Any budding politician or political junkie should dine at The Caucus Room at least once during his or her time at Georgetown. Thanks to its proximity to Capitol Hill, The Caucus Room is a known favorite among congressmen, journalists and other government powerhouses. The chance for a politician sighting while Congress is in session is high. This steakhouse prides itself on many private banquet rooms — perfect for a congressional lunch or a private meeting between lobbyists and senators.
The Caucus Room is a classic steakhouse. With its dark mahogany trim and rich green accents, this restaurant is bursting with political paraphernalia. I dined among photographs of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and George H. W. Bush. Although the restaurant is probably not within the average student’s budget, the experience and chance of a politician sighting make it well worth the treat. With hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood flown in daily, it’s no wonder that Washington’s most powerful actors frequent this restaurant.
For an appetizer, try the calamari. From the first bite, you can immediately taste the freshness. The calamari is lightly fried with just the right amount of crunch and is served with both a classic marinara sauce and a specialty lemon-herb tartar sauce. For salad, the tomato mozzarella is delicious and light enough to hold you over to the entree. Thick pieces of mozzarella are layered upon sliced vine-ripened tomatoes and then drizzled lightly with pressed olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.
For seafood enthusiasts, the sea scallops make a great choice. Five large pan-seared scallops are paired with grilled vegetables and sit atop an apple-sage reduction. The scallops cut like butter, and the reduction perfectly complements the dish. A meat lover’s taste buds would instantly water at the sight of the 12-ounce. New York strip steak, cooked to perfection and served with a sauce au poivre and roasted garlic. The steak was succulent and juicy, and the sauce added just the right amount of flavor to the pepper-seasoned meat. A perfect (and sharable) side to complement the meal is the mashed potatoes. Whipped to smooth perfection, with whole butter and sweet cream, the potatoes had a rich and creamy taste.
If you still have room in your stomach after dinner, try the New York cheesecake. It’s big enough for two or three people to share and comes with a dollop of homemade whipped cream. The cheesecake is thick and velvety with a thin graham-cracker crust. The light and fluffy whipped cream has an almost mousse-like texture. The cheesecake was the perfect ending to a great meal.
If you are craving a hearty steak dinner and want to dine among Washington’s finest, check out The Caucus Room. This Washington classic may be one of the few things that has won the approval of both Republican and Democratic politicians.
