Station 4 leads DC Southwest revival

Not long ago, the District’s Southwest waterfront was an underdeveloped neighborhood with little to no dining options.

{mosads}And a perfect example of that is Station 4. Thriving and innovative, it puts an interesting twist on the typical American food most of us have grown to love. The restaurant also works to bring the neighborhood together with Monday neighborhood appreciation nights, and currently offers $18 prix fixe lunches.

Station 4 opened four months ago. Among its dishes are a quintessential crab cake, decorated with asparagus foam for a twist on a traditional recipe. It’s the most popular dish at Station 4.

Also worth trying is the salmon tuna tartare, best if you enjoy sushi. It’s salty yet satisfying in the very best way.

Other appetizers include savory octopus and pork belly salad. The salty pork peps up an otherwise bland bed of greens.

Many remember eating manicotti at their favorite Italian restaurant, or perhaps in their grandmother’s kitchen. But Station 4’s manicotti isn’t your normal comfort food — it’s made with duck.

Other diners called the duck manicotti incredibly rich and filling, yet impossible to stop eating until the plate is nearly licked clean.

If you can leave room for dessert, it’s definitely advisable to try. Fall treats include an apple strudel topped with pumpkin gelato (perfect to eat among the now-changing fall leaves) and a gelato sampler with the most decadent coconut, dulce de leche and mango gelato you will ever have.

Station 4’s décor is elegant, with red leather booths and sparkling chandeliers. It’s almost Moulin Rouge meets Cheers, making it the ideal place for old and young alike.

The restaurant has embraced its location, just steps from Arena Stage. It offers a $29 three-course prix fixe menu for theatergoers. The menu includes all of Station 4’s signatures — charred octopus, Amaro’s tuna-salmon tartare and a free-range pork chop served with Valdeon cheese croquette and sautéed broccolini.

Station 4, 1101 4th St. SW, accepts reservations. For more information, visit www.station4dc.com/.