Photo courtesy of Whisked’s Facebook page.
Dish of the Week: Apple pie
Where: Blue Duck Tavern, The Partisan, Whisked!, Pie Sisters, Dangerously Delicious Pies
It’s decorative gourd season, nerds. That means it’s finally time for hot soup, pumpkin spice everything, and the Mr. Autumn of desserts—apple pie. Sure, you can get apples all year, but there’s something comforting about welcoming fall (in all it’s rainy glory) with the warm scent of baking apples, spicy cinnamon, and buttery pie crust.
Blue Duck Tavern (1201 24th St NW) is home to arguably the city’s most famous apple pie, a 6″ number with a thick, buttery crust, Granny smith apples, and a dusting of brown sugar on top. Food and Wine even crowded it among the best pies in America. According to the recipe, the secret ingredient is none other than apple sauce.
For something a little different, head to The Partisan (709 D St NW) for their deep-fried apple pie. The dish pairs sweet and savory with the addition of candied pecans, bacon, and salted caramel ice cream.
Those in the market for a whole pie to take home or to a gathering also have lots of autumnal options. Pie Sisters (3423 M St NW) has a classic apple as well as apple caramel crunch available whole, by the slice, or as a “pie cup,” a thing that happens when a pie and a cupcake have a baby. Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H St NE and 675 I St NW) has three apple varieties, including a most unusual cinnamon and roasted apple chess pie. Whisked has one of my favorite apple pies, made with salted caramel and a crumb topping. You can find their pies at 10 different locations around town or for order through their website.
Small Bites
Taste the boat shoes
This Saturday’s Taste of Bethesda may be canceled, but the 22nd annual Taste of Georgetown is soldiering on, Joaquin or no Joaquin. Luckily, the festival is completely covered, meaning patrons should stay (relatively) dry while sampling dishes from over 60 different neighborhood restaurants. The event will be held underneath the Whitehurst Freeway on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 per food tasting and $4 per drink tasting.
Taste the Balkans
This weekend also marks the very first SerbFest, a two day celebration of Serbian cuisine and culture held at Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church (10620 River Road, Potomac, MD) on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Guests can look forward to dishes like spit-roasted lamb, phyllo pies stuffed with meat or cheese, and rakija, a fruit brandy. Aside from eating, there will also be live music and traditional dance performances. Admission is free, but food and drink tickets are sold separately. If you don’t have time to hang around (or are just really hungry), you can pre-order food for pick up.
Veg out… if it doesn’t rain too much
DC VegFest returns this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Yards Park for a day of talks, cooking demos, live music, and meat-free eats from over 25 local businesses. The festival is scheduled to take place rain or shine, but be sure to check the website in case the organizers are forced to cancel. Admission is free.
