Chart House has been a staple in the Old Town dining scene for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Alexandria, you knew you were in for a fancy meal if Chart House was your destination for the evening. My life came full circle the other night when I dined at Chart House as an adult…
For those of you not from the area, Chart House is a beautiful lighthouse-like structure located directly on the boardwalk overlooking the Potomac River. From certain seats in the restaurant, you can also see the ferris wheel from National Harbor across the water. The restaurant maintains a decor remnant of a time once past, which along with the view exudes a certain romance not commonly present in modern day restaurants.
I started my meal with a grapefruit cocktail made with my favorite Deep Eddy Vodka, native to Austin, Texas. It should be noted that Chart House also offers Omission Lager, one of the best gluten-free beers on the market.
The appetizer round included a Shrimp, Crab, Avocado & Mango Stack, and an Autumn Salad. The seafood stack had an absolutely beautiful presentation, which entailed a luscious base of avocado, followed by a mango and red pepper mix, and finally, a mixture of crab and shrimp in a remoulade sauce. The Autumn Salad was one of the highlights of the meal, full of brightly colored watermelon radishes, carrot ribbons, and zucchini, atop a nice bed of kale, and topped with some candied walnuts.
Next came the entrées – an order of Bronzed Mahi Mahi, a whopping 14-ounce prime rib, and a side of grilled asparagus. The Mahi Mahi, topped with lump crab and tomatoes, was glazed with a luscious shallot butter and served alongside some crisp green beans. The prime rib was cooked well, and was the perfect portion for two. The grilled asparagus were refreshingly crispy. The prime rib also came with a side of mashed potatoes, which were whipped and seasoned to perfection.
Chart House has a couple gluten-free desserts, which includes a crème brûlée and a seasonal sorbet. Other highlights of Chart House’s gluten-free selections include several fresh fish options, filling salads, Filet Mignon, and NY Strip, in addition to a rather large regular menu for your friends that can eat anything.