Though I live less than 5 blocks west of the burgeoning hip strip of 11th Street NW, the main place that I frequent there is the delectable, but, busy, Red Rocks Pizza. When a close friend of mine moved back from California and wanted to get dinner in Columbia Heights, I thought about my go-to’s and then decided to branch out and try the year old Meridian Pint at 3400 11th St NW.
Before I visited, I knew that Meridian Pint would have a long beer list, that it had tables with built in taps and that it had a souped-up bar menu. What I didn’t know, is that the long draft beer list was compiled of delicious, herbaceous, diverse local and domestic brews from as close as Baltimore to California in addition to a page long list of 750 ML special beers for sharing. I also didn’t know that the menu was so vegetarian and vegan friendly, indeed there were the requisite hamburgers with foodie toppings, but also dishes featuring ginger-soy tofu, grilled polenta and walnut lentil salad with roasted pepper sauce and grilled fennel! Mains also included tasty looking braised beef ribs served with mac-n-cheese, grilled trout and steak. We tried an out of this world starter – roasted sweet potatoes. They served them quartered, seemingly grilled and broiled at the same time with amazing caramelized edges.
The atmosphere reminded me of a bar in Brooklyn, dark wood, low lights, upbeat indie music, and beer signs on the wall. The layout was friendly for all kinds of gatherings – booths for intimate conversations, tables that can accommodate groups of all kinds, including those with kids, a long bar for a casual night and a party friendly downstairs with tables with built in beer taps, pool tables and another long bar.
I’m sorry that it took me so long to visit and so pleased to have a vegetarian friendly local pub to bring friends. Next up on 11th Street NW – Room 11 and Bloom Bars.
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