Oct 16

Oct 16 A Welcome Inhabitant to DuPont - Residents Cafe & Bar

I usually reserve my blog entries for food excursions outside the immediate DMV area, but I am making an exception with this new addition to Dupont Circle! Echoing another reviewer, this was much-needed. It breathed some fresh air into a historic neighborhood packed with bars,' hang-over brunch spots' and happy hour watering holes that cater primarily to college students. If you are seeking something new and fresh with a slightly older crowd and plates presented an elegant way that stimulates all the senses, this is it!

The story behind the café bar drew me in instantly. Founded by three immigrants who now permanently reside in Washington D.C., it struck a chord as someone who is a foreign national myself and has been part of the DMV community for several years. The idea behind Residents is to create a home away from home - whether it is during, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or ‘Residents Hour’. Soon the Dupont addition will boast more hours and a speakeasy-like lair where guests can indulge in some tasty cocktails, snacks, and musical sensibilities. Residents sources locally and makes everything in-house including their dinner time pasta, which is great for the overall community, sustainability efforts, and taste.

The Look

I immediately fell in love when I approached the restaurant. Teal is one of my favorite colors and compliments almost everything around it. In this case, both the secondary gold color and the lively plating create an overall appeal. It adds to the ambiance on the patio which has string lights above the seating.

The menu also speaks to the simple elegance of Residents. For example with the cocktails, the main ingredient is listed first rather than a long, fancy name, immediately letting you know what you are getting.

The Drinks

This is a café and late-night bar, and so it makes sense that the focus is on cocktails and caffeinated drinks - or a combination of both! The coffee is sourced locally from Vigilante Coffee, used by Residents’ expert baristas who compete nation-wide to make carefully crafted drinks , alongside a talented in-house mixologist who does his own magic. It is no wonder that one of the Residents' specialties is their espresso martini! Customers can select bourbon, vodka, or gin as the base liquor, mixed with unique ingredients such as ghee, making this drink a must-have drink when you visit.

The Food

Although the menu is still burgeoning and set to expand, there are a few note-worthy dishes!

Granola

If you need a healthy power boost with your coffee, the Granola Bowl packed with fruits, honeycomb, and jam is filing and does what every good smoothie bowl should do - make you feel fresh!

Toasted Banana Bread

This is one of my favorites and I could eat a dozen slices! If you want something warm and semi-sweet with a bit of crunch to compliment your strong coffee, this is it. You get both soft moisture and a toasty crunch at the same time, and the mascarpone and banana chip crumble on top does a great job of elevating the favored snack.

The Resident’s Bowl

A healthy mesh of hummus, chickpea fritters, kale, halloumi cheese, avocado, and quinoa. The bright colors alone will make you excited to taste. All the flavors and textures come together well making for a unique brunch and tasty lunch.