The owners of Shaw Tavern, 801, and Prost DC expanded to 18th Street NW in 2022 with Vagabond Bar + Kitchen, a transportive getaway that taps into the team’s love for surfing, travel destinations around the world, and late actor Patrick Swayze.  What to order Sip back and relax over a dreamy new tequila cocktail called Costa Sur ($15), in which beverage director Giovanni Maramis combines a blood orange aperitivo uniquely made in New York with dry Curaçao and lemon.  Its espresso martini, a best seller since the start, stands out on each marbled white table during brunch. Co-owner Frank Wilson dares you to find a better char-grilled Spanish octopus in D.C., a starter surrounded with guindilla peppers and potatoes ($22). A bowl of slow-roasted citrus pork shoulder arrives with a blanketed basket of homemade corn tortillas. The DIY dish comes with a fiery carrot-habanero hot sauce that is not for the faint of heart ($24).  The filling skewers special is hard to beat at $22. Choose from lengthy spears of marinated chicken; beef tenderloin; shrimp and pineapple; or mushroom and eggplant, plus two sides. Go with the spot-on Salvadoran rice and beans – an homage to chef Roberto Ascencio’s mom – and grilled zucchini.   The vibe The pick-your-own adventure of a space includes an agave-fueled bar upon entry, a Tulum-approved dining room to the side, and a dimly-lit downstairs speakeasy called Swayze’s — a DJ-driven homage to the Dirty Dancing star, down to the same brand of canned (Utica Club) beer from the ’80s cult classic. Insider tip Kick off a tasty trip to paradise with a promising starter of ahi tuna ceviche with Hawaiian plantains or mushroom tlayuda billed as a Mexican pizza. The two dishes make a cameo during Winter Restaurant Week and will find a permanent place on the menu. ...read more read less