Proof Restaurant / Wine Bar

Chinatown, Washington, DC –

With a mix of contemporary American cuisine and a wine list more aptly described as a “book,” Proof attracts a refined crowd of local foodies and oenophiles who are drawn by the strong emphasis on organic and sustainable ingredients and the bar’s one-thousand-plus wine selection.

Exposed brick and glowing pendant lights create an intimate atmosphere for the couples and young professionals sharing carefully paired cheese plates, while a low pewter bar captivates guests with its Enomatic – a stainless steel wine dispenser that holds more than 30 varietals at a time.

In a nod to its neighbor, the bar also features several TVs showcasing paintings from the National Portrait Gallery across the street, though the rotating videos fight for customers’ attention with the view of bustling G Street through the generous windows.

On chill evenings, hip and happy diners settle in on leather banquettes to savor their spicy meatballs and grilled pork chops, while warmer nights see the mellow clientele migrating to the front patio, where they can enjoy their people-watching to the faint sounds of soft jazz trickling out from the bar.

Although Proof sells bottles of vino in excess of $10,000, the place is more laid-back than pretentious; a tone best highlighted by the paraphrasing of Benjamin Franklin on the venue’s website: “Wine is proof that God loves us.”