Without that goal in mind, I met a cousin in Cleveland Park for some beer and a chat. We settled on Cleveland Park Bar and Grill if only for the fact that they sell Yuengling on the cheap.
Hidden deep within their Sandwiches and More section resides one very well prepared CP Burger. Now that, in and of itself is not unique.
What is unique is the little italicized copy after the standard "Add American, cheddar, Swiss, provolone, bacon or grilled onions $1 each" that reads "or add any pizza topping."*
Their list of toppings can be found below, but let me make this clear: The sheer quantity of flavor permutations are extraordinary. Meats like speck, prosciutto, and salami are of great quality. Cheeses like asiago, Swiss, goat and others are perfect for pairing. Other toppings - capers, sun dried tomatoes, eggplant - are fresh and serve as excellent sources for creative texture and flavor combinations.
My selection was prepared medium-rare with capicollo and gorgonzola. It was juicy and splendid. The fries were solid - nothing spectacular - but as the standard accompaniment they served adequately.
The burger alone will bring me back, but if you need more coaxing hit the bullets below.
WRAP UP
FIND THEM AT:
421 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 806-8940
*Toppings include, but are not limited to:
Fresh mozzarella, ricotta, arugula, onions, mushrooms, capers, broccoli, spinach, eggplant, sun dried tomatoes, green Sicilian olives, black Gaeta olives, egg, anchovie $1/ea
Pancetta, salami, capicollo, grilled chicken, Gorgonzola, mascarpone, Asiago, Parmigiano Reggiano, goat cheese, roasted red and green peppers, sliced tomatoes, artichokes $2/ea
Italian ham, Parma prosciutto, speck, Coppa, mortadella, Italian sausage, smoked salmon $3/ea
