Pennsylvania 6, an American restaurant that specializes in seafood, is now open for lunch and dinner in their brand new location across from Franklin Square. I tried their lunch recently, and can only say– you are in for a TREAT!
Location: The huge space in the heart of downtown DC on I Street, NW, between 13th and 14th St is just a few steps from the McPherson Square metro, and across from Franklin Square.
Décor: Penn 6’s attempt at “American brasserie meets London supper club”, is breathtaking – elegant, sophisticated, trendy, and sexy, but not in a trying too hard kind of way. There is a raw bar, a dining area with several area, and my favorite, the lounge nook. I can see myself catching up with a friend at the lounge, by the fireplace, on one of the couches. Lots of fun and eclectic stuff on the walls too! Since I went for lunch on a weekday, I stayed away from the drinks, but I’ll be back for a cocktail in the lounge very soon!
Food: Modern American with an emphasis on seafood – BUT not the generic, lazy, new American that are seen on many restaurant menus. The food here is excellent.
The raw bar is a treat with fresh oysters, lobster, clams – and is a perfect start to any meal. The standout appetizer for me was the octopus with gigante beans – octopus can be a dicey dish to order as it has to be cooked just right, and Penn 6’s octopus are one of the best I have had. Tender and delicious perfection!
Protip: During Happy Hour (Mon –Fri, 4-7pm), oysters are $1!
Penn 6 definitely excels at seafood and the crab croquettes was also a fantastic dish served with a tasty dipping sauce. For non seafood lovers, the beef carpaccio was fantastic, sliced so thin it was like butter when it hit your mouth! I also could not get enough of the ricotta dip – fresh ricotta with olive oil, black pepper, orange-fig jam, and thyme, served with toasted bread. So simple and so good! Although I did not try it, the broccolini dip and the snails seemed to be a huge hit at the table too.
Dry Aged Beef Carpaccio
For main courses, the lobster roll and the bucatini with clams were the popular choices. I had the lobster roll and it did not disappoint! A generous helping of lobster (a full tail and claw!) on a buttery roll, served with perfectly crisp duck fat fries – decadent, delicious, and definitely worth it!
Lobster roll and duck fat fries
My fellow food flogger friend, Jason of DC Fud, ordered the Berkshire Pork Chop with sweet potato, candied pecans, fried Brussels sprouts, and bourbon lacquer, and claimed it was one of his favorite dishes of the day!
Penn 6 also has some great desserts. My favorites were the chocolate crème brulee (creamy and rich!), and the Bread and Butter pudding. A perfect end to a fantastic meal.
I will say, vegetarians do not have many choices (as of now) as there is not much in the way of vegetarian items (although there are salads, a sandwich, and a number of sides that can constitute a meal).
Seafood lovers, don't miss out on this new restaurant before it gets too hard to get into! Personally, I can’t wait to get back there for a cocktail in the lounge, and to try their upcoming brunch!
Penn 6 DC is open for lunch and dinner. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM; Friday: 11:30 AM - 11PM; Saturday: 5:00 PM - 11 PM
