Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips Retro Food Review

Fish & Shrimp Combo at Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips

Retro Review (1/27/23) Mention fish & chips, and our ears are gonna perk up... immediately. Now factor in Gordon Ramsay and you have our undivided attention. Maybe it's my Irish blood, or the fondest of memories for Arthur Treacher's. Whatever it is, was darn happy to (finally) try the new Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips on the Wharf. It opened back in October '22 with over 2,200 square feet of red, white & blue (by way of the Union Jack.) Inside (where it's warm) was crowded and noisy, but worth not eating outside (in late January.) The menu is relatively straightforward, and I settled on a Fish & Shrimp Combo (with 2 sauces & natural fries) for $18.99 + tax. Said sauces were curry & mango and Gordon's (traditional) tartar. The former was mind-boggling good A++ and the tartar... relatively standard B-. Portions are kinda small, but the quality of both the cod & shrimp was impeccable. B+ I stayed clear of GR's two dirty chip options, opting for (comparatively) plain sea salt. They tasted fine, but I'd prefer to see a more traditional steak fry-sized chip. B- I understand that the Ramsay name and the Wharf location = pricey, but repeat visits would multiply faster if the price went down 2 or 3 bucks (although I wouldn't hold my breath on that idea.) Regardless of price, you're bound to like it the first time around.

Grade: B (Great fish, greater curry & mango sauce, but too expensive for fast casual food.)

Wizards Acquire Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton returns to the Wizards

From our friends at the Washington Wizards...

Wizards Acquire Khris Middleton

The Washington Wizards announced today they have acquired forward Khris Middleton from the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade agreement that sent D’Angelo Russell to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a larger six-team deal. 

Gordon Ramsay Street Burger Retro Food Review

Hell's Kitchen Smash Burger with French Fries at Gordon Ramsay Street Burger

Lost in Transit

Retro Review (1/15/26) Gordon Ramsay and delivery doesn't sound like a marriage made in culinary Heaven, but midday trips to downtown Penn Quarter sometimes require shortcuts. After a successful visit to Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza last May, expectations were high, but DoorDash hasn't figured out time travel yet. Our order arrived at 2:02 PM, way past their promised 1:28-1:47 PM window. Considering we ordered it at 12:43 PM... you can probably guess how this goes (especially after spending almost $40 for a burger, fries and a few wings.) The Hell's Kitchen Smash Burger sounded promising (two double smash patties, Hell's salsa and a spicy tomato chutney) but looked otherwise. Taste was problematic too... bland, cold and dull. D (Must have been better hot.) Fries were skin-on, with salt & pepper, but (also) cold & flimsy. D- Their Wings (6-count) were decidedly nicer, both in appearance and flavor. Slightly cold, they still tasted hotter (G.F.C. sauce is considered mild, but I was impressed) and had plenty of meat. B (Again, probably better fresh.) 

Grade: D+ (It's not Ramsay's fault, but it is what it is. They certainly deserve a second (dine-in) chance.)

Wizards Acquire Deandre Ayton

Deandre Ayton joins the Wizards

From our friends at the Washington Wizards...

Wizards Acquire Deandre Ayton

The Washington Wizards announced today they acquired center Deandre Ayton from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for guard Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks.

Downtowner Delicatessen Cafe Twitter/X Retro Food Review

Crunch Fried Chicken at Downtowner Delicatessen Cafe

Retro Review (1/10/26) Poppabox was around forever (11 years) but its' sudden closure gave way to Downtowner Delicatessen Cafe. An under-the-radar soft opening allowed me to try them out, just before 6 PM. I was the only paying customer, and I ordered online. First impressions? Their name is misspelled in their logo (still not fixed, 6 months later) and they don't know how to cook fried chicken. Not a great start. Affordably priced ($9.54 with fries and a soda) the Crunch Fried Chicken (8 nuggets) was cooked to death, dry & chewy like an old boot. F Fries were better... nicely seasoned, plentiful and well done. B- Six Springrolls were downright cheap (only $3.99) yet chock full of (hot) filling and a nice dipping sauce on the side. One was (still) frozen however, so... only a C+. Super clean inside with cool music (@alessir0se, @maisykay) and a broad menu for such a small space. Close proximity to @GWtweets & @WorldBankGroup warrants a 2nd chance, but the kitchen needs to pay (better) attention.

Grade: D+ (Really bad chicken)

Tuner Twitter/X Movie Review

Dustin Hoffman & Leo Woodall (r) star in Tuner

An Eligible Virtuoso

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: In Tuner, Academy Award-winning director Daniel Roher's first narrative feature, Leo Woodall stars as a gifted young piano tuner whose heightened sense of hearing draws the attention of criminals, who see his talents as useful for opening safes as well as for tuning Steinways. With his once-promising musical career over, he works across New York with his mentor Harry Horowitz (Academy Award-winner Dustin Hoffman), encountering a range of characters, including composition student Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), with whom he forges an unexpected connection. Niki's safecracking work threatens his budding romance with Ruthie and pulls him into increasingly dangerous territory.

Little Beast Cafe & Bistro Twitter/X Retro Food Review

Tomato Bisque at Little Beast Cafe & Bistro

Now That's a Combo

Retro Review (12/30/25) For such a little (pun intended) menu, the folks at @LittleBeastCafe sure know how to please. This end-of-the-year visit featured a break from their standout pizza, but still produced near-orgasmic reactions. Great service ALWAYS, and a to-die-for Tomato Bisque (sans the Grilled Cheese) with equally lethal (in a great way) Classic Buffalo Wings. Said wings (15 bucks) are huge, crispy and chock-full of fleshy, perfectly-cooked meat inside. The buffalo sauce is just the right amount, so as not to overwhelm. A (possibly the best wings in DC.) As for the soup, it demands to be placed on the menu by its lonesome (so everyone can enjoy.) Perfect texture and flavor. A+

Grade: A+

Young Washington Twitter/X Movie Review

William Franklyn-Miller stars in Young Washington

Pawn Takes King

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Before he was the Father of a Nation, he was a soldier fighting to survive. A single misstep thrusts young George Washington into the center of a global conflict, testing his honor, loyalty, and courage. As alliances crumble and the frontier erupts into war, he must confront not only his enemies but the man he's becoming. This is the untold story of Young Washington. Directed by Jon Erwin.

Capitals Re-Sign Alex Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin signs a one-year extension

From our friends at the Washington Capitals...

Capitals Re-Sign Alex Ovechkin

Stanley Cup champion and NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer returns for 22nd season, becoming the longest-tenured athlete in the history of Washington, DC sports.

The Washington Capitals have re-signed captain Alex Ovechkin to a one-year contract extension, Senior Vice President and General Manager Chris Patrick announced today. Ovechkin will earn $1 million in salary, a $4.75 million games-played bonus (10 games) and a $3.25 million signing bonus. Ovechkin’s contract will carry an average annual value of $4.25 million.

Caps Ink Jenner, Desharnais, Holl as UFAs

New Caps Boone Jenner & Vincent Desharnais (r)

From our friends at the Washington Capitals...

Caps Ink Jenner, Desharnais, Holl as UFAs

Caps add trio of veteran players and some organizational depth on day one of free agency

Last week, the Caps swung a pair of big trades to land a pair of proven wingers. They got Jordan Kyrou from St. Louis last Tuesday and then engineered a sign-and-trade with Buffalo to obtain impending UFA Alex Tuch.

34th Annual Giant Barbecue Battle Photo Recap - Day One

Buzz Lightyear & friend at the 34th annual Giant BBQ Battle

Summer officially began a week ago today, but DC Outlook doesn't recognize summer until the return of the Giant Barbecue Battle. That was yesterday, and even Mother Nature agreed to lend a helping hand, defying local projections of rain and (shudder) thunderstorms. She even managed to keep the Sun under wraps clouds, which for those of us who love to attend, makes a big, BIG difference. With the weather in check, the kind folks at Giant Food took care of everything else, delighting a huge crowd with great food, giveaways and music. If you're keeping score at home, those are probably the three best things in the world. Here's our annual recap of happy faces and memories; and in case you missed Saturday's non-stop fun, the BBQ Battle returns today along Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 3rd & 7th Streets. Tickets cost only $21.20 (including tax) and can be purchased online or in person. Gates open at 11 AM and don't close until 7 PM tonight.

Caps Add Trio of Prospects on Day Two of Draft

Fourth-round selection Tyus Sparks

From our friends at the Washington Capitals...

Caps Add Trio of Prospects on Day Two of Draft

Caps conclude 2026 NHL Draft by selecting two centers and a defenseman on Saturday in Buffalo

The 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo is in the books, and the Caps have concluded a busy and transformative week with the addition of four fresh prospects for the organization, headlined by first-round choice Oliver Suvanto, a Finnish center selected with the 18th overall choice in the Draft on Friday night.