Fried chicken and discount cocktails at Central Michel Richard
1001 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Chef Michel Richard’s downtown brasserie starts a new happy hour with snack-y specials like croque monsieur bites and crispy chicken two ways (nuggets, sandwich). Dishes run $5 to $12, while cocktails like the fig Old Fashioned–a crowd favorite–go for $8 from 5 to 7 pm.
Brookland’s Finest kicks off crab season
3126 12th St., NE
Brookland’s Finest Bar & Kitchen launched their weekly Wednesday night crab boil–a quintessential summertime feast complete with suds courtesy of Denizen’s Brewery. The prix-fixe is $35, and includes sides like andouille sausage and sweet corn. Also new to the restaurant for May and June is their Tuesday night Green hat gin pairing, served with a set entree of stuffed Maine lobster (also $35).
Prime rib feast at the Riggsby
1731 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Carnivores shouldn’t pass up this Sunday night deal at the Riggsby: a three-course menu centered around a 16-ounce prime rib, which comes with an appetizer, sides like a loaded baked potato and seasonal vegetable, and dessert ($49 per person). If you’re not ravenous, plan on packing leftovers for a prime rib sandwich lunch.
Alphonse Italian Market & Osteria launches monthly “porchetta” bingo
1212 U St., NW
Some bingo prizes can be lame (stickers, really?). Not so at this U Street Italian, which awards its bingo winners a full pound of porchetta. That’s a full pound of pork belly-wrapped loin, seasoned with red pepper, fennel, and sage. On your pathway to victory you can snack and sip Negronis. The kickoff starts Monday, May 23 from 7 to 9 pm.
Ottoman Taverna launches Turkish brunch
425 I St., NW
Sick of Benedicts? Chef Ilhan Erkek’s launches brunch at his Turkish newcomer on Saturday, May 28. Items range from $7 to $24, and include traditional dishes like gözleme, folded dough stuffed with potatoes and cheese, as well as contemporary items like poached eggs with garlic yogurt and spiced butter.
BLT sushi arrives at Sea Pearl
8191 Strawberry Ln. #2., Falls Church
Move over, dragon rolls. Chef Lao is ‘rolling’ out some creative sushi specials like a B.L.T.-inspired roll, a surf-and-turf option with wagyu and lobster, or the “fatty goose,” which features foie-gras, tuna, green apple, hoisin-balsamic, and plum wine. The rolls are available on the regular menu.
Oysters and Champagne at Grillfish‘s new brunch
1200 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Grillfish celebrates its 20th anniversary with a three-course brunch menu studded with luxury items like lobster and oysters on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm ($35, which includes a glass of bubbly or a cocktail). Guests will also find a la carte items like caviar and shellfish plateaus.
Lupo Verde starts summer early with aperitivo hour
1401 T St., NW
Small plate antipasti go for $5 to $8 during the new aperitivo hour at Lupo Verde, available Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6 pm. The Italian restaurant also welcomes warm weather with picnic baskets to-go, which include a charcuterie and cheese plate and bottle of wine (48 hour notice required).
BOE Restaurant & Bar becomes BOE Beach House for the summer
777 Ninth St., NW
A fresh look and beach-y menu transform this cabin-themed restaurant for the summer season. Instead of game look for light dishes like peppered-tuna tempura rolls and chilled gazpacho. The new look debuts May 22.
Hayley is an Associate Editor at Washingtonian Weddings. Previously she was the the Style Editor at The Local Palate, a Southern food culture magazine based out of Charleston, South Carolina. You can follow her on instagram @wandertaste.
