There’s still time to nominate local icons for Best of D.C.
Ted’s Bulletin is the latest project from those tireless guys behind the small Matchbox chain, which has a location just a few doors down from this new Capitol Hill eatery. So what is Ted’s Bulletin?
It’s a throwback operation, named after co-owners Mark and Ty Neal‘s father, who, according to restaurant lore, used to feed his West Virginia neighbors and visitors a grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of homemade tomato soup. The owners have infused that kind of down homey-ness into Ted’s, which aims to enable the comfort-food-aholic in all of us; the menu features meatloaf, sloppy Joes, burgers, shakes (even adult ones), four-cheese lasagna, and country fried steak, all served in a marble-and-metal ambiance that looks like it was lifted wholesale from the Chrysler Building.
Actually, it was lifted from the old Philadelphia Convention Center.
Ted’s Bulletin is a rare bird: a highly conceptualized space that manages to maintain a warm, friendly vibe. Take a look at some pictures after the jump.
The main dining room with the Art Deco light fixtures and the massive sky light.
The menu is presented as a newspaper. Remember those?
The well-stocked bar includes a faux old-fashioned TV showing B&W movies. No Sports Center for you!
Pastry chef Erica Chirunomula sells sweets from a glass display counter by the front door.
The chocolate milkshake includes three different variations on chocolate: syrup, ice cream, and flakes.
Just as important, the servers give you the leftover shake in the stainless steel container.
Ted’s “Famous Grilled Cheese” and tomato soup, although I think the menu description may be premature for a brand new restaurant.
The delightful way in which Ted’s IDs its bathrooms: the women’s room.
The men’s room.
The namesake.