Photo by Samer Farha.

Drink of the Week: Twist the Knife Sloely
Where: American Ice Company

American Ice Company hosts a regular Spirits in Black event, which combines cocktails from guest bartenders and death metal. Their next event, on Sunday, October 30 at 8 p.m., will feature drinks from Patrick Owens and Gina Chersevani, while Owen Thomson will set things on fire, literally. It will also include a special cask from DC Brau, if beer is more your speed.

One of my favorite cocktails that was on the menu in a previous Spirits in Black is the Twist the Knife Sloely by bartender Patrick Owens. It mixes Del Maguey Vida mezcal, Plymouth sloe gin, Fernet Branca, grapefruit juice, date syrup, and Thai chili bitters. It hits all the right pressure points — citrusy and smoky with a unique caramelized sweetness from the dates and a massaging heat. The Fernet Branca gives it a tinge of unidentifiable herbal bitterness that rounds it all out. While it won’t be on the menu for Spirits in Black, you can order it during regular service.

Small Bites

Could I have some more, please?
Each Wednesday in November, The Big Hunt will feature a different brewer with various goodie giveaways. The first event, on November 2, will feature Oliver Ales and a glassware giveaway. Oliver brewer Stephen Jones will be on hand to discuss the featured beers, which will include Darkness (dark wheat), 3 Lions (strong brown), Freddie’s Revenge (roasted pumpkin flavors with minimal spicing), and Dark Horse cask (dark mild, light in hops). Check Twitter for updates on the other featured brewers.

Walk and talk
Wheaton is an enclave for a wide variety of ethnic cuisines, from Brazil to the Phillipines to Turkey. Les Dames d’Escoffier will be hosting a walking tour of some of the grocery stores, cafes and restaurants on November 12 at 9:45 a.m. The $45 ticket includes breakfast at By Brazil, lunch at Dessie Ethiopian Restaurant, and tastings along the way.

World Central Kitchen
Jose Andres is now venturing out of the world of restaurants in to the world of non-profits with World Central Kitchen. With a concept similar to D.C. Central Kitchen, the organization will go to underdeveloped countries to help set up financially self-sustaining kitchen training programs, and provide them with tools such as solar cookers to do so.