Lia's Chevy Chase

After going to Chef Geoff's Downtown last week, I decided to try the last of Geoff Tracy's restaurants for Bethesda Restaurant Week. The most amazing part of our meal was the fact that the menu was not limited for restaurant week. Lia's offered any appetizer, any entree, and any dessert for $30. It was great. I had the winter vegetable bisque to start, the day boat scallops for my entree, and the affogato di gelato for dessert. Also on the table was the sun-dried tomato soup, tuna carpaccio, grilled tuna, beef tenderloin medallions, blueberry sorbet, and mint chocolate chip gelato. I tried it all. The bisque was a bit too squashy for me - it tasted like cream of squash with little else. I liked the mushrooms in it and wished there were more. The tomato soup was also very tomatoe-y. Both were so thick that neither of us finished our soups. They were tasty, just too concentrated. The tuna carpaccio was done well and the light microgreen salad on the side was a great touch. The day boat scallops were very good. The showcase was the risotto that was filled with a variety of mushrooms and had just the right amount of cheese and cream. The grilled tuna was done well and the cous cous was very fitting - simple and not overpowering. The medallions were also good. I was a fan of the mashed potatoes. As for the desserts, the affogato was truly gelato with espresso. The blueberry sorbet was overly sweet due to the syrup that was poured over. The mint chocolate chip gelato was very minty and you could tell that it was homemade. I've come to the conclusion that Geoff Tracy's restaurants are a place of solid food. It's not mind-blowing or out of this world, but its good, solid food that pleases a variety of people. You know what you are going to be getting at Lia's, it's not a risk. Great for a group of people or perhaps more distant acquaintances.

4.25/5
http://www.liasrestaurant.com/main/index.cfm?Restaurant=lias&Category=Main&Section=Main