Serving Mid-Atlantic Tasting Menus in Washington, DC
Irregardless offers something for everyone, regardless of their dietary preferences.
There is a recent trend toward tasting menus featuring ingredients from the East Coast. Pearl Street Supper Club in New York focuses on seafood and vegetables from the region. A new entrant to the genre is turning toward seasonal mid-Atlantic cuisine in Washington, DC.
It serves two menus of six courses, one with meat and fish, and the other with just vegetables, opening Tuesday in the northeast quadrant of the nation's capital. Ben Browning, formerly of Mintwood Place, Maydan and Reveler’s Hour, interprets regional produce and homemade pasta at both restaurants.
For $85 per person, the opening menus feature late-summer's best produce. A fluke crudo with serrano and radish will appeal to omnivores, while scallop schnitzel with frisée, lardons, and egg yolk will appeal to Browning's European roots. A vegetarian menu includes braised leeks accompanied by capers, eggs, and cornichons to start, followed by cacio e peas and mushroom tarte to finish. In addition to gnocchi panzanella with tomato, cucumber, and basil, guests can choose from three dessert options: poached pear, sorbet trio, and tarte pour Jim.
There will also be two optional wine pairings, both of which are $60 per person, along with the prix fixe. In addition to serving as the sommeliers, Mika and Ian Carlin have created a wine list that complements the menu’s regionality. The two are former attorneys who met at the University of Virginia law school. One pairing highlights Virginia wine and spirits only.
In addition to classic drinks, Christine Cabatuan mixes up twists on classics. While Once Upon a Time in Hawaii takes inspiration from a Negroni but showcases pineapple-infused mezcal, the Matcha Do About Nothing is meant to take on the Espresso Martini, this season's "it" cocktail.
A la carte dishes will be available at the 12-seat bar if you'd like a taste of Irregardless without diving into the full menu.
Regardless will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
