D.C.’s Politically-Inspired Restaurants

The Oval Room
After undergoing a renovation to both its menu and its interior, The Oval Room will reopen to diners on Aug. 4.

The elegant, 100-seat restaurant is located one block from the White House -- hence the name. It serves modern American cuisine for lunch, happy hour and dinner.


(Courtesy Lindley Thornburg)
The Partisan
Perhaps Washington's political gridlock inspired the name behind Nathan Anda and Chef Ed Witt's meat-focused restaurant in Penn Quarter.

If there's one thing on which all parties can agree, it's the charcuterie selection at The Partisan -- it draws votes from all sides.

(Pictured: Nathan Anda of Red Apron Butchery and The Partisan, WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Lincoln
This Logan Circle establishment is presidential -- from its name to its guests. (Yes, President Obama has dined at Lincoln.) Fun fact: The floors are made with pennies, another tribute to Honest Abe.


(Courtesy Lincoln Facebook)
1789
It's the year the Constitution was ratified; it's also one of D.C.'s best fine-dining restaurants. 1789, located in Georgetown, serves seasonal menu items sourced from local farms.

Trivia: President Obama dined at 1789 with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in June 2011.


(Courtesy 1789 Facebook)
Le Diplomate Le Diplomate is one of the best places to get brunch in Washington, D.C.
The Hamilton
Bar, restaurant and music venue -- The Hamilton on 14th Street NW is named after Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the U.S.


(Courtesy The Hamilton Facebook)
Policy
The words "truth," "love" and "liberty" decorate the windows at Policy on 14th Street NW.


(Courtesy Policy Facebook)
Off The Record
Right up there with, "no comment," "off the record" might be a politician's favorite phrase to use with reporters. Off the Record is also a swanky bar at The Hay-Adams on 16th Street NW. The bar's menu even illustrates a donkey and an elephant fighting for power.


(WTOP Screen Shot)
We The Pizza
The Constitution of the United States begins with, "We the People." But for hungry patrons on Capitol Hill, lunch and dinner plans begin with "We The Pizza."

The pizza shop, with a second location in Arlington, is from former "Top Chef" contestant Spike Mendelsohn.


(Courtesy We The Pizza Facebook)
The Source
Everyone in politics needs a good source. And every fan of Asian cuisine needs to try Chef Scott Drewno's dumplings and bao buns at The Source.


(WTOP/Rachel Nania)
The Plume at The Jefferson
The Plume, inside The Jefferson Hotel, was named a five-star restaurant by Forbes Travel Guide. The prestigious restaurant has hosted many presidents, congressmen and dignitaries; its menu items are inspired by the harvests from Thomas Jefferson's kitchen gardens at Monticello.


(Courtesy The Plume Facebook)
Teddy & The Bully Bar
This Dupont Circle restaurant and bar is a salute to the 26th President of the United States. Everything at Teddy & The Bully Bar is inspired by Roosevelt -- from the food menu to the bar menu.

"The small plates menu at Teddy & The Bully Bar reflects Theodore Roosevelt's love for simple food," the website says. "We pay attention to our local producers, bringing you the freshest fare available and representing President Roosevelt's belief to 'do what you can, with what you have, where you are.'"


(Courtesy Teddy & The Bully Bar Facebook)
Pound the Hill
Caffeine keeps this town running, and Pound The Hill, in Eastern Market, does its part in supplying Washingtonians with coffee and tea -- plus breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine and beer.


(Courtesy Pound The Hill Facebook)
51st State Tavern
Between Georgetown and George Washington University is 51st State Tavern -- a bar that serves up no-frills brews and food.


(Courtesy 51st State Facebook)
Old Glory
Located in Georgetown, Old Glory aims to capture all of the different barbecue styles in the United States. The menu truly is "all American," with options such as a hickory pit burger, fried green tomatoes and brisket chili.


(Courtesy Old Glory Facebook)
Union Pub
A Capitol Hill neighborhood restaurant and bar, Union Pub pours more than 30 craft beers and serves up typical American fare.


(Courtesy Union Pub Facebook)
Hawk 'n' Dove
"Hawk was the venerable meeting place where both sides of our brain got together, politically," says the website for Hawk 'n' Dove, a restaurant and bar near Union Station and NOMA in Southeast.

The menu at Hawk 'n' Dove includes sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas and entrees.


(Courtesy Hawk 'n' Dove Facebook)
West Wing Cafe
The West Wing Cafe is a deli in D.C. that serves a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, paninis, salads and breakfast options.


(Courtesy West Wing Cafe)
Capitol Lounge
With the tagline, "The bar everyone can agree on," Capitol Lounge is definitely linked to D.C.'s political environment. The menu boasts several beers on tap and in the bottle, as well as pub fare, sandwiches, pizzas and brunch.


(Courtesy Capitol Lounge Facebook)
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