Land of the Free, Home of the Hungry
The Fourth of July is just a week away. With so much to do from the National Independence Day Parade that begins at 11:45 a.m. and marches down Constitution Avenue from Seventh to 17th Streets NW, to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival that features the Basque country and sounds of California on the National Mall and from A Capitol Fourth that begins at 8 p.m. on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol featuring Smokey Robinson and Kenny Logins to the fireworks on the Mall at 9 p.m., there is too much to spend the day in the kitchen. If you want to declare your independence from cooking we have a few ideas.
1905
1905, 1905 Ninth St. NW, will hold a rooftop deck barbecue featuring local sausages, grilled portobellos and a host of side dishes. Tickets are a flat $20 at the door and include three items. Additional tickets will be available for extra food and beer.
701 Restaurant
701 Restaurant, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is having a barbecue on its patio. Summertime staples including a whole roasted hog and lobster rolls are part of the dining fun for July 4 from beginning at 2 p.m. Pig out on house-made barbecue staples such as loaded potato salad with cheddar cheese, scallions, crème fraiche and bacon; coleslaw; baked beans; corn bread with honey- jalapeno butter; lobster rolls with Duke’s mayonnaise, cucumber and tarragon; a whole hog served with a roll and moppin’ sauce; hot dogs with onions and pimento cheese; potato chips with herbs d’ Provence and goats cheese cream; 701 Burger with bacon, comte, truffle aioli and thrice fried fries; and a pit beef sandwich with blue cheese, pickled onions, tiger sauce and greens. All dishes are sold a la carte and range from $5-$20. Also, a limited dinner menu featuring modern American cuisine will be served from 5:30-10 p.m. during regular dinner hours.
Ambar
Ambar, 523 Eighth St. SE, will offer its fixed price weekend brunch of unlimited small plates and cocktails from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for $39 per person. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat selection of mezze, soups, salads, sandwiches, egg dishes, pastry and crepes and sweets along with five brunch cocktails. Bottomless brunch must be ordered by the entire table.
Café du Parc
Café du Parc, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is serving hot dogs and hamburgers from noon-8 p.m. If you want to stake your spot on the mall, opt for their $15 carry-out lunches with a grilled entrée, coleslaw, chips and water. It will also have popsicles and homemade lemonade for $4 each.
Capital City Brewing Co.
Capital City Brewing Co., 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington and 1100 New York Ave. NW, will tap their Red Wheat and Blue, a signature American wheat ale made with raspberries and blueberries. The D.C. location offers $5 appetizers, while the Arlington location will be serving up barbecue ribs for adults and $1 hot dogs and burgers for kids.
City Tap House
City Tap House, 901 Ninth St. NW, will host its third annual BeerBQ Battle. Evolution Brewing, 3 Stars Brewing. Three Notch’d Brewing and the restaurant will battle it out to see who the diners think has the best cooking skills. Tickets are $20 for samples from the four competitors along with potato salad, coleslaw and watermelon. There will be select $5 drafts from participating breweries and John Dalys all day. Gets can participate in a cornhole tournament with the winners receiving a gift card and a swag bag. Up to 32 teams can sign-up between 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Clyde’s of Columbia
Clyde’s of Columbia, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, will set off fireworks over Lake Kittamaqundi this Independence Day beginning about 9:15 p.m. Diners can order unlimited food, beer and wine on the restaurants pavilion between 5-10 p.m. for $75 per adult, $40 for young adults ages 12-20 and $20 for children 11 and younger. Liquor will also be available at an additional cost. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door if any remain.
El Centro DF
El Centro DF, 1819 14th St. NW and 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW, will serve its regular all-you-can-eat Mexican brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Independence Day. Priced at $35 per person, diners can have an endless selection from the entire brunch menu along with bottomless brunch drinks. The entire table must order the bottomless brunch.
Embassy Row Hotel
The Embassy Row Hotel, 2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW, is hosting a Red White Blue July 4th Pool Party from noon-5 p.m. with tickets starting at $20. Pack your bathing sure to ring in the holiday while dancing the afternoon away, sipping cocktails and enjoying a panoramic view of the city.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Jack Rose Dining Saloon, 2007 18th St. NW, is partnering with Frederick, Md.-based Flying Dog Brewery for a canned beer-centric July 4th celebration and rooftop viewing party. Jack Rose’s fourth annual “AmeriCAN DrinkDependence Day” will beginning at 2 p.m. with $4 Flying Dog canned brews all day and night, plus half priced bites. The Balcony Room and Tiki Bar will also be open for fireworks viewing.
Liaison Capitol Hill
The Liaison Capitol Hill, 415 New Jersey Ave. NW, throws a rooftop pool party from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. on July 4th. Tickets are $50 for all-day access to the hotel pool and a limited view of the fireworks. Groups can even rent poolside cabanas, ranging from $300-$400 for the day. Food and drinks are priced individually.
Lincoln
Lincoln, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW, is hosting a party from 2-11 p.m with presidentially-themed fare. The restaurant will have an all-you-can-eat buffet with the burger, hot dogs, ribs, salads and corn among others and live music. Tickets are $35 for adults and $17 for ages 12 and younger.
Masa 14
Masa 14, 1825 14th St. NW, will serve its regular weekend prix fixe Latin American brunch in the main dining room from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for $39. Brunch includes an unlimited selection of brunch drinks, as well as items from the menu. The entire table must order the unlimited menu. Brunch items can also be ordered a la carte with prices ranging from $4-$13.
Ottoman Taverna
Ottoman Taverna, 425 I St. NW, Suite 107, will serve its weekend a la carte brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Teddy & the Bully Bar
Teddy & The Bully Bar, 1200 19th St. NW, is serving all-you-can-eat hot dogs, ribs and pulled pork with $5 Heavy Seas IPA and $8 cocktails from 2 p.m.-11 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $17 for children 12 and younger.
Toro Toro
Toro Toro, 1300 I St. NW, will serve is regular weekend brunch service from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Brunch is priced at $39 per person and begins with a choice of Pan-Latin small plates along with the restaurant’s “Rodizio Experience,” with choices that include picanha steak, chorizo sausage, achiote chicken or the chef’s daily selection. Diners can also order from chef’s daily creation of hot sides. There is also a create-your-own Bloody Mary bar and a bottomless supply of featured cocktails.
Zengo
Zengo, 781 Seventh St. NW will offer its usual bottomless brunch for $39 per person and $10 per child younger than 10 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. this Independence Day. Dine on an all-you-can-eat selection of ceviche, sushi, and salads, dim sum and antojitos, and brunch plates along with seven distinctive brunch cocktails. Bottomless brunch must be ordered by the entire table.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.