Ah, new stuff—how we love it. Here are five food and booze developments, some of which may not have made your radar.
Explore 54 different sherries at Mockingbird Hill
Passenger/Columbia Room owner Derek Brown has teamed up with wife Chantal Tseng on a Spain-inspired sherry-and-local-ham bar, now open at 1843 Seventh Street, Northwest. In keeping with Iberian bar traditions, free snacks—olives, chocolate, nuts—are served alongside glasses of sherry. You can also try the Brigade gin and tonic on tap.
Have a beer at Showtime Lounge
A little more than a week old, this wee dive in a former Bloomingdale barbershop (across the street from Boundary Stone at 113 Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest) was a year and a half in the making. It’s cash only and has a free jukebox full of R&B and funk tracks selected by owner/former Saint-Ex employee Paul Vivari (a.k.a. DJ Soul Call Paul). The bar pours a $5 boilermaker deal, revolving house beers, and generous glasses of boxed wine. Coming sometime, hopefully soon: sidewalk seating.
Eat lunch at Azur
Table chef Frederik De Pue recently introduced lunch service at his serene seafood spot in the former home of Café Atlantico at 405 Eighth Street, Northwest. Among the sandwiches: a lobster roll, a crabcake Reuben, and a braised pork belly bánh mì. Some of the dinner dishes make it on to the menu, as well—including the fish and chips, our favorite things we’ve tried there so far.
Try Taan Noodles under a new chef
Washington City Paper is reporting a chef shakeup at Taan Noodles. It seems sous Michael Than is replacing Jonathan Bisagni as soupmaster at the ramen joint at 1817 Columbia Road, Northwest. Yesterday, terminated Bisagni tweeted that the ramen shop was closing, which the owner denies. Just in case, you might want to go soon.
Hit this food truck
A new sloppy-joe-dispensing vehicle, NeatMeat, has been roadworthy for about two weeks. In addition to a classic joe, you can get a veggie version with tofu, a Greek version with feta, fresh cucumber, and pickles, and so on. (Check out the full menu online.) There’re also homemade chips and Rice Krispie treats. Follow NeatMeat on Twitter for location information.
Food truck bonus: This isn’t really new, but MoCo folks might want to check out L.A. Taco, a two-month-old mobile restaurant from Erle Burke. Choose from tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos, or snack on chips with chile con queso, guacamole, and salsa. Menu prices top out at $10.
