RSS FeedThe “I Need a Swanky Bar That Isn’t 5 People Deep Yet” Edition
Monday night I drove home from … well…from out of town… and…driving home from anywhere can be exhausting… so when I got to 7th Street, and discovered that a Caps game was gearing up…threatening to make the night a crowded fiasco of trying to get a bite of dinner and a simple cocktail to help wash away the dusty drive home…well…maybe my shoulders slumped a bit at the prospect of fighting the crowd…
until…
I spotted Victor on the corner of 6th and G…Victor is the head barkeep of the new Lee Loo Lounge (521 G Street, NW)…and well…if he is standing outside…that means the neighbors haven’t figured out he is open yet! … I waved … and could tell he wasn’t quite sure who I was…but when I whipped into a parking spot in front of him…he recognized me…and waved back a bit more enthusiastically. I unpacked the car, started some laundry and walked toward the Lee Loo Lounge…by this time the neighborhood was flooded with Caps jerseys…and…even though I tried sneaking in the back door…near the bar… I was quickly greeted by Max (the proprietor) and Victor who by now was manning his busier bar….(if you’ve lived here long enough you may remember Victor who worked the bar at Andale before moving to Miami for a bit).
A couple that moved to the neighborhood recently, a Caps fan who works in the PQ, and a fun group of Bruins fans (who swore they rooted for the Caps when they weren’t playing the Bruins) kept me entertained at the bar…they even came up with an extra ticket in case I wanted to see the game. It felt like a nice neighborhood gathering…and while I haven’t tasted everything…I’ve had the steak…yummmmmy…I’ve had the shrimp and scallops…yummier…and I’ve had a few of Victor’s vodka tonics…I can wholeheartedly recommend them all.
Lee Loo Lounge is at the corner of 6th and G and is officially open…it’s slightly swankier than your average joint but not as pretentious as some of the soopa swank places here in the neighborhood (you know where I mean!!!)…the prices run on the higher end but good service can be so hard to find in DC…I think you’ll find it is worth it….sooooo stop in and introduce yourself! Max and Victor…are looking forward to making your acquaintance…xoxo
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I checked out LeeLoo last Friday, when I first noticed it was open. I met Max as well as Lorenzo, one of the managers. Nice, swank space. Love that it’s literally around the corner. Might be popping in a little too often.
New Exciting Updates:
Alden Shoes on F Street.
Peruvian Connection on the corner of F & 10th
http://www.peruvianconnection.com
Brueggers Bagels (Finally!!!) in the DLA Piper Building on E Street between 8th & 9th.
http://www.brueggers.com/
I peered into the window a few weeks ago when Lee Loo was closed and liked what I saw. Now, I have to stop by and check it out.
CTK – It is sb’s writing style. We like having a variety of writing styles and viewpoints on PQ Living.
Finally! Fine Latin American cuisine in Penn Quarter. Filling that niche not covered by Oyamel, Jaleo, Rosa Mexicano, Austin Grill, La Tasca, Chipotle…
#7… Cafe Atlantico/Minibar… California Burrito.. and might as well include Capitol Q if you include Austin Grill… and it’s all delicious.
CTK – maybe you meant:
“I know, BUT I was just having some fun.”
[Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that separates two independent clauses.]
Or maybe you should have written:
“I know. I was just having some fun.”
…just sayin’ 😉
I jsut phoned Brueggers they have no information on the property, which means that they have not been informed and that it probably is not open yet. Meredith, do you have any more info?
Thanks for posting this. I had no idea Lee Loo existed, I have been looking for a nicer bar then the choices offered on 7th street.
Four of us had the pleasure of dining at Lee Loo the first night they were open. As noted above, it has a great bar, but don’t miss the food.
The decor was done by Max, the proprietor, who has a background in design. It shows. The service is outstanding, the dishes creative and everything we had was delicious. This small, intimate restaurant is superbly placed away on 6th Street. You have to try it!
ugh – another swank [aka pretentious] spot? not needed – we already have a dozen or more. we need a neighborhood pub or two, not yet another place with overpriced drinks & over-inflated egos…
Joe– I couldn’t agree more. We need a pub, a tavern, a bistro, whatever you want to call a place with good food, good beer, a casual atmosphere and reasonable prices. I’m glad that Lee Loo is in business and I wish them all the best on what is a tough stretch for bar/restaurants, but I’d love to see something without the word “swanky” in its description.
17 & 18: Why don’t you try RFD?? I think it’s the closest thing we have to a neighborhood pub. I couldn’t agree more that we have enough of these places with overpriced drinks and food…somebody build a diner or neighborhood restaurant where a mixed drink isn’t $9.
yes, RFD is good, as is Fado. & a diner would be awesome! let’s hope the mix mixes well & we get something for everyone…
Well we do have a diner (or two?), but do people go to diners for mixed drinks?
I’ve only been to the Lincoln House/Waffle Shop. The other I’m thinking of is Harriet’s, attached to the Hotel Harrington, around the corner from Harry’s (another pub!).
#21, you must not be from the Northeast if your idea of a diner is a place that serves breakfast items along with Chinese food.
17&18, the Red Roof Inn has a good pub, the Irish Channel. There’s also the Greene Turtle. With RFD and Fado, there’s four for you within a two-block radius. That’s not enough for you?
#22, isn’t DC the Mid-Atlantic. Also South of the Mason-Dixon line? Regardless, I certainly do consider Lincoln House/Waffle Shop to be a diner.
Ask for victor’s acai drink and help him create a name for it. The food is great, Victor’s great, and thanks SB for all hookups.
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OOh, I will have to check out Lee Loo. I am always looking for some place new…with good service.