Dear PoP: Pop-up Restaurant Readers Beware

Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

“Dear PoP,

Wanted to pass along a word of warning to your readers about “pop-up” restaurants in DC.

Last night we went to the “elusive” Orange Arrow dinner. The Washington Post featured an article on these dinners last spring and we were looking forward to an avant garde dinner in a secret location. We had already purchased non-refundable tickets ($60PP) and were excited to try the seasonal menu we were promised.

After arriving to the address on the ticket (Georgetown), we receive an “update” that the dinner is in fact in the H Street Corridor! We show up to an art gallery in Trinidad and find a few other dinners lined-up.

Once we enter we find a cash bar (meal was sold as all inclusive…) where they are selling in essence two buck chuck and beer left over from St. Patrick’s day (Harp Lager in St. Patrick’s day bottling)…

The first course comes and with no explanation we are served what in essence is bar garnishes and mozzerala from Costco.

Second course was undercooked pork (still raw in the center).

Third course were brownie bites (again clearly from costco) with the paper still on the bottom.

Needless to say, we walked out after this, realizing that this was a clear swindle and there was no way to get a refund. Unfortunately this is a great concept, that could be very cool, but is being exploited by what amount to scam artists.”

Reviews on Yelp are equally underwhelming. Has anyone else had a bad experience? Has anyone had a good experience? Are there other pop up restaurants worth trying out?