Photo by Kent Wang
Dish of the Week: Beef heart
Ah, Valentine’s Day. An occasion for chocolate, roses, and elegant meals. That’s all well and good. But why not take a more literal take on the whole thing and eat some actual (beef) heart this weekend. The holiday seems as appropriate a time as any.
Beef heart might sound weird, but it’s actual a very tender and relatively mild piece of meat with a familiar beefy texture. It’s common in Peruvian cuisine as a street food, typically served as grilled skewer called an anticucho.
Many of the Peruvian restaurants around D.C. serve it on their menus, including La Limena in Rockville (765 Rockville Pike) and Las Canter as in Adams Morgan (2307 18th St. NW). It’s a good dish to impress picky eaters and, if you can convince them to eat it without grossing them out, they’ll probably be pleasantly surprised.
For a different take, head to Mintwood Place (1813 Columbia Rd, NW), where the American menu takes on some French flares. Chef Cedric Maupillier has created a country salad with wood-grilled calf’s heart and greens. Beef heart can also be served raw and makes an appearance from time to time as an ingredient in tartare.
Small bites
Hops vs. hops. There can only be one.
Beer lovers can head to the Black Squirrel (2427 18th St NW) later this evening for a showdown between two highly-anticipated extra-hoppy beers: Troeg’s Nugget Nectar and Bell’s Hopslam. It’s the bar’s seventh annual throwdown between the two brews, and this year the kitchen is preparing dishes like IPA-infused mac and cheese and hop seasoned boardwalk fries. The specials start at 5 p.m.
A new local beer collaboration
Black’s Restaurant Group (Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, Republic, Black Jack, etc) has teamed up with Denizen’s Brewing Company (1115 East-West Highway, Silver Spring) to create a new custom beer. Called “One-Eyed Bock,” the 6.7% ABV beer is brewed to have a low bitterness but maintain a hop punch. It’s designed to pair with the seafood offerings Black’s restaurants are known for. It will also be available at Denizen’s taproom in Silver Spring, which is hosting a launch party this Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
President’s Day pickle brunch
The upcoming long weekend is an excuse for extra brunching. Brookland’s Finest (3216 12th St. NE) and Gordy’s Pickle Jar are throwing brunch all weekend with dishes featuring the local company’s pickled products. There will be Bloody Marys, a burger will pickled jalapenos, fried squash blossoms stuffed with spicy cherry pepper spread, and even a thai basil jalapeno brownie.
More seafood comes to Shaw
Drift restaurant plans to open this coming Thursday, February 18 at 1819 7th St. NW. The former owner of Fishnet has retooled the space from a quick counter service spot to a sit-down, but still casual spot. The menu will feature invasive blue catfish along with chowders and rotating specials. Drift will also put an eye on affordability by pricing all entrees under $20.
