During two days of sightseeing and museum hopping on the National Mall, this was by far the best meal I had. Located on the first floor of the Museum of the American Indian, this café, according to their website “features native foods found through out the Western Hemisphere.” You can still get typical stuff like burgers and chicken fingers, but you’ll be better off trying dishes you won’t find elsewhere. Executive chef Richard Hetzler and his team researched the native dishes found in North, Central, and South America and recreated them using similar ingredients and cooking techniques.
I went with a bison sirloin that was cooked to order. It wasn’t the most tender cut of beef, but the sweet, rich, and slightly tart flavor of the red currant sauce made for an interesting dish. For $22.85 it came with two sides — wild mushrooms with roasted yellow beets and purple potatoes, white quinoa, and fava bean salad.
My kid opted for the chicken nuggets and fries and loved them. The meal wasn’t cheap — $40 to feed the two of us — but considering the uniqueness of their offerings, it was money well spent.
4 Stars
4th St & Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 633-1000
