orders of Mussels- try them they are drenched in a to die for coconut broth. Still hungry, we ordered the Spanish Dumplings, which were authentic and scrumptious. Last, we had Thai Okra, which were not your typical Okra, it was drizzled with a spicy sauce and the Okra seemed flash-fried and not as crunchy as if it was not dipped in cornmeal. I liked it, just took some getting used to!

Entrees were a tough decision but I chose the Bulgogi Wrap which is described as, "Sweetly marinated ribeye thinly sliced served in a pita wrap topped with kimchee puree." My friend enjoyed the Dr. Pepper Short Ribs which is "Braised boneless short ribs, stoneground grits, pickled seasonal vegetables" and both were exceptional. It is the dessert that took the cake, pun intended.

Specially flown in Hawaiian ice cream wrapped in rice cake called "Mocchi" then moved on to the rich, decadent Chocolate Dumplings and finished the night off with some Beignets and icecream. My mouth was in heaven and if I had another stomach or a larger one I could have had more, maybe some specialty hot chocolate. The only disappoint was that they ran out of the duck confit spring rolls, so that is a reason to come back as soon as possible. It is a must eat!