Ring in Spring with the ThinkFoodGroup
PHOTO: Cherry Blossoms along the Tidal Basin (c) Sery Kim
Spanning cuisine from Latin America, Asia and Europe, Washington, D.C.’s ThinkFoodGroup, owned by acclaimed celebrity chef Jose Andres, has made the start of Spring a week to remember with three very special, yet very different, events highlighting three vibrant cultures.
First, Latin America’s delicious paella will be highlighted by Jaleo this Friday to celebrate “National Paella Day.” Jaleo, the Jose Andres award-winning tapas destination, will offer their signature Paella Valenciana at all three Jaleo locations for $6. Traditionally only available as a large format dish, guests can indulge in a personal portion of one of Jaleo’s most popular items for one day only. Then, at Jaleo Crystal City, a live outdoor paella cooking demo will be on display all day, offering complimentary plates during the day and $6 a plate from 4 pm onwards.
Second, to celebrate the glorious beauty of the Japanese Cherry Blossoms as well as their stunningly decadent gift planted alongside the Tidal Basin, for D.C. residents looking for a whimsical respite from the Cherry Blossom tourists, Barmini at Minibar will offer avant-garde cocktails such as:
PHOTO: Essential Pollen cocktail at Barmini courtesy of Rey Lopez
Essential Pollen - honey vodka, lemon, chamomile, egg white, $12
Aroma Therapy - gin, lemon, vermouth blanc, lavender, soda, $12
Juana Giallo - yellow & green chartreuse, galiano, saffron, orange, orange blossom, cream, egg, $14
Starkling - vodka, St. Germain, lemon, simple, star fruit, sparkling wine, $12
Dark Side of the Moon - Old Tom gin, crème de violette, lemon, simple, egg white, citrus and hay ash, $14
Nasturtium Garden - nasturtium gin, aloe liqueur, lemon, $14
Violette Fizz - crème de violette, cream, gin, lemon, $16
PHOTO: Juana Giallo cocktail at Barmini courtesy of Rey Lopez
Finally, to celebrate both Greece and Easter, Chinatown’s relentless popular Zaytinya, will be celebrating their fourth annual Greek Easter Festival. On April 5th, as well as Greek Easter, April 12th, Zaytinya will offer a $35 prix-fixe brunch with springtime ingredients from Chef Michael Costa. For the venturesome, lamb will be roasted on a spit and, quite frankly, who doesn’t love lamb?
