It was that time of the year again, Bethesda Magazine Restaurant Week and there was no way I would miss it!
Last year, I was lucky enough to be the selected winner of their #BMRW giveaway with $250 worth of gift cards at select Bethesda restaurants such as Lebanese Taverna, Summer House Santa Monica, City Perch Kitchen + Bar just to name a few.
Click on the restaurant name if you wish to read my previous reviews on each location.
This year’s Restaurant Week was also a great opportunity to catch up my really good friend and sister Kia, whom I hadn’t seen in over a year.
After 2 days and about close to 2 hours before dinner time, we made our pick, Raku Bethesda Row.
All it took was me seeing Lamb Chops on their #BMagRW menu.
For once, I was early for this reservation.
The restaurant was packed, probably due to Bethesda Mag’s Restaurant Week. If I recall, there were only 2 tables open when I arrived and it smelled so good in there.
For starters, we ordered cocktails, of course.
Their Green Apple Cocotini was the perfect start to our dining experience.
It was so good that I honestly did not care much about what Kia’s cocktail, LOL!
This libation is definitely a must if you visit!
For Restaurant Week, it was a 3-course dinner price fixe menu for $37 per person.
Our first courses were the Honey-Chili Glazed Pork Ribs (Kia) and the Herb Panko Crusted Rack of Lamb for me.
Where do I begin?
They were both amazing and delicious.
So tender and yummy!
In terms of the Lamb Chops, let’s just say I wished I could’ve had more than just 2 chops.
They were perfect and the Raspberry Yogurt Dipping Sauce it came with was the icing on the cake!
Our second course selection (for the both of us) was the Sushi Assortment.
It was composed of Tuna, Salmon, Yellow Tail, Kanpachi, Eel and Deluxe Spicy Tuna.
I am definitely a Sushi lover but I never go for the raw Salmon or raw Tuna types. I have to say that Raku’s won me over with their Sashimi as I ate EVERY SINGLE one of them!
For the last course, I went for the Japanese Soufflé Cheesecake, which I’ve never had and was intrigued.
We also got a second round of cocktails!
This dessert was a first with the Green Tea Ice Cream.
The Cheesecake was the true definition of delightful.
So soft, not moist, just melting in your mouth.
Pick up a little scoop of the ice cream to go with it, amazing.
Now, Kia’s choice, the Granny Smith Apple Tart Cake was very good as well.
Woo Wee, a little scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream with the Apple Tart Cake was delicious.
Personally, this is how I like my Apple Tart, with slices of caramelized apple nicely layered on top versus chunks of apple in apple sauce stuffed on the inside.
You could taste the cinnamon and it was not overpowering.
The service was great and the Cocotini was strongly recommended by our server.
As you can see, we definitely enjoyed the food and drinks at Raku!
