Dining in DC: District Commons

This posh, sassy addition to the Foggy Bottom dining scene (from the Passion Food Hospitality group) updates the tavern concept with a cool, modern look featuring huge windows, plus a cheeky menu that reimagines American comfort food. Service hits the mark. The real issue is that when it gets busy, it can really put the "din" in dinner.    (from Zagat)

If you are looking for good dining before a night at the Kennedy Center, District Commons is a great choice. It is located only one block from the Foggy Bottom Metro station where you can catch the free shuttle bus to the Kennedy Center.

Pretzel baguette w/ beer mustard butter

Based on the recommendation of our waiter Miguel, we decided to splurge for $2 and order the restaurant's signature hot pretzel baguette.  It proved to be a great investment. Don't miss this if you go. For an appetizer, Judy ordered Saturday's selection from the Daily Pig Board Showcase of America's Artisanal Hams. The ham slices come with Acadiana biscuits, Vermont creamery butter, and pickled cherries. I couldn't decide so I ordered 2 starters - butternut squash soup w/ keffir lime, creme fraiche and toasted pumpkins seeds and also the crispy fried oysters w/ blue cheese slaw and Frank's Red Hot remoulade

This is what tasty duck looks like

For an entree, Judy chose pork rack chop blue ribbon w/Benton ham, mozzarella, eggplant chow, and johnnycake and a side of a small crock of mashed potatoes. She said it was tasty, but the pork was a bit dry for her taste. Based on Miguel's recommendation, I tried the low and slow roasted duck w/wild rice-sweet potato hash and sorghum chili glaze. Now, I am not a duck fan, but this was some tasty duck.

We were going to decline dessert, but when I saw that there was Boardwalk funnel cake with butterscotch and whipped cream I convinced Judy to share a plate. Being that we were from South Jersey and had spent many days at the Jersey shore, I thought that was the least we could do for our old Summer playground given the destruction from Hurricane Sandy.

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The Prices Do DC dinner rating

(****) 4 out of 5 plates