Orange Anchor Sails Into Georgetown
Orange Anchor, the newest nautical-themed restaurant and bar from restauranteur and yacht owner Reese Gardner, is set to open in Georgetown’s Washington Harbour on Friday.
For boaters, Orange Anchor will employ a deckhand who will help you dock your boat. If you call in your pre-paid order or place it online, someone will deliver salads, sandwiches, ice and Solo cups to your boat between Apr. 1 and Oct. 30. If you’d rather eat inside, there are dedicated changing rooms to get out of your sailing duds into something more appropriate.
For boaters and landlubbers, there will be 40 varieties of rum, as well as cocktails from corporate beverage director Boris Stojkovic. And since you don’t want to break a bottle on your boat, there will be 10 canned beers served in Orange Anchor koozies guests can keep as well as 10 craft brews on tap. Also, each table will be set with Champagne flutes for a complimentary pour from the captain.
The menu from corporate chef Allan Javery, which features 60 percent new dishes, is sandwich and seafood-heavy including oysters four ways — chilled, grilled, fried and in Champagne-filled half shells. There’s also a shrimp and lobster roll, seared tuna nicoise salad, seafood chili, Ahi tuna burger, Anchor Dog wrapped in bacon and topped with mustard crab salad and crispy shallots, and crabcake BALT with bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato. Soups and salads range from $6-$16 and sandwiches from $12-$18.
Small bites include clams casino, crispy tuna roll, sautéed shrimp, seared scallops and foie gras, duck confit corn dogs – confit leg of duck corn battered and fried – and caviar tacos with Yukon potato shells filled with Hackleback caviar ($32 for two). A la carte proteins include sword fish, twin lobster tails, seared tuna and mussels. Shard sides include lobster mac ‘n cheese and crab fritters. There will also be a seasonal fish posted on the feature board. Small bites are priced from $8-$32, a la carte items from $18-$38 and shard sides from $8-$14.
The 124-seat dining room and 15-seat bar were designed by Maggie O’Neill of SwatchRoom. Anchors are featured on the wall behind the bar and the Yacht Club wall, which features photos of yachts including Gardner’s “Knot Yours.” They are also branded into the sides of the wooden booths. There’s even a real anchor on the wall between the bar area and dining room. Chairs are orange and blue, while the booth backs are blue and white striped fabric and the seats are orange vinyl with accents of light wood and stainless steel. There are boat cleats to hang coats or bags, porthole-style mirrors, rails and buoys. Even the hostess stand looks like a boat’s helm with wheel, speedometer and compass. The floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto the patio in warm weather.
Gardner also owns the Virginia-themed Copperwood Tavern in Shirlington; Second State in Dupont Circle inspired by his native Pennsylvania, and the upcoming Union Social in NoMa.
Orange Anchor, 3050 K St. NW, will be open Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 a.m., Mondays through Thursday from 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Fridays from 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. begins Feb. 21. Oyster Hour with $1 is available from 5-6 p.m. weekday, and happy hour is from 4-7 p.m. weekdays with $1 off beers, signature cocktails and wine by the glass. Although the restaurant official opens Feb. 13, if you go in Feb. 11 or 12 for the soft opening you’ll get half off your tab. For boat delivery or help docking, call 202-802-9989.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.