The wine list had not changed, since I visited less than a year before, so I settled in with the Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz, Barossa Valley ‘15. I sat at the bar, and had the wine list in hand quickly, while the bartender began setting up for the day - the lunch crowd had not yet arrived, and I had the bar to myself for a bit. One thing that I like is no political party, or even member, is immune from those pieces of art - Off the Record is totally bi-partisan. It is adorned with 100's of political cartoon/caricatures, that are fun, just to admire, and then to try and figure out all of the various characters in each panel. It’s a very cozy bar, with seating scattered around a bit, and some in nooks and crannies, that make that table feel private. As the hotel is on a bit of a hill, on 16th Street NW and H Street NW, the semi-basement is down two flights of steps from the lobby, but from the H St side, it’s only a few steps, and the windows, look out onto H St, but at ankle level.Īs the name indicates, it’s a favorite haunt of politicians, and those, who meet with them. Now, Off the Record is hidden away just a bit, and there is not a great deal of signage in the hotel lobby, unless one looks carefully, or asks directions. As per my usual, I was seeking wine, and I knew I’d find it there.
In March, we were staying at the Hay-Adams, for my wife to attend several days of meetings on Capitol Hill, and I headed down into the semi-basement of the hotel, just as Off the Record opened.