Social distancing can’t keep us away from our favorite restaurants around town.
These spots have put their creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness to the test with limited staff and resources.
HATOBA: Yakisoba Make at Home Kit
Yakisoba kits from the ramen shop in Navy Yard come with Nishiyama noodles, pork belly, cabbage mix, bean sprouts, onions, sauce, aonori and pickled ginger. The DIY project lands somewhere in between cooking and ordering out. Additionally, Hatoba is offering six variations of “deconstructed” ramen dishes to put together at home.
$13; available for pickup or delivery through Caviar and UberEats; hatobadc.com.
PRIMROSE AKA LARRY’S CHICKEN AND CHEESEBURGERS: Fried Chicken Bucket
Primrose swiftly pivoted from chic wine bistro to down-home fried chicken joint in the wake of the pandemic, operating on the premise that the community is looking for comfort food during these uncertain times. Their website assures regular customers: “We are still the same weirdos serving delishy food with dope natty wines.” The fried chicken bucket with Chapo’s hot sauce is quarantine bliss.
$30; call 202-248-4558 to place your pickup order. Takeout orders open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 7:30 pm except Sat & Sun when they’re open at 4 pm.
Photo by Rey Lopez
OYSTER OYSTER AKA SCRAPPY’S BAGELS: BIALY
In addition to getting your seafood fix from Oyster Oyster, the restaurant is also playing host to Rob and Deb Rubba’s pop-up shop (previously at Estadio), Scrappy’s, on the weekend, serving hand-rolled bagels, veggie bialys and eight-ounce spreads like baba ghanoush and lox schmear. The comforting carb operation has proved successful and often sells out.
$11; pickup on Saturdays and Sundays only; ordering portal goes live at 8 p.m. on Friday; exploretock.com/oysteroyster/.
NINA MAY: Feast
Chef Colin McClimans is getting innovative at his recently-opened Shaw restaurant with his newly launched meal delivery service using locally-sourced ingredients. The cost includes a three-course meal for two people (breakfast, lunch, and multiple dinner options). Sample menu offerings include cinnamon churro buns, Old Bay spiced beer can chicken and fresh oatmeal cranberry cookies with strawberry milk.
$50/person for dinner; $35/person for brunch; delivery; feast-dc.com.
KOMI AKA HAPPY GYRO: All of It
The traditionally meat-filled pockets get veggie treatment at the Michelin-starred restaurant’s temporary pop-up. Chef Johnny Monis debuted his creative iterations of the Greek delicacy last fall and brought back the affordable carry-out dishes when Komi closed its doors to the public. Vegetarian pasta dinners, pizzas and [meatless] meatball subs are also in the rotation.
Available for pickup only; Happygyrotogo.square.site.
Courtesy Pisco y Nazca
PISCO Y NAZCA: A Peruvian Banquet
Since you can’t up and vacation to the South American gem that is Peru, get your fix from its traditional cuisine prepared with a modern twist at Pisco y Nazca. Begin your tastebud travels with pulled pork tostones ($14) and plancha pulpo ($18.50). For course number two, don’t miss Peruvian fried rice also known as chaufa ($17-$25), which can be topped off with chicken, beef tenderloin or mixed seafood. And for the main event, the lomo saltado ($28) – beef tenderloin stir fired in soy and sauce– is a real crowd pleaser. If you’re feeding a group the restaurants Family Meal menu accommodates fare for four to five people.
Available for pickup; piscoynazca.com
SALUTE!
Cocktails, wine and discounted bourbon
CAPO’S FAUCI POUCHY
As an ode to the head of the coronavirus task force, the speakeasy-ish deli is offering these hilarious cocktail packs to go. Options include Sweet Tea Bourbon, Vodka Mint Lemonade and Strawberry Gin.
Pickup available; capodc.com.
ASLIN BREWERY
With two locations for curbside pickup in Alexandria and Loudoun, Va., these four packs are worth the trek. Colorful and quirky branding are the cherries on top of phenomenal tasting brews.
Order online for delivery, shipping and pickup options; aslinbeer.com.
JACK ROSE POP-UP WHISKEY SHOP
Faithful collectors and bourbon and whiskey enthusiasts are lining up six feet apart to grab rare 3 ounce pours (and full bottles) from one of the most robust spirits collections in the country.
The whiskey shop is open every Wed-Sun from 4-8pm; follow @jackroseindc on Instagram for up-to-date inventory information.
SECO WINE KITS
Sommelier Carlie Steiner is putting her wine savvy to good use, offering to-go selections of her favorite wines that run the gamut from classy to culty. Cocktails and miscellaneous groceries also available.
Pickup and free delivery available; secowine.com.
DO YOUR PART:
Many initiatives are taking shape as restaurants endure closures nationwide. “Independent dining establishments directly
employ 11 million workers and indirectly employ tens of millions more up and down the food and hospitality supply
chains.” Annually restaurants account for $1 trillion and 4 percent of GDP. Check out Capital One’s Power of 10, Save DC
Eats and the Independent Restaurant Coalition for ways to support and save your favorite local restaurants.
