New Heights resurrects the same hickory-grilled bison course served during Barack Obama’s 2013 Inauguration lunch. | New Heights New Heights serves official dishes from past inaugurations for two weeks this month Democrat and Republican U.S. presidents from past to present (and future) coexist at one longstanding D.C. restaurant this month. New Heights, Woodley Park’s modern American staple since 1986, offers a three-course inauguration dinner for the masses from January 18 to 31. The Michelin Guide-recognized restaurant recreates dishes served at past Congressional Lunches — a longstanding tradition held right after the presidential swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. New Heights replicates the same daytime items served in honor of presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Joe Biden, but this time for dinner ($75 per person). “The menus are officially archived as part of presidential history, which we thought was so fascinating and fun,” says New Heights co-owner Mark Namdar. They decided to recreate the dishes from the lunches “across both parties for a true bipartisan menu that’s all about celebrating history through food, no matter who’s in office.” Starters include a similar California garden salad served during Ronald Reagan’s 1981 luncheon and cream of sweet pepper soup like the one Bill Clinton ate in 1993. Choices for mains include New England stuffed lobster (JFK, 1961); beef tenderloin (G.W. Bush, 2001); or hickory-grilled bison (Obama, 2013). President-elect Donald Trump makes two menu appearances with a Gulf (of America?) shrimp starter and chocolate soufflé dessert served eight years ago. Outgoing President Joe Biden has one: apple pie topped with his go-to favorite (ice cream). Iranian native Namdar took over the Woodley Park restaurant in 2022 with two former Graham Georgetown colleagues who also happen to be immigrants (chef Jose Molina is Bolivian and co-owner Olena Fedorenko is Ukrainian). The trio started brainstorming inaugural offerings prior to the 2024 election results, he says.