All you need is Love… and Good Food: Iron Gate Restaurant

By Caroline Carr

The Iron Gate restaurant on N street Northwest between 17th and 18th street Washington, DC is hosting a pop-up bar appropriately named The Tunnel of Love, during the first two weeks of February to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Guests sitting at the bar will see heart shaped decorations, the romantic XO balloons, cardboard cutouts of celebrities, and love song lyrics written on canvas. This culinary experience will be enjoyable for all of those Valentines looking for a special date night or the perfect place for hosting a Galentine’s Day brunch!

Their unique Tunnel of Love menu, created by chef Tony Chittum, such as the “I dream about you all night long” from the song “Breakfast Can Wait” by Prince, is a poached hen egg panino, for $12. Another item from this menu is called the “I need someone to spice it up”from the song “Girls Like You” by Maroon Five which is grilled white stone oysters, for $12. However, if an individual is heartbroken and really wants to eat someone’s heart out eat the bison heart tartare for $14, named ”That the fire in your heart is out” after the song “Wonderwall” by Oasis. For dessert, the “Im so f-ing grateful for my ex” from the song “Thank U, Next” which are toasted coconut blondies that can be shared with your friends and to help you move on from all of those horrible exes.

For customers of age to drink they can sample one of their signature cocktails such as the “Drunk in Love”  with mezcal, a drink that would make Beyonce proud; or their “Shape of You” with blood orange infused aperol, that Ed Sheeran would never forget.

February is a busy month, especially for college students. If you are unable to make the time to go for Valentine’s Day, go to Iron Gate another time instead. With delicious and healthy Mediterranean small plates, this restaurant creates the perfect meal to share with a friend or a significant other. For those who enjoy seafood, the Swordfish Kalamaki and the Grilled Octopus are mouthwatering menu options. For those who are not crazy about fish, do not worry, there is also a flavorful, Caramelized Ricotta Gnocchi which will satisfy every carb-lover’s dream.

After this incredible meal take in the ambiance created by low mood lighting, welcoming staff, and stimulating discussion. The aroma of the food emanating throughout the room will make another course a necessity.  For dessert, the crispy Greek yeast doughnuts will make any sweet tooth happy. But, for the people who are team salty over team sweet, try their cheese plate as your last course. The most recommended cheeses are the Crawford, the Kefalograviera, and the Cayuga Blue with fennel seed crackers.

The restaurant welcomes people right away with kind servers and the inviting stone fireplace. It is recommended to customers to make a reservation but it may not be necessary if you call ahead. The prices of the dishes generally range from 12-18 dollars making them on the expensive side but appropriate for the quality of food. The lighting is low and the room is almost dark, yet the lighted fireplace and the candles placed strategically around the room make for a cozy atmosphere that would warm the heart of anyone who walks through their doors. The dark, wood walls match the wooden chairs and red, leather booths. The restaurant gives off the feeling of being at a ski resort. The servers are very informative and have a friendly disposition.

The servers are able to describe the ingredients within the dishes and can relate the dishes to other more recognizable dishes that have a similar flavor profile.

Whether you come with your Galentines or your Valentine, the Iron Gate restaurant  will be a culinary experience and an amazing way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.