Downtown: Rare Tavern

interior On a hot D.C. summer afternoon, take a load off your feet and cool down in the clubby steakhouse vibes of Rare Tavern (1595 I Street NW), the downstairs/street level of Rare Steakhouse. A WPA mural-like back bar depicting the muscle and brawn of labor and wait staff dressed in the best of mid-century chop and steakhouse garb will put you in the mood for some classic drinks and food. You’ll pick up on the Wisconsin theme as you peruse the drinks and snacks menu, but don’t waste too much time getting your first libations on the table.

No low shelf here as we were very pleasantly surprised with the mid-level Jim Beam and Absolut spirits in the rail offerings. The Wisconsin Old-Fashioned – a potent albeit sweet offering, made with brandy instead of the usual rye or whiskey – and a beer and wine list that hits most proclivities at least once will keep everyone happy. (Although, a request for sparkling rosé seemed to short circuit the bar.)

The service was attentive, pleasant and even happy as the space began to fill up and ordered snacks came out quickly. Even with its retro title (and associations), that chipped beef and cheese was pretty good, with some homemade potato chips on the side. The Wiscotch egg had good flavor but was a little lean on its sausage wrap. The broiled oysters and Ahi tuna were scrumptious, the later with just enough capers and black olives to complement the silken texture of the fish. And $1 raw oysters? An increasingly rare treat on happy hour menus around town. The array of $2 bites (Garlic & Parmesan Roll, bar nuts, and pretzels) was perfectly fine but you would be legitimately perturbed if those items were any more expensive. As for the cheese curds, well , must be a siren song for the Badgers in the house, but we took a pass.