In the keeping with a cocktail list that features beverages seemingly celebrating prominent African-Americans with ties to the District, the founders of a new retail/hospitality venture called Diet Starts Monday are currently selling a tequila drink crowned with empty drug capsules that’s dubbed the “Pill Cosby.”
As first reported by Washingtonian, the experimental restaurant/fashion store that earlier this month took up residence at 2005 14th Street NW created the over-the-top concoction with embattled entertainer Bill Cosby in mind. Jury selection began Monday in a case related to sexual assault charges filed against the former TV star.
According to DSM co-founder Davin Gentry, the Pill Cosby is meant to raise awareness about drink spiking. “It lets people be a little more aware,” he told Washingtonian.
The other creations on DSM’s short list include a tribute to scandal-plagued former mayor Marion Barry, comedian Dave Chappelle, jazz legend Duke Ellington, singer Marvin Gaye, and actress Taraji P. Henson.
Featured menu items at DSM tilt towards the life-threatening; there’s fried chicken wrapped in a donut bun, and “loaded” tater tots smothered in bacon and half-smoke gravy.
UPDATE:
Team DSM has dropped the Pill Cosby from its menu, issuing two statements about the sudden decision on social media:
The drink has since been removed from the menu and we apologize to anyone who felt offended by this.
— Diet Starts Monday (@dietstartsmon__) May 22, 2017
This drink was not made with any intent to offend anyone, especially not victims of rape. We take full responsibility.
— Diet Starts Monday (@dietstartsmon__) May 22, 2017
Gentry later sent Eater the following message, titled “An apology from Diet Starts Monday,” via email:
“This drink was a one-time item — its inclusion as an offering of ours was in poor taste and we’ve taken all necessary steps to ensure it won’t happen again. We take full responsibility and apologize to anyone we offended. The allegations against Mister Cosby are serious and we in no way intended to make light of the pain surrounding his behavior. We rely on our community to help us guide everything we do. We appreciate all the feedback. This was a mistake, it will not be made again. We are sorry.
We’ve begun the process of reaching out to leaders in our community to teach us how to be better, and we value everyone’s thoughts.
Again, we are sorry for any pain this has caused and we’re working to do better.”
No word from Gentry as to which community “leaders” the group is consulting with to jump-start the healing process, or who among his group created the ill-fated drink.
