Now that the Olympic Games have begun, Old Town is seized by a serious case of Olympic fever. To celebrate the spirit and since we can't be in Canada, the Neighborhood Restaurant Group has created a fun crawl around town.
Here's how it works: From now through the closing ceremonies, each of these restaurants will adopt a country during the games and offer both food and drink inspired by that country.
Patrons need only visit any one of the restaurants, ask for a passport, then dine around at the others gathering a stamp at each along the way. Collect all six, and patrons will receive a $50 gift certificate.
From there, three medalists will be selected at random from all completed passports. The Gold Medalist will be awarded a $150 gift certificate, the Silver Medalist a $100 gift certificate, and the Bronze Medalist a $75 gift certificate.
All three medalists will be announced during the "closing ceremonies" in Del Ray. On Sunday, Feb. 28, an outdoor block party featuring an Olympic oyster roast complete with heated tents will be held at the Evening Star Café from 1 to 6 p.m.
Expect a day's worth of good food, fine wine, craft beers, good friends and neighbors and plenty of fun. There's no fee to attend — oysters, red apron hot dogs, beer, wine, coffee and much more will all be priced individually anywhere from $3 to $12.
<mh>The Evening Star Cafe
Team United States
<bt>2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria
www.eveningstarcafe.net
Featuring: Will's All-American Waffle Burger, The Five B Stinger (Black Angus Beef Burger with Blue, Bacon and Buffalo Sauce on Jalapeno and Cheddar Biscuit), Barnard Griffin Merlot from Washington State, Pale Ale from Philadelphia's Yard's Brewing Company.
<mh>Columbia Firehouse
Team Russia
<bt>109 South St. Asaph, Alexandria
www.columbiafirehouse.com
Featuring: Shortrib Beef Stroganoff with Housemade Egg Noodles, Moscow Mule Cocktail (Vodka, Ginger Beer and Lime), House Infused Pepper Vodka.
<mh>Vermilion
Team Italy
<bt>1120 King Street, Alexandria
www.vermilionrestaurant.com
Featuring: Four Cheese Ravioli with Path Valley Farms' Red & Orange Beets and Walnut Froth, Blood Orange Negroni (Gin Campari & Sweet Vermouth), Fernando Canavase Rosso "La Torazza" from Piedmont, Italy.
<mh>ChurchKey
Team Canada
<bt>1337 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C.
www.birchandbarley.com
Featuring: Poutine (ChurchKey's Handcut Fries topped with Cheddar Curds and Sausage Gravy, A selection of Canadian draft beers from a trio of great Quebecois brewers including Trou de Diable's Imperatrice Stout. ChurchKey is the only establishment in the USA offering this rare beer!
<mh>Rustico
Team Germany
<bt>827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria
www.rusticorestaurant.com
Featuring: Pork Schnitzel with Wild Mushroom Spaetzle, Selection of German beers including Ettaler Curator Doppelbock, Augustine Brau Lager and more.
<mh>Tallula / EatBar
<bt>Team Poland
2761 Washington Blvd. Arlington
www.tallularestaurant.com
Featuring: Housemade Potato Pierogi stuffed with Potatoes, Kielbasa and Cheese, Polish Beers by Zywiec, The Polish Hat Trick (A Pierogi, Zywiec Lager and shot of Belvedere vodka.
Neighborhood Restaurant Group
2000 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria
www.neighborhoodrestaurantgroup.com