Photo by ajay77*Drink of the Week: Vieux Carre
Where: any reputable bar
Everyone has a go-to bar drink. It’s reserved for the time when maybe you don’t know what to order, or if the bar is busy. And then there are just the times you’ve had a long day and you just want something old and familiar without all the complications. For some it’s a gin and tonic, for others it’s a martini, and others think you can’t go wrong with a Manhattan. When a bar is on the slow side, my go-to drink is a Vieux Carre. It’s boozy, complex, a little sweet, a little bitter, and for someone easily felled by fizzy drinks with juice, a slightly gentler journey in to dissolution.
The cocktail was named after the section of New Orleans it was invented in: the French Quarter (or Old Square). It’s potent and smooth to the point you won’t feel a thing.
The recipe is:
1 ounce rye whiskey
1 ounce Cognac
1 ounce sweet vermouth
1 teaspoon Bénédictine D.O.M.
2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Combine and stir with ice. Serve in an old-fashioned glass, and if you want to get fancy serve it with a cherry.
What’s your go to bar drink?
Small Bites
You take a hot dog, stuff it with some jack cheese, roll it in a pizza…
You’ve heard of the turkducken, but have you heard of the burporken? Red Palace has started serving food including a variety of burgers. The main attraction appears to be the burger topped with pulled pork and grilled chicken. But for those who haven’t gotten around to refilling their Lipitor, there are some more normal burger topping options like bacon, cheese, or mushrooms. If you’re a little in between take your burger for a breakfasty spin with Spam and a fried egg.
Hot in the city
District Kitchen opened this week in Woodley Park at 2606 Connecticut Ave. Chef Drew Trautmann and General Manager Jawad Saad modeled the restaurant after Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore. Eater DC has the full opening menu and pictures. But the only words we see are duck cracklings.
Gong xi
Sew up the holes in your clothes, and sweep your place as the Lunar New Year approaches. Les Dames d’Escoffier will be cohosting a Chinese New Year dinner at Hollywood East on January 27 at 6:30 p.m. For $50, you’ll be able to sample nine lucky dishes, along with explanations of how they’ll bring you good fortune in the new year.
For a fancier experience, you can head to The Source. January 23-February 3, they will be serving a five-course menu, including applewood-smoked peking duck and lobster dumplings for $125 per person, or $175 per person with wine pairings, excluding tax and tip. On February 3, Wolfgang Puck, himself, will host dinner. Book the menu by calling (202) 637-6100.
