);

Presence of Meridian Restaurant Welcomed in Ward 4

After nearly 30 years of being deprived of an upscale restaurant in the neighborhood, Ward 4 residents are celebrating the presence of Meridian Restaurant, which opened for business on January 25. Located on the corner of Georgia Avenue and Missouri Road, the restaurant is housed on the ground floor of the Lofts at Brightwood, a building that once belonged to an unwanted night club.

For some Ward 4 residents, Meridian represents the dawn of a new era for the neighborhood made possible by district-wide redevelopment. For others, Meridian simply represents having access to a restaurant with a menu selection and service comparable to that of a Georgetown restaurant. According to Rodney English, one of the restaurant owners, the establishment of a sit down restaurant in the neighborhood was long overdue. “Some of Ward 4’s residents have been in their homes for years, and then you’ve had new people move in. They’ve all spent a lot of money on their homes and have been going to U Street for a decent meal,” said English.

Meridian attracts diverse and vibrant groups of people from the neighborhood, and offers them a casual yet professional atmosphere in a hip and very open setting. Although cozy, the decorum is rich – black walls, sizable ceiling lamps, huge windows and colorful African art enhances the dining experience.

Equally captivating is the menu which offers a number of Diaspora-inspired dishes. Created by head chef Michael Robertson, each dish is a fusion of Caribbean, Southern and Creole cuisine. Customers love the shrimp and grits, African salt prawns and the wings.

Finally, the dining experience is accentuated by the high-quality wait staff and extremely attentive management team.

Meridian is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and offers all-day Sunday brunch.