Celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn and lobbyist Vinoda Basnayake recently went from being “boys” to business partners. Last week the two friends opened “The Shepphard,” a “no pictures allowed” speakeasy in Dupont (1337 Connecticut Ave., NW) with a maximum capacity of just 35 VIPs. So far, fellow “Top Chef” alum Mike Isabella, Democratic D.C. mayoral candidate Muriel Bowser, a couple of Redskins players and a few congressmen have taken the “decrepit elevator” ride up to the tiny lounge tucked away on the second floor of a nondescript office building. “People keep saying ‘this is going to be my regular spot,'” said Basnayake, who also owns Kabin Lounge. So what’s his?
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