Irregardless

Irregardless is a new wine bistro located along H St NE corridor that features a six-course seasonal tasting menu from Chef Ben Browning and a bar program run by Christine Cabatuan in collaboration with owners, Ian and Mika Carlin. Two tasting menus ($85), one omnivore and one vegetarian, are offered alongside two optional beverage pairings ($65), one of which will exclusively focus on Virginia wine and spirits. The Modern American tasting menus draw inspiration from the bounty of the Mid-Atlantic region, with a strong focus on local and sustainable ingredients. Closest Metro is Union Station.

Stable

Stable offers a unique Swiss-American experience along the H St NE corridor. From Michelin Guide: "Transporting diners to the Alps, this warming and proud pearl is replete with exposed wood beams, cozy lighting and Swiss flags. It exudes that classic Alpine lodge feel, even if you’re more aprés-office than aprés-ski. Cream, butter and starch are the soul of this kitchen, not the exception, so don't expect a light meal."  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Maketto

Maketto is a 60 seat restaurant that offers a fresh interpretation of Cambodian and Taiwanese cooking inspired by the people and flavors of those respective cultures. With a small retail shop in the front and extra seating upstairs and outside, we went recently for dim sum, served on Sundays only from 11:30am to 4:00pm.  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Copycat Co.

Copycat Co. located on H. St NE offers Northern Chinese street fare such as skewers and steamed bao along with creative drinks upstairs created by Barmini veteran Devin Gong.  In addition to a permanent cocktail menu loaded with the classics, bartenders rotate through weekly (hand-drawn!) specialty menus featuring toddys, daiquiris, juleps, and more.  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Stay Classy Pop-Up @ Mythology

Stay Classy is a pop-up bar dedicated to Will Ferrell's oeuvre, located in the Mythology restaurant on H Street NE.  The DCist's First Look commented: "Signature cocktails ($10-$16) reference Farrell's character, Ron Burgundy's Smelly Pirate Hooker insult from Anchorman. The margarita is as fun to drink as it is to order, with a sweet and spicy citrus taste that sneaks up on you with a latent jalapeno heat. For those seeking a bit of whiskey to pair with their collection of leather bound books, there’s the Shake and Bake, a super-charged whiskey sour that sparkles with ginger beer and muddled cherry.

DC Harvest Spring Menu

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DC Harvest is excited to highlight fresh seasonal local ingredients in their new Spring menu.  We were invited in by general manager/owner Jared Ringel to sample some of the newest dishes made by his brother, chef/owner Arthur Ringel.  The duo have kept DC Harvest a popular mainstay along the bustling H St NE/Atlas District area for the past 4 years now. Check out my original review here. Closest Metro is Union Station.

DC Harvest

DC Harvest is a scratch made kitchen and bar serving a seasonal menu highlighting a healthy approach to upscale dining. Cuisine is modern American, utilizing specifically sourced products from local farms and vendors. Local beers, wine and creative house made cocktails are offered to pair with your meal. DC Harvest is run by owners and brothers, Arthur and Jared Ringel, who bring over 40 years of local restaurant experience to H street. Their passion and drive for amazing guest experiences is evident in our customer-friendly approach and neighborhood atmosphere.  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Pursuit Wine Bar

Located at the east end of the H Street Corridor, The Pursuit Wine Bar features an extensive by-the-glass wine list paired with contemporary American comfort foods. The Pursuit Wine Bar's interior was designed to create a comfortable and relaxing environment. The first floor includes a lively bar, open kitchen and secret garden patio out back. The upstairs lounge houses several comfortable couches and is an ideal setting to kick back and enjoy a few glasses of wine with good friends. Over 45 different wines by the glass are available from a wine list that knows no geographical or varietal boundaries. Closest Metro is Union Station.

Ocopa

Ocopa is located in the trendy H Street Neighborhood where food and fun collide. Rich in traditional Peruvian flavors, Ocopa offers the finest in fresh, sustainable, and local foods. The seasonal menu is rich in tradition, featuring such Peruvian dishes as maki, tiradito, causa and cebiche.  Ocopa’s hydroponics system provides the freshest ingredients that are "home grown" to ensure the highest of quality standards.  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Pizza, Parts, & Service

Pizza, Parts, & Service is brought to us by the Taylor Gourmet team in the former Steak & Ice location on H St NE.  Whole pizzas and pizzas by the slice are offered with toppings ranging from the traditional (pepperoni) to the New York-friendly (meatball) to the more unusual (broccoli rabe). There are also garlic knots, wings, calzones and salads - all of which can also be delivered if within the radius marked off by the US Capitol to the DC Armory between New York Avenue and East Capitol Street. Closest Metro is Union Station.

Toki Underground

Toki Underground is a hip new ramen noodle shop in the consistently growing Atlas District of H St. NE.  Featuring a fun and casual menu of Taiwanese-Korean-Japanese fusion noodle dishes and dumplings, Toki Underground also boasts some great music and art work, as well as nods to Japanese anime and games. Closest Metro is Union Station.

RedRocks Bistro

We visited RedRocks Bistro's most recent location in the Atlas District area of H Street NE (the other three are in Arlington, Old Town Alexandria and Columbia Heights). Offering a neighborhood spot with wood-fired Neopolitan thin crust style pizzas, this three-story restaurant is the largest featuring a 6,800-square-foot space with three bars and a rooftop patio with a retractable roof, in a building that has been vacant since the 1968 riots.  RedRocks promises a fast-casual experience, with pizzas ready in two minutes flat.  At the bar, you'll find 20 draft lines for local beers, cider, prosecco and wine, as well as bottomless bloody marys and mimosas for brunch.  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Vendetta

Vendetta is a new bocce bar and Italian restaurant on H Street NE.  Taking place of the former Red Palace, this simple Italian fare restaurant is the latest addition to the Atlas District.  With a fun decor of Vespas, old Italian posters, and bocce courts, Vendetta is a great place for first dates and large groups.  Happy Hour lasts until 8pm with some great deals,  but the food is hit or miss.  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Neighborfood (H Street Corridor/The Atlas District) Giveaway!

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Neighborfood is an afternoon celebration of food, family, and the community we live in coordinated by the folks behind Dishcrawl. A neighborhood is defined by the community within it, so, for one afternoon, we will be inviting your neighbors to live it, love it, and eat in it, because as Virginia Woolf said "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."  The next crawl is on Saturday, June 29th, and features 8 different restaurants along the H Street Corridor which are all within walking distance.  And the lovely Dishcrawl team has generously donated two tickets to one of my readers!  The giveaway contest has ended.

Chupacabra

Chupacabra is a new Latin kitchen and taqueria in the Atlas District.  Actually located on 9th St right off of H St NE, there are signs and a large painting with their recognizable logo to lead you in the right direction. However, 9th St does not cut across H St, so you have to come down either 10th or 8th and cut over.  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Le Grenier

Le Grenier is a charming new French Bistro on H St NE. French for “the attic,” the two-story bistro in the Atlas District reveals the offbeat shopping of co-owner Marie Ziar, who according to the Washington Post, "scoured eBay and salvage stores for the outsize bird cages, worn suitcases, old mirrors and headboards that dress her loftlike destination."  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Reader Question: Casual Birthday Celebration

With the nicer weather finally upon us, now is the great time to dine out with groups, especially for birthday celebrations.  My latest question came from a reader looking for just that - where to have moderately priced meals with great drinks, and music in the background.  Here is a quick response:  

Taylor Charles Steak & Ice

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The new concept from the Taylor Gourmet team, Taylor Charles Steak & Ice, is opening its doors on H Street NE on Wednesday, December 12 (yes, on 12/12/12). The restaurant's mission is to make authentic Philadelphia cheesesteaks, and will operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and until 3:30 a.m. on weekends, with delivery coming soon. Closest Metro is Union Station.

TruOrleans

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TruOrleans Restaurant & Gallery features Cajun and Creole family recipes from Louisiana and has recently turned over with new management, a new chef, and a new menu in attempt to revitalize the restaurant. With an open veranda for you to enjoy a view of H St NE and a Mardi Gras themed bar, TruOrleans provides a charming place to indulge in fun drinks to quench your thirst. Throughout the restaurant is an art gallery with items straight from the French Quarter.  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Shawafel

Combining shawarma and falafel, Shawafel is a "quick serve restaurant" on H St NE that serves chicken, lamb and beef mixed Shawarma in the traditional Lebanese way.  Other available items include spreads such as hummus and baba ghannouj, a sultry dip of fire-roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, as well as salad options with tabouleh made of parsley, bulgar wheat, diced tomatoes, onions, mint, and lemon dressing, and fattouch made of diced cucumber, tomato, radish, lettuce, onions, and pomegranate dressing.  Sandwiches run about $8 with platters about $11-13.  Closest Metro is Union Station.