LYDIA ON H

Lydia on H Adds Afro-Caribbean Flair to the Tip of the Strip | Eater DC

"On the eastern edge of H Street NE I discovered a lively two-level spot that opened in January serving spicy jerk chicken, juicy rum cake, and well-made daiquiris. Lydia on H is run by Malawian chef-owner Victor Chizinga (formerly of U Street NW’s Bin 1301) and occupies the former Halftime Sports Bar at 1427 H Street NE; the first floor features a bamboo-lined bar riffing on rum punch alongside fragrant Afro-Caribbean fare from an open kitchen, with hookah service and rotating DJs contributing to a laid-back, come-as-you-are vibe. Chizinga pays homage to his late mother, Lydia, with dishes like a curry chicken with potatoes, carrots, cabbage and rice, and Malawian masamba (kale, spinach, collards, peanut powder, onions, and tomatoes); made-to-order heaps of curried cabbage regularly sell out. The menu also channels Caribbean and West African influences with jerk chicken wings and sandwiches, salmon fritters, four-hour braised oxtail with jollof rice, grilled or fried whole snapper, spicy Alfredo penne with sweet peppers and salmon, and beef or chicken suya skewers. The second-floor lounge debuted for sit-down dinner and a late Sunday brunch (1–6 p.m.) with a stage for live jazz, and an upstairs speakeasy hidden behind a wall of books will open with classic cocktails made using Black-owned spirits (a six-month membership with lockers is planned). Outdoor plans include a fenced patio called Lake Malawi Beach—sand, faux grass, colorful chairs, frozen cocktails and taco Tuesdays—and the cocktail program already features the Warm Heart of Africa (Equiano rum, coconut, grenadine, mango, guava and pineapple); the first-floor bar also offers mixology classes. An opening party was scheduled for Feb. 4 with bottle service options, and Chizinga says this H Street location is just the start of multiple Lydia outposts to come." - Tierney Plumb