🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <719650872.AA00000@blkcat.UUCP> David Gursky,
David.Gursky@p394.f70.n109.z1.fidonet.org writes:
>Now that DC's own brewpub has been open for a few weeks,
>have people formed any strong opinions on it?

It's been open for more like a few months than a few weeks.
I've been a couple of times, but I didn't get hooked, by any
stretch of the imagination.

Atmosphere: Sort of "nouveau riche industrial". I suspect that
their goal is to have scads of yuppies clad in loosened
business suits filling up the booths (at least the high-profile
booths). Unfortunately, the room is a bit noisy and echo-prone
to support this sort of atmosphere, and I'm not sure that a
huge number of yuppies waving AmEx cards are the beer-
drinking type!

Prices: steep. The beer prices were bearable, but the dinner
entrees were almost all in the teens, and that wasn't for 
seafood. This is commensurate with a medium-priced
restaurant downtown, but I think most people coming
to drink micro-brew expect something closer to pub fare.
I think $6-$7 burgers and sandwiches are still available
at dinner for those unwilling to spring for an entree.

Service: I've been for a busy lunch and a slow dinner, and 
service was somewhat lacking both times. I've seen reports
of great service on this board, however. The waiter at
dinner couldn't make heads or tails of my gold "AT&T
Universal" MasterCard. Perhaps he was trying the dialing
directions instead of treating it as a MasterCard!

Beer: The last time I went (during the Goodwill Book Sale a
couple of weeks ago), they still were unable to sell their
own beer, and were selling British Brewing Company and
Dominion products. The Dominion products seemed a bit
"off" both times, and I know I like fresh Dominion stuff.
I'd recommend a "sampler": 4 different beers for $3.95,
so you can try several before you buy a pint of one. They
might also give you one sample for free before you 
commit yourself.

Food: Free soft and hard pretzels are delivered to you when
you are seated. At the lunch, a hot food fanatic ordered
the jambalaya (sp?), and found it too hot to be edible!
Other reactions were mixed. The soft-shell crab sandwich
that I had for lunch was okay. The sausage platter that I 
had for dinner was first rate.

Overall: Was it Nirvana? No. Is it worth a try? Yes.
I still want to go back and try *their* beer, once
they are allowed to sell it. Does anyone know whether
they're allowed yet?

Rob Winters

- Disclaimer: NASA has no opinions about brewpubs
   (that I am aware of, anyway). I do. -