Kate Savage’s Scarborough Fare restaurant on Romany Road in Chevy Chase was recently gutted and taken down to the studs to be refitted with new HVAC, flooring, kitchen and layout to create A.P. Roots. The Roots reference came from the former Roots Grocery in that location, and the best I can figure is that the owners of A.P. Suggins, along with this new restaurant of theirs next door, just decided to carry on the “A.P.” theme.
Although the main dining room has a somewhat cold feel to it with tables in the center and booths along two walls, the private dining room is most attractive and will easily accommodate 35 persons with privacy, thanks to two sets of French doors. Reserving the room is a requirement, but there is no room charge.
I have had uneven experiences with both the food and service, and hence, I returned in February and early March after my initial January visit. The good news is that the last visit showed vast improvements in both areas.
On the second visit, the server was in no hurry to come to our table when the dining room was almost empty; she then attempted to rush us through our meal. I must mention that my tea cup was not only dirty on the inside, but it had major lipstick impressions too. The server’s reaction was not apologetic.
My guest ordered the slow roasted beef sandwich ($7.95) on Chef Robert Myers’ country white sourdough panini and potato salad. He reported that the sandwich was excellent, even though he had asked the server to hold the onion (without success.) On the other hand, he found the potato salad to be lacking in basic seasonings.
The first visit was a big hit with my guest as we enjoyed a booth, and she found the open faced ratatouille panini ($7.95) on sourdough with a side of wilted spinach to be superb. During this visit I struck out on the seasoning issue, as I found the classic chicken salad ($7.25) cheered me when finding no grapes, but it required adding both salt and pepper.
Going back the third time confirmed what I hoped was the case — just the need to work things through as every new restaurant must. The booths were full, so we sat at a table, but the food and service came through. My guest, new to Roots, had the po boy special of the day — Cajun catfish on a grilled sourdough panini ($7.95.) He was not only pleased with the sandwich, but he had a side of parardelle and cheese – Roots’ interpretation of mac and cheese using Chef Myers’ homemade flat noodles, which my guest founding appealing in taste and texture. I tried a 9-inch “create-a-pizza” ($6.95), with the addition of pepperoni and locally-raised mushrooms, which increased the price to $9.95.
The location is convenient from many areas of Lexington, and it is important that we support our local restaurateurs.