Breakfast at Founding Farmers, Foggy Bottom, Washington, DC

I had call from my good friend and Senior Correspondent, Darryl Morin of Milwaukee, asking if I was available for breakfast one day while he was in Washington doing good works. Naturally I gave a resounding “Yes!” and told him to just tell me when and where was most convenient for him. Darryl said, “Wednesday at 7:30 am at Founding Farmers.” I gave an enthusiastic but not so resounding “Yes.” And there I was at 7:20 a.m., walking into the Foggy Bottom Founding Farmers (there are six area locations) at 1924 Pennsylvania Avenue, just three blocks from the White House.

Darryl was already in place up in the second floor dining room. I joined him, and the delightful server brought me some coffee and all was right with the world. Darryl is a very positive person, always interested in helping some worthy cause, always interested in getting things done. Even more remarkable, he does get things done.

Darryl and I talked about his trip to Washington for a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meeting, also about our mutual friend Brent Wilkes and the good work he’s doing with the Hispanic Federation. And we talked a lot about Darryl’s children and their moves from success to success, and my grandchildren who continue moving beyond the Platonic ideal of grandchildren.

We took a break to order. Founding farmers is Darryl’s go-to place for breakfast when he’s in Washington, and he’s settled on Eggs Benedict.

If you look closely at that photo, you’ll see that Darryl’s white shirt is narrow at the waist for a grown man. (He’d removed his suit coat, so it wasn’t that.)

I ordered bacon, eggs, hash browns, and a biscuit.

My photograph focuses on my plate (that’s pepper I added to the eggs), so let’s leave it at that.

Darryl, of course, was pleased with his breakfast. He knows the territory and that he can count on an exemplary Eggs Benedict, complete with lovely hash browns. You’ll also notice that my hash browns had some of that char that New Haven pizza lovers cherish. I prefer a nice crust, but brown rather than black, but I’m not the person to worry about that. A little hot sauce, some of the yolk from those beautifully cooked over-easy eggs, and the hash browns were a hit. The bacon had a wonderful smoky flavor — this is very good quality bacon, a long step ahead of most places — which made up for it not being perfectly crisped. I was pleased with the biscuit. It was nice and warm, just waiting for some butter to melt, and it smelled and tasted better than a Washington, DC, biscuit has a right to taste.

It was a delightful breakfast in all respects. The restaurant was just getting busy when we left, and the service was just what you want. Darryl graciously picked up the tab since I had to rise somewhat before my usual hour, which was nice but unnecessary. He then Ubered over to his meeting, and I strolled back to our Metro system to return home.

My breakfast with Darryl was just a couple friends getting together, but it occurred to me, for those who may be interested in that sort of thing, that the second floor dining room of Founding Farmers at 7:30 am is perfect for a private meeting, say if you want to leak information, violate a trust, or meet someone you’d rather not be seen meeting. Washington is a city of fat, sleek-headed men and such as sleep a-night. The only early risers are jogging, so things said before 9:00 am will not be overheard. But you never know. Four or five decades ago, Nancy and I went with one of her Mount Holyoke College classmates et vir to dinner at a Chinatown restaurant in the middle of the week — this back when downtown was deserted at night. Surprise, another Mount Holyoke friend was there with her husband! What a coincidence! Who’d have thought that could happen? Probably not the fourth Mount Holyoke classmate who was there with a man who was not her husband.

Founding Farmers also is a good place for open and above-board meetings. You can converse even when the place is busy, as it usually is once Washington wakes up. It’s thoughtfully decorated with soft tones and original art. The noise is as muted as the decor, and the service is on point. You should give it a try.

***

And while you’re at it, click “follow” on our front page to receive blog posts in your email box. Or bookmark us and check in from time to time. We’re on Instagram (johntannerbbq) and Twitter (johntannerbbq1) pages,and if you’re planning a trip, you can “Search” the name of the destination city, state, or country for good restaurants (in Europe, often close to sites, like the Louvre, Prague Castle, Vienna’s Old City, or the Van Gogh Museum, that you’ll want to visit in any event.  We welcome comments and questions, and eagerly seek suggestions of places to eat and stories to cover.