Tokyo Hash Browns at Bourbon Steak

Dish of the Week: Tater Tots
Where: Bourbon Steak, Quarry House Tavern, Sticky Rice

Maybe it was Napoleon Dynamite that revived the tater tot. Or maybe it’s just a longing for the memories of the high school cafeteria. (Though the tots in my high school cafeteria were undercooked lumps of grease.) Regardless, you can’t help but smile when you see some version of tater tots on a menu. Especially when they have a wonderfully crisp exterior and mashed potato-y interior.

Obviously, the most well known tots in town are at Sticky Rice. And if you’re looking for super traditional tots, Quarry House Tavern is the way to go with Old Bay or bacon and cheese.

But for those who are shooting for more high-brow fare, I’m sad that the trotter tots are no longer on the menu at Dino -- thick chunks of porky goodness enrobed in potato and fried. But the Tokyo Hash Browns on the bar menu at Bourbon Steak fill the need quite well with a sweet teriyaki-like sauce, shredded nori, bonito, scallion, and fried egg. I dig the cohesiveness of the creamy egg yolk, salty garnish, and sharp bite of scallion, and really wish there were more on a plate.

Where are some of your favorite tots? Bourbon? Tonic?

Small Bites
So fresh and so clean
Cedric Maupillier’s Mintwood Place in Adams Morgan is set for a soft opening on January 29. The former chef at Citronelle and Central stays close to his French roots with a menu that includes riffs on escargot, frog legs, steak frites, and cassoulet. The dish that sounds the most exciting? Burrata ravioli with caviar sauce.

Don’t be bitter, make them instead
Last Exit will begin hosting cocktail classes in conjunction with cocktail bloggers Scofflaw’s Den on February 12 at 5:30 p.m. The first class is focused on making bitters, and costs $45. To sign up for a class e-mail Marshall@ScofflawsDen.com.

This Gala's for the Dogs
On Wednesday, February, 1 at the Reagan Building, the Washington Humane Society hosts its 11th Sugar and Champagne Affair, a reception to benefit our four-legged friends and those who help rescue them. This event gives pastry chefs their time to shine with over 50 restaurants lining up to serve "visionary works of edible art and gourmet desserts." Mixologists including Gina Chersevani of PS7 and Sam Babcock from Bandolero (opening in 2012), as well as dozens of wine companies, will be shaking and pouring. There's a doggie bar and hors d'oeurvres for canine companions (or those who want to walk their cat in on a leash). Tickets are $90, of $150 for VIP tickets which includes access to a savory chef's tasting room before the main show starts at 7 p.m.

Meat-Free Week
DCVegan, The Kindness Collective, Compassion Over Killing and Compassion for Animals are hosting their third annual Meat-Free Week, February 6-13 in response to the barbecue-heavy DC Meat Week. It's a great opportunity for those who might still be meat lovers to learn ways to update their diet to be a little more environmentally friendly and healthy.

Additional reporting by Josh Novikoff

Filed in Food and tagged food, restaurants, tater tots, weekly feed

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