I
HAVE
WATCHED
THE
TRANSFORMATION
of
the
space
at
2030
M
St.
time
and
time
again.
The
space
has
been
home
to
three
different
restaurants
in
as
many
years,
which
is
surprising
considering
the
dozen
hotels
in
the
area,
including
one
directly
across
the
street.
You’d
think
there
would
be
an
unending
flow
of
uninformed
and
hungry
tourists
just
waiting
to
be
lured
in
by
a
conveniently
located
bistro.
As
the
most
recent
renovations
got
under
way,
I
fully
expected
another
uninspired
restaurant
to
be
unveiled.
I
was
wrong.
Restau-Lounge
is
the
brainchild
of
two
D.C.
chef-celebrities.
The
men
behind
Trumpets
and
the
wildly
popular
Gabriel
have
teamed
up
(as
the
David-Greggory
in
the
name
indicates)
to
provide
the
neighborhood
with
what’s
sure
to
be
a
new
dining
staple.
The
remodeled
space
has
a
California
contemporary
feel
(but
in
a
good
way)
mixed
with
a
slightly
bohemian,
artsy
sensibility.
In
fact,
there’s
almost
as
much
emphasis
on
art
and
style
as
there
is
on
food
and
wine.
The
waiters,
for
example,
wear
uniforms
created
specifically
for
the
restaurant
by
well-known
designer
Ted
Baker.
Also,
each
menu
is
different
and
serves
as
the
frame
for
an
individual
lithograph.
These
touches,
the
amber
lighting,
and
the
location
all
make
this
the
perfect
spot
for
a
late
dinner
after
a
night
at
the
theater
or
a
round
of
drinks
with
friends
after
a
long
day
at
the
office.
With
all
this
style,
I
have
to
wonder
why
they
settled
on
the
name
Restau-Lounge.
It
sounds
like
a
rest
stop
on
the
New
Jersey
Turnpike.
Restau-Lounge
features
abundant
appetizers
along
with
a
less
extensive
tapas
menu.
I
savored
the
grilled
Moroccan
shrimp,
which
came
in
a
tangy
Harissa
remoulade,
which
is
code
for
“incredibly
high
in
calories.”
Still,
it
was
worth
the
health
risk.
A
more
healthful
option
that
was
nearly
as
good
was
the
Iroquois
corn
cake,
which
was
resembled
a
miniature
casserole
more
than
a
cake.
It
was
cool
and
sweet
with
combinations
of
avocado,
roasted
corn
and
tomato
and
makes
a
great
choice
in
the
summer
heat.
The
spring
rabbit
cassoulet
(never
mind
that
it’s
July)
built
on
the
success
of
the
appetizers.
There
was
none
of
the
proverbial
greasiness
you
typically
get
with
rabbit
and
the
light
vegetables,
including
fava
beans,
pearl
onions,
and
carrots
were
sweetly
accented
with
a
hint
of
citrus.
The
dish
is
filling
yet
refreshing
—
a
pleasant
surprise
for
a
heavy
stew.
The
grilled
salmon
was
less
exciting,
but
good
nonetheless.
It
comes
with
the
obligatory
dill
cream
sauce
and
a
rather
bland
side
of
Basmati
rice.
More
enticing
by
far
was
the
side
of
curried
spinach.
Desserts
are
cleverly
divided
into
“chocolate”
and
“not
chocolate”
categories.
The
S’more
in
Greek’s
Clothing
—
filo
pastry
surrounding
rich
soft
chocolate
and
drizzled
with
marshmallow
sauce
—
is
excruciatingly
sweet.
The
white
chocolate
and
coconut
layer
cake
was
a
little
lighter
and
just
as
tasty.
With
an
ample
wine
selection,
you
won’t
go
wrong
making
Restau-Lounge
your
next
stop
for
a
satisfying
lunch
or
dinner.
Appetizers
range
from
$6
to
$10.
Entrees
range
from
$18
to
$28,
with
several
half
portions
available
for
$9.
Desserts
are
$8.
Restau-Lounge
is
open
for
dinner
nightly
and
has
a
weekday
lunch
menu,
a
late
night
menu,
and
is
open
for
Sunday
brunch.
Restau-Lounge
2030
M
St.,
NW
202-872-8700
Food:
Service:
Comfort
&
Aesthetics:
Value:
Scene:
0
=
Stay
home
and
eat
cereal
=
Well,
if
you
really
must
=
Fine
for
all
but
the
finnicky
=
Worth
more
than
a
20-minute
drive
=
As
good
as
you’ll
find
in
this
city
