In the old days, restaurants gave mints to sweeten a guest’s departure. Today’s tokens are far more elaborate.
1. Smoked-brisket sandwich and Capri Sun at Rose’s Luxury
717 Eighth St., SE
Don’t tell Mom—chef Aaron Silverman makes a superior brown-bag lunch for guests departing his $125-plus rooftop prix-fixe.
2. Souvenir cookie box at The Inn at Little Washington
309 Middle St., Washington, Va.
Local artist Tom Neel designs collectible boxes fashioned after the Inn’s main house—filled with candied grapefruit and seasonal bonbons.
3. Tulsi-basil syrup at Métier
1015 Seventh St., NW
Befitting Eric Ziebold’s refined tasting room, patrons leave with vials of fragrant basil syrup made exclusively with herbs from the chef’s satellite garden at RDV Vineyards in Delaplane, Virginia.
4. Lego at Minibar
855 E St., NW
Softening the blow of a $275-plus tasting by José Andrés: sweets proffered on a dinosaur tray, and a golden chocolate egg with the check and a tiny Lego chef inside.
5. Custom condoms at Black Jack
1612 14th St., NW
One of 14th Street’s hottest date spots doubles down on its reputation, dealing free protection—complete with its logo—for guests on a winning streak.
This article originally appeared in the January 2017 issue of Washingtonian.
Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.
