But Little Pearl is certainly about more than just assuaging inconvenience or high cost – Silverman hired an awesome team of staff, making it a relaxed, entertaining environment where one can enjoy observing the banter. They are a fun-loving, down to earth and genuinely friendly group who “are not just colleagues, but all good friends who have one another’s backs. But, they also enjoy a god joke, particularly at each other’s expense” as one server put it to me as we all sampled a rare petnat at the bar at the end of the evening. Yeah, these aren’t just the guys that you want making and serving your food, these are the guys you want to share a drink with at the end of the day.

Little Pear is situated in a carriage house on the grounds of the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital. It isn’t likely that you’d just be wandering about and happen to chance upon – you make the schlep out specifically to visit Little Pearl. It has a couple of personalities: as a cafe by day, and a Michelin starred wine bar by night. Does the “star” carry over to the cafe during the day? Certainly yes – they don’t take it out every evening to magically raise the quality of the food – but i felt a bit goofy writing about the Michelin starred Cafe… However, this is part of what I mean about opening up the opportunity (to experience this level of food) to the masses – and this is where Silverman has earned enough karma that he isn’t going to have to come back, next time around.

The meal concept is interesting. For $49 (how freaking affordable is that), you are treated to the Chef’s whimsy with a 5-7 course meal of his choosing while politically correctly accommodating your dietary restrictions – it’s as I used to say to my children, you get what you get and you don’t get upset… you can add a beverage pairing for $39 (called funky pairing) or $49 (conventional boring pairing, I guess). I opted for the funky pairing and was pleasantly surprised by the wines offered. Three out of the four offerings of the evening were quite good – the bubbly at the top of the tasting was a clear miss though. But as a quote I saw earlier in the day in Georgetown noted “if you don’t ever fail, you are clearly not trying hard enough” – trying to inspire the undergrads, I suppose. My one suggestion is pour a little taste of each of the wines and if it isn’t to the patrons liking, have another option available. With these eclectic selections, it’s not unreasonable even if you have to up sell option 2.

Etole Tostada with charred corn, avacado crema, finely crumbled cheese, paprika and a few drops of lime to cut through the richness of the cheese. A portrait of balanced textures and contrasting flavors with crunchy, juicy and smooth textures and cool, spicy, sweet and rich flavors. Definitely my favorite dish of the evening and from what I hear a common sentiment.

Hanging with Cosmo