The Naranja Dulce, Limón Partido (Reposado tequila, chamomile, orange blossom honey and roasted lemon), on special at Oyamel from March 10-23. (Photo courtesy of Oyamel)Drink of the Week: Tequila
Where: Oyamel, El Centro Georgetown, Ceiba, El Chucho, Casa Oaxaca
You know the song, the one about tequila? One tequila, two tequila, three tequila … floor. It’s like a corny, avuncular joke about college spring break. But tequila is so much more than a vehicle for limes, salt, and swirly margaritas. Spend some time at a tequila tasting and it will become clear that this is a spirit with plenty of complexity and variety. Besides, if you’re going to end up on the floor, you might as well be felled by quality booze instead of by something with a worm floating in it.*
A growing number of bars now offer a vast selection of tequilas for the sipping. While Casa Oaxaca (2106 18th Street NW), Ceiba (701 14th Street NW), and Oyamel (401 7th Street NW) have been specializing in tequila for a while, a few relative newcomers have been upping the city’s potables game. The recently opened Georgetown outpost of El Centro (1218 Wisconsin Avenue NW) features a stunning 225 varieties, while the inventive cocktails and margaritas at El Chucho (3313 11th Street NW) are a welcome reminder of the liquor’s versatility.
If ordering off a sprawling tequila menu feels overwhelming, fear not. Aspiring tequila connoisseurs will have ample opportunity to get educated on agave-based spirits at Oyamel’s Tequila and Mezcal Festival. The celebration, starting Monday and running through March 23rd, will feature specialty cocktails and free tequila tastings. There’s still time to snag a ticket to the kickoff party on Monday night. Sixty bucks gets you an evening of Mexican street food, all manner of tequila drinks, and live music. For something a little more budget friendly, stop in for one of their free tastings held from 4 to 6 p.m. on the following dates:
*Fun fact: The tequila worm is actually a myth; only mezcal can be sold with worms.
Small Bites
Calling all beer nerds
Taste DC is sponsoring the DC Craft Beer Festival this Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place NW). For a $49 ticket, you will be able to sample 2 ounce pours of over 150 craft beers from across the country. Available VIP sessions and on-site food will cost you extra, but you can partake in any of the seminars scheduled throughout the day free of charge. — Ashley Wetzel
The cheese is coming!
Get ready for your inner child to rejoice, because D.C. is getting a grilled cheese bar this month. GCDC, located (for real) just a block from a White House, will serve up ooey, gooey grilled cheese sammies, tomato soup, and poutine tots at lunch and a classier selection of cheese plates, charcuterie, and wine flights at night. Turophiles can also look forward to weekly cheese classes and special wine and beer pairings.
40 to try in 2014
WaPo’s Going Out Guide released its annual “40 Eats:The dishes every Washingtonian must try in 2014” on Wednesday. Highlights include seasoned favorites like oysters at Old Ebbitt Grill and the Fire & Smoke pizza at Matchbox, while newcomers Rose’s Luxury and Kapnos also had quite a showing. No need to worry, desserts such as the Crème Brulee Doughnut at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, the Doissant at Chocolate Crust and Nutella pizza at Osteria Marzano made the cut as well. — Ashley Wetzel
