The Best Thing We Ate This Week in DC: Palena’s Soft-Shell Crab

Photo: Jessica Greene

By Olga Boikess

Chef Frank Ruta’s Palena, the farm-to-table New American in Cleveland Park, is the go-to place for the restaurant, media and food-lover communities. Whether you're catching up over a quick drink, dining solo at the bar, supping casually in the expanded bistro or splurging on the fine-dining menu in the back room, the restaurant has something to suit your needs. When a close friend visited DC last week, we seized the chance to check out some of his seasonal bistro menu selections and find our favorite dish.

Vinophiles can count on Ruta to ferret out delicious, well-priced choices for his frequently changing list. Given the near 100 degree weather, we picked a delicate rosé. A chilled pea soup started the meal, and accompanying it was a basket of Ruta’s marvelous, house baked breads - well worth the three dollar charge and calories.

His iconic truffle cheeseburger and hand-cut fries were served, temptingly, at the next table, but we could not resist his seasonal soft-shell crab dish.  Crunchy, crispy crusted and bursting with juicy freshness, the crustacean was complemented by grilled Virginia cabbage, fava and pea shoots, and sweet and sour hazelnuts.  There were many other late spring enticements on the menu, and since summer’s local bounty will bring new choices, we’re already planning to get back there soon.