For Casey’s birthday (waaaay back in April), I took him to dinner at Restaurant 3 in Arlington. Neither of us had been there and it seemed like a great place to celebrate his turning 33. I made the reservations on OpenTable (which I LOVE) and mentioned that we were celebrating his 33rd birthday. I really wasn’t thinking about the correlation between the name of the restaurant and his age. Apparently, a lot of folks go there to celebrate 3rd, 30th, and 33rd birthdays, anniversaries, etc. When we were seated, they had even printed up special menus for the occasion.

For starters, they brought out fresh baked bread with butter and tapenade. Oh, not just any tapenade, the BEST tapenade I have ever eaten. Of course, I’m a sucker for olives. Is it wrong to want to lick the little plate?! Casey ordered their bone-in ribeye with creamed spinach and mashed taters (that’s what we call ‘em down South). I thought the steak was good, but that creamed spinach was phenomenal! I went with the duck breast. Typically, if it’s on the menu, I order it. If prepared well, it is the most tender and juicy meat you will ever eat…Restaurant 3 did not disappoint. Mine was served over top a sweet potato hash and garnished with a fruit gastrique (that’s just fancy talk for a garnish). Unbelievable. Totally plate-lickin’ worthy!

Dessert was a tough decision. Coffee and doughnuts, Bourbon Pecan Pie, or Candy Bar Pie? I’m pretty sure we couldn’t have made a bad decision, but we opted with the Candy Bar Pie. It was like having a snickers and a heath bar mushed up into a cookie crust…complete with candle!

I give Restaurant 3 high marks. The food was delectable and I felt that they went the extra mile to make our celebration special. We definitely plan to go back!