Photo by Eric Sidle.
Dish of the Week: Ice cream
Where: Dairy Godmother, Dolcezza, Ice Cream Jubilee, Larry’s, Moorenko’s, Pitango, Thomas Sweet
There are all sorts of ways cool off in the summer heat, but none of them is quite as joyful as eating a scoop of ice cream. Don’t get us wrong, we love refreshing adult beverages like a Gin Rickey, but it’s also great to feel like a kid again with a melty ice cream. While the temperatures are a good excuse to enjoy ice cream anytime, this weekend is especially jam-packed with ice cream-related activity.
The D.C. area has a panoply of ice cream options (a handful of favorites are listed above), along with frozen custard and gelato for those of you that like a creamier treat. And unlike our childhood, there are more flavors that Baskin-Robbin could have even imagined. Take Ice Cream Jubilee, started by D.C. resident Victoria Lai. Her small-batch ice creams — in decidedly adult flavors like Dark and Stormy, Mango Habanero, and Thai Iced Tea — will now be available in cones and sundaes at a brand new own storefront at Yard Park. (Previously you could only buy Ice Cream Jubilee at Each Peach and Glen’s Garden Market.) Stop by 301 Water St SE tomorrow to try a scoop at their grand opening.
For those who like a more DIY approach to their frozen desserts, consider signing up for Slow Food DC‘s gelato-making demonstration on Sunday. Dolcezza owner Robb Duncan and Zachariah Lester of Tree & Leaf Farm in Virginia will be on hand to teach participants how to whip up their own gelato in refreshing flavors like basil, tarragon, and lemon thyme. The class will be held at the Dolcezza Gelato Factory (550 Penn Street NE) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $26.Update: The event has been cancelled due to lack of ticket sales. It will not be rescheduled.
And next Saturday marks the forth annual DC Scoop ice cream contest at Union Market (1309 5th Street NE). The all-day event is a tribute to all things frozen and dairy-based, with a dozen local businesses serving up sweet treats and competing for coveted winner of best in show.
Small Bites
Your new destination for southeast Asian cuisine?
Add Laotian to the growing list of southeast Asian foods now being served in Columbia Heights. Young and Hungry has word that Seng Luangrath, chef and owner of Bangkok Golden (6395 Seven Corners Center, Falls Church) will be opening a new restaurant called Thip Khao in the neighborhood sometime next year. An exact address hasn’t been given because another restaurant is currently using the property, but the space will feature an outdoor patio, bar, and seat 90, so now’s your chance to start placing bets.
Happy hour is going to the dogs
A Bar + Kitchen (2500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) is launching a quarterly doggie charity happy hour this Saturday from 5-7 p.m. Bring your pup and enjoy cocktails with appropriately silly names like The Hound’s Tooth and the Red Baron. There will also be dog treats for your four-legged friend. The happy hour will also feature some special guests: a group of seven beagles that were rescued from a nearby laboratory last year. A dollar from each drink will benefit the Beagle Freedom Project.
It’s a burger-off
Who’s burger will reign supreme? Find out next Saturday at the D.C. BRGR Bash, a burger competition among 10 D.C.-area chefs. Event goers will also have a chance to sample five or ten “not so mini” burgers and vote for their favorite. The event will also feature plenty of beer from DC Brau and Atlas Brew Works, lawn games, and live music. Advance tickets are $27-$47, depending on how many burgers you want to sample. The Bash will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at The Lot at Atlantic Plumbing (945 Florida Ave NW).
