Anchovy Social

Anchovy Social is a rooftop bar from Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group that features floor to ceiling windows with seasonal outdoor space and views of Nationals Park, the Anacostia River, and the DC Navy Yard. Open year-round, Anchovy Social is the go-to spot for waterfront vibes, after-work drinks, and the occasional seafood tower inspired by the coastal spirit of their sister restaurant Maialino Mare downstairs. Closest Metro is Navy Yard.

Copycat Co.

Copycat Co. located on H. St NE offers Northern Chinese street fare such as skewers and steamed bao along with creative drinks upstairs created by Barmini veteran Devin Gong.  In addition to a permanent cocktail menu loaded with the classics, bartenders rotate through weekly (hand-drawn!) specialty menus featuring toddys, daiquiris, juleps, and more.  Closest Metro is Union Station.

Stay Classy Pop-Up @ Mythology

Stay Classy is a pop-up bar dedicated to Will Ferrell's oeuvre, located in the Mythology restaurant on H Street NE.  The DCist's First Look commented: "Signature cocktails ($10-$16) reference Farrell's character, Ron Burgundy's Smelly Pirate Hooker insult from Anchorman. The margarita is as fun to drink as it is to order, with a sweet and spicy citrus taste that sneaks up on you with a latent jalapeno heat. For those seeking a bit of whiskey to pair with their collection of leather bound books, there’s the Shake and Bake, a super-charged whiskey sour that sparkles with ginger beer and muddled cherry.

Columbia Room

Columbia Room is a cocktail bar created by Derek Brown, where the ingredients, techniques and lore of cocktails merge together to create a memorable experience. They focus on exceptional service and meticulously crafted unique cocktails paired with food.  Located in Blagden Alley, the closest Metro is Mt. Vernon Square-Convention Center.

Proper 21

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Proper 21 brought to DC from the New York City restaurateurs Rob Zahn and Will Strozier that own Manhattan Proper and Proper West, opened in early October 2016 and is a high end sports bar that offers "a proper twist on American classics".  Closest Metro is Metro Center.

Betsy

Who is Betsy?  Well, it is actually the new intimate, open-air rooftop serving American fare and a cocktail program focused on all things gin atop Belga Cafe on Barracks Row. Brought to you Chef Bart Vandaele and team, Betsy is a hidden gem that serves brunch, dinner and happy hour in a lovely summer patio setting. Inspired by the chickens in Chef Bart Vandaele’s backyard, Betsy is the name of his favorite in the flock. No reservations are accepted - just walk in (entrance located in back alley behind Belga's main entrance; follow the chicken footprints!).  Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

Wild Kombucha

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The team from Baltimore's Mobtown Fermentation reached out to me to try their new Wild Kombucha.   Specializing in the art of fermentation, they brew their own unique brand of kombucha and currently have three flavors available: mango-peach, ginger-grapefruit, and elderberry. Like many of you, my first question was "What is Kombucha?"

DC Brewery Tour

For Keith's birthday this year, I planned a local brewery tour to check out the latest trend of beer homegrown here in DC.  Since some of the locations are not that convenient to a Metro station, I highly suggest taking Lyft so you don't have to worry about drinking and driving.  Check out our photo recap below.

The Gryphon

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The Gryphon is a meat and raw bar social house from the owners of the boutique steakhouse, Lost Society. The Gryphon encourages its guests to socialize through eating and drinking, while providing a lively, energetic and fun atmosphere.  The menu features an assortment of premium aged meats, a full raw bar and specially crafted cocktails to accompany the "something for everyone" dining atmosphere.  Closest Metro is Dupont Circle.

14 Global

The vision behind 14 Global was to bring a restaurant with flavors, textures and ingredients from around the world then fuse those flavors in a way that brought them together in a harmonious whole to the patrons of Bethany Beach, Delaware.  Small plates, or tapas, are offered to create an environment where people can share with one another all those different flavors.

Homemade Gin Kit

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Sarah and her husband own a local company called The Homemade Gin Kit. They launched the company one year ago right here in the DC area and were the first company selling a kit like this! Most people don't realize that it is possible to make a small batch of gin at home without costly (and illegal) distilling equipment.

Zaytinya Hosts its Third Annual Grape Festival

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It’s that time of year to celebrate the harvest season of the most iconic fruit, the grape. José Andrés and his team at award-winning mezze restaurant Zaytinya, led by Head Chef Michael Costa, commemorate this event with a two-week festival, which runs from September 22 – October 5, 2013. This is third consecutive year that Zaytinya is raising glasses to the most cherished fruit of Mediterranean cuisine with many variations of this respected harvest through wine tasting events, dinners, a grape-inspired menu and a handcrafted specialty cocktail.

Cuba Libre Celebration with Papa's Pilar

***Special Guest Post***

By the end of his life, beloved and widely mythologized American author, Ernest Hemingway, spent about 30 years in Cuba. For what would be his 114th birthday, Cuba Libre DC hosted a special celebration with Papa's Pilar on July 21.

Summer Cocktails

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As part of the Bacardi Summer Entertaining promotion, I wanted to reflect on my favorite summer cocktails I've recently had out at restaurants. Perhaps they will inspire you to create your own #BacardiCocktails at home.

The Passenger

Don't expect any drink menus at The Passenger - besides beer and wine - just tell the bartender what you're "in the mood for" and she will whip you up a strong concoction that satisfies the taste buds. There are daily specials available too - some unique and inspiring and others a slight twist on the original.

Ping Pong Dim Sum

Last date I was here: 10/29/2010

Restaurant: Ping Pong Dim Sum (http://www.pingpongdimsum.us/)

Location: Gallery Place/Chinatown

Total Rating: 3.95
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Serving "little steamed parcels of deliciousness", Ping Pong Dim Sum in Gallery Place, DC is the first American location of this chain originating from the UK. Like tapas or a trendy grazing menu, you order as many or as few dim sum as you wish - lots if you're very hungry, just a few if you’re snacking with tea or cocktails. Beautiful flowering teas and delicious cocktails are on the menu, too, offering a great happy hour spot for the younger crowd. Traditional Chinese ingredients mixed with a modern twist and instantly the Ping Pong flavors are bursting. Closest Metro is Gallery Place-Chinatown.

There have been mixed reviews about the food at this new trendy restaurant, despite the accolades for creative cocktails and exotic teas. This restaurant is great for groups or first dates as, similar to a tapas or sushi restaurant, you can order several small plates to sample and share between the table. Each comes with 2 or 3 pieces. Choose from steamed, grilled, baked, or fried "dumplings" or even soup or salad. The food comes out as it is ready and surprisingly fast. Keith and I shared 7 plates and it seemed to be just the right amount. We also ordered the extra $2 sauce sampler, but it may not have been needed as 3 sauces are already provided gratis and some plates even come with their own sauce. For drinks, I tried the Ping Pong, a $10 mix of Martini Bianco, white wine, Yokaichi Shochu and lychee juice and Keith had the Tennessee Tea Tingle, a $10 mix of Jack Daniel’s, Cointreau, fresh lime juice topped with Coca Cola. Some dishes could have had a little more filling to dough ratio, but all in all, the ingredients and flavors were good and the overall dining experience was fun.

What I ate:

Vegetable Puff

Sautéed vegetables in a honey sauce baked in handmade puff pastry

Pork Shu Mai

Pork and king prawns steamed in an open pastry topped with a Chinese wolfberry

Spicy chicken dumpling

Chicken and vegetables in chilli sauce steamed in translucent white pastry

Scallop and shitake dumpling

Scallops and king prawns with shitake mushrooms steamed in wheat flour pastry

Vietnamese spring roll

Prawns, noodles and vegetables wrapped in rice paper, fried and served with chilli fish sauce

Seafood Sticky Rice Parcel

Rice with king prawns, scallops, carrots and bamboo shoots, wrapped in a Lotus leaf

Lemon chicken

Tender chicken breast fillet with chilli, honey and lemon, served on lettuce

Sauce platter

A selection of three Ping Pong sauces:

Spicy mango, Basil, ginger and black sesame seed, Ginger and garlic