Arts & Entertainment

Dialing up 901

Gay-owned Penn Quarter restaurant delights with creative entrees

Published

13 years ago

May 3, 2012

Jonathan Howard

Mushroom Rahgou, a dish at 901. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

901 Restaurant + Bar (901 9th St., N.W.), is a new Penn Quarter eatery owned by gay D.C. businessman David von Storch. From the moment you step in, you get the sense this won’t be an ordinary dinner, and you’re right. As soon as you arrive, you become a part of the show — a well-choreographed one with moments of unexpected magic and drama.

My partner and I walked in on a Saturday evening. We were whisked to our seats even though another person joining us had not yet arrived. At first, I was disappointed because I was hoping to be seated in the sleek-yet-comfortable waiting area that lurked behind the hostess stand. Our table in the dining area, however, was just as aesthetically pleasing. The dining room is creatively divided into separate eating areas with sheer fabric and lights. From it, you can see the open kitchen with the chefs bustling around. The feel is warm, rich and dramatic.

Envy (Blade photo by Michael Key)

We were delighted by the fact that when you open the menu it lights up. A simple “magic trick” that is both thoughtful and cool. 901 Restaurant + Bar staff brews their own beer so one of us selected the 901 Lager, which was a clean non-hoppy lager that was good but not extraordinary. Two of us selected the “Envy.” When the drinks arrived, the brilliant show continued, because while it is not indicated on the menu, the “Envy” is served over dry ice and arrived at the table bubbling and smoking. The dry ice made this simple-yet-tasty drink noteworthy and I recommend having one just for the fun of it.

The menu is designed for sharing so we selected a few items to split; the Kobe Beef Sliders with smoked cheddar and spicy aioli; the Roasted Hoisin Duck Roll with mozzarella wasabi cilantro sauce and Thai chili crème; the Seared Scallop Risotto with wild mushroom asparagus risotto, bacon jam and sweet soy drizzle; and the Yaki Soba Mushroom Ragout. And since we were having a wide range of foods, we decided to accompany the meal with a white wine — the Trimbach Reserve Pinot Gris.

The Kobe Beef Sliders were light and fluffy, perfectly cooked, though somewhat short on flavor. I hoped to taste some of the smoked cheddar or the spice in the aioli. The scallops were quite good and the risotto they were served over was divine. The duck rolls were delightful with the rich flavor of the meat and warmth of the wasabi sauce and chili cream proving a delightful combination.

The winning dish of the evening was the vegetarian Yaki Soba Mushroom Ragout. It was earthy, rich and perfectly balanced — a real treat that paired perfectly with the crispy citrus flavors of the wine. Overall, a very good meal.

The dessert menu was as tempting as the rest. The dessert sampler had coffee and donuts, cheesecake with sour cherries, caramel and chocolate cake and chocolate chipotle brulee. The two strongest desserts on the plate by far were the cheesecake and the brulee. The rich and creamy cheesecake is made with ricotta and goat cheese; the sour cherry compote, candied orange and black cherry balsamic brought this dessert together perfectly with a delicious melding of flavors in every bite. The brulee, with its mixed berries, hazelnuts, Chantilly cream and strawberry coulis was the other star of the plate. The rich warmth of the chocolate chipotle and the refreshing coolness of the berries was an excellent way to end a meal.

Related Topics:901 Restaurant + Bar David von Storch Dining Homepage Special Feature

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PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

Published

2 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Michael Key

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Published

4 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

4 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, May 3

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Tuesday, May 6

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].