Dinner is Served… in Blagden Alley

From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com. 

By now you’ve probably heard that Borderstan neighbors Anna and Dan Kahoe of GoodWood (1428 U Street NW) recently renovated a historic Shaw carriage house into something spectacular. No, really. It’s breathtaking.

While reading up on their remodel, something caught my eye. Anna and Dan specifically renovated the lower level of their Blagden Alley house to host regular supper clubs.

“We have been to one or two supper clubs, and I just love the idea of an intimate dining experience,” Anna said. “I love the idea of surrendering to a dining experience.”

Prior to moving into the Blagden Alley carriage house, the Kahoes, who have owned GoodWood for nine years, lived in a remodeled laundry business on 12th Street NW. At that house, Anna and Dan hosted several dinner parties, but did not feel they had the ideal space.

“We would have great parties, but we found everyone congregated in the kitchen,” said Anna, who added that the kitchen space was smaller than she would have liked for a group of guests.

That is why, when the couple purchased the carriage house, they specifically decided to build a spacious dining area and chef’s-style kitchen. They wanted to host more dinner parties – and supper clubs, in particular.

“When I asked Dan what his top five dining experiences were, we’d always come out with a list where the atmosphere was wonderful and the food was okay, or the food was divine, but the atmosphere was too corporate,” Anna explained. “I think of great dinner parties I’ve been to and thought of how I could share that with people.”

The Kahoe’s Shaw abode has been finished for about three months now, and so far, the couple has hosted one supper club and one small, private event.

The next supper club the couple plans to host is scheduled for January 20. After that event, the Kahoes plan to have one or two every month.

Anna says since word hit the press, people have been pouring into the store (GoodWood) to inquire about upcoming events.

“It’s a little nerve-racking (that it’s getting popular), but exciting,” Anna said.

Currently, Anna and Dan use Chef Rodger Potter, but are looking to host other chefs and expand their food offerings.

“We’re definitely looking to open our doors to more chefs,” said Anna, who would one day love to open a restaurant, herself. “Let’s push that. We want more chefs. Dan (Anna’s husband) is a wonderful cook, but he’s not prepared for supper club… yet.”

Anna also envisions expanding the supper club’s offerings to cooking demonstrations, cheese and wine tastings and other smaller, more casual affairs.

Supper club at the Blagden Alley house currently costs around $125 for food, wine and cocktails. Anna recommends that those interested in attending a supper club stop by GoodWood on a Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday (when she is there).

Ask for Anna; she will sign you up.

“We’ve hit on something that makes people really happy,” Anna said. “If you’re game to go, then you surrender, cause you know those are the rules, and then I think people have an unexpected good time.”

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