Photo by LaTur.Dish of the Week: Pasta
Where: Birch and Barley, The Red Hen, Urbana, Pasta Mia
In this age of high protein diets and gluten-free everything, pasta has practically become a dirty word. As Scott Pilgrim once quipped, “Bread makes you fat,” and what is pasta if not bread’s chewy, noodle-shaped cousin? Putting the f-word aside, there’s also the rising concern about gluten, be it real (in the case of celiac sufferers) or imagined. It’s too bad, because gluten is exactly what gives pasta it’s pleasantly toothsome texture. For lovers of al dente noodles, gluten is the best part about eating pasta.
It’s the holidays, so chances are that you’ve already overindulged this month. So go ahead and get touched by his noodly appendage. A few carbs once in a while won’t hurt. Italian newcomer The Red Hen (1822 First Street NW) blends both traditional and seasonal elements on their mouthwatering pasta menu. On a recent visit the creste de gallo was swaddled in a luscious, earthy sauce of braised duck, wild mushrooms, and sweet potatoes. And for a more traditional “red sauce” Italian meal, it’s hard to beat the unapologetically enormous portions at Pasta Mia (1790 Columbia Road NW). Despite their refusal to take cash credit cards or reservations, I still find myself willing to wait for a bowl of parmesan dusted carbonara, studded with salty bits of pork and made silky with plenty of egg yolks.
However, Italian restaurants don’t have the lock-up on pasta anymore. While there are lots of delectable items on the Birch and Barley’s (1337 14th Street NW) menu, the tender hand-cut tagliatelle tossed with seasonal meat and vegetables (currently braised rabbit and figs) is not to be missed. And Urbana’s (2121 P Street NW) pillowy agnolotti, stuffed with sweet caramelized onions and topped with butternut squash, is perfect for anyone who wants to savor the flavors of fall.
Where’s your favorite place to get pasta? Let us know in the comments.
Small Bites
Get some right proper suds
D.C.’s newest brewery is now open for business. Right Proper Brewery (624 T Street NW), located in Shaw, officially opened on Tuesday night. Young and Hungry has a peek at their menu, which features seven affordable ($4-9) brews on draft, as well comestibles like an eight hour lamb french dip, fried chicken parts, and pimento grilled cheese. Right Proper Brewery is open seven days a week starting at 5 p.m.
Scotchy scotch scotch
Do you love scotch as much as Ron Burgundy? Find out at Jack Rose’s (2007 18th Street NW) Anchorman 2-themed party on Monday from 8-11 p.m. Dress up as your favorite Anchorman character while sipping on cocktails with names like the Sex Panther and Afternoon Delight. For the less kitsch-inclined, there will also be scotch flights and barrel-aged beers. The best dressed patron gets a $2 discount on their drinks.
Here, fishy fishy
In Italian homes, it’s traditional to eat seafood on Christmas Eve. Stop in to G (2201 14th Street NW) for a chance to try the Feast of the Seven Fishes without the hassle of reconstituting salt cod or cleaning calamari yourself. From December 19-22, the restaurant will serve a five-course seafood menu for $65. Book your table online or by calling 202-234-5015.
