Oysters Rockefeller. French dip sandwiches. Whiskey punch. These are a few of the throwback items you’ll find at Stanton & Greene when the bar and brasserie opens on Capitol Hill in the next two weeks. The atmospheric space channels mid-20th-century grandeur over three floors, each outfitted with cocktail bars for pouring creations from barman Erik Holzherr (Wisdom, Church & State). Hill vets Jared Rager and Eli Hengst of Sonoma and August Paro from Beuchert’s Saloon came together for the concept, which takes the place of longtime dive Pour House. Here’s what to expect.
Retro design: Fans of the former Steelers bar won’t recognize the interior, which Paro—a film set designer by trade—remade with mid-19th-century style in mind. The main dining room on the ground floor boasts cognac-hued leather booths, vintage porcelain wall tiles, and a thick marble bar. An oak staircase leads upstairs to a private event space—or overflow room on busy nights—outfitted with an Art Deco bar and skylights accenting the lofty ceiling. A large basement area is still in the works, but Paro says it’ll be the most elegant of the three stories.
Surf-and-turf croquettes, brandied lobster: We got a first look at chef Josh Hutter’s menu, inspired by classic American dishes from the 1940s. The lineup is meant to be drink-friendly, with hearty appetizers like steak-and-lobster croquettes or oysters Rockefeller, and mains such as a triple-pork burger with bacon-infused patties, bacon aïoli, and crispy strips on top. Weeknight specials include homey eats like pasta and red sauce or fried chicken on Sunday evenings, and Tuesday lobster nights. Look for all-day service once the eatery is up and running, with lunch, happy hour/bar menus, supper, and eventually weekend brunch.
Historically inspired sips: Holzherr’s cocktails riff on classics and take their name from District history. Take the L’Enfant martini—named for the planner of the city’s layout—which mixes French Chambord, vodka, and Passoa passionfruit liqueur. Drinkers can also sip bourbon milk punch and a twist on the Negroni.
The name fun fact: What’s the meaning behind Stanton & Greene anyway? Like many other Hill spots, the name nods to the politicized location. The eatery is close to Stanton Park, named for President Lincoln’s secretary of war, Edwin Stanton. In the green space stands a statue of Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene. We’re guessing Edwin & Nathanael just didn’t have the same ring to it.
Stanton & Greene. 319 Pennsylvania Ave., SE.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
