First: start with the tres leches cake, here. Or end with it. But definitely do not miss it. The…read moreflavor of this cake is not very sweet, but instead like a melty, milky rum caramel almost-pudding that will have you swooning. If you like the complexity of the flavor of flan, you will love this tres leches cake.
Many know that El Pollo Rico in Arlington, Virginia is the original Mac Daddy of all of the Peruvian rotisserie chicken restaurants in the DC area. Decades ago, my tech compadres and I would stand on line in their sparse environs and get a quarter chicken with white meat hacked right in front of you. Just like at all the the Peruvian rotisseries today. Back then, all you could get were fries and cole slaw and no other choices for sides unless you wanted yucca. And one type of dessert. That was it. And it was the best chicken ever.
Since then, many places offering Peruvian chicken have become mainstays and Sardi's is one. The original Sardi's, in Beltsville, is usually packed and full of families. The decor is welcoming, the seating area is grand and there are many, many sides to choose from. As well as other menu items. Sardi's has since spun-off as a chain all around the DC area, but with a franchised, methodical approach. The recipe as I've at least observed in this New Carrollton location: big branding, open spaces, a clean and simple aesthetic, booth and table seating, plenty of rotisserie, other menu items, a steam table with sides and many desserts. Oh ... and friendly and helpful staff who really make a difference.
The rotisserie chicken seasoning at Sardi's brings much sodium and a pleasant, subtle heat. But it's not excessively spicy, by any means. I think it would be fascinating to know how they make the seasoning. This salt plus heat combo is not what I've been used to - Peruvian rotisserie chicken-wise - for decades, but it is flavorful.
I would like to ask the team if they have a sweeter sauce to balance the mild heat. I have gotten my favorite yellow 'Amarilla,' sauce here but it's not what I am used to, either. It's salty and there is no mild sweetness. A purely sweet - and maybe hot - sauce would probably balance the spices of the Sardi's Peruvian chicken well. Btw this heat doesn't slowly build, it's just pleasantly smokey.
The fries are served piping hot and tasty if you get them right when they are made. They are big and good.
The cole slaw is deceiving because it looks like normal slaw but the flavours are quite intense and lively. I kept serving myself more and wondered if I might have just eaten the whole side dish if I didn't have to share it.
The yucca is more tender than I'm used to, if yucca can be. Sardi's masters the art of preparing it so that you're not pulling off the edges and chewing too much. So, yes on more yucca please.
The rice is lovely, perfectly clumped and well seasoned. As mild as their rice is, you really don't need to add anything to it, ie butter or whatever. It's fabulous just the way it is. Unless, of course, you are like me and rest the undersides of your rotisserie chicken on the rice to intentionally get a bit of that Sardi's rotisserie seasoning on it.
As for the other desserts: we tried the chocolate mousse cake. Cakes this light have easily been stale, but not this one. Our slice was fresh and moist. I've had lighter mousse cakes at fine restaurants which sometimes have notes of 'refrigerator' surface so I was relieved this was not the case, here. There are slightly nutty notes in the mousse. I want to say hints of pistachio but the label mentions "soy tree nut (almond, coconut, hazelnut, pecan and walnut.)" Not sure if they are all blended in but this is a classic and mild, nutty chocolate dessert mousse vs. a super-rich, dark chocolate experience. I prefer the latter. This mousse cake is so fresh that when you open the container, you can immediately smell the lovely chocolate cake. That's saying a lot about their quality control standards, here.
I would like to next try the carrot cake and the tiramisu cake, here. Why? Because I know they are at least going to be fresh. And with Sardi's emphasis on good flavors, I couldn't imagine these two desserts would be anything less than delicious.
The rice pudding is everything, here! It was so delicious that you could even have it for breakfast: it's cold, creamy, sweet and perfectly flavored with cinnamon.
Finally, a note about the staff. They are warm and kind when approached. And people were just helpful here. I enjoyed our dinner and feel that the best thing Sardi's has is a focus on their team being helpful with customers, people having an aesthetic space to dine among one another and a reliable place to enjoy Peruvian rotisserie with a bit of flair.