Cult Favorite Fast Gourmet Lashes Out Against Panino Gourmet, Plus More Intel

Bad blood

Late-night mecca Fast Gourmet is threatening to sue Panino Gourmet, the clone-like eatery that has replaced it at 1400 W Street NW. Fast Gourmet co-owner Lina Chovil closed the grab-and-go sandwich shop this spring due to tax problems, but had alerted supporters that a food truck was on the way. She’s since started a war of words against the eerily similar replacement, telling the Washington City Paper (among others) “they stole our recipes and our concept.”

Nothing burger giveaway

Local chain Z-Burger is capitalizing on the political parlance of the day by giving away one free “nothing burger” per customer to those that stop by its Tenleytown location (4321 Wisconsin Avenue NW) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18. The basic meal includes a “plain Z-Burger on a toasted bun.”

Across the Pond debuts in Dupont

PoPville reports that Irish pub Across the Pond has taken up residence in the old Mourayo space (1732 Connecticut Avenue NW). Expect beer-battered sausages, steak and ale pie, and cheap beer ($3 to $5) during the weekday happy hour (4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday) [PoPville]

VA drinks win big

Cana Vineyards winemaker Melanie Natoli was honored as “Woman Winemaker of the Year” by the 2017 International Women’s Wine Competition. She earned a double gold medal for the Sweet Vermouth she produced in collaboration with Middleburg neighbor, Mt. Defiance Cidery and Distillery.