Opening Thursday, renowned chef John Mooney returns to his roots in DC to open his highly anticipated restaurant concept, Bidwell, at Union Market.
This places takes “responsibly sourced” to another level — literally. Much of the produce served at Bidwell will come from its own crop of fruit and vegetables, grown in over seventy aeroponic* planters on the roof of Union Market… making this true roof to table cuisine. (*The process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil, which, it has been argued, makes produce more colorful, better tasting, better smelling, and nutritious.)
The rest of the menu is a nod to American heritage that takes advantage of neighbor artisanal Market vendors like Chef Mooney’s signature Gin & Tonic Salmon with Caramelized Cauliflower, Crispy Deviled Eggs with Homemade Ranch Dressing, Lobster Taco with Avocado Tomatillo Salsa, and Suckling Pig.
The restaurant is named for someone in the upper echelon as well. Its notable namesake is General John Bidwell, a general in the US Army in the 1800’s, a United States Presidential candidate in 1892, and founder of Chico, California. Bidwell was an avid farmer known for developing the Bidwell heirloom melon, a gold medal winning flour, and is credited for California’s first commercial raisin crop.
*Bidwell is located in Union Market, 1309 5th Street NE, Washington DC 20002
