(Photo by Zaytinya)
Brunching and seafood are coming in hard for mid-June, perfect respites from a week otherwise chock full of political theater and way to many Pride specials.
This week’s food events
All-you-can-eat crabs (and rum)
For those with $30 in their pocket and a giant hunger in their belly, Cotton & Reed (1330 5th St. NE) is hosting an all-you-can-eat crab boil this Sunday, June 11. It’s complemented by freshly shucked oysters and the distillery’s signature cocktails. The event begins at 6 p.m. and ends when there are no more crabs, which means arriving early is highly recommended.
Etete goes vegan for brunch
On Sunday, June 11, Etete Restaurant (1942 9th St. NW) will be hosting the first of what it hopes to be a series of vegan brunches. Menu selections at this otherwise Ethiopian restaurant include watermelon and avocado soup, cruelty-free biscuits and gravy, tofu scramble, and mango sorbet. The brunch runs from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and is $50 per person, exclusive of tax and tip. Reservations are recommended and the full menu can be found here.
A rosé brunch from José
On Saturdays and Sundays throughout June, Chef José Andrés’ Mediterranean foray Zaytinya (701 9th St. NW) is inviting its guests to enjoy a special three-course brunch paired with a special flight of rosé wines. Highlights of the $35 menu include some of the establishment’s classics, like hommos, hipiti, falafel burger, soujouk pide, and maroulosalata. Everything is accompanied by an Instagram-worthy hashtag—#RoZayBrunch.
A “Near & Far” beer dinner
Beer lovers rejoice! Richmond’s Triple Crossing Brewing Company is teaming up with Rustico Alexandria (827 Slaters Ln Alexandria) this Sunday June 12 for the third installment of their “Near & Far” beer dinner series. Guests can enjoy a five-course meal with beer pairings, including salmon tartar with a Berliner weisse, chicken-fried sea robin with an American IPA, and a chocolate bomb with a robust porter. Reservations are required and can be made in advance by called (703) 224-5051 or by emailing slaters@rusticorestaurant.com
Openings
Local staple &pizza announced it will open its twelfth District location later this summer at 2465 18th St. NW in Adams Morgan. The customizable pizzas will be the same, but the hours on Fridays and Saturdays are extended until 4 a.m. to fill all late night pizza needs.
Canteen, the Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s roving beer garden is back with a vengeance and a killer beer selection for the sweltering D.C. summer. Stationed festively at 2100 M Street in 2016, Canteen has migrated to its new home at 9th and U streets in Shaw for the next few months, a bustling location where it will be serving a wide variety of raft beers, summer sipping wines, and their famous bourbon slushy. Canteen opens at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and at noon on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Cookie Jar DC has been whipping up edible cookie dough in Union Market for about a year now and is finally ready for a proper pop-up. It will be selling its safe-to-eat treats every night of the week inside Rise Bakery (2409 18th St. NW) in Adams Morgan. Try varieties like cookie dough, Snikerdoodle, and oatmeal raisin.
Plan ahead
Eat and explore
In honor of their annual Explorers’ Festival, the National Geographic Society is hosting a blow out “culinary expedition” and award ceremony on Saturday June 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium (730 21st St. NW). Tickets to this adventurous night are $250 and can be purchased online.
Fight the Monday blues with lobster
Drift on 7th (1819 7th St. NW) will be bringing all of the flavors of New England to the District with their lobster Mondays starting June 19. For $35 guests can enjoy a whole Maine lobster with fresh corn on the cod and a choice of baked or fried potatoes. For those going green, Drift attests that they only use carefully sourced, environmentally responsible, and sustainable seafood.
Updated with the correct day for the crab boil—Sunday, June 11.
