(Photo by RosaLovesDC for World Central Kitchen)
The coming days are sure to be sweet for District food and drink fans, with free doughnuts, pancake burgers, and a new cocktail bar among the best happenings. There’s also a new Nationals Park destination for seafood and more in this week’s picks.
This week’s food events
Free Doughnut Friday
Today is National Doughnut Day, and there are a bunch of ways to get special (and even free) treats around D.C. Start with Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken (multiple locations), which is serving a cherry pie doughnut for $3.50. As a bonus, 100 percent of today’s profits from the doughnut will benefit the Fisher House Foundation. For something more mainstream, hit up Krispy Kreme for a free doughnut, just because. Dunkin Donuts is giving one out for free with any drink purchase.
Tico turns three
Michael Schlow’s Latin-influenced Tico (1926 14th St. NW) is celebrating its third anniversary on Thursday, June 8. In a short time, the bustling restaurant has managed to become an anchor of the 14th Street small plates scene. Party with $3 tacos in varieties like two texture beef and fried chicken. Wash them down with $3 select beer.
Pancakes + burgers = winning brunch
Red Apron Burger Bar (1323 Connecticut Ave. NW) is rolling out brunch designed to satisfy even the most greasy, beefy cravings. The showstopper is the pancake burger, made with a beef or breakfast sausage patty, egg, cheese, bacon, and maple butter. Other options include a fried egg BLT, avocado toast (less than $9), and bottomless drinks for $15. The menu is available Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bitter is better
Fans of gin and bitter cocktails should make plans to drink through Negroni Week, taking place at bars around the city from June 5 through June 11. A number of spots have already pledged to participate and donate a portion of proceeds to charity. And the cocktails go beyond the standard recipe of gin, vermouth, and amaro. Kapnos (2201 14th St. NW), for example, will feature nine variations with spirits like whiskey, tequila, and prosecco, all to benefit No Kid Hungry. Hanks Cocktail Bar is pouring the Bittersweet Surrender with gin, red pepper, Campari, and vermouth to benefit Miriam’s Kitchen. See the full website for more details.
An evening of restaurant-hopping madness
Wednesday, June 7 sees the return of the Dine-N-Dash restaurant tasting event to support José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen charity. Now in its fifth year, it’s an opportunity to sample food and drink from more than 30 restaurants around the Penn Quarter and 14th Street neighborhoods. Each will offer six to eight dishes and and four to six drinks.The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and tickets are on sale for $125 or $400 for VIP access (including a meet-and-greet with Andrew Zimmern and Ted Allen).
A sendoff for Bayou
Tomorrow, June 3, is the final night to say goodbye to Bayou (2519 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) after eight years of hurricanes and po-boys on Penn. The final sendoff includes a concert from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., and tickets are $10. There will be performances from Maggie Koerner and Proper Pets.
Openings:
Sustainable seafood arrives at the D.C. waterfront with The Salt Line (79 Potomac Ave. SE), now open in the shadow of Nationals Park. Check out our first look for details on the innovative sourcing, New England-style fare, and beachy drinks.
Seasoned barman Trevor Frye, formerly of Dram & Grain, is now behind the stick at Five to One (903 U St. NE), his own creation on the U Street corridor. Inspired by a Doors song and in close proximity to the 9:30 Club, the bar will feature a standard cocktail list along with a rotating “setlist” of drinks reflecting the nightly acts at the nearby club. There’s also a wide selection of wine and beer. A limited number of reservations are available online.
Plan ahead:
Wine on the river
It’s the season for food and wine festivals, and that includes the 6th annual Vine on the Waterfront tasting on the Alexandria riverfront on June 24th. It will run from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St., Alexandria). Tickets ($15) are required for both the food and wine tasting area, and prices will increase to $20 on June 16. Vendors are still being finalized, so check the website for complete details.
