If you think January and February are beasts, have I got a place for you. At Red Apron Butcher’s Mosaic District location, chef Nate Anda’s Beast of the Month program highlights a particular heritage breed in the butcher case and with a dinner held after-hours on the last Saturday of the month.
One recent dinner starring lamb from Leaping Waters Farm in southwest Virginia included lamb jerky, pastramied lamb-tongue Reubens, lamb pozole (neck, smoked broth and Rancho Gordo hominy) and lamb lap chiang (sausage). Another repast showcased a cross between Russian boar and Saddleback pig. Boar pot de pho (meatballs in sriracha-laced broth) and a boar charcuterie board preceded a feast of spareribs, roasted boar head and smoked chorizo. Bacon even made it into the dessert gelato crowning a berry crisp.
January’s dinner, featuring heritage pork, is scheduled for the 30th; February’s is on the 27th. (At press time, the February breed wasn’t decided, but I’m hoping for Leaping Waters’ Ancient White Park beef, Anda’s favorite for aging.) The dinner’s price varies, depending on the animal, but averages around $90 per person including pairings, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Sixteen people maximum. For reservations, call 703-676-3550 or email reservations@redapronbutchery.com. redapronbutchery.com