Owner of The Monocle Restaurant, John Valanos and his daughter Eleni
The incredible Roasted Oysters with curried chardonnay sauce that you absolutely must try.
They are divine!
You also must try the fabulous Filet Mignon:
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We had heard wonderful things about The Monocle Restaurant in Washington, D.C. so we had hoped to visit owner John Valanos at his historic Capitol Hill institution of elegance and fine dining. At this stage we've done several hundred dinner reviews, and have a certain level of expectation when we visit a venue for the first time (there are people that disappoint us that we do not tell you about). John hit a home run and exceeded all expectations, and this classic, historic wonder should be on your visit list as well. He even had a secret weapon that additionally won us over named Jennifer; she's a ten-year veteran of The Monocle. The moment Peachy Deegan entered on a hot day, John greeted us personally at the door along with star Maitre D Nick (Nick is practically an institution within an institution as he's been there for 40 years and counting) and John could not have been more polished and cordial the entire time. He's an expert on The Monocle; John has been eating the strip steak since age four, but has graduated to bone-in filet as he is an advocate of flavorful meats. Established in 1960 by John's parents Ellen and Connie (Constantine) Valanos, The Monocle is a favorite of Republicans and Democrats alike, and you should know what happens at The Monocle stays at The Monocle.
For the most part anyway.
If we were completely quiet, you wouldn't hear how excellent they are!!!
It seems that everyone that is anyone in politics has been to The Monocle, as evidenced by the dozens of pictures on the wall of politicians. You may have heard us say in the past that Peachy's first time ever living somewhere outside of her hometown was when she was 16 and lived in Georgetown and worked at the Cannon House Office Building for the esteemed Member of Congress, Nancy Johnson from Connecticut's sixth district. She really wanted to do this and a year before she had the opportunity, Peachy wrote to Nancy once a month twelve times so Nancy hired her as an intern, and we believe that Peachy was the youngest intern there ever. Nancy's picture is on this wall and she still goes there (Nancy we would love to see you next time!). We felt at home immediately.
In the senior yearbook, it is published that Peachy is most often heard saying: "When I was in Washington working for Nancy Johnson..."
The quality of the bread basket and butter alone set a high standard for what we'd experience. Originally, The Monocle was a single townhouse with 60 seats. Today, there are 70 seats in the dining room and 35 more in the skylight room. There's also a Federal Room upstairs that's private seating for 65, and the building dates back to 1885 that has combined two residences. We were delighted to meet John's wife Vasiliki and his daughter Eleni while we visited The Monocle. Catherine Madden is the earliest known proprietor at this address and added the rear addition in 1917.
We were so excited to open the menu. As you know, we love historical venues.
A visual attraction of The Monocle are the brilliant quotes that grace the ceiling perimeter with class. We are going to find out more about them next time we visit. The Monocle is known as Capitol Hill's first table cloth restaurant.
Narrowing down the tantalizing choices at The Monocle is no easy feat. We could not have been happier with our appetizer selection: Roasted Oysters with Curried Chardonnay Sauce, which John suggested. They also brought a bit of New York to the experience as the oysters themselves are from Blue Point, Long Island. They had a wonderfully meaty, substantial quality and the heavy cream was delightful. Oysters are first roasted and John takes the liquid out, adding unoaked Chardonnay. The curry aspect is just enough spice to make it interesting without being overwhelming.
Green salads are a must at every meal, and finding the balance between boring and too much is not so easy. We prefer classic styles however it is even better when they are dressed up and nutritious! At The Monocle, we tried the House Paradise Salad: Romaine, Hearts of Palm, Avocado, mushrooms and tomato. Everything was just right and Ms. I Do Not Care for Salad Dressing just adored the House Creamy Vinaigrette. We would order this again!
For our entree, we chose the succulent 8 oz. Filet Mignon which graced the plate in complete perfection, dancing in red wine sauce. This Filet is locally certified Angus from Pennsylvania. Other cuts include choices from Chicago Stockyards, and we enjoyed a California Hess Cabernet which paired so well with every bite of this juicy sensation. The vegetables on the side added color and balance and we liked them. Especially the potatoes!
Please meet John's secret weapon, Jennifer Davis. (Mover and Shaker Ruthie Davis of shoe fame is her sister.)
Whom You Know is meant to be about other people; it is not meant to be about Peachy. Peachy's picture was not even on the website for the first few years but it became inevitable. We want to know all about other people we consider for stories, and sometimes they ask us about us back, and sometimes we tell them! Peachy told John that Whom You Know is named after her 10th grade English Class at Miss Porter's because Mover and Shaker Rennie McQuilkin, her teacher, constantly drilled grammar into their heads and he actually made it fun. He constantly said "it's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW!" As it turns out, Mr. McQuilkin continues to be totally right and it also makes a pretty good name for a website. The day Peachy started this site, she called him up to see what he thought (after he had not been her teacher for a long time but was still giving advice.) John exclaimed, "Do you know Jennifer Davis?" We thought we knew every Farmington graduate but we were wrong. Not only is Jennifer a MPS grad but she is also cool enough to have been a day student, hailing from New Britain, home to Nancy Johnson also. Of course, Jennifer tells us she knows Nancy.
Peachy Deegan and John Valanos
Don't miss the Kennedy painting - John's parents put it up when they opened and had the intention of changing the President in the painting as history evolved, however, due to the nature of Kennedy's death, they decided to leave him in the picture for eternity and we love that decision.
Oh my goodness, we heard a lot of good stories but remember, what happens at The Monocle stays at The Monocle...
A lot more would be accomplished in Washington if the Democrats and Republicans met here for dinner in fine tradition of getting along after business hours, established by Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill (the awesome Boston College graduate.) On New Year's Eve in his last year in office, Tip O'Neill came to The Monocle with his family.
Jack and Jackie Kennedy liked to sit at the bay window. And everyone knows that Jackie is a Miss Porter's graduate too.
Three Connecticut girls that went to Washington:
Top right: Nancy Johnson
Middle: Jennifer Davis
Bottom: Peachy Deegan
Peachy Picks The Monocle Restaurant!
The Monocle Restaurant is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
