Oh My Darling…

…ington House.  Yup, Darlington House in Dupont Circle has not only been up and running for a few months, its business is booming. And it should be because the owners, Jeffery Holibaugh (Vida), along with Patricia and Fabio Beggiato aka “DC restaurant power couple/husband wife team” are no newcomers to the world of creating a place for Washingtonians to rest their weary feet, gossip, drink wine, and dine finely.  They have already tasted sweet success with Sesto Senso and the Cleveland Park Grill, so why not continue on the Connecticut Avenue area streak?

Darlington House is quite literally, a house, and is located where the old Childe Harold used to be.  The Childe Harold said good-bye to this location during the fall of last year (it had been a decades-old restaurant and musician stomping ground; we know that the famous had come to perform there in years past) and apparently, the story is, descendents of the Darlington’s themselves still own the building.  The Beggiatos had an in with the family, as their daughter attends school with owners’ grandchild. 

And so the deal was done, but the doors didn’t open until after a nice renovation happened.  Downstairs, the pub, or Cantina, is the woody bar that reminds one of what a bar really should look like, smell like and feel like.  There is tons of seating, great drinks (but you’d surely like to taste one of their many brews) and excellent bar fare. 

The Dining Room is upstairs and has a separate entrance although the two are connected. One feels as if you are sitting within a combination of Banana Republic, Pottery Barn and a chic modernistic yet historic space, if that makes any sense.  The lighting fixtures are to die for and if you aren’t able to sit close to the windows with the street views, there’s plenty of good looking, urban types to check out while you eat.

Keep going up the stairs and you find a private dining room, also known as The Library, large enough to do affairs for 30, 40, maybe more. White slipcovers over the chairs and long couches make up the seating, which can be arranged in various ways to fit your party’s comfort and conversation needs.

Let’s talk food.  Executive Chef Alexander Schulte, who looks young, fresh and earnest seems to know a lot about organic food (the restaurant’s theme is “Eat Strong. Live Long.” hmmm. Words to live by.) and has experience at the New York restaurant The Modern.  His menus are straightforward yet creative, using wholesome farm fresh ingredients. He informed me that he had just gotten in some free range organic eggs from Sunnyside Farms, which I had to try at Brunch on Sunday. 

The brunch was just perfect.  It was like the type of experience you have when you are lucky enough to “go home” and Mom cooks you up a nice greeting and welcome home meal.  The right portion size, the right amount of flavoring, not too heavy, not too lite.  We had gotten a taste of the dinner menu in the Pub last week, which only left us wanting more. 

Got a sweet tooth?  Even if you don’t, you will want to let the homemade donut holes, scones, and banana bread melt onto your tongue with their sweetness (not the sick kind) which you will mull around in your mouth until you realize every crumb has left the plate.  Pastry Chef Monika Padua’s wonders will leave you satisfied for sure.

Lastly, the wine list is nice and sensible and even includes organic wines for those of you counting.  If you are more in the mood for a speciality cocktail, the restaurant has a few fun ones to try on for size. 

For whatever reason you happen upon Darlington House, make sure you get a taste of all this treasure has to offer from Brunch to Dinner to a swig and a bite in the gastropub.  You’ll be back for more.

The Darlington House is located at 1610 20th Street, NW. reservations@darlingtonhouse.com or 202.332.3722.  Tell them the Punch sent you!