The Wharf is DC’s hottest new area that you didn’t know existed … or should I say WE didn’t know existed. Located on the other side of Georgetown along the Potomac, we couldn’t wait to make our way over to the Wharf to discover new reasons to fall in love with DC.

Getting There

There are actually a couple different ways to get there, but being in The District by Hilton Club, we opted to walk over to the river and take the Potomac Water Taxi.

It was super easy to make reservations online or you’re able to pay in person with a debit or credit card, no cash. Another little word to the wise, we decided to get one-way tickets to see how we liked it or in case we stayed past the last pickup time and that turned out to be the best decision. The river started icing over from the extreme cold, so our trip to the Wharf was their last trip of the day.

The taxi was insanely clean and offered extraordinary views of the monuments as we slushed along through the icy water. I borrowed the idea from my son to travel around with my charger and to my delight, there were outlets under the seats. WiFi was also available, another treat as I still haven’t made the leap to Verizon’s unlimited data plan, so my data was running low. We were one of two couples on the taxi, so we had our pick of seating, but spent most of the time standing to enjoy the view.

The Brighton

We hopped off looking for the action, and warmth, and The Brighton restaurant appeared to be where it was at, so we headed that way.

The greeting was warm and the tables were set up picnic style, inviting you to meet new people and converse with your neighbors. Only wanting a small appetizer and drinks, we bypassed the dining area and made our way to the bar. We easily found 2 seats, and I found yet another conveniently located outlet under the countertop to charge my phone at.

We ordered the calamari and Nathan tried a local beer because that’s his thang. Being one of those annoying people that only has the requirement their drink is sweet like punch, I left it to the bartender to make something great. I don’t know what she made, but she didn’t disappoint.

I can’t comment on service past the bar, but the 3 bartenders we interacted with were phenomenal and gave some great ideas on where we should head to next for dinner.

Kith and Kin

Taking the advice of one of our bartenders, we decided to try Kith and Kin for dinner. By “we” I really mean “me” as Afro-Caribbean is still a bit out of Nathan’s box, so it took a bit of convincing to get him there. It also took us a minute to find, not realizing it was located in the Intercontinental Hotel, but once you get in, it can’t be missed.

We were sat near the window, facing the Potomac, which set the mood for a romantic evening. Our waiter was beyond attentive and made you feel like he was welcoming you into his home. Being new to Afro- Caribbean, we let him make recommendations he thought would be pleasing to our palate. We ordered the Beef Patties with Calypso Sauce for an appetizer and while I enjoyed them, they were a bit too spicy for my liking, but right up Nathan’s alley. The large entrees are for sharing, so we chose the Gumbo as something we’d both enjoy.

The presentation was FABULOUS! Presented with just the grilled quail atop the long grain rice in the serving bowl, the gravy and andouille sausage was slowly poured over at the table from another serving dish. It had a hint of a kick, but not too much. More of a nice smoky flavor that left you wanting more, especially with the crazy cold temps outside that day.

Too full for dessert, we skipped that course, but not too full for a cocktail. Nathan got The Migration, which he likened to a Manhattan with a twist and I got La Diablesse. When I say this drink was amazing, it may just be the best drink I’ve ever had. Seriously. Ever.

I won’t lie, the fact Kith and Kin is the brainchild of one of my favorite Top Chef contestants, Kwame Onwuachi, is what pulled me in, but the ambiance, food, and service is what will bring me back. I hear they have a killer breakfast, so it’s my list of must tries or next time.

I can only imagine how great the Wharf will be this spring, especially during their big opening celebration in April. Who else has been out there since the first phase opened in November? What other restaurants would you recommend? Please hop in the comments and let me know and if you’re looking for a place to stay, The Darcy is always a great pick. As always, thanks for reading!