Citronelle Lounge Encourages Coupling! President Obama Seemed To Agree…

GEORGETOWN -- Not content with letting sleeping (fried) chickens lie, celebrated restaurateur and chef Michel Richard is back in the spotlight again with his flagship Citronelle location nominated for two awards at Sunday’s RAMMY Awards.

A longstanding culinary refuge for “celebrities, political dignitaries, jet-setters, and foodies” according to the Washingtonian, the District’s arguably most famous French restaurant (President Barack Obama made it the first ‘date night’ spot of his presidency) is up for awards in the “Best Fine Dining” and “Best Wine Program” categories, alongside numerous worthy competitors, including The Source, Bourbon Steak, and 2941.

To celebrate its nominations, honors in and of themselves, the Citronelle Lounge has rolled out its culinary red (and white) carpet for the entire month of June, with a choice of three distinct gastronomic ‘couples’.

Fresh halibut braised in oxtail-carrot jus.
Benefiting from the joint efforts of both Chef Richard and Citronelle’s award-winning Master sommelier, Kathryn Morgan, each of these three gourmet offerings was designed as a perfect example of a food/wine pairing.

Rack of lamb with tarbais beans.
Options include a serving of fresh halibut, braised in oxtail-carrot jus with a touch of cumin, paired with a glass of 2006 Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge (“Cuvee l’Estimee”); a row of sliced duck, with a sweet spiced citrus sauce, paired with a glass of 2007 Coteaux du Languedoc (“Puech Noble”); and rack of lamb, with tarbais beans and a jalapeno-cumin sauce, paired with a glass of 2004 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.

Sliced duck with a sweet spiced citrus sauce.
With nominees like these, there are no losers at the RAMMYs!

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To buy tickets to Sunday’s RAMMY Awards gala, please visit the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington website.