"The Mayflower Club opens Wednesday, October 27, in the same building that used to house a prominent Prohibition-era speakeasy of the same name. The new two-level restaurant and lounge rounds fills out a complex at 1223 Connecticut Avenue NW that welcomed rooftop club Zebbie’s Garden earlier this summer. At full capacity, the three-level venue outfitted with five bars can fit 800. Chef Alex Oradei complements Mayflower Club’s decadent decor with an 8-ounce prime strip steak encrusted in gold leaf and topped with shaved truffles. His Mediterranean roots are reflected in canapé towers lined with bacon-wrapped dates, tuna tartare, and other snacks. The opening menu includes halloumi fries, grilled octopus, branzino, and langoustine prawns. Cocktails feature local liquor brands with highlights like the Mayflower Spritz and Goldsmith cocktail. The venue features over-the-top details, including a chandelier above a bar framed with a female profile and a mezzanine lined with magnums of Champagne. The Mayflower Club pays homage to its past as a secretive speakeasy. Owned by Antonis Karagounis, it operates Wednesday to Saturday with extended late-night hours. A weekend brunch and happy hour menu will be added soon." - Tierney Plumb
