I was recently in Washington DC for a friend's bachelor party (game over, Josh!).
Of course, amidst the festivities, I was able to check out some of the fine local establishments in our nation's capital!
My hotel was in Arlington, and there, I met up with an old friend that I've known since fifth grade. Jessica, a very talented journalist, suggested Ray's Hell Burger, a popular burger joint that gained a lot of renown after President Obama took Russian president Dmitry Medvedev there for a meal in 2010. I have no clue why it is called a "Hell" burger...
Perusing the menu, my eyes continually fixated on the "Fat Joe," a burger featuring some insanely luxurious toppings such as balsamic glazed foie gras (a hefty torchon of it, in fact), crispy shallots, a thick slice of tomato and a drizzle of white truffle oil. Ultimately, I had to go for it.
My assessment? It's rich... very very rich... Undoubtedly, it is delicious. But it also leaves you with a lingering sense of guilt for the rest of the day. Gluttony, after all, could get you sent to hell.
I love speakeasies. They stand as tributes to the secret drinking establishments that popped up in the 1920s in response to the passage of the 18th Amendment. Often semi-hidden, dark and intimate, speakeasies now stand as tributes to the art of making a proper cocktail, whether it be old-school or new.
We're blessed in Cleveland to have one of the best: Velvet Tango Room. If you're ever in Cleveland, check it out.
Anyway, it was awesome to randomly stumble on the Gibson, which hides behind a non-descript door in the U-Street district, nestled amidst loud bars and clubs. It's a welcome oasis where people can chill, listen to good music, and drink well-crafted libations. While I would give the edge to Velvet Tango Room as they do a better job with the old-school drinks, The Gibson has some really fun new drinks. Moreover, it has a fantastic ambiance... probably one of the best in terms of my tastes.
Of course, no culinary tour of DC would be complete without a pilgrimage to Ben's Chili Bowl. This institution has a long and storied history as a cornerstone of the U Street district, and many luminaries, ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to President Obama.
At this point, I should address the fact that our current President is quite the foodie. If this isn't already evident from the fact that the First Lady's initiatives often revolve around promoting healthy/local eating, one only needs to look at the list of restaurants he has given his approval. He knows his food. And supposedly it has boosted the DC food scene. This NY Times article is a fun read.
Anyhow, Ben's Chili Bowl is a very popular late night destination, and man, those half-smokes hit the spot after a night out on the town. What impressed me most was the quality of the half-smoke itself. Half-beef, half-pork and smoked before getting a nice char on the flat-top, the sausage is meaty, juicy and incredibly satisfying. Most hot dogs probably couldn't compete with strongly flavored condiments like chili, mustard and chopped onions, but the half-smoke dominates the flavor profile and it's wonderful.
I tend to be a fan of meatier chilis, so the more watery chili served here wasn't as impressive to me.
If you're in DC, be sure to visit this fantastic landmark!
Other
I got to visit some other cool places, including Granville Moore's (a Belgian establishment located in a former physician's office) and DC Brau
(a popular local brewery that seems to host weekend cookouts that are
well-attended.) However, I didn't have great pics of those places... so
sorry for not having more to say about the.
-JK
