DC Restaurant Highlight: Bayou on Penn

Sandwiched between Washington Circle and the corridor of Georgetown boutiques, lies an area more familiar to GW students as home to the District's only Trader Joe's, than a culinary hot spot. But a new business aims to become a go-to bar and restaurant for its neighbors.

It is a Cajun-inspired restaurant and bar called Bayou, open for business six days a week. Diners and bar hoppers can enjoy live jazz music Wednesday through Saturday during the dinner rush, and local bands take center stage late Fridays and Saturdays.

Jason York, one of the establishment's four owners, sat down with WRGW News to discuss his vision, "We are trying to be a neighborhood bar with live music, reasonably-priced, delicious food, sports on TV and a great drink menu," he said. "We really wanted to bring the great atmosphere of New Orleans to DC."

Some must-try specialties: the fried green tomatoes (Executive Chef Rusty Holman calls them his "southern specialty"), the pork wings and the bread pudding drizzled with a bourbon caramel sauce.

The drink menu features a full selection of Abita beers from Louisiana, complemented by traditional New Orleans cocktail such as Hurricanes and Sazeracs.

"It feels like it could be a familiar place where everybody knows each other," said Kendra Johnson, a GW junior studying political science. "The flavors are unique and delicious, it's a great casual atmosphere and just two blocks from campus."

Be sure to check out Bayou on Penn first-hand on March 8th for Mardi Gras events all weekend long.

For more information, visit www.bayoupenn.com.

New Campus Choices

Hungry students have a variety of new options to choose from on campus this fall.  Wasabi To-Go features modern Japanese cuisine in a convenient location - right next to Au Bon Pain in 2000 Penn.  Their menu includes Japanese staples like sushi and sashimi, as well as vegetarian options.  The to-go Wasabi location takes GWorld, just like their original location. 

 

Expect construction to begin on a CVS in 2000 Penn soon.  The store will open next semester in the former Tower Records space, bringing the total number of CVS stores in a three block radius of campus to five.  Like the other locations, CVS will take GWorld as well.

 

Another addition to the list of locations you can use your GWorld card is the Marvelous Market at 2424 Pennsylvania Avenue.  The store opened late last semester.

 

Coinciding wtih an emphasis of recycling on campus is a soon to be open, eco-friendly restaurant, Founding Farmers.  It's located in the IMF building at 1924 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Developed by the National Farmers Union, the restaurant will feature fresh local produce and meats to emphasize the importance of sustainable agriculture.  Employees will follow strict guidelines for reducing energy use and waste, while menus will be printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.  Also, their water will be filtered in-house to eliminate throwaway bottles. 

 

And if you're looking for a place for happy hour, Tonic, on the corner of 21st and G Streets now serves liquor along with beer and wine.  In a long fought battle, the restaurant was granted a full liquor license over the summer.  Just remember that you are not allowed to purchase alcohol with your GWorld card, so make sure to stop by an ATM first!

 - Monika Wysocki

Take One Down, Pass It Around....

Two eateries on the GW campus have recently recieved liquor licenses.

Wow Wingery's menu of burgers and wings will soon be complimented wtih draft beers and bottles. Students can expect Wow to carry alcohol within three to four weeks.

Tonic, the relatively new restaurant on the corner of 21st and G Street, has had a rockier road to their liquor license. Their first request was rejected in fall of 2006. They met with much opposition from Foggy Bottom residents that were worried about increased noise that might come from bar patrons.

Tonic continued the fight and the second request for a liquor license was approved with strict stipulations on the type of alcohol they could serve. Their drink menu will now include beer and wine, with hard liqour only being served on weekend mornings. Pitchers of beer and drink specials after 7pm will not be allowed.

Tonic must also comply with mandated hours. The restuarant will remain open until 1am on Sundays and Thursdasy and 2am on Fridays and Satrudays.

The resturant plans to have daily happy hours from 5-7pm. These include half-price draft beers, $5 wine, and 50-cents wings. There are already 10 beers on tap and two more are on their way.

Judging by the turn-out last weekend to watch the Patriots-Jaguars game on the three large flat-screen TVs, Tonic is sure to become the new bar to go to in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood.

Senior Max Bernstein is glad the two eateries obtained their licenses. "It's always nice to sit with a group of people and drink a beer during football games," he said. "I'm excited that Tonic and Wow are bringing that opportunity to the GW community. It's definitely a void in the neighborhood that needed to be filled.

- Julie Hyman