Photo by kerolic.
Dish of the Week: Raclette
Where: The Swiss Club of D.C., Cheesetique, La Fromagerie, Whole Foods
Leave it to the Swiss to invent not one but two different ritualistic meals centered on melted cheese. While Americans are familiar with fondue, raclette is a lesser known—but no less delicious—cheese-based meal. On a chilly fall evening such as this, there’s nothing better than a plate of gooey cheese, potatoes, and crusty bread.
Raclette is the name for both a type of cheese and the practice of melting said cheese on a fire or special grill and eating it over potatoes, cornichon pickles, bread, and cured meats. Like fondue, raclette is meant to be shared among friends and eaten in rounds while waiting for the next batch of raclette to melt.
There are no raclette restaurants in D.C., but there are a few ways to to enjoy raclette in the area. The Swiss Club of D.C. holds an annual Raclette Dinner; this year’s cheese-fest will take place on Saturday, November 16th at the Swiss Embassy. Unfortunately you’ll need to either join the club or befriend a Swiss national to attend, so your best bet is probably to make it at home. Several area cheese shops sell the often hard-to-find raclette cheese, a semi-firm cow’s milk cheese with a mild, nutty flavor similar to Gruyere or Jarlsberg. You can melt the raclette either with the aid of a special raclette grill or using the oven. Pair it with some pickles, a good baguette, charcuterie, and a bottle of dry white wine for a Swiss-style meal.
Small Bites
As if you needed another excuse to drink
From the creators of Restaurant Week comes Cocktail Week, running now through the 17th. Think of it as the monopoly of drinking: tipple your way through any of the “trails” on the cocktail game board for a chance to win prizes like concert tickets, $50 restaurant gift cards, or a box of fresh lobsters.
Pasta party
Learn how to make pasta from scratch this Saturday at Urbana (2121 P St NW). New chef Ethan McKee will demonstrate pappardelle noodles, agnolotti and open ravioli from 2-4 p.m. The class costs $45 and includes snacks, samples, and recipes. Reserve your space by emailing cherry.decena@urbanadc.com or call (202) 448-1877.
A patio for all seasons
Just because the weather is cold doesn’t mean you can’t drink outside. Poste (555 8th St NW) is bringing back their Winter Lounge so you can enjoy al fresco imbibing all winter long. Selections include bourbon-spiked chili hot chocolate and spiced apple cider with Calvados. Patrons can also snack on three different types of fondue (cheese, s’mores, or dark chocolate) while snuggled up with a warm blanket in front of the fire pit. The Winter Lounge is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. until close.
Turning Japanese
Perry’s Restaurant (1811 Columbia Rd NW) will be going back to their Japanese roots with a new menu and chef. Fresh items include rice bowls, tempura, spring rolls, and noodle dishes. Fans of the restaurant’s famous drag brunch can rest easy — despite the menu change, brunch won’t be going anywhere.
