Imagine Ernest Hemingway, Jay Gatsby, and a Portland hipster collaborated to create a restaurant. Mirrors fill the room to give the illusion of a grand space within an intimate café. The restaurant’s prussian blue walls and chandeliers over long communal tables demonstrate the true colors behind this local eatery’s vision: comfortable elegance.
Suddenly, you might have a pretty accurate idea of what the After Peacock Room looks like.
The restaurant was quiet for a Saturday night—besides an elderly couple across the room, I was the only one dining here for the evening. After perusing the somewhat brief menu, I decided upon the Hamachi Crudo with green apple, lime, benne, and jalapeno pepper for my appetizer. Small portions of Hamachi surrounded by fresh greens contrast against the black, square plate. The finely sliced apple blended with a unique soy gel and sesame seed for a refreshing feeling.
A friendly staff fostered a warm atmosphere. But the overly personable, hovering staff was almost as bad as crappy service. Having someone waiting to refill my water every time I pick the glass up is not in my top dining experience. The restaurant thrives off of exotic combinations and flavors while maintaining a homelike feel. The porcini stuffed chicken with arrowleaf spinach, roasted apple, and natural jus was an absolute treat. The apple and chicken combination reminded me of a nice, home-cooked meal with an adroit use of spices that rivals 5-star dining. Thinking of this dish in comparison to the appetizer, I admired the cooking range the chefs displayed.
It became clear that the simplistic underlying concepts behind the menu were reflected in the restaurants decor. Brass-colored wire lined parts of the wall, and the paint lines of the rich blue unevenly hit the gold lines on the walls. The restaurant felt intentionally unfinished in this way, which broke the tension of a complex menu and decor in a cafe-like setting. This, thankfully, reflected in the restaurant’s pricing. The check was a relief at the end of the evening; a reasonable cost for any Hoya looking for a new place to dine.
Overall, the After Peacock Room deserves to be packed with customers every night. It’s quiet charm and affordable gourmet food puts it on the list of Georgetown’s finest restaurants.
The After Peacock Room has already had a positive influence on the community. Beyond providing a wonderful dining experience for patrons, the restaurant contributes substantial portions of its revenue to charity. According to their web page, “We will be open for coffee take-out service only from 9 a.m. to noon every Sunday. All profits from the take-out service will be donated to local charities.”
With great food and great causes, the After Peacock Room is quickly rising to culinary prominence.
After Peacock Room
2622 P Street N.W.
Closed Monday and Tuesday
afterpeacockroom.com
