Rachael Ray Needs Your Help!
Okay, the millionaire multi-media toque doesn't personally need help your help, but Courtney Balestier, associate editor at Everyday With Rachael Ray magazine, does. She called me to find out what D.C. bars (she'll accept restaurant bars but really wants bar bars) still serve free snacks along with their beer, wine, and distilled spirits. I have to admit, I'm a little stumped. (How I pine for 19th century San Francisco —well, minus, you know, the violence, filth, and overfishing—where bars served oysters, gratis.)
I thought about the spicy cashews at Ray's the Classics in Silver Spring, which seem to get spicier with every visit. But Balestier was looking for more than free nuts. Then based on a tip from Don Rockwell, I called Dean Gold, owner/chef at Dino, who says he serves free snacks at his tiny horseshoe bar in Cleveland Park from 5:30 to 7 p.m. daily, except Saturdays. The bites typically include house-made pickles, olives, lupini beans, and rustic Tuscan pate, which you can slather on crostini. Dino may not fit Balestier's strict bar criteria, but I'll tell you what: I know where I will be eating after work.
Now, your turn: Where the hell in this town, in this depressed economy, can you still get some free bar snacks? At least until all the unemployed journalists descend on the place.
1:14 pm
I believe Ventnor Sports Bar in Adams Morgan has free popcorn.
2:42 pm
Harrys has free popcorn as well.
3:32 pm
Fridays at Equinox. Free yummy fall tastings from the chef (pumpkin fritters, venison chili etc) with purchase of an apple cider martini.
4:03 pm
And the bar at the Mayflower - free food during happy hour (at least they did about a year ago). Can't get more DC than the Mayflower.
4:12 pm
JR's on 17th St. has free popcorn too, plus buy one get one free rail drinks for happy hour. Rachel would think its absolutely faaaaabulous!
4:29 pm
Le Bar at the Sofitel (15th & H NW) has olives and mixed nuts during happy hour, but no happy hour drinks that I'm aware of.
5:15 pm
The Hinckley Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave. NW) serves free spicy snacks (nuts and mystery sticks).
4:12 am
Doesn't Vidalia have complementary snacks during happy hour?
1:38 pm
piola in arlington.