Good news for Hank’s Oyster Bar. The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has voted 4 to 2 to release the restaurant from its Voluntary Agreement, reports Borderstan’s Tom Hay.

Owner and chef Jamie Leeds signed the V.A. before opening the restaurant at 17th and Q streets NW in 2005. The agreement limited the hours in which Hank’s was allowed to serve alcohol and required the kitchen to stop serving diners on the outdoor patio one hour before closing. In a separate matter, Leeds is looking to expand her dining room into the space next door at 1624 Q St., as well as add 20 outdoor seats. A group of Dupont Circle residents are against Leeds’ plans for expansion, arguing that it would it would be disruptive to the neighborhood.
More on Hank’s expansion:
• Residents fight Hank’s expansion

Chef Michael Hartzer of the late IndeBleu is partnering with Bourbon owner Bill Thomas to open Jack Rose Dining Saloon at 2007 18th St. NW, reports Tom Sietsema. Among the amenities, the two-level restaurant will feature a 52-foot long bar, a wood-fired barbecue pit, and an extensive selection of whiskey. According to Sietsema, those who wish to get a taste of what’s to come can head over to Bourbon in Adams Morgan on Wednesdays and Thursdays, where Hartzer will be previewing samples from his forthcoming menu.

Ballston has a new taco truck. Taco Carrito has been serving the area’s lunch crowd for about a month now, reports ARLnow. But what’s interesting is that the cart’s owners, Don Stanke and Colleen Kenney, have no culinary background. In fact, the two have completely different jobs at night — they both work at a local television station. He’s a news photographer and she’s a tape producer. The cart originally rolled out last year, but two months in, the Arlington police told Stanke and Kenney that their cart was two feet too long and violated regulations. They re-relaunched last month with a new cart and have been serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
• A few photos of Taco Carrito (ARLnow)

On the way: Free Crumbs cupcakes and Mudbug

Crumbs is opening its first location in the District at 604 11th St. NW on Nov. 13, reports WBJ’s Missy Frederick. The New York-based bake shop is planning to give away 1,000 cupcakes for it’s opening.

Mudbug is opening at 513 South 23rd St., says ARLnow. The new restaurant will be occupying the former El Pollito space. There’s no definite information yet on what type of cuisine the restaurant will serve.

In other food and restaurants news...

• Today: Rocklands is giving away their new pulled turkey for free (WeLoveDC)
• Tim Carman gets a tour of Todd Gray’s forthcoming Watershed at Constitution Square. (Y&H)
• Tom Seitsema reviews Rustik. Likes the baby Octopus (Washington Post)
• Farm to Fridge to Landfill -- About 300 billion pounds of food is wasted every year (Kojo Nnamdi Show)
• More on Don Rockwell’s D.C. Dining concierge service. (Gut Check)
• Also from last week: Don Rockwell Launches a D.C. Dining Concierge Service (Y&H)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Dining in DC: Win tickets to meet top D.C. chefs
• Metrocurean: Firefly’s Beat the Clock Happy Hour
• Fabulous Food Finds: Cooks Pure Vanilla Puree
• EatMore DrinkMore: Crystal City 1K Wine Walk
• Capital Cooking: Rising Stars Gala Revue: Part 3
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Casa Nonna
• Lunching in the DMV: Review: Tara Thai in Rockville

Plan Ahead -- This week’s food and drink events

• Nov. 4 -- Early Thanksgiving at Johnny’s Half Shell
• Nov. 6 -- Oyster and Wine Tasting at BlackSalt Fish Market
• Nov. 7 -- Gluten-Free Week launches

Sweet Deals
• Free pulled turkey at Rocklands (via WeLoveDC)
• T.G.I. Friday’s: Buy one salad/sandwich, get one free (through 11/7)
• $5 off at Boston Market (through 11/9)

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