The Chicken Aloo rice bowl is part of the new Burmese summer menu at Toli Moli in Union Market. (Photo by Farrah Skeiky)
Cruise into the first weekend in July with a host of top-notch food events, including the return of Hill Country’s popular backyard barbecue, new openings, IPA beer specials, and more. In addition to these picks, check out our favorite Fourth of July event recommendations for Tuesday.
This week’s food events
Backyard barbecue returns
Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue pop up returns to business at the National Building Museum (5th and F streets NW) on Thursday, July 6 (the museum’s big summer exhibit, Hive, opens on the 4th). The menu will have lots of Texas-inspired eats like a cheesesteak with shredded beef brisket and serrano peppers. Other options include sliced brisket by the pound, a pulled pork sandwich, and a Texas hot link with mustard and sauerkraut. Dishes are $15 with a choice of coleslaw, cucumber salad, and baked beans on the side. The bar will serve a full range of drinks along with specialty cocktails like the Southern Slush with Jim Beam bourbon, black tea, orange juice, and lemonade. The outdoor hangout will open at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and run until 9 p.m.
Laugh it out
Spend Fourth of July eve with some comedy at Bier Baron (1523 22nd St. NW) and its fourth annual “Murrica” show. The all-American evening also promises “freedom,” games, and “semi-ironic patriotism.” Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door.
Burmese eats in Union Market
Union Market’s (1309 5th St. NE) Toli Moli food stall is expanding its offerings on July 1 with an all new tribal Burmese menu for summer. Fill up on dishes like Lahphet Thoke salad with pickled tea leaf, or dig into a Chicken Aloo rice bowl with lemongrass-marinated chicken thighs, potatoes, tomatoes, kafir lime leaves, and cilantro. There will also be three new twists on Toli Moli’s signature falooda desserts: The Pandan Colada, the Passion Blue, and the Butterfly Limeade.
Don’t spill the wine
The team behind Anxo cidery is coming to Barracks Row for the summer. “Porron by Anxo” opens today at 525 8th St. SE, dedicated to drinking wine and cocktails out of porrones—festive glass pitchers that are poured from several inches away. They take a bit of skill and coordination to master, but it’s a fun and communal way to drink once you get it down. Anxo will serve the Clara (beer and lemon soda), the Rosé-Colored Glasses (cider, white vermouth, blood orange bitters), and the Hill of Strangers (Anxo Sidra Natural, Green Hat seasonal gin, and grenadine). There will be other cider, beer, and wine as well. In keeping with the summer theme, the restaurant will serve a menu of grilled meats on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer. Check it out this weekend at a special parties today and tomorrow. The $65 ticket buys unlimited porrones and a grilled feast.
A decade of wine at Proof
The wine-focused Proof (775 G St. NW) is coming up on ten years pouring in Penn Quarter. The restaurant is organizing two events on July 5—one fancy and one more fun. First, there will be a 10-course dinner with seatings from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($150, with wine pairings an additional $120). A more affordable after party will follow, with unlimited bubbly, wine, punch, beer, and appetizers for $35 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Both can be purchased by calling the restaurant at 202-737-7663.
Have a hoppy July
It’s IPA time for the whole first half of July at the three area locations of Pizzeria Paradiso (Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Alexandria), which always source quality craft brews. The taps will flow exclusively with hoppy goodness from July 1 through 14 with a rotation of local, national, and worldwide brews in varieties from sour to black IPAs. There will also be a pizza to pair with the beers featuring peaches, apricots, ricotta, prosciutto, and basil ($14 for a small, $20 for a large).
Openings:
Wine lovers won’t want to miss this week’s debut of Maxwell Park (1336 9th St. NW) in Shaw. The bar is the project of veteran sommelier Brent Kroll, who’s previously worked at places like Proof and Iron Gate. Expect to find a whole variety of wine, from splurge-worthy to weird to hidden gems. The wines are temperature controlled for the perfect pour, and the menu will rotate themes every couple of months.
Restaurateurs Eric and Ian Hilton have opened the Crimson Diner (627 H St. NW) inside the Pod hotel in Chinatown. The Southern-inspired spot will spin out all-day breakfast, milkshakes, cocktails, and more.
Plan ahead:
Reggae on the roof
Island vibes meet D.C. later this month at the next installment of Del Campo’s (777 I St. NW) rooftop “Del Campo At Dusk” party series. The July 14 party will take a Jamaican theme, complete with Reggae tunes, jerk chicken, beef patties, roast pork, and flowing drinks. The party starts at 6 p.m. All-you-can-eat tickets are $35, with bottomless drinks available for $30 (or buy them a la carte at the cash bar).
