It's "Social" But That's About All It Is

C Says...

I’m going to write this as though we actually had our May dinner in May; due to some unfortunate events with his Saturn (there’s a reason they’re out of business), J had to cancel our May dinner and reschedule for week 1 of June. After a week of unbearable DC heat – it’s June! – we scored with a nice summer evening for outdoor dining at Social.

Pretty far north in DC’s Columbia Heights neighborhood, Social brings a bit of flavor to a neighborhood that’s been booming over the past 3 years. Offering a plethora of small plates, Social encourages their diners to be social, by sharing meals, which is exactly what J and I did. While we chose to eat al fresco, Social’s décor screams comfort: big leather couches, dark wood furniture, and comfy art on the walls.

For our meal, we opted for the meatballs, the chicken parmesan sliders, fish tacos, and garlic French fries. Sure, a mélange, but whatever. The meatballs were tasty as were the fish tacos with an awesome smoked tomato aioli. The fries were pretty standard, and while I was excited for the sliders, I was a bit disappointed by the dryness of the bread, which overpowered any flavor in the chicken.

Overall, Social is a great place to get together with friends for a drink and a snack, especially after a quick trip to Target or Best Buy.

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J Says...

Now that my wheels are back (public transportation = fear), we ventured up to essentially Maryland for our May-adjacent dinner. It was my choice and I was feeling Social...apparently, so were the interns at the next table who incidentally used to work for C in a previous life. Oh DC, you are sometimes too small to be charming.

As C discussed the dishes, I'll remark on the drinks. Her Manhattan looked more like Brooklyn, but she seemed to enjoy it. My first attempt at a Mojito with pineapple twist (per their menu) failed when the mint was "not as fresh as we'd like." Worried that a Dark & Stormy would end up being a Partly Cloudy, I went with the Riesling.

All in all, Social is a cute gem in a semi-rough neighborhood setting. I'd go back, particularly if I lived nearby, with a group of friends for after work happy hour. The outdoor arrangements are a nice touch indeed.


Social - 1400 Meridian Place NW, 202.797.1100, www.social14.com