Penn Quarter’s newest restaurant is serious about great food and – perhaps more importantly – great drinks. Elisir is the most recent venture from chef Enzo Fargione, who formerly led kitchens at Gallileo and Barolo, among other impressive stints. At the new, Groupo7-designed space, Fargione is using fresh and seasonal ingredients in progressive dishes that still honor traditional Italian cuisine.

The team at Elisir believes beverages are integral to a complete dining experience (and we heartily agree). Bar manager/mixologist Steve Oshana and general manager/sommelier Justin Kraemer have created an impressive libation program, including an extensive wine list that features over 150 bottles from Austria, Argentina, Germany, France, and Italy, over 20 of them offered by the glass ($9–$20).

Five specialty cocktails and four martinis are on the opening drink list, all modern takes on classic Italian drinks ($14 each). Try the Negroni-inspired Capolavoro, a house-bottled sparkling-soda-gin-Campari-vermouth mix, or fall for the Elisir de Amore, a martini of the secret, bourbon-barrel-aged elixir with a burnt lemon peel for garnish.  

A trio of taps pours crafts from around the world: Moretti (Italy), Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA (Delaware) and Blanche de Bruxelle (Belgium) are your $6–$7 draft beer options. Several more are available in bottles, from Italian standard Peroni ($6) to fun domestics like Green Flash West Coast IPA ($8) to fancy big bottles of Goose Island Matilda ($23).

There are no current plans for happy hour, though a bar menu with lower app prices may be introduced in the future. On the other end of the dining spectrum are thoughtfully constructed seven- or 10-course tasting menus with wine pairings for $65 or $85. Check out the cocktail and beer lists below, before you head over to try out Elisir in person.

Specialty Cocktails: $14
Capolavoro – A sparkling "soda" of Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth
Mattie Lynn – Hangar One Vodka, Pomegranate Liqueur, Peach Blossom Tea, Lavender Syrup,
Lemon – Lavender Pate de Fruit
Tent are Feito – Bourbon, Orange, Lemon, Basil, Campari Marshmallow
Kentucky Irby – Gin, Lemon, Powdered Sugar, Rosemary, Mint Foam
Fitzgerald Crawford – Clove & Cinnamon Infused Cognac, Orange Blossom Honey Crisp Apple
Shrub

Specialty Martinis: $14
Elisir de Amore – A  Secret , Barrel Aged , Herbal, House Made Elixir , Burnt Lemon Peel
Il Precopio – Bourbon, Spiced Syrup, Tobacco Smoked Cherry
Felix Wade – Gin, Muddled Cucumber, Maraschino, Chartreuse, Sea Salt Pop Rocks
Dooley Noted – White Rum, Velvet Falernum, Club Soda, Mint Infused Lime Sphere

Bottled Beers
Peroni, Pale Lager, Italy $6
Moretti La Rossa, Double Bock, Italy $6
Victory Prima Pils, German Style Pilsner, PA $7
Great Lakes Eliot Ness Amber Lager,  Vienna Style Lager, OH $7
Green Flash West Coast IPA, Hoppy IPA, CA $8
Brother Thelonious, Belgian Style Abbey Ale,   CA $8
Founders Breakfast Stout, Double Stout, MI $8
Old Rasputin Imperial Stout, CA $8
Chimay Blue, Trappist Beer, Belgium $10
Delerium Tremens, Strong Pale Ale, Belgium $11
Kriek Framboise Lambic, Sour natural fermentation, Belgium $15
Goose Island Sofie, Saison Style Ale, IL (650ml) $23
Goose Island Matilda, Belgian Style Strong Pale Ale, IL (650ml) $ 23

427 11th St., NW; Phone (202) 546-0088

Photos courtesy of the restaurant