Having been out of the Washington, DC work environment for a couple years now I often forget just how seriously many there take themselves. They are smart and important people in smart suits and carrying on important business, even when they’re just drinking beers on the bar stool next to me. At least many of them seem to try to exude that air. Fortunately it doesn’t really work completely, but it was enough to make me feel slightly out of place wearing a short-sleeved golf shirt rather than at least a button-down shirt yesterday afternoon (so much so that I actually changed between drinks and dinner).
But none of that stands in the way of a well organized and well lubricated happy hour event, and that is one thing that DC still does rather well. I met up with some former co-workers at Chef Geoff’s for a few beers. Like an idiot, I didn’t bother to figure out what the actual happy hour specials were when I got there. They offer a 34 ounce draft beer special for $8 every day at happy hour, along with $3 bottles. Of course, I had already ordered a pint of beer ($6) when I realized this so I had to finish that one before moving on to the specials, of which I had two. Yummy.
Following happy hour it was off to dinner at Jaleo’s with another friend. They’ve got some top-notch tapas going on there. If I had to search for a negative about the various tastes we had it would be that everything seemed to clean and crisp flavor-wise. I’m not sure that is really a problem, but it was rather different from most of my recent tapas experiences at the now closed El Cid in Manhattan. The dishes there were more traditional and the flavors a bit smoother and more subdued. Jaleo’s dishes seemed to have a edge to them that was interesting. Of course, I only got to taste 6 of the dozens of options they have on the menu so I’ll have to go back at least once or twice more to try some of the other options and make sure my analysis is accurate. I am happy to report that the sangria is top notch; no worries at all on that front.
Overall a very nice way to start up the week of ridiculous travel. A little normal to lead in to the crazy, if you will.
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