Washington, D.C. New Menu Report: 8/3/16
It's almost too hot to eat anything during our relentless heat wave; nah, who are we kidding; it's never too hot for great food and drink. This week, District bars and restaurants are serving cold shakes, savory, spicy cocktails, designer burgers, free desserts, and half price wine during brunch, how can anyone turn that kind of variety down? Turn down the AC, drink plenty of water, and then dive into the food and alcoholic drinks it's summertime and time to indulge.
BLT Steak DC
Just in time for National Oyster Day (August 5), BLT Steak DC, that bastion of meat and fine cuisine, is offering a special menu duo that pairs inventive oyster dishes with savory, spicy shooters. The special menus are available during dinner from Monday, August 1 to Friday, August 5 and to celebrate, chef de cuisine Marc Hennessy has created a new bar menu that features freshly shucked Rappahannock Oysters on the half-shell topped with poke. Briny and richly flavored, the oysters pair perfectly with beverage director James Nelson's new shooters, which include a bacon-infused vodka with watercress and refreshing tomato water; a chili and horseradish-infused vodka with spicy tomatillo mix and a spiced rim; and a dill aquavit shooter complimented by Nelson's house-made Bloody Mary mix and a celery juice chaser.
Burger, Tap & Shake
Now that August is here, it's time to highlight the new Burger of the Month at Burger, Tap & Shake, which is appropriately named "The Dog Days of Summer." You think the chef did this as a nod to our nation's obsession with hot dogs or was it our region's notorious heat waves, whatever the inspiration this is one meaty burger. It's handmade from a beef patty topped with American cheese, barbecue bologna sausage, and summer chow chow relish and could very well be the best burger in town for under $10 bucks. A carb and carnivore splurge like this one has to include the ultimate indulgence—what else but the creamy, rich Shake of the Month, which is a spicy Lime Habañero Vanilla Ice Cream Shake.
Marcel's
For all of our brunch-obsessed readers, get ready because Marcel's, one of D.C.'s swankiest restaurants, is offering a half price wine special during brunch (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) that the restaurant is calling Last Toast to Summer. From Sunday, July 24 through the end of August, Marcel's is pouring any bottle from their cellar for half price. Consider Belgian waffles with Chantilly cream and a lovely Champagne, a crisp rosé paired with a poached eggs and duck Prosciutto, or a silky white to accompany lobster pappardelle. A Sunday spent at Marcel's is always a Sunday well spent, especially when the wine cellar is open.
PassionFish
Summertime is one of the best seasons for dessert and we encourage lovers of sweet things to head to PassionFish, in Bethesda, Maryland, for their newest summer indulgence—Treat Yourself Tuesday—it's sure to put a smile on your face. Every Tuesday, head to the restaurant for dinner and when you order an entrée you get your pick of any dessert (except for Seasonal Berries) free of charge including indulgent treats like caramel crème brûlée, Florida key lime "tart," chocolate mousse bombe, warm donut holes, or fresh sorbet.
Shake Shack
August is a big month at Shake Shack restaurants across the DMV, with the introduction of three new tempting menu selections. First, are the bacon cheddar fries (which will be served starting August 5) made with crinkle-cut fries topped with smoked Niman Ranch bacon and Wisconsin aged cheddar cheese sauce; there is also a new cookies and cream shake (available now until August 31) made with Shake Shack's rich and creamy chocolate frozen custard blended with chocolate cookie crumbles and topped with whipped cream; and the shack shandy, a blend of ShackMeister® Ale and Shack-made lemonade, available now through September 5.
For more Washington DC dining and travel news, click here. Summer Whitford is the D.C. Editor and a food, drink and travel writer at The Daily Meal. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva and on Instagram at thefoodandwinediva. Read more of her stories here.