Todd Gray's Watershed

I just got back from a work week in Washington DC.  I love our nation's capitol, especially when all the rats are gone.  And you know of whom I speak.

Our celebrity chef partner in Washington is Todd Gray at his namesake restaurant, Watershed.  I've worked with him and his fun wife Ellen over the past year but I never got a chance to sit down and share a glass of grape juice and some conversation with Todd before this trip.  I always think when someone has achieved the kind of fame he has--especially with his legendary restaurant Equinox-- that they might be a little too big for their chef pants.  Not Todd.  He is down to Earth, and talkative and funny.  Todd had some great stories about a recent James Beard event he participated in that was in the Hamptons.  He said it was so beautiful there and it'd be a great place to live if there weren't so many New Yorkers.  Hah.  He's a great chef and a cool dude.



Shrimp and Grits



Our restaurant, Watershed, is in an emerging neighborhood of DC, in the Northeast quadrant called NoMa (short for North of Massachusetts Avenue).  A couple of years ago angels would've feared to tread there, but now NoMa  is the hottest developing destination in town. There are literally cranes on every block replacing torn down tenements with sleek new offices and snazzy residential spaces.



It Looks Better With People On It



Chef Todd created a seafood-centric concept that's like a drive up the Eastern seabord from Florida to Maine.  Shrimp on Grits, Hushpuppies, BBQ Salmon, Skipjack Chips, Lobster Rolls, Crab Club Sandwiches--shucks, he's even got a raw bar with Oysters, Clams and Mussels.  I personally had the best Crab Cakes I've ever had the pleasure of devouring in 6 seconds.  The finest patio in DC belongs to Watershed, as evidenced by every seat being taken by 7 p.m. in perfect 72 degree weather.

Crafted cocktails are de rigueur these days, and Watershed is no exception.  We have a "cocktail of the week" program, so of course I was duty-bound to try a dozen or so Blueberry Mojitos.  Hey, it was over the course of several days.