Chicken liver and fennel jam on brioche. (Alicia Mazzara)Dish of the Week: Chicken liver pâté
Where: Bar Pilar, Le Diplomate
Foie gras may be too rich for the blood of many a furloughed federal worker, but you can still treat yourself with a cheaper but thoroughly delicious alternative. Chicken livers are an often overlooked member of the culinary world, used for making gravy around the holidays or as an unfortunate vehicle to increase one’s iron intake. But leave it to the French to take these tiny bird organs and elevate them to the stuff of fine dining.
If you can manage to snag a table at Le Diplomate (1601 14th St NW), be sure to reward yourself for what was surely a long wait with an order of their chicken foie gras “parfait.” The name is a misnomer; what arrives at the table more closely resembles a softball of irrationally silky smooth liver spread. Infused with plenty of sweet butter and herbs, the flavor borders on that of a fine cheese. Smeared on brioche toast points with a dot of sweet fennel jam, it’s eyes-roll-back-in-the-head good. But if you don’t want to jostle for a spot at Le Diplomate, try the equally swoon-worthy pâté at cozy Bar Pilar (1833 14th St NW). The crunchy buttered toast is a lovely foil for a dense, richly flavored schmear with a hint of mineral tang. Either way, it’s a lot of luxury for a relatively small price.
Small Bites
Philanthropub lives to fundraise another day
Naysayers be damned: Cause (1926 9th Street NW), the bar that plans to give its yet-unrealized profits to charity, is reopening after a six week hiatus to repair its air conditioning. In addition to a new HVAC system, the Shaw establishment will reopen Monday with new staff, a revamped food and drink menu, and a redecorated interior. Look for a new wine list, fresh selection of beers, and a wallet-friendly happy hour featuring $5 draft beers, wine, house cocktails, and snacks.
Take a bite out of cancer
The third annual Breast Cancer Bites will be held on Sunday from 12-3 p.m. at the Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Va). The fundraiser will feature food from local restaurants, including Birch & Barley, Founding Farmers, Kapnos, The Red Hen, The Source, and beers from 3 Stars Brewery. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door (admission is free if you’re a breast cancer survivor). Proceeds go to GW’s Mobile Mammography Unit, also known as the Mammovan.
A little beer in your wine bar
You wouldn’t expect a wine bar to also have a great beer selection, but that’s just what Cork Wine Bar and Market is setting out to do. The restaurant is launching a new beer program this weekend, adding a selection of domestic and European craft beers to their extensive wine list. Thor Cheston, former beer director at Brasserie Beck (the first restaurant in D.C. with it’s own beer sommelier) and co-founder of the forthcoming Right Proper Brewing Company, helped design the new beer menu.
