Saturday is July 4th and there will be fireworks and other festivities around the DMV. Many area restaurants are helping you celebrate Independence Day with dining specials to get you out of the kitchen.

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken is offering a special USA doughnut on July 4. (Photo: Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken)

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, 1308 G St. NW, will celebrate the Fourth of July by offering their birthday cake and USA doughnuts. The birthday cake doughnut is a chocolate cake doughnut with vanilla glaze, buttercream and sprinkles. The USA doughnut is a vanilla glazed doughnut with raspberry drizzle, blueberries and the letters USA piped in chocolate. The specialty doughnuts will be available on July 4 only or by special order on July 3. One half dozen order with three birthday cake and three USA doughnuts will be available for $14, and eight pieces of chicken can be added to the order for a total of $33.

strong>Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery on The Hill, 921 Pennsylvania Ave SE, is offering Music Box Meals for $15. The dinner box special includes a choice of chicken salad sandwich on 7-grain bread with alfalfa sprouts and avocado; pimiento cheese and cucumber sandwich; or shaved natural turkey with havarti and baby arugula. The boxes come with Zapp’s Kettle Chips, a lemon-cornmeal cookie and fresh fruit.

Burger, Tap & Shake, 2200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will be shaking up a chilly summer treat throughout July with its American spirited Red, White & Blue Milkshake. Made with daily house-churned vanilla ice cream, blueberry purée and crushed raspberries. Grab one en route to the fireworks.

The mercato at Centrolina, 974 Palmer Alley NW, is offering two picnic baskets priced at $75 for two people or $150 for four. The Americano basket includes fried chicken, potato salad, Route 11 potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, lemon bars and two Atlas District Commons beers per person. The Italiano basket includes a prosciutto and fennel salami sandwich with mozzarella, Gordy’s Pickled Peppers and arugula, herbed orzo salad, grissini (Piemontese breadsticks), chocolate hazelnut biscotti, lemon ricotta cookies and one bottle of prosecco for two or two bottles of prosecco for four. Baskets must be orderd by 2 p.m. on July 1 and can be picked up July 3 or 4.

City Tap House, 901 9th St. NW, is with their second annual BeerBQ Brewery Battle on July 4. The restaurant’s culinary team will go head-to-head against representatives from 3 Stars Brewing Co., Evolution Craft Brewing Co. and Adroit Theory Brewing Co. in a cook-off from noon to 5 p.m. For $15, guest can enjoy BBQ favorites prepared by representatives from the beer companies along with City Tap House’s house-made sides including potato salad, coleslaw and watermelon. Guests can vote for their favorite BBQ and beer with the winner named at 5 p.m. Beers from the three breweries will be featured on tap for $5 each. There will also be a July 4th cornhole tournament on the restaurant’s patio throughout the afternoon. There is no cost to enter, but teams should arrive between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. to sign up for their preferred time slot. The winner of the single-elimination tournament will receive a gift certificate redeemable at City Tap House.

El Centro D.F., 1819 14th St. NW and 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW, will serve its all-you-can-eat Mexican brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Sunday for $35 per person.

If you head to the National Mall for the fireworks, take along some of these special deals. (Photo: Shwn Thew/AFP/Getty Images)

G, 2201 14th St. NW, is offering picnic baskets from July 1-Sept. 7 for $39 for two people or $74 for four people. Baskets include a choice of sandwich or salad per person, choice of canned/bottled beverage, two sides, chips and Nutella cookies, 2 sides. Orders can be placed online with 24 hours advance notice required.

Graffiato, 707 Sixth St. NW, is celebrating Independence Day with a classic summer lobster bake. Available July 3-5 for $39 per person, the menu includes a 1 pound lobster with drawn butter, corn on the cob, sausage, potatoes and cornbread.

Jardenea, located at the Melrose Georgetown Hotel, 2430 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is offering a special red, white and blue-inspired cocktail through the July 4 weekend. The all-American patriotic cocktail is made with Bacardi rum, Rumchata, Blue Curaçao and grenadine for $10 each or half price during happy hour from 5-7 p.m.

Kapnos Taverna, 4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, is offering a Fourth of July to-go menu. Guests can choose from popular Greek spreads, sides and roasted meats. Deadline to place an order is July 2. Orders will be ready for pick up on July 4.Orders can be placed online.

Masa 14, 1825 14th St. NW, will serve its prix fixe Latin-Asian brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Sunday for $39. Brunch items can also be ordered a la carte for $4-$13 per dish..

Penn Commons, 700 Sixth St. NW, is serving a Good Ol’ Apple Pie drink made with Apple Pie whiskey, whipped cream vodka, Southern Comfort, lemon juice and aromatic house bitters. It is also offering fried chicken picnic to go for two that includes buttermilk fried chicken, dill new potato salad, sweet corn chow-chow and summer peach hand pies for $17.76. Picnics must be ordered by 4 p.m. on July 3 and picked up between 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on July 4.

Rare Sweets in CenterCityDC is serving First Lady-inspired sweets including Eleanor Roosevelt’s angel food cake (clockwise from top), Lady Bird Johnson’s lemon bars, Hillary Cinton’s oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and Mamie Eisenhower’s chocolate fudge.
(Photo: Franz Mahr/Brightest Young Things)

Rare Sweets, 936 Palmer Alley NW, will offer a variety of First Lady-inspired sweets for the Fourth now through July 3. The special include Lady Bird Johnson’s lemon bars for $2.50; Mamie Eisenhower’s chocolate fudge for $6 per pack; Eleanor Roosevelt’s angel food cake for $5 per slice or $40 for a whole cake with mixed berry compote; and Hillary Clinton’s oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for $2; A Fourth of July BBQ dessert essentials kit with six lemon bars, six oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and one 8-inch blueberry nutmeg cake is available for $65.

Station 4, 1101 4th St. SW will offer its weekend brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Diners can order a la carte for $7-$17 each dish or enjoy endless Bloody Marys and Mimosas along with the choice of one brunch entrée for $30.

Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats, 1370 Park Road NW, is selling a Fourth of July cupcake with stars and sparks for $4 each or $36 for 12.

Zengo, 781 7th St. NW will serve its bottomless brunch Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for $39 per person and $10 per child under 10. Signature cocktails are available for an additional $5 each.

Passion Food Hospitality will open its second Burger, Tap & Shake at 4445 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Tenlytown in mid-July. It is moving in where Neisha Thai Restaurant and EUR Asian Hot Pot had been.

Burger, Tap & Shake will open its second location in Tenleytown where Neisha Thai Restaurant and EUR Asian Hot Pot had been.
(Photo: Popville)

Like its Washington Circle sister in Foggy Bottom, the new location will serve up a full range of premium patties along with milkshakes, hand-cut fries and small-batch craft beers on tap. BTS will anchor the corner of Wisconsin Avenue across from the Tenleytown Metro station with an industrial chic, urban-graffiti style.

The menu includes customizable beef burgers made with a blend of brisket and chuck ground in-house throughout the day. Six Buck Chuck, the house burger, comes with lettuce, pickles, onion, tomato, and AP Sauce, a house blend of mayo, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce and chipotle. For another buck each, diners can add toppings such as Lea & Perrins mushrooms, Benton’s smoked bacon, Texas chili con carne without beans, crumbled blue cheese or smashed avocado. The Haight-Ashbury is a meatless burger. Others burgers include turkey, chicken and salmon. Any patty can be added to the house salad for an extra $5. French fries, sweet potato fries and onion rings comprise the side-menu.

Shakes run from the traditional chocolate, vanilla or strawberry to something zippier like double espresso, blueberry-pomegranate or tart cherry. A secret off-the-menu item is the root beer float made with BTS’ own bottled root beer and house-churned ice cream. Grown-ups can enjoy “Shaketails” that combine a milkshake and a cocktail. Just in time for summer, Talladega Nights is a blend of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, house-made limoncello, vanilla ice cream and lemon juice and the Oreo Speedwagon combines Kahlua, Oreo cookies and vanilla ice cream.

There will also be small-batch craft beers from a dozen taps, a selection of wines by the glass and spirits and specialty cocktails.

Royal officially opens in LeDroit Park

LeDroit Park’s newest neighborhood bar and eatery, The Royal officially opened its doors on Thursday at 501 Florida Ave. NW. From Vinoteca owner, Paul Carlson, the restaurant is a coffee shop and lunch spot by day, and an intimate bar and casual eatery by night.

The Royal, from the owners of Vinoteca, opened in LeDroit Park this week. (Photo: The Royal)

The Royal opens its doors early offering a full Counter Culture coffee program of espressos, lattes, cortados, drip and cold-brew coffee for dine-in and to-go, along with loose leaf teas from Good Thoughts Tea Co. There will also be freshly baked pastries, such as roasted plantain bread, homemade corn muffins and Nutella pin-wheels, and heartier fare like arepas stuffed with a fried egg, cotija cheese and avocado, and Calentado, a combination of rice, roasted potatoes and peas, topped with a fried egg.

Starting at noon, The Royal offers an all-day menu featuring a variety of salads such as grilled avocado with red quinoa, lentils and house vinaigrette made from ground pumpkin seeds; tomatoes with raw goat feta, herbs, garlic and cumin; cucumber and hearts of palm with lime, chili and red onion; and bibb salad with pickled carrots, red onion, salsa rosada and corn nuts. There will also be Latin-inspired snacks and meats, seafood and vegetables cooked on a custom-made four-foot wood-burning grill. Chef Lonnie Zoeller will hand-make beef empanadas and cheese arepas served with aji sauce. Entrees include grilled squid with smoked tomato, radish and cilantro; morcilla made with pork and rice, alongside roasted potatoes; Butifarra pork sausage with roasted potatoes; charred field vegetables with buttermilk dressing; and grilled steak with roasted potatoes.

The bar focuses on craft cocktails created by beverage director Horus Alvarez using exotic fruits, juices and herbs to flavor cocktails like the Ashes to Ashes with El Dorado 8-year rum, guava, mole, ancho chile and mescal. Signature cocktails will range from $11-$14. It will also offer classic $10 cocktails including a daiquiri with El Dorado white rum, lime juice and sugar and a rye Old Fashioned with Pikesville rye, bitters, sugar and water. A feature will be shaved ice cocktails, such as the Royal Cup with Ford’s gin, cucumber strawberry gastrique, Averna and ginger beer; and the Ascension with house-infused pineapple cachaça, dark rum, hibiscus syrup and citrus year-round, churned from a vintage ice shaver Carlson sourced from Guatemala. The bar will also boast an extensive vermouth selection, featuring a housemade vermouth on draft that is dispensed from a vintage copper fire extinguisher draft system build by Carlson.

The Royal offers 8-10 wines by the glass, plus some unique reserve bottles. Draft, can and bottled beers showcase local breweries such as Atlas, 3 Stars, DC Brau, Port City and Flying Dog.

The Royal is open from 7 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday, 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday.

Magnolia’s on King opens in Old Town on July 1

Steve Fogleman and Mehrnoosh Rajabi will open their first restaurant, Magolia’s on King at 703 King St. in Old Town Alexandria on Wednesday.

Magnolia’s on King will open in Old Town on Wednesday. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The 60-seat dining room is emphasizing southern hospitality and cuisine. The 30-seat second floor bar and lounge menu will focus on small, southern-inspired dishes. Executive chef Brian Rowe, who previously worked for Wolfgang Puck and Jacques Ganeu, and pastry and sous chef Hans Fogleman – the owner’s son who previously worked at Bayou Bakery and BLT Steak — will serve classic dishes with a southern twist. Dishes include molasses crusted pork belly with chipotle cheddar grits and smoked apple BBQ sauce; deep fried oyster po-boy sliders served on a grilled baguette with bibb lettuce, tomato and blacked aioli; watermelon and local feta salad with arugula, baby spinach, red onion and Champagne vinaigrette; cornmeal-dusted fried blue catfish served with house-made cornbread and Southern coleslaw; sweet tea-brined buttermilk fried chicken served with quinoa sweet potato hush puppies and greens; bison meatloaf with pan gravy, greens and mac and cheese; and grilled bone-in pork chop with mashed sweet potatoes greens and root beer gastrique.

Desserts include Bananas Foster pudding with banana custard, Nilla wafer crumbles, fosters caramel and brûléed bananas; s’mores bread pudding with chocolate pieces, graham crackers, torched marshmallows and whiskey caramel served with vanilla ice cream; and World Fair chocolate cake with pistachio, almond, peppermint and cinnamon-cocoa cream layers.

Prices range from $10-$15 for sharable plates, $9 for salads, $14-$27 for entrées, $3-$4 for sides and $6 for desserts.

Craft mixologist Zachary Faden, formerly of Rouge 24, will be in charge of the bar program, which features 12 house-made, specialty cocktails including the Magnolia Old Fashion, the restaurant’s signature drinkmade with Rittenhouse rye, pineapple syrup, Fee Brothers cherry bitters and Angostura bitters garnished with a maraschino cherry and brûléed pineapple. Cocktails are priced from $12-$18. There will be 15 wines by the glass priced from $9-$15 and $40-$300 by the bottle.

Magnolia’s on King will be open from 5-9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sunday brunch will eventually be added from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The lounge is open from 4-10:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Cuba Libre celebrates National Ceviche Day

June 28 is National Ceviche Day, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, 801 9th St. NW, is celebrating with specials all weekend.

Cuba Libre’s special cervices include (l to r) shrimp ceviche, tuna ceviche and bay scallop ceviche. (Photo: Cuba Libre)

The restaurant is offering three variations of the popular seafood dish for $5 each. The special is available in the bar and lounge from 5-7 p.m. Saturday and from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sunday. The special include tuna ceviche made with diced yellowfin tuna, jalapeño-coconut-ginger sauce and red onion escabéche; bay scallop ceviche with Baja Bay scallops, tomato, Bermuda onions, cilantro and jalapeño salsa, fresh lime juice and extra virgin olive oil served with saltines; and shrimp ceviche, a Cuban-style shrimp cocktail with Latino cóctel sauce and avocado salsa.

Sushiko serves exotic ice cream trio for ice cream month

Sushiko, 5455 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, is serving an exotic trio of unique ice creams served in a two-ounce glass. For National Ice Cream Month from now through the end of July.

Sushiko’s ice cream trio. (Photo: Sushiko)

The trio includes lychee sorbet with pink peppercorn and a mint leaf; huckleberry with a shiso leaf; and the savory foie gras with pink himalaya Sea Salt. The trio is priced at $9.

El Centro D.F. brings back guacamole festival

El Centro D.F., 1819 14th St. NW and 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW, is bringing back its guacamole festival from June 29-Sept. 30. The festival will feature different flavors that highlight various regional ways of preparing guacamole. Dating back to Aztec times, the traditional Mexican dip was made with avocado, onion, chilies, fresh tomato and salt. Over time, regions of Mexico began mixing local ingredients, creating thousands of variations.

The Yucatan guacamole with shrimp ceviche is one of the specials offered during El Centro D.F.’s guacamole festival. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

Specials include the Yucatán, with flavors from the Yucatán Peninsula including shrimp ceviche, spicy salsa habanero, pickled onion, orange, lime and sea salt; the Baja, with ingredients from Baja California including kiwi, jicama, strawberry, mango, mint, chile arbol, lime and sea salt; Supremo, with flavors from multiple Mexican regions such as bacon, roasted corn, queso fresco and pumpkin seeds; and the Norteno, incorporating ingredients from the North such as chicharrón, menonita cheese, pickled onion, lime and sea salt. Featured guacamoles range from $12.55 to $14.75.

Drink specials to pair with the guacamole include the Engañado Margarita with sauza blue blanco tequila, roasted pineapple, habanero, fresh lime and pillincillo; and The Suavecito with sauza blue blanco tequila, agave nectar, fresh lime and Champagne. Both are $12.

During the festival, El Centro D.F. will hold an Instagram contest Diners are encouraged to snap a photo of the restaurant’s featured guacamole specials and upload it to Instagram with the hashtag #GUACFEST15 and @ElCentro_DF for a chance to win dinner for two including two margaritas, one appetizer, two entrees and one dessert.

Ice cream festival returns to Rosa Mexicano

All through the month of July, Rosa Mexicano, 575 Seventh St. NW and 153 Waterfront St. in National Harbor, brings back its annual ice cream festival featuring flavors of Mexico a la mode with desserts inspired by classic savory dishes such as guacamole and empanadas; paired with handmade ice creams infused with Mexican flavors ranging from prickly pear-blueberry sorbet to cinnamon-chili spiced chocolate.

Rosa Mexicano’s ice cream festival brings back the postre de guacamole, a sweet, frozen take the restaurant’s signature guacamole en molcajete. (Photo: Rosa Mexicano)

The festival brings back the postre de guacamole, a sweet, frozen take the restaurant’s signature guacamole en molcajete and the new buñuelos rellenos, a take on Mexican fried ice cream.

The special menu features a guacamole sundae, made with avocado ice cream in a frozen molcajete with raspberries, white chocolate shavings, coconut crunch and mint served with piloncillo-chocolate sauce and cinnamon sugar buñuelos; empanadas de manzana, warm apple empanadas with spiced Mexican chocolate sauce topped with vanilla-chocolate mole swirl ice cream; buñuelos rellenos, deep-fried sweet corn-caramel and Mexican chocolate ice cream coated in cinnamon buñuelo crust served with churros and dipping sauce; crepas de cajeta, crepes folded and served with a caramel sauce topped with sea-salted cajeta ice cream; and abuelita banana split with Mexican chocolate ice cream, warm Mexican chocolate sauce, caramelized bananas, strawberries and cinnamon whipped cream.

Authentically flavored ice creams include avocado, vanilla with chocolate mole swirl, cinnamon-chile spiced chocolate, sea-salted cajeta and prickly bear-blueberry sorbet.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s never too early to be thinking about the sweet ending to the turkey feast. We all know the star of the show is the bird, but no Thanksgiving meal is complete without a slice of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream.

Lucky for you, there are plenty of bakeries offering special Turkey Day desserts, with some offering delivery if you get your order placed in a timely fashion. Whether you’re playing the role of gracious host or the hungry, hungry hippo of a guest, spend more time with family and friends this Thanksgiving rather than slaving away by the oven and pre-order your dessert from one of these DMV bakeries.

Baked and Wired’s pecan Kahlua chocolate chip pie. (Photo: Baked and Wire)

Baked and Wired: Speaking of Georgetown cupcakeries, with 21 different flavors, you can’t go wrong with a box of cakecups from Baked and Wired, 1052 Thomas Jefferson St. SW. If you’re feeling something more traditional, they have eight pies on the Thanksgiving menu, including blueberry cranberry and pecan Kahlua chocolate chip. Get your order in early as they will only make a limited number of pies for the holiday. Orders must be picked up at the store on Tuesday, Nov. 25 or Wednesday, Nov. 26 before 4 p.m.

Bayou Bakery: This holiday is all about giving thanks, so head over to this Arlington bakery at 1515 N. Courthouse Road and order up a pie, because for every 12 sold, they will donate one to the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Choose between Virginia peanut, classic pecan, market apple crumble, sweet potato, bacon and cayenne and bourbon chocolate. Orders must be placed 48 hours before pick up with a cut off time of 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24.

Dangerously Delicious Pies: With over 15 different pie flavors to choose from, go the traditional route with a pecan or apple crumb pie, or try out a local favorite — the Baltimore Bomb (Berger Cookies melted down into a sweet vanilla chess filling). Order online or stop by their two locations: 1339 H St. NE or 675 I St. NW in Chinatown.

District Doughnut: If you’re looking for a less traditional dessert option, District Doughnut at 749 Eights St. SE has you covered. They’ll be closed on Thanksgiving, but stop by on Tuesday or Wednesday to pick up doughnuts in a variety of flavors including caramel apple streusel, maple butter pecan and pumpkin spice. Make sure to check their menu online as flavors change each week and can vary by day.

Dolcezza: Yes, I realize it’s cold out, but if you’re anything like me, you know that ice cream and gelato were made to be eaten year round. Lucky for us, Dolcezza has a special Thanksgiving Package with four flavors: crookneck pumpkin, sweet potato pecan praline, pomegranate sorbetto and Gold Rush apple sorbetto. Get your orders in now, as they only ship gelato on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Sprinkles EAT Box (Photo: Sprinkles Cupcakes)

Sprinkles Cupcakes: As we all know, Georgetown is a hotbed of cupcake competition. Head to Sprinkles, 3015 M St. NW, for their special Thanksgiving EAT Box filled with fall flavors: orange cranberry, pumpkin, red velvet and dark chocolate. All cupcakes come adorned with a turkey or maple leaf sugar decoration. This box is perfect for a crowd where pleasing everyone’s palates can be a challenge. Sprinkles is closed on Thanksgiving, so make sure to put your order in before then.

Sticky Fingers: If you’re a last minute shopper, head to Sticky Fingers at 1370 Park Road in Columbia Heights as they’ll be open Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Try the November flavors of their cupcakes — sweet potato maple and German chocolate — cheesecake including pumpkin; apple crumb, maple pecan and pumpkin pies; and pumpkin spice muffins.

The dog days of summer are upon us. Sure, the polar vortex was a nice break from the oppressive heat, but before long, the DMV’s signature humidity will once again remind us of how unfortunate living on swampy terrain can be. Okay, so D.C. wasn’t actually built on a swamp, but tell me that when it’s 95+ degrees outside and I feel like I’m swimming rather than walking. Then I’d be willing to accept that myth as fact.

To help ease the smothering weight of the late-August air, here’s a list of frozen treats to get you through the rest of summer. Bonus points if you try these all in one day:

Dreamsicle flavored sno ball from Bayou Bakery in Arlington, Va.
(Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)

1. Sno Balls from Bayou Bakery

Served in takeout boxes, these shaved ice treats are flavored with your pick of syrup and finished off with a healthy drizzling of condensed milk. Tip: eat quickly before the sno ball melts through the paper container. What’s worst, a brain freeze or a soggy mess on your hands?

2. Pop Tart Ice Cream Sandwich from Ted’s Bulletin

An off-the-menu item, pair any homemade pop tart flavor with your favorite ice cream to create your own personalized ice cream sandwich. You can’t go wrong with a breakfast-dessert combination.

Coffee float and gelato sampler from Dolcezza. (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)

3. Gelato from Dolcezza factory

Located up the street from Union Market, visit this gelato factory and enjoy everything from coffee floats to scoops of fresh gelato to frozen push pops. If you’re here on the weekend, stop in for a free factory tour and get a behind the scenes look at the gelato-making process.

4. Sno Cones at Mio

The classic carnival treat gets an alcoholic twist at this Latin American inspired restaurant. Available on the patio and at the bar, order up a Puerto Rican shaved ice with flavors including lime, tamarind and pineapple and spice things up with a splash or two (or three) of rum.

Slushito from Estadio on 14th Street NW. (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)

5. Slushitos at Estadio

Alcoholic slushies? Say no more. With two flavors on the menu (current flavors: cranberry, gin, anise and cava; and ginger, bourbon, lager and brown sugar) these frozen cocktails are the perfect brunch libation. Note: Be prepared to find the serving size to be on the smaller end.

6. Alcoholic Slushies at Eat the Rich

More alcoholic slushies? You don’t have to twist my arm … With five different flavors to choose from and made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, cool off with everything from a frozen daqiuri to a concoction of rye whiskey, blackberries, lemon, honey and crushed ice.

7. Tropical Drinks from Jack Rose’s Tiki Bar

Escape the city and make like you’re on a Hawaiian getaway at Jack Rose’s rooftop bar. With Polynesian-themed drinks and a great atmosphere, slip away from city life, if only for a few hours. Note: this Thursday is the last Tiki Thursday to enjoy half-price cocktails during happy hour from 5-8 p.m.

Dolcezza gelato’s sixth location opened this morning at 8 a.m. at 1418 14th St. NW in a 1878 building that formerly housed a deli and was originally a pharmacy.

Dolcezza’s newest location at 14th & P streets NW opened at 8 a.m. today. It features a “to-go” window on the left. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The 1,000 square-foot store, at the corner of 14th and P streets NW, is the first Dolcezza to feature a “to-go” window that will allow customers to order gelato, pastries and Stumptown Coffee from the street. It is also the first location to have a sundae bar where customers can enjoy a rotating seasonal sundae or “coppetta” – which means little dish in Italian – menu with homemade whipped cream and fresh seasonal toppings to their favorite gelatos and sorbettos. Coppettas are priced between $7 and $10.

The coffee & cookies coppeta (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The opening menu features five coppetas: the Fruitty Pebbles made with Indonesian vanilla bean gelato, crushed Marcona almonds and house-candied citrus zest; the coffee & cookies with espresso Hair Bender gelato, biskoff cookie pieces, Perrydell whipped cream and espresso powder; the strawberry gnocchi with lemon ricotta cardamom gelato, strawberry broth, fresh chopped mint and shaved white chocolate; the strawberry tarragon daiquiri with strawberry tarragon sorbetto, tequila-spiked whipped cream and Maldon sea salt flakes; and the chocolate Mexicano with Valrhona dark chocolate gelato, smokey and spicy nuts and cinnamon whipped cream.

Designed by Groupo 7, Dolcezza kept the original front entrance door and retail shelving. The store has an apothecary feel with light fixtures from Housewerks Salvage in Baltimore and seats 30. The patio will seat another 10 people.

The 14th Street store will be open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. on Monday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-midnight on Friday, 8 a.m.-midnight on Saturday and
8 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday.

Dolcezza is also celebrating National Ice Cream Month and its 10th anniversary in July. On Tuesday, July 1, the first 100 customers at each of the six locations will receive a free chocolate suizo (Swiss) gelato mixed with chocolate pieces and dulce de leche gelato mini cone. This was the first flavor co-owner Robb Duncan tasted while traveling with his wife Violeta Edelman in Argentina and was the inspiration for Dolcezza.

Also, anyone whose birthday is in July can take a valid ID to any location and receive a free small gelato of their choice. Dolcezza’s other locations include Union Market, Fairfax’s Mosaic District, 1560 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Georgetown, 1704 Connecticut Ave. NW in Georgetown and 7111 Bethesda Lane in Bethesda.

Cava Grill introduces summer menu items

Cava Grill will add new summer juice, tea and gazpacho to its menu starting July 1 at all six locations. In addition to seasonal, handmade juices, sweet tea infusions and roasted tomato gazpacho, the Mediterranean fast casual restaurant is rolling out a series of culinary collaborations with local DC-based artisan producers including Whisked!, Gordy’s Pickle Jar and RunningByrd Tea.

Cava Mezze Grill in Columbia Heights. (Photo: Zagat)

The restaurant serves up five seasonal homemade juices and teas made from fresh fruit and herb flavors ($2.50/regular; $2.95/large) including pineapple coriander and watermelon mint juices, raspberry ginger lemonade, peach black tea and hibiscus green tea.

Chef Dimitri Moshovitis has also created a cold roasted Gazpacho with roasted tomatoes from Hummingbird Farm in Ridgely, Md., roasted jalapeño and garlic and basil-infused olive oil ($3.25) with a sprinkle of feta or fresh cucumber topping.

Other menu additions rolling out this summer include a salted dark chocolate chip oat cookie ($2.75); a pickled banana pepper, which will become one of the restaurant’s on-going toppings; and seasonal bottled sweet teas from D.C.-based RunningByrd Tea handmade at Union Kitchen. The four summer flavors will be Summer Rain, an Indian masala chai with a peppery finish; Montgomery Mint, a lightly minty tea; Shenandoah Smoke, a smoked hazelnut tea a spiced finish and almost coffee-like flavor; and unsweetened white peach blended with lemongrass and a touch of lavender.

GCDC to offer free ice cream sandwiches on new patio July 2

To celebrate the opening of its new 16-seat patio for summer, GCDC, D.C.’s only grilled cheese restaurant at 1730 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is launching new cheese ice cream sandwiches.

The strawberry cheese ice cream sandwich from GCDC. (Photo: GCDC)

The new cream ice cream sandwiches feature scoops of homemade fruit and chocolate-infused cream cheese ice cream sandwiched between brioche French toast, and half-dipped in house-made sauces like chocolate ganache and bourbon caramel. Made with cream cheese, heavy cream, vanilla, sugar and spices, the ice creams are infused with fresh, artisan ingredients like strawberries, red delicious apples, coffee beans and Grand Marnier for a boozy touch, and then served on French toast made from Lyon Bakery’s brioche pullman loaf. The ice cream sandwiches will be available evenings from 4-9 p.m. and are $7 each.

The three varieties include chocolate and Vigilante coffee made with milk chocolate, Grand Marnier, cardamom and cinnamon, half-dipped in house-made chocolate ganache; strawberry with fresh strawberries, bourbon vanilla, brown sugar and lemon zest, half-dipped in house-made chocolate ganache; and the caramel apple with red delicious apples and cinnamon, half-dipped in house-made bourbon caramel.

To celebrate the official opening of its patio on July 2, the first 40 customers starting at 4 p.m. will receive a free ice cream sandwich.

The 2,100 square-foot restaurant has indoor seating for 42. GCDC is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for lunch and 4 p.m.-9 p.m. for dinner with happy hour from 4-6:30 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

Arlington chef hosts Travel Channel show

Chef David Guas, who owns Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery at 1515 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington and will open a second location at 901 Pennsylvania Ave. NE this fall, will host Travel Channel’s American Grilled, a grilling competition on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. from July 2 through Sept. 24. Guas will also be a judge on the show.

Chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in Arlington will host American Grilled on the Travel Channel this summer. (Photo: Travel Channel)

The first episode was filmed in Ashville, N.C., followed by Annapolis on July 9 and Charlottesville on July 16. During the 13 episode summer series, grill aficionados with experience ranging from backyard grillers to small town cooks, battle one another in the ultimate outdoor cooking challenge for a $10,000 prize. In each episode, four contestants use locally sourced ingredients – blue crab in Maryland, quail in Georgia and T-bone steaks in Texas to name a few – to test their backyard skills. They’ll serve up delicious and original plates that skillfully showcase the grill and embrace the amazing local flavors.

Guas, originally from New Orleans, will appear on the Today show July 2 at 9 a.m. to talk about the new show with hosts Al Roker, Natalie Morales, Tamron Hall and Willie Geist.

Rural Society by Jose Garces to open July 3

Rural Society, the highly anticipated Argentine steakhouse from Iron Chef Jose Garces, will open in the Loews Madison Hotel, 1177 15th St. NW.

Jose Garces’ Rural Society will open in the Lowes Madison Hotel on July 3. (Photo: Rural Society/Facebook)

“I’ve always had the urge to explore Argentine cuisine, particularly the parrilla aspect that’s so ingrained in the culture. We want the fire to be a presence, the way it was during so many of our experiences during our trip to Argentina. We’re going to cook as much as we can over that flame,” Garces said in a release.

Dinner offerings will include Argentinian charcuterie, grass-fed Urguayan rib-eye, jumbo
cardinal prawns and a variety of grilled vegetables. There will also be Argentinian pizzas and some pasta dishes.

Avroko is handling the restaurant’s design, which is inspired by the South American cowboy. Imagery of horses, leather banquettes and wooden tables are among the accents. There are private dining rooms inspired by tack rooms. An outdoor terrace will open eventually.

Belga Café, B Too offer exclusive Chimay Red draft

As of this past Thursday, Belga Café and B Too, both owned by chef Bart Vandaele, are the first restaurants in the U.S. to carry Chimay Red beer on draft. The draft will be exclusive to the two restaurants for two weeks.

The red, white and blue Chimay beer flight being offered at Belga Cafe and B Too. (Photo: Belga Cafe/B Too)

This is the first time ever that kegs of Chimay Red are available in the U.S., and Vandaele purchased 50 of the 700 limited keg release for B Too, 1324 14th St. NW, and Belga Café, 514 8th St. SE. The monks at Scourmont Abbey have been brewing Chimay Red since 1862. The copper-colored ale boasts flavors of apricots, brown sugar and nutmeg with aromatics made all the more dramatic by the draft.

The two Belgian restaurants are also offering an exclusive red, white and blue Chimay beer flight (15 ounces total) for $19.50. Glasses of Chimay Red are $12, Chimay White are $13 and Chimay Blue are $14.

Both always carry bottled versions of all three and have the white on tap. The flight will include drafts of the Red and White, while the blue will be poured from the bottle.

Ripple offers free Friday wine tastings

To celebrate being named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wine Restaurants, Ripple, 3417 Connecticut Ave. NW in Cleveland Park, will offer free tastings of wine director Danny Fisher’s favorite wines every Friday through Aug. 29.

Ripple in Cleveland Park. (Photo: Clevelandpark-dc.com)

Fisher will stand at the front window to offer free tastes of his favorite, rare wines from 5-7 p.m. He plans to showcase interesting wines inspired by his travels while sharing his extensive wine knowledge and answering questions for eager to learn patrons and passers-by.

In addition, special flights will be available featuring three wines highlighting one particular region for $20.

“We are incredibly … thrilled to put Cleveland Park on the map once more as a destination for upscale casual dining and great wine,” said Fisher. “Our guests are the reason we are celebrating these wins as well as our fourth anniversary this month.”

Fisher’s ability to source rare wines at an incredible value has helped Ripple build a reputation as a destination for area wine connoisseurs. Executive chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley fuses classical cooking techniques with millennial tendencies, while Fisher’s list of wines offers standbys alongside rarer labels, all of which focus on sustainable, biodynamic and organic practices.

Ripple stocks more than 3,000 bottles in their wine cellar and offers 50 wines by the glass. Its wine program highlights small family producers, with a commitment to sustainable, organic or biodynamic production.

Other local restaurants to make the magazine’s list also includes Doi Moi, Estadio, Fiola, Minibar and The Red Hen in the District. No Virginia restaurants made the cut and Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore was the only Maryland restaurant.

Sticky Fingers opening second location on H Street

Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats in Columbia Heights will open Sticky Fingers Bakery and Bistro on H Street NE in a currently vacant space between Fitness Together and Khepra’s Raw Food Juice Bar in early 2015.

Sticky Fingers bakery will open a second location on H Street NE between Fitness Together and Khepra’s Raw Food Juice Bar in early 2015. (Photo: Google)

The second location for the vegan bakery will be at 406 H St. NE in a 2,600 square-foot space featuring an expanded bakery program, bistro dining menu and a full bar.

“The second location of Sticky Fingers has been in the making for a long time now, and H Street is the perfect spot for us to expand into,” said owner Doron Petersan, a two time winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. “The neighborhood is really coming into its own, and with the addition of the street cars it’s only going to get better. The area has the same kind of young, active and compassionate residents that our Colombia Heights location has been serving for years.”

Sticky Fingers originally opened in north Dupont Circle in 2002 with the mission of bringing baked goods made without the use of animal products to the District – a mission that eventually expanded to include a full menu of savory plant-based comfort food with a move to Columbia Heights.

The new location will offer an expanded menu and more dining space than the original location. The bakery and bistro will have the look and feel of a classic mid-century American diner, featuring a lunch counter as well as “grab-and-go” service and table service for approximately 50 diners. It will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and have bar hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

The expanded bakery program will include Sticky Fingers classics, like sticky buns, cookies, cakes and cupcakes, and new items like Italian-style breads, scones, Danishes, croissants and pies. The bistro menu will focus on vegan and gluten-free comfort food and the bar will serve beer, wine and cocktails.