Dish of the Week: Rhode Island-style calamari

Where: BlackSalt, Legal Sea Foods

Earlier this year, we wrote about the joys of grilling squid because “everyone always talks about fried squid.” But for good reason, of course; it’s delicious! And it’s been my mind lately as I get ready to head up to Providence for a summer wedding in coastal New England next weekend.

The tiny Ocean State is a calamari capital, with a distinct style of cooking squid rings that often shows up on menus near and far from Rhode Island. The distinguishing thing about the preparation is tossing breaded and fried rings and tentacles with slices of hot cherry peppers, with maybe a few whole ones thrown on as garnish. Marinara sauce, of course, is often used as to dip and add some tangy flavor. Legislation was enacted in June to enshrine the preparation as the official state appetizer, as if it wasn’t already.

Trekking out to the Palisades, I found the item available as part of a great Restaurant Week lunch at BlackSalt. You might have to tread carefully, but when you strike gold, there’s certainly great deals—and meals—to be had. BlackSalt’s calamari might not be exactly true to the form Rhode Island’s governor has in mind—cherry peppers were missing—but the squid was served over a bed of lettuce, which is often customary. Though marinara reigns supreme, you’ll sometimes find a mayonnaise-based sauce like tartar or chipotle remoulade served with your rings at Jeff Black’s kitchen.

Those forced to forsake gluten from their diets usually have to opt for calamari of the grilled variety, but they certainly don’t have to settle. Massachusetts-based chain Legal Sea Foods—with locations in Chinatown, Crystal City, and Montgomery Mall—features fried calamari on their gluten-free menu, including a Rhode Island-style faithfully tossed with peppers and garlic. It’s the way those weird little sea creatures were meant to be served.

Small Bites

Restaurant Week Last Chance
As we said before, there are Restaurant Week deals to be had for discerning diners—you just have to hunt for tnem. BlackSalt is knocking the promotion out of the park, offering most of their lunch menu for Restaurant Week. It’s worth it, if you can make the trek out to the deep throes of Ward 3. The $20 Restaurant Week lunch special basically gives free reign of their regular menu, which is quite a steal. Pro tip: most of their regular lunch dishes are also available during their weekend happy hour, which is 4-6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For dinner, it’s a good chance to check out the new New Heights in Woodley Park; they stay true to a large selection of their actual menu. Central is participating for both meals, and though the menu is limited, there are great dishes on it if they appeal to you and you can get a table.

Women and Whiskey at Roofers Union
Adams Morgan is the place to be next Thursday if you’re a broad that likes bourbon. Roofers Union is hosting an intimate sit-down whiskey event, featuring a guided tasting of Catoctin Creek whiskies from Becky Harris, paired with small bites from chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley. Kayleigh Kulp, author of Booze for Babes, will discuss different whiskey types and notes on how to taste and understand the brown stuff. The three women will participate in a q&a and guests will start with a cocktail and go home with a copy of Kulp’s book, all for $45.

MBK All Night Happy Hour
Menu MBK, Frederik de Pue’s space— where Café Atlantico used to be—has launched an all night happy hour menu with an appealing selection of drink specials from 5 p.m. to close. A grapefruit peel-infused rum cocktail, or any Stolichnaya vodka, or an Old Forester bourbon mixed drink is $7. Wines by the glass are $6 and beers are $5. Bar snacks, like duck confit cigars and curry mussels salad, are all under $10.

Cheap Beer for Biking or Boating
The key to dining deals in D.C. may actually be your Capital Bikeshare key fob. First, we reported ShopHouse’s plan to dish out free bowls to riders every Sunday in August, now it seems that Pinstripes is getting in on the action, giving Bikeshare key holders $1 domestic drafts or a free lemonade at the Georgetown upscale bowling alley. Boaters paddling from the Key Bridge Boathouse will receive cards they can redeem for the same deal after their trip. And don’t worry Uber users, you’re included too—show your receipt and get a free glass of wine.

Dining Out With and For Dogs
This Monday, the EatWell D.C. restaurants will host their 3rd annual Dining Out With Dogs evening. Commissary, Grillfish, Logan Tavern, The Pig, and The Heights will each donate 15 percent of dinner sales and 100 percent of sales of any featured vodka cocktail to City Dogs Rescue. Dogs are welcome on the patio of each location (except for The Pig, which doesn’t have a patio. City Dogs will also have adoptable puppies hanging out on said patios.