If you’re in the downtown DC area and looking for a place to get some upscale “approachable Americana foods,” you can go to the Marriott Hotel at Metro Center.  Fire and Sage a perfect location, even though parking will cost you an arm and a leg, or at least a night’s stay at the hotel just to make the meal worth while.  The vibe reminded me of an ongoing happy hour for business dressed professionals, with modern decor, rustic Tuscan colored furniture and very suggestive-looking appointments.  The seminarians who dined with me felt the vibe as well.

While they didn’t feel their chastity and modesty being compromised, it did feel like it could easily turn into a “bar” feel with a lot of wandering eyes.  In fact, a whole section of seating were bar stools at individual tables, which were completely occupied during the dinner rush hour.

Service left much to be desired.  Walking in dressed as a priest commanded just as much inquisitive looks as respect.  The table/booth provided enough privacy.  The table was somewhat cluttered with hard to use utensils, and I found a left over candy wrapper on my place mat, which the waiter didn’t pick up until after the bill was paid, even though I put it on the corner  of the table.  Waiting for the waiter to come by became a test of patience, and when he finally came, he didn’t seem helpful.

The food tasted good and looked delicious and the menu fit the restaurant’s motif.   The mussels provided a savory appetizer, with a broth infused with white wine, garlic and lemon to make the lips smack.  The crusty bread, combined with plump and soft mussels, gave a nice contrast of texture for a satisfying first coarse.

The main entrees, well plated, came hot and appealing.  Since no one ordered red meat or poultry, I can only evaluate the seafood preparations. The scallops, a Fire and Sage specialty, were perfectly cooked, but not perfectly clean.  I felt grit with almost every bite of these plump and savory scallops.  I wish they included a few more sprigs of the micro-greens because the richness of the cream sauce that oozed from the risotto needed something to lighten up this hearty dish.  The mushrooms offered a bit more firmness, which aided the textural experience of this satisfactory meal.

The grilled grouper and the linguine pasta with seafood ordered by my dinner companions carried the same “typical” flavors – tasty, and “as expected” tastes, but with a touch more heaviness.

Desserts provided some interesting combinations, including a “bag of donuts”, creating a whimsical finish to an overall a nice meal, reasonably priced (for a hotel restaurant in DC), within an atmosphere conducive to conversation and vibe.

On a scale from 1-10 Hail Mary’s, 1 being the best and 10 Hail Mary’s meaning there were that many “sins” that need a firmer “penance”, I would rate Fire and Sage with 4 Hail Mary’s, which roughly translates to 3 out of 5 stars/halos.  The service needed much improvement. No one came across as rude, only ambivalent and untimely; entry into the restaurant  required too many stairs or to  go through a hotel lobby, which is never any fun.  The utensils were useless and unmanageable.  Finally, the “vibe” would be more conducive to a business worker’s happy hour than a family friendly meal.

If you’re in a pinch and just looking for some standard American fare, give Fire and Sage a try.  While you won’t be disappointed, you won’t be wowed either.

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