This week’s Womply Merchant Spotlight is on Granville Moore’s. Located in the H Street NeigHborhood, this is one spot you definitely need to visit. Not only does Granville Moore’s make some of the best Belgian moules (mussels) and delicious frites (crispy, twice-fried, hand cut potatoes that come with tasty sauces), but they also have a great selection of pub fare such as buffalo pork belly sliders, a steak ‘n’ cheese sandwich, and a bison burger. They also have a huge selection of beers which are all hand selected by the Beverage Director, Matt LeBarron. Need we say more?

Womply got the utmost pleasure in getting an interview with Granville Moore’s Executive Chef/Owner, Teddy Folkman and Event Manager, Farrell Parker. Teddy, a native New Yorker, has gained experience and knowledge by working in some of DC’s most well-known restaurants and eventually taking the reigns at Granville Moore’s as the Executive Chef. Since then, Teddy appeared on “Throw Down with Bobby Flay” (and won) in a battle for the best moules, competed on “The Next Food Network Star”, and became a Culinary Ambassador for the New York Brewery Ommegang all while running a very successful restaurant. Farrell is the amazing Event Manager at Granville Moore’s, and she’s one of the friendly faces you’ll see when stopping by for brunch.

Womply’s Interview with Granville Moore’s Teddy Folkman

What is your name and title?
Teddy: Teddy Folkman, Executive Chef/Owner
Farrell: Farrell Parker, Events Manager, Brunch Server

Teddy, when did you know that this was your dream and passion?
Teddy: I knew when I was 13 years old and Mrs. “C” was teaching me to make eggplant parmesan in the back of Manor Fruit Shack, a popular mom and pop Deli in New York. Something as unappealing to me as eggplant, when breaded and fried in a cast iron skillet with olive oil that came from a glass bottle with everything written in Italian on it, just makes sense. Cooking made sense and I wanted to learn everything.

And what inspired you to start a restaurant?
Teddy: What inspired me to start a restaurant was primarily my mentor asking me if I believed in myself when he had the opportunity for me to head Granville Moore’s. There had always been the desire to be able to showcase my laid back almost fine dining cuisine. Granville’s was a blank canvas.

What is the best thing you’ve ever eaten?
Teddy: Impossible. Food is not only a taste but also the memories associated with eating it that makes it great. Eating goat stew from a street vendor in St. John, with my feet in the sand, the sun setting and not a care in the world, would be my top choice. Fresh lobster and mussels pulled from the waters of Deer Isle Maine cooked 20 minutes later in beer and butter is definitely up there as well.

What is your favorite night of the week here and why?
Teddy: Sunday. I get off from brunch and spend the rest of the day with my fiancee being normal.

Care to share a tip on how to run a successful restaurant with us?
Teddy: Always remember it takes a team to run a restaurant and that every guest is a VIP. Treat your staff like family and your guests like your best friends.

Farrell, what is your favorite thing about working here?
Farrell: There’s such a great community attached to living and working in the H St neighborhood and that’s one of the things I love most about my job at Granville Moore’s. If I didn’t work at Granville’s, it is still a place I would frequent. And I’ve gotten such a great beer education!

What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten?
Farrell: That’s impossible! Most of the best foods I’ve eaten have definitely been some kind street food. Simple, flavorful, comforting, and cheap.

What is your favorite dish here?
Farrell: Our chefs create some pretty amazing specials each day. One of my recent favorites: spanish mackerel and rice in a curry-saffron-coconut broth. Off of our current menu, our collard greens are spectacular and the steak n’ cheese sandwich can’t be beat.

Teddy and Farrell, what was one of the most enjoyable experiences you’ve had with a customer?
Teddy: I am extremely lucky and in a one in a million place at Granville’s. So many cool and enjoyable experiences. Often a lot of our customers are also our good friends. We go fishing together, Skins games, Nats games, have barbeques… So I guess the most enjoyable experience I have had with a guest is becoming friends with them.
Farrell: I love when I get a customer to try something new and they really enjoy it. Luckily, with all the fantastic and more obscure beers we carry, we get to do that every day as Granville Moore’s servers.

[THIS INTERVIEW HAS BEEN CONDENSED AND EDITED.]

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Next time you visit Granville Moore’s be sure to say hello to Teddy and Farrell!

Granville Moore’s is located at 1238 H St. NE, Washington, DC 20002

A special thank you to Teddy and Farrell from Granville Moore’s for taking the time to chat with us!