The 'M' Blog

Celebrating at The Monocle

Gary Hopkins — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:38:50 +0000

Last week, we had a special event that served two purposes: 1) to honor the 92nd birthday of Connie Valanos, founder of The Monocle, and 2) to kick off our end-of-year celebrations for the 50th anniversary of The Monocle.

The Monocle founder, Connie Valanos, left, chats with Sen. Fred Thompson.

Connie Valanos greeted many longtime friends, like Sen. Fred Thompson. In all some 100 people stopped in to say hello and wish Connie a happy 92nd.

The Monocle founder, Connie Valanos, blows out the candles on his birthday cake.

Check out the list of specials that we’re currently running at The ‘M’ (as The Monocle has become affectionately known) in a previous ‘M’ blog post here.

The Monocle has been described as a Capitol Hill institution, and rightly so. Before Barack Obama even was born, before man was launched into space or set foot on the moon, before the Beatles were a sensation … there was The Monocle on Capitol Hill.

A favorite spot for members of Congress and their staff, The Monocle is the closest restaurant to the U.S. Capitol. The historic Monocle building (the building at the corner of 1st and D streets NE was built circa 1885) is just a short walk downhill toward Union Station from the Senate side and is located at 107 D Street, NE.

50th Anniversary “Prix Fixe” Menus

Gary Hopkins — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:14:42 +0000

We’re kicking off our 50th anniversary celebrations with new “prix fixe” menu offerings starting tomorrow evening, Oct. 5. We’ll have lunch and dinner offerings in the main dining room as well as lounge and bar offerings. Here’s the rundown of our offerings through Election Day, Nov. 2, 2010:

TWO-COURSE 50th ANNIVERSARY LUNCH, $15

First Course, Choice of:

Mixed Organic Greens
tossed with mustard vinaigrette
Shellfish Bisque

Second Course, Choice of:

Day Boat Scallops
over orzo pasta, pancetta, peas & Parmesan cream
Braised Short Ribs
with red wine sauce
Wellington Farms Chicken Breast, herbs and lemon
Single Fried Egg over Flatiron Steak and sauce verte

TWO-COURSE 50th ANNIVERSARY DINNER, $25

First Course, Choice of:
Caesar Salad
tossed table-side
Shellfish Bisque

Second Course, Choice of:

New England Maine Lobster
1&1/4 pounds with linguine pasta Fra Diavolo
Filet Mignon
with blue cheese, braised cipollini onions with balsamic reduction
Chicken with Madeira Wine
oyster and shiitake mushrooms

CHEF’S TASTING, $50
MODERN INTERPRETATIONS OF CLASSIC
AMERICAN CUISINE OF THE 1960s

Oysters Rockefeller
Roasted long island oysters with curried sauce
with wilted baby arugula and crispy pork belly
Filet Mignon Oscar
Pan-roasted center cut Angus tenderloin
topped with Lump Blue Crab
and oven roasted asparagus, Hollandaise,
Pinot Noir reduction with thyme and Parmesan “tater tots”
Glass of Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon
Chocolate Sformato
with Grand Marnier whipped cream and toasted almond

BAR ROOM AND LOUNGE SPECIALS, $5
11:30am – closing
Twin Mini D street Angus burgers
Local oysters on the half shell (5)
Mini crab balls with red pepper mayo (5)

COCKTAIL HOUR
4:30 pm – 7 pm
Modern interpretations of classic cocktails, $5
Southern Comfort Fizzy
Southern Comfort mixed with sparkling pink grapefruit
Grasshopper
Light and green Crème de Menthe, cream and splash of Kettle One
Negroni
Campari, Martini & Rossi sweet vermouth, Hendrix gin and orange zest

Stop by and join us in celebrating.

Our 50th Anniversary Year

Gary Hopkins — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:46:19 +0000

Stay tuned for 50th anniversary events coming up at The Monocle restaurant on Capitol Hill …