Potomac Restaurant and Lounge
Marooned as it is on a rise between freeways and Arlington Cemetery, with convenient 5 minute access to DC via road or Metro, this is an easy restaurant for locals to overlook if you are not actually staying at the Sheraton Hotel. This would be a pity as both ambience and menu make for a pleasant dining experience in the Potomac Restaurant and Lounge.
And being a hotel restaurant the service is luxuriously attentive in comparison to other eateries along this part of the Pike. Maitre D’ and waiters hover without being intrusive at the elbows of the mostly business and convention-attending diners. The dining room has a restful creamy gold décor with interesting suspended glass panels of black and white photographs of past political figures and events. We are escorted to our linen draped table and sink into comfortable chairs, immediately attended by gracious servers.
Right off the bat it should be noted the the parking situation is a bit of a nightmare. On this day the hotel parking garage was full and there is little to no street parking unless you park a couple of blocks up Columbia Pike and walk down the hill under the bridge.
The Potomac Restaurant offers a buffet lunch for $16.95, drinks included. A pretty good deal with cold salads like Caesar, egg, beet, orzo and fresh fruit, and hot selections like grilled flank steak in a red wine sauce, broiled salmon, roast pork au jus and assorted small cakes for dessert. If you like buffets this one will please.
Opting for the ala carte menu at lunch provides options for sandwiches and paninis and seasonal choices of salads and entrees including shrimp, crab cakes, steaks and a market fish selection. The fried chicken is crisp and light and accompanied by good coleslaw, the grilled halibut cooked as a favor by the chef to order, served on garlic mashed potatoes (slightly gummy from over-mixing) with a mango salsa and an assortment of al dente and attractive baby vegetables. And oh, happy day, hot Earl Grey in a pot! With a supply of hot water and fresh tea bags! Suddenly the dining room looks like an excellent spot for afternoon tea. We are once again in the interests of research forced to share a chocolate lava cake, perfectly oozy and warm and swimming in whipped cream.
The dinner menu is more of the above, but includes a special menu of Island Inspired Flavors such as Tuna Poke, Jamaican Jerk Pork Tenderloin and Polynesian Short Ribs, followed by such delights as Dulce de Leche Cheesecake and Banana Rum Bread Pudding.
It is worth noting that the restaurant serves brunch on Sundays, buffet and a la carte, if you’re in the mood or have the occasion for something more than the local diner.
Location: Sheraton Hotel
Web Address: Potomac Restaurant and Lounge