When I was single and man-hunting, I would carefully adorn myself in the hottest fashions (Orange was and is the new Pink) and strike out into the DC streets alert for prey. Alas, my meticulous grooming, sharpened nails and glistening teeth were wasted as no eligible bachelor was to be found. It was as if they knew I was lurking around the corners, waiting to catch them off guard and sink my teeth into … well, I’ll just leave it at that. So where had all the good men gone? Dear readers, I discovered the answer two weeks ago when I ventured into Poste Moderne Brasserie with Dan and our friends. From the quiet main street, we walked through a historic carriage portal which opened up into a magical wide courtyard brimming with young bucks and lasses, all dressed to impress and definitely on the tipsier side of tipsy. Jackpot!

Atmosphere: The wide courtyard and bar area was lush hunting ground for bachelors and bachelorettes.  Folks milled around the courtyard, drink in hand, inhibitions in pocket, and struck up conversations about anything and everything with willing participants.  As Dan and I were on a double date, our friends being an adorably married couple, we felt no need to partake in the festivities. The seated area of the restaurant was actually much more quiet, and the eclectic interior, with its 16-foot cast iron ceilings, soft lights and sumptuous booths, adds an air of sophistication to the vibrant atmosphere.

Food: The food was hit and miss. Dan had the Kona Kampachi (Hawaiian yellowtail, grapefruit, green onions and crispy ginger) for his appetizer. Although the yellowtail itself was fresh and delicious, the grapefruit’s flavor was a tad overwhelming for the thin slices of yellowtail. The Green Gazpacho was a complete disappointment and waste of money. We passed the gazpacho around the table and we still couldn’t finish the bland, slightly salty concoction. I barely tasted any tomatoes. However, the red wine braised rabbit with caramelized fennel and mushroom dumplings was an intriguing challenge to the taste buds. In this dish, not only was the rabbit and the dumplings individually cooked to perfection, the multitude of flavors and textures came together in beautiful harmony.

Service: We were seated for what seemed like an eternity before we were finally served some water and our order was taken. The reason for this slow service was because our rambunctious waiter, henceforth referred to as “Massimo,” insisted on providing each and every customer with his charming smile, sexy Italian accent, and spunky commentary on the menu. His lingering service slowed him down considerably, but he more than made up for this with his vivacity, and he actually added some personal touches to his service by giving the men at our table a good pat on the back and a wink every time he stopped by. At last count, our friend had received one more pat than Dan, and he was deemed the winner of the waiter’s affections. You’ll get great personal service, but just remember to be patient as service can be slow.

Summary: Poste Moderne Brasserie is a great place to stop by after work for a couple of drinks with your friends and co-workers.   The courtyard is great for mingling and socializing, especially when the weather is nice, as you can breathe some fresh air and actually hear what people are saying to you.  The food is daring and imaginative, the chef unafraid to experiment with combinations of ingredients and textures; the results are often phenomenal, but be wary of the couple that may fall flat.

Restaurant information:

• Website: http://www.postebrasserie.com/
• Address: 555 8th Street, NW, Washington DC 20004
• Phone: 202-783-6060
• Price range: Appetizers $10-15; Entrees $23-30 (Pre-Theater menu $30.08 three course meal)