6/25/08
My wife and I had stopped here after a show several years ago, and ended up watching the finish of the Terps in the NCAA baskeball tournament and ultimately becoming Maryland fans. Earlier in the evening we had eaten at an upscale restaurant called 701 down the street before attending Romeo and Juliet at the Shakespeare Theater. After a fantastic experience with the bard, we headed to the Chophouse to rinse away the snootiness of the 701 meal. Hanging out with enthusiastic Terrapin fans put our choices for the evening in stark contrast, convincing us that we are pub people. Now, 701 is our code word for anything or anyone that looks too snooty and upscale to be enjoyable.
We like to return for the nostalgia of our epiphany and the convenient beer near the heart of DC, in spite of being vegetarians in a place with few veggie options besides onion rings, which are good but greasy. This trip I tried the IPA, which was adequately hoppy but very grassy in its overall impression. The bartender was very engaged with some local customers discussing the merits of various pro football players. He refilled my beer with the same mediocre IPA, which was fine but generally I'd like to change from pint to pint--or at least be asked.
Overall, a good restaurant, especially if you're a meat eater (according to friends in the area), but not a pure beer destination. Go to RFD down the street for a greater range of beer, and keep this place for a steak and the snug, dark wood atmosphere that would be nice with a group of friends at a table.
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