The Best Thing We Ate Last Night In DC

2941's Duck Burger

By Olga Boikess

Stylishly elegant New American 2941 in Falls Church reinvented itself last winter. Its airy, big-windowed dining room was given a suavely casual look, and the lounge was revamped with an oval bar and high tops. Chef Bertrand Chemel, who honed his craft at NYC’s highly rated Daniel and Café Boulud, offers lower priced menus in both settings that mix French technique, locally sourced products and Mediterranean accents. And of course, now burgers are featured on the bar and lunch menus.

We’ve been curious how this classically trained Frenchman would interpret an American burger.  So we settled at a high top, and ordered the Daffy - billed as a duck burger, served with fois gras. A mouthwatering plate arrived. The beautifully, browned patty, topped with a slab of fois gras, was encased in a brioche bun. It was decadent. The meaty taste of the duck was enhanced by its well- grilled crust, and, of course, by the rich liver. An onion agrodolce that accompanied the burger, added a wonderful sweet/sour note to each bite. It was a masterful blend of Old and New World cuisines in a sandwich.

Our party moved on the dining room where we ordered from the moderately priced dinner menu.  Besides appetizers and pastas featuring the luscious melons, tomatoes and corn that are in season, we ordered the roast duck entree. Another picture worthy plate featured rosy breast meat fanned over spiced date chutney, garnished with a feathery cilantro salad. It was delicious too. Still, perhaps it’s our American palate, but the duck burger is our pick.

2941 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, Va.; 703-270-1500.