Photo by Synapped
Drink of the Week: Phosphate or Lactart
Where: America Eats Tavern
Since these past few days of oppressive heat may be suppressing appetites, today we’re featuring a drink of the week instead of a dish.
If you’re parched and thirsty, classic standbys like lemonade, iced tea, or a Coke will do the trick, but why not venture out for a classic refreshment instead? Order up a phosphate or lactart, fizzy drinks from the soda counter era that are making a comeback with some mixologists.
Down at the bottom of American Eats Tavern’s drink menu, below the historical punches and above the Cheerwine, are two unusual options: phosphate and lactart. The names of these drinks sound more suited for your Chemistry lab than for an eating establishment, and there’s good reason. Phosphates are drinks made with acid phosphate, and lactarts are made with lactic acid. On their own these acids are sour and tangy, but when mixed with soda water and fruit juice (for example pineapple or cherry), they mellow out a bit. While these drinks may not please every palate, they’re an interesting peek back into American history, and a welcome refreshment on a hot day.
Curious about these drinks or the other items on America Eats Tavern’s menu (which we profiled back when it first opened)? Make sure to stop by before July 4th, when this Jose Andres pop-up shop is scheduled to close its doors.
Small Bites
And the award goes to…
The 30th annual RAMMY Awards, recognizing excellence in area restaurants, takes place this Sunday at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.
Cuisine on the big screen
The Silverdocs documentary festival, which we’ve been covering this week, continues with a number of food-related films, including: Canned Dreams (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Discovery HD Theater) and Betting the Farm (Sunday at 8:30 p.m. in AFI Silver Theatre 3).
Unlimited crawfish
Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (1612 14th Street NW) hosts their third Crawfish Boil this Saturday, offering unlimited crawfish, whole roasted suckling pig, sides, and a Abita beer from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. $60.