Photo by Jonathan Rubio.Drink of the Week: Sherry
Where: Mockingbird Hill, Estadio Tabard Inn, Vinoteca
When Derek Brown does something, drink nerds pay attention. The man behind the bar at The Columbia Room and The Passenger (1021 Seventh St NW) loves sherry, so much so that he and wife Chantal Tseng formerly of Tabard Inn (1739 N Street NW) just opened a bar devoted to the arcane spirit. The question now is whether Mockingbird Hill (1843 Seventh Street NW), specializing in sherries and aged hams, can make converts of us all.
So what is sherry, anyway? If you’re anything like me, you may have grown up with the impression that sherry was cooking wine, not drinking wine. (My father kept a bottle of cream sherry around for the sole purpose of sauteing mushrooms.) Sherry is a fortified white wine, meaning that additional alcohol is added during the production process. In sherry’s case, a grape-based spirit is added after the wine has fermented. Like many delicious things, yeast plays an integral role in developing sherry’s complex flavors. As the sherry ages, a layer of yeast called flor forms on the surface of the liquid and protects the wine from oxidation. It all sounds pretty strange and maybe a little gross, but the result is a nuanced beverage worth exploring.
You can, obviously, sample a variety of sherries at Mockingbird Hill, from dry to sweet to even salty. But sherry is also starting to pop up in cocktails in bars around town. It’s always on the cocktail menu at Estadio (1520 14th St NW) and is also among the spring drink specials at Tabard Inn and Vinoteca (1940 11th St NW).
Small Bites
Hey, hey, it’s National Bourbon Day
Jack Rose Saloon (2007 18th Street NW) will be offering a selection of bourbon flights in honor of National Bourbon Day. Each flight features four different tasting from a single producer; choose from a Evan Williams flight ($19) of single barrel vintages from the 1990s or an Elijah Craig flight ($55) of small batch and cask strength varieties aged 12 to 21 years. The flights will be served in Jack Rose’s private basement bar beginning at 5 p.m.
Butterflies and…tequila?
If you’ve ever stopped by Oyamel (401 Seventh St NW) for happy hour, you probably had the misfortune of fighting tooth and elbow for a seat at the tiny bar. Luckily, the restaurant is unveiling a newly renovated cocktail lounge today soon (tonight’s reveal has been postponed), replete with funky couches, more seating, and lots of butterflies. The opening coincides nicely with the restaurant’s Tequila and Mezcal Festival, kicking off on Monday. Stop in for special cocktails, dinners, and tastings. The festival runs through the end of the month.
The happiest hour of the day
Izakaya Seki (1117 V Street NW) has started offering happy hour during the week. On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 5 and 7 p.m. you can grab a glass of Sapporo or shochu and a small snack for only five bucks. This week, featured snacks include a yakitori skewer, tuna sashimi, or a bacon-wrapped tomato.
