Red Hen extends its hours
1822 First St., NW; 202-525-3021
Love this Bloomingdale neighborhood Italian? Now you can dine there more. The restaurant extends its hours to include Monday dinner service from 5:30 to 10, starting Monday, March 10. Keep a lookout for new spring dishes such as ricotta cavatelli with peas.
Republic gets late-night menus and live music
6939 Laurel Ave., Takoma Park; 301-270-3000
Jeff Black gets into the entertainment game, hiring 9:30 Club vet Catherine Rytkonen to schedule bands, open-mike nights, and Monday blues sessions. The lineup starts on Sunday with a “Democracy party,” featuring themed cocktails, snacks, and even local politicians. Chef Danny Wells launches a late-night menu to pair with the festivities, with eats like a duck confit Cuban.
Ben’s Chili Bowl opens in Arlington
1725 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
The historic U Street eatery debuts its first standalone sister eatery in more than 55 years on Thursday. Catch Bill Cosby, a loyal Ben’s customer, at the 10:30 opening ceremony, and stick around for those famous chili half-smokes.
Alba Osteria launches a “chef bar”
425 Eye St., NW; 202-733-4454
Chef Amy Brandwein has been working on tasting menus inspired by Italian street food and other rustic fare, and will start cooking at the new reservation-only “chef bar” for just ten guests on Thursday, March 13. The six-course meal and beverage pairing, available every Thursday, includes dishes such as crunchy anchovies, sea-urchin tagliolini, and venison with foie gras and cherries ($80 per person). Look for a vegetarian option in the near future.
P.J. Clarke’s begins bottomless brunch
1600 K St., NW; 202-463-6610
Go bottomless on K Street at this New York import’s new brunch on Saturday and Sunday, which includes never-ending Bloodys, mimosas, and more ($20 per person) alongside eats like Grand Marnier-spiked French toast, an egg-white-avocado breakfast sandwich, and five different Benedicts.
Martini Madness takes over Bethesda Row
Multiple locations
The eateries along Bethesda Row launch a monthlong March competition to make the best martini. Try all ten—conveniently available at happy hour prices—and vote for your favorite.
La Tagliatella introduces $5 lunch
2950 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington; 571-257-4600
The chain celebrates its US arrival this month with 30 days of dining deals, including a $5 lunch menu this week. Look for other specials such as $5 pizzas next week and half-price bottles of wine starting March 17.
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.
