New DC Restaurant: Commonwealth Gastropub

August 21, 2008 at 10:30 AM | by BS | Comments (0)

Northwest DC's Columbia Heights--which only two years ago was a dead zone for restaurants, save a scattering of Salvadoran holes-in-the-wall--is suddenly the District's hottest new spot for eats. New restaurants in the neighborhood include comfort food spot The Heights, hipster bar and grill Red Derby, brick oven pizzeria Red Rocks and Latino tapas restaurant Rumbero's.

And if the 'hood wasn't a certifiable foodie destination before, it is now that it can claim a gastropub. For the uninformed, a gastropub is just like a regular pub, but with a much snobbier--and expensive--bar menu.

The British-inspired Commonwealth Gastropub opened just two weeks ago, with a unique menu from chef Jamie Leeds (above, also of DC faves 15 Ria and Hank's Oyster Bar). The food ranges from bar snacks like lemon-stuffed fried olives to British classics such as steak and oyster pie, but the real prize comes in the very lengthy list of quality beers from both the UK and the Commonwealth (Leeds' backhanded reference to the good ol' USA).

Speaking of the brews: Someone needs to tell Leeds to take Ireland's Guinness and Smithwick's off the UK beer list as wars have been started over smaller slights!

Related Stories:
· Commonwealth Gastropub [Official Site]
· Washington, DC Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Endless Simmer]

Jaunted

Select a Destination:

Restaurants / New DC Restaurants / Beer / → All Tags