The Monocle is on the Senate side of Capitol Hill and has been around since October 1960, when Connie and Helen Valanos first opened its doors.The interior is decorated with pictures of famous customers, which include every president since John F. Kennedy. Appetizers on the menu include grilled shrimp over pesto beans, crostini with fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers, spicy lump crabmeat imperial and crispy fried calamari. Entrees include filet mignon, Colorado lamb chops, Atlantic salmon filet and Wellington Farms grilled chicken. Diners can pair these meals with a number of wines available by the glass or bottle. For dessert, The Monocle offers a selection of port wines, lemon curd pie and a chocolate triomph cake with berries and crème anglaise. The restaurant also features a full bar and is available for private events.
The Monocle
107 D Street Northeast
Washington, DC 20002-5613
202-546-4488
themonocle.com
Sonoma is a restaurant and wine bar that aims to offer the best all natural and local ingredients in the Mid-Atlantic. Not only does it source locally, it also uses renewable energy sources. The in-depth wine list highlights American and Italian wines. American cheese plates offer selections of cow, goat, sheep and blue cheese, while charcuterie plates focus on artisan meats and grilled focaccia. Small plates on the menu include grilled calamari, pan-seared scallops and house-made meatballs. Entrees include roasted rainbow trout, North Carolina shrimp, house-made spaghetti, rabbit ravioli, dry-aged steak and roasted Mennonite chicken. There is also a small list of pizzas that offer the option to customize.
Sonoma
223 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast
Washington, DC 20003-1107
202-544-8088
sonomadc.com
Charlie Palmer Steak is an American restaurant in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters building just off the National Mall. It highlights artisan beef cuts and updated, modern seafood dishes. Diners can pair these with a bottle or glass of wine from a choice of 3,500 bottles in the restaurant's stylish wine cube. Of these, over 600 varieties are American made. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with a special pre-fixe menu during lunch hours. Appetizers here include chilled corn chowder, house smoked salmon, braised short rib ravioli, an iced shellfish platter and a seven vegetable salad. Main courses include European cut petit filet mignon, cowboy cut ribeye, roasted diver sea scallops, roasted Wellington Farms chicken, Muscovy duck, line-caught Alaskan halibut and a porterhouse steak for two.
Charlie Palmer Steak
101 Constitution Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
202-547-8100
charliepalmer.com
