I wasn't looking for a place to have dinner, just a spot I could park my butt for an hour to have a drink and maybe a quick bite while waiting on the boyfriend to join me before heading off to a friends place in the depths of Arlington (read: Clarendon.) Green Pig Bistro was in my general direction and after a quick look at the drinks menu I was sold, right at the top was a listing for a sparkling pineapple wine from Hawaii, Hula O'Maui. I had no idea that Hawaii produced wine, but I was eager to give it a try. You'd imagine the pineapple would provide a sweet dessert like taste, but far from it - it was crisp and bubbly with a hint of pineapple primarily from its aroma, closer to a Prosecco on the spectrum of sparkling wines. I should have ordered the bottle.
Green Pig offers a weekday happy hour menu, with $5 snack plates and discounted drinks at the bar. I ordered a plate of the Snail and Mushroom Toast which was less of a snack and more of a meal, a creamy plate of sauteed mushrooms with a few snails nestled in between. If you're adverse or new to snails this dish would be a good introduction, few of them to pick around and not too overwhelming in flavor, the creamy mushrooms are the players here. And easily enough to fill up on.
The boyfriend arrived, we stayed for dinner.
In efforts to cut down on red meat (although I was eyeing the burger) I went with the Scallops and Risotto, the boyfriend with the Black Drum. The scallops were plentiful and seared just right, which to me is a slight searing in butter long enough to brown either side. It was the start of the weekend so I indulged in allowing myself the risotto (my health kick didn't approve) and that too was cooked perfect, the added sweet onion jam was an ideal partner to the creamy texture of the rice. It's a dish that allows you to be bad but feeling good at the same time.
The black drum is a firm white fish, and with this dish you're getting a piece large enough to fill the plate, which is a very good thing. The crisp, buttery outer edges lead to a rich, soft but somewhat meaty texture, dotted with salty capers on a bed of creamy cauliflower. I recommended to pair it with the pineapple wine, he went with an IPA. He was right on this occasion.
Green Pig Bistro covers all bases, they're open six days a week (not Tuesday), happy hour food and drinks on weekdays, daily specials such as meatloaf and fried chicken at $21 each, as well as weekend brunch. Go often.
Green Pig Bistro: 1025 N. Filmore Street, Arlington, VA (closest Metro: Clarendon)