MAJESTIC BAR AND GRILLE:

BETHESDA'S FIRST

GASTROPUB SERVES ITS

FIRST LUNCH TODAY

Poutine Arrives in Bethesda as Geographically

Eclectic Menu Finds Home in Pittsburgh

Traditional Atmosphere

Bethesda's first gastropub continues its Grand Opening celebration that began with a Happy Hour last evening.

Today is the Majestic Bar and Grille's first full day of operation, so if you're ready to try something new and unusual for lunch, you're in luck.

While the Majestic's understated decor says hang out for a while, the menu says, "road trip!" In some cases, that car better have wings.

A scattershot approach can sometimes backfire. In my opinion, a wide variety on the menu means less complaints if you're dining with a group of friends. Like Cheesecake Factory or Clyde's, everyone will find something from mild to wild on the Majestic menu.

The guy who wants to stick to the straight and narrow is going to find that Turkey Sandwich, or a classic crab soup.

But if you share the menu's desire to pack the suitcase, and get the heck out of Pittsburgh (where the owner's grandfather's original Majestic remains in operation today!) you'll find a lot to like, too.

Here are some of the items that stand out for me:

The Majestic's Classic Chili Dog - Okay, I admit I'm a hot dog maniac. This is a recreation of the original Majestic's signature entree. If you've traveled by interstate from Maryland to Ohio, you know that chili gets sweeter, and is placed on top of much more than hot dogs, the further northwest you go. So a chili dog is a nice homage to the classic American city of Pittsburgh.

Black Truffle Poutine - Back in late December, when this blog was the very first to break the news about the Majestic opening, I quoted owner Stefan Lalos as saying it would be "like no place you've ever been."

Lalos delivers on that promise by bringing poutine to Bethesda. To the best of my recollection, this is the first time poutine has been served in a Bethesda restaurant. Poutine is a Canadian dish that originated in Quebec. It usually consists of French Fries with fresh cheese curds (which aren't supposed to be more than a day old) and a brown gravy on top. How popular is it in Canada? Even McDonald's sells poutine up there!

Majestic's poutine adds black truffle cream sauce and uses demi-glace instead of an "official" poutine sauce. Which makes sense because demi-glace is a beef-chicken sauce just as you would find in a standard poutine gravy. Ultimately, this is the most intriguing item on the menu, because you get to check off the Poutine box on the "100 foods of the world you must try" without leaving Bethesda!

Cheddar Porter Soup - Another item pretty unique on a Bethesda menu. What is a porter soup? Porter is a dark stout/beer, and appropriately, Pennsylvania is one of the regions where it was brewed in America. Porter and porter cheese soups have a history in Ireland from way back. This one adds soft pretzel garnish (playing off the Pennsylvania/beer theme) and spicy bacon candy. Did someone say, "bacon?" Bacon is always a winner in my book, and this plays off of the popular use of bacon in a sweet-savory dynamic in restaurants today.

Sam-Gyup-Sal - Well, I can't place this by name. But when I hear "pork belly, bean paste and cabbage" in a dish - I could be wrong, but it makes me think of Korean cuisine. And that's a good thing.

Chesapeake Wings - More traditional wings are available, but these play up the chef's tours in several Charm City restaurants. Old Bay, of course, but they really say "Baltimore!" with their National Bohemian sauce.

Bayou Macaroni and Cheese - This combines two favorites of mine: New Orleans and Lobster Macaroni and Cheese. Only this uses crayfish meat. (There is also another one of my favorites, Shrimp and Grits, on the small plates menu).

Ploughman's Plate - A hearty cheese, meat and pickle plate ideal for sharing.

So, those are just a few dishes. Head over for lunch or dinner today, and try it out. P.S. If you have tried poutine in Canada, leave a comment here and let us know how authentic the Majestic version is.

THE MAJESTIC BAR AND GRILLE

7141 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814

301-312-6043

Hours:

Sunday-Thursday 11 AM- 1 AM

(Dinner until 10 PM)

Friday-Saturday 11AM - 2 AM

(Dinner until 10:30)