Photo by Neeta Lind.
Dish of the Week: Grilled calamari
Where: Ambar, Nam Viet, Tacklebox
Some might say that fried squid gets all the fun. After all, fried calamari is a quintessential bar snack. People love the light, crispy rings doused in lemon, dunked in marinara sauce, or dabbed with spicy aioli. But fried rings are so far removed from the actual squid shape that the calamari you eat might not be from the sea at all.
If you don’t want to risk eating unknown parts, or you just want a change of pace, try calamari’s lesser known preparation: get it grilled. Mastering the art of grilled calamari is arguably harder than just frying the stuff. Overcook it and you end up with something that both tastes and feels a lot like rubber. However, a nice char and some bright, punchy flavors can really transform these cephalopods into a sophisticated, nuanced dish.
You can sample grilled calamari in several creative preparations around the city. Tacklebox (3245 M Street NW) will prepare your calamari fried or grilled and top it with your sauce of choice for ultimate customization. Meanwhile, grilled squid gets perked up with fragrant lemongrass and umami-packed fish sauce in Nam Viet’s (3419 Connecticut Avenue NW) grilled calamari salad. And at Ambar (523 8th Street SE), the tender rings are tossed in a citrusy gremolata and topped with red peppers for a perfect sweet-savory pairing. You can try it on their a la carte menu or as part of their new bottomless dinner promotion (yes, it is just like bottomless brunch but at night). Got another place that serves superb grilled calamari? Let us know in the comments.
Small Bites
Carbo-load this Saturday night
Urbana (2121 P Street NW) is offering an all-you-can-eat pasta special tomorrow night. With those participating in Sunday’s Nike Women’s Half Marathon in mind, diners can indulge in Chef Ethan McKee’s fresh, house made pastas for only $20. A few options to consider: Tuscan kale gemelli with caramelized cauliflower, caper berries and pine nuts and sweet potato gnocchi, grilled wild king salmon, swiss chard and garlic confit. —Ashley Wetzel
Happy Hour so nice, they feature it twice
Newly opened Red Light Cocktails & Dessert Bar (1401 R Street NW) is launching its Early and Late Night Happy Hour menus on Monday, April 28th. From 4-7 p.m. and again from 11-close (Sunday – Wednesday only) the bar will feature $5 Wilder Brother’s Three Horsemen “tap” cocktails, $3.50 – $6.50 wine and champagne by glass, and select $8 cheese and fondue plates. As the nights grow warmer, take advantage of the 44-seat patio, which does honor happy hour prices. — Ashley Wetzel
Sandoval’s Cinco de Mayo celebrations
Richard Sandoval’s D.C. restaurants boast expansive tequila collections, which they will highlight while celebrating Cinco de Mayo with $5 margaritas (classic, strawberry and mango). Masa 14 (1825 14th Street NW) will serve up Latin-Asian tapas while DJs spin throughout the restaurant; El Centro D.F. (1818 14th Street NW and 1218 Wisconsin Ave NW) will serve up a $10 buffet of “authentic Mexican comfort fare,” and Zengo (781 7th Street NW) has complementary chips and salsa in the lower level lounge. — Ashley Wetzel
Dust off your seersucker and floppy hats
Get a taste of the south without having to set foot on a racetrack at Poste’s (555 8th Street NW) Derby Day party next Saturday, May 3rd. A $75 ticket gets guests access to all-you-can-eat southern vittles, mint juleps, and a chance to sample DC Brau’s Knob Creek barrel aged Penn Quarter Porter. While there won’t be any real horses, the winner of a Wii horse race tournament will win a tour and overnight stay at the Jim Beam estate. A portion of all ticket sales benefit local nonprofit Brainfood.
Soup to the rescue
Downtown office workers will be getting a new lunch option from Takoma Park soup-maker Soupergirl. The mother-daughter team is opening a second location at 1829 M Street NW sometime next month. The tiny take-out spot will feature Soupergirl’s rotating selection of vegan soups — including four seasonal gazpachos — as well as greens and grain salads. Soupergirl soups can also be found in their Takoma Park store as well as local Whole Foods and Sweetgreen stores.
