Maribelle’s Tavern

It all started with a dangerous combination: It was Thursday night after a jam-packed week at work, and a three-day weekend lie just ahead. I was leaving for a mini-vacation right after work the next day. My empty suitcase lay open on the bed, and I was avoiding packing like the plague. There was nothing—nothing—in my refrigerator.

Ever since reading about Maribelle’s Tavern on Courtney’s blog, I’d been longing to visit. So when my friend Kelly suggested it, I jumped at the chance.

It turned out to be a night full of dangerously delicious combinations…

Kelly + me + wine + Maribelle’s menu.

I went to Maribelle’s expecting a sort of dive with some damn good food. What I got was unpretentious fine dining in a quaint, airy little hideaway in Historic East End.

Kelly and I were presented with a pair of single-page menus. We fell silent immediately, our intense concentration punctuated only by exclamations of delight: Brie polenta? Edamame dumplings? Scalloped potatoes with lavender?

I went in with good intentions, dreaming of a simple, delicious, and inexpensive sandwich…and Maribelle’s certainly has plenty of those! All it took was one look at the entree list, and Maribelle’s had me hook, line, and sinker. Each entree comes with the diner’s choice of side dish. Even better, because the sides at Maribelle’s are as interesting and thoughtfully chosen as the main dishes.

It’s possible  that I’m the world’s most indecisive dining companion. Really, how does one decide between seared salmon with edamame dumplings, duck with shiitake cornbread, or brie polenta?

Half an hour in, Kelly tactfully suggested that we put in an order for the bread and butter.

“Really, I can do it! I’ll just make up my mind this time!” I protested.

Pork tenderloin + blueberry barbecue sauce + red cabbage and kale + white beans.

Brie polenta + roasted seasonal vegetables.

The earthiness of the brie was a perfect compliment to the corn and the rich, savory vegetables.

Artichokes + pancetta + mint + basil.

Brussels sprouts + fennel + caper + balsamic + walnut.

Heaven. Heaven. If you don’t think the words heaven and Brussels sprouts belong in the same mouthful, this dish will prove you wrong.

I think Kelly and I both agreed that the sprouts were the best bite of the night, followed by the brie polenta. The blueberry barbecue sauce is on my “Try This At Home” list.

The night ended with Kelly and I zooming back home along Riverside Drive, waxing poetic about running and the multitude of ways it’s changed our respective lives.

At Maribelle’s, the food isn’t so much art as craft. Well-chosen combinations of ingredients and thoughtful preparations add up to dishes that are more than the sum of their parts.

The way, sometimes, everything adds up to one awesome night.