Photo by Jeremy Carbaugh.
Dish of the Week: Whitefish salad
Where: Neopol Savory Smokery, DGS Delicatessen, So’s Your Mom, Bullfrog Bagels, Bethesda Bagels
Move over, tuna: this week our comestible of choice is the delightfully smoky, creamy whitefish salad. Yes, it looks a bit like something the cat coughed up, but what it lacks in appearance, it more than makes up for in flavor.
Whitefish salad comes from the same culinary tradition that gave us gems like matzo ball soup and potato latkes. Think of whitefish salad as lox’s lesser known cousin, a sort of underdog of bagel toppings. Like tuna salad, whitefish salad plays a bit fast and loose with the term “salad,” eschewing leafy greens for a healthy coating of mayonnaise. And while traditionally served atop a bagel, it’ll also play nicely smeared on a seedy cracker. I suggest throwing on some cherry tomatoes for an acidic pop to balance out the oiliness of the fish.
You’ll find whitefish salad on the menu at any place that’s serious about their bagels and/or fish. Many local purveyors make the salad from scratch, brining and smoking the fish themselves before mushing it up into a tasty spread. Neopol Savory Smokery (1309 5th St NE) smokes pretty much anything that swims (and then some), so it’s no surprise that they do a a bang-up job on their whitefish salad as well. DGS Delicatessen (1317 Connecticut Ave NW) and Bullfrog Bagels (1341 H St NE) also smoke their whitefish in-house, while Bethesda Bagels (1718 Connecticut Ave NW,) offers the spread on special on Saturdays.
Small Bites
Dim sum comes to H St
Maketto (1351 H St NE) announced they will be launching Sunday dim sum service starting this weekend. This development is a thrilling proposition for District dwellers who previously had to schlep to the ‘burbs for China’s glorious answer to brunch. The menu reflects Chef Erik Bruner-Yang’s Taiwanese heritage, though there will also be favorites like pork buns, fried dumplings, and chicken feet. Eater has a preview of the menu here.
Boos and booze
Start Halloween early with the National Building Museum’s (401 F Street NW) Boos and Brews event on Monday from 6-9 p.m. There will be creepy music, scary movies, and glow-in-the-dark games paired with beer from Port City and eats from Union Kitchen. As a bonus, guests will get to learn about more about the ghosts that supposedly haunt the museum. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $25 and include three beers.
Get schooled on wot, tibs, fit fit, and more
Learn more about Ethiopian food at a dinner hosted by the Smithsonian and DCist contributor Johanna Mendelson Forman. Guests will nosh on a three course meal with wine at Ethiopic (401 H St NE) while learning more about Ethiopian cuisine and culture. The dinner will take place on Monday evening starting at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $120 for the meal and educational program.
Cuba Libre turns five
Cuba Libre (801 9th St NW) is celebrating their fifth birthday on Thursday, October 29 with a party starting at 5 p.m. The $35 ticket covers two cocktails as well as all-you-can-eat tapas, ceviches, and dessert plus live music, and a champagne toast. Look for Spanish and Cuban-influenced dishes like paella, Manchego cheese puffs, and porchetta flavored with oranges.
Lessons in noodles
Daikaya (705 6th Street NW) is bringing back their popular Sapporo Ramen 101 classes, a one hour demonstration that walks students through the history and techniques behind the rich miso broth native to the northern Japanese city. The October 31 class is already sold out, so consider booking a spot at one of their three upcoming classes on on November 14, December 12, or December 19. Each class begins at 10 a.m. and costs $28 per person, which includes a bowl of ramen and soft drink. Reserve a spot by calling (202) 589-1600.
