Welcome to Week two of BYT’s new weekly restaurant news column! We’ve got all kinds of insider information on restaurant openings, pop-ups, and seasonal food and drink specials and events around the DMV. Fall dining, here we come.
New Venues
District Doughnut Wharf
DC’s favorite doughnut shop, District Doughnut, opened a new venue at the Wharf this past weekend. Funfetti, Nutella s’mores, and brown butter doughnuts are waiting for you. Don’t choose, just get them all.
Guapo’s Georgetown Waterfront
Mexican food has arrived in Georgetown. Margaritas, guacamole, fajitas and all your other tex-mex favorites are on the menu at Guapo’s as of August 29th. The restaurant will be serving brunch, lunch, and dinner as well as happy hour that includes drinks and food specials like $5 yucca fries.
Lupo Osteria, Napoli Pasta Bar and San Lorenzo
Three new Italian restaurants just opened in DC this year. Read about our dining experience at all three of them here, where we compare and contrast and discuss highs and lows.
Burrata at Lupo Verde
Amparo Fondita
Mexican restaurant Amparo Fondita opened the doors to its pop-up in Brookland’s District Space this month and the food is dynamite. Here’s our review. Be sure to visit them soon, as the pop-up will end on September 30th!
New Menus
Bindaas Chai Menu
Bindaas Foggy Bottom has introduced a new afternoon chai menu, an Indian version of high tea. From 3-5pm Sundays through Fridays you can order from a special chai menu. Options include several different kinds of teas and a host of awesome snacks like a cucumber and chutney sandwich, spicy French fries, and saffron scones served with strawberry rose jam. Per usual, Executive Chef Vikram Sunderam outdoes himself.
Finger sandwiches at Bindaas
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
This German bakery in Arlington, Virginia has a new fall menu with sweets like apple caramel nut pie, apple danishes, apple strudel, pumpkin pies and pumpkin spice muffins. Yes, pumpkin season is here my friends.
The Smith U Street
The Smith’s U Street location is now open for lunch 7 days a week, and is featuring a special menu that has a brunch section with dishes like avocado toast and buttermilk waffles. Even brunch cocktails like Bloody Marys and French 75s will be available. For those who prefer a more traditional lunch, sandwiches and salads are available.
Hank’s Cocktail Bar
Starting September 1, Hank’s Cocktail Bar will be introducing a new, limited menu featuring lower ABV cocktails for $11 every Saturday which will run until the following Friday. This menu is for the nights when you still want to go out, but actually have to work the next day.
Events for You
Free Coffee at Peregrine Espresso
To celebrate their 10 year anniversary, Peregrine Espresso will be giving away free drip and iced coffee all day on September 5th! The beans for the hot and cold coffee are roasted in the D.C. by Peregrine’s sister company, Small Planes Coffee. There’s nothing that will cure your long weekend hangover like a cup of (free) coffee.
Night Market at Tiger Fork
On Thursday, September 6th from 10:30pm – 12:30am Tiger Fork will transform into a Hong Kong street market with food and drink stands throughout the restaurant. Tiger Fork will welcome guest chefs along with Kavalan Whisky and Nikka Distilling to serve whisky flights and unique highball cocktails. No tickets or reservations are needed for for the event. Tiger Fork Night Market hopes to make this a monthly event.
10th Annual VegFest
DC’s famous annual Vegfest is taking place in Yards Park this September 15th. Expect over 120 vendors and exhibitors, almost a dozen speakers, and vegan food from all over the country. It’s one of my favorite events of the year.
Trivia NightÂ
Turns out, DC bars are full of trivia nights. We created a handy trivia night guide so you can satisfy your competitive streak, while getting trashed.
Rosh Hashana at Equinox RestaurantÂ
Equinox Restaurant is offering a $55 four course menu with plant based options this Rosh Hashana, on September 10th and 11th. I may not be Jewish but this menu looks so delectable I have to make a reservation! Challah crostini, roasted spaghetti squash with truffled mushroom cream, and agave apple cake are just some of the highlights.
D.C. Introduces Black Restaurant WeekÂ
In addition to discounted three course lunch and dinner menus, this restaurant week will have an awards ceremony, a bartender competition, and a mixology class, all highlighting black chefs, bartenders and restaurant owners. Restaurants that support the black community are also invited to participate. This is a great way to support individuals in the restaurant community who are often under appreciated.
