Grilled oysters at Jack Rose Dining Saloon, which is rolling out happy hour specials from 12:30 through 8:30 p.m. on Sundays. (Photo courtesy of Jack Rose)
This week’s food events:
All the José, none of the choice
Chef José Andrés has built quite the restaurant empire in D.C., and choosing between his many restaurants can be a chore. If you’re paralyzed by tapas indecision, the new “Tour de José” dinner tour may be just the ticket. It’s a three-hour meal that hits four popular restaurants: Zaytinya, Jaleo, Oyamel, and China Chilcano. All told, the experience includes 15-20 courses and drinks at each stop. It doesn’t come cheap though: $195 for food, drinks, tips and gratuity. Tours start at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Half off scotch. Scotchy scotch scotch.
If Monday’s have you down, head on over to Stanton & Greene (319 Pennsylvania Ave, NE) for half off all Scotch on the menu from 4 p.m. to close. Fancy whisky is expensive, so half off prices can definitely add up, especially when it includes Johnny Walker Blue.
New Sunday football specials at Jack Rose
With football season now in full swing, Jack Rose (2007 18th St. NW) dining saloon is rolling out happy hour specials from 12:30 through 8:30 p.m. on Sundays. The “Notorious P.I.G.” pork plate ($15) is a healthy portion of pulled pork, black eyed peas, coleslaw and biscuits. You can also nosh on a Maryland pit beef sandwich ($10) or mumbo-sauce roasted drumsticks for $9. Wash it down with $5 D.C. Brau can or draft or a selection of $10 cocktails that will highlight gin, whiskey, and vodka from MurLarkey Distillery in Bristow, Virginia.
Gin and tonics: not just for summer
Move aside, fall. Jaleo DC (480 7th St. NW) is in the midst of its gin and tonic festival, which runs through October 23. The special menu has seven gin and tonics including José’s Choice (Hendrick’s, lemon verbena, juniper, lemon, lime) and a barrel aged version with pickled ginger, allspice, orange and lemon. Pair them with some oysters or a gin and tonic sorbet for dessert. It’s a little reminder of summer in October.
Openings:
Neighborhood Restaurant Group (Bluejacket, Churchkey, The Sovereign, etc) is making its way into Montgomery County with the opening of Owen’s Ordinary (11820 Trade Street) tavern and beer garden. Owen’s Ordinary is located in the Pike & Rose development nearby the White Flint Metro stop. The menu centers around approachable, affordable American fare like burgers, soups, and entrees (expect fondue, too) a beer list featuring 50 rotating drafts and 200 rotating bottles including many Maryland varieties that have yet to be offered in bars. Owen’s Ordinary opens Monday, October 17.
Service Bar D.C. (926-928 U St. NW) opens Thursday, October 20 with the goal of being a casual, high-quality neighborhood cocktail bar with prices that won’t break the bank. They promise a menu of classic, seasonal and “hyper rotating” cocktails to change weekly. There will be an all-day happy hour with $7 classic drinks (daiquiri, old fashioned, etc) and other specials like buy one, get one shots. A fried chicken bar menu will be available until close. Guests on opening day can score a free classic cocktail by checking in or posting on social media with @ServiceBarDC.
Plan ahead:
Ditch those two-hour brunch limits and mark down the first ever Shucktoberfest party at Union Market (500 Penn St., NE) on October 23 from noon to 4 p.m. The event is $75 and includes four hours of bottomless Blue Point beer, beer cocktails and and unlimited oysters and seafood bites from Rappahannock Oyster Company. There will also be bluegrass music, drinking and lawn games and a Redskins viewing lounge. Tickets can be purchased online.
