Daily dispatches on the Washington, DC area's food, restaurant and dining scene.

Feed/back: The Heights, August 29, 8:30 to 9:30 PM

It’s time for the latest installment of Feed/back, a weekly feature where we ask you, the diner, for a restaurant critique on the street.

By Erin Zimmer   Published Friday, August 31, 2007

A block away from the Columbia Heights Metro on increasingly trendy 14th Street, Logan @ the Heights (3115 14th St., NW; 202-797-7227; theheightsdc.com)—more commonly known as “the Heights”—has been buzzing with neighborhood twentysomethings ever since it opened in June. EatWellDC, the restaurant group responsible for Grillfish, Logan Tavern, and Merkado, has tapped into the area’s need for a comfy neighborhood joint for something other than pupusas. Nothing against the Salvadoran snack, but if residents are in the mood for something different, they can now find maple-roasted pork loin, grilled tuna, and other Modern American dishes nearby.

Here’s how a recent round of diners rated the Heights on a scale of 1 to 10.

Bridget, urban planner, Columbia Heights.

Bridget, urban planner, Columbia Heights.

Bridget, urban planner, Columbia Heights.

What she ate
: Mixed green salad with jícama and a grilled, stuffed portobello mushroom appetizer.

Impressions: “The food is just a’ight. I would come back for the drinks and ambiance.”

Rating
: 6.

Marjan, attorney, Capitol Hill, and Matthew, history professor, Mount Pleasant.

Marjan, attorney, Capitol Hill, and Matthew, history professor, Mount Pleasant.

Marjan, attorney, Capitol Hill, and Matthew, history professor, Mount Pleasant.

What they ate
: Shrimp-chorizo-and-caramelized-onion pie (“Tasted like meat. Or maybe turkey tofu? Not good,” said Matthew), and a potato-chickpea-and-coconut curry over rice (“Sounded exotic, but very lame,” he added).

Impressions
: “At first glance, everything on the menu looks perfect—comfort foods that are usually solid,” Matthew said. “But what a letdown—I could have produced better in my bachelorhood. They need to kick up the booze in the drinks, too. My cocktail tasted great, but it was all mango purée and no alcohol. The servers didn’t even ask how our food was.” On a more positive note, he called it a “nice space and great addition to the neighborhood.”

Rating: 7. “But as an easy-grading professor,” Matthew said, “this might count as grade inflation.”

Stephen, online business manager, Columbia Heights.

Stephen, online business manager, Columbia Heights.

Stephen, online business manager, Columbia Heights

What he ate
: Mixed green salad with jícama; fried chicken.

Impressions
: “This is my third time, but the first two times were just for drinks. I probably wouldn’t come back for the food, but the scene is great. I especially like the big pictures on the wall inside, and the patio is great. You’d think with all the traffic going by on 14th Street, it might be too loud, but it’s really laid-back.”

Rating
: 7.

Cindi, nurse, and Mike, resident at Georgetown Hospital, Columbia Heights.

Cindi, nurse, and Mike, resident at Georgetown Hospital, Columbia Heights.

Cindi, nurse, and Mike, resident at Georgetown Hospital, Columbia Heights.

What they ate
: Chicken wings, fried chicken with mashed potatoes (“Really good,” Mike said), and a bleu-cheese-stuffed filet mignon (also excellent, they agreed).

Impressions: “We live down the block and have come multiple times already,” Mike said. “It’s perfect for brunch, especially since you can bring your dog. Ours is 80 pounds, so not a puppy at all, but they even bring out water bowls.”

Rating
: 8.

Jill, reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Cleveland Park, and Gayle, real-estate investor, Capitol Hill.

Jill, reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Cleveland Park, and Gayle, real-estate investor, Capitol Hill.

Jill, reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Cleveland Park, and Gayle, real-estate investor, Capitol Hill.

What they ate
: Rotisserie chicken with lemon and herbs (“Totally safe dish but pretty lemony,” said Jill).

Impressions
: “Before, you’d come to this neighborhood for the best pupusa you’ve ever had,” Gayle said. “Now you can actually come here and get the best steak salad you’ve ever had.” Jill added: “We really liked our waiter, George, but the outdoor seating fills up fast. Get another friggin’ seat out there, guys! I didn’t like the wineglasses. I wanted real glasses, and these were weird.”

Rating
: 7, which to Jill “means it needs improvement but has potential.”

Comments


Ate at 6:00 pm on a Thursday. Service was good, but the food doesn’t live up to the great atmosphere -- Maryland crab soup, just a tomato puree; endive salad unappetizing; crab cakes, just so-so. Not destination dining unless you want outdoor seating.

Posted by: grace, Sep 22, 2007 09:15:30 AM

I love Logan Tavern, so I’ll probably try the Heights. I don’t live in the neighborhood but I’m always looking for good brunch after yoga on Saturday morning.

Posted by: Cin_in_DC, Sep 05, 2007 09:54:55 AM

Best Happy Hour in the City!!! $2 Stellas on Tap (and others) and 1/2 priced appetizers. Mon-Fri from 5-7. Great way to "try" the place out.

Posted by: Columbia Hizzle, Sep 05, 2007 09:51:54 AM

Ok, I heard that this place is only OK - not quite there yet. A 7 out of 10? I think the whole group needs to think about what "needs improvement" means.

Posted by: Kate, Sep 05, 2007 08:52:07 AM

I think these people simply made poor menu choices. If you’re looking for comfort the crab mac n cheese can’t be beat and a side will easily fill 2 people with naughty indulgence without morning scale regret. The ginger calamari are not to be passed up - they are delicious as are they asian chicken wings. For larger meals, they have lovely steaks, and excellent fish. It’s not big on dessert but around the corner is Rita’s and Sticky Fingers. I think they have the right idea with the salads but need to add more salad - perfect amount of meats and extras - not enough leafy greens. Oh yes, unlimited refills on yummy ice tea and the dog water bowls are a bonus for our neighborhood.

For the women who didn’t like the wine glasses - they are the "newest" line of red wine stemless glasses and have been out for about 3 years on Williams Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, etc - how could you have missed them???

Posted by: Lola, Sep 05, 2007 08:47:26 AM

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