You Can’t Argue with the Argo

You Can't Argue with the Argo!

Last summer, in the midst of a Road Trip from Hell with two screaming nippers on the way to visit Mrs. Crispin’s family 1000 miles away on the BP-befouled Gulf, I casually looked up a list-serve news summary of goings-on in my Capitol Hill neighborhood. There, to my indescribable horror, I saw the news that my local watering hole, The Argonaut, had closed indefinitely as a result of a major fire.

Panic stricken, I quickly searched for more information on neighborhood websites to confirm the tragedy. There it was: the kitchen and bar on the first floor completely consumed in flames, severe smoke damage to the rest of the building, closed indefinitely. Compared to the overhyped Gulf oil spill (we had a dandy time sipping our cocktails on the condo balcony at Gulf Shores, watching the tar balls float in—and at a significant discount), this was a disaster of major proportions.

The thought that my beloved Argo was closed and might not reopen was almost too much to bear. Sure, I put on a good face for Mrs. Crispin’s family, but inwardly I was consumed with anxiety. What would I do in the coming months (perhaps longer) without the opportunity for blessed respite after work—the convenience of being able to pop by my favorite establishment for a few succulent fish tacos and a cold draft with a friend or two in order to gear up for a fun-filled family evening? Hard to even contemplate.

A year later, it’s clear that it was absurd for me to entertain such despairing thoughts. The neighborhood rallied ‘round owner Scott Magnuson with a few fundraisers, he (eventually) got the insurance company to cough up some money, and now the Argonaut is back, better than ever.

To call the Argonaut “the grandfather among the hip eateries of the up-and-coming Atlas District” (as it was recently described in a newspaper profile of the revitalized H Street corridor), while accurate, is inadequate to describe its splendors. Since it opened as a dive bar in 2005, the Argo has been cutting edge, literally. Like the prow of a ship (a festive green ship) headed into the vast emptiness of the deep blue sea beyond, it is situated on the triangle of land at the eastern end of H Street—it is the last building on H—before one reaches Benning Road and the “edgier” parts of Northeast on the far side of 15th Street. Fittingly, it has been the spearpoint of development for the rest of the Atlas District (the 12 blocks of H Street running from the back of Union Station at 3rd Street all the way out to the Argo at 15th Street), as dozens of new bars and restaurants have sprung up in its wake in the last six years. Remarkably, it has morphed over this short period from a (fabulous) local favorite dive bar to a family-friendly pub and restaurant with excellent fare and a knockout bar that opens to a splendid patio. The nautical theme continues with the décor: the interior is a cross between an English-style tavern and the basement of an ancient seafarer. Usually, when you hear “rustic charm” it’s time to head for the exits, but here it works perfectly. And the restored, curved bar running along the side is tres cool with its antique draught towers and 12 handcrafted beers from across the fruited plain. All rounded out by an extensive bottled beer list, as well as a long list of wines, rums, and specialty house drinks.

By the way, I’m not kidding about the family-friendly stuff. Any night before 8, particularly on weekdays, you’re likely to find more young families with kids than you are young single hipsters. Scott and Shaaren (particularly since they had little Ara 4 Years ago) have gone out of their way to make the Argo family and kid friendly, with kids-eat-free family nights every Wednesday and neighborhood nights (10% off for those with a local Zip) every Thursday. For all the ballyhooed tension between the single hipsters and young families and their respective claims to Hill establishments (some young people don’t seem to like children all that much), they all peacefully co-exist at the Argo. Just something about the place, I guess.

Anyway, I sense that it’s time I stop waxing sentimental and get down to the food. The kitchen's coastally-inspired fare is one of the reasons the Argonaut is so popular. Their famous Fish Tacos are outrageously good, or you could try their daily "Steamer Specials" (featuring fresh steamed shellfish, red potatoes, corn and melted butter). Not into seafood? (What’s your problem, btw?) Then the Argo Burger will win you over, or perhaps their tasty vegetarian Mushroom Panino. And, I beg of you, don't forget about the Sweet Potato Fries or the Onion Rings drizzled with honey.

So if you never thought “cutting-edge” and “family-friendly” belonged in the same sentence, much less the same restaurant, I really think you should head down to the Argonaut on the outer frontier of H Street. It might be a mind-expanding experience.

http://argonautdc.com/