New & Notable October ’15

On Tap scouts out the restaurants, bars and clubs that are new to the scene or shaking things up.

NEW

Aslin Beer Company
Order: In Memoria (lime kolsch)
Started by three brothers-in-law and named for the family that ties them together, this newcomer to the region’s burgeoning brewery scene grows its own hops. The brewery bar is open Wednesday-Sunday, and patrons can purchase growlers. Aslin Beer Company: 257 Sunset Park Dr., Herndon, VA; 703-787-5766; www.facebook.com search AslinBeerCo

Bad Saint
Order: Willy Santos (coconut wine, cocchi americano, banana liqueur, calamansi, lime)
Is this the next Rose’s Luxury? That’s the whisper on the street (though the Bad Saints pretend they don’t want the fame), and it just might be true. How else do you explain the young urbanites swooning over prawn crackers with shrimp paste, adobo-style squid, and cocktails made with banana liqueur and obscure citrus fruits? And what other restaurant inspires long, patient lines? You decide. Bad Saint: 3226 11th St. NW, DC; www.badsaintdc.com

Bar Deco
Order: The All American (house-made bacon-infused bourbon, homemade bitters, maple syrup, bacon garnish)
This beautiful art deco-inspired bar restaurant opened in the historic Bulletin Building in Chinatown. Spread over four stories and featuring a rooftop bar, Bar Deco has preserved the building’s iconic feel. But the cocktail menu is what we’re really swooning over. Bar Deco: 717 6th St. NW, DC; 202-774-5867; www.BarDecoDC.com

Due South
Order: Shoefly Punch (Bulleit bourbon, ginger liqueur, Due South bitters, simple syrup, ginger beer, orange, mint)
Southern rustic comes to the Capitol Riverfront, brought to us by the owners of Bayou, Smith Point and Jetties. The gorgeous space features Southern food updated for DC’s urban preps (kale farro grain salad, 12-hour smoked brisket with Anson Mill grits). Due South: 301 Water St. SE, DC; 202-479-4616; www.duesouthdc.com

L’Hommage Bistro Francais
Order: Coq au Vin
L’Hommage Bistro invokes convivial French bistro dining, with a few updates. The restaurant uses rice flour in many dishes instead of wheat (the classic thickener for French sauces), which will warm the hearts of celiacs and their fellow-travelers. L’Hommage has promised more vegetarian options as well. The bakery attached to the main dining room features pastries and Illy coffee to go. L’Hommage Bistro Francais: 450 K St. NW, DC; 202-791-0916; www.lhommagedc.com

The Prospect
Order: Caramelized Old Fashioned (Calvados, apple bitters, salted caramel)
Sports fan meets foodie, and they embrace enthusiastically. That’s The Prospect (from the folks behind Provision No. 14), with 40 televisions, duck burgers and goat nachos. The Prospect: 1214 U St. NW, DC; 202-450-4109; www.theprospectdc.com

Red’s Table
Order: Bread and Roses (Irish whiskey, dry Madeira, orange bitters)
Opened by three brothers who grew up locally, Red’s Table is meant to be an extension of their childhood home, with a focus on elevated comfort food (think peach pie with thyme, black pepper and bee pollen) and soul-warming drinks. We enjoyed the dining-room view of Lake Thoreau. Red’s Table: 11150 S Lakes Dr. Reston, VA; 571-375-7755; www.redstableva.com

Scarlet Oak
Order: 909 Triple Play (PBR, Dickel rye whiskey, pickle back)
I had no idea the District’s ‘official’ tree is a Scarlet Oak, but now we have a restaurant to permanently remind us. The sister restaurant to AdMo’s Southern Hospitality brings its “modern American” menu (code for pizza, burgers and whatever the chef wants to make) to the Capitol Riverfront We like that happy hour starts at 3:30 p.m. (M-F). Scarlet Oak: 909 New Jersey Ave. SE, DC; 202-780-0140; www.scarletoakdc.com

SKWR kabobline
Order: Chipotle-style
It’s that famous assembly line, adapted for Middle Eastern food (lamb, eggplant, hummus): admire the rotisseries, then assemble your humanely-raised base, protein, sauces and toppings. SKWR kabobline: 1400 K St. NW, DC; 202-682-1717; www.SKWR.com

Silver
Order: Chimichurri chicken wings
The Silver Diner is a local legend, both for ‘healthy’ diner food and for middle-of-the-night, post-party noshing. Silver is part of the same family, just swankier. Silver: 7150 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD; 301-652-9780; www.eatatsilver.com

Succotash
Order: PB&J (Bulleit bourbon, oloroso sherry, peanut potlikker, Bama grape jelly, egg white, salty peanuts)
Succotash at National Harbor offers a “progressive perspective” on Southern classics (curried succotash pot pie, anyone?), which includes vegan and gluten-free menu options, as well as over 100 whiskeys. Succotash: 186 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD; 301-567-8900; www.succotashrestaurant.com

Wicked Bloom Social Club
Order: Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire (mezcal, lime, pomegranate, habanero)
This quirky bbq-and-cocktails destination is the latest adventure from the folks of DCity Smokehouse; Ben Matz (Eat the Rich) sets the cocktail agenda with a delicious focus on brown spirits. Wicked Bloom Social Club: 1540 North Capitol St. NW, DC; 202-750-6375; www.facebook.com search WickedBloomDC

NOTABLE
Independent Grounds
Why: Do good, drink good
Independent Grounds Coffee House launched its crowdfunding campaign to open a non-profit coffee shop in DC that provides a vocational work-study program for high school students with autism. Support them. Independent Grounds crowdfunding page: www.gofundme.com; Facebook page:www.facebook.com search independentgrounds

Olivia’s Diner
Why: Brunch
DC is overwhelmed with brunch options, but a diner offering bottomless mimosas is a no-brainer. Olivia’s just started serving brunch, so go before the weekend hordes descend. Olivia’s Diner: 1120 19th St. NW, DC; 202-775-3777; www.oliviasdiner.com

Quadrant
Why: Pumpkin Fizz (house-infused vanilla vodka, seasoned pumpkin juice, lemon, egg white, cream, rose water)
DC’s Ritz-Carlton has doubled the size of its posh lobby lounge and rechristened it Quadrant. But more importantly, there is a renewed emphasis on lush, creative cocktails, led by Christopher Mendenhall (Westend Bistro).
Quadrant: 1150 22nd St. NW, DC; 202-835-0500; www.ritzcarlton.com search Properties/WashingtonDC/Dining/Quadrant