D.C.’s Progressive Eaton Hotel Is Selling Impeachment-Themed Chips

Newsy snacks

Eaton DC, the hip hotel downtown that brands itself as a hub for progressive activism, dropped a timely collaboration yesterday with homegrown vegan “pork rinds” maker Snacklins. Eaton’s Kintsugi cafe has 100 bags of a flavor labeled “MMM Peach Mint.” Bags of the yuca-based crisps have a tag line that says “snacks>politics.” It’s an ideal snack to chomp while watching House lawmakers debate over and vote on impeaching President Donald Trump this week. A few more bags of the flavor are available in hotel rooms and shelves at Union Kitchen Grocery. “I’m just the conduit to a platform that hopefully sparks some meaningful conversation around it,” Eaton chef Tim Ma says. His buddy, Snacklins founder Samy Kobrosly appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank two months ago, getting a $250,000 investment.

Remembering a D.C. legend

Bob Kinkead, a towering figure in the D.C. food scene who mentored chefs such as Ris Lacoste and Jeff Black, died this week after battles with heart disease and diabetes. He was 67. The gruff, self-taught New England chef with a heart of gold was best known for namesake restaruant Kinkead’s, where he won a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 1995. He is credited with bringing quality seafood to a larger audience. The tributes are pouring in from star chefs, customers, and close friends alike. [W; WaPo]

Capital burgers in the ‘burbs

Capital Burger, Mount Vernon Triangle’s patty-centric offshoot of the Capital Grille, will try the suburbs on for size with a second location at Reston Town Center’s Hyatt Regency. The 204-seat restaurant, scheduled to open on Monday, January 27 at 11853 Market Street, will serve gourmet burgers, wines, spiked shakes, craft cocktails, and local beers. The essential burger destination’s signature offering is a “a take on French onion soup you can hold in your hands,” topped with caramelized onions, gooey Wisconsin Grand cru gruyère, and shallot aioli.

Speaking of burgers...

Old Town’s Holy Cow counter has a new sandwich named after all of the latest Alexandria controversies. Dubbed “The Seminary Road-Dockless Scooter-Waterfront Development-Halal Butcher-Bike Lane,” the chicken breast sandwich features bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickled onion, and lots of Miracle Whip. Alexandria’s mayor tweeted his stance on the love-hate contentious condiment:

All can agree with the restaurant’s plans to donate 25 cents from every $8.95 burger sold to charity ACT for Alexandria.

Bye bye, Blümen

Independent coffee shop Blümen Cafe (2607 Wilson Boulevard) is done after a three-year run in Clarendon. The international-themed destination for teas, coffee, and pastries plans to reopen soon under new ownership, with a fresh name, menu, and look, reports ARLnow.

Carne asada in Brookland

Brookland Bridge spotted hand-written signage for a new 18-seat “prepared foods” shop at 3629 12th Street NE, advertising wings, club sandwiches, pupusas, and carne asada. The space most recently housed Askale Cafe, which closed this spring after a seven-year run.