Top 5 Bites: A Fainting Goat and Tacos From the Hilton Brothers

• December 5th 2013

by Jamie Liu

This week’s Top 5 Bites features two new spots on U Street and a new restaurant from the team at Ripple.

Not For the Faint of Heart

Fainting Goat opened at 1330 U Street NW (map) on Sunday from the owner of Cantina Marina and Fado. The menu from Chef James Barton (The Oval Room, Bibiana, Atlas Room, and Westend Bistro) includes shareable plates, sandwiches, and entrees. Look for items like pork fries, breaded pork fingers, fish n’ chips with squid ink and yuzu, and the eponymous goat cooked in the style of beef bourguignon. Twelve beers are available on tap, along with a selection of wine, beer, and cocktails.

The Butcher of Georgia Avenue

Urban Butcher plans to open on December 12 at 8226 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring (map). With a focus on local and sustainable proteins, the dinner menu includes a variety of charcuterie, and nose-to-tail menu items along with sharable plates. The planned butcher shop and coffee bar will begin service some time in 2014. The 100-bottle wine list heavily features smaller producers. There will also be a sparkling wine and 11 beers on tap, as well as a cocktail program with an emphasis on whiskey and scotch.

The Republic of Takoma

Chef Jeff Black is expanding his empire to Takoma Park with Republic, which opens on Sunday at 6939 Laurel Avenue (map), according to UrbanDaddy. Similar to Black’s other restaurants, there will be an emphasis on seafood with an oyster bar, and dishes like Portuguese seafood stew. Java heads can enjoy custom coffee blends from Annapolis-based Ceremony Coffee, along with live music.

Free Shipping on Tacos

El Rey, a new taco heavy spot by the Hilton brothers, is set to open at 919 U Street NW (map) between Christmas and New Year’s Day, according to the Washington Post. The restaurant is formed out of shipping containers and features a retractable roof. In addition to tacos, look for Mexican beers, margaritas, and lots of tequila.

Up On The Roof

The owners of Ripple will be opening Roofers Union in the space formerly occupied by The Reef at 2446 18th Street NW (map), according to Eater. Though no opening date has been announced, Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley is already thinking about a menu that will include house made sausages, Denver ribs, and vegetarian options.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/top_5_bites_hot_spots_on_u_street_and_roofers_union_in_adams_morgan/7892.