H was for Hawk 'n' Dove

Hawk ‘n’ Dove is a fairly typical Irish pub on Capitol Hill, but it has a few added perks. The Hawk has been a DC institution since 1967 and has been a reliable watering hole for politicos. Just blocks from the Capitol and the House and Senate office buildings, Hawk ‘n’ Dove has entertained its fair share of political power players (most before they had any power to speak of). According to their website, Gingrich celebrated the re-opening of the government in 1996, Obama had his first Washington fundraiser, and James Carville and Mary Matlin crossed the political battlefield on their first date at the Hawk.

But most evenings, you’ll find a mix of young Hill staffers knocking back a few beers after work hours, neighborhood regulars dropping in for some greasy pub food, or tourists toasting the end of a long day of hoofing it around the monuments. Hawk’s small interior definitely exudes a cozy pub vibe, but the history of the space may not be immediately evident. The century-old building was actually three separate entities, which at various times held a salt water taffy factory, a blacksmith and carriage repair shop, DC’s first filling station, and a tobacco shop with a back room that was home to a floating crap game.

Hawk ‘n’ Dove takes its name from the political debates surrounding the Vietnam War that were raging at the time the pub opened its doors. The “hawks” favored military escalation, while the “doves” favored withdrawal.

Today, the Hawk has a dark wood paneling, neon beer signs, and dusty pieces of memorabilia (and a host of taxidermied creatures) stashed on high shelves. The food menu has typical pub grub (including some delicious and HUGE onion rings), and the bar offers a tray of some type of snackable free food during happy hour. This time it was a noodle and vegetable combo on small appetizer plates, but other times it could be more finger-friendly food like potato skins. The Hawk also offers a rotating “pint of the night” for $3.50 (this time it was Smithwicks). Miller Lite draughts were $2.50, and pitchers of Miller were $10.

Stop by Hawk ‘n’ Dove next time your feet are aching from taking the newest crop of visitors all over Capitol Hill to see the sights. Or drop in on a random week night and you might just strike up a conversation with the next political analysis dynamo.

Reminder: J is for Jaleo

This Wednesday welcome December by joining us for happy hour drinks during “Jaleo Hour.” Bring a friend and enjoy $4 beer, wines, sangria, and special tapas as we check off the letter ‘J’ at our second-to-last alphabetical happy hour of the year. FYI Jaleo is conveniently located on the corner of E Street and 7th Street NW, within a few blocks of EVERY metro line. Then, join us in two weeks for the letter ‘K’ at our last happy hour of 2010.

J is for Jaleo

480 7th Street NW

Wednesday, December 1, 6-8 p.m.

http://www.jaleo.com/

(“Jaleo Hour” specials available from 4:30-7 p.m.)

Next up: K is for Kelly’s Irish Times

(We’ve already done two Irish pubs on Capitol Hill, so if you have other suggestions, please let me know!)

14 F Street NW

Wednesday, December 15, 6-8 p.m.

http://www.kellysirishtimesdc.com/

Cheers!

G was for Gazuza

Gazuza is a chill little cocktail/sushi/hookah bar perched on the second floor with a prime people-watching view of Connecticut Ave. The interior lounge is lined with knee-high tables, low benches, and short chairs that are markedly more comfortable than the similarly sized ones you used in kindergarten. The sushi menu is minimal, but the shisha offerings are decent. (There's also a Chipotle just downstairs, if that's more your style.)

The happy hour specials listed on their website were out-of-date, but the discounted cocktail offerings were still decent. The mojito was nothing to write home about, but try the Pineapple Express if you enjoy brightly colored, fruity drinks served in martini glasses. The also had a small selection of bottled beers. As for happy hour food specials, they offered about a dozen styles of half-price maki rolls (most are about $5). It’s nothing fancy, but it’s acceptable sushi at a good price.

Perhaps the best part of Gazuza is the all-weather “patio” overlooking the sidewalk and street below. The enclosed area bordering the front of Gazuza is about the same size as the interior and offers floor-to-ceiling windows and the same low tables and chairs. It’s a good place for intimate conversations, group parties around a shared hookah, or watching the sun sink behind the palatial buildings of Dupont while you sip your appletini.

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Reminder: I is for Iron Horse Taproom

This Wednesday we celebrate the second consecutive week of alphabetical happy hours. Come by Iron Horse Taproom Wednesday to enjoy one of the 20 beers on tap, as well as midway games like skeeball and shuffleboard. I have to cut out early this week to go to a Caps game, but everyone is encouraged to stay and enjoy the merriment, of course. Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and be sure to join us December 1 for 'J' at Jaleo.

I is for Iron Horse Taproom
507 7th Street NW
Wednesday, November 17, 5:30-7 p.m.
http://www.ironhorsedc.com/

Next up: J is for Jaleo
480 7th Street NW
Wednesday, December 1, 6-8 p.m.
http://www.jaleo.com/
(“Jaleo Hour” from 4:30-7 p.m. boasts $4 beer, wines, sangria, and special tapas)

Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun (H & I)

It’s been a few weeks since Gazuza entertained us, so that means it’s time for the letter ‘H’ at Hawk ‘n’ Dove. A DC staple since the late ‘60s, the Hawk has had some famous patrons, including Obama, Gingrich, Marion Barry, and James Carville and Mary Matlin (on their first date). According to their website, you can enjoy Hawk happy hour specials until 7 p.m. ($2.50 select domestic bottles, $2.50 rail drinks) and $3.50 Pint of the Night (a selected craft beer) until closing (and Thursday is a holiday for many of you, so come out and make the most of that luxury).

Then double your fun next week (if you dare) with another round of A-B-DC when we tackle the letter ‘I’ at Iron Horse (skeeball and Shiner on tap – what more do you need?).

H is for Hawk ‘n’ Dove

329 Pennsylvania Avenue SE (on Capitol Hill)

Wednesday, November 10, 6:00 p.m.

http://www.hawkanddoveonline.com/

Next up: I is for Iron Horse Taproom

507 7th Street NW (in Chinatown)

Wednesday, November 17, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. (squeezing this one in before the Caps game)

http://www.ironhorsedc.com/

Cheers!

F was for Founding Farmers

Founding Farmers has a concept that sets it apart from much of the rest of the DC restaurant/bar scene. Washingtonian Magazine called it “barnyard chic meets industrial garage,” and that’s about as accurate a characterization as I can think of. The restaurant, tucked into the 20th and Penn Ave corner of the IMF building, has crisp, sleek décor and farm-inspired touches throughout.

The bar in the middle of the first floor is surrounded by tables and booths, and the two story floor-to-ceiling windows along Pennsylvania offer the perfect place to watch the after-work crowd stroll by. Decorative jars of pickled fruits and vegetables line open shelving along the front of the restaurant and remind the patrons of the Founding Farmers theme. The emphasis is on fresh and local. Owned by the North Dakota Farmers Union, Founding Farmers (and its Georgetown sister Farmers & Fishers – link) focuses its drink and food menus on local and sustainable produce and other ingredients.

The cocktail, beer, and wine menu is extensive, with lots of classic and modern combinations to choose from, including “The IMF” inspired the nook of the IMF building it occupies ($25 – cognac, gin, Cointreau Noir, lime, and orange bitters). I tried “The Clementine” ($12 – lime and pineapple juices, agave nectar, and tequila infused with clementines and chiles), which was smooth with the slightest hint of heat at the end. The cocktail menu is divided into four categories: prohibition-era, sophisticated cocktails, farmer’s favorites, and recession proof “fiscally responsible cocktails.” The recession proof section is still pretty pricy by most people’s standards ($8-9), but not so bad when considering the ingredients and flare that go into each drink.

For food options, try some of the small plates. The homemade potato chips and dips, baby cheeseburgers, and flatbread with brie, onion jam, and apples are all tasty choices. A couple of people in the group enjoyed the large-portioned chicken and waffles. Definitely get a bowl of the $2 popcorn of the day, seasoned with the chef’s choice (ginger or old bay, for instance).

Founding Farmers compliments its sustainable menus with its dedication to environmentally conscious operation, including using reclaimed and recycled building materials, claiming the District's first LEED (Gold) certification for a restaurant, and buying carbon credits to offset its greenhouse gas emissions. Although, there are a few old-fashioned incandescents around.

Stop by and enjoy a craft cocktail (and some popcorn) at Founding Farmers sometime soon. And if you don’t have Thanksgiving plans, consider enjoying a three-course “farmhouse-inspired” meal at Founding Farmers for $35.