A Scorching Canine Time Machine Debuts in D.C.

Chunky analog televisions, a classic soda machine, and payphones simply acquired a brand new life inside Adams Morgan’s nostalgia-inducing Legacy HiFi.

The hip new hangout, open each day out of the gate at 5 p.m., lands on the high of the nightlife strip the place rugby bar Tight 5 Pub most not too long ago sat (2471 18th Road NW). Legacy HiFi makes its well timed debut on Thanksgiving Eve, higher often known as one of many greatest going-out nights of the yr when a whole lot of D.C. institutions get the inexperienced mild to pour till 4 a.m. D.C.’s latest bar comes from the crew behind Legacy DC, a cultural hub on the nook of 14th and U stacked with a rotating artwork gallery, reside music and comedy, dispensary, streetwear, and podcast studio. Legacy HiFi marks 3-year-old mashup model’s first foray into hospitality.

Cocktails listed here are cheaper than most: $10 for an espresso martini, Moscow mule, margarita, rum punch, paloma, gin Rickey, or Outdated Normal (plus shot combos, too).

Legacy HiFi comes from Tim Slayton, who lengthy led the bar at U Road’s now-closed mainstay Marvin; Legacy DC co-creator and proficient graffiti artist Tyler Stoe; and chef Mathew Ramsey. The Pornburger cookbook creator brings Michelin credentials to the desk, having beforehand labored at D.C.’s one-starred Tail Up Goat and two-starred Pineapple & Pearls. There’s simply drinks to begin, and meals will comply with within the close to future.

Ramsey was slated to open a spot of his personal referred to as Chilly Beer in 2020 earlier than the pandemic derailed his plans. 4 years later, he turns to his childhood reminiscences and nice eating background to whip up a menu filled with cheffed-up sliders and canines.

“I really like how Pineapple brings enjoyable into the meals and I need to proceed to try this with my very own delicacies,” he tells Eater. At Legacy HiFi, that begins with dinosaur-shaped eating vessels. Brontosaurus collectible figurines straight out of the Land Earlier than Time home scorching canines topped with edible glitter, whereas a toothy T-Rex prop holds the pickles on your sliders.

Pleasure Asico

The Wisconsin native says he moved in all places from Texas to Tokyo over time, but it surely was the quintessential burger shacks of his youth that remind him of the easy pleasures of dwelling.

“This point in time we need to do all the things so grandiose — burgers must have two patties or three toppings. I need to convey again what gave me butterflies,” he says.

As such, the less-is-more lineup is break up between two fundamental characters: “shorties” (sliders) and “slims” (scorching canines) served on silver trays.

The ButterBurger born at cult Midwest chain Culver’s was the muse for his smash patty sliders. Slapped with a pat of miso-brown butter for a rich-and-juicy end, the dry-aged trio on mushy potato rolls comes with mustard, pickles, griddled onions, and smoky sauce. One other slider stars a slather of kimchi and pimento cheese — a compilation he dubs “kimento” — with a scorching honey drizzle.

All-beef smoked franks get pickle-brined, deep fried, and topped with diced onions and relish.

Pleasure Asico

Stoe contributes his colourful road artwork abilities to the partitions, together with an unlimited assortment of random retro items. That features coin-operated telephones he sourced for an interactive set up at Legacy DC. The reclaimed soda machine does work, however not in the best way you’d assume. With the press of a button, the repurposed door opens as much as a staircase that results in a future second stage. A roll-up storage door results in an outside patio come spring.

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“There’s quite a lot of historical past on this constructing, which was enjoyable to find,” says Ramsey. Again within the day it housed Asylum, a storied rock-and-roll lounge the place actor Harrison Ford as soon as threw a celebration. Music lives on at Legacy HiFi, with bands and weekly DJs slated to carry out on a newly constructed stage.

Pleasure Asico