The Light Horse -- Alexandria, VA

VA Foodies --

I work in Old Town, VA and live in Frederick, MD....quite the commute I know.  But I have the pleasure of working in a place buzzing with new restaurants and current food trends.  Last week I decided to stroll down the street and check out a place I hadn't tried before.  I went with The Light Horse. 

Featuring upscale American classic pub food and daily specials, The Light Horse is a quiet atmosphere for a relaxing evening after work.  

I started with a glass of pinot noir and asked for our server's recommendations. First I tried the Nuts and Berries salad -- peppery arugula, shallots, radishes, candied pecans, strawberries and pecan crusted goat cheese (yum!), finished with a raspberry vinaigrette. I love any combination of arugula and goat cheese, so this salad was perfect for me.  The pepperiness of the lettuce, and the creamy tartness of the goat cheese and berries is my favorite combination of textures and flavors.  Great start to the meal.

Second, going with the server's recommendation, I had the pork tenderloin.  I really must thank our server for this recommendation because it was absolutely incredible.  The plate was beautifully stacked with a cheddar risotto cake on the bottom, sauteed spinach with garlic,shallots, and butter in the middle, and the pork on top -- blackened and topped with a sweet onion jam.  The pork was beautifully cooked to a juicy medium and the poblano cream and basil oil surrounding the plate was to die for.  The poblano cream had so much flavor -- smoky and rich -- and really enhanced the pork.  I grew up eating McCutcheon's apple butter on my pork, so the sweet onion jam brought me back with the sweetness and gave me something new with the tang and texture of the onion.  The risotto cake was crispy and rich, with a cheesy finish, and the spinach was tender and garlicy...delicious.  I would highly recommend this dish, and thank our server for recommending it to me!

Being a sucker for anything carb loaded and cheesy, I also ordered a side of the mac and cheese.  Keeping with the rest of the meal, it did not disappoint.  Consisting of a melted gooeyness of cheddar, monterey jack, and gruyere cheeses, it was topped with crispy fried basil and played a symphony of sweet, pungent, and creamy on my tastebuds.  Having written this, I find cheese to be one of the hardest flavors to describe....
  
We finished with the chef's homemade pecan pie topped with creme fraiche. My date and I both found it interesting that the pecans were ground, but we loved it.  The creme fraiche was tangy and airy, nice change from the traditional vanilla ice cream.  

All in all, it was a great meal that I would highly recommend if taking a trip to Old Town...

Remember:  
“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” -James Beard

*foodie love