There aren’t many interesting restaurants very close to my neighborhood. Most dinners involve a drive to Old Town at least, if not DC. But this weekend we decided to go Bosnian at the Cosmopolitan Grill, located (a bit incongruously) right next to our gym along Route 1.
Tom Sietsema in the Post gave the place an OK review last year. It was busy when we arrived, and the place had a friendly atmosphere. The restaurant could use a hostess, since there is no one to greet you and no place to stand and wait.
It wasn’t a long wait for a two top though, and our waiter was friendly and efficient. They offer a small wine list, so we figured when in Bosnia go for it and picked the Babic Granite Pilizota 2007.
The waiter said the grape was related to Zinfandel, which you wouldn’t have guessed from the wine. There was a lot of dark earth in the aroma, just this side of funkiness. It had a light body and a quick finish. We tasted some tobacco and some leather, and I thought it had a hint of port in the taste, minus the weight and texture. Nothing we’ll go search out but enjoyable with the meal.
The appetizers were the standouts for us. Gabriele had a nicely prepared coconut shrimp, lightly fried and not too heavy on the breading. I had the cevapcici, small sausages served with onions and ajvar, a spread made from red peppers and garlic. They were very tasty, though not served in bread as described in the Wash Post review.
Gabriele was disappointed that a seafood linguine listed online wasn’t available on the menu. Her Jaeger schnitzel was flavorful, but the mushroom sauce was too thick. My Pikata chicken was sauteed well but a little lacking in Pikata flavor, at least what I expect from the Italian variety.
The grilled vegetables on the side were plentiful and perfectly prepared, truly excellent and a high point of the evening. We finished the meal with lattes, very nicely prepared.
We had a nice meal and evening. The Cosmopolitan Grill is a unique and welcome addition to an area without many non-chain restaurant options. That said, I’d recommend it more for a big lunch or casual grazing than a sit down dinner.
Back to wine before I close. Not knowing what the wine options would be at the restaurant, we opened a new Rhone before we left. It was the Saint Cosme 2010 Cotes du Rhone, and it was a disappointment. I had purchased it since we had enjoyed the 2008 Les Deux Albion at Villa Mozart.
The Cotes du Rhone tasted way too tight, it was not ready to drink. It was all earth and tartness, with just a little smokiness. Unlike the Albion, this wine is 100% Syrah and not produced from chateau grapes. If you’re looking for a moderately priced C-du-R there are much better choices discussed in previous posts.