New Notable No Longer: October 2016

On Tap keeps locals in the know about the latest and greatest food and drink locales around town, our top foodie picks for the month, and spots that have recently closed their doors. Read on to get the inside scoop on what’s new, notable and no longer in the DC area.

NEW
Ben’s Upstairs
Open: September 17
Location: H Street
Lowdown: Southern meets Caribbean
From the owners of Ben’s Chili Bowl and Ben’s Next Door comes this restaurant, bar and tropical rooftop in the H Street Corridor with a flavorful concept drawing on the owners’ Caribbean and Southern roots, according to co-owner Nizam B. Ali (whose parents Ben and Virginia have been at the helm of the original Ben’s for 58 years). Current customer faves include the shrimp and grits (sautéed shrimp served with grits and topped with a Creole-based broth, the chef’s aromatic herbs and sautéed tomatoes) and the mashed yucca stuffed with gouda cheese and drizzled with the chef’s guava sauce. On the cocktail front, Ben’s Upstairs staff recommend Carl’s Old Fashioned, made with dark rum rather than bourbon for a bit of Caribbean flair. Ben’s Upstairs: 1001 H St. NE, DC; www.bensupstairs.com

Dirty Habit
Open: October 1
Location: Penn Quarter
Lowdown: Trendy cocktails
If you were one of the many bummed about Poste closing earlier this year, you’ll be happy to know that the replacement restaurant and bar nestled inside Hotel Monaco’s downtown location is about to open. Dirty Habit’s Head Bartender Sarah Ruiz says she’s stoked to be in DC, and has worked hard to create a bar menu for Washingtonians that will satisfy their thirst for progressive cocktails. The certified sommelier chats about her Sherry Tonic, highlighting “a dry and nutty Amontillado that has hints of bright orange zest with a complimentary burnt orange syrup to add some richness,” and Prickly Position, combining “sotol, mezcal and nopal as a fresh and incredibly green cocktail.” Ruiz says whether it’s an obscure Greek wine or ingredients sourced from Chef Kyoo’s Korean community, “we are striving to provide food and drinks that will not only please our guests, but also keep us excited in our industry.”Dirty Habit: 555 8th St. NW, DC; www.dirtyhabitdc.com

The Dish and Dram
Open: Late October
Location: Kensington
Lowdown: RAMMY Award-winning fare
Zena Polin and Jerry Hollinger of Silver Spring’s Daily Dish (known for its RAMMY Award-winning brunch and Bloody Mary bar) are opening a second restaurant, offering “comfort food with an international twist.” Inspired by years of international travel, the duo decided to highlight their favorite dishes from countries they’ve visited as well as classics that everyone loves. The Dish and Dram is one of Kensington’s only restaurants with a full beer, wine and liquor license, including an expansive selection of Irish and Scotch whiskies. Locals can lounge in the espresso and organic tea bar or dig in for a meal – Polin recommends the brisket and sausage, smoked tomatoes stuffed with feta, olives, rice and almonds, or the Niçoise salad served with a seared tuna loin, plus an ice cream sundae with bourbon pecan sauce and candied bacon for dessert. The Dish and Dram: 10301 Kensington Pkwy. Kensington, MD;www.thedishanddram.com

HalfSmoke
Open: October 4
Location: Shaw
Lowdown: Sausage-centric comfort food
Andre McCain says he developed the concept for a gourmet sausage restaurant based on the market need for a premium spot focused on the sausage product, noting that sausage/hot dog chains have not typically offered chef-driven products that are sustainably sourced or of a farm-to-table nature in the past. HalfSmoke’s owner is switching things up with his new eatery, with a host of comfort food-inspired options like tater tots, mac and cheese balls, and funnel cakes on the menu. “The concept of HalfSmoke is to offer a modern spin on classic American dishes that evoke a sense of nostalgia and [remind us of] the freedom and fun of our childhoods,” he says. He even made sure his restaurant was designed to mimic the layout of a single-family home, creating a “comfortable dining environment that caters to a wide audience across multiple meal occasions.” Those that prefer to drink their calories can choose from boozy milkshakes, house-made craft cocktails with wood-grilled fruit garnishes, or champagne and wine on tap. HalfSmoke: 651 Florida Ave. NW, DC; www.halfsmoke.com

Muse Paintbar
Open: September 7
Location: Mosaic District
Lowdown: Dining for multitaskers
Muse Paintbar comes to NoVA’s booming Mosaic District, complete with murals by local artists including a giant rendition of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” on the interior. Customers can sign up for painting classes to take while enjoying a bite to eat or a libation, including couples’ night, paint your pet, family day, and glassware or masterpiece paintings. Cofounder Stan Fitch says Muse’s new location offers a rotating list of 12 beers and 12 wines, updated based on customer requests, and bite-sized fare that makes it easy to hold a paint brush in one hand and pop a snack with the other (spinach and feta triangles, beef hot dogs in pastry puffs, and mozzarella sticks, to name a few). Muse Paintbar: 2920 District Ave. #100, Fairfax, VA; www.musepaintbar.com

Mythology Restaurant & Lore Lounge
Open: Mid-September
Location: H Street
Lowdown: A dose of whimsy
Owner Todd Luongo describes his new restaurant as “contemporary with a healthy dose of whimsy,” noting several favorite mythical libations on the menu including Mercury’s Vespa (vodka, gin, prosecco, grapefruit and Italian honey) and the perfect-for-autumn Blue Men of the Minch (Laphroaig 10 Year, English breakfast tea and condensed milk). Mythology’s eclectic menu features a dozen types of frite dishes – dusted or smothered – from sushi-flavored to bulgogi beef, kimchi and red chili aioli, plus a range of entrees. Luongo says But I’m A Vegetarian (curried chickpea ragout, stewed eggplant and lemon yogurt) has been a standout dish thus far for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Mythology Restaurant & Lore Lounge: 816 H St. NE, DC;www.mythology-lore.com

Notable
Bar Pilar’s Election Cocktails
Dates: Through Election Day
Location: 14th Street
Lowdown: A toast to campaigns past
Bar Pilar and The Weekly Standard are joining forces to bring cocktails focused around elections of the past to the public, leading up to this most historic and colorful presidential election. The four cocktails featured are The Harrison 2.0, Taft Re-elected, Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain and Split the Party. Bar Pilar’s GM, Stephanie Juen, says the latter (inspired by the 1912 election when Teddy Roosevelt created the Progressive Party, or “Bull Moose Party,” after losing the Republican nomination), is one-half sweet vermouth, Plymouth gin, and orange and angostura bitters and one-half a mini-portion of Bar Pilar’s house-made tonic and gin. Locals can also participate in the election cocktail recipe contest and hang for presidential debate viewing parties, complete with debate bingo. Bar Pilar: 1833 14th St. NW, DC; www.barpilar.com

Central Michel Richard Hosts The Shaw Bijou Pop-up Bar
Dates: October 6 and 7
Location: Penn Quarter
Lowdown: The Shaw Bijou preview
Before former Top Chef contestant Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s The Shaw Bijou opens in Shaw on November 1, Central Michel Richard will host a pop-up bar to highlight some of the restaurant’s creative takes on existing cocktails. The pop-up marks a homecoming for The Shaw Bijou’s head bartender Ben Long, who was one of the first bartenders hired at Central Michel Richard in 2007. Long will serve the Enzoni, a muddled grape nontraditional sour with Campari and pink gin; the Cloak and Dagger daiquiri with French-aged rum; the Pear Pan-Americano served with pear brandy (the late Richard’s favorite) instead of pisco; and the Tritter Rickey, served with a rinse of absinthe and mint. Long says The Shaw Bijou takes a humble approach to cocktails. “We take great care in making them something simple and with only a few ingredients, but difficult to reproduce consistently and at optimal temperature and dilution.” Long’s tips will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, “a charity near and dear to Michel.” Central Michel Richard: 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC;www.centralmichelrichard.com

Linganore Winecellars Celebrates 40 Years
Dates: Fall 2016
Location: Mt. Airy
Lowdown: Four decades of excellence
Plan a day trip to this family-owned vineyard and winery in Mt. Airy, Md. that just celebrated its 40th anniversary. Linganore specializes in dry and sweet reds and whites, so get out your tasting glass and sample their lineup of vino. Linganore Winecellars: 13601 Glissans Mill Rd. Mt Airy, MD; www.linganorewines.com

NO LONGER
Alphonse Italian Market & Osteria on U Street
Bistro d’Oc in Penn Quarter
Cafe Paradiso in Woodley Park
China Garden in Arlington
Dickson on U Street
II Forno in Arlington
MET in Bethesda
My Way Gourmet in Dupont
Nonna’s Kitchen on U Street
Panache in Dupont Circle
Pinkberry in Georgetown