The bar at Petworth Citizen — Petworth Citizen

Retro Dishes Return, But With Modern Flair

by Ross Perkins Oct 24, 2013, 8:44am EDT

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Petworth Citizen

| Photo: R. Lopez

by Ross Perkins Oct 24, 2013, 8:44am EDT

Diners are nothing if not nostalgic. Some restaurants are capitalizing on their memories by bringing back dishes that evoke the age of Dynasty, Leave It To Beaver, or earlier. Dishes like wedge salad, tartare and Baked Alaska create flashbacks to very different eras. But restaurants are using locally-sourced ingredients and international flair to make the items a little more friendly to a contemporary palate.

Have another favorite retro dish? Share it in the comments.

Ted's Bulletin

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It's a diner so of course its dishes will be old school. And Ted's most famous retro dish is its take on the Pop-Tart.

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505 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

(202) 544-8337

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Petworth Citizen & Reading Room

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This new bar is bringing back the wedge salad. It's literally a wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with a variety of toppings.

829 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011

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M Cafe

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It's not quite the traditional escargot. But this Logan Circle restaurant serves basil-fed snails with a provolone fondue.

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1634 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

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Beuchert's Saloon

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Pate evokes white table clothed tables and hushed conversations (at least, it used to). But at this Capitol Hill restaurant, the pate is made country-style with greens and tomato jam.

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623 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington DC, DC 20003

(202) 733-1384

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The Coupe

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If late night munchies set in, The Coupe's bacon-wrapped meatloaf can satisfy those cravings. It's served as a sandwich.

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3415 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

(202) 290-3342

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Table

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For its special Thanksgiving menu, Waldorf salad is making a comeback at Table. But just for the holiday.

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903 N St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 852-2121

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Ripple

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Grilled cheese becomes a grilled cheese bar at Ripple. The chef works ingredients like truffle butter, gruyere and prosciutto into the offerings. Another old school dish with a modern upgrade: the isle flottante (floating island), part of the restaurant's Fall of Rhone promotion.

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3417 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

(202) 244-7995

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The Grill Room @capelladc

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Several dishes at the Grill Room evoke the past, like the tartare prepared tableside. The baked Alaska, though, is particularly hard to find around D.C., and can be ordered there.