The Lady's Leg

This week's Mixology Monday was themed around 'humbug', trying to create an anti-Christmas drink. I didn't have any particularly good ideas, but if by anti-Christmas, you mean an escape-your-relatives-boozy type of drink, this one will do it for you. It's named after the iconic lamp from A Christmas Story. This will be my last post until the new year. Merry Christmas!

Lady's Leg
3 oz Crabapple Schapps
1.5 oz Vanilla Vodka
.5 oz Allspice dram
.5 oz Maraschino Liqueur
dashes, mole bitters

Small Plates: 12.20.12

Nouvelle Jewish cuisine mecca DGS Delicatessen now serves brunch. [Washingtonian]

Table is supposed to be opening by January 15th. [PoP]

Newton's Noodles, to be coming in May, has some new signage up. [PoP]

The owners of Silver Diner are looking at a new more upscale concept downtown called Silver. [Eater]

Cheesequake

Cheesequake may be the most misnamed food truck I've been to. They serve Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches; when I went, they had three sorts. The Ali is a traditional cheesesteak, the Frazier is a chicken cheesesteak, and the Tyson is a pizza cheesesteak. They have a few topping options: lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, and grilled green peppers. It's not a bad cheesesteak, but it's basically inferior to Phillies Phamous DC Food Truck in every way. The bread is worse, there's less cheese, and the beef is not chopped as finely. There are also fewer topping options. I particularly missed the option of having banana peppers or jalapenos on the sandwich. It's a perfectly fine sandwich, but if you have the option, go to Phillies.

Small Plates: 12.19.12

Pravda, New Orleans

 Funky brewer "Right Proper" is also launching a draft only soda line. [Young & Hungry]


Rum/tiki bar Hogo, from Tom Brown, opened yesterday. [We Love DC]

Dupont restaurant Iron Gate is now aiming at an opening in March. [Eater]

This blog will be on vacation starting Saturday the 22nd until the end of the year. Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Small Plates: 12.18.12

It must be almost New Year's: top ten lists have started emerging. [Washingtonian]


Mike Isabella is bringing pop-ups to Graffiato, starting with Adam Brick. [Young & Hungry]

Absolute Noodle will be opening in 2 or 3 weeks in Chinatown. [PoP]

Mari Vanna to open early next year

From an email:

According to Slavic legend, Mari Vanna was a fairytale grandmother known to welcome hungry travelers into her house. She would feed her guests a home-cooked meal before sending them back out on their voyage. In mid January, Russian hospitality powerhouse Ginza Project will bring this legend to life with the opening of Mari Vanna's second US location in the heart of downtown D.C. With an established reputation of excellence in authentic Russian cuisine in New York, London, Moscow and beyond, the capital's 6,500 square-foot eatery will be Mari Vanna's largest location in the world. Located at 1141 Connecticut Ave., NW, the hotspot finds its home in one of the district's most upscale locales. Just five blocks from the White House and steps away from the historic Mayflower Hotel, the new restaurant nestles perfectly between K Street's bustling business district and D.C.'s trendy Dupont Circle neighborhood. 

Although the restaurant has plans to add various DC-centric menu items, a few Russian specialties won't change from the other Mari Vanna locations. Classic menu offerings range from cold appetizers such as pickled vegetables, salt-cured pork and black caviar to hot appetizers such as pirozhok, blinis and hand-made Russian dumplings. Delectable entree options will include Mari Vanna's world famous beef stroganoff, chicken kotletki and fishcakes.

 Apparently this space used to be leased by Randstad.

Small Plates: 12.14.12

Lupo Verde is the Italian restaurant coming to 14th and T from the people behind Ulah. [Young & Hungry]

Another Italian restaurant is rumored to be coming to 12th and U from the Biergarten Haus folks. [PoP]

Mad Momos opened this week in Columbia Heights, with an eclectic menu. [Young & Hungry]

Bond villain lair turned bar Heist is having an opening bash today in Dupont. [Borderstan]