WASH July 2012 : Page 68

68 | the RADAR | travel The Edible Elect | By Sarah Crosland | ’Tis the season for national conventions, which means that many in the District are heading south— and even farther south. From Republicans reveling in Tampa, to Democrats dining in Charlotte, these top spots get our vote for places pols-in-the-know should go. So cross your fingers and call for reservations, because these finds are filling up fast. Tampa The Turf Bern’s Steak House, 1208 S. Howard Ave., 813.251.2421, bernssteakhouse.com The Type A favorite of President George W. Bush, this spot will make The Capital Grille set feel right at home. The Tabletop The restaurant has recently flip-flopped on its promise of organics, but aren’t conventions always the time for fresh starts? The Tipple If there’s press nearby, skip the five-digit bottles of Latour in the restaurant’s expansive collection. But the legendary cellar does offer 19th century Madeira for those hoping to channel their forefathers for the evening. The Turf The Refinery, 5137 N. Florida Ave., 813.237.2000, thetamparefinery.com The Type Mitt Romney’s cool clan of sons and their equally chic wives should head here for a taste of the city’s of-the-moment eats. This hip spot was recently nominated as one of the best new restaurants in the country by the James Beard Foundation. The Tabletop While conventioneers may disagree with his stance on the Farm Bill, none will doubt chef Mario Batali’s praise of the small plates, complete with creative combos like fried corn with queso blanco, pickled okra, jalapeño and chile-dusted grapefruit. The Tipple Mason jars, paper napkins and chipped china set the mood, along with small vineyard wines and craft brews. banh mi sliders and mini beignets. The Tipple Not looking for the yogi within? No problem. Cocktails like the Sake Mojito with mint-infused rum are on offer. The Turf Bamboozle Cafe, 516 N. Tampa St., 813.223.7320, bamboozlecafe.com The Type The Aaron Schock fan club (and we’re not talking donors) should keep tabs on this health-centric café, where the Men’s Health cover model can wine and dine—and still keep his physique. The Tabletop Schock’s abs won’t be the only thing drool-worthy in town. The Vietnamese-inspired menu features tasty dishes, like pork The Turf Fly Bar and Restaurant, 1202 N. Franklin St., 813.275.5000, flybarandrestaurant.com The Type With cocktails like the Wrong End of the Gun—made with bourbon, elderflower and lemon—this eatery seems to be screaming out to the party’s base. The Tabletop Catch the breeze on the rooftop deck while networking with that lobbying firm you hope to land in post-election. The Tipple Celebrate the Veep announcement by throwing back a Bee’s Knees, made with dry gin and local orange blossom honey syrup. where’s the party From left: expect the faithful to hQ at Fly Bar. Bamboozle Cafe’s asian-inspired dishes and “healthy” cocktails will attract p90X regulars, like reps. paul ryan, r-wis., and Kevin McCarthy r-Calif. the famed wine cellar and traditional dishes at Bern’s steak house make DC feel not so far away for the lobbyist set. | July/August 2012

The Radar Travel

Sarah Crosland

The Edible Elect ’Tis the season for national conventions, which means that many in the District are heading south— and even farther south. From Republicans reveling in Tampa, to Democrats dining in Charlotte, these top spots get our vote for places pols-in-the-know should go. So cross your fingers and call for reservations, because these finds are filling up fast. Tampa The Turf Bern’s Steak House, 1208 S. Howard Ave., 813.251.2421, bernssteakhouse.com The Type A favorite of President George W. Bush, this spot will make The Capital Grille set feel right at home. The Tabletop The restaurant has recently flip-flopped on its promise of organics, but aren’t conventions always the time for fresh starts? The Tipple If there’s press nearby, skip the five-digit bottles of Latour in the restaurant’s expansive collection. But the legendary cellar does offer 19th century Madeira for those hoping to channel their forefathers for the evening. The Turf The Refinery, 5137 N. Florida Ave., 813. 237.2000, thetamparefinery.com The Type Mitt Romney’s cool clan of sons and their equally chic wives should head here for a taste of the city’s of-the-moment eats. This hip spot was recently nominated as one of the best new restaurants in the country by the James Beard Foundation. The Tabletop While conventioneers may disagree with his stance on the Farm Bill, none will doubt chef Mario Batali’s praise of the small plates, complete with creative combos like fried corn with queso blanco, pickled okra, jalapeño and chile-dusted grapefruit. The Tipple Mason jars, paper napkins and chipped china set the mood, along with small vineyard wines and craft brews. The Turf Bamboozle Cafe, 516 N. Tampa St., 813. 223.7320, bamboozlecafe.com The Type The Aaron Schock fan club (and we’re not talking donors) should keep tabs on this healthcentric café, where the Men’s Health cover model can wine and dine—and still keep his physique. The Tabletop Schock’s abs won’t be the only thing drool-worthy in town. The Vietnameseinspired menu features tasty dishes, like pork banh mi sliders and mini beignets. The Tipple Not looking for the yogi within? No problem. Cocktails like the Sake Mojito with mintinfused rum are on offer. The Turf Fly Bar and Restaurant, 1202 N. Franklin St., 813.275.5000, flybarandrestaurant.com The Type With cocktails like the Wrong End of the Gun—made with bourbon, elderflower and lemon—this eatery seems to be screaming out to the party’s base. The Tabletop Catch the breeze on the rooftop deck while networking with that lobbying firm you hope to land in post-election. The Tipple Celebrate the Veep announcement by throwing back a Bee’s Knees, made with dry gin and local orange blossom honey syrup. Charlotte The Turf 5Church, 127 N. Tryon St., 704. 919.1322, 5church.com The Type The Rock the Vote contingent, already homesick for U Street’s hip foodie favorites, can flock to this uptown eatery. The Tabletop With a résumé that includes Le Cirque and Café Boulud, chef Jamie Lynch turns out un-conventional cuisine, like Szechuan pork belly and a duck mole. The Tipple The eponymous 5Church, made with muddled lychee, vanilla vodka and ginger ale, is the perfect post-politicking indulgence. The Turf Urban Sip Wine & Scotch Bar, 201 E. Trade St., 704.547.2244, ritzcarlton.com The Type Rumor has it that The Ritz-Carlton filled first when the DNC announced its destination. With rooms likely booked by West Wingers and their celeb coterie (i.e. Kerry Washington and Rosario Dawson), any eatery in the swank hotel will surely feature familiar faces. The Tabletop Lobbyists who lunch at the I Street outpost will find familiar fare in the lobby-level BLT Steak. But the George Soros set can head to this 15th floor scotch bar to be out of view in a room with a view. The Tipple Thirty-five single-malt scotches make the menu, but the sweetest spirit is the Rooftop Honey Brandy Sour made with Maker’s Mark and honey from the LEED-certified hotel’s rooftop beehives. The Turf Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth, 500 S. Tryon St., 704.910.0865, halcyonflavors.com The Type Shh... don’t tell the first lady. Dems from around the country will be moving— ahem, Sam Kass—but in the direction of the decadent Southern fare served here. The gets a kick up at this brand-new uptown eatery. The Tipple Local brews abound, but the bourbon selection here is campaigning for the town’s top spot. The Magic Bulleit, featuring Bulleit bourbon, fresh ginger and cane syrup, makes for a cool drink at the end of a hot Southern summer day. Tabletop The meat, produce and cheese may all be local, but the menu comes with a French-meets- Southern twist (think roasted duck with vanilla rice grits and farm vegetable barigoule). The Tipple In true Carolina fashion, the libations at this bar feature local moonshines. For an exotic take on the country cocktail, try the Shanghai Speakeasy, made with oolong tea, housemade chai and tamarind. The Turf City Smoke, 100 N. Tryon St., 704. 376.2295, citysmokeclt.com The Type In uptown Charlotte, this barbecue spot is as close as campaigners can come to the South’s favorite fundraiser, the traditional Pig Pickin’. The Tabletop After Mrs. Obama proclaimed last year that Charlotte has “great barbecue,” the rest of the region balked. Long known to be best in the state’s smaller towns, ’cuegets a kick up at this brand-new uptown eatery. The Tipple Local brews abound, but the bourbon selection here is campaigning for the town’s top spot. The Magic Bulleit, featuring Bulleit bourbon, fresh ginger and cane syrup, makes for a cool drink at the end of a hot Southern summer day. Uber Cool There’s one seat in Tampa and Charlotte where Washingtonians can get a taste of home. Uber (uber. Com), the tech-savvy car service that launched in DC last year, is popping up for the conventions in both cities. The brand’s experience with popups— you may have texted for a ride in one of their private cars at SXSW— means Uber is prepared for the crowds and security. Arriving on time and in style? Sounds like something sure to receive bipartisan support.

Previous Page Next Page

Publication List
Using a screen reader? Click Here