Washington, D.C. New Menu Report: Week Of 12/22/14
Bloomingdale
Nage Bistro invites Washingtonians to beat the chill with their new collection of hot cocktails and warm winter snacks (available through February 15). Three drinks sure to get your blood flowing include the Nage Coffee with Bailey's Irish Cream, amaretto, Frangelico, and Godiva chocolate liqueur; Café L'Orange with Grand Marnier, Cointreau, and cinnamon; and Fire Cider with Dr. McGillicuddy's Fireball cinnamon whisky, hot cider, and whipped cream. For sustenance, you can nosh on grilled cheese and tomato soup; orecchiette pasta tossed with three-cheese Mornay sauce, English peas, and tarragon; or choose from a changing list of daily soups such as gumbo, crab bisque, or sweet potato soup. Be sure to stop by on federal snow days to enjoy the hot cocktails and warming snacks for half price.
Downtown
NEW OPENING With only three days left before Christmas, we suspect eating has probably taken a backseat to last-minute shopping, cooking, and gift wrapping. If so, stop by a Which Wich sandwich shop for one of their supremely satisfying sandwiches. Their versatile menu lets you combine a wide range of vegan options, meats, cheeses, spreads, condiments, and vegetables available hot or cold, on bread, or in a bowl, or wrapped in lettuce, and slimmed down for those watching their waistlines. Their two most popular sandwiches are the Wicked®, the signature sandwich that put them on the map, and the Authentic Philly. Wicked® is made with turkey, ham, roast beef, pepperoni, and bacon, and comes with a choice of three cheeses; the Authentic Philly, their homage to The City of Brotherly Love's iconic sandwich, is served on Amoroso's™ roll and arrives stacked with beef steak, caramelized onions, bell peppers, and melted Provolone. If, despite consuming Herculean amounts of meat, you are still hungry, order one of their dreamy, creamy milkshakes or tantalizing desserts.
Georgetown
Up until last week, finding a great sandwich place in Georgetown wasn't easy, but all that changed when Capriotti's Sandwich Shop opened its second D.C. location right on M Street. This family-owned sandwich shop chain is a favorite of hometown boy Vice President Joe Biden, and after you taste their food, you will agree these are darn good sandwiches. Capriotti's is an institution whose reputation is based on the best sandwiches made to exacting standards. They're so picky they buy whole, fresh turkeys and roast them in-house to ensure the quality of the meat; in fact, it's these turkeys that helped them rise to national fame and fortune, so we suggest your first sandwich should definitely include turkey. Our suggestion — The Bobbie® — can be described as Thanksgiving on a bun, because if for some crazy reason you didn't get enough turkey and fixings in November, you will definitely want to try this nationally acclaimed best seller. The Bobbie® comes loaded with succulent turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayonnaise and is an explosion of flavor in your mouth. If turkey is not your thing, try Capriotti's moist and juicy pulled roast beef sandwich. It's stacked high with melt-in-your mouth, tender, slow-roasted beef that oozes savory flavors. Our last suggestion is for lovers of Italian food: try the meatball sub. It's made with Capriotti's secret meatball recipe and is served bubbly hot with melted Provolone and Romano cheese in a rich tomato sauce that will make you want to kiss the cook.
Penn Quarter
NEW OPENING A San Francisco restaurant institution will be joining the ranks of D.C. dining institutions in the first quarter of 2015 when 165-year-old Tadich Grill, "America's third oldest, continuously operating restaurant" opens its first East Coast installation. According to general manager Ron Robbins, "The D.C. restaurant will reflect the soul of the original Tadich Grill, but will not be a replica, as original icons cannot be replicated. We plan to bring the same consistency in quality and attention to detail in food, beverage, service, and ambiance to the district's power players." Devotees of the San Francisco original will feel right at home with the new site's artisan glass, servers dressed in signature white jackets, Tadich Grill's famed mesquite-grilled meat and poultry, San Francisco's ubiquitous Hangtown Fry made with eggs, bacon, and fried oysters, and fresh seafood dishes like Cioppino. The wine list will include wines from regions other than California, and thankfully, the restaurant will take reservations.
Penn Quarter
As winter tightens its grip on the District, beverage director Jesse Hiney of NoPa Kitchen + Bar expands his Happy Hour drinks menu to include four new warming winter cocktails that will make you toasty right down to your toes. Happy Hour at NoPa is available Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. and includes 20 percent off all wines by the glass, as well as classic and signature cocktails. We think the warmers are what you should go for here. For a pick-me-up, try the creamy Kentucky Coffee, comprising Bailey's, Jameson Irish whiskey, and coffee topped with toasted meringue; NoPa's aromatic twist on the Hot Toddy with a cardamom-infused bourbon blended with lemon juice, spiced apple syrup, and honey syrup, topped with meringue; or if you can take the wallop, try the NoPa punch that's a blend of Becherovka, Cognac, red wine, turbinado sugar, and zesty fall spices.
Summer Whitford is the D.C. City Guide Editor for The Daily Meal and the DC Wine Examiner. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva.