Food and Drink to Melt March Malaise
If you've been feeling that Winter is interminable, your work has become Groundhog Day, and an impulse rendezvous to St. Barts would be perfect right about now, then you may be suffering from March Malaise.
And, let's face it. There are only so many times you can watch Will Ferrell's cowbell or Sony's bouncing ball video for a quick lift. True, March is a good month to seek endorphin highs by logging in some pavement miles or taking the 6:15 weekday spin classes all month. For food and drink people anyway, exercise isn't necessarily the answer. Lucky for us, there are plenty of epicurean cure-alls that can bring a little joy until Spring finally arrives.
Here are some recommendations for a food and drink pick-me-ups, in no particular order:
1) A pair of Kumomoto oysters at Hanks Oyster Bar. After work, as an appetizer, or even dessert, it's fun to grab a free seat at the bar and treat yourself to a pair of these fresh, briny delicacies.
Hank's Oyster Bar. 1624 Q Street NW. (202) 462-4265.
2) The Filipino spring roll at Corduroy. Filled with pork, carrot, and cabbage and served with a tomato pepper coulis. Also known as the Ron Jeremy spring roll, it's quite large.
Corduroy. 1201 K Street NW. (202) 589-0699.
3) A kir royale at Firefly. If you're not so into the champagne and girly crème de cassis, you can always ask Wine Manager Derek Brown for a burgundy or riesling recommendation.
Firefly. 1310 New Hampshire Avenue NW. (202) 861-1310.
4) Honey goat cheese from Cheesetique. If you're really a goat cheese fan, you can also sign up for the American Goat Cheeses Tasting on March 9 at 7:15 p.m. or March 12 at 6 p.m.
Cheesetique. 2403 Mount Vernon Avenue. Alexandria, Va. (703) 706-5300.
5) Prosciutto crudo from Dino. According to owner Dean Gold, "the best prosciutto we can buy." Though several menu listings warrant a visit to Dino, this is a favorite.
Dino. 3435 Connecticut Avenue NW. (202) 686-2966.
6) Vongole pizza at 2 Amy's. Garlic, parsley, "cockles" (we call them clams), and hot peppers on a blistery, thin crust.
2 Amy's. 3715 Macomb Street NW. (202) 885-5700.
7) Bacon cheeseburger from Five Guys. Though it doesn't bring everyone Bovinity, it's certainly the favorite burger for many a Washingtonian.
Five Guys. 808 H Street NW. (202) 393-2900. Multiple locations.
8) Deconstructed samosa from Indique. Filled with tamarind, potato, and cilantro sauce. One DCist asked, "Is there anything better?"
Indique. 3512-14 Connecticut Avenue NW. (202) 244-6600.
9) Salty Oatmeal Cookie from Teaism. For a perfect balance between salty and sweet.
Teaism. 800 Connecticut Avenue NW. (202) 835-2233. Multiple locations.
10) S'mores from Cosi. Since they're ubiquitous, you can always find a Cosi to satisfy your inner child with a mini marshmallow roast, Hershey bars, and graham crackers.
Cosi. 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW. (202) 296-9341. Multiple locations.
What have we missed? Tell us what food and drinks around town make you happy.