The DC Happy Hour Sleuths ripped the band-aid off and are back after a more than two year hiatus. The wound of the pandemic and the wreck of Covid have been deep, but as our spring days grow longer, our enthusiasm for going out feels better placed. And as restaurants and bars begin to come closer to pre-pandemic confidence, hospitality and staffing, more and more are returning to the Happy Hour as a way to introduce drinkers and diners to snap shots of their complete offerings, thankfully stretching beyond the mandatory take-out pivots of the last two years.

We kept local and explored the Happy Hour opportunities at The Imperial, an interior photo-worthy establishment fashioned from three previous storefronts on the corner of Florida Avenue and 18th Street, http://www.imperialdc.com. Opened in November 2019, with the tsunami of the pandemic following in just four short months , the joie de vivre of this bright and airy three-story establishment has remained constant and thrived with nods from the Michelin Guide, Condé Nast’s Traveler and many others. Owners Bill Thomas and Stephen King infused their deep love and appreciation of spirits and cocktails, honed at their Jack Rose Saloon just down the block, and brought a cuisine that nods to classic American, French, and the Chesapeake waters’ bounty.

With the weather in our favor, we headed to the roof top bar, one of three distinct eating and drinking areas in this busy corner of Adams Morgan. (Not normally Happy Hour real estate, but our party of six was cheerfully seated there.) A bit of a chill was chased by heaters and plastic see-through tenting, allowing us to still enjoy the view of the varied roof tops of the neighborhood. Our group of Sleuths and new friends were thirsty and hungry and we got right to work.

The Happy Hour menu was a combination of special, set cocktails, bar snacks, $2 oysters (raw and Rockefeller style) and two larger bite offerings, a double-decker burger and a cheddar wurst roll. We ordered one each of the six bites ($9 each), to share, and the offerings were more than enough to complement our drinking. We loved all the snacks (Classic Hushpuppies, Piggies in a Blanket, Peppadew Peppers Stuffed with Goat Cheese with Seasonal Pickles, Quahog Clam Dip, Lump Crab Deviled Eggs and Mini Shrimp Rolls). Old Bay Spice enlivened the dip and the accompanying, deep fried saltines (!) – a favorite of all.

The specialty cocktails, at $11 each, were all very creative and made use of not often seen ingredients (Madeira in “Another One Bites the Must” and cola syrup “Ice Cold Sunshine”). The favorite was the “Double Down”, an overly complicated but satisfying take on a classic Manhattan. Overall, we found the cocktails to be just a bit too busy and light on the actual alcohol, although our Espresso Martini drinker found his libation to be more and more captivating as he eased into the coupe.

Back-ups to Happy Hour specialty cocktails are regular, standards from the bar, at $9 a pour. The Happy Hour $11 wines were good choices, a Drouhin Pinot noir, Etincelle Sauvignon Blanc and a Chandon Brut sparkling – although the sparkling poured in a standard wine glass instead of a flute was unusual. The $6 beers, Sierra Nevada, Hop Electric IPA, Alllagash White and Manor Hill Pilsner, were the best buy.

All and all, good fun had by all, and, yes, while not pre-pandemic Happy Hour prices, we appreciate that times have changed and prices will better reflect establishments’ inflationary pressures and commitment to better compensated staffing. And, really, when you need an escape from the world, it just feels special being able to enjoy a happy hour and The Imperial will have you doing it in class.

The nitty gritty:

Happy Hours: Monday – Friday, 4 – 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Bathrooms:  Clean, uni-sex.

Transportation:  Closest Metro stop:  Dupont Circle (Red Line).

Accessibility:  Only the first floor, street level dining area.

Are you Sam? Diane? Maybe Cliff, Frasier, Carla or Norm?  Stretch it, and say you’re Lilith or Woody.  Where do you hang out?   No, it’s not in a Boston subterranean cave, but right here on Connecticut Avenue, NW, The Chartwell Grill at The Churchill Hotel. (1914 Connecticut Avenue, NW).  Some of our followers have asked, “So, where do you go, you know, when you just want to chill and drink?”  It’s our “local”, the place where everybody really DOES know our names, where even our wheel-bound mates can feel at home (although through a circuitous jaunt bisecting the kitchen), and where the drinks are solid and appropriately priced.

Every local needs a good bartender…here it’s Omari, the arbiter and magician of all special requests and good cheer.  Like any good bartender, he’s got a smile for you on those days when you’re feeling gruff and in that space where you could easily could morph to rude.

A couple of HH drinks served in this well-appointed and newly renovated hotel lounge/bar will get you back on track.  A glance to the Modigliani and Botero reprints on the wall affirm that your life really is high-brow and divorced from the current insanity that can easily grip a Washington DC watering hole. (To keep up with the latest, the at-bar seats do provide the requisite plug in to cable news.)

How can you go wrong with a wide array of HH drinks, offered at $4 each?   Sodas and juice go even lower at $2.  The domestic beers include Miller Lite, MGD, Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob Ultra. Imports are Corona, Heineken and Stella Artois.  The white wines are a CK Mondavi Chardonnay and a Woodbridge Sauvignon Blanc.  The reds include either a CK Mondavi Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.  The rail liquors are also above average with, for example, Early Times bourbon, Smirnoff vodka, Seagram’s gin, and others.

Happy Hour food choices are the Achilles heel here, but with promise of a very near future upgrade from management:  all food items on Happy Hour menue are $4, so complaining seems petty and at least one of our sleuths declares the chicken wings best in town!

Other fare – the chicken quesadilla, hummus three ways, a spicy BLT – do serve the bill for “you gotta eat when you drink” mantra.  Additionally, the three burger sliders (with fries), offered on the regular menu for $12, are quite the bargain and a tasty choice..

Did we mention Omari?  Let’s circle back to that golden trifecta of location, an affable bartender, and good pricing to cement the perfect relationship with a “local”.  We, the Happy Hour Sleuths, are devoted to scouting out neighborhoods in DC to advise on where you might find your Cheers!

 

The nitty gritty:

Hours:

Everyday:  4:30 – 6 p.m.

Bathrooms: Back through hotel lobby; always clean and tidy.

Transportation: Metro,  Dupont (north exit; Red Line); Metro bus:  42, L2, H1.

Accessibility:  Any one in wheeled conveyance really does need to curl around back of hotel lobby and come through kitchen to bar/lounge area.  The staff is very accommodating and helpful.

 

 

 

 

“Dryuary” be damned!  There’s no better riposte than a good happy hour to chase away the post-holiday blues….the DC Happy Hour Sleuths are back on the prowl!

A chilly late afternoon, with the January sun quickly fading, finds us at Anju, 1805 18^th Street, NW.

Yes, we know Washington Post restaurant critic, Tom Sietsma, loves the place for its increasingly buzz-worthy takes on  Korean-inspired  fare, but we’re all about business and the downstairs bar area is a perfect spot to start an evening of serious happy hour contemplation.

An authentic, pan-East Asian vibe of low ceilings, wood lattice work, and flocks of delicate cranes flying along the wall paper transports us to someplace special.

Drinks!  Kirin Ichiban draft beer was offered at $5.  The wines — a CK Mondavi red blend and a Matua Sauvignon Blanc — were on for $6 a glass.  A couple of Korean specialty drinks were offered, including an infused Makkoli (a Korean-type whiskey/bourbon made in-house and infused with vanilla) for $4 shot and Soju, a Korean-type vodka, arriving in a cheeky little 375 ml. bottle for $15.   Our very affable server, Vanessa, provided each of us with a shot glass for tasting (this spirit’s a winner for saké lovers).  No proffered bourbon goes untested by our in-house expert, but he found the Makkoli overly redolent of vanilla and the rail bourbon, Larceny, too harsh for further exploration.  (Other rail options priced at $5 for HH.)

 

Vanessa guided us through the HH food choices, a couple of which are also standouts on the regular menu:  Spicy Korean Fried Chicken (a high-priced HH choice, at $12,  but worth it) and Tornado Potatoes.  The Kimchi Slaw Dog was fought over and the Spicy Brisket Ramen was appropriately slurped (although the singular, paper-thin shaving of brisket seemed like nothing more than a garnish:  the perfectly cooked pickled egg atop the ramen is what you really want).  The standard issue slender metal chopsticks and spoon may not be enough hardware for the uninitiated to tackle any of the food choices, but requests for additional cutlery are cheerily accommodated.  The spice level of all the choices seemed just right – and appropriately debatable for those on the spice-challenged spectrum.

All and all, a very solid Happy Hour choice and we’re all planning a repeat visit for dinner upstairs in the dining room.

The nitty gritty:

Happy Hours: Everyday, 5 – 7 p.m.  Also, late night Happy Hours, Sunday – Thursday, 10 p.m. – 12 a.m; Friday and Saturday, 11 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Bathrooms:  Clean, uni-sex.

Transportation:  Closest Metro stop:  Dupont Circle (Red Line).

Accessibility:  While technically accessible (ask the management for the ramp to navigate the steep front step), very little actual seating for a companion and wheeled vehicle.  Bathroom is accessible, but very tight quarters.  (And thank you, Tom S., for now including accessibility information in your reviews….reviewing accessibility has always been a founding principle for the DC Happy Hour Sleuths!)

 

Let us put to paper (or keyboard) a marking of the first anniversary of the DC Happy Hour Sleuths!  We’ve enjoyed doing the hard work of sniffing out the best in value, taste, accessibility and conviviality for those magic hours known as Happy.  Because most milestones deserve acknowledgment, we celebrated ours by taking a ramble in the West End.

RIS, 2275 L Street NW (23^rd & L) was welcome shelter from a vicious rain storm for two of the Sleuths a week earlier and we realized this eponymous West End fine-dining establishment had developed into a Happy Hour sleeper and very worthy of a full-team investigation.  Ten years ago, Ris Lacoste plied a solid career as executive chef at 1789 (Georgetown), an Iron Chef competition and long resume of culinary experience into her dream of opening her own restaurant.  The clean and modern decor and abundant natural light in this ground floor venue make for a very pleasant spot to while away any time, happy hour or full meal.

We got there right at start of shift, and, as our sometime HH Sleuths, G&J, would be joining us, we needed accommodation to fit a wheelchair.  We were seated at a generous round table in the bar area and as soon as the staff got organized, we commenced and put ourselves into the cheerful hands of server, Asia.

A solid HH drink menu includes two white spirit cocktails – “Gin & Tonic of the Day” and a Martini, any way you like it!  The house-made strawberry-oregano tonic in the gin drink made for a very refreshing sip, but not in any way the flavor of a traditional G&T.  Other spirits to be enjoyed on Happy Hour are through standard rail pricing.  The wines, a Portuguese red blend and a sauvignon blanc, are nice pours at $5, as well as the Sly Fox lager beer.

The HH food menu has some standards: beef sliders – tiny, but delicious, and fish tacos – fried and accented with pungent pickled red slaw.  There are some unexpected, seasonal offerings:  grilled, dressed asparagus, steamed artichoke dishes, and fried green tomatoes.  All were delicious and freshly prepared.  Good chicken salad sliders and potato chips, topped with bleu cheese and tomatoes rounded the menu out (the potato chips screamed for a brief pass under the salamander to “gooey” up that cheese!).

All in all (and despite some minor HVAC challenges on a very hot day), a very nice happy hour, with the added summer bonus of HH being available both Saturday and Sunday nights (until 9 p.m.) and more specialty drinks.

 

Boveda (2350 M St, NW ), a “Latin Speakeasy”.  After wishing G & J a safe ride home, we stalwart Sleuths ambled down the block, around the corner, and some steps down to Boveda.  Translated from Spanish, boveda is a vault, cave, cavern, tomb:  The could-be darkness of this windowless space is ameliorated by a playful Mexican/Latin décor of material and light, lively music and a variety of seating arrangements, all Happy Hour eligible. Even at 5:30 p.m., we snagged a booth (the bar was taken over by an increasingly louder private party).  A blue agave tequila was a good value ($8), refreshing and not too sweet.  A red Sangria ($7), garnished with fresh blueberries and strawberries went down very easily, and a full range of $7 rail liquors kept everyone happy. A Spanish beer, Mahou (on draft) and Mexican choice, Presidente (bottle), rounded out the drink fare.   The HH nachos (a full platter for $10) were delicious and spicy.  The quesadilla offering was very generous (and our server, Yancy, was happy to box leftovers for take home).  The ahi tuna tacos had a generous portion of fish (cooked) and were plated in a crispy taco shell.

A perfectly good place to escape summer heat and sun, for some food and drink.

 

The nitty gritty:

Happy Hours: RIS – Monday – Friday, 4 – 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.  Boveda – Monday – Friday, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Bathrooms:  RIS – All uni-sex, with one designated handicapped accessible; clean at beginning of shift.  Boveda – Also uni-sex, several steps down from restaurant/bar area; clean at beginning of shift.

Transportation:  Closest Metro stops:  Foggy Bottom (Metro: Blue, Orange, Silver), quick walk from 30’s Metro busses servicing Pennsylvania Avenue.

Accessibility:  RIS – See hostess for opening accessible entrance on 23rd Street.; easily wheel in to bar area with multiple standard tables.   Boveda –While technically handicap accessible, a very circuitous, maze-like route from the lobby of the Westin Hotel (on corner of 23^rd and L) to the restaurant is daunting.  The restaurant’s restrooms are also several steps down, so a call from nature will necessitate a repeat of the route for an accessible restroom back in hotel lobby for those unable to negotiate steps.

 

Here in the “swamp”,  a perfect May day (low 80’s F, no humidity and gorgeous sunshine) is cause for celebration.  The DC Happy Hour Sleuths knew exactly what to do:  we booked our tickets for a water taxi ride to the Wharf district in Southwest DC.  We know we’ll need multiple trips over the coming months to hit all the goodies the Wharf offers, but our first venture was valiant and fruitful.  The Wharf is all new/renewed – glass and steel buildings, a brick-paved boardwalk, piers, interesting gathering spots, a massive concert venue (the Anthem) and, thankfully still, the Maine Avenue fish market, adding it’s own summer-time perfume and still DC-gritty ambiance to the area.

First:  take that water taxi, if you can!  The view from the river back into DC is humbling, even for long-time DC residents.  The monuments, the reminder of the delight that is Hains Point, and realization that the District of Columbia and the water are meant for each other make for an otherworldly 40 minute ride.

Steps from disembarkation is our first stop, Mi Vida, 98 District Square SW, a bright and airy Mexican establishment.  Happy Hour is only in the very small, indoor bar area (you will long to sit outside on a gorgeous day, but will pay full fare).  We could tell this was a place for tequila drinks, so we stuck to those Happy Hour offerings, but wines and beers were also on offer (no rail drink specials).  Each one of the HH cocktail offerings was $6 and we enjoyed them all: The De La Casa was exceptional, an authentic and generous mix, with none of that not-found-in-nature green defining so many other bars’ margaritas.  Other cocktails, La Frozen (mango heavy and rimmed in chile dust) and Ponche de Lola (berry and a bit of fizz) were refreshing and worthy.  All the glassware, throwbacks to substantial hob-nail cuts, automatically make the drinks feel special.   Beer drinkers will be happy with a robust list of Mexican favorites (Modelo, Dos Equis, Corona, etc.) at $4 a pour, and wines, at $6 a glass, are also a bargain. 

We sampled and liked the Huevos Rellenos (not an actual HH choice, but well-priced at $1.50 each on the bar bite menu). The HH chicken wings, Alitas Adobadas, $2, were appropriately bad-ass, piquant on their own, and even come with EXTRA hot sauce.  The nachos, “Tatanachos” are unusual in that they are vegetarian but you will miss nothing in satisfaction as you tuck into this messy, spicy, delicious platter of goodness.  (Don’t be put off by higher than normal $11 for HH food – these are worth it.)

All and all, a delightful experience at Mi Vida, with cheerful service in the very buzzy (and busy) spot:  authentic Mexican (not Tex-Mex) flavors, good drinks and good value.

In doing our research (yes, the HH Sleuths ALWAYS do the homework so you don’t have to), we were intrigued by the siren call of Tater Tots at our next stop, Tiki TNT, 1130 Maine Avenue, SW.  The action fronts on Wharf Street, but the entrance to this multi-story rum distillery and bar is on other side of building.  There are no bad seats, anywhere, in this light-filled structure – many water views through massive windows, outdoor bars, terraces that put you right at water’s edge, nooks and cranny seating made possible by the maximum use of space, and a VERY sunny roof deck (no umbrellas).  BUT, good luck getting a seat, anywhere.  It was 4 p.m., and this place was packed, loud and frenetic, with pheromone-packed air.   (It was seemingly populated by every intern or summer associate working on the Hill and other close-by offices, federal or otherwise.)  The Happy Hour choices are uncomplicated.  When you do grab your waiter, be ready to cue up your choices fast.  The Tater Tots (two varieties – we sampled both) are cheap, filling and just what we remembered, from days of yore watching Gilligan’s Island with TV trays lined up.  Other HH food fare was not sampled, but plays with the Tiki/Polynesian/Caribbean/beachy theme:   Tiki steak and cheese, steamed buns (chicken or pork belly,) wings, pepperoni flatbread – everything priced $3 – $10.  For drinks, hey, how many places are you asked “glass or can” when you order sparkling wine? Go for the daiquiri (the rum, Thrasher’s, is distilled on-site), even if it is a bit sweet. The beer, Narangansett (can), a push-over for Red Sox fans and other New Englanders in the house, was refreshing and the sparkling rosé (“glass, please”) was, well, sparkling.  This is a place to send the youngsters (with ID’s, of course) after that multi-generational family reunion when they’re bored to tears.

The nitty gritty:

Happy Hours: Mi Vida, Monday – Friday, 3 – 6 p.m.; Tiki TNT, Monday – Friday, 3 – 6:30 p.m.

Bathrooms:  Both establishments clean and serviceable at beginning of shift. (Tiki TNT are uni-sex).

Transportation:  Closest Metro stops:  L’Enfant Plaza (Green & Yellow), with free shuttle right down to Wharf or a 15 minute walk from station.  Also Metro accessible from Waterfront-SEU stop (Green), with a 10 minute walk to Wharf.  See Potomac Water Taxi for information on water taxis from Georgetown to the Wharf,  Alexandria to the Wharf, or National Harbor to the Wharf.

Accessibility:  Mi Vida – Easily accessible for wheeled vehicles into bar area, where there is a small, lower bar counter set up for a wheel chair and companion; bathrooms easily accessible.  Tiki TNT – there is a wheelchair lift at street level bar to get to next level, where there is an elevator to reach all other levels of building.  You will have to ask which levels have regular height tables.  Bathrooms are on different levels.

With spring comes renewal and growth…and a now expanded coterie of Happy Hour Sleuths went on the prowl to welcome the season.  We found ourselves, just off F Street,  at MXDC, 600 14^th Street NW,  where the siren call of a couple of margaritas, other various imbibements and refreshing HH bites made for a late afternoon well spent.  In a neighborhood dominated by the ever solid Clyde restaurant group (The Hamilton, Old Ebbitt), MXDC is a hip and value-friendly alternative, sharing the former site of the now departed Washington retail fixture, Garfinkel’s department store. Modern décor, jazzy, up-beat music selections and large bar area of high tops, booths and bar counter set the stage for some serious HH enjoyment at this restaurant, part of celebrity chef Todd English’s group of eateries. 

We started with Margaritas, priced at $6.  As a matter of expediency, most bars pre-mix the citrus and agave base of their version of this Mexican icon.  MXDC is no exception but one of us requested a “less sweet” Margarita and was cheerfully accommodated by our bar tender, Ricky.  We also found the strawberry spin on the drink to be superior with the requested pull-back on the agave.  The special treat on all the Margaritas is the garnish of a dried lime slice; it will get your pucker going!  We didn’t try the HH Sangria (red and white) but would suggest that the menu gaffe be changed to reflect the true offering of a white (pinot grigrio) and red (merlot) based concoction.  The offerings of rail liquors (Milagro tequila, Stoli vodka, Tanquery gin, Evan Williams bourbon, and Captain Morgan rum) at $6 a pour were very welcomed, pushing usual rail offerings at HH up a shelf or two. Nice reds (malbec, tempranillo), rosé, whites (pinot grigio & sauvignon blanc) and sparkling (brut cava & rosé) wine selections were offered (and enjoyed) at $6 a glass.  Beers ($5) were the usual Mexican favorites (all bottles),  Corona, Tecate (and Light), Dos XX and the not so usual, Mahou Cinco.

Two categories of food are offered at HH, antojitos (small bites) and tacos, both at $7.  We tried four tacos: 1) Mahi-mahi, 2) mushroom, 3) steak, and 4) chicken; we rank them in that same order of tastiness.   In general, it was a relief to  have so many non-fried choices in HH fare!

The nachos with pulled pork were a super offering, very good and nicely spicy.  We also tried the cheese dip and found it to be just “ok” – it could have been warmer, a little spicier, and less leaden.  But, in general, it was a relief to have so many non-fried choices in HH fare!

All and all, MXDC was a HH success, good value/price ratio and a very good time had by all.  At the western end of the F Street NW district, it is an easy walk from attractions around the White House.  It fills up quickly, so plan accordingly.

The nitty gritty:

Hours: Monday – Friday, 3 – 7 p.m.; Saturday, drinks only, 3 – 5 p.m., 10 p.m. – close.

Bathrooms:  Clean and serviceable at beginning of shift. 

Transportation: Public transportation via Metro Center, a couple of blocks’ walk, with easy access to Metro lines (red, blue, silver) and close to various bus lines.

Accessibility:  Easily accessible for wheeled vehicles into bar area.  As the bathrooms are down a couple of steps from bar area, staff will help those needing assistance to a circuitous but elevator accessible option.   There is enough low-table seating in bar area to make your HH comfortable!  ANYONE using the high-tops may find the seating confoundingly low in relation to table height.

Well, a declaration of a national emergency could mean retreating back to the familiar and safe (or, dare we say, “where it all began?”).  The expanded DC Happy Hour Sleuths crew stuck local for a comparison crawl between two neighborhood establishments – one where most of us have been faithfuls for years, the other, a relative new-comer to our local HH circuit.

We started at Sette Osteria, 1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW, a popular stylish spot since the early 2000’s.  Happy Hour puts you at the long bar, with TV screens  set to either the talking-head chatter of the day or a sports event.  The décor is bright, cheery and with a definite Italian theme – think lots of tile (challenging for hearing when the place is full), colorful ceramics, large-format Italian advertising posters, etc.  Large plate glass windows put all the hustle and bustle of Connecticut Avenue within sight.  The HH menu features a nice selection of both food and beverages and good bartending has always been a strength here.  We welcomed newbie bartender, Andrea, and reminisced about other long-time bartenders now departed, who could always be depended on to get your drink “just right”.  Beers offerings ($5) include two Italian favorites, Peroni (draft) and Moretti La Rossa, as well as usuals (Amstel Light, Heineken, Corona). Some specialty cocktails ($6) were offered including Sangria (red and white), Bellini, Mimosa, Mojito, and Aperol Spritz.  All rail liquors (e.g., a fair mid-range Early Times bourbon) go for $6.  A nice selection of red, white and sparkling wines were available at $5 for a glass, $18 for a carafe and $25 for a bottle.  We tried a sparkling rose and bottle of red Tempranillo.  No complaints for either.

The Sette HH food menu has always been good value for money:  Some great, homemade meatballs with Brussel sprouts and fried calamari for $6. The wood-fired pizza oven, which warms the atmosphere, is the source of Margherita pizza and various flatbreads (both at the $9 mark for HH). There are many other food choices on the HH menu (you can even sneak in a small salad), most tried throughout the years and all reliable for great accompaniment to bar drinking.  You can also just order a basket (under $4) of focaccia/flatbread from that pizza oven to nibble on and many tasty $5 options.

 

We go up the street to the Mediterranean-themed Barrafina Bar & Grill, 1714 Connecticut Avenue, NW, to give it another try. This space has seen a number of different concept bars and restaurants through the years, and Barrafina is the latest.  The staff is friendly and the décor eclectic post-industrial, with a hint of Barcelonan edginess. 

We find cushy bar seating, but it’s the off-menu fries that bring us back – a cone of crunchy, fried goodness.  The Happy Hour food menu seems to change regularly.  We tried the hummus (over-processed and an odd consistency) and the falafel (good flavor, but none of the outer crust crispiness of traditional falafel); we would have been happy to try to the sliders, calamari and spicy chicken bites, advertised on the website, if offered.   (The regular menu is a solid, economical choice for diners wishing to take a trip around the Mediterranean by sampling some iconic items from the Levant, Greece, Italy and Spain.) 

We had better luck with Happy Hour drinks – good $5 pours of house wine, beers and lower-end rail liquor.  The most fun here is reading the playful quotes of whimsy and thoughtfulness that adorn chalkboard surfaces visible throughout the bar area.

The nitty gritty:

Hours: 

Sette: Sunday & Monday, 4 – 10 p.m.; Tuesday – Friday, 4 – 7 p.m. and 9 – 10 p.m. Sette’s bar tends to fill up quickly at Happy Hour, so plan accordingly. (There is a 1634 14th Street, NW, location, too.)

Barrafina:  Monday – Friday, 4 – 7 p.m. 

Bathrooms: Clean and basic at both restaurants. 

Transportation: Both spots just a short walk up Connecticut Avenue (west side) from the north exit of Dupont Circle Metro (red line).

Accessibility:  At both establishments, you’ll be accommodated for wheeled vehicles at low tables and close to the action.  Sette does have an elevator to get to second level area (where restrooms are), but the exit area of the elevator was filled with stacked chairs on our visit.  Barrafina’s second floor restrooms are not accessible for those not able to do stairs.

 

 

Could Pierre L’Enfant have imagined what his 1791 plan for the federal district would look like in the 21st century?  Could he ever envision his circles connecting the geometric grid of avenues, streets, and boulevards would one day define and name neighborhoods throughout the city?  Logan Circle (former Iowa Circle, renamed for a Civil War hero in 1930) is part of L’Enfant’s design legacy and the inspiration for the DC Hour Sleuths latest trek, Logan Tavern, 1423 P St. NW.   Sitting mid-block on bustling P Street, between 15th and 14th Streets, NW, Logan Tavern has played its part in the recent history of this storied neighborhood.  Following the the daring opening of a Whole Foods on that block in 2000,  this bar and eatery (opened 2003) has played its part in the revitalization of a neighborhood that had seen days as a solid middle class refuge for multiple communities, home to numerous automobile showrooms in the 1930’s, victim to the cruel realities of the 1968 riots and beneficiary of an apartment-bloc building boom in the 2000’s .  The DC Happy Hour Sleuths repaired there after a bracing walk on a brisk and sunny February afternoon and tucked into the main room, home to the bar and the open kitchen.   Decorated in a tasteful industrial aesthetic, with large format black and white photos of various local architectural gems pleasantly consuming the walls, the space was comfortable, congenial and gave off a pleasant neighborhood vibe.

It is well known that we Sleuths love getting to Happy Hours as soon as they begin (because we can), so imagine our surprise when arriving to Logan Tavern shortly after the 3 p.m. opening and finding the very handsome bar space packed!  (Our server, Nick, relayed that the Logan Tavern bar is a popular spot for area restaurant workers to gather, eat and drink, pre-evening shift.  Sure enough, the bar had cleared out by 4:15.)  We were easily and happily accommodated to a large, communal table, just next to the bar for our adventure.  There were also a couple of high tops, but our group of 4 was happy to take the table, which could accommodate up to 8,  and would be very friendly for anyone needing accommodation for a wheel chair.

The HH menu featured a very nice selection of both food and beverages.  Draft beers (16 oz.) included some very good craft offerings, one dollar off other bottle beers, and Bud Light and Rolling Rock at the most price-friendly.   We were intrigued by several specialty cocktails ranging from the $7 Old Fashion (w/ Evan Williams Reserve, and which we tried and liked) to the $8.50 Pomegranate Mojito.  We tried both the Classic Margarita and its spicy hot sibling, Hellfire ($7.50@), and like both.  We were quite disappointed in the American Mule ($7.50 using Tito’s vodka) as the ginger beer didn’t have much of a “ginger” flavor and was flat.  Our requested send back was met with accommodation and no judgment (we think!).  Other good rail liquor options (e.g., Absolut, Four Roses) were also available.    A nice red and white wine HH selection was offered (sparkling wine falls into the interesting category of “bottles to share”), but choices were solid and enjoyed by our wine drinkers.

Food options, priced in the $5 – $10 range, were tasty and the perfect accompaniment to any level of beverage enjoyment.  The Truffle Fries and Thai Mussels were great hits, as well as the Cheese Dip (heart attack in a bowl, but who’s complaining?) and Fried Cauliflower.   Add the grown-up Chicken Tenders and a burger, and you have yourself a more or less balanced Happy Hour meal!  (Consensus was the empanadas were “so-so”, and fish tacos were just too salty and cold.)

Overall, a very pleasant and enjoyable experience and a real keeper for this neighborhood:  A good spot pre-Studio Theater or after window shopping along 14th Street.

The nitty gritty:

Hours:  Monday – Friday, 3 – 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 4 – 7 p.m.

Bathrooms:  Easily accessible, gender neutral and neat and tidy at beginning of shift.

Transportation:  Public transportation not direct, but this vibrant neighborhood is well-served by taxis and car services (see Tavern website for parking options).   Closest Metro stops:  Dupont Circle (Red) or McPherson (Blue/Orange), 10 – 15 minute walks.  The G2 crosstown bus and 52, 53,54, going up and down 14th Street, or the Circulator (Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson) are other public transportation options.

Accessibility:  Easily accessible for wheeled vehicles; you will be accommodated at the communal table, next to bar, for Happy Hour.

Life’s about taking risks:  stepping out when you’re supposed to be home (furloughed), celebrating birthdays not quite imagined a couple of years ago, or hoping for an excellent happy hour experience at a premium power-DC restaurant.  Two of out of three ain’t bad.  Looking to get back in the game after a holiday season filled with home and family cheer, the Happy Hour Sleuths went out on a prowl again to grab the magic 5 o’clock hour and celebrate a significant decade birthday of one of our buddies.  Nervous pacing at the entrance of Central at 4:50 p.m., 1001 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (corner of 11th & Pennsylvania Ave., NW)) with hope of snagging premium window seats and low tables for our group needing good wheel chair access that evening, started our adventure.  The doors opened and horse trading ensued with other que-ups jockeying for prime real estate; the wait staff came to the rescue but we found ourselves mashed into the darker corner of the precious bar low seating area.  But there we were!  You go to Central to be seen, for the excellent French food, because you are a nostalgic fan of Michel Richard and his now-shuttered Citronelle, or to say you’re on Pennsylvania Avenue across the street from, well, one of the most controversial hotels in America.

The wait staff was efficient in getting some excellent choices of drinks on the table fast.  Good mid-range quality liquor was used (e.g., Ancient Age bourbon by Buffalo Trace, Three Olives vodka), but all the cocktails we tried were just a little too sweet (Kir Royale, Boulevardier [a bourbon Manhattan], and Fig Old Fashion).

A nice red, white and sparkling wine selection was offered, and we particularly enjoyed the 2016 Sauvgnon Blanc, Semillon (Haut-Mondain, Bordeaux, France) and 2017

Bonarda-Familia Mayol-Mendoza (Argentine Malbec).  A solid choice of beer: a Partly Cloudy IPA, definitely enjoyed!

The food choices are monochromatic:  all fried (except for the DELICIOUS  gougères),

all plated in exactly the same way (on a smear of mashed potato), or, in the case of the actual frites, with no accompanying sauce or dipper.  (Although, our waiter was more than happy to bring some requested mayonnaise and ketchup.)  The most flavorful of lot are the grown-up chicken fingers, with the crab balls a close second.  But a hint of green or more choices out of the starch food group would have been appreciated.  Full disclosure: we did not try the sliders, another non-fry, low starch option.

 

As it was a special birthday being feted, the order of the special holiday Snowman (regular menu) was presented with appropriate and appreciated aplomb…a table-lit sparkler provided the festive atmosphere for our rendition of happy birthday.

Bottom line:  If you have reservations for dinner at Central, go ahead and enter the rugby scrum for a good pre-dinner drink at Happy Hour prices at the bar.  Save your eating for the fine French fare you will be offered at your dining room table.

 

The nitty gritty:

Hours:  Monday – Friday, 5 – 7 p.m.  The whole bar area filled in and was packed by 5:30, so plan accordingly whether you hope for a low table; bar seats and high tops also available.

Bathrooms:  Easily accessible, gender neutral and neat and tidy at beginning of shift.

Transportation:  Closest Metro stop:  Metro Center (red line); also many of the 30’s buses come right down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Accessibility:  Easily accessible for wheeled vehicles; you should be accommodated with low-table seating in bar area.

 

After a long hiatus of various travels and all the kinds of things life throws at you, the DC Happy Hour Sleuths are out on the prowl again. A mid-week jaunt finds us at Silver, 3404 Wisconsin Avenue, NW,  (Cathedral Heights).  For a strip of Wisconsin Avenue that, until recently, only really ever had one or two watering holes, the recently developed Cathedral Commons provides a variety of dining/drinking options for area residents. Silver, full descriptor, “a new American Brasserie”, has an interior design aesthetic paying an upscale homage to a classic all-American diner (and, indeed, its creators were involved in the Silver Diner chain).

The mid-week crowd was light (a Friday night proved a little more lively), but this is really a dining establishment, family, friends and couple friendly, with an integrated bar area. Food offerings are very good, with some limitations in the Happy Hour drinks advertised:

No rail options at Happy Hour (HH), some specialty cocktails (the ones we tried, spiced apple cider and margarita, seemed overly sweet), healthy pours of wine (but oddly priced at different tiers depending on the varietal) and a couple of offered HH beers, also with tiered pricing depending on choices.  A nice offering was the “Pups Charity Cocktails”, which featured a couple of Tito’s vodka cocktails at $7, $1 of which went to a local animal shelter.

There was a tasty and fairly extensive HH food menu at the $5-$7 range.  We tried all menu offerings and especially enjoyed the pickled fried chicken sliders.  The angus sliders and crispy brussel sprouts were also good.  The gyro meatball bites could use more sauce, and while tasty, if you like your chicken wings messy, the chimichurri chicken wings were all that.  Most drinkers would probably prefer the sauce on the side.   The goat cheese bruschetta was enjoyed, but a request for extra bread meant another $2.

Our server, Ron, was great, attentive and hard-working, covering multiple tasks. The Happy Hour deals are offered at the counter bar and nearby high-top tables. And kudos for offering Happy Hour out on the sidewalk patio, too. A table-level fireplace on the outdoor space provides ambiance and some comfort for those willing to brave a murky fall or winter day – would be delightful in good weather, year-round.

In general, overall experience was good. Find yourself at Silver if you are in the area for an errand, are connected in any way to one of the many schools in the area (seems like a very good spot for a Friday afternoon faculty “meeting” or meet up for parents who can not bear the thought of sitting through yet another sports practice), visiting the Washington National Cathedral, etc.

The nitty gritty:

Hours:  Monday – Friday, 3 – 6:30 p.m., with a Late Night Happy Hour, at bar, after 9:30 p.m.

Bathrooms:  Easily accessible, gender neutral and neat and tidy at beginning of shift.

Transportation:  You’ll most likely be coming here by car (or taxi/car service), as public transportation is limited to a walking 20-30 minutes from Tenleytown Metro rail (Red) or the vagaries of the 30’s, 96 or N6 buses. Two-hour validation is offered for parking at the nearby Giant supermarket parking garage. (There is also a Silver in Bethesda .)

Accessibility:  Easily accessible for wheeled vehicles, with necessary accommodation to regular dining or booths for Happy Hour fare.