DCLance

Lola’s

// September 29th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Bars, Capitol Hill, DC, Food & Drink

Lola’s is quite possibly my new favorite sports bar. For being a brand new bar, it has a great deal of personality – it feels like it has been there for years. The walls are covered with nicely framed historic photographs of DC and there is a Washington Redskins 50th Anniversary mirror (which obviously is over 20 years old and is a solid piece of memorabilia I might add) but it doesn’t at all reek of the fabricated nostalgia of Applebee’s. The bar itself is a dark wood that is surprisingly unvarnished and topped with several small lamps that are actually built into its top. The barstools have leather seats, but more importantly, backs…which are key feature for lanky patrons such as yours truly.

The food is very good, and better than traditional bar fare found at other sports bars on the Hill or elsewhere. We had the wedge salad, the supreme grilled cheese, the burger and chocolate cake, all of which were above average and none of which felt like they were dipped in grease before being served. The sandwiches come with a small salad or fries, but the fries are highly recommended, and for good reason.

The staff was very friendly and seemed to be genuinely interested in the diners as well as the televised games. My only concern about Lola’s is size of the space (though its size also contributes to its charm). Beth and I tried to dine there last Sunday after I returned from the Redskins game, but upon arriving saw that the place was packed. When we arrived this Saturday evening around 7:30 p.m. there were only two seats available at the bar, and the place was continuously full throughout the evening. I wouldn’t go there with more than five or six friends, as the space is very narrow and there is very limited seating, but if you have a small group, it is a great location for an evening of good food, drink and sports. I am already looking forward to my next trip there.

Lola’s
711 8th St SE
Washington, DC 20003
202.547.5652

AvalonLance

// August 24th, 2008 // No Comments » // Food & Drink, Redskins, Restaurants

Avalon Lance

The Princenton isn’t my favorite bar; but when I decided to try and watch the Redskins’ preseason game down the shore, I thought my best chance to do so involved braving the meatheads and cougars trying to make the most of their summer vacations, and venturing down to the ironically named bar.  As it was a preseason game and as we are in Eagles country, I thought it was best to call ahead and confirm that they would be showing the game on at least one of their many televisions.  I called the bar and spoke to a friendly young lady who assured me that they would be showing preseason games at the Princeton that evening, and that yes, the Redskins’ game would be one of them.

After arriving at the Princeton, we walked through bar, and not a single television was showing the Redskins’ game – but no fewer than six televisions were showing the Pittsburgh/Minnesota snoozefest.  When I approached the hostess (who I assume was the young lady with whom I had spoken earlier), and told her that none of the televisions were showing the Redskins’ game, she responded, “Well it is a preseason game…”

Here’s the thing: NFL preseason games are a chore.  They’re drudgery for the players, they’re drudgery for the fans, and they’re drudgery for the media schlubs who have to cover them.  You don’t watch preseason games unless nothing else is on, and you certainly don’t watch preseason games that don’t feature your favorite team.  So when I asked if there were any way I could get the Redskins’ game on just one of the televisions, and was told “Probably not, but you’ll have to ask the bartenders (who were equally if not less helpful),” one could imagine my level of exasperation.

Hungry, agitated and ready for a drink, Beth and I ended up at Maggie’s for dinner.  The service was great and it was one of the few places (i.e. the only place) that would accommodate us at that point in the evening. Maggie’s does sell wine, but only from the Balic Winery, a local winery based in nearby Mays Landing, New Jersey.  I ordered a bottle of the Napoleon Bonaparte, and while it was way too sweet for yours truly, my friends that tried it later seemed to really enjoy it.  Maggie’s is good enough, but a little overpriced (though its prices are definitely inline with other Jersey shore restaurants), and I would recommend it as a slight cut above the other pedestrian dining establishments at the shore.  I don’t mean hate on shore restaurants, but basically the equation is:

Jersey Shore Dining ≤ Olive Garden Food + $14 – Unlimited Salad and Breadsticks

And as it turns out, the clowns at the Princeton may have done us a favor.  Beth and I had a nice enough dinner at Maggie’s, and I was spared watching my Redskins get embarrassed by the Carolina Panthers. The bloom may be off the Zorn rose, boys, but it is certainly off of the Princeton.

Maggie’s
2619 Dune Drive
Avalon, NJ 08202
609.368.7422‎

Good Stuff Eatery

// August 17th, 2008 // No Comments » // Capitol Hill, DC, Food & Drink, Restaurants

Farm Fresh Trade Gothic

Wow.  A nicer, cleaner Five Guys with a more varied menu, salads, milkshakes and is within walking distance? I’m sold.  Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn opened Good Stuff Eatery in July, and every time I’ve walked or driven past there since, the line has been to or out the door.  Beth and I decided to eat there Friday night, and when we got there (around 7:00 p.m.), the line was manageable, and we only had to wait a few moments to order.  But by the time we left, the line was at least twenty people deep.

Between the low ceiling, the music and the voices trying to talk over the music, the downstairs is LOUD.  I felt like I was shopping at Ruehl, not trying to buy a hamburger.  The upstairs is more suitable for dining, and with the multiple HDTVs and the ability to buy beer, it could be considered more of a sports bar then a fast food joint.  Regardless of ambiance, the bottom line is that the food is pretty damn good (and probably worth waiting in line).  The Farmhouse Burger was really good, the french fries were fresh and cooked perfectly, and the fried onion on top of the wedge salad was a pretty solid addition to an otherwise pretty unhealthy (yet delicious) meal.  I’m usually a condiment stickler when it comes to my burgers, but I went with the Good Stuff Sauce, and was pretty pleased.

This isn’t Citronelle – but between the quality of the ingredients and preparation, the varied menu and the use of Trade Gothic throughout their menus and signage, it is a definite step up from Five Guys; and for those that live or work on the Hill, it is a very nice option to have for a quick and inexpensive lunch or dinner.

Good Stuff Eatery
309 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20003
202.543.8222

Locanda

// August 9th, 2008 // No Comments » // Capitol Hill, DC, Food & Drink, Restaurants

Outdoors at Locanda

Since we moved to the Hill, the number of quality local restaurants has increased significantly, but we always appreciate more walkable dining options.  When we saw that there was a new Italian restaurant coming to Pennsylvania Avenue last spring, we were pretty excited.  After a few delays, Locanda finally opened last fall, and Beth, Valerie, Travis and dined there shortly thereafter.

This Friday, Beth and I were looking for someplace to eat outdoors to take advantage of the incredible weather we were experiencing here in DC.  I made reservations at Locanda on my way home from work and was able to secure a table at the front of the restaurant, which opens onto Pennsylvania Avenue during the spring, summer and early fall.  The mosquitos were a bit a nuisance, but dealing with them was worth the people watching and the ability to enjoy the superlative weather.

To start, we ordered the calamari & zucchini fritti and the Caprese salad.  I enjoyed the calamari, but was less a fan of the salad.  The mozzarella was soft, the tomatoes were fresh (although yellow), and my lack of enthusiasm was not due to quality of the ingredients, but because I prefer a less traditional Caprese salad – one accompanied by a good bit balsamic vinegar.  For entrées we ordered the crab ravioli (which was fantastic), and I believe the Napoletana farfalle (which was fairly solid).

The ambiance is modern and warm though definitely not extravagant.  Despite a lot of the reviews I’ve seen online, the servers were very attentive, the staff friendly, and I found the bread to be surprisingly good.  While not the most glamorous restaurant on the Hill, it is a welcome addition to the neighborhood and one worth visiting on occasion.

Locanda
633 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003
202.547.0002