Turkey Countdown

You’re in the home stretch, D.C. Only two days stand between you and a holiday. Let the promise of pie keep you going. If that’s not enough, then hopefully some of the upcoming restaurant features and festive events will do the job. Thanksgiving may be on Thursday, but many of the District’s holiday markets are already open, and ice skating rinks are popping up across the DMV. ‘Tis the season! —Camila

Tien Comes to Bryant St.

Award-winning chef Kevin Tien’s D.C. career has spanned finer dining concepts, fast casual spots, and too many pop-ups to mention. As Nevin Martell notes in his latest for City Paper, in every culinary venture—and beyond— Tien honors both his Vietnamese roots and Louisiana upbringing. His latest project is Doki Doki BBQ is a collaboration with co-chef Judy Beltrano.

Blending his Vietnamese heritage, her Filipino ancestry, and American influences, the concept is situated in Edgewood’s Bryant Street Market food hall.

The McDoki Ribb Credit: Nevin Martell

There are five sandwich options on the menu, but, according to Martell, a must-order is the McDoki Ribb, their take on the McRib. A sesame seed-studded Martin’s roll clutches a bracket of boneless ribs glistening with five spice-amped char siu barbecue sauce, turmeric pickles, and raw onions; it’s an homage to the OG that stands tall on its own.

The sandwich resonates deeply for both chefs due to the role McDonald’s played in their upbringings. Beltrano’s father was in the Navy, so the family moved around a lot. No matter where they ended up, the Golden Arches were always there, a rare constant, always a go-to when they had a little extra money. Tien’s family had a tradition of picking up bags of cheeseburgers on Wednesday nights when McDonald’s sold them on special for 39 cents each, a bargain meal that helped them feel they were embracing Americanism. To this day, the two chefs enjoy hitting the drive-through after a long shift; it’s one of the few places that’s still open and they’re both diehard McNugget fans, especially when they’re dunked in the new mambo sauce developed by Mahal’s Jerome Grant.

You can read Martell’s full story on Doki Doki BBQ on our website.

News & Events

  • There are more than enough celebrated local restaurants to convince you to skip the basting this Thanksgiving. WCP editors suggest checking out the special takeout menus at Chang Chang, Gravitas, and chef Claudio Pirollo’s Et Voila!
  • CityCenterDC celebrates its 10th anniversary this year at its annual tree lighting on Saturday, Nov. 25. Come to see the 75-foot-tree lit, and the space transformed into a “winter wonderland,” as the press release states, stay for live performances and family activities. Can’t make the event? CityCenterDC has a special anniversary ornament for sale, with all proceeds going to Children’s National Hospital. 
  • It’s cold and rainy all day, but if you can bear to brave the elements, Rice Market on 14th Street NW is debuting a new events space with free bowls of laksa from Homiah Foods paired with makku—a Korean beverage of unfiltered rice beer. It’s a small space so there’s a short window: 6 to 6:30 p.m. but the combo will warm you up before you step into the cold again.  
  • Skip the lines and the stress this Black Friday: El Techo is hosting a Black Friday brunch with DJ Lemz spinning from 1 to 5 p.m. 
  • Speaking of Black Friday, plenty of local shops are participating, as well as offering discounts on Small Business Saturday. WCP editors Goods & Services pick Relume Co. has discounted products all weekend. The shop is also part of Capitol Hill’s Better Together gift Gift Card Exchange this weekend. A purchase at one of the participating businesses will get you a $5 gift card to another local spot. 
  • New spot to shop local: Cap & Stem hosted its grand opening this weekend. Located on Sherman Avenue NW, the brick and mortar shop focuses on wellness for plants and people, “specializing in fine gardenalia and self care offerings,” the press release says. Shoppers will find both obscure and local goods, and Cap & Stem offers psilocybin gifts with the purchase of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange’s regional seeds. Gifts are all sourced through local partner Bloomingdale Wellness.
Cap & Stem team, Photo credit: Pierre Edards
Relume Co.; Credit: Darrow Montgomery

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW D.C.’S BEST?

Congratulations to WCP reader Jamie S. for knowing the District’s falafel offerings.

Now, for this week’s trivia question:

Good Hope Road SE officially became Marion Barry Avenue SE this weekend. But during the unveiling ceremony and celebration, a small protest popped up near one local business—and Best of D.C. winner. 

What was the business? Bonus points if you can tell us what caused the protest!

Send in the correct answer and you could get a shoutout and a WCP tote bag. Good luck!

Congratulations to WCP readers Ann H., Amy H., and Carrie C. for getting last week’s question correct!

First of its Kind Bolivian Bar Closes Next Month

Casa Kantuta announced plans to close its 18th Street NW location on Dec. 1, almost a year after the Bolivian pop-up bar set up a permanent shop in the Adams Morgan basement. The finalist for Best New Bar was known for serving up cocktails that use the Bolivian liquor singani. The Casa Kantuta team has been a strong supporter of the city’s Latine community, especially those in the service industry, and hosted a month-long Hispanic Heritage Month celebration this year.

Al Thompson, ahead of his own pop-up at the bar on Oct. 19, told City Paper that, “No one else is showcasing bartenders of Latin heritage the way [Casa Kantuta] is.”

Casa Kantuta’s beverage director, Lou Bernard, says a new project will be announced soon, writing in an email to City Paper, “still Kantuta comes back again.”

Courtesy of Casa Kantuta

That’s all for this installment. Be sure to check out all of our Best of D.C. winners, runners-up, and finalists here. We’ll see you in two weeks for the next edition!