Wednesday Night at Field and Main

It wasn’t date night.  We weren’t celebrating anything. It was just your average Wednesday evening, and we were tired of cooking. We decided to go out and wanted a nice restaurant. I said to Cathy, “Field and Main?”and she immediately answered “YES!” Off to Marshall we drove.

I should point out that Field and Main is a real gem and we are lucky to have it here in the area. It is both a casual restaurant and fine dining destination. They have won many diverse awards including being a James Beard Finalist for Outstanding Wine and Beverage program this year, and the best burger in Northern Virginia a couple of years ago. They attract folks locally, and from the DC Metro area.

On that Wednesday when we arrived, Julie, the General Manager, and Rochelle were standing inside where you check in. We chatted a bit and then told them we’d just have dinner at the upstairs bar if seats were available. We talked a bit more, and then Julie led us upstairs.

 As we sat down at the bar, Caitlyn, the bartender, greeted us. She’s great and an excellent mixologist. We caught up with her, and she started making our Red Lanterns without asking. She knows us well, and we order that drink about 95% of the time we go there. One of their signature drinks, it is a riff on a Negroni or Boulevardier and is tasty.

 While we were looking at the menu, Neal, the owner, stopped by. We caught up on different things including their recent trip to Chicago for the James Beard Awards ceremony. It sounded like quite the event.

 I had just started looking at the wine list and Neal asked what we were thinking about for dinner. Cath was going with the OooMami Smashburger, while I leaned towards a new pasta dish on the menu. 

 Neal suggested a wine, and I quickly said let’s go for it. We have ordered enough wine there that he knows our palates and the general price range we look towards. I trust his choices and have never been disappointed in his recommendations. The wine list is great and has things you would expect, but also many choices to challenge your expectations and surprise you. Tonight would be a challenge night.

 After he left, Cath and I put our order in. A smashburger for her, and Campanelle Pasta in a tomato curry, with pork meatballs and goat cheese for me. We ordered a garden salad with the meal and “Fried Corn Ribs” as an appetizer. We were suddenly quite hungry.

 Our server brought an amuse bouche from the chef and then Neal arrived with our wine. It was indeed a surprise choice – a 100% Syrah from Morocco. Yes, that Morocco. He opened the wine and poured both of us a taste. It was the first time we had Moroccan wine, and all I can say is wow!

The Corn Ribs arrived and were delicious. An upscale take on Mexican street corn, they came with Amarillo aioli, a salsa, cotija cheese and lime. Eating with our hands, we quickly devoured them.

 At some point in time, we finished the Red Lanterns and started on the Syrah. It tasted older than its age and went down quite nicely.

 Dinner arrived. Cathy’s OooMami Smashburger with its wagyu beef and bacon jam was delicious as always. My pasta? Over the top. The three large meatballs, the mild red curry, the goat cheese and accompanying in-house Garlic Naan were perfect. Conversations slowed as we focused on the task at hand.

 After dinner, we passed on dessert and continued sipping our wine. Hannah, one of their Sommeliers, stopped by and we chatted. By happenstance, we had overlapping trips to New Zealand last spring. Of course we talked about the Kiwi wines, and all of us commented on what a welcome surprise the Pinot Noirs were, particularly from the Otago Valley.

 Eventually, after about two hours, it was time to go. We paid our bill, Caitlyn packaged up our unfinished wine bottle for us and we said our goodbyes. 

 Cathy and I talked on the way home about how nice the evening was. We have been eating at Field and Main for 9 or 10 years now. That is a long time in the restaurant business. They have done it right for as long as I can remember, including during covid when they did great takeout, and first opened their outdoor cabanas. 

 Whether date night, a Saturday evening special dinner, or just a couple of burgers at the bar on a Wednesday, we hope you give this place a try. You won’t regret it. If you are so inclined, order a Red Lantern to start your night.

 Addendum:

• This September is the 10th anniversary for Field and Main. As a part of their celebration, they are bringing back some of their favorite meals from the past decade. If you get the chance, stop in. Reservations are always a good idea and usually required on weekends. Here is a link to Field and Main’s website: https://www.fieldandmainrestaurant.com 
•  Here is a previous blog I did about Field and Main, and particularly the Smashburger: For 30 years, I’ve told anyone who listened that the best burger I ever had was at The Squeeze Inn, in Sacramento, CA. If you are in Sacramento, you should try it. It’s a great burger, but no longer my “best ever”. For that, visit Field and Main here in Marshall for an Ooomami Smashburger. Trust me – you won’t […] Continue here – https://mnhallblog.wordpress.com/2024/02/27/the-best-burger/
• “Corn Ribs” photo is from the Field and Main Facebook site.