Tomates are the focal point of a new seasonal special at Jaleo. (Photo courtesy of ThinkFoodGroup)
August is nearly through and the unofficial end of the summer season is days away. Spend the week before the long weekend enjoying 50 percent off bottles of wine, tomatoes at Jaleo, and more. And watch out later this week for a guide on Labor Day Monday brunches around the city.
Half-priced wine (and cake)!
It’s been one year since District Winery (385 Water St. SE) opened its doors down at the Navy Yard, and its celebrating tonight with half-priced bottles of wine all day at Ana restaurant. Guests will also get a free slice of birthday cake at the end of their meals. As a bonus, the tasting bar is offering 20 percent off take-home bottles of rose through September 3. (District Winery, Wednesday)
Eat out, support immigrants
A trio of area restaurants will donate a portion of Wednesday night’s proceeds to the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), an organization supporting the Washington region’s Latinx community. Dine on pizza at Pizzeria Paradiso Georgetown, Georgian fare at Supra, or ramen at Toki Underground, and between 15 and 20 percent of your bill will be donated. (Visit CARECEN DC on Facebook for more information)
Pizza, wine, and education
Head up to Timber Pizza Co. (809 Upshur St. NW) in Petworth this Thursday, August 30 for an evening of pizza and wine with Siptip Wine, a virtual sommelier service. The experience includes dinner, sips, and a chance to learn a bit more about pairing wines with pizza. (Timber Pizza Co., 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday, $55).
Explore traditional Brazilian cuisine
Siren by chef Robert Weidmaier (1515 Rhode Island Ave. NW) is teaming up with the Brazilian Embassy to dive into the vibrant cooking of the Amazon. Chef Felipe Schaedler of Banzeiro in Manaus, Brazil, will be on hand cooking a special a five-course prix-fixe menu. Dishes are expected to include crispy tambaqui fish ribs, coconut and white chocolate tapioca cake, and other regional favorites. A portion of the profits will go to support the American Experience Foundation and The Vagalume Foundation, a Brazil-based charity. (Siren, August 31 through September 9, $70)
Jaleo goes full-on tomato
Tomatoes are a staple ingredient in Spanish cooking—especially during the height of the summer season—and Jaleo is taking full advantage. The three D.C.-area locations of this José Andrés tapas spot have rolled out a tomato-forward menu for its annual Tomatina Festival, running through September 9. Options will appeal to carnivores and vegetarians alike. Items include a grilled hangar steak, fried green tomatoes with Spanish blue chees,e and a refreshing and sweet strawberry and tomato gazpacho. (Jaleo, August 27 through September 9, $3 to $14)
Ring in September with session cocktails
Cocktails are great, but some of the boozier concoctions from D.C. mixologists can be impractical choices for lengthy sessions at the bar. Hank’s Cocktail Bar (819 Upshur St. NW) is launching a new September menu for those wishing to have more than a couple of cocktails without feeling too tipsy. The session (read: lower alcohol) drinks will rotate out each week this month, starting on Saturday. The debut menu includes the Floppy Disc (grapefruit, Cynar, orange cordial, Sombra mezcal and soda) and the Ring Leader (Sipsmith gin, St. Germain liqueur, Lustau Manzanilla sherry and strawberry). (Hank’s Cocktail Bar, through September 30, $11 per cocktail)
