Neighborhood Eats: A Legendary Deli and An Absinthe Den

• July 12th 2013

by Jamie Liu

This week’s Neighborhood Eats is full of variety from Korean fast casual in Dupont to a deli import in Potomac to a cocktail lounge heavy on absinthe in Adams Morgan.

Open: Triple B Fresh, the latest in fast casual concepts opened last week at 1506 19th Street NW (map). The new restaurant’s main focus is customizable Korean rice bowls, known as bibimbap. Top rice with bulgogi (bbq beef), seafood, teriyaki chicken, spicy chicken, spicy pork, pork or tofu, and mix it with a selection of sauteed vegetables and sauce. The menu also includes kimbap (Korean sushi with beef), two other roll options, as well as Korean tacos with beef or chicken.

Beloved Baltimore deli Attman’s recently opened a second location in Potomac at 11325 Seven Locks Road (map), according to Eater. Though it’s too early to say if the new outpost replicates the fun and friendly chaos of the Baltimore location and many delis, it’s a good place to go for pastrami, corned beef and hot dogs, along with other Jewish deli classics like knishes and matzo ball soup.

Cocktail lounge and bistro Libertine opened on Tuesday at 2435 18th Street NW (map), the former site of the much-loved Toledo Lounge. The main selling point of Libertine is the over 25 brands of Swiss- and French-style absinthes originating from across Europe and the United States as well as other absinthe-like liquors, such as Herbsaint and pastis. The new bar also offers beer and wine and a menu of seafood items, steak frites, and banh mi.

Opening Soon: Fans of Bonchon Chicken will no longer have to drive to the outer suburbs for their fix of the crispy, crack(ling) Korean fried chicken. The chain will be soft opening its Clarendon location on July 15 at 2209 N. Pershing Drive (map). The twice-fried chicken is coated with a choice of sticky-sweet soy garlic or spicy sauce.

It appears that the closing of Zeke’s DC Donutz at 2029 P Street NW (map) is no longer temporary, according to POPville. The owners of Mr. Yogato will be opening Thomas Foolery at that address during the week of July 14. A self-described “goofball bar”, it looks to be a spot in a similar vein to the the zany Yogato, which features discounts for getting a stamp on your head and answering Seinfeld trivia. The bar’s Facebook page notes they are stocking up on Ring Pops.

Opening Eventually: The co-owners of Kangaroo Boxing Club and former bartenders of the recently closed Blue Banana are opening “a neighborhood bar” called Ivy and Coney at 1537 7th Street NW (map), according to Washington City Paper. They only recently signed the lease so details are sparse, and the opening date range, September 2013 to June 2016, is smartly vague, as they will still need to acquire numerous permits.

Events: With the hot weather it’s time for icy treats. Union Market is hosting its Third Annual DC Scoop ice cream tasting on July 21. Sample ice cream, gelato and popsicles for free from local spots Dolcezza Gelato, Sweet Freeze, Carmen’s Frozen Custard, Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats, Ice Cream Jubilee, Pitango Gelato, Sinplicity, Gifford’s Ice Cream, Taharka Bros., Rare Sweets, Nice Cream Factory, Dolci Gelati, Suga Mama Sweets, Hill Pops, and Cream Cycle. Full servings will be available for purchase as well. Bonus: Kids under 12 can take part in an ice cream eating contest.

Visit 3 Stars Brewing Company on July 28 for their Artists & Artisans Summer Celebration. Sample 10 beers from 3 Stars, including the debut of its lime basil saison. A variety of food vendors will be selling food a la carte, including Rappahannock Oysters, Righteous Cheese, Impala Cantina, and Sixth Engine. Non-beer drinkers can enjoy cocktails from Range’s Owen Thomson and Sam Babcock, featuring Green Hat Gin and Catoctin Creek Whiskey. Tickets are $10 and give you entry, a custom tasting glass and your first beer.

Jamie R. Liu is a freelance writer, food nerd, and former DCist food and drink editor. She has contributed to Eater, Washington City Paper, the Express, and AskMen.com.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/neighborhood_eats_a_legendary_deli_and_an_absinthe_den/7310.