Photo by KelmanDC.
Drink of the Week: Beaujolais Nouveau
Where: Bistro du Coin, Central, 1905, the French Embassy
What’s so special about the third Thursday in November? A big fat nothing, you may be thinking to yourself. Well, cheer up: For fans of wine and parties, it marks the release of the annual batch of beaujolais nouveau, a young, easy-drinking French red wine.
Unlike other wines, beaujolais nouveau does not get better with age; in fact, it’s supposed to be consumed quickly. Thanks to it’s rapid production process, beaujolais nouveau is light and fruity, with a flavor profile closer to white wine. In fact, it’s meant to be enjoyed chilled, further upping the easy drinking quotient. In other words, it’s a red that even white wine drinkers can love.
More importantly, tradition calls for a big party to celebrate the release of the new vintage. Several restaurants host annual beaujolais nouveau celebrations every year, so clear your calendar for next week.
Dupont Circle staple Bistro du Coin (1738 Connecticut Avenue NW) has long celebrated the uncorking at the stroke of midnight on the third Wednesday of the month. Alternatively, 1905 (1905 9th Street NW) will once again be teaming with BYT to toast a glass or five on Wednesday night. For something extra classy, book a table at Central (1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) on Thursday for their beaujolais party featuring live gypsy jazz, a special menu, and games for a chance to win – what else – more wine. And if you can’t drink on a school night, the French Embassy (4101 Reservoir Road NW) is celebrating their native grape on Friday with a Beaujolais and Beyond party featuring hors d’oeuvres, free flowing wine, dancing, and silent auction.
Small Bites
Breakfast taco cult
We know, we know, you’re sick of “pop-ups,” but this one is going to have breakfast tacos, so surely that must count for something. Ice cream sandwich purveyor Milk Cult and Vigilante Coffee are setting up shop inside the newly opened Park View Patio (3632 Georgia Avenue NW, formerly the Blue Banana) in Petworth. Starting this Sunday, the space will operate as The Sanctuary during the day, selling coffee, ice cream, breakfast tacos, and pastries. The forthcoming tacos, made with sous-vide scrambled eggs, will come in three flavors: bacon potato, fried green tomatillo, and corned beef hash. The space will revert back to being a bar after 4 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and after 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
More mole, not moles
El Centro (1819 14th Street NW and 1218 Wisconsin Avenue NW) is celebrating mole, the Mexican dish often made with chilies, chocolate, or nuts. Their First Annual Mole Festival (not to be confused with the subterranean mammal) runs through the end of this month. Nosh on dishes made from your choice of four different mole sauces: Mole Pipian made with pumpkin seeds, tomatillos, chile poblano; Mole Poblano, a familiar combination of chocolate and chilies; Mole Rojo, a blend of guajillo chiles, chile ancho, cumin and oregano; and Mole Negro, made with charred tomatoes, avocado leaves, and nuts.
Eat out for a cause
It may seem counter intuitive to raise money for anti-hunger efforts by dining out, but you can do just that at Cashion’s Eat Place (1819 Columbia Road NW) now through the end of December. For $40, purchase a three-course meal as part of their “Ticket to Giving” Weekday Dinner Club and 10% of the final bill will go Taste of the Nation’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Tickets must be purchased in advance, but reservations are guaranteed. The promotion is available Sunday through Thursdays until December 30th.
