Caps Pregame Spot: Fado (AVOID)

Happy Hour Specials:  NONE

If you want to be ripped off before a game go to Fado's.  While the RFD next door was offering $4 drafts of delicious beers that you can't find anywhere else, and other neigboring places have $3 rail drinks, Fado was serving me $5 drafts of Fat Tire which you thought was cool when it was only on the west coast, but isn't quite as cool anymore.  While most places in the area had half price appetizers, Fado had full price food.

I think it is an insult to DC sports fans if you don't offer specials.  We come to Chinatown all the time before games.  You think you are the best restaurant in the city or something?  You are a dirty dark disgusting "Irish Pub".  I get it, that is how you trick people from out of town to come to your bar.  People love Irish pubs.  However for the people who live here, we know.  We know the beer is cheaper everywhere else.  We know 95% of bars offer happy hour pricing, even the higher scale bars.

So when should you go to Fado?  I would say never in protest of this insane idea of not having happy hour.  I guess you could go on a Saturday if you really want to eat gross fish & chips in a dingy dark place.  Go on Monday night, they have fun trivia at like 9pm, order waters.  Just don't go before any weekday sporting event or concert.

I'd post more pictures, but it depresses me just seeing that place again...

Caps Pregame Happy Hour: Pho DC

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every Day, 4pm-8pm (2nd Floor Bar Only)

$4 Appetizers
[  Spring Roll,Curry Puff, Garden Roll, Jacket Shrimp, Shrimp Wrap, Dumplings,Cheese Asparagu ]

$3 Beer
[ Paulaner, Heineken, Amstel Light, Other (ask)]

$6 White Wine, $23 Bottle
$5 Red Wine, $20 Bottle
[ Various]

$6 Girly Drinks
[ A Variety of Martinis, Green Lemonade, Tom Collins, Woo Woo, Sea Breeze, Tequila Sunrise, Mimosa, & More]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Pho DC is an interesting little spot in Chinatown.  The bar section where the happy hour takes place is quite small.  There are only around 10 barstools, and maybe 3 tiny 2 person tables in the bar section.  However the beer prices aren't terrible and they have plenty of interesting drinks to choose from.

This is a very cozy spot where you can hear the conversations of the people in the barstools next to you.  It doesn't feel very packed and there isn't a crowd of people standing behind your seat like at a typical bar.  Cramped but comfortable.  Not bad for a pregame hangout.

I would think this place would be good for a casual meeting.  You won't have a table so it would be more of a social & drinking atmosphere.  However aside from the appetizers listed above, the restaurant also has...wait for it...waiiiit...Pho!  I honestly refuse to eat pho because it scares me.  Therefore I can not accurately describe how this place compares to other places that serve the same Vietnamese cuisine.

If you aren't into broad noodles or soups, they also have some meat items, beef, pork, chicken, shrimp.

This picture shows shrimp stuffed in a condom?  The shrimp wrap I believe.  It was ok.

While Pho DC is nice, I didn't really like sitting at a the bar in a place like that.  The main reason to go here would be if you liked the food, are in a small group of 1-3 people, you can get barstools, and want to drink some random drinks.  A good place to stop by for 1 drink and then be on your way... Pho' Sho'

There weren't any TVs so don't expect to see any games if you are one of those late to arrive fans...

Caps Pregame Spot: Wok N' Roll

  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday - Friday, 4pm-8pm

$1 Sushi
[ Tuna, Salmon, Red Snapper, Shrimp, Crab, Yellowtail, Mackerel, Eel, Octopus, Squid, Fly Fish Roe, Spicy Tuna, Tofu Skin, Sweet Egg, Avocado]

$2 Bottles
[ Budweiser, Bud Light]

$7.50 Strong Girly Drinks
[ Mai Tai, Zombie, Long Iceland (LOL), Scorpion, Margarita, Woo Woo, Scorpian (LOL) See Pic Below]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


PREGAME

Only a few blocks from Verizon Center, WNR, as it is known as by cool people like myself, is the best weekday pregame spot in the area.  Getting $1 Sushi in DC sounds sketchy, but it is delicious. 

The sushi, however, isn't the lone reason to go.  The $2 beers are nice too, but the big girly drinks are strong as hell and will get you amped so you may not need to spend $7 per beer at the game.  (These drinks started at $5 a few years ago)


For those that don't like sushi, Wok also features other Chinese food. 

Wok is a cozy restaurant, not very loud, not very big.  It isn't crazy like many bars in the area and you will have no problem holding a conversation with your table.  Perfect for 2-4 people but they also can fit in groups at their big round tables if you call first.  It starts to fill up by 6pm, especially on Fridays and gamedays so get there early.  If the place is full the wait is usually pretty short, or else you may have to check out another spot. 


The waiters/waitresses don't really speak english and often will leave you looking for service.  Don't get mad....you do not have to wait for your specific server.  Just ask any of the wait staff and they will help you right away.

If you are going to the game with a significant other, potential significant other, or future ex-wife, this is the place to ball on a budget.  Sure Chinatown has some nicer & more expensive places, but the cozy enviornment, strong drinks for "her", cheap beers for "him", and inexpensive yet "classy" food (aka sushi) at Wok N' Roll makes for a date night that is not too serious, but also not too casual.  It still will put a deeper hole in your wallet than treating her to $2 PBR at smelly & disgusting Rocket Bar, but with the special you will be spending less than many other asian restaurants in Chinatown.  Plus chicks think sushi is cool...I dunno why, they just do.

And if you like to maximize your money, there are 2 tvs so you can watch the beginning of the game for a little bit with cheap drinks before you walk over to the game...