Small Plates: 06.06.12

Photo by JoetheLion, from flickr.

In a stunning reversal of trends, Pinkberry is now also serving unfrozen yogurt. [Young & Hungry]

The son of the Hollywood East owner (best dim sum in the DMV) is opening a dumpling shop. [WaPo]

The famous 'Tio Pepe' sign, a neon sherry bottle wielding a guitar, might not return to the skyline. [Atlantic Cities]

The Cleveland Park Chipotle is finally open. It's next door to the Uptown Theatre. [PoP]

Small Plates: 06.05.12

Bluejacket, the new local brewery by the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, is premiering two new beers this week. [Washingtonian]

The State of Washington is privatizing its liquor stores in the stupidest way possible. [Outside the Beltway]

Mike Isabella got a new tattoo in honor of Bandolero. It's a skeleton bandolero. [Young & Hungry]

Sweetgreen opened a new spot at 19th and L St yesterday. [PoP]

Mexican Manhattan

As part of my never-ending quest to find more uses for a bottle of mezcal, I decided to add some to a Manhattan and see what happens. Given the spicy smokiness of the mezcal, I used Punt e Mes to provide a bit more sauciness; I figured Dolin Rouge wouldn't stand up to the mezcal well enough. I also used the traditional rye instead of bourbon. I added Hellfire bitters, because once a drink is this spicy, what's a little more spiciness?

Unsurprisingly, going for the spiciest ingredient at each step makes for a very spicy drink. It blends together very well, each ingredient adding its own thing to the cocktail. There's definitely an underlying sweetness here, with a bit of fruit I didn't expect. It's quite good, though it might be worth trying with bourbon to tone down the sweetness. Recipe after the jump.

Free Food at PAUL Opening Today

Via Young & Hungry, Free Food at PAUL Opening Today:

PAUL Bakery opens at 1000 Connecticut Ave. NW today at 7 a.m. with free baguettes or large macarons (chocolate, raspberry, or pistachio) for the first thousand customers.

I'm a big fan of their bread, so a location near where I usually work is great! They're looking to open two more stores in the area this year. 

Small Plates: 06.04.12

Toki Underground is working with DURKL on a food/fashion space. [Young & Hungry]

Once 24/Seven, now Mediterranean, a few week from opening at 15th and U. [PoP]

Townhouse Kitchen and Bar is coming to the Verizon Center. [PoP]

Beuchert's Saloon, with farm fresh menu, is looking to open on Capitol Hill. [PoP]

The Japanese Cocktail

Published in Jerry Thomas' Bar Tender's Guide of 1887, the Japanese Cocktail is one of the older cocktails out there. Story has it that it was invented by Jerry when the Japanese delegation was in town, visiting New York, and he created it in their honor. It is a combination of brandy, orgeat, and angostura bitters that goes down easy. There's a fair amount of sweetness, but the brandy is strong enough to make itself felt. As Keith at Speakista notes, the orgeat is really a prime contributor, as opposed to the Mai Tai, where it's just a bit player. The almond really hits you hard right up front. The Japanese is a nice drink, if a bit sweet.

Small Plates: 06.01.12

Pizza parlor 2 Amy's is now serving Porchetta. Only two every day, so order early! [Young & Hungry]

Pulpo has soft-opened in Cleveland Park, but it still doesn't have a liquor license. [PoP]

Vida Fitness might eventually have a new restaurant, maybe. Owner taking his time. [Young & Hungry]

Mudbugz, a creole crawfish joint, has opened in Adams Morgan. [PoP]