Overview: REDLINE GASTROLOUNGE

Initial thoughts:

• Design and Decor: Rustic urban interior framed with exposed brick, mahogany flooring and 23-foot-high ceilings with televisions everywhere
• Food:  Upscale bar food
• Drinks:  Beer taps at your table
• Price:  Moderate
• Service:  Friendly
• Would I go back?  Yes

Photo by Kristen Finn

Redline Gastrolounge is conveniently located right off of the red line metro stop in Chinatown where IndeBleu used to be.  This is the place where you definitely want to watch your next game (33 HDTV plasma screen televisions, a 22-foot-long customizable 'ticker' and two Las Vegas-style electronic display boards).  How many times have you been at a sports bar and waited forever to get another beer because it is too crowded?  Too many for me.  At Redline, there are 8 premium booths fitted with the "Personal Table Tap" system, and guests are invited to pour their own draft beers and enjoy a no-wait standard of service. The amount of beer dispensed from each table tap is recorded and displayed on an electronic meter embedded into the table enabling both guests and wait staff to monitor consumption.  AWESOME!

Not only does Redline have the personal table taps, but Executive Chef Fabrice Reymond created a menu that offers your staple bar options, but other dishes as well with an upscale twist.  My favorite was the jumbo lump crab cake corn avocado salad with tartar sauce.  I also loved the marinated boneless beef short ribs that tasted tender and delicious.  The seasonal mushroom in a puff pastry is rich and earthy.  Also try the Thai Chicken skewers, Buffalo chicken wings, Tuna Tartar Spring Rolls marinated with mustard oil, sesame oil, and shallots and chicken pesto sandwich.  They also have some amazing desserts.

The late-night crowd will enjoy listening to well-known local and national DJs who will spin crowd favorites as the atmosphere commands. If you're lucky you'll get to watch Chef Fabrice bust some moves with his world class break

Redline is located at 707 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, across the street from the Verizon Center, National Portrait Gallery and Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro Stations (Red, Green and Yellow Lines). Redline opens daily at 4 pm Monday through Friday, and noon on the weekends. For reservations, e-mail info@dcredline.com or call 202-543-1724. The website is www.dcredline.com