This wonderful new creative ‘Pop up’ restaurant is José Andrés’ latest hit.

Opened in June 2011, the concept of this fun 3 level restaurant is to celebrate American classical food and native ingredients through history, including some long forgotten dishes.  Much of the research was carried out by the nearby National Archives and the restaurant’s profits will be donated to the Foundation for the National Archives.  The New York Times wrote a great piece on José Andrés’ love of ketchups and in fact there were 8 types of ketchups on the menu at America Eats in August.

You can enjoy a more casual tavern style menu on the ground floor in the bar area, whilst the two upper levels offer a more extensive menu.

The menu is a large two-sided sheet with the history of each dish explained underneath. There are 7 types of Oysters, some only available on certain days, including an Oyster Stew from the Grand Central Oyster Bar in New York in 1913 to Pickled Oysters originating from New York in the 18^th Century.  I started with a delicious She Crab Soup (Charleston, SC, 1909), a Scottish Seafood bisque.  Also on the menu was the classic Waldorf Salad (New York, 1893), Chesapeake Crabcakes with Watermelon Salad (Lord Baltimore Hotel, 1932) and Peanut Soup (George Washington, 1924) to name a few.  To follow I had a small plate of Buffalo Wings (Frank and Teressa’s Anchor Bar, 1964) and then the most amazingly tasty BBQ Beef Short Ribs with Cold Slaw (The Kentucky Housewife, 1839).  The meat literally melted in my mouth.  The Cold Slaw consisted of sprout leaves, carrots, lettuce, onion, cress and cabbage.

Other great looking dishes on the menu included Clambake; Crab with Old Bake Air, out of the shell; Bison Tomahawk (which is huge and is for 2, arrives on a wooden board and is cut up at the table); Shrimp and Pork Jambalaya and Eisenhower’s Stew.

To finish off my journey in culinary history, I had Key Lime Pie - Cheesecake Foam (1890’s) which consisted of Key Lime foam, meringue and a crust on the side.  Other tempting offerings included Strawberry Short Cake (1850’s) and New York Cheese Cake (1921).

The US only wine list has some very nice wines by the glass and bottle.  Regions include Oregon, California and Virginia.  I had an excellent 2009 Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, Oregon ($12 a glass/$48 a bottle).  I spotted a Pinot Gris and Rosé also from Oregon, Zinfandels, Bordeaux and Cabernet Sauvignons.  They also offer some great alternative drinks such as the ‘Moscow Mule’ (a squeeze of lime, ginger, beer & Vodka) and ‘Absinthe’ that comes in an amazing ‘Ridge Distillery’ that sits on your table!

The tables either side of me loved their meal and were sharing every dish. The buzz and atmosphere was immensely positive and friendly.

The restaurant was only going to be around until early 2012 whilst the Exhibition “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam” is on at the National Archives, but it has now been extended until July 4th 2012 - so enjoy the great food and ambience whilst you can!

The Bar is open from 11:30am every day.  Lunch is served week days from 11:30am to 2:30pm; Brunch at the weekends is from 11:30am to 2:30pm and dinner from 5pm to 10pm (11pm on Friday and Saturday).