Hop the Red Line to Brookland this weekend for local grub in support of a local school.Dish of the week: The bounty of Brookland
Where: Washington Jesuit Academy.
The private Washington Jesuit Academy has put together a rather unorthodox fundraiser (for a middle school) to help bring in money for its tuition-free program. The Northeast Eats event happens Saturday, April 9th and will feature a slew of breweries and restaurants from Brookland and the surrounding neighborhood. Participants include Right Proper Brewing, Atlas Brew Works, El Camino, Brookland Pint, and many more.
Organizer Brian Becker decided that it was time to share the mission of the school and expand its visibility within the community—which also happens to be up-and-coming when it comes to food and beer, even if it gets less buzz than other local dining hotbeds like Shaw and Logan Circle. It was a creative solution that he hopes will bring a diverse group of people together for a good time, all in support of a good cause.
“I took a look at the way I like to spend my time and how our friends tend to gather,” he says. “It seemed like a pretty good fit.”
Whether or not you have school-age children of your own, Northeast Eats is a fine opportunity to connect with neighbors and the staff behind some of the area’s small businesses like Ruby Scoop’s Ice Cream, One Eight Distilling, and Sloppy Mama’s BBQ.
The event starts at 4 p.m at 900 Varnum St. NE. Tickets are $50, and children under 8 are free. Due to Saturday’s not-so-hot-forecast, the food and games will be held indoors and there will be a tented and enclosed beer garden for all to enjoy.
Small bites
Five years of brewing beer in The District
It’s hard to believe, but DC Brau Brewing Company (3178 Bladensburg Rd, NE) is about to mark its five-year anniversary, single-handedly reviving beer production inside the city limits and paving the way for a new crop of craft brewers across the District. DC Brau always throws a good birthday bash, and this one will be the biggest yet. The day-long music and beer party happens on April 16th at 1 p.m. and runs through the evening. There will be live music and the brewery will release five new collaborations with Austin Beerworks, Sun King, Cigar City, Port City, and Perennial.
Tickets are $45 in advance and $60 at the door; admission is for entry to the event only. There will be live music, and beer tickets and food can be purchased a la carte.
Vermouth in the spotlight
April’s special “Royal Knights” cocktail series at The Royal (501 Florida Avenue NW) features all things vermouth. The Royal’s former bar manager Horus Alvarez will be back from his new Boston home to roll out the vermouth and mix behind the bar. In addition to nine specialty cocktails, the restaurant will be previewing its spring house-made vermouth, made with ingredients like fresh herbs, rhubarb, and rosé wine. If you’re feeling bold, there will even be a flaming vermouth shot. The fun gets started Monday, April 11th from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Sovereign launches brunch
Sunday brunch is as Washington as a delayed Metro train during rush hour. Dodge the crowds on 14th Street and go check out The Sovereign (1206 Wisconsin Avenue NW), tucked into a non-descript alleyway in Georgetown. The new-ish Belgian beer outpost’s new brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features dishes such as a savory waffle with sauerkraut, braadworst, bacon lardon, poached egg, and mustard beer cream. The menu trends savory, and standbys like omelettes and strawberry waffles will also be available. A special menu will include one entrée, one Brussels waffle, and the choice of two brunch cocktails for an additional $10 over the price of the entrée.
Pass the kosher wine, please
Passover is only a couple of weeks away and Ardeo + Bardeo (3311 Connecticut Avenue NW) in Cleveland Park is helping folks prepare with a special kosher wine tasting event. Swing by on April 13th at 6:45 p.m. The $50 per-person tasting requires advance reservation and payment, and purchase discounts will also be available on the featured wines.
