Silent Disco Sundays launch at the Graham Hotel
1075 Thomas Jefferson St., NW
This bar has everything: silent dancing, hula performances, DJ Disco Eric. Yes, Stefon would appreciate the new Sunday night series at the Graham Hotel’s Observatory Rooftop. The swanky Georgetown spot teamed up with the Silent Dance Society, which provides wireless headsets to guests so they can boogie soundlessly to tunes from three different DJs. The first party is this Sunday at 8, fueled by cocktails and food from the Graham’s rooftop menu. If there was ever a way to get around Georgetown neighbors potentially protesting a Sunday dance party with deep house music, this is it.
Throwback cocktails at PX
728 King St., Alexandria
Barman Todd Thrasher takes a look back to the opening of PX—11 years to be precise—for a “Retrospective” cocktail menu, offered now through May. Sips from the early list include the gin-based New Age Gibson with carbonated saffron vermouth and pickled onions, and a Lemony Laurel with vodka, Galliano, and roasted lemon-bay leaf soda. Drinks are priced individually.
Duck egg burgers at the Grill Room
1050 31st St., NW
Truffle cheese is back. Anyone missing chef Frank Ruta’s burgers from the Palena days can try a lineup of new creations at the Grill Room, with some similarties to the old favorite patty. Four options include a house-made bun topped with a beef burger, griddled mortadella, truffle cheese, and onion jam, or another decked out with a fried duck egg, mushrooms, and more truffle cheese. The patties come at a price: $22 each, fries included.
DBGB whips up ballpark-style brats
931 H St., NW
Chef Daniel Boulud’s sausage-centric menu gets a new addition whenever the Nationals play a home game: a ballpark-style brat on a pretzel bun with beer mustard, braised onions, and frisee. Head in from 11 to 5 for a $15 dog-and-draft-beer combo while you catch the game on the Bar Room’s televisions.
Grill Nation from chef David Guas hits the shelves (and e-shelves)
Bayou Bakery chef David Guas isn’t just an expert baker—just watch his Travel Channel show, “American Grilled.” His new cookbook, Grill Nation, hits stores and Amazon on Tuesday with 200 recipes like grilled romaine with charred lemon vinaigrette or mango chili-grilled shrimp.
The USDA Farmers Market returns with more vendors, later hours
12th St. and Independence Ave., SW
Spring is officially here, as is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Friday farmers market. The 20 year-old market has expanded to include 31 vendors, and will also extend its hours; an evening market will run from 5 to 8, starting Friday, May 15. In the meantime shoppers can visit between 9 and 2.
Try a First Lady-inspired vegan burger at Equinox
818 Connecticut Ave., NW
The President certainly likes his burgers, but Equinox pays tribute to Michelle Obama’s healthy initiatives with a meatless “FLOTUSBurger.” The lunch-only sandwich is made with a bean and quinoa patty, topped with shiitake “bacon” and blue cheese-esque tofu crumbles. Try it through the end of April.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
