Welcome to am Intel, your roundup of DC food and restaurant news. Tips are always welcome, drop them here.
The business partners behind Johnny’s Half Shell, a DC favorite for 21 years across multiple locations, are reimagining the Adams Morgan restaurant they closed last fall. Washingtonian reports that Chef Ann Cashion and John Fulchino are weeks away from opening Los Compañeros, a full-service Mexican restaurant that will complement their Taqueria Nacional brand, at 1819 Columbia Road NW. The menu would include taqueria and fonda dishes such as Gulf Shrimp Enchiladas, Yucatan Grilled Chicken, Veracruz Crab Cake and a throwback queso from Cashion’s Austin Grill days. [W]
Raise a hill at Smoke & Barrel
Adams Morgan Smoke & Barrel BBQ Bar, recovering from a long winter hibernation, celebrates its 10th anniversary on Thursday, September 30, with $10 specials for all-you-can-eat Narragansett drafts and sample platters at $10 (meat or vegan).
Cafe Cocktails in Clarendon
The new cafe/bar in Clarendon from Rako Coffee wholesalers serves much more than single-origin beers. DCist has a first look showing lovely beetroot hummus, Pluma by Bluebird pastries, espresso martinis, coffee-infused Campari-based Negronis, and low-touch wines. [DCist]
Tysons Polka Showdown
A mixed-use development, the Boro is hosting a Battle of the Polka Stripes at Tysons on Saturday, October 2, complete with Sandlot drinks, Oktoberfest mugs and bouncy pretzels. The free festival (registration required) takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Starred chef dinners at the Line
Indie Chefs Community, a national organization of more than 700 chefs in 13 cities, is hosting its final DC dinners at Adams Morgan’s Line Hotel on Thursday, October 14. ICC bills the three-day event as an “anti-food festival”. which champions social justice and rewards leaders for their contributions. Here’s the star-studded lineup, which includes chefs from across the East Coast. All participants and guests must provide proof of vaccination. Thursday dinners are $225 per person, which covers 12 courses and wine pairings. Saturday final is $275
Thursday, October 14, 7 p.m.
Aisha Momaney – Gravitas, Washington, D.C.
Annie Coleman – Tail Up Goat, Washington, D.C.
Cable Smith – The Royal and Lulu’s, Washington, D.C.
Erik Bruner-Yang – Maketto, Washington, D.C.
Kevin Tien – Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
Masako Morishita, Maxwell Park, Washington, D.C.
Mavis-Jay Sanders – Drive Change, Brooklyn, NY
Mimi Weissenborn – Unaffiliated, Portsmouth, NH
Opie Crooks – No Goodbye, Washington, DC
Tyler Akin – The Cavalier, Wilmington, DE
Thursday, October 14, 7:30 p.m.
Annie Pettry, unaffiliated, Asheville, NC
Armani Johnson, ABC Pony, Washington, D.C.
Boby Pradachith, Thip Khao, Washington, D.C.
Claudette Zepeda, VAGA Restaurant, San Diego, CA
Isabel Coss, Lutece, Washington, DC
Marcelle Afram, Shababi Palestinian Roast Chicken, Washington, DC
Omri Oflalo, Tribune & The Town Revival, Oakland, CA
Paola Velez, unaffiliated, Washington, DC
Tim Ma – Lucky Danger, Washington, D.C.
Saturday October 16, 7 p.m.
- All the previously mentioned chefs will collaborate with a “surprise culinary talent”
Raise a toast to Atlas
Atlas Brew Works celebrates its eighth anniversary in Ivy City with a party on Saturday, October 16 and food from Andy’s Pizza. Tickets to the event (proof of vaccination or negative test required) are $15. A special Mayor for Life beer blends three barrel-aged beers and incorporates 400 pounds of puppets.
