Wilson Hardware opens today in Clarendon. (Photo by Dominique Fierro)
D.C. continues to roll through September with a new dim sum brunch in Shaw, a shark-themed party on the Wharf, exciting sushi restaurant news, and more.
This Week’s Food Events:
A burger favorite moves to delivery
Beef lovers might be sad to learn that Red Apron Burger Bar (1323 Connecticut Ave. NW) has closed in Dupont Circle. It opened in January, and was putting out some of the best burger patties in the city. Business didn’t work at that location, so parent company Neighborhood Restaurant Group is moving operations (and burgers) to Eat Bar (415 8th St. SE) and to online ordering. At Eat Bar, dig into burgers Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. The regular menu will stay on in evenings too. Order them online or through UberEats and Grubhub.
Dim sum brunch in Shaw
Blagden Alley hot spot Tiger Fork (922 N St. NW) is rolling out a new weekend brunch. Starting this Saturday, Sept. 9, come and dig into shareable dishes inspired by Hong Kong street food. The “happy toast” is a twist on French toast with burnt coconut cream and condensed milk. Another temptation figures to be the congee (rice porridge) with shitake mushrooms, a poached egg, and fried dough. Tiger Fork also plans to offer a special Bloody May with mushroom-infused vodka and a mimosa with Prosecco and passion fruit liquor. The brunch will be held Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations can be made through Reserve.com.
Shark party Saturday
The anticipated District Wharf complex is still awaiting full completion, but you can head down this weekend for an outdoor Shark-themed beer and food festival. Swing by Gangplank Marina Park (600 Water St. SW) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday to sip on shark appropriate beers and wines and food from Red Hook Lobster Pound. There will be music and activities, too, including a mechanical great white shark, and you can score a free drink ticket when you mention DCist.
The Fainting Goat goes underground
If you’re looking for a go-with-the-flow meal in intimate setting, make plans for the return of The Fainting Goat’s (1330 U St. NW) Goat Underground dinner series. There are two upcoming dates—September 14 and September 28, both at 7 p.m. Chef Nathan Beauchamp will reveal the menu the night of, and drinks come form bar director JD Quioco. Tickets are $110 per person, with a limit of two per reservation.
Openings:
Renowned sushi and Japanese dining destination Nobu is finally ready to open its D.C. location at 2525 M St. NW in the West End. It will start accepting reservations today for dinner service beginning September 12. The restaurant was founded by Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro. Lunch service will follow sometime in October.
Upscale bar and restaurant Wilson Hardware (2915 Wilson Blvd.) opens today in Clarendon with over 7,000 square feet of eating and drinking space. Nosh on “hardware fritters,” crab dip, avocado burgers, steak frites, and other American and bar food staples. Cocktails, slushies, and other boozy refershments round out the drink menu. They even have themed names like the Adjustable Wrench, made with bourbon, rum, vanilla, and chocolate bitters. The restaurant was inspired by Virginia Hardware, the shop that occupied the space from the 1960s until 2005.
Shaw taco joint Rito Loco (606 Florida Ave. NW) is rolling out El Techo, a new rooftop cocktail and tapas destination with plenty of greenery and peaceful decor. Perched above the restaurant, it features a selection of cocktails and food like Rito Loco’s signature burriotos, ceviches, mussels, and seafood paella. Sip on warm-weather drinks like margaritas and mojitos and take in the bustle of the neighborhood from a bird’s eye view.
New Orleans Chef David Gaus (Bayou Bakery) opens Lil B Coffee and Eatery today at The Darcy Hotel (1515 Rhode Island Ave. NW). The casual restaurant draws influences from Louisiana and other southern states. The coffee comes form Counter Culture and the food ranges from pastries to grab-and-go dishes like pimento cheese and muffaletta sandwiches. There will be craft beers, wines, and cocktails to drink as well. It’ll be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Plan ahead:
Another new restaurant preview
Experience some of D.C.’s hottest restaurants before they open with the next installment of New Kitchens On The Block at Mess Hall (703 Edgewood St. NW) on October 8. Participating restaurants this time around include Lucky Buns from chef Alex McCoy (Alfie’s), Chloe by Haidar Karoum, Spoken English by Erik Bruner-Yang, and more. There are two hour sessions at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with tickets starting at $65. Come and get the scoop on what’s coming before your friends do.
