Petit Pois – Hanger Steak, topped with caramelized onions and thin sliced frites.
Incredible.
I had the Polenta fries for an appetizer and they were delicious, but I would rather have saved the room for the steak. It didn’t matter, as I cleaned my plate anyway. It’s just that I no longer had room for beer, and had to switch exclusively to tequila for the rest of the night. I would absolutely recommend this meal.
#1 by rhymes with orange on September 21, 2009 - 11:24 am
I’ve also had this dish. It’s kind of my litmus test for french bistro dining (like beef w/ broccoli for Chinese, pad thai w/ Thai, chicken tikki masala with Indian, etc.) and have had it at Zinc, Horse and Hound, and Cassis. I think Petit Pois executes the steak frites the best.
#2 by Donk on September 21, 2009 - 11:39 am
I think Oy mentioned it in his Top 10 meals in Charlottesville list. I believe it was only $22. That’s a great deal for a meal that amazing.
#3 by cbob on September 21, 2009 - 8:51 pm
Damn that looks good! Even on crappy cameraphone!
#4 by Donk on October 5, 2009 - 10:17 am
So, meal of the ‘week’ may have been a bit ambitious. I drink too much to remember to take pictures of my fancy meals. However, I have plans for some new meals soon.
#5 by Donk on October 26, 2009 - 10:11 pm
So… I should just start taking pictures of my drinks. It was only a matter of time before this went that direction.
#6 by Street on October 27, 2009 - 10:51 am
Yes but only when you’re at the precipice of forgetting how to use the camera. That’s when pictures really speak, really say something….like…”Where are my pants?” or “The tree that tried to blindside me.”
#7 by Donk on October 27, 2009 - 1:26 pm
A while back, I thought about getting my dog one of those collar cams that takes a picture every 15 minutes. I’m starting to consider buying one for myself, just so I can see exactly what the hell I do all weekend.
#8 by Street on October 27, 2009 - 1:48 pm
Hahahaha! That’s a brilliant idea! I’d love to have one for Halloween.
#9 by Floozy on October 27, 2009 - 5:59 pm
@7 Why do you want photographic evidence of yourself masturbating while smoking a j?
#10 by Donk on October 27, 2009 - 6:31 pm
The operators of the Thai parlor won’t hire me without proof.
/There was no good way to answer that.
#11 by Floozy on October 27, 2009 - 7:58 pm
You could have suggested http://www.hereswhatyoucando.com.
#12 by Donk on November 3, 2009 - 3:39 pm
Ok.. so I was tasked with finding a restaurant for out of town friends this past weekend, and Petit Pois won by a large margin. Once faced with the menu, I couldn’t find anything that I wanted more than another plate of hanger steak with frites. In fact, out of the 5 of us present, 3 of us went for the hanger steak.
Everyone crushed it and said it was amazing. I’m not sure by which guideline we are holding our food reviews, but I’m pretty sure that 4 orders rated as delicious would constitute a pretty good review.
Also, my date for the first go-round lied to me. They weren’t polenta fries, but rather chickpea fries. They weren’t on the menu, but the chef was happy to make them for us. Another big win with the crowd.
#13 by shenanigans on November 3, 2009 - 8:20 pm
I helped open Petit Pois. There is no way I would say the panisse were polenta fries.
#14 by Donk on November 3, 2009 - 8:50 pm
I have no idea what polenta is, so I doubt I came up with it myself. Also, when I asked for the polenta fries, the server said, ‘You must mean the chickpeas. They’re very similar’.
Of course, he could just remember what we ordered the last time we were there.
#15 by Floozy on November 3, 2009 - 10:16 pm
@13… perhaps you weren’t the date he was referring to…
#16 by Donk on November 3, 2009 - 10:51 pm
Thanks Floozy. I almost got away with that one. You’re the best.
#17 by Floozy on November 4, 2009 - 9:16 am
Nothing wrong with being a man of mystery and intrigue… otherwise known as a cheating bastard.
#18 by shenanigans on November 5, 2009 - 5:55 pm
They have polenta on the menu next door at Zocalo, so he probablt gets it all the time.
PS Was at PP last night and they have a prix fixe menu now for $20. TWENTY BUCKS. For 3 courses. Awesome. The steak isn’t on there but they have duck and goat cheese ravioli and some seafood thing.
#19 by Floozy on November 5, 2009 - 6:23 pm
Last time I went to PP they had skate on the menu…until I ordered it and then they had run out of skate. I have never recovered. Bastards.
#20 by shenanigans on November 5, 2009 - 7:00 pm
Next time tell them to run their asses over to Fleurie and get some more gawddammit.
#21 by Donk on November 5, 2009 - 10:37 pm
I think that sweet said something about skate not being on the menu the other night. I may have also completely made that up.
#22 by Donk on February 18, 2010 - 10:40 am
I went to Ventana and got the restaurant week deal last night. Absolutely incredible food.
1st dish: Lobster and Chipotle Bisque
2nd dish: Seared Sweetbreads with Cremini Mushroom Cream Sauce and Braised Endive
3rd dish: Ventana S’mores
Amazing meal. I was predictably too drinky drinky to remember to take a picture of anything. This was hands down one of the best tasting meals I’ve ever had. The rest of the menu sounds great too, but I’d probably get the exact same order if I did it again. And for $32 a person!!!
#23 by rhymes with orange on February 18, 2010 - 11:28 am
I can’t remember what dessert I got there but I told the server “you either need to serve this with a knife, or try again”. it was tough as nails. I think it was an apple tart or something? Does that ring a bell?
#24 by Donk on February 18, 2010 - 11:30 am
From the restaurant week dessert list:
Desserts
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mousse, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis
Ventana S’mores
Coconut Macaroon with Pineapple Salad
#25 by Donk on March 5, 2010 - 12:36 pm
omfg.. I love La Michoacana.
New favorite order:
Torta Cubana:
Chicken
Beef
Barbacoa
Bacon
Refried Beans
Shredded Cheese
Avocado
Lettuce
Tomato
Sour Cream
Jalapeño peppers
Soooo good.