1789: A true D.C. dining experience

Washington, D.C.

When you think of Georgetown, you’ve got to think of 1789.

It’s really the quintessential restaurant here in D.C., housed in a renovated 19th century Federal house whose walls have been lined with historical prints and tables filled with Grandma’s china. Unfortunately, the surroundings and great food don’t come cheap, which means it isn’t every day that you get to visit. Luckily, it’s August, which also means that no one is around the nation’s capital and restaurants are desperate for business. Thus, our trip to 1789 on Saturday night.

As part of a summer offer, you’re entitled to an appetizer, entrée and dessert for $36. Considering main courses average around $30 bucks, it isn’t a bad deal. My veal short ribs starter — with grilled corn, smoked paprika and pickled ramps — was fall off the bone delicious. It was followed by yellow fin tuna, seared to perfection over a bed of arugula, piquillo sweet peppers, botarga and fennel. Dessert was a valhrona chocolate truffle — basically a hazelnut chocolate cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. All washed down with a glass of white wine,  it was near perfection.

Too bad we won’t all be back there again until next summer.