Zinburger Launches Burger Battle
Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar with restaurants in Springfield Town Center and Arundel Mills mall launched the Great Zinburger Battle by asking guests to submit their own signature burger creation until June 10 via Instagram or Twitter.
The top eight entries, selected by Zinburger’s culinary team, will make their way to the restaurant’s Burger of the Week menu. Two burgers will compete against each other each week for a month and the burger with the highest overall sales will be declared the winner.
Fans, who must be 18 years of age or older, can submit their entries via direct message on Instagram or Twitter. The entry should include all the ingredients and describe how to build the burger as well as a name of the burger. Fans can enter more than one burger. The winner will receive a large Green Egg Grill (valued at $800) and a $250 gift card. Second and third place will receive a $50 gift card and the remaining five contestants will receive a $25 gift card.
Ford’s Fish Shack competes in annual Lobster Rumble
Ford’s Fish Shack with restaurants at 44260 Ice Rink Plaza, Ashburn, 19308 Promenade Drive, Leesburg and 25031 Riding Plaza, Chantily will roll into New York City for the 10th annual Lobster Rumble on June 7 and a chance to win the title of “Best Lobster Roll in America.” Ford’s is a three-time repeat contestant in the New York City Lobster Rumble. The competition invites 25 of the nation’s top lobster shacks from as far away as California and Texas to compete for the title.
Executive chef and owner Tony Stafford plans to enter Ford’s traditional Maine-style lobster roll in the rumble.
“We are very honored to be invited for the third time as one of the top 25 nationwide restaurants to compete in this. We’re ready to show New York City why our guests in Northern Virginia love our Lobster Rolls,” said Stafford.
A portion of this year’s event proceeds will be donated to World Central Kitchen, founded by chef José Andrés, supporting the organization’s efforts to create smart solutions to hunger and poverty in nine countries around the world.
The Royal celebrates National Cognac Day
The Royal, 501 Florida Ave. NW, will celebrate National Cognac Day during its monthly Royal Knights cocktail pop-up series from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. on Monday, June 4.
Guest bartender Frank Manganello Jr. from Primose will pay homage to the French brandy with $8 cognac cocktails featuring cognac coladas, affogato pour-overs and Sidecar Jello shots.
His “An American In Charente” cocktail, a take on the Japanese cocktail, combines cognac, corn-geat and Angostura bitters. The “Escape by Rupert Holmes” combines cognac with a homemade pineapple and coconut pina colada mix, frozen and dusted with allspice and a tropical edible flower.
Other cocktails include the “Oui Oui, Mon Ami” with house-made caramelized pineapple and star anise ice cream served alongside a shot of cognac and cold brew coffee, designed to pour over the frozen treat; the “Framboise Ivre” with cognac, rye whiskey, falernum, raspberry compote and lemon; and the “Sidecar Jello Shot,” a molecular version of the classic cognac/orange liqueur/lemon juice cocktail, reverse-spherified and dusted with lemon sugar.
Other evening specials include $3 canned brews from Atlas Brew Works, $6 Cognac boilermakers and $10 handmade roasted chicken and vegetarian tamales, served until 1 a.m.
Lil’B hosts happy hour with Charm City Meadworks
Lil’B Coffee & Eatery in the Darcy Hotel, 1515 Rhode Island Ave.NW on Scott Circle, is hosting a Mead & Greet happy hour with Charm City Meadworks, Baltimore, and offering free tastings and bites from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, June 8.
In collaboration with Charm City Meadworks, guests can sample sips of mead outside on the patio and can purchase the special Mead Melon-Ade made with mead, freshly made honeydew melon juice, lime juice and honey-ginger syrup at the happy hour price of $10. To complement the tasting, snacks such as local Virginia cheese, charcuterie and locally-grown fruit will be served.
Charm City Meadworks’ owner Andrew Geffken will be on-hand to “meet the maker” as he provides samples of both his still and carbonated draft mead, which is made from fermented honey and has been brewed since ancient times.
Buena Vida adds unlimited weekend brunch
Buena Vida, 8407 Ramsey Ave., Silver Spring, is now serving unlimited weekend brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for $35 per person.
Diners can enjoy an endless selection of Mexican fare showcasing traditional flavors from all the corners of Mexico and incorporating cage-free eggs and meats primarily sourced from Amish farmers along with local seafood from the Chesapeake. The Buena Vida Brunch Experience must be ordered by the entire table. Dishes are also available a la carte with prices ranging from $2.50-$12 each.
Selections include traditional guacamole with avocado, tomato onion, cilantro and lime; Yucatan guacamole with pickled mango, goat cheese, and basil; jicama and green apple salad with heirloom carrot, chayote and grapefruit; a breakfast quesadilla with house-cured bacon, egg, poblano peppers, Oaxaca cheese, crema and pico de gallo; huevos rancheros with a soft corn tortilla, sunny side up egg, avocado, panela cheese, black bean puree and pico de gallo; sopes de chorizo benedict with organic masa cornmeal cake, house-made pork chorizo, poached egg and creamy salsa verde; arroz frito con huevo, Mexican fried rice with scrambled egg, chicken, ham, corn and green bean cilantro; and spicy crab and egg enchiladas with corn, poblano, scallion and three chile salsa.
A number of chef specials will also be available including albondigas with dry aged beef meatballs, chile morita tomato sauce and almond; potato and Oaxaca cheese flautas with black bean purée, rajas, cabbage slaw, verde and roja salsas, and cotija cheese; trompo taco hash with spit roasted pork al pastor, new potato, poblano, scallion poached egg and salsa verde; chilaquiles with corn tortilla chips, fried egg, salsa verde, Oaxaca and cotija cheeses, crema fresca and pickled red onion; shrimp and house-made chorizo grits with roasted poblano, tomato, scallion and poached egg; and crispy pork chop “Milanesa” with tomato, avocado, morita mayo and lemon. For a sweet finish, one can enjoy Mexican confections such as buñuelos, a cinnamon sugar cracker with cajeta, a Mexican caramel sauce; fruit salad with shaved fresh coconut; and Mexican chocolate cupcakes with candy sprinkles.
Specialty brunch cocktails include house mimosas with sparkling wine and a choice of flavor including traditional, mango or strawberry; Bloody Mary; Bloody Maria with blanco tequila and signature bloody Mary mix; TTT margarita with blanco tequila, agave, and lime; Michelada with beer, sangria and tamarind-chili; white sangria with sauvignon blanc, cantaloupe, mango, grapes and peach liqueur; and red sangria with cabernet sauvignon, pomegranate, mandarin, grape and orange liqueur. Cocktails are $8-$9 each.
Suburbia celebrates National Rosé Day
Suburbia, the bar on wheels outside Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NW, will celebrate National Rosé Day on Saturday, June 9.
The space inside the white picket fence surrounding the vintage 1967 Airstream pop-up bar will be all decked out as an Alice in Wonderland-themed rosé garden with large rose flower cut-outs, a photobooth with the Queen of Hearts and lots of pink. Frosé will flow all day and 5-glass flights of rosé will be served in pink flamingo blow-up trays for $20. All rosé by the glass will be offered for less than $10, and full bottles will also be available.
Jardenea Lounge celebrates Pride with special cocktail
Jardenea Lounge, in the lobby of the Melrose George Hotel, 2430 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is celebrating Pride in D.C. with the Pink Panther.
The Pink Panther is a watermelon-infused Cosmopolitan cocktail. It will be available June 7-10 in celebration of the Capital Pride parade on Saturday and the festival on Sunday.
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.