The interior of Taqueria del Barrio, new to Petworth this week. (Photo by Jai Williams)
The coming week in food and drink welcomes April with one last hurrah for black truffles, seasonal beer gardens, a new opening inside Union Market, and plenty more.
This week’s food events:
One last “truffle-ganza” at Honeysuckle
For those looking to savor the last tastes of winter, href=”http://www.honeysuckledc.com/”>HoneySuckle (1990 M St. NW) is hosting a dinner this evening to celebrate the end of black truffle season. The six-course meal features Hudson Valley foie gras partfait (covered in truffle), buttered veal sweetbreads (with truffle), bone-in lamb ribeye (also covered in truffle), and even black truffle ice cream. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. and is $150 per person or $195 with wine pairings, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at 202.659.1990.
Beefsteak pop-ups at the market
Fast-casual favorite Beefsteak (multiple locations) is partnering up with the FreshFarm Markets for a pop-up at the non-profit’s Dupont Circle market this Sunday, April 2, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The team will be slinging specialty bowls chock full of green garlic tabbouleh, carrot, cucumber salad, and fresh Swiss chard, all tossed with turmeric honey dressing. The suggested donation is $8 a bowl, and all proceeds will go towards supporting FreshFarm’s food access initiatives. For those unable to make it to the market, these specialty bowls will be available all month at Beefsteak’s Dupont Circle location (1528 Connecticut Ave. NW).
Dueling ramen brunches
The now-separated team behind Toki Underground (1234 H St. NE) is celebrating six years of serving ramen to the District with competing ramen affairs this Sunday, April 2. Toki Underground itself will be hosting a celebratory prix fixe brunch between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at their brick-and-mortar location in the H Street Corridor, serving up a four-course meal that includes soup, scrambled egg and pork belly bao, and sweet and sour chicken for $35 per person (not including drinks). Chef Erik Bruner-Yang, currently involved in a lawsuit with Toki, will also be hosting his own ramen bar at Shopkeepers Gallery (1231 Florida Ave. NE) starting at 11 a.m. until he sells out of his 80 bowls of ramen. Chef Bruner-Yang’s bowls are one-style and $12 each. While adults can enjoy kimchi and Marmite Bloody Mary’s ($8) at Toki Underground, kids who make it to Shopkeepers eat free.
Bavaria comes to Bethesda
Neighborhood tavern Owen’s Ordinary (11820 Trade St. Bethesda, MD) is launching a weekly Bavarian beer garden this weekend that will run Saturdays and Sundays through the summer. The outdoor space will be open between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. from April 2nd until October as an ideal location to enjoy fresh air, a wide selection of German-style beers (including some rare finds), and sausages straight from the team at Red Apron Butcher. During Sunday’s launch party, all large format beer pours will be served in a 20 Oz. commemorative Owen’s Ordinary mug.
Openings:
Petworth now boasts a new taco joint with the opening of Taqueria del Barrio (821 Upshur St. NW) yesterday. The establishment’s menu is focused on a selection of $3 tacos—such as carne asada, al pastor, and nopales—served alongside other Mexican favorites like tortas and chiles rellenos. The concept is the second restaurant from Anna and Shawn Leis, who also operate the DC Empanadas out of Union Market (1309 5th St. NE) and in their food truck.
Lovers of fast-casual and seafood should make plans to hit Poké Papa (806 H St. NW) in Penn Quarter starting this Monday, April 3. The menu will feature customizable and signature bowls ranging in size from snack to large. Proteins include ahi tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp, chicken salad, tofu, and more. Each can be served on top of a choice of rice (white, brown, and forbidden) or salad. There will be plenty of toppings as well.
Beloved pork and brisket sandwich purveyor Sloppy Mama’s has found itself a permanent home at Union Market (1309 5th St. NE). The fixed location, open Tuesday through Sunday, means no more chasing down a food truck for a good bite of cornbread and St. Louis-style ribs.
With the return of baseball season comes the return of all the delicious eats around Nationals Park and Navy Yard. Among the most anticipated re-openings is that of The Bullpen (1201 Half St. SE), the outdoor venue featuring the best in beer, food trucks, and all things baseball. The Bullpen will officially reopen its doors today at 1 p.m. for the Nats exhibition game versus Boston.
