The Golden Age — Restaurant in Washington

The Golden Age is a complete mess. At 12:45 a.m., after visiting a couple of different restaurants and lounges to celebrate my belated 45th birthday, we went to The Golden Age because it was the only restaurant nearby whose kitchen was still open.

We came there solely with the intention of ordering food. As my birthday just passed and my physical DC driver’s license had expired. All I had was the PDF of my temporary license that was issued by the DMV.

When I walked in, I asked the bouncer if the kitchen still open? He then asked me for ID which caught me off guard since I am 45 with a grey goatee. I told him I have my temporary ID from the DMV which is my legal identification until it expires. He forcefully says we don't allow pictures of IDs and said “I have to leave.” in a surprisingly aggressive tone.

I told the bouncer that all I wanted do was order food. I asked if I could order it to-go if I can't be let into the bar. He refused and angrily told me to leave. Our exchange was so bizarre because he was so angry and rude while I was calm and respectful the entire time. I didn't call him any names, raise my voice or use profanity. I simply wanted an explanation as to why a newly 45-year-old man was being turned away so rudely because I did not have a physical ID. I said, “ask the cop parked out front if it’s a legal document.” The bouncer got in my face and forced me out of the door.

I was starving and wanted to resolve this misunderstanding so my friends and I could sit down and eat. I walked into the street and spoke to the policeman parked out front thinking he could explain to them that my PDF temp license from the DMV is valid legal identification so I could comfortably eat a burger inside to close my night. The policeman confirmed that the PDF is legal ID and that one can use it for everything; board a plane, rent a car, cash a check, everything. I asked him if he could hop out and defuse the situation. He agreed that the bouncer was acting really weird about this, but said as a private business he couldn't make them serve me.

I pulled up the PDF, re-entered the restaurant hoping to resolve this with the bouncer or a manager. The bouncer was completely belligerent and disrespectful. I questioned why he was doing this given my grey hair and ID show I am clearly over 21. He too was a man likely in his forties with grey hair so he clearly knew I wasn't underage. I calmly asked for the manager. The bouncer took offense and got nose to nose with me and shuttled me out the door.

My friend asked the bouncer and a bartender if he could speak to the manager to resolve this issue and the manager never came.

15 minutes later, my friend delivered the cheeseburger to me outside in the rain. I ate the burger on the sidewalk in front of the door in protest and then went home.

Just a terrible experience for no reason. A very unfortunate end to an otherwise...

Excellent food, decent cocktails, unique decor and middling service rounds out Golden Age.

We pretty much enjoyed everything we tried:

6 HOUR LAMB KEBABS (Sumac & Mint Chimichurri) - perfect lamb, tender and well seasoned.

GOLDEN CRAB FRITTERS (Jumbo Lump Blue Crab, Fresh Sweet Corn, Saffron Aioli & Lemon) - scrumptious bites, great combo of flavors in each.

DRY AGED STEAK SANDWICH (Ciabatta Roll, Horseradish, Pickles, Grilled Onion & Bib Lettuce. Served with Zapp’s Chips) - the steak and the horseradish were perfect, and they had an excellent ciabatta roll to make this a superb sandwich.

THE BURGER (Dry Aged Double Patty, Shallot, Dijon Mustard & Cheese. Served With Zapp’s Chips) - stupendous smashed burger.

As for cocktails, their menu could have been more creative but I enjoyed the BLACK MANHATTAN (Rye, Amaro & Bitters) and the FINAL WARD (Rye, Strega, Marashino & Lemon), both were well made if a bit too conventual.

We went here on a Wed evening and it was fairly empty. We sat at a table but had no real server, just a rotating set of folks from behind the bar who would come out and random times. No big deal here, I get the staffing challenges these days but the issue was there was no communication between them, so things came out missing items that had been requested, and we had to get up and go to the bar to ask for another drink. There's a much better version for how this can work.

Definitely would return for the food, not sure about the drinks, but would definitely hope for more...

Inspiring food and drinks! Walked in on Saturday at 7 and grabbed a seat in the front. We started with a meticulous Green Point and a non-alcoholic spritzer with n/a Amaro. Then the tremendous food began. A fantastic cheese plate -- one of the best I've had -- where not only were the cheeses well matched but the extras were amazing (nuts, dried fruits, onion jam, honey, mustard, and these terrific pickled green beans -- so crunchy!). Two great salads -- one with lightly smoked carrots and another topped with farro and a perfect dressing. We ate every bit of both. Now the highlight: green-and-black pepper-sauced mushrooms on the best super-dark rye bread I've ever had. The dish was inspired. It was rich, evoking steak (I'm vegetarian) but also novel. I want to go back and eat it again tonight. Ricotta beignets were great for dessert. (The only slight mis-step was a lemon concoction -- thicken the custard, serve it in a grapefruit, which is larger, and provide a spoon; as it stands the thing is cute but a bit inscrutable.) Overall, just a tremendous experience. My 4 for "atmosphere" is because it got a little too loud for easy conversation, but not till 8:30 (and the music was good). Keep it up!!...