Washington, DC New Menu Report: 03/11/15
Black's Bar and Kitchen
Black's Bar & Kitchen has launched three new refreshing cocktails to ring in spring. There is the zesty Low Ryeder, made with Catoctin Creek Roundstone rye, habanero shrub, agave, and ruby red grapefruit; the palate-gripping 'Till The Bitter End made with FAIR quinoa vodka, amaro, blood orange, local herbs, and ginger beer; and a tangy dram with a hit of heat called Basil's Jalap-in It that includes Olmeca Altos blanco tequila, jalapeno, basil, and lime.
Boqueria
Whatever plans you've made for happy hour next Monday, March 16, change them because you will want celebrate Boqueria's third birthday. To celebrate they are featuring an all-night happy hour from 3 p.m. until close in the bar and cocktail lounge. The happy birthday menu includes a tempting selection of tapas and house made churros priced between $5 and $6 with special prices on cocktails, beer, wine, sangrias, and latas.
Dolcezza
When Irish eyes are smiling, it could be because they've tried Dolcezza's latest gelato flavor — Irish Coffee — which Dolcezza designed just for St. Patrick's Day. Throughout the month of March, you can slowly savor the gelato's smooth, creamy richness at all of their D.C. locations, just don't operate any heavy machinery or drive a vehicle because this gelato packs a powerful punch too. The intense coffee flavors and aromas come from the Stumptown Hair Bender Espresso and Jameson's Irish Whiskey. So try a pint and taste for yourself, it's $5.45 for a small, $6.45 for a large, and $10.50 for a pint.
Founding Farmers
St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner and to help you join the fun, Founding Farmers is serving American Irish beers and two true Irish brews at both their locations. For a bonus, when you order one of the featured beers you can also order Jameson Black Barrel, Red Breast 12 Year, and Powers John Lane Irish whiskeys for half price, beginning Friday, March 13 through Friday, March 20.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
While we don't want to state the obvious or sound repetitive, we know the recent bitter temperatures and seemingly endless snowstorms have probably induced an epidemic of cabin fever. Cheer up because help is here, thanks to the Jack Rose Dining Saloon and their wintry fireside fare served in the Balcony Room. Fitted with a blazing, wood-burning fireplace, warm-toned wood moldings and tables, leather seating, and wide views of the cold from sealed picture windows, this cozy hideaway is a congenial spot to spend happy hour. As long as the cold lasts, Sunday to Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., you can share hot, hearty fondues prepared by chef Russell Jones and order hot cocktails prepared by Jack Rose's award-winning bartenders. The updated fondue offerings include artisanal cheeses infused with rye barrel-aged brews and stouts served with fun dipping options like sourdough pretzels, beef brisket, and pork bangers. For dessert, chocolate fondue comes with a twist on traditional s'mores that includes a choice of dark or milk chocolate with graham crackers, marshmallows, and fresh fruit. The savory fondue menu includes:
· "Traditional" ($13), aged Cheddar, pumpernickel bread, housemade potato ruffles, red apples, and marinated mushrooms
· "Jack'd Up" ($18), Vermont pepper jack infused with R.I.P.A. Rye, a double India Pale Ale aged in rye whiskey barrels from Schmaltz Brewing dipped with pumpernickel, sourdough pretzels, beef brisket, marinated mushrooms
· "Oh Danny Boy" ($16),aged Irish Cheddar and Guinness Irish stout dipped with Irish soda bread, potato ruffles, pork bangers, and red apples
The special whiskey menu includes almost 20 whiskeys for only $7 per 2-ounce pour, including Jack Rose's exclusive F.E.W. Bourbon Single Cask, High West Double Rye, Clontarf 1014 Irish whiskey aged in bourbon barrels, or Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old single malt scotch whisky from Speyside. For just $6, there are also winter warmers like:
· Spiked cider with Jim Beam bourbon, apple cider, cinnamon, clove, and allspice
· Mulled wine with cardamom pods, cinnamon, star anise, black pepper, vanilla, clove, orange, and lemon
· Heart warmer with Glenmorangie 10-year scotch, ancho reyes chilies, hot chocolate, and whipped cream
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Celebrate National Pi Day, March 14, by eating some pie at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. They are discounting slices of pie from $7.95 to $3.14 all day this Saturday, March 14. You have nine options to choose from including peanut butter pie, old-fashioned apple pie, and Joe's signature key lime pie. Did you know they also have a monthly pie special called Pie it Forward? Each month Joe's features a different seasonal pie from their menu and donates $1 from the sale of each slice to a local charity. The pie featured this March is the decadently chocolaty chocolate dipped strawberry ice cream pie with made with a crunchy Oreo cookie crust and creamy marshmallow sauce (which you can get discounted for Pi Day). The designated charity this March is Best Buddies Virginia, a non-profit dedicated to providing employment and leadership development to with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Smith & Wollensky
National Wine Week started yesterday, runs from through to Friday, March 13, and is just one more reason to sample some new wines. Smith & Wollensky doesn't want you to keep your curiosity bottled up so they are offering a special promotion that lets you sample 10 of their daily featured premium wines for $20 with the purchase of any lunch entrée. Consider it training for the upcoming Spring Fling that begins Monday, March 23.
Spring Wine Fling
Now that winter seems to be behind us, it's time to celebrate and we think the Spring Wine Fling is just the thing. This weeklong, vinous party is being celebrated across the D.M.V. and features specially priced wine flights, exclusive tastings, and special food and wine pairing menus at area restaurants and bars. The program is sponsored by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and runs from Monday, March 23 to Sunday, March 29, 2015. The list of participating places gives you plenty of chances to try some new food and wine, trade in winter wines for lighter options. Ovvio Osteria is offering Italian Flights of red or white wine for just $10; Boss Shepherds is encouraging guests to explore their entire wine list by offering flights of three featured sparkling, white, red, sweet, or fortified wines for $15 per person; and to celebrate Women's History Month, Smith & Wollensky is featuring a "Women of Wine" three-wine flight for $20, available at lunch, dinner, and the bar. The flight features premium wines from notable women winemakers. To get social, post your pictures with the hashtag #WineFling.
Tico
14th Street newcomer Tico has been getting quite a buzz lately and now there's another reason to check them out: their new Spicy Fried Chicken Dinner. Starting Sunday, March 15, and every Sunday from 5 p.m. until close, for just $19.99 you can order chef Michael Schlow's spicy fried chicken dinner. Tico's fried chicken is a diversion from standard recipes and is seasoned with the "tico-rashi" secret spice blend that's a Latin version of Japanese togarishi chili spice made with sea salt, chili de arbol, cayenne, coriander, and lime zest. Tasty sides include fennel slaw, corn with smoked bacon, jalapeños, and Thai basil, mac and cheese with Serrano ham, Manchego, and crunchy breadcrumbs, fries with chipotle aîoli, and assorted hot sauces. The option to add a bucket of six coronitas is available for an additional $15, or you can buy them individually for $3 each.
Summer Whitford is the D.C. City Guide Editor at The Daily Meal and the DC Wine Examiner. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva.