A Whirl Around the Hill's Hank's Oyster Bar and The Eddy

Grid View

Tonight marks the Capitol Hill debut of Hank's Oyster Bar, a third location for Jamie Leeds' popular restaurants and one with a twist, the the addition of mixologist Gina Chersevani and her 20-seat The Eddy. Even though it's the third in the collection, Hank's Oyster Bar — Hank's on the Hill, if you will — does plenty with its design and drinks menu to distinguish itself from both its predecessor in the space and from the two existing locations in Dupont and Alexandria.

Edit design firm helmed the transformation from Ba Bay — also one of their restaurant design clients — to Hank's Oyster Bar. The new white marble bar has been significantly elongated, walls are a light grey, whitewashed slats give the space Hank's coastal feel, and the bar boasts antique glassware and mason jars. While the focus is on the Eddy Bar, there's also a raised oyster-shucking bar in the back of the restaurant with "stage lighting." Banquettes are raised to bar level and televisions built into the bar fade behind mirrors when switched off — the Hank's team decided the Capitol Hill location called for TVs for those occasions when watching CSPAN is absolutely necessary.

Teaming up with Chersevani has meant a big emphasis on the bar program at this new location. The bar is outfitted with an ice block for chipping, plus they've got a juicer and house-made sodas streaming from spigots installed on the bar. Chersevani's bar program at The Eddy will rotate 20 punches and cocktails, including a Georgia Mafia variation that incorporates peanut-washed whiskey, marshmallow bitters and sweet vermouth. They'll also have some beer on tap and by bottle, plus a small selection of wines.

As for the food, expect the menu to be mostly similar to what Leeds offers at her location Hank's Oyster Bar locations — oysters galore, po'boy sandwiches, braised short ribs, scallops and more. Hank's on the Hill is also going to have Hank's Meat and Two option, offering all entree choices every day rather than as specials. Update: Hank's has made a late-in-the-game decision to offer the Meat and Two on a rotating basis as specials as it is as the other Hank's locations.

The Hill is also getting an experiment in desserts, including key lime pie, peach cobbler and a gluten-free flourless chocolate cake. And that's not all — brunch is coming soon with crab benedicts, huevos rancheros and more. But first, Hank's Oyster Bar opens on Pennsylvania Avenue tonight at 5.

· Hank's Oyster Bar [Official Site]
· All Previous Hank's on the Hill Coverage [-EDC-]