(From the top) Jack’s, Indique and Kramerbooks (Blade photos by Henry Linser)
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Friday, October 05, 2007
Dining | People | Community | Nightlife
Opened in January by Herbert “Chef” Kerschenbaumer, Jack’s on 17th Street has become a popular location, both for its food and its expansive patio. Located at the former site of Peppers and La Pigalle, both popular pre- and post-club destinations for lesbians, Jack’s has managed to maintain the customer base of the old eateries while eliminating some of the service problems that made Pigalle a less desirable destination.
Jack’s name comes from its sponsorship by Jack 6Daniel’s whiskey, which donates between 50 cents and $1 per Jack Daniels’s drink consumed to Whitman-Walker Clinic. Jack’s food options are as appealing as the drink options. Kershcenbaumer attended culinary school in Switzerland and spent 10 years as head chef at Georgetown’s La Niçoise. He’s brought his food expertise to his current venture, serving respectable fare like duck confit, Prince Edward mussels and tuna steak at decent prices.
1527 17th St., NW
202-332-6767
www.jacksdc.net
The glistening lime walls of Dominic Redd’s Shaw restaurant indicate that Vegetate offers plenty of leafy greens, and it certainly does. The organic vegetarian restaurant has plenty of vegan options as well on its local, farmer-focused menu.
Although it was a long time in coming thanks to protests from
local neighborhood groups, Vegetate finally has a liquor license this year and creative cocktails to accompany the fresh food. Customers who like to go out after eating are in luck; Shaw gay nightspot Be Bar is just down the street.
Those staying in town for the November holidays can find a gourmet meal here — Chef Caesare Assad has created a menu for the Vegetate’s first-ever Thanksgiving dinner.
1414 9th St., NW
202-232-4585
www.vegetatedc.com
Indique’s name, a compound of “Indian” and “unique,” is well earned. The Cleveland Park restaurant, located just outside the Metro on Connecticut Avenue, goes beyond the typical Indian fare.
A variety of small plates, including a mini dosa, a crepe-like bread stuffed with vegetable or chicken and served with four fantastic chutneys, sets Indique apart from the traditional samosa appetizers.
Indique also boasts the southern Indian comfort food of appam, a fermented rice bread that is spongy in the center and lacily crisp on the outside and served with a vegetable or coconut curry stew.
The restaurant’s setup, with two levels of seating as well as balcony and other outdoor seating, means there’s plenty of atmosphere without being overly busy or loud.
Another bonus to eating at Indique is the classic Uptown Theater, which is just down the road, so you can easily turn your evening into dinner-and-a-movie.
3512 Connecticut Ave., NW
202-244-6600
www.indique.com
Being a book lover has never been so sweet. Kramerbooks and Afterwords Café, an institution in the independent book world, has also been earning accolades for the dessert menu.
Diet-busting choices include the Dysfunctional Family Sundae, with vanilla ice cream, amaretto-soaked chocolate brownie, hot fudge, nuts and whipped cream topped with raspberry purée; the Café Coconut Chocolate Pie, with flaked coconut and pistachios soaked in coconut milk topped with chocolate on an Oreo crust; and the apple cranberry tart with vanilla ice cream, consisting of tart cranberries and apples baked in a short bread crust with caramel, nuts and streusel, and topped with vanilla ice cream drizzled with raspberry and caramel syrups. Desserts run in the $6-$8 range. For a full menu, visit their web site, although there are dessert specials every day.
1517 Connecticut Ave., NW
202-387-1400
www.kramers.com
BEACON BAR AND GRILL |
After a night out on the town, there are few things more satisfying than a really good brunch — and the Beacon Bar and Grill delivers. A prix fixe menu gets you unlimited champagne, mimosas and Bloody Marys, as well as multiple trips to the food tables. There are a number of toppings for the omelet and waffle bars, and entrées vary, but choices have included pan-seared tilapia and ginger soy chicken with rice. A dessert table — if you actually have room left in your stomach by this point — features cakes and pies. With flowing champagne and no limit to the number of plates you can have, Sunday brunch at the Beacon Bar and Grill can be an all-day affair, and a particularly relaxing one, especially if you sit at an outside table.
1615 Rhode Island Ave., NW
202-872-1126
www.beaconbarandgrill.com
ANNIE’S PARAMOUNT STEAKHOUSE |
Annie’s, with its location on the 17th Street strip, is a gay institution. The place is small enough that patrons and staff often know each other well, and the menu offers a variety of traditional choices. The steaks are generally a sure bet, but the menu isn’t limited to them — burgers, chicken, fish, pork chops and scampi are also options. At night, Annie’s caters to the 17th Street crowd, adding breakfast to the menu, including French toast and eggs. The mixed drinks are also memorable — or not, depending on how strong they are. Annie’s also offers Sunday brunch, with Belgian waffles, omelets and a carving station.
1609 17th St., NW
202-232-0395
TWO QUAIL |
When it’s time to celebrate an anniversary, Washingtonians flock to this cozy Capitol Hill spot. The restaurant exudes romance, and the menu is classic and rich, with items like two quail stuffed with pumpkin and apple filling topped with a Jack Daniels cider sauce, and spotted golden trout stuffed with spinach and artichokes. The traditional American menu changes seasonally, and food from local and free-range farms is always used. Two Quail also crafts special menus for Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, and brunches for Mother’s Day and Easter. Romantics can make date nights even more memorable with carriage rides around Capitol Hill and the monuments, roses, chocolate or champagne for the table, or even by requesting a special song.
320 Massachusetts Ave., NE
202-543-8030
www.twoquail.com
THAI TANIC |
Logan Circle residents aren’t the only ones flocking to Thai Tanic, a casual Thai spot that’s becoming known for its reasonable prices and good food. Thai Tanic serves lunch and dinner in a small space with ocean-inspired décor. The restaurant offers more than 20 appetizers and soups, including tod mun goong, deep friend shrimp cake, and yum ped yang, honey roasted duck. Entrées range from red and green curry to a number of vegetarian options, along with classics like pad thai and drunken noodle. The drinks are imaginative — and strong — and Thai Tanic also offers delivery and carryout, making it a great neighborhood place.
1326A 14th St., NW
202-588-1795
HANK'S OYSTER BAR |
Hank’s Oyster Bar, which recently launched a second outpost in Alexandria, is known for more than its oysters and other seafood. The Hank’s wine list, which includes 13 bottles of white, 11 bottles of red, and four sparkling wines, is comprehensive without being too pretentious, and offers choices to complement every meal. All wines are available by the bottle and 13 wines are available by the glass. Chef Jamie Leeds is a lesbian, and she calls her dishes “Urban Beach Food,” perfect for those seeking a vacation but are tied to a desk in the District. Dishes include traditional lobster rolls and fried clams, while the “Meat and Two” specials — one meat dish (such as chicken schnitzel) and two sides (such as Old Bay french fries and onion bread pudding)— appeal to the seafood-phobic. The ice bar includes inventive choices, like sake oyster shooters.
1624 Q St., NW
202-462-4265
1026 King St.
Alexandria, VA
703-739-4265
www.hanksdc.com
Dining | People | Community | Nightlife
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