TenPenh

Overview: TenPenh is a Pan-Asian restaurant in Downtown DC serving dishes that exhibit influences from Thailand, Vietnam, China, The Philippines, Malaysia, and Japan. Chef owner Jeff Tunks describes the cuisine as Asian-Pacific inspired contemporary cuisine.

Medium Dead: Our dinner at TenPenh was like getting in the ring with Mike Tyson - it's a life experience that leaves you saying "What the F just happened?" We ordered about a dozen dishes and since our friend is a Chef at their sister restaurant, the kitchen sent out plenty of unexpected surprises including butternut squash soup shooters and grilled octopus salad. The Peking duck spring rolls were excellent. The shredded duck wrapped in moo shu pancakes was served with a swirl of sweet and salty hoisin sauce. My favorite dish by far was the grilled octopus salad, but not just because there were no vegetables in it. The octopus was grilled whole with very crispy tentacles and served with wasabi aioli for dipping. My rack of lamb was incredibly tender and cooked perfectly rare with black bean garlic rice noodles and chimichurri. This is a perfectly executed example of East meets Southwest fusion of flavor.


Round one:

Round two:

Round three:

Round four The knock out punch:

The Verdict: Dinning at TenPenh is an exciting show of Pan-Asian cuisine where the presentation is as incredible as the food. Chef Cliff Wharton is at the top of his game. If you are lucky enough to go with an insider (as I was) you will get the best table in the house and an unforgettable meal.