Go to The Getaway. Seriously, go.
1400 Meridian Place, NW Washington, DC 20010
You live in a neighborhood long enough and you’ll find a local joint, proudly calling it your own. The type of place when you walk in, and the bartender is already pouring you a drink and setting it on the bar. You know each staff by name, kitchen and front-of-house. For me that place is the Getaway. I’m there so much that once an unsuspecting server thought that I was one of the owners. Seriously, I’m in three out of four photos on their website.
Located in Columbia Heights on 14th and Meridian, this restaurant and bar has already gained respect and popularity in the neighborhood for many reasons. It has the largest outdoor space in all of Columbia Heights that’s perfect for drinking and conversing with friends. Their food menu features contemporary American favorites and original creations by experienced DC chef and co-owner Ismael Otarola. Try the braised short ribs, the Getaway Burger, one of the five kinds of sliders, or their acclaimed black bean and quinoa burger. I love it and I’m not even a vegetarian.
The Getaway also offers specialty cocktails such as Hell is for Heroes, a mixture of Jim Beam, fig jam, lemon juice and bitters garnished with brandied cherry. My favorite is Lady L, a refreshing, summery cocktail of vodka, muddled cucumber and coconut water. If you’re not sure what you want to drink, just ask co-owner and front-of-house manager, Alejandro Umerez, or Patrick behind the bar.
The Getaway draws its inspirations from 1960’s style icons like Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and Robert Redford: Casual, cool and inviting. It’s no wonder that, in just a short 12-month period, the Getaway has established itself as a solid neighborhood presence, if not, a destination hangout in Columbia Heights.
Their happy hour features $2 beers, $3 wines, $4 cocktails and $5 appetizers. It’s a good deal.
If you’re a musician looking to keep your chops up, visit on a Wednesday for their Open Mic Night upstairs. For trivia junkies, go on a Thursday to find owner Jeremy Mintz MC’ing their trivia night. Get there early, though, because the tables fill up quickly.
Saturdays and Sundays feature an awesome brunch menu with bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys until 5PM. I recommend the chorizo burrito. Oh, and Saturdays they have happy hour prices ALL DAY.
In short: Go to the Getaway. Come this Saturday; they’ll be celebrating their one-year anniversary. Suzie Robb and myself will both be there to congratulate them on opening such an awesome bar. And if you see me, make sure to address me by my rightful title at the Getaway: “the Godfather.”
- Eric Wang
@ericspwang