The Queen Vic just opened last month, and it’s already quite the welcome addition to ever-changing H St. While some other popular establishments on the strip seem to blend in with their toned-down colors, The Queen Vic chose to go the opposite direction. There is no way anyone could miss the dark red exterior, or walk by without even taking a peek inside.

The interior looks just like one would expect a British gastropub to look like…I think. There is a wooden bar that stretches through the narrow restaurant. Behind your bar seat you’ll find a mirror, and in front you face quite the selection of beers on tap and some of the friendliest and most welcoming bartenders ever.

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This place is so promising. It has that neighborhood, comfortable feel. I’m not an expert in British fare, but I was truly amazed at the food quality.

The oysters were some of the best I have ever had. You’ll get three oysters on the HalfShell with foie gras, duck confit & cornichons. Each ingredient looked like it had been prepared so carefully, that I tried them one by one. For the last two I finally did the the “one bite” for that mix of flavor & texture.  The patron sitting next to me kept eyeing my plate with envy that I almost offered him one, but couldn’t.

For my main course I had the burger. Yes that sounds plain, but it is made with lamb & dry aged beef and three onion jam. The bread could have been better, but the meat and sauce were delish. Also appetizing on the menu was tandoori-style chicken as well as the requisite fish & chips. My neighbor loved the cornish pasties.

The British pub is named after a “Public House” in the soap opera EastEnders, and will feature a changing menu. A tip: the Strongbow (cider) is fantastic.

The Queen Vic is located at 1206 H St. NE. For more information follow @queenvicdc on Twitter or call 202-396-2001.

Tricia Barba

Tricia is a native Washingtonian, born and raised in Columbia Heights. She loves DC so much that she was only able to leave the city for one year after college and immediately came running back. Tricia works in PR during the day, and spends her nights trying out new restaurants in DC with friends or watching The Good Wife, Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. Tricia recently decided to eat her way though all of Zagat’s 2011 restaurants until she realized she would be old and broke by the time she finished. Follow her on Twitter and email her at Tricia (at) welovedc.com.