Charlie Palmer: Bipartisan Turf Surfs the Hill

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Though Washington is more partisan than ever, Charlie Palmer Steak has remained a safe haven for both Republicans and Democrats since the day it opened on Capitol Hill in May 2003 (described in Super Chef's chapter on Charlie Palmer, p. 88). Charlie Palmer is taking the Hill by the stomach and displaying electoral responsibility that should make Rock the Vote & Co. jump for joy with Bipartisan Three-Course Lunch Menus a la Bush and a la Kerry, featuring favorite foods and home-state vintages. For Menu Bush, CPS WDC Executive Chef Bryan Voltaggio devised a (Chipotle-Marinated) Grilled Hanger Steak with (soft) corn polenta with (cured) tomatoes (and coriander), tomatillo salsa; (Heirloom) Tomato and Piquillo Pepper Gazpacho, rock shrimp ceviche avocado (tartare), (micro) cilantro; Texan Pheasant Ridge merlot; and Key-lime pie for dessert -- Key-lime must be for Florida. (The parentheses indicate where I think Bryan may have gone a bit overboard with artistic liberty -- although it's still a bit fuzzy to me, somehow I think "W" would probably prefer "strong" to "soft" corn polenta, and so on. Of course, he is right on the mark, choosing hearty beef for Bush and refined fish for Kerry.) Menu Kerry features Kataifi-Wrapped Chatham Cod, braised red swiss chard and mustard greens with house smoked bacon, shallot and sherry infused veal jus; a starter of Sweet New England Little Neck Clams, leek and white corn broth with cucumber linguini; a New England Sakonnet fume vidal; and "Boston Cream Pie" for dessert (real "Girlie Man" fare, that). Both menus cost $20.04 through Election Day (November 2, 2004), so be sure to get on over to Charlie Palmer Steak and cast your vote.