Hank's Oyster Bar

One of the joys of living near a major body of water is the pleasure of having some of the freshest seafood available to you on a daily basis. While the waters of the Chesapeake Bay may not compare to the eastern shorelines of Massachusetts, Maine or Florida we still produce some decent seafood.

The tri-state area bolsters a bevy of options when it comes to serving fresh local seafood. One of my favorites is Hank's Oyster Bar which uses local catch to produce classic New England dishes. Hank's opened its doors in 2005 right along the cozy block of Q St. between 17th and 16th Street. A short walk from Dupont Circle Hank's has been serving patrons what they call "Urban Beach Food" under the guidance of executive chef and owner Jamie Leeds.

Chef Leeds came to DC and opened up Hank's which she named after her father who inspired her career in food. Since 2005 Hank's has become a one of the best locations to get fresh seafood in the city. Hank's does a fantastic job blending classic New England dishes with local ingredients and techniques.

Having an endless passion for all seafood I find it necessary to eat as much as my wallet can support. I enjoy visiting during the summer months when I can sit outside and grab a drink or have a cozy meal. Hank's is most famous for their raw oysters and oyster shooters as their name may suggest. Being a huge fan of these mollusks I love splitting an order with some friends or having a Po Boy.

(Popcorn Shrimp & Calamari)

Check on their chalkboard for daily specials and try their oyster shooters which combine oysters with alcohol that provide a unique culinary experience. Their popcorn shrimp and calamari is an excellent way to start off a meal or a good dish to share over a couple of drinks. The portions are fair and the food is fresh and delectable.

My favorite dish on their menu that I have sampled has to be the lobster roll which is a staple of New England. The roll is accompanied with fries that are seasoned with Old Bay which is exclusive to this region. This marriage between cultures is well worth the hefty price tag of $23. The lobster meat is amazing and the buttered roll makes you want to stand up and praise the food Gods.

(Lobster Roll)

From their fantastic food to ambience that their restaurant provides (specifically their outdoor seating) Hank's is a must try. They have another location in Old Town Alexandria that I have yet to visit which may be more convenient to any readers from Virginia. To residents of the District they have prime real-estate and their outdoor seating provide a tranquil experience when the weather is nice outside.

Prices are a bit expensive which I why I can not go more often but the freshness and flavor more than justify it. It can get busy especially when the warm weather makes sitting outside alluring. So if you are ever in the mood for fresh seafood give Hank's a shot you will not be disappointed.

American Ice Company

Everyone has their own neighborhood watering hole. A place where you can take a quick stroll with a friend or roommate to have a drink or a bite to eat after work or during a lazy weekend afternoon. Some are luckier than others when it comes to their choices for a neighborhood bar. I consider myself lucky enough to live a couple blocks away from one of the newest and most popular bars on U St.

American Ice Company opened its doors a little over a year ago and has quickly become one of the more popular bars on the block. American Ice Company is brought to you by the owners of Marvin and The Gibson. The attempt her is to try to blend the chic, relaxed environment of their two successful ventures and add a bit more of an edge to give it a more dive feel.

The bar was erected in a former car repair shop and hidden on the mostly residential V St. Its obscure location adds to the allure and experience of visiting. Every time I introduce a friend to the bar I am always met with the question “Where the hell are you taking me?” which never ceases to amuse me.

The decor consists of exposed brick which gives it a bit of an urban rustic feel. The outdoor patio which is heated during the winter is definitely better during the spring and summer months. As you enter the bar your nasal cavity will absorb the distinct scent of barbecue emanating from the open kitchen. Your ears may hear the sound of a cleaver pounding meat and see the sweat of a chef hard at work preparing endless platters of food that are doled out each day.

The restaurant has a mix of table and bar seating which appeal to different groups depending on both the size of your party and whether you are there to eat or not. The chalkboard display lists a diverse set of beers that come either in cans (Metal) or on tap (Jar). The list contains a good mix of beers that will appeal to hipsters and aristocratic beer lovers. The beers are served in mason gars which seem to be in vogue but suit this bar especially well.

Of the many times I have been here I can say that I enjoy the experience regardless of the time or day. I have introduced a countless number of people here to share a couple beers or eat some food. Its proximity to my home makes it either the first or last bar I visit when I go out. Finding an open table can be extremely difficult since it is a first come first serve policy so be weary of that and plan to come early if you want to sit down and enjoy some food with a group of friends.

If you choose that path I highly suggest placing an order of swachos. This dish puts a southern approach to a traditional Latin snack. The basic formula to understanding the name of this dish is swine + nachos = swachos. The platter consists of nacho chips smothered with queso and pork to produce a delectably devious mound of deliciousness.

(Swachos)

It is by far my favorite dish on the menu and a must order for a group of two or more. I love to pair it with a Dos X tall boy to keep with the roots of the dish and because it is the best Mexican beer! Of the other dishes to share I would suggest the pickle sampler which contains an assortment of flavored pickles which is sure to entice any pickle lover.

For the individual options you have your choice of pork, turkey or brisket that come in a sandwich or platter. The former comes simply with slaw while the latter adds brown beans. You can also order the late nighter which is available only after a certain hour. You will have to ask the bartender what is in it because I only sampled it once and by that I mean my friend and I spit it after a loooong night out so my attention level was at an all time minimum.

(Pork Platter)

Of the individual dishes I have sampled both the pork sandwich and sampler. The pork is full of flavor, the beans share the same characteristic, and the coleslaw is on par. I myself am not the best judge of barbecue seeing as though DC does not have a bevy of options with this cuisine.

Regardless I have heard from Southerners that it is respectable but does not compare with what you can get in the South. I would take the assessment as a favorable endorsement because I do not expect those results to be replicated just like I don’t expect to find the best clam chowder in Alabama.

All in all American Ice Company is a destination that you must visit. Whether it’s for a Sunday fun day, an all night beer marathon, or to grab a bite of some solid BBQ this bar is a must try. The atmosphere is unique, the décor suits it perfectly, and the experience is one to live for. This place has blown up (cue the hipster spew) since its opening so there are lines many times, especially when it is nice outside which has become annoying as of late. The prices are reasonable for DC and the service is on par. If you have a chance I would advise you to take the sketchy walk, you are sure to come out with a positive experience.

Georgetown Wing Co.

In the dead of summer we are in the largest void of sports during the entire year. With only our national pastime to fuel our need for competition it's easy to say attendance at sports bars is at it's lowest. For men that means that our intake of bar food is at it's lowest point of the year.

With the NFL lockout nearing it's end football is right around the corner. With this in mind I decided to submerge myself into the culinary world of sports by visiting Georgetown Wing Company to feast on the food that makes sports that much better.

Located on M St. Georgetown Wing Company is a cosy nook feeding the needs of buffalo wing enthusiasts. Sadly I had never ventured into this establishment until recently mostly due to the aforementioned lack of competitive sports available at this time of the year. Regardless of this I decided to venture for lunch to reminisce on memories past and slowly get a taste of things to come in the future.

The first dish I sampled was an obvious choice that I made by glancing at the menu for less than a second. The over-loaded tots which consist of a bed of tater tots which are covered in mounds of bacon, melted cheddar cheese, scallions and sour cream which is all drizzled with hot sauce.

Even though the dish is an appetizer I decided to go all in and order it for myself. It tastes exactly how it sounds, there is no need to sugar coat it or provide an in depth existential blurb. To say I felt guilty after trying this would be an understatement. Overcome by guilt I could only eat half of it before I threw in the towel. I was particularly happy that they did not skimp on the bacon which is surprising these days. This is the perfect starter for a group of people with no regard for their caloric intake.

(Over-Loaded Tots)

On my next visit I decided to go full circle and order some buffalo wings which have evaded my stomach for months. Per the advice of our server I decided to order the second spiciest sauce, the M St. bully instead of the inferno because I actually wanted to eat all of my wings. I ordered the lunch special which consists of 8 wings and a side of french fries or tater tots of which I ordered the latter because they were out of fries.

The wings were solid but to say the sauce was hot would be like saying fast food can be healthy. Regardless of this disappointment I was fairly please with my meal as well as the reasonable price ($9) I paid for it. They also have a number of other sauces some of which have drawn my interest for future visits.

(M St. Bully Boneless Wings and Tots)

All in all this place is OK in my book. The food is solid, the service was good and the prices are reasonable. The place is very small but was never full when I went for lunch. There are a couple of TV's which give it a sports bar atmosphere and would be an ideal place for anyone who wants a low key sports viewing experience.

They do serve a couple of beers including their own Georgetown Lager but I did not see any hard alcohol at the bar area. They are joined with Crepe Armour which is downstairs so you can order anything from their menu and have it brought up to you.