Photo by H. Alexander Talbot.
Dish of the Week: Soft shell crabs
Where: Acadiana, BlackSalt, Casa Luca, Fiola
Many District residents mark spring by the blooming of the trees, but the food nerds among us know the seasons are changing when everyone starts freaking out about wild onions and molting shellfish. While the obsession with ramps seems a bit overblown to us (sorry/not sorry), soft shell crabs are a seasonal delicacy well worth tracking down.
There are many advantages to eating soft shell crabs. Regular blue crabs are notoriously fussy to eat, between mining the tiny legs for precious bites of meat to the wincing sting of Old Bay on that finger you cut on a stray shell. A freshly molted crab, on the other hand, can be eaten whole: it’s infinitely more crab for your buck. They’re deliriously good deep-fried, though grilling and sautéing are also fine preparations. Soft shells are also ideal if you happen to adore the crab “mustard” which provides a musky punch to the otherwise sweet body meat.
Softies are just coming into season right now, so keep an eye out for them on area menus. Maryland soft shells aren’t quite in season yet but more southernly places are already reaping the crabby harvest. Fiola (678 Indiana Ave NW) started serving Florida soft shells a few weeks ago; they’re currently being prepared with sweet Piquillo peppers, beet greens, and aged proscuitto. Restauranteur Fabio Trabocchi tweeted last week that they’ll also be on the menu at sister restaurant Casa Luca (1099 New York Avenue NW). BlackSalt (4883 MacArthur Boulevard NW) is also bringing in Florida softies this week; theirs are fried with chili butter and served over spring vegetables. But for the biggest treat, it’s hard to beat a whole deep-fried crab. Snag one at Acadiana (901 New York Avenue NW), where they’re beer-battered and served with garlicky lemon aioli.
Small Bites
All the shellfish that’s fit to eat
Hank’s Oyster Fest returns to the Dupont Circle location (1624 Q Street NW) this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The all-you-can-eat-and-drink extravaganza features oysters three ways (raw, fried, and barbecued), along with shrimp, onion rings, and lots and lots of beer to wash it down. Tickets are $80 per person and can be purchased online.
Beer, beer, beer
Take in some day drinking at the Mid-Atlantic Spring Beer Festival on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. at The Village at Shirlington (4001 Campbell Avenue, Arlington). Sample beers from 35 different Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. breweries. Tickets are $30 for 10 four ounce pours; the event is free if you’re not drinking.
Beau Thai to BKK
The old Beau Thai space (1700 New Jersey Ave NW) in Shaw will soon be re-opening as BKK Cookshop, a new restaurant from Beau Thai owner Aschara Vigsittaboot. The menu will feature international twists on Thai food, including steamed buns, chicken wings, meatballs, and noodles. BKK Cookshop is scheduled to open in May.
Competitive heartburn with a side of nachos
Fuego Cocina y Tequileria (2800 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington) is challenging diners to an incendiary nacho eating contest next Sunday, May 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. Contestants will sweat their way through increasingly fiery nachos, starting with Fresno chilies and culminating with the infamous Ghost Pepper (clocking in at 1 million Scoville units). There’s no entry fee, but you will need to sign a legal waiver to participate. To sign up, call the restaurant at 571-970-2180.
Iron Chef Biscuit
Art and Soul’s (415 New Jersey Ave NW) annual Biscuit Bash is back. The charity bash will take place Tuesday, May 6 on Art and Soul’s patio where attendees can watch nine chefs compete in an audience-judged biscuit battle. In addition to the biscuits, guests can also sip on cocktails, beer, and dessert from local ice cream shop Ice Cream Jubilee. Proceeds benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign and D.C. Central Kitchen. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online.
