Photo by Stefan Krasowski

Dish of the Week: Khachapuri

Where: Compass Rose, Levante’s

Man cannot live on bread alone, but he can live on khachapuri. This Georgian specialty — a puffy oval of bread filled with egg, cheese, and butter — is as simple as it is divine. It arrives at the table as pretty as can be, the bread shaped into a boat, it’s passengers a pat of melting butter, blistered cheese, and a quivering raw egg. But the best is yet to come, as it’s traditional to take a fork and slosh all the ingredients around, making a hot slurry of deliciousness. Think of it as part pizza, part breakfast, part party dip.

Khachapuri is so ubiquitous in Georgia that economists have developed an inflation index based on it. Unfortunately, this stunning example of fat and carbohydrates is far less common in D.C. I’ve only found two places that serve it, and one opened just recently. Levante’s (1320 19th Street NW) in Dupont Circle whips up khachapuri, along with Turkish pides, in their wood-burning oven. Newcomer Compass Rose (1346 T Street NW) also features khachapuri prominently on its tiny, eclectic menu. The waitstaff there will graciously offer you a feast for the eyes, stirring together the tangy cheese, butter, and raw egg yolk tableside.

If you know of anywhere else to sample this gluttonous Georgian treat, let us know in the comments.

Small Bites

Hey, hey, it’s National Doughnut Day
As if you needed another excuse to eat delicious fried circles of dough, amirite? Check out our round-up of doughnut specials and learn about the true origins of this food-based holiday here.

Pigs and Farmers
This weekend The Heights (3115 14th Street NW) welcomes summer with its annual Pig on the Patio event. The roast kicks off on the newly revamped patio Saturday at 9 a.m. Specials, including Pig Ear “Frites” ($6), the Head to Tail Platter ($20) and Bacon Bloody Marys ($10), will be served through Sunday at 10:30 p.m. Patrons will have the opportunity to meet EatWell Natural Farm’s manager Erica Porch on Saturday, where she will be on the patio sampling food, selling plants, and signing up volunteers to visit EatWell’s La Plata, Md. farm on June 21st. —Ashley Wetzel

That’s what Maryland does
The American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) and The Source (575 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) are coming together to host their 9th Annual Crab Cake Competition. Chefs from Le Diplomate, Ris, Minibar, and more will participate to raise funds for culinary internships, scholarships and educational programs. Tickets to the June 15th competition (held at The Source) are $75 and can be purchased online. Yes, its being held in D.C., but the eight competing chefs will be using “Department-verified” Maryland blue crab. All we need now is some football. —Ashley Wetzel

Treat Dad to some meat
If you are running a bit short on time to make plans for the big guy, and your apartment doesn’t allow grilling on your shared roof deck, Copperwood Tavern (4021 Campbell Avenue) in Shirlington has you covered. Take menu highlights such as the 14-ounce bone-in bison chop, or the 12-ounce grass-fed NY Strip and add in pairings such as the Belle Meade 90.4 proof small batch bourbon, and you are looking pretty good in Pops’ eyes. Add in the complimentary goodie bag of house-made bison jerky and BBQ spices and you have cemented your golden-child status. – Ashley Wetzel