Grace’s Mandarin Restaurant has a big city elegance to it that would fit easily into New York, San Francisco or Chicago, but it’s at National Harbor just over the river from Alexandria. From the outside it’s part of the sleek modern buildings overlooking the river along Waterfront Street. The entrance is marked by two over-sized red lacquered doors opening to the first floor. Upon entering we were greeted by the hostess. To the right and behind the host stand is a lounge with a bar and sushi bar and doors leading to an outdoor patio, which is perfect for summer evenings. To the left is a large banquet table and a two-story waterfall separated by the stairs to the dining room on the second floor. Since we chose to use the elevator the hostess escorted us upstairs. We were met by another hostess dressed in traditional mandarin attire and shown to a table by the window.
The dining room is overwhelming at first. It is two stories high with windows along the front, red lacquered balcony guards, lots of gold leaf on the walls, over-sized Buddha statues, large chandeliers, red leather chairs, black granite table tops, brocaded banquettes and servers in black silk mandarin pajamas. The size of the room and grandeur of the decor define the restaurant as “Big City” elegant, but what followed made us feel comfortably at home.
Our server immediately welcomed us, offered water and asked if we had questions about the menu. We were working our way through the lists of Grace’s Classic Martinis and Grace’s Signature Drinks when owner, Grace Tang, stopped by our table. When we asked about her favorite drink, she answered that hers was a vodka martini with ginger stuffed olives. Since that sounded good we ordered a round. As we were enjoying the martinis Grace offered to put together a tasting of several appetizers.
Our sampling included Soft Shell Crab Tempura with Curry Sauce and Grilled Thai Eggplant, Fresh Mussels Sauteed with soy and Garlic Herb Sauce with Malyasian Crepes, Signature Crabmeat Springroll with Avocado Salad drizzled with Yuzu Aioli and a cup of Korean Seafood Soup with green mussels, scallops, shrimp and calamari. I asked for a sushi plate that included salmon, eel, shrimp, tuna and a whole mackerel. Each dish had its own distinctive taste, with the spices perfect for each one. Having grown up around the Chesapeake Bay, soft shell crabs are one of my favorite dishes, and Grace’s soft shell crab and eggplant deserves a special feature notation on the menu.
Although we were full, Grace suggested that we try a tasting of entrées and we readily accepted. Each plate included a crab cake, which competes with those I’ve had at notable seafood restaurants, lamb chops, Chilean sea bass and filet mignon in pepper sauce. We enjoyed a bottle of Terrazas, Reserve Chardonnay, Mendoza that complimented each dish. We all agreed that we’ll return to order the full entrees.
For a Sunday evening the restaurant was full with couples on dates, families ending their weekend, and a group of twenty-four without a reservation who insisted on sitting together. Somehow the group was assimilated into the room with a minimum of disruption to the other diners.
It’s not often that I notice attention to detail as I did that evening. For example all lime slices and olives are skewered with a bamboo shoot with a knot at one end, silver ware is cradled on decorative utensil holders, every drink placed on the table is set on a napkin, all used serving dishes or utensils are removed immediately, and as if on cue as the sun began to set the blinds filtering the windows slowly raised to present the spectacular view across the Potomac.
Before leaving, Grace took us to the third floor which is actually a balcony overlooking the main dining room. This level is perfect for accommodating larger parties or private dinners with its many booths and secluded tables.
Although we did not order any of the desserts or pots of tea they are on our list to try for our next visit. I thought the Mango Mousse sounded tempting while my wife who is a tea drinker was impressed with the extensive varieties of tea such as Rose Black, Passionfruit Green and Wulong among others.
The wine list has a good depth to it with some of my favorite selections such as Cakebread Chardonnay, Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuisse, Opus One Meritage, Simi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and my mothers’ favorite drink, Veuve Cliquot Le Grand Dame. For the Sake drinkers there are many selections.
Our quick jaunt across the river for an end of the weekend dinner turned into one of the more memorable dining events I’ve experienced. We now have big city elegance just minutes away from Alexandria.
Grace’s Mandarin Restaurant
188 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD
301-839-3788
www.gracesrestaurants.com
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