As Russian attacks on Ukraine continue, and the humanitarian crisis grows, a number of DC-area bars and restaurants are stepping up to help.
The biggest contributor so far is, of course, José Andrés and World Central Kitchen. The chef and his nonprofit are on the front lines serving hot meals to refugees and others. You can donate here.
We’ll keep updating this list as more fundraisers launch. Send additional events and specials to Aspiegel@washingtonian.com
Apéro
2622 P St., NW
Georgetown’s caviar-and-Champagne bar doesn’t source Russian caviar, but owner Elli Benchimol bought Russian vodka last year to match with the roe. Instead of dumping it like some others, Benchimol says she’ll donate all proceeds from happy hour sales of Green Mark and Russian Standard martinis (both $8) to World Central Kitchen. (Happy hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 4-6 PM and 9-10 PM). “It seems like a better plan then dumping it down the drain,” says Benchimol. “Although I don’t see many people ordering it, at least it will go towards helping the victims of this insanity.”
Bakers Against Racism
The grassroots fundraising effort launched by three DC pastry chefs during the racial justice protests last summer—and raised an eye-popping $2.5 million globally. Now they’re back with a #bakeforukraine fundraiser. Similar to bake sales past, this is a global effort where individual home bakers—as well as chefs and restaurateurs—sell baked goods, and then donate proceeds to charities and relief organizations of their choosing (there’s a list of recommended ones here). Interested in buying or baking? See here for more info.
Belly Full Ukraine Pizza Pop-Up
804 V St., NW
Grazie Grazie owner Casey Patten has teamed up with Matt Adler of Caruso’s Grocery—and a World Central Kitchen alum— to host The Belly Full Pizza Pop-Up on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13 from 4 to 9 PM. All proceeds of sales will go to WCK efforts in Ukraine. The duo have teamed up with 14 top local chefs for the menu (see the full list here), served as takeout at 804 V St., NW (formerly Declaration). Participants include Gerald Addison and Chris Morgan (Bammy’s), Gina Chersevani (Buffalo Bergen, Last Call, Suburbia), Daikaya Group’s Katsuya Fukushima, Mike Friedman (Red Hen, All Purpose) Amy Brandwein (Centrolina, Piccolina), Daniela Moreira (Timber Pizza, Call Your Mother) and more—see the full list here, plus menu and pre-ordering details.
Call Your Mother
Multiple area locations
Jew-ish deli Call Your Mother has joined global baking project @hamantashen_for_ukraine, and will donate proceeds from their hamantaschen boxes for Purim to aid Ukrainian refugees. Pre-orders are available now for pickup or delivery on March 16, with boxes including six hamantaschen (triangular filled pastries)—two-each pineapple, dulce de leche chocolate coconut, and raspberry.
Caddies on Cordell
4922 Cordell Ave., Bethesda
The Bethesda hangout, which has sworn off purchasing Russian vodka, also renamed some of its classic drinks: Moscow mules, white Russians and black Russians are now Kyiv mules, and white/black Ukrainians. Caddies will also be donating a portion of the revenue from the sale of those cocktails to the Ukrainian Children’s Emergency Relief Fund.
Dacha
1600 Seventh St., NW; 79 Potomac Ave., SE
The beer gardens in Shaw and Navy Yard—which count several Ukrainian expats as employees—are raising money for several organizations aiding civilians in Ukraine, including UNICEF. Check their Instagram stories for more information.
D Light Cafe and Bakery
2475 18th St., NW
The Adams Morgan bakery helmed by two Ukrainian sisters hosted a weeklong fundraiser and raised an impactful $5,534 for relief efforts. Watch their Instagram for future events, and read their guide on resources to help.
Knead Hospitality + Design
Multiple DC-area locations
All Knead restaurants are no longer serving Russian vodka in any of their locations, including Succotash, Mi Vida, Gatsby, and more. Through the month of March, with every purchase of a punch cocktail at any Knead restaurant, a portion of proceeds will benefit UNICEF to help the children in Ukraine.
Spacycloud Tea & Cocktail Lounge
2309 18th St., NW
Tatiana Kolina celebrates International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8 from 7 to 11 PM at her Eastern European lounge. The event, which was already planned weeks ago, will now donate 50 percent of ticket sales ($30 each) to relief efforts in Ukraine, and pay tribute to Ukrainian heroines. Each $30 ticket includes two beverages of any choice and flowers. Tomas Drgon will perform live and there will also be prizes given away throughout the night. Tickets can be purchased here.
St. Vincent Wine
3212 Georgia Ave., NW
The Park View wine garden is partnering with Moldovan sommelier Vitalli Dascaluic from Domestique wine shop to host an Eastern European wine tasting on Sunday, March 13th at 4 PM. All proceeds will go to Voices of the Children Foundation. Guests will have the opportunity to taste and learn about five wines from the region along with a traditional Ukrainian food pairings and snacks. Tickets ($95 per person) are available here. Even if the event sells out, the wine bar is donating 20 percent of proceeds from all Eastern European wine sales on Sunday from noon to 10 PM.
Tabla
3227 Georgia Ave., NW
The Georgian restaurant is fundraising for World Central Kitchen with a variety of specials and events. Currently there’s a new cocktail on the menu, the Spicy Zelensky ($12), and proceeds of the drink’s sales throughout the month of March going to WCK. The drink is a mule made with Ukrainian Nemiroff honey pepper vodka, ginger beer, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. Also instead of showing the usual Georgian movies, Tabla will show President Zelensky’s old TV show and other Ukrainian content on the restaurant’s TV screens.
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.
