The Old Guard: Peacock Cafe

Amidst the excitement of all the new restaurants opening in DC, its easy to forget the tried and true standards that have remained open throughout the citys many changes. Our Old Guard series profiles restaurants that have stood the test of time, remaining open and popular for over a decade.

Name: Peacock Caf
Address (Hood): 3251 Prospect St. NW (Georgetown)
Number of Years in Business: 21
Owners: Chef Maziar Farivar and brother Shahab Farivar

Biggest Differences between Year 1 and Today: On opening day, Peacock Cafe was a counter-service hole-in-the wall with only a portable convection oven and a hot plate to churn out fresh breads, soups, sauces, and more. They have since grown into a full-service restaurant in a bigger space, complete with white tablecloths, full bar, and a bustling brunch crowd.

Secrets to Success: Building strong relationships with guests keeps them coming back to a place that feels familiar. A core team of loyal, long-term staff members is key to running the restaurant smoothly and making guests feel at home.

Maziar also stays on top of trends to offer the best quality ingredients. "When we first opened, you couldn't get organic eggs, hormone-free beef, etc. Now that's all I use." It's all about striking a balance between giving the guests what theyve come to know and love while still maintaining modern standards of quality to stay relevant.

What's Next? Though Peacock Cafe has never been a Persian restaurant, the brothers have connected with their Iranian roots in the kitchen. They now offer a special Persian menu on Wednesday and Thursday nights, featuring Maziar's modern take on Persian cuisine. He tells us the dishes have been so popular that they are now exploring the possibility of opening a Persian restaurant.