The DMV has earned quite the reputation as a foodie destination, and that cred extends to bar programs. The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington is putting beverages on display during its annual DC Cocktail Week, with specials on drinks and bite pairings from Nov. 29-Dec. 5. Here’s what bartenders are mixing up at participating NoVA restaurants.
Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique
This two-and-a-half-year-old wine bar, bottle shop, bistro and boutique in a Victorian home known as “The Little Blue House” bills itself as a gathering spot for people wanting to sip and nibble as they browse. During Cocktail Week, sip a glass of Party in the DMV, made with ingredients have local-ish ties: Fluture “The Rooster” Piquette (from Chrysalis Vineyard in Middleburg), Vermú Rosé (Baltimore’s Wine Collective) and Barboursville Prosecco from the Virginia winery’s sister vineyard in Italy. The drink is paired with Beauty’s signature chocolate—vanilla bean caramel inside a chocolate shell, made in collaboration with Chouquette Chocolates, a woman-owned business in Maryland. // 576 23rd St. S., Arlington (National Landing)
Cheesetique
The Apple & Cheddar ‘Tini pairs with a warm marinated olive medley, Manchego cheese and crushed pepper flakes for $18 at this Del Ray restaurant, a sister spot to Corso Italian in Shirlington. // 2411 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Corso Italian
Sip on a Lambrusco Spritz (Aperol, rosso lambrusco and orange) or Cider Spritz (Aperol, cinnamon cider, prosecco and rosemary) while snacking on chanterelle arancini made with chanterelle risotto, mozzarella, Italian herbs—plus pomodoro sauce for dunking. Although all three drinks are available throughout the season, the $19 pairing price is good only during DC Cocktail Week. // 4024 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Makers Union
This neighborhood gastropub is pairing its vegan crispy Brussels sprouts (Fresno chili hot honey, ginger, mint, cilantro and roasted peanuts) with its Naughty List Cosmo for $15. That’s a seasonal drink made with Absolut Citron, triple sec, raspberry puree, lemon juice and sugared raspberries. // 1450 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing)
Matchbox
Ten of the chainlet’s DMV locations are participating in DC Cocktail Week, including three in Arlington, McLean and Merrifield. Get three mini burgers and a Bourbon Crisp (Jim Beam Bourbon, apple cider, lemon, cinnamon syrup and orange bitters) for $20. // 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington (Westpost); 1340 Chain Bridge Road, McLean; and 2911 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Nue
This elegant Vietnamese restaurant in The Little City is going big for DC Cocktail Week. For $20, choose one small bite and any cocktail on the menu. Among the temptations from the bar’s Warm Winter Cocktails list: a Hot Toddy, Apple Cider Mule, Mulled Wine and Vietnamese Pandan Eggnog. Small-plate options include chili oil wontons, grilled oysters and bitter melon seafood salad. Nue’s sister restaurant Chasin’ Tails is also on the list of Cocktail Week participants. // 944 W. Broad St., Falls Church (Founders Row)
Wren
This Japanese concept atop the 11th floor of the Watermark Hotel has a $46 pairing that matches The Conservative (a Private Barrel Old Fashioned) with hamachi carpaccio to create “an interesting contrast between the cocktail’s bold flavors and delicate notes of the yellowtail.” // 1825 Capital One Drive, S., Tysons
Yume Sushi
The $40 pairings at his Japanese restaurant give patrons the option of imbibing the Secret Garden, Plum Plum or Yuri Yuzu cocktails with garlic-butter miso scallops, bluefin tuna with uni or the Tuna Rose Smoke box. // 2121 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington (East Falls Church)