Taylor Gourmet’s “Alta Strada” is a limited edition collaboration with chef Michael Slow. (Photo by Joe Cereghino)
This post has been updated. Zaytinya is no longer offering its vegan menu.
March has arrived, and with it comes a couple new pop-ups—both dinners and bars—as well as a special vegan menu from José Andrés and much more. Read on for this week’s picks.
This week’s food events
A month of Tuesday rum dinners
Each Tuesday in March, Brookland’s Finest (3126 12th St. NE) is teaming up with local rum maker Cotton & Reed for a distiller and pairing series. Each meal is $35 for three courses and cocktail pairings. The March 7 event features pineapple ceviche served with peppercorn punch, a Caribbean chicken coconut stew with a ginger daiquiri, and a rum cherry cookie ice cream sandwich washed down with a Cuba Libre. The following week will be a nod to St. Patrick’s Day and include an Irish daiquiri and bangers and mash.
Eat an Italian hoagie for a good cause
D.C.-based Taylor Gourmet has joined up with chef Michael Schlow (Tico, The Riggsby) on a special hoagie with proceeds benefiting the Chance for Life childhood cancer charity. Named the “Alta Strada” after another one of Schlow’s restaurants, the hoagie is topped with roasted turkey and ham, fresh mozzarella, charred tomato, long hot peppers, lettuce, red onion, extra virgin olive oil, and vinaigrette. It’s available at all Taylor locations (except DCA) through March 14.
A new cider comes to town
Fans of quality hard cider can stop over to the Dupont Circle location of Glen’s Garden Market (2001 S St. NW) tonight at 6 p.m. for the release of canned offerings from New York’s Graft Cidery’s. The dry ciders are fermented with a funky and appealing wild yeast. The founder and fermentologist comes via Maryland’s respected Millstone Cellars.
A pig feast reborn
The meat-loving Partisan (709 D St. NW) has ditched its whole hog banquet in favor of a new tasting-style format. The five-course dinner costs $50 a person, with a two person minimum. The restaurant plans to swap out a few dishes each week. Current options include a tongue ham and pimento grilled cheese, bacon-cured spare ribs, and seared scallop and morcilla sausage.
Restaurant openings
Drink Company’s (Columbia Room, Eat the Rich, etc) temporary cherry blossom-themed bar opened this week at 1841 7th St. NW in Shaw. The Cherry Blossom PUB spans two bars and goes over-the-top with Japanese decor from flower petals to Super Mario Brothers.
Plan ahead
Lincoln restaurant (1110 Vermont Ave. NW) and local distiller Jos. A. Magnus are hosting a collaboration “Sip Your Way Into Spring” cocktail dinner on March 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The five-course seasonally-driven event will feature mushroom gnocchi, bison, and halibut. It will also double as a release party for the Magnus’ Vigilant navy strength gin. Tickets are $85 plus tax and tip and can be booked online.
