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My favorite thing about snow days is the unexpected free time that is completely mine to fill. It’s better than a weekend. I’m planning on cuddling up under my new Anthropologie throw blanket, finally finishing a great book, giving myself a pedicure, and cooking a delicious soup perfect for a cold, grey day. What will you be doing?
MenuMBK (Market) Opens This Friday, January 24 In Penn Quarter
Stocking our shelves, getting ready to open our doors! pic.twitter.com/bvv5c2UxTf
— Menu MBK (@MenuMBK) January 21, 2014
Frederik de Pue’s MenuMBK (405 8th St NW) announced its opening schedule for all three components (Market, BistroBar, and Kitchen) in the former Azur restaurant space on 8th Street in Penn Quarter. The opening schedule follows:
- Market [photo], the ground level shop featuring seasonal and local foods along with pre-made selections, wine, beer, and other sundries, opens this Friday, January 24.
- BistroBar [photo], a loungeishly casual area with Wi-Fi, opens Thursday, January 30.
- Kitchen [photo], a six seat fixed price ($65) dining counter, opens one month later on Thursday, February, 20.
Looking at the photos, we have to admit that we are intrigued by the whole concept. It appears to be neighborhood oriented and not as much a destination spot like many of the brand name restaurants within a five block radius. We’re also intrigued by the six seat fixed price counter. We do love Minibar but this sounds like a much more price and neighbor friendly alternative. WaPo also has their own take on it too.
To learn more, read past the break for the full press release. You can also check their website out which is now up to date with all the details. Their Twitter feed and Facebook page also provide extra information.
Flight Wine Bar (777 6th St NW) Opens Tomorrow In Penn Quarter/Chinatown
Flight (website – Twitter – Facebook), a new 60 seat wine bar in Chinatown/Penn Quarter at 777 6th St NW, opens its doors tomorrow at 4 pm and we were delighted to preview the space at an event earlier this week. Located just below H Street on the east side of 6th Street NW, our initial takeaway is that the overall experience is off to a wonderful start and we anticipate that Flight will become a favorite go to spot in the neighborhood.
Upon entering the venue a hallway turns right and opens up to the space which has three seating areas plus the bar. The seating areas include a main floor, a slightly stepped up zone near the windows, and bench seating up against one of the walls. The bar has a distinctive, signature wood piece behind it that acts as both shelving and decoration emanating from behind the bar and spreading outward across the ceiling like a fountain of wood. The bar itself forms a semicircle and while prominent doesn’t overpower the space. The overall space evokes a mix of European, modern, and industrial sensibilities softened by the lighting/backlighting, emphatic use of light colored wood, and architectural element placement.
The wine list includes 70 selections with 30 by the glass (and yes, they have a Coravin to allow tasting the more expensive options) organized by type with additional notes on body and style, and not by region which is welcoming and less intimidating to wine newbies. A rotating wine flight of the week will offer three wine tastes in one go. The menu includes meat, fish, and vegetarian options with Executive Chef Bradley Curtis, formerly of DGS Delicatessen, Zaytinya and Graffiato, at the culinary helm.
Flight Food Menu [PDF] – Flight Wine & Beer Menu [PDF]
We’ll check back with Flight in a week or two to see how they’re doing. The window signage is hard to see at first so we suggest looking for the red awning and the 6th Street entrance immediately to the right of the Corner Bakery. The photo gallery and full press release follow the break.
Flight Wine Bar
777 6th St NW
(202) 865-6445
Mix It Up
If you’ve ever wondered what kind of mad genius is behind the fabulous cocktails at Barmini, now’s your chance to see behind the curtain. Barmini (855 E St. NW) is hosting a series of mixology classes Wednesday nights next month with their very own master mixologist, Juan Coronado. Click here to learn more, but themes range from “Birth of the Cocktail” to “Modern Era of Cocktails.”