Georgetown’s High Street Café Not Your Garden Variety Brasserie

High Street Café calls itself an “american brasserie with a latin twist,” and to be sure we found some unique flavors.  You’ll likely find us posting up here on Tuesdays, Lechon Days!, when the kitchen roasts a whole pig and the menu reflects this with pork specials of almost every kind.

The Café is located at 1303 Wisconsin Ave NW, where Paolo’s used to be — or one half of it, anyway. It’s located on the section of Wisconsin Avenue that was once called High Street, before Georgetown’s street names were changed in 1895 to be better ingredients in L’Enfant’s alphabet soup.

It still features those few coveted front window bistro tables, where diners can catch the ambiance of Georgetown as they sip Pinot Grigio or chow down on a High Street Cheeseburger. It’s a quintessential neighborhood spot, equally as awesome as a watering hole, a date spot, or a meet-cute for a girlfriends’ catch-up.

Hands down, our favorite menu item is the goat cheese croquette appetizer.  You will not be disappointed with these little fried cheese nibbles dripping in honey and pistachio… until there are no more on the plate.  A must try!  Skip the Tuna Tartare — underwhelming — but definitely share a wood fired oven pizza.  The Dolcé, preserved fig and blue cheese, is a flavorful crowd pleaser.

While the menu may at first seem meat-heavy, there are actually some remarkably different dishes for vegetarians.  Take the Sweet Plantain Lasagna, for example. This noodle-less vegetable ratatouille smothered in stewed tomato sauce is an unexpected alternative. (To be fair, we noticed the mushrooms more than the plantains.)

In addition to these regular menu favorites, High Street Café is currently offering specials to coincide with Georgetown’s Garden Tour.  The tour itself takes place on Saturday, May 11th, but these specials run throughout May. Guests will love how the elderflower liqueur and lavender bitters enhance the tequila in High Street’s special Lavender Margarita; and Abolut Hibiscus gives the Pom Y Rosa its floral notes, along with that essential edible flower garnish. $12 each.

Really into this theme?  Start with High Street’s From the Garden spring salad and finish with a delectable Chocolate (Flower-less) Cake.  Otherwise, be tempted by the not-at-all-too sweet tiramisu.