Iron Gate: D.C.’s oldest restaurant reopens

The courtyard and the dining room are in back of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, which purchased the property in 1922 from General Nelson Miles. Lights, candles and heat lamps keep the courtyard warm, year-round. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The dining room retains some of the stable's original features, such as the fireplace and the stable gates. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The dining room retains some of the stable's original features, such as the fireplace and the stable gates. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The dining room retains some of the stable's original features, such as the fireplace and the stable gates. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The dining room retains some of the stable's original features, such as the fireplace and the stable gates. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The dining room retains some of the stable's original features, such as the fireplace and the stable gates. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Large, iron lights also hang in the dining room and kitchen area of Iron Gate. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Preserves line the brick wall of the kitchen. A native of Maryland's Eastern Shore, Chef Chittum plans to source ingredients for the Italian and Greek-inspired menu from local farmers and producers. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Warm bread comes out of a fire-burning open in the kitchen/dining room of Iron Gate. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The kitchen opens up into the dining room in the building that once served as the property's horse stables. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The kitchen and dining room is the third area of Iron Gate. The building originally served as the property's horse stables. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Thick grapevines and century-old wisteria provide a protective awning for dining in the courtyard. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The natural, protective covering and heat lamps makes dining in the courtyard a year-round possibility. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Out back of the front room is Iron Gate's courtyard, which is sheltered with thick grape vines and century-old wisteria. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Iron Gate is under the direction of Executive Chef Anthony Chittum, formerly of Vermilion in Alexandria, Va. The menu at Iron Gate is heavily influenced by Italian and Greek cuisines, and the bar's collection of Ouzo is a reflection of the menu. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Iron Gate is under the direction of Executive Chef Anthony Chittum, formerly of Vermilion in Alexandria, Va. The menu at Iron Gate is heavily influenced by Italian and Greek cuisines, and the bar's collection of Ouzo is a reflection of the menu. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Small tables flank both sides of the bar in the front room of Iron Gate. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
And lanterns hang from the walls in the dimly lit space. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Large iron lights hang from the ceiling in the room that once served as the building's carriageway. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The front room of the newly revived space serves primarily as the bar. Small tables flank each side of the bar. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Lanterns and candles light the walkway from N Street to Iron Gate at night. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Iron Gate, which opens Tuesday, Nov. 19, consists of three different dining spaces: a front room, a year-round courtyard and a dining room. The front room, which serves as the bar, is the building's original carriageway. The back dining room and kitchen once served as stables for the neighboring townhouse. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Tucked away at 1734 N Street NW is D.C.'s oldest continuously operating restaurant, Iron Gate. It's been closed for the past two years, and in the last 14 months, Neighborhood Restaurant Group worked to revive the quiet and cozy establishment. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
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