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Welcome to a.m. Intel, your bite-sized roundup of D.C. food and restaurant news. Tips are always welcome, drop them here.
Former Rose’s Luxury sous chef Rachael Jennings is unleashing what she calls “bastardized Neapolitan” pizza in Dupont Circle this spring with her first solo spot Boogy & Peel (1 Dupont Circle, Suite 115). She’s setting up shop in part of the former Ping Pong Dim Sum space with chicken wings, soft-serve ice cream, and adult slushies. The other part of the space, which she shares with her brother, is becoming a gym. Pizzas come in several varieties, many super-indulgent like one inspired by the Big Mac and one with mayo as the sauce. Just the typical post-workout fare. [Washington City Paper]
Popular NYC burger chain Shake Shake has fired up its grill in the Westfield Montgomery mall, making it the second location in Montgomery County from the Danny Meyer-owned quick-service cafe. Opening hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. [Bethesda Magazine]
A new Arabic restaurant is taking over the 9,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Purple Ethiopian Restaurant and Lounge. Pending permits, Eska Restaurant and Hookah Lounge (3111 Columbia Pike) will open in about six weeks. Purple Lounge closed a year ago after a number of incidents, including several shootings. Eska will not sell alcohol. [ARLnow.com]
It’s not too late to pick up panettone and stolen. Bread Furst is making fresh batches each day through Christmas Eve for pick-up. Open until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. [EaterWire]
Call Your Mother is ringing in the new year with Champagne doughnuts filled with Champagne custard and dusted with sugar. They’re available at all locations from December 30 through January 2. [EaterWire]
Loudon County got its first Black-owned winery this fall when business and leadership development consultant Kindra Dionne opened Fifty Leven. She’s currently producing 300 cases of five different types of wine, including port-styles and pear wines. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
A pay-what-you-can, CSA-style bakery specializing in breads and Ashkenazi Jewish treats is taking root in Petworth. Customers at Velvel Breads purchase a one-month bread subscription to receive a loaf each week, with sourdough loaves on Wednesdays and challah loaves on Fridays. There’s also an option to add sweet treats to the order. Pick-up locations are in Petworth and Takoma Park. [PoPville.com]
Taco City D.C. (3740 12th Street NE) opened its Brookland location this week in the former Pho 12 space. Known for Mexican small plates, tacos made with fresh corn tortillas, and comforting dishes like pozole rojo (a luxuriant Mexican pork and hominy stew topped with radish, lime and tortilla chips). Pho 12 closed its doors in July. [Twitter]
#TacoTuesday Just the perfect day to open our new location Taco City DC Brookland #TacoTuesday #BrooklandDC .We can’t wait to welcome you today after 3pm and enjoy our Authentic Mexican Cuisine. 3740 12 th st NE DC 20017 pic.twitter.com/2gNHsEB8g3
— @TacoCityDC (@tacocitydc) December 21, 2021