

1831 M Street, NW

First Ramen and now “prime cuts of local game, farm-raised poultry, beef and fresh fish” coming to the 1800 block of M Street.

From a press release:

“Restaurateur Reese Gardner is pleased to announce the opening of Second State, which will replace the former Mighty Pint at 1831 M Street, NW. Second State is slated to open in early October. Gardner is the founder/owner of Wooden Nickel Bar Company based in Arlington, Virginia, which owns and operates the popular Irish Whiskey Public House in Washington, DC, and neighborhood hot spot Copperwood Tavern in Shirlington Village. Gardner, a Pennsylvania native, wanted to honor his state’s history and decided to name his latest restaurant Second State as Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution on December 12, 1787.

Gardner’s goal for Second State is to create an intimate neighborhood restaurant with casual fine dining. The menu is being created by Corporate Executive Chef Allan Javery and will feature seasonal American small bites along with featured prime cuts of local game, farm-raised poultry, beef and fresh fish to accompany the hearty, family-style sides. Every ingredient will be sourced from local farmers within a three-hour drive from DC, with an emphasis on farms in Pennsylvania.

Standout dishes include Short Ribs, root beer braised short ribs over parsnip and garlic confit puree; Scallops & Foie Gras, lightly smoked and seared Eat Coast scallops and foie gras over sweet corn puree; Frisee Salad, duck confit, warm bacon vinaigrette, apples crispy fingerling potatoes and a poached duck egg; Brown Ale Butter Chicken; Filet Mignon, 8-ounce grass fed beef served with a creamy bourbon and green peppercorn sauce; Roasted Pheasant, pan roasted withcider jus, pearl onions and apples, as well as a Pennsylvania favorite Pierogies filled with classic potatoes and cheddar sautéed with onions, brown butter, and bacon. Menu items range from $7 to $36.

The bar program at Second State, spearheaded by Corporate Beverage Program Director Boris Stojkovic, will also be another important element. Second State will have a culinary approach to classic mixology incorporating fresh, local, seasonal ingredients found in the homemade syrups and mixers. Guests will enjoy freshly squeezed juices for cocktails, and a large selection of 30 white and dark rye whiskeys. Cocktails include the Old City Rickey, Bluecoat Pennsylvania gin, aged maple syrup, lime, and hard cider; Liberty Punch, XXX Shine LiberTea whiskey, fresh lemonade, ginger syrup and lavender bitters, and the Second Statement with Pennsylvania Rye whiskey, raw Pennsylvania honey, Absinthe, and aromatic bitters. Cocktails range in price from $11 to $17.

Once again Reese Gardner is collaborating with local Designer Maggie O’Neill of SwatchRoom. “The vision for Second State is to create a cozy cool meets classic row-house dining atmosphere,” says O’Neill. “This will be achieved by incorporating a fresh palette of creamy bleached wood, steal blues, and warm greys that will envelop the intimate first floor with exposed beams and a polished concrete floor. Iron and crystal mixed with distressed metals and a few historic artifacts will pepper the space and speak to materials indigenous to Pennsylvania. Ascending a steel and wood staircase to the second floor, diners can expect to find a warm glowing wall of windows, corrugated metal, and rich upholstery creating a charming industrial treehouse feel with cozy semi private booths. The dining experience at Second State will be sweet, small, and smart—perfect for a cozy date night or dinner with friends.”

Second State is located at 1831 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. The restaurant will be open for lunch daily, from 11 AM to 5 PM and for dinner daily, from 5 PM to 11 PM. Brunch will be served Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 AM to 5 PM. Additionally, “Oyster Hour” will be available nightly from 5 PM to 6 PM. For additional information, please call (202) 466-3010 or visit www.SecondStatedc.com.”