High/Low Restaurant Style

Maybe its the new economy, but I am really liking the idea of opening a lower end version of a great restaurant - as in the case of Hook/Tacklebox. I loved Hook, but quite frankly don't have the dough (or the time) for that kind of meal all the time. Dr. Brut and I were headed out to the movies in Georgetown last Friday night looking for a cheap and tasty and quick meal and decided to check out Hook's younger sibling Tacklebox.

Brilliant! They same great ingredients and chef as Hook, but on the fly and on the cheap. For only $13 you choose a grilled or fried fish option along with two sides and a sauce. The portions are incredibly generous. I had the clam strips, grilled broccoli and mac n cheese with garlic aioli sauce. The clam strips were crunchy and flavorful - really clammy. The grill flavor on the broccoli was delicious and the mac and cheese creamy heaven. They mistakenly gave me the mashed potatoes (no charge) and I have to tell you that if (no when) I return I will definately be ordering them. They had a tangy flavor and perfect texture.

Dr. Brut enjoyed his grilled calamari - essentially grilled baby squid bodies (no tentacles) along with asparagus and mac n cheese. I really want to try their lobster pot to go. I think that this is an incredibly smart concept and one that should be replicated by others - taking advantage of the talent and ingredients available in fine dining to finally show people seeking fast food what good food is really about.