Farragut Southwest: Restaurant K

Map It:  Farragut North   Farragut West   McPherson Square 

PROVING THAT NOT ALL D.C. power spots should be all about steak, seven-month-old Restaurant K by Alison Swope embraces a variety of regional American cooking. The "South by Southwest" menu is Swope's attempt to capture the charm of South Carolina cuisine and dishes perfected in Texas, Santa Fe and Mexico.

Taking a cue from the needs of its lobbying and law-firm neighbors, breakfast is served Tuesdays through Fridays here. Biscuits and sausage gravy lends itself as the perfect example of Southern meets Southwest: two house-made biscuits, topped with a tangy sauce and chorizo and served with a side of scrambled eggs.

At the bar, old-time bartenders gladly show off the many house-infused liquors, including ginger vodka, orange brandy and grapefruit tequila. While you impatiently wait for the "Sex and the City" movie, indulge in a Madame Mona: house-infused lavender vodka, orange vodka and cranberry juice — it's a pink drink with subtle taste, in sharp contrast to some of Carrie Bradshaw's fashion choices.

At the bar, happy hour (3 to 7 p.m.) offerings include food specials and select cocktails at $5.95. Queso fundido, the classic bowl of warm, cheesy goodness with bites of chorizo and poblano chiles, can easily be shared with commiserating co-workers.

The chicken tamale appetizer sports dough as soft as matzoh balls wrapped around shredded chicken; it's a light starter that will tempt diners over to the Southwestern side of the menu, where you can find the oven-roasted rockfish Veracruzana and it's zesty tomato-based sauce.
Comforting, down-home, fried green tomatoes are all Southern charm when enhanced with a coating of Parmesan cheese and cornmeal, with Pipe Dreams Farm goat cheese and spicy pecans to top it off.

As a sweet end to the meal, Swope's banana fritters, coated in a pecan crust with orange scented mascarpone cheese and caramel.

Stop by within the next few weeks and grab a seat by the window, and you can catch a moving experience as the building across the street is turned to dust by a wrecking ball. A glass of port pairs nicely with destruction.

» Restaurant K, 1700 K St. NW; 202-974-6545.(Farragut West/Farragut North/McPherson Square)

Written by Express contributor Stefanie Gans
Photo courtesy Heather Freeman