If you haven’t already noticed, DC restaurateurs love to go all-out when it comes to themes. Here are some of the most memorable:
1. Dirty Habit
555 Eighth St., NW
The insane-asylum-chic decor at this Hotel Monaco restaurant includes a padded private room and an “unhealthy yellowish glow.”
2. Mythology Restaurant & Lore Lounge
816 H St., NE
Diners eat “crop-circle salads” and sip chupacabra cocktails at this all-too-whimsical Atlas District spot.
3. Declaration
804 V St., NW
The Presidential Restaurant Group’s all-American eatery serves pizzas inspired by prominent figures from the original 13 Colonies—all priced at $17.76.
4. Free State Atlantic Bar
501 G St., NW
Why should DC dwellers bother with the short trip to Maryland when they can drink Orange Crushes and eat Berger cookies in this Maryland-accented bar?
5. Palette 22
4053 Campbell Ave., Arlington
Watch artists paint while you eat a spectrum of colorful dishes at Shirlington’s studio/restaurant.
This article appears in the March 2017 issue of Washingtonian.
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.
Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.
