THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED West 24

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED West 24 Restaurant Review:

Can anyone be so blasé that he or she does not know about the owners? They are James Carville and Mary Matalin, the Ragin’ Cajun and wife, who gained national prominence during the Clinton years for politics not as usual. They are as much in the spotlight with this Washington power spot, a glam restaurant for DC’s elite. Intimate and clubby in a dark-wood kind of way, this sprawling place pipes out R&B tunes and cool jazz as a backdrop for the kind of upscale Midwestern and Southern foods the couple likes most. It helps that chef James Rippuhn and pastry chef Andrea Kirkley can re-create this fare so faultlessly. Trouble is, everything appeals, so narrowing down choices can be problematic. We opted for the potato pierogi with truffles and the chilled yellow tomato soup, which frankly tastes like a superior gazpacho with lots of gingery overtones. The grilled pork chop with sides of creamy andouille grits and fried okra is a winning main course. Lunch causes a decision struggle: fried green tomatoes, that Southern classic, are tart and crunchy under a tangy buttermilk dressing. And the entrée-sized cornmeal-crusted catfish or beef short ribs are heavenly, but who can pass up a fried oyster po’ boy sandwich with fresh Cajun-spiced potato chips on the side? For dessert, be tempted by a chocolate cheesecake flan or a passion fruit crème brûlée.