Trump Hotel Cocktails Get Even Pricier, Plus More Intel

Trump Wire

Here’s a morning dump of Donald Trump-related content, as the president-elect made a few D.C. restaurant-related headlines in the past 24 hours alone. For one thing, prices are up for the cocktails at the Benjamin Lounge in D.C.’s Trump Hotel. Right now, the cheapest one is $24. Pay up to $350 for rare spirits there.

Additionally, Trump was deposed yesterday in regards to the lawsuit with José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup over the chef’s planned restaurant in the D.C. hotel. A transcript of the deposition is not yet available. Alan Garten, executive vice president and general counsel for the Trump organization, said in a statement: “The deposition was completed earlier today and lasted just over one hour as the case is fairly straightforward. In short, the parties entered into a valid and enforceable lease, which the tenant clearly breached by walking out and failing to perform its obligations, thereby entitling the landlord to recover damages in the form of unpaid rent, cost of build out, lost profits and other expenses.” ThinkFoodGroup had no comment on the matter.

In more hotel-related controversy, two contracting businesses on the hotel project are alleging they weren’t fully paid for their work on the hotel, and they’ve filed liens on the property.

Meanwhile, a company in D.C. is now offering a “Trump Tour” of the city, with stops at the hotel’s lounge, D.C. political sites, and even the Four Seasons’ lobby, where Trump and his now ex-wife had a public fight in the 90s.

Is that enough Trump news to start the morning with? [E (via Washingtonian), WaPo, WBJ]

Be prepared

Get ready...to pay less. The $20 Diner has a roundup of affordable restaurants to look forward to in 2017. Think new pizza, new Mexican, and new barbecue. [WaPo]

Coming attractions

Here’s another restaurant-within-a-restaurant in the works. Clarendon’s Ambar will eventually house Baba, which will have its own separate kitchen and menu, with the aim of appealing to everyone from the breakfast crowd to nighttime dancers to mid-day teleworkers. [GoG]

Beer Here

Aslin Beer Co. is moving. Eventually. Unclear where. The popular new addition to Herndon has said it will relocate in 2017, but the location hasn’t been determined. They’re limiting their hours during the transition. [DCB]