One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. —Virginia Woolf

Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert

When one is leaving a city for months at a time, a send off dinner is a necessity. A nice restaurant with good food is exceptional. A classy establishment with taste bud revolutionizing food is an unexpected bonus. And that's what Westend Bistro is. I walked in with high expectations; after all, silver fox Eric Ripert's name is attached to it. But the food was beyond anything I could've imagined.

For an appetizer my Dad and I split tuna carpaccio. Ripert is known for seafood, so I had to work that into my meal somehow. Very very good. Not drowning in olive oil and not overwhelmed by lemon.

I rarely eat steak when I'm at school, so I had to go against my instincts and order the ribeye. Such a good decision. Perfectly medium rare piece of beef with a red wine bearnaise and truffle fries. Oh those truffle fries. The Zoe-ism, "It's bananas" sums up those truffle fries. I wish I'd had more room and/or french fries tasted just as good as leftovers.

Dessert was just heavenly. A basic sundae; vanilla and pistachio ice cream. BUT! Candied pistachios, lemon meringues, caramel on the bottom of the bowl, slightly frozen raspberries and raspberry sauce. Holy expletive. Greatest sundae in the history of sundaes.

Not only was the food orgasmic but the decor was lovely. Dark oranges and browns, comfy booths, and attached to the Ritz Carlton. This really was one of the classiest places I've ever eaten in, not to mention one of the best meals I've ever had. I definitely need to hit this place up again before we leave the DC area.

Westend Bistro