Level One

Level One Restaurant Review:

One of the least publicized but most crowded restaurants in maybe all of DC is Dupont Circle’s Level One. The optimal time to dine here is in warm weather, when the alfresco scene is alive and well and affords good people-watching. Inside, the vibes change radically, as there is clanging music and deafening conversations. Patio seating also gives you a chance for a leisurely chat over the killer French onion soup with its melting cheese, and hamburger with a side of sweet potato fries. For something slightly less caloric, there’s the hearty Cobb salad, filled with crumbled bacon, blue cheese and grilled chicken. How about a chili-rubbed cowboy cut rib-eye, sided by mashed potatoes? Nevertheless, you might skip the nighttime brouhaha for a weekend brunch, which includes the likes of the “Far Out Crab Cake Sandwich” or “Mamma Mia Steak & Eggs.” More familiar fare includes french toast, eggs any style, and an intriguing pancake option called “Peace, Love and Pancakes.” Note that the upstairs nightclub, Cobalt, is a well-known local gay bar.