As holiday cheer wards off plummeting temperatures, our restaurant world is heating up. On Barracks Row, Awakening Bar & Grill has opened at 520 Eighth St. SE, where Extreme Pizza used to be. Created by Warren Banfield Jr., his son Warren Banfield III and Aaron L. Ratliff, the 50-seat restaurant is named after the iconic sculpture “arising” at National Harbor. We poked our heads into the lively newcomer on opening night, when a lively party was in progress, complete with live music by Bryan Mills – great saxophonist!.
The decor is appealing, with blue walls punctuated with vintage photos of the late John Lewis, Barack Obama, Marion Barry, DC monuments, the long-gone Senart’s Oyster and Chop House and the unique sculpture that inspired the restaurant’s moniker, “The Awakening.” The bar scene is convivial.
enormous wings.
When we joined friends there for brunch, Queen, our savvy server, warned us that this was a shakedown cruise: the kitchen had just opened, and our food would take a half-hour to arrive. Not wanting us to go hungry, the kitchen plied us with complimentary parmesan/rosemary dusted fries, deviled eggs and rich bread pudding with bourbon sauce.
By the time our orders arrived, we were almost too full! My shrimp and grits‒ a half-dozen nicely cooked crustaceans with a Creole-style gravy resting on smoky grits ‒ was delicious. Peter settled on chicken and waffles. The enormous wings, nicely battered and fried, were almost turkey size. Waffles were accompanied by a huge glob of butter and fresh fruit.
The Southern-leaning kitchen is headed by Johnson & Wales grad Brittany Davis, who learned cooking from her Louisiana-bred grandmother. Her menu showcases such beloved dishes as half-smokes, fried green tomatoes, avocado bruschetta, blackened salmon, lamb chops and the aforementioned bourbon bread pudding. The full bar pours assorted mimosas including the Georgetown sapphire, a mixture of sparkling wine, blue Curacao and orange juice. Despite its name, the drink was pale green. Lunch for two with two drinks came to about $65. Awakening is closed Monday. For hours, menu and other information visit www.awakeningdc.com.
New Winter Flavors
Near Eastern Market, Lobby Bar, 224 Seventh St. SE, has launched a “playful” winter menu, while retaining fan favs like Lobby nuggets and spicy rigatoni. Among warming newcomers? Try a “dirty martini dip,” a cream cheese/salty and briny concoction supposedly tasting like the signature cocktail; the Lobby wagyu all-beef hot dog nestled in a buttered toasted bun and crowned with Ossetra caviar; tomahawk pork chops with cauliflower puree and Lobby O’s, a blend of veal, pork and beef smothered in house-made tomato sauce.
Complementing this festive lineup are whimsical drinks: bourbon-based cocktails with the likes of vanilla syrup, chocolate bitters and pumpkin spice; the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, a potent South of the Border twist on the retro drink combining anejo (aged) tequila, mezcal and dark chocolate bitters. Last but not least: the Pornstar Martini, a melange of vanilla vodka, passion fruit and simple syrup, escorted with a shot of sparkling wine. For Lobby Bar hours and more information visit www.lobbybardc.com.
On the Waterfront
While meandering along the District Wharf with friends, we checked out Whitlow’s Bar & Grill, 949 Wharf St. SW. Open since spring, the cozy sports bar/gathering place is an offshoot of the historic Whitlow’s, which held court downtown for a quarter-century before moving to Arlington. (There’s another Whitlow’s spinoff on U St. NW.)
Our group of four settled by the breezy window and scanned the menu. Sipping a Bloody Mary, I decided to go Hellenic and try the lamb gyros. I was not disappointed; the pita bread was packed with moist, tender lamb, lettuce, tomatoes and tzatziki. Peter ordered fish-and-chips, which he declared the best rendition he’s tasted recently. A beef smash burger was properly cooked and snuggled next to American cheese and grilled onions and accompanied by the usual fries.
Served in a convivial setting with multiple TVs, Whitlow’s casual menu also offers wings with assorted sauces; Who Dat pasta with andouille sausage, shrimp and onions; half a roast chicken with potatoes and spinach; bountiful salads. For hours and more information visit www.whitlows.com.
More Tex-Mex
Back on “the Avenue,” Dos Toros Taqueria has finally arrived at 215 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. The latest spinoff of a nationwide chain, Dos Toros (“Two Bulls”) slings “mission style” burritos, quesadillas, salads, nachos and myriad tacos. Peter and I checked out the brightly lit eatery. After placing our order and paying, we settled in a booth. The quesadilla was stuffed with fiery chorizo, Mexican rice, black beans and corn chips. Surprisingly, the Tex-Mex staple did not contain cheese until I added it. 
Peter ordered a pair of tacos with choice of toppings. One was filled with “verde” chicken, the other with pork carnitas. Our tab for two, including a side of chunky guacamole and an orange drink, came to $30. There’s also beer and (canned) rose and pinot grigio. Dos Toros is open daily; for more information visit www.dostoros.com.
We’re still awaiting Mott’s Market, 233 12th St. SE, in the former Mott’s Corner Store site. Housing a neighborhood grocery for decades, the historic building dates from 1916. Local restaurateur/tenant Peyton Sherwood is creating a grocery/deli sandwich shop in the renovated space. For updates visit www.mottsmarket.com.
Holiday Dining
As always, La Plaza Mexican Cuisine, 529 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, will be open Christmas Day, Dec. 25, for carryout and dine-in. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed their Hispanic turkey and trimmings to go. Only problem, we ordered dinner for four but wound up with far too much food! We were eating turkey for a week afterwards. No problem! For hours, menu and reservations visit www.laplazatogo.com.
