First Look: Founding Farmers
It's not every day that a restaurant has 42,000 owners.
True to its name, the newly opened Founding Farmers restaurant is owned by the North Dakota Farmers Union. The two-story Farragut space is the second restaurant from NDFU, which also owns Agraria in Georgetown. Like its sister restaurant, Founding Farmers sources most of its food from regional family farms in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. A few products, like honey, are from farther flung destinations (Maine, Wisconsin). All of Founding Farmers partner farms follow sustainable farming guidelines.
If that isn't enough to quell your inner conflicted omnivore, Founding Farmers is also a Certified Green Restaurant, and the first is applying to become the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified restaurant in D.C. In short, that means is that the restaurant is constructed of reclaimed or recycled materials, is energy efficient, and powered by solar and geothermal sources. Founding Farmers is also committed to recycling everything from water carafes to paper menus.
Chef Graham Duncan changes the menu seasonally, if not daily, depending on the kind and quality of available produce. While this might seem limiting, especially during the winter months, Founding Farmers actually has an enormous selection, serving breakfast (PDF), lunch, dinner (PDF), and a late night (PDF) bar menu. Most of the dishes are upscale takes on American classics, such as meatloaf, fried chicken, pot roast, and steak. There's also a selection of fresh fish, seafood, sandwiches, handmade pasta, and several cheese plates. (Fans of stinky cheese may be interested in the plate titled, "We want the Funk, Give up the Funk!") For dessert, there are mammoth-sized slices of carrot, chocolate, and Red Velvet cake.
Founding Farmers' beverage menu is also impressive in its breadth and depth. Boutique brands of sustainably grown tea and coffee hold a place next to refreshing homemade juices (cranberry cucumber, mint limeade) and sodas (grapefruit, ginger ale). Bar chef Jon Arroyo has crafted a mouth-watering drink menu that takes its inspiration from classic cocktails and seasonal juices. Familiar libations such as the Mint Julep, Old Fashioned, and Mai Tai are made to historical specification--strong and usually far less sweet than modern renditions. Original creations, like the Farmer's Fizz and the Constitution, mix unusual and sophisticated flavors like chamomile tea, ginger, and blueberry. There is also a formidable wine, beer, and spirits menu which includes several types of absinthe.
With so many choices of food and drink, some items are bound to be better than others. Between the feel-good concept and the staggering selection, there is probably something at Founding Farmers that appeals to just about everyone.
Founding Farmers
1924 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
202-822-0949
Metro: Farragut West (Orange and Blue Lines), Farragut North (Red Line)
Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Saturday: 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.