Clams with chorizo at Cork (Alicia Mazzara).Dish of the Week: Steamed clams or cockles
Where: Cork, Hank’s Oyster Bar
D.C. isn’t much of a clam town. We’ve got oysters in spades, and our proximity to Maryland means crab cakes will always have a place in our stomachs. The ascendance of Belgian food and beer have made mussels king; of course, the fact that they’re typically served with fries and mayonnaise doesn’t hurt either. But let’s not forget the humble clam, an unsung hero of bivalves.
Often drowned in thick, creamy chowders or fried into rubbery strips, clams have not had the best culinary go of it. This is a shame, because good clams are sweet and briny, with a toothsome texture akin to al dente pasta. To truly savor their delicate flavor, you’ll need to get your hands on some steamed clams. You can nab at bowl at Cork (1720 14th Street NW) right now; the tiny mollusks are served in a tomato-y broth with chunks of piquant chorizo. The bivalves are accompanied by crusty slices of grilled bread slathered with a lemony house-made aioli, proving that mussels don’t get to have all the fun. Hank’s Oyster Bar often has steamed clams on special, although they’re not part of the regular menu. Be sure to call ahead to see if they’re being served that day.
Small Bites
Fear no yeast
Learn how to make sweet pastries for the holidays at Urbana (2121 P Street NW) on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. Students will learn how to work with yeast-risen dough to make brioche sticky buns and bomboloni, a fried Italian doughnut. Classes are $45 and include snacks and take-home samples. Contact Cherry Decena at cherry.decena@urbanadc.com or (202) 448-1877 to reserve a spot.
Hey, hey, it’s Repeal Day
Ok, actually, yesterday was Repeal Day. But you can still celebrate your right to drink alcohol at Saturday’s Repeal Day Ball hosted by the D.C. Craft Bartenders Guild. The black-tie ball, attended by a veritable who’s who in D.C.’s bar scene, will be held at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE) and starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $100.
House of cookies
Get in the holiday spirit with Cork’s fourth annual community Gingerbread House Decorating Party on Saturday, December 14. Cork will provide the cookie foundation and decorations; you bring the creativity. Guests will also get to sip on hot cocoa, cider and munch on cookies while icing their gingerbread houses. Reservations are required; to book your spot, email events@corkdc.com by December 9 and indicate whether you would like to attend the 11:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. session. Gingerbread house kits are $35 and include all materials and decorations.
Uncover the secret life of haggis
Learn about Scotland’s most maligned dish at “Addressing the Haggis: Culture and Contestation in the Making of Scotland’s National Dish”, a talk hosted by the Culinary Historians of Washington, D.C.. George Mason University professor Joy Frasier will be on hand to discuss the political and social symbolism of stuffed sheep stomach. The free lecture will take place on Sunday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane).
Pigs and pours
The City Paper has put together a night of alliterative fun at their Bacon and Bourbon Festival on Tuesday night. Enjoy bacon dishes, bourbon and beer samples, and bluegrass music at the Longview Gallery (1234 9th Street NW) from 7-10 pm. Tickets are $49 for unlimited food and whiskey tastings.
