Photo by AK_Wong.Dish of the Week: One-dollar oysters
Where: Chez Billy, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Sea Catch, Urbana
This week we are sticking with our cheap eats theme and noshing on $1 oysters. There’s an old adage that you should only eat raw oysters in months ending with an “r”. But these days raw oysters are available both locally and flown in from colder climates, making it possible to enjoy them year round. So don’t worry about indulging in the summer months, especially when there are serious seafood deals to be had. Plus, there’s something wonderfully refreshing about eating a cold, slurpy oyster in the muggy heat of summer instead of a chilly day November.
These bivalves are usually a pricier treat, so happy hour is the place to be if you want an oyster fix on the cheap. Below is a list of $1 oyster happy hour specials around town:
Chez Billy: Score a half or dozen oysters on Chez Billy’s (3815 Georgia Avenue NW) breezy outdoor back patio from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday. The patio is covered, so oysters (and $3 pints of Stella Artois) are yours rain or shine. Weekend warriors take note: Chez Billy is the only place with a Saturday happy hour special.
Hank’s Oyster Bar: Hank’s offers $1 oysters at all three locations in Dupont Circle (1624 Q Street NW), Capitol Hill (633 Pennsylvania Avenue SE), and Alexandria (1026 King Street). In addition to the $1 oysters happy hour special from 5-7 p.m. (which also includes $4 draughts and rail drinks), the raw bar is half-price from 10 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday.
Seacatch: Deep in the pearls and popped collar wilds of Georgetown, there lies a treasure of inexpensive seafood. Sea Catch (1054 31st Street NW) offers $1 oysters and half off drinks in the bar area from 5-7 p.m Monday through Friday.
Urbana: Tucked inside the Hotel Palomar, Urbana (2121 P Street NW) gets happy hour started early, with $1 oysters and $4 Peroni from 4-7 p.m. during the week. Stop by on the first Friday of each month for a special local beer and oyster happy hour, with 50 cent oysters and $4 Port City brews.
Small Bites
Memorial Day on the farm
Slow Food DC is hosting a Memorial Day farm and barbecue outing at Red Wiggler Farm in Germantown (23400 Ridge Road). Spend the morning helping out on the farm then enjoy barbecued goat and plenty of vegetarian options as well. Tickets are $15 for Slow Food members or $20 for non-members and can be purchased online.
The Great Cheesesteak Takeover of 2013
Cheesesteaks might be making an appearance at your local Taylor Gourmet sub shop next week. The sandwiches, from sister restaurant Taylor Charles Steak & Ice (1320 H Street NE),will be available at the Penn Quarter, Dupont, 14th Street, and City Vista locations for one day each. Fifty cheesesteaks will go on sale starting at 11 a.m. until they run out. The sandwiches also come with a free Italian water ice. See the schedule below:
Tuesday: Penn Quarter (624 E Street NW)
Wednesday: Dupont Circle (1200 19th Street NW)
Thursday: 14th Street (1908 14th Street NW)
Friday, May 31: City Vista (485 K Street NW)
Drink like a RAMMY member
Tickets to the RAMMYs, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s version of the Oscars, will set you back a cool $300. However, now through June 20 you can drink some of the RAMMY-nominated beverages for a much lower price and a chance to win tickets to the June 23rd gala. The nominees in the “Beverage/Mixology Program of the Year” category, Birch and Barley/ChurchKey, Bourbon Steak, TNT Bar, Rasika, and Room 11, will all be serving a special cocktail in honor of the “Sip Your Way to the RAMMYs” promotion. Imbibers will be entered to win a pair of tickets for each cocktail purchased through June 20.
Picnic on the go
Baloney sandwiches and Capri Sun not cutting it? Let Art and Soul (415 New Jersey Ave NW) pack your next picnic basket. Starting tomorrow, you can pick up a to-go box lunch which includes food and drink for two. The lunches come in three varieties: fried chicken and potato salad, smoked turkey and avocado on focaccia, or a charchuterie platter. All lunches come with fruit, cookies, water, and a jarred mixer which can be used to concoct an adult or kid-friendly beverage. Box lunches are $30-$35 and must be ordered 24 hours in advance by calling (202) 393-7777.
Push it, push it real good
Remember push-pops, that childhood sherbet popsicle you had to cram through a cardboard tube? Dolcezza Gelato is bringing push-pops back this summer, this time in a variety of delicious flavors like roasted strawberry, salted caramel, and pineapple mint. Gelato pops will be available at its Fairfax location (2905 District Avenue) or at the Penn Quarter, Bloomingdale, and Dupont Circle farmer’s markets.
