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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Alfresco Dining and Drinking

I love sitting outside in nice weather to enjoy great food and drinks. Now's the time to find an outdoor spot.  I'm going to continue to add more, but check out some of the following places:
  • Cafe Dupont:  Cafe Dupont offers a large patio with French influenced fare from Chef Silvan Kraemer.  The Alan's Love cocktail is light and refreshing. 
  • Lost Society:  Lost Society is just what the U Street neighborhood needed with a beautiful roof top for dining and drinking.  Get some steak! 

  • Veranda:  If you enjoy sipping drinks on an outdoor patio, check out Veranda.  My conclusion after visiting for the second time is that the food is average.  (The other negative is that they don't accept AMEX).  However, the beet salad is delicious.  I'd pick Veranda if you're in the mood for some outdoor drinks.  

  • Madhatter: Chef Freddie Melgar joined Madhatter to bring a little pizazz to the menu.  Sit out on the patio and enjoy the Tuna Sashimi with Asian sesame vegetables and a cilantro vinaigrette.  Jack's slow roasted bbq pork sliders are delicious.  The menu still has your old favorites, but it is now brightened up with some new delights.

  • TruOrleans:  Get a taste of Louisiana and enjoy the spacious patio.

  • Buca di Beppo:  Buca has a friendly atmosphere and great people watching patio.  The lobster Caesar salad is delicious!
  • L'Auberge Chez Francois: I fell in love at first taste, so I had to go back for seconds.  L'Auberge transports you to the hills of France and only gets better every time.  Enjoy the weather on the beautiful back patio and treat yourself to the charm of L'Auberge.
  • RISRIS had a beautiful outdoor patio and a new spring menu. The salmon is delicious and they have many new fun cocktails.
  •  El Centro D.F.: Great roof deck for drinking margaritas.  
  • Standard:  Great BBQ and hush puppies.  Also, check out the massive beers.  U Street/Shaw
    1801 14th Street NW
    Washington, DC 20009  Standard on Urbanspoon
  • ADC:  Situated  on the rooftop of Donovan House, ADC has amazing views and specialty cocktails.  A selection of the Zentan menu is also available at ADC. During the daytime the pool is reserved for guests, with the pool bar open to guest and locals in the evening hours. 
  • American Ice Co:  Warning:  This place gets super crowded.  If you manage to snag a seat, American Ice is a fun place to sit outside for BBQ and beer.  Perfect spot to stop before heading to the 9:30 club.(202) 758-3562
    U Street/Shaw
    917 V Street NW
    Washington, DC 20001 

    American Ice Co. on Urbanspoon

  • RedRocksRedRocks is a cute Columbia Heights neighborhood spot that is great to enjoy some outside patio time.  The brick oven pizza is outstanding.  The patio is the perfect place to sip beer and eat pizza.
  • Tabaq Bistro:  Tabaq has delicious Mediterranean tapas.  The service is spotty, but the beautiful roof-deck has breathtaking views of the city.  
  • Cork Wine Bar: One of the most coveted seats during the warmer months, Cork Wine Bar's charming patio is the perfect spot to spend a warm spring evening over delicious food and interesting wines. Situated on lively 14th Street near Logan Circle, Cork's quaint patio offers guests an exquisite alfresco dining experience within one of the trendiest neighborhoods in DC. Cork also brings out the heat lamps when the temperature dips in the evenings.  Cork Wine Bar is located at 1720 14th Street, NW. 
  • Café Saint-Ex: A neighborhood mainstay on DC's popular 14th Street, Café Saint-Ex's relaxing patio is often full of hungry brunch-goers, leisurely lunchers and those merely looking for a delicious meal under the sun. Drawing a diverse mix of neighborhood locals and visitors alike, Saint-Ex's 54-seat umbrella-decorated terrace offers an expansive corner location perfect for people-watching along the busy 14th Street.  Café Saint-Ex is located at 1847 14th Street, NW. 
  • One of my favorite places to go in the Chinatown neighborhood is Zaytinya. It is located on the corner of 9th and G NW. They have the perfect patio to people watch and enjoy the Mediterranean/Turkish style cuisine. The bread is amazing! My favorite dish to order is the shrimp and dill. Not only is the patio fun, but Zaytinya offers a lively atmosphere inside at the bar. Zaytinya is another one of Jose Andres' fabulous additions to the city.
Zaytinya on Urbanspoon
  • Matchbox: Great Pizza and cocktails! The mini burgers with the delicate deep fried onion straws are amazing! You can watch us make it all on the show with the help of Chef Jon McArthur. Get there early because there is sometimes a wait but you can always grab a drink at the bar with one of their infused vodkas. Try the Fire and Smoke pizza for if you want something with a kick. Photo : Reggie Marston (camera), Perry Smith (Owner), me. Filming "Pizza and Cocktails" episode airing in July or August. 
(202) 289-4441
713 H St NW
Washington, DC 20001
www.matchboxdc.com
Matchbox on Urbanspoon
  • The Poste: Really fun bar inside Hotel Monaco with a great outdoor space.  Good cocktails, but a little pricey.
Poste on Urbanspoon
  • Old Glory: Situated in the heart of Georgetown, Old Glory's lively rooftop deck is considered a coveted Georgetown gem and offers a wonderful outdoor dining experience overlooking the neighborhood. Often hosting exciting events like weekly Trivia Night and group entertainment, Old Glory's 50-person rooftop is the perfect place to gather with friends and enjoy a home-cooked meal of award-winning smoked ribs and of course, their famous complimentary basket of fresh corn bread muffins.  Old Glory is located at 3139 M Street NW. Please visit www.oldglorybbq.com or call (202) 337-3406 for more information or reservations.
Old Glory BBQ on Urbanspoon 
  • Acadiana– Dappled sunlight breaks through the shade on the quiet K Street side of this contemporary Louisiana fish house, as Cajun music plays softly in the background and a cheerful clinking announces the arrival of buckets of beer at your table.  Whether at lunchtime or for one of the popular early evening seafood boils [not available inside!] any one of the sleek bronze tables gracing Acadiana's northern sidewalk [accommodating 60] offers the most relaxing seat in the house.
  • Marcel’s - elegant yet relaxed, the patio space flanking the entrance to one of the city’s most beloved special occasion restaurants transports you to a seat along the bustling side walks of Le Champs Élysée.  Seated along Pennsylvania Avenue, in fact, you’ll be offered the bar menu -- but feel free to settle in, make an evening of it, and order from the complete dinner menu of Robert Wiedmaier’s fine French cuisine.

Photo by Kristen Finn

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