Reviewing Due South: Southern charm and Southern cooking in Washington DC.
Due South is serving up helpings of classic southern cooking and charm in Washington DC’s lively Navy Yard neighborhood. This restaurant is a great spot for dinner or weekend brunch! I went recently with friends, and we had such a good meal in a great atmosphere. It would be perfect for a date night!
Upon walking in I immediately loved the décor of the restaurant with its dark modern interior. This interior creates an industrial vibe which will impress your dining partners. They have lots of room for patrons to dine both inside and on a large outdoor patio. They have even recently expanded to open a riverfront dining option called Due South Dockside just steps away from the main restaurant. We were seated at one of their large booths for this occasion and it was so nice. Even though the restaurant was busy the sound level was perfect for normal conversations.
We started our meal with two southern specialties: hush puppies and fried green tomatoes. Both starters were incredible! They were beautifully plated and delicious. I’d recommend starting your meal with these. Other appetizers on their menu that looked great were the pimento cheese arancini and corn muffins, I will try these on my next visit for sure!
Our drinks for the night were the Tropicooler and the High Baller. The Tropicooler was a mixture of Don Q Reserva 7, Don Q coconut, and topical juices. The High Baller was St. George Baller Single Malt Whiskey, ginger ale, and soda. Both cocktails were beautifully crafted.
For my main entrée I got blackened catfish, another big southern dish. The blackened catfish came with succulent green beans over a creamy, mashed cauliflower. It was a southern delight with a strong spicy blackened flavor with a savory sauce that balanced the flavor very well. My friends got the shrimp and grits and the fried chicken. All amazing. The shrimp and grits came with Tasso ham, baby heirloom tomatoes, sautéed kale, and jalapeño cheddar grits. The fried chicken was served with mac and cheese, bacon-braised collard greens, hot sauce, and Alabama white sauce on the side. We were all really impressed with the quality of the food and its presentation.
Next time I visit I have my eyes on the smoked brisket meatloaf. Using brisket for meatloaf is something new in my experience and I love how Due South is putting new fresh twists like these on traditional southern entrees.
With so many decadent items to choose from, I could not pass up dessert. I went with the strawberry and chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. It was the cherry on top of a wonderful dinner.
Service throughout the entire dining experience was top notch. From the host to our server, we were greeted only with kindness and quick service.
If you are a fan of southern cuisine and are searching for a spot in Washington DC, you need to try out Due South. Check out their website to grab a reservation and head there on your next date night or group dinner with friends. You will not be disappointed with Due South’s southern charm and tasty foods!