Posts Tagged ‘Jackson 20’
Happy Hour: This One’s For the Dogs
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
After work drinks aren’t just for people anymore. You and your pooch are both invited to Hotel Monaco’s Thursday night “yappy hour,” which will be serving up doggie snacks and drinks a la water bowl as well as refreshments for owners, too.
Head over to Old Town Alexandria from 5 to 8 PM for an evening of mingling with other Northern Virginian pet owners and setting up puppy play-dates. The canine-friendly festivities will take place in the Jackson 20 courtyard; enter on South Royale Street.
While the canines are munching on treats, you can lounge on the courtyard furniture and enjoy summer cocktails and brews from Jackson 20, the hotel’s in-house modern American tavern. Just make sure that Fluffy and Fido aren’t making any social faux paws [pun intended]. For a list of doggie do’s and don’ts, visit Hotel Monaco’s list here.
The Doggie Happy Hour season runs twice a week – Tuesdays and Thursdays – through the end of October, weather permitting.
Image: Shutterstock/cynoclub
Hotel Monaco’s Doggie Happy Hour
480 King St. [South Royale St. courtyard entrance]
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-549-6080; www.doggiehappyhour.com
Time: 5 to 8 PM
Price: free
- Lorin Drinkard
Posted by rebecca / Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
As the weather is getting warmer, more restaurant patios are opening, which means the pig patio parties are starting!
Pig Pull
Today, starting at 11am. Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company is barbecuing a 50 lb pig and having complimentary tastes at all of their locations. Stop by today for a taste!
3471 Washington Blvd, Arlington 703-528-9663
25 S. Quaker Lane, Alexandria 703-778-9663
http://www.rocklands.com
Pig-A-Palooza
April 20, 6pm. Jackson 20 is having a pig party out on their courtyard (more monthly pig parties to come this season). Chef Dennis Marron and Chef de Cuisine Brian Turowski will prepare a slow roasted eco-friendly whole pig from Dorsey Farm. Try smoked pig, suckling pig, pulled pork shoulder, mahogany barbeque, East Carolina barbeque, ribs with potato salad, cole slaw, smoked corn, cornbread, green bean salad, soft rolls and seasonal pies. Jackson 20, $35 pp all-you-can-eat.
480 King Street, Alexandria; 703-842-1790
http://www.jackson20.com
Patio Pig Party
April 21, 4-8pm. Hosted by DC’s 106.7 “The Fan” sports talk radio station, Restaurant 3 is celebrating their first patio opening with a pig party. There will be fresh-off-the-pig pulled pork sandwiches, $3 beer drafts, $5 featured wines and many bacon-themed dishes, like the famous bacon on a stick. Redskin’s super-fans, The Hogettes, will also be there!
2950 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington; 703-524-4440
http://www.restaurantthree.com/
-Rebecca Kim
Posted by ryan / Monday, April 11th, 2011
Domaso of the Hotel Palomar in Arlington is hosting a charity fundraiser on Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. At least ten renowned chefs from across the region will engage in a friendly cooking competition. The best interpretation of a half-smoke could win the coveted title of Top Dog.
Participants include Victor Albisu of BLT Steak; Nathan Anda of Red Apron Butchery; Danny Bortnick of Firefly; John Critchley of Urbana; Scott Drewno of The Source by Wolfgang Puck; Liam LaCivita of Liberty Tavern/Lyon Hall; Dennis Marron of Jackson 20/The Grille at Morrison House; Peter Smith of PS 7′s; Chris Watson of BRABO; and Ed Witt of 701 Restaurant.
The panel of judges are comprised of Graffiato’s owner Mike Isabella, Robert Rollins of Ben’s Chili Bowl fame, The Washington Post’s Tim Carman, and Nycci Nellis from The List Are You On It.
For a $20 fee, attendees can sample all of the same food and vote for their favorite as well. Admission includes one cocktail featuring Skyy Vodka. Additional beverages like Flying Dog Beer and Whitehaven Wine can be purchased.
All of the proceeds benefit a non-profit organization called Brainfood, which uses food to develop life skills in a fun and creative setting. They teach active learning, self reliance, and healthy living in order to empower youth as resources in their own community.
Online tickets are available now. Visit the website, or call (703)-351-1211 for more information.
The Hotel Palomar is located just two short blocks away from the Rosslyn Metro Station. Street and valet parking are also available.
Hope to see you there!
-Ryan Robertson
(image: Domaso)
Late Night Specials at Jackson 20
Posted by rebecca / Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
Jackson 20 in Old Town, Alexandria is offering a Late Night Specials menu, available in the bar and tavern area on the weekends (Thursdays 10:30-11:30pm and Fridays/Saturdays 11pm-12:30am).
The late night specials include eco-hour food specials and Jackson 20’s $20.11 menu.
The eco-hour food special features $5 items:
-bbq pork sliders
-country ham sliders with biscuits and house-made honey mustard
-tater tots with a trio of house-made mustards
-soft pretzel with pimento cheese and brown mustard
-fried green tomatoes with comeback sauce
-Jackson 20 fries served with house-made ketchup
Eco-hour beverage specials (only on Thursdays) include:
-Pabst Blue Ribbon ($2)
-Schlitz ($2)
-Iron City Light ($2)
-Yuengling ($2)
-Stroh’s Light ($2)
-Hienniewisse ($5)
-Mama’s Little Yellow Pils ($5)
-AVBC Pale Ale ($5)
-Porkslap Pale Ale ($5)
-Old Chub Scottish Ale ($5)
-Moo Thunder Stout ($5)
-Boxed Bandit Cabernet ($4)
-Chardonnay ($4)
The Jackson 20’s $20.11 (for each) menu includes:
-A Bucket O’Canned Beers – a six pack of canned chef-selected craft beer (Old Chub Scottish Ale, AVBC Boont Amber, Porkslap, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Stroh’s and Schlitz)
-J20 Burger and a beer-a grass-fed burger with smokehouse bacon, Mountaineer cheese, grilled green onions, barbecue aioli, apple cider cole slaw, fries and a 22 oz. draft beer.
-All-you-can-eat BBQ pork ribs with apple cider coleslaw
Jackson 20
480 King Street
Alexandria VA
703-842-2790
All the specials seem good, especially the bbq pork sliders and the all-you-can-eat bbq ribs, perfect for Friday night munchies. Except, I wouldn’t recommend getting the bucket o’ canned beers because I don’t think that’s a good deal. First of all, they are canned, and the chef selected *cringes face* Pabst Blue Ribbon?
-Rebecca Kim
Posted by ryan / Friday, March 18th, 2011
It’s almost spring, which means warmer weather and the National Cherry Blossom Festival are just around the corner. The official commemoration of the generous gift from Japan begins Saturday, March 26 continuing the following two weekends. Parades, performances, and exhibitions make it a fun event for the entire family. Not only will there be numerous food and beverage tastings, but countless opportunities to take beautiful photographs. A full schedule of events can be found here.
Local restaurants are observing the occasion with special menus in store. Urbana, Jackson 20, and the Grille at Morrison House are debuting their festival-inspired creations on Wednesday, March 23 at The Pink Tie Party. Featured offerings include cherry pie cupcakes, cherry cocktails, and cherry-infused sake.
The Cherry Brandy Alexandria is a decadent mix of brandied cherries, cherry-infused bourbon, vanilla ice cream, and a candied cherry-wood smoked bacon garnish. Only available at Jackson 20 and the Morrison House.
The Cherry Blossom is a tart cocktail mixed with vanilla and cherry-infused Maker’s Mark, sour cherry purée, and sweet and sour mix. Only available at Urbana.
The Plums Blossom is a cherry-infused sake and botanical spirit cocktail finished with plum soda. Only available at Poste Moderne Brasserie.
In light of the recent tragedy, celebrations are expected to be more subdued this year. We can all help the disaster relief effort by texting REDCROSS to 90999. This will add a $10 donation to your phone bill.
-Ryan Robertson
(image: Visit DC)
Posted by ryan / Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
Fat Tuesday falls on March 8 this year, which means that Easter Sunday is April 24. If you plan on giving up something for Lent, I highly recommend allowing yourself to live it up beforehand. One doesn’t necessarily have to travel to find the perfect excuse to celebrate. New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro may host the most enthusiastic festivals, but a great time can certainly be had in this Metropolitan area too.
Restaurants and bars across the region are in preparation mode as we speak. Special menus and drink deals have been planned in commemoration of the upcoming holiday. Everyone’s more than welcome to join in on the fun!
The award for the bar with the most appropriate name goes to Fat Tuesday’s of Fairfax, where it’s Mardi Gras all year long! Naturally, they specialize in the Cajun and Creole style of cooking. Oysters, shrimp, crawfish, catfish, gumbo, and po’ boy sandwiches make up the majority of the menu. Conveniently located near the campus of George Mason, you’re sure to have a great time at its annual blowout. Crazy costumes are encouraged!
The annual parade party in Clarendon will take place at the Bayou Bakery, also aptly named. Specialty dishes are available specifically for the occasion. Beginning this Friday (Feb. 25), the bakery will start selling its famous King Cakes. The delicious pastry is laced with cinnamon and topped with colorful powdered sugar. One tiny plastic baby is hidden inside. If you just so happen to get this piece, tradition states that you are the “King of the Day.” The real party begins on March 8 at 5 p.m. Hot plates like Shrimp Creole will probably be a hot commodity too. For more information, call 703-243-2410.
For those of you who love to eat, Jackson 20 of Old Town Alexandria will be hosting a “party” of its own at 7 p.m. Chefs Dennis Marron and Brian Turowski have a four-course meal in mind, featuring classics from the Bayou. Fried oysters, cajun mac n’ cheese, shrimp po’ boys, beignets, among other things are well-worth looking forward to. Dave Wilson of the 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco will be in attendance to suggest the perfect pairings, which include a strong line-up of his uniquely crafted brews. He’s also expected to lead a lively discussion about the merits of the combination of beer with food. The cost is $65 per person. For reservations or more information, call 703-842-2790.
The Evening Star Cafe of Del Ray is planning a shindig of its own on Sunday March 6 at noon. Tents will be set up in the parking lot for the Carnival-style block party, so it’s going to happen rain or shine. Feel free to bring your children, it should be a lot of fun for the entire family. Plenty of the appropriate kind of food and beer will be available for purchase, but admission is free. The beads, masks and feathers are also free. The party moves indoors to the lounge at 6 p.m. Live music and drink specials are promised for those who want to stick around.
The Big Easy is overrated anyway, NoVA is the place to be!
-Ryan Robertson
(image: Free Code Source)
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, February 10th, 2011
This Monday is Feb. 14, also known as Valentine’s Day. This gives you and yours all weekend to celebrate the love you have for each other. Certain restaurants can help relieve the stress of planning the perfect evening. Special menus have been planned in preparation for the holiday. If you haven’t made up your mind, consider the following classy establishments in Old Town Alexandria as you weigh your options. Reservations should be made sooner rather than later.
BRABO of Old-Town Alexandria will be serving a five-course meal for $85 with an optional wine pairing for an additional $45. Chefs Robert Wiedmaier and Chris Watson aim to please with their fresh seafood, gourmet sides, marinated meats, and decadent desserts. One could always take this kind of food home from the adjoining Butcher’s Block. Pre-orders are being taken now for what can only be described as the perfect dinner. Visit the store on Sunday afternoon to join in on the sparkling wine tasting. Complimentary chocolates, cheeses, and charcuterie hors d’oeuvres will also be served. Call 703-894-3440 for more information.
The Grille at Morrison House has a similar idea for its guests this weekend with an added incentive. Their $85 five-course menu features flavorful gourmet offerings from the land and sea. After enjoying the likes of filet mignon, lobster tails, and a “rose” dessert; everyone will receive house-made sea salt chocolate truffles in a heart shaped box before departure. For more information or to make a reservation call 703-838-8000.
Jackson 20 has more of a la carte menu planned for the weekend, but a special dinner for two is available for $75. This includes a braised beef shank, root vegetables, mashed potatoes, and red velvet cake for dessert. Bottles of wine are half-priced on Monday, which allows you to find the perfect complement for any meal. Call 703-842-2790 for more information.
In addition to Valentine’s Day, Feb. 17 is “Chocolate Lovers Day”. Don’t miss out on the special desserts these chefs have in store. Hotel lobbies across the nation are supposed to join in on the fun as well. You don’t have to be a guest of the Hotel Monaco in Alexandria or the Hotel Palomar in Arlington, among others to enjoy complimentary treats. Put “eat chocolate” at the top of your list of things to do that day, at least you’ll get one thing done!
-Ryan Robertson
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, January 20th, 2011
The match up for Super Bowl XLV has yet to be decided, but it’s never too early to start planning your evening. If a trip to Dallas is out of the question, you are left with three other options. Host a party at home, attend someone else’s shindig, or go to a bar/restaurant.
Choosing option #1 requires less planning than you would think. One of the most important aspects of any Super Bowl party is the food and beverage menu. The Butcher’s Block of Alexandria can simplify your life greatly if you let them. Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s popular food market is now taking pre-orders for Super Bowl platters.
Offerings include St. Louis-style pork ribs, saucy chicken wings, spicy chili, and macaroni & cheese. Salads and a variety of dips are also available. The cost of sampling everything can add up, but there are bulk discounts on pre-ordered cases of beer. They recently expanded their list of craft brews. Try to avoid the light pilsners that have monopolized the market if you can, but don’t miss out on their advertising!
The last day to pre-order these delicious platters is Wednesday, Feb. 2. Pickup is Sunday, Feb. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 703-894-5253 to place an order or visit the website for more information.
Consider Jackson 20 in old-town Alexandria if you plan on venturing out. Chef Dennis Marron has planned a Super Bowl specific menu that will begin at 5 p.m. In honor of the year, certain meals will be set at the fixed rate of $20.11 (not including tax & gratuity). This includes all-you-can-eat BBQ pork ribs or a large burger made with grass-fed beef. This comes with fries, beer, and a brownie. If you plan on drinking a fair amount, a bucket of canned beer may be the best deal. Call 703-842-2790 or visit the website for details.
There’s no doubt that Super Bowl Sunday is now one of our many holidays, but it’s not necessarily about football. It’s evolved into a celebration of our culture, and above all else… living the good life. It should be a day of relaxation and overindulgence. Let’s make it count this year.
God Bless America!
-Ryan Robertson
(image:www.photohome.com)
DC Restaurant Week Spill-overs
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, August 16th, 2010
Welcome to DC Restaurant Week! For those new to the occasion (like me!), this means guests have the opportunity to taste a multi-course menu from participating restaurants for a discount price – usually $20.10 for lunch or $35.10 for dinner. Let the feasting begin! As for me, I’ll be highlighting the specials in NoVa.
- The Grille at Morrison House
- 703-838-8000
- 116 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria
Come for dinner with a tasting menu to feature all the house favorites: heirloom tomato gazpacho, salade du Marché, braised Kurobuta pork cheek, braised boneless beef short rib, braised veal breast, mussel frites, and for dessert a warm peach cake or milk chocolate pot de crème.
- Jackson 20
- 703-842-2790
- 480 King Street, Alexandria
Chef Marron has prepared a menu for lunch and dinner with multiple savory and sweet options: barbecued pork ribs, Trout Marguery (grilled and served with shrimp and lemon oyster sauce), and including the whole-shebang of a dessert list – pineapple upside-down cake, a peach turnover with sweetened crème fraiche and blueberry compote – just to name a few.
- Trummer’s on Main
- 703-266-1623
- 7134 Main Street, in historic Clifton
Trummer’s will be making its debut to RW week with a three course dinner menu offering options of Goat Cheese Agnolotti (pickled rhubarb, black pepper shortbread, fried capers), Chilled Mulligatawny Soup (laughing bird shrimp, yuzu sorbet, apple crisp), North Carolina Tilefish, Grilled Lamb Brisket, Berry Cobbler (brown sugar streusel, vanilla sherbet, basil meringue), The Chocolate Cake and more.
- 2941 Restaurant
- 703-270-1500
- 2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church
Participating with its three course lunch menu of Red Beet Salad, Beef Teres Major and Hazelnut Paris-Brest.
- Bastille Restaurant
- 703-519-3776
- 1201 N. Royal Street, Alexandria
With this dinner menu, you can also add a cheese course for an additional $9 or indulge with wines paired especially for each course ($25 pp). The three course meal provides a variety of choices including a beignet of oysters, Bastille Caesar salad (with romaine and radicchio sprinkled with Parmesan and white anchovy Panacotta), pan-roasted skate filet, roasted Pennsylvania leg of lamb and Merguez sausage, roasted corn risotto and more. Then for dessert, delight in the raspberry crème brûlée, the Valrhona chocolate cake, orange cardamom flan – just to name a few.
- Harry’s Tap Room in Clarendon
- 703-778-7788
- 2800 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington
Offering a menu for both lunch and dinner with multiple options like Baked Brie or Lemongrass Chicken Bon bons; Grilled Hangar Steak, Chicken Pesto Panini (lunch) or Horseradish North Pacific Salmon (dinner); Raspberry Sorbet, Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding, and more.
- Willow Restaurant
- 703-465-8800
- 4301 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington
- Participating for lunch and dinner with a three course menu to sample Cucumber and Avocado Gazpacho, Liberty Town Flat Bread, or Crispy-Fried Soft Shell Crab(dinner); Parmesan crusted Swordfish Medallions (lunch), Bacon-wrapped Monkfish filet (dinner) or Ratatouille and Ricotta Stuffed Squash Blossoms; Passionfruit Meringue Tart or a Flourless Chocolate Torte and much more.
I’m hungry now – actually I’m borderline ravenous and it isn’t even noon yet.
(Photo: I Know U Can)
For a full listing, or if you care to go the extra mile into DC for your discount bites, check the official DC Restaurant Week Page.
-Jamel Daugherty
NoVA Chefs Heed White House’s Call
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, June 4th, 2010
(Image: James Beard Foundation)
The South Lawn was flooded with a sea of toques this afternoon as chefs from every state descended on the White House to show their solidarity for Michelle Obama’s “Chefs Move to Schools” campaign.
The program aims to enrich school lunch programs by encouraging trained chefs/food service professionals to “adopt” a public learning institution and then work towards improving the quality of meals served to students.
“You can teach kids to cook something that tastes good and is good for them; and share your passion for food in a way that’s truly contagious,” Mrs. Obama told the assembled chefs. She also stressed that participating chefs would hardly be going it alone.
“When you go into the schools … work closely with our food service professionals to support the work that they do every day. They’re looking forward to getting some extra help–they need it–doing everything from teaching basic cooking skills in the cafeteria to encouraging healthy choices in the lunch line. But it’s got to be a collaboration,” Obama counseled.
Early reports from the White House suggest that roughly 1,000 chefs and 500 schools have signed on to the nascent program.
A quick scan of chefs who had signed on to “Chefs Move” through Share Our Strength showed approaching 40 hospitality vets from all around Virginia, including several do-gooders that should be very familiar to our readers:
* Cathal Armstrong/Restaurant Eve
* Will Artley/Evening Star Cafe
* Chris Ford and Clayton Miller/Trummer’s on Main
* Justus Frank and Miles Vaden/Eventide
* David Guas/DamGoodSweet
* Steve Mannino/Rustico
* Dennis Marron/Grille at Morrison House, Jackson 20
* James Watson and Robert Wiedmaier/BRABO
Most of the chefs we spoke to were still in the process of selecting their adoptive school. But all seemed enthused about the possibility of giving back in a whole new way.
–Warren
