China Chilcano specials. (Photo by Farrah Skeiky)
By DCist contributor Emelyn Rude
The impending presidential inauguration looms large over D.C. this week. Still, there are a variety of food and drink events to attend for anyone looking to break from the mainstream with some non-political entertainment. Here’s what to look out for in the coming days:
This week’s food events
Eat well, do good
A reminder if you’re planning on dining out on inaugural weekend: your meal can be used to support a number of D.C. causes. On January 21 and 22, a group of Washington restaurants are joining forces to donate a portion of their proceeds to local charities, including Planned Parenthood, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and Martha’s Table, an organization aimed at increasing access to education and healthy food throughout the District. The effort is called All In Service DC and over fifty establishments have already pledged to support the initiative. A full list of where you can both eat well and do good can be found on All In Service DC’s website.
Embrace your heritage
Pineapple DC, a community for women in food in the greater Washington area, is hosting a workshop with food educator Laura Nixon at Union Kitchen in Ivy City (1369 New York Ave. NE) this Wednesday Jan. 18. Billed as “part storytelling workshop, part lunch date, part maker space,” Nixon will be teaching a cooking class with time-honored flavors as participants will be share their personal experiences with food and the kitchen as women. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and costs $35 per person.
Chill out with discounted chilcanos
José Andrés’ Peruvian-Asian fusion creation China Chilcano (418 7th St. NW) is celebrating Chilcano Week now through January 22. The refreshing drink is similar to a mule, using pisco (a South American brandy), ginger beer, and lime. The namesake cocktails will be priced $10 each and $50 a carafe (normally priced $12 and $61). The bar has also rolled out new seasonal infusions, including a tart and sweet hibiscus and emoliente, a traditional Peruvian herbal tea with characters of barley, honey, and spices. It’s an ideal winter warmer, even on ice.
Bourbon and root beer dinner at Del Frisco’s
The multi-state chain Del Frisco’s Grille is putting American bourbon on tour with a host of one-night-only, four-course menus. The event comes to Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 18th at the Del Frisco’s locale in Penn Quarter (1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW). For $75, you can enjoy a chicken liver jar, neuskes bacon au pouvre with grits, root beer braised beef pot roast, and a warm sticky toffee cake. Each is paired with a specialty bourbon cocktail. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and the full menu can be found here.
Openings
Fast casual chain GRK is expected to open its latest location at District House (2122 H St. NW) near George Washington University sometime in mid-January. The exact date still yet to be determined. This will be followed shortly by another location in Penn Quarter (1000 F St. NW), bringing GRK’s total number of Washington restaurants to three. The customizable tzatziki and kebab-filled menu will be the same at all establishments.
Red Apron Burger Bar (1323 Connecticut Ave. NW) opened this week, bringing Virginia beef to the former GBD space in Dupont Circle. An offshoot of the three Red Apron Butcher Shops spread throughout D.C. and Virginia, the new bar’s menu is as meaty as you might expect, offering single, double, and triple all-beef burgers alongside pork and chorizo patties. Visit them during happy hour Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 6 pm, for $3-$5 beer specials to go along with your burger.
The new Mexican restaurant Mezcalero (3714 14th St. NW) opens today in Columbia Heights. Inspired by the flavors of Mexico and headed by Chef Alfredo Solis of El Sol Restaurant y Tequileria, the new establishment’s menu includes a rainbow of tacos—from crispy fish to al pastor to nopales—and almost sixty (yes, sixty!) different types of mezcal.
Plan ahead
Sips & Suppers, the annual fundraiser for DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table, returns again this January 28 and it is looking to be as spectacular as ever. Join the likes of Jose Andres, Joan Nathan, Alice Waters, and a cohort of other world-class chefs for a night at the Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) filled with bites, drinks, music, and charity. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. for VIPs, who also have access to a VIP tasting room and exclusive cookbook signings. General admission begins at 7:30 p.m. Regular admission is $150 and VIP is $250.
