According to an epic federal indictment yesterday, California congressman Duncan Hunter, and his wife, Margaret, have a proclivity for lavish spending (See: $600 in airline fees for flying their pet rabbit) and living well beyond their means (See: 1,100 overdrafts to their bank account during a seven year period). But sharp-eyed Washingtonians might have noticed some familiar establishments listed in prosecutors’ catalog of how the Hunters allegedly misused $250,000 of campaign funds. A $560 charge at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle (for dinner with his mom) we could see. But what about that eye-popping $462.46 charge at Adams Morgan Salvadoran joint El Tamarindo: How did he manage that at an eatery best known for $3 pupusas? The indictment helpfully lays it out—30 tequila shots and a single steak.
$352.60—for “a nice family evening” at Matchbox—buys…
-37 orders of three-cheese fritters ($296)
or
-90 miniburgers ($230) and six banana-pepper-and-pepperoni pizzas ($100)
or
-Every pizza on the menu ($190) and every cocktail on the menu ($110)
or
-Two large orders of spicy tuna tartare tacos ($38), one of the most expensive appetizers on the menu, two orders of braised short ribs ($52), the most expensive entree on the menu, and five bottles of California chardonnay ($200)
$202.70—for a “personal dinner” at Atlas District game bar H Street Country Club—buys…
-20 baja fish tacos ($80) and nine vodka-ritas ($99)
or
-Two baja fish tacos ($8) and 16 vodka-ritas ($176)
or
-30 orders of churro doughnut holes ($180)
or
-20 orders of guac’ and chips ($180)
$127.56—for food and drinks with his brother at Logan Circle bar Stoney’s—buys…
-An order of wings ($13), two super grilled cheeses ($24), and 10 Dogfish Head IPAs ($70)
or
-An order of wings ($13), two super grilled cheeses ($24), and 17 Bud Lights ($68)
or—Power move!
-25 Bud Lights ($100)
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
