Nutella beignets make an appearance at Central this Sunday. (Photo by Central)
This weekend is about more than just Super Bowl party specials. D.C. has a lot going on, including a new way to dine for charity and a chance to try perhaps the most buzzed-about dumplings in the city. There are also several new bar and restaurant openings to be excited about. Read on for this week’s picks.
This week’s food news
Dining, for a cause
JL Restaurant Group, parent company to the Hank’s establishments (Hank’s Oyster Bar, Hank’s Pasta Bar, and Hank’s Cocktail Bar), recent announced a new charity initiative. The company will donate $20,000 or 1% (whichever is greater) of its restaurants’ sales from now through April 30 to the ALCU, Planned Parenthood, NAACP, and the Human Rights Campaign.
Dumplings and distilling in Ivy City
Roaming Chinese dumpling kitchen Laoban Dumplings is setting up shop this Saturday at Republic Restoratives (1369 New York Ave. NE) in Ivy City starting at 2:30 p.m until they sell out (last week they burned through a supply of 400 dumplings in half an hour). This week, they’ll feature shish barak—a take on a dumpling dish made across Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. Laoban will donate half the profits to the International Rescue Committee.
Verizon Center concessions go South of the Border
Chef José Andrés’ collaboration with the Verizon Center is rolling on. Next up is his Mexican restaurant Oyamel, which will pop up at the arena through the end of March. Chow down on dishes like potato fries in a mole poblano sauce ($8) and beef, chicken, or pork tortas ($13). The stand is located behind section 105.
A Nutella celebration at Central
Sunday is World Nutella Day (as if anyone ever needed an excuse to eat more of the addictive chocolate hazelnut spread), and French bistro Central Michel Richard (1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW), well known for its sweet bites, is marking the occasion with a special dish. Stop by for Sunday brunch and indulge in a basket of Nutella beignets ($10) from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Openings
Colada Shop opened this week (1405 T Street NW) as the newest food addition to the 14th Street corridor. Owners Juan Coronado and Daniella Senior have recreated an eatery that can transport you back to the streets of Little Havana’s Calle Ocho. Their quality and tasty offerings, prepared by Chef Mario Monte, include empanadas, croquetas of chicken and ham, tres leches cake, and a wide array of coffee drinks that transport you back to the streets of Havana. The classic Cuban sandwiches shine, with just the right amount of toasting, oozing melted cheese, and salty ham, pickle, and mustard. There is even a vegetarian version. Colada Shop is also the place to get classic rum drinks that look and taste as though they came from a beachfront bar. The excellent daiquiris, pina coladas, and Cuba Libres are mixed to order. —Johanna Mendelson Forman
Addendum, (1212 18th St. NW) the new cocktail bar-within-a-bar inside Eighteenth Street Lounge, is slated to open on February 9. As we noted last week, the bar’s menu will be focused on bitter spirits and won’t include any sodas, syrups, citrus, or shakers.
Chef Hamilton Johnson’s Honeysuckle has opened in the former Vidalia space at 1990 M Street NW. The restaurant promises southern dishes with European flare such as champagne poached oysters with country bacon and Icelandic seaweed-crusted pork tenderloin.
Plan ahead
Whiskey lovers, save the date of March 2 for the return of WhiskyFest to D.C. The event will take place at the Marriot Marquis (901 Massachusetts Avenue NW) and include more than 300 whiskeys. The rare spirits don’t come cheap though. Tickets for the three-hour tasting event, which includes seminars and a buffet, start at $275.
