Brickskeller (Photo: TBD Staff)

Name the new Brickskeller

In case you missed the latest on the Brickskeller development yesterday, new owner Megan Merrifield tells WTOP that she’s seeking help from the public to decide on a new name for the historic saloon in Dupont. What do you think the new name should be?

• Related: Local restaurateurs offer their thoughts on the name selection process.

Circa is hiring

Looking for a job? Circa’s Clarendon location is accepting applications for servers, bartenders, barbacks, and food runners. According to a Craigslist posting, the company will be hiring on site on several dates this month. Construction for the new location in still in-process, but the owners say they are “just weeks away from opening” their new location at 3010 Clarendon Blvd. The original Circa, located in Dupont, opened in April 2007 and is owned by the MGH Group, which also operates Greenberry’s Coffee and Tea in McLean. In addition to the upcoming Clarendon location, MGH is also planning to open a Circa in Foggy Bottom in spring 2011. (h/t ARLnow)

On the way: Zippin’ Chicken

Businessman Douglas “DJ” Jordan is planning to open Zippin’ Chicken at 2851 Georgia Ave. NW near Howard University. The chicken joint, scheduled to open in January 2011, will offer inexpensive grilled, roasted, baked, and barbecued chicken dishes. The signature menu item will be homemade chicken pot pie. Jordan, who also operates At Home Catering, a meal service that provides healthy food options to the D.C. Public Charter School system, plans to expand Zippin’ Chicken to several other locations in the U.S., primarily around colleges and universities.

• Photo: Zippin’ Chicken storefront (PoP)

Toki owners popping up with tacos

Erik Bruner-Yang and Troy Hickman’s forthcoming Toki Underground in the H Street corridor is still under construction, but that’s not stopping the owners from serving their food to the public. Bruner-Yang and Hickman have opened up a “pop-up” restaurant in the space marked by a Philadelphia Water Ice Factory sign, reports the Going Out Guide. The limited menu features three tacos, each selling for $3. The “pop-up,” called Tacos Impala, is located at 1204 H St. NE, and according to GOG, the owners plan to continue serving the tacos until March 31. Toki Underground, which will serve ramen and dumplings, will be down the block at 1234 H St. NE.

In other food and restaurant news...

• The District’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has granted Hank’s Oyster Bar’s request to expand into the space into the space next door. (Borderstan)

• According to PoP, a business owner is looking to open a neighborhood bar somewhere on Georgia Avenue. One of the possibilities being considered for the concept is a beer garden.

• DC Empanadas’ truck is ready. Owners Anna and Shawn Leis are now going through the inspection process.

• The recently opened Tegeste Ethiopian Restaurant at 3521 14th St. NW has applied for a liquor license. (PoP)

• Long before there was Cap City, there was Consumer Brewery. (TBD)

• Liberty Tavern to be featured on Food Network’s Meat & Potatoes. (We Love DC)

• Yesterday in Columbia Heights, President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, a nutrition bill to provide more meals at schools and to make them healthier. Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio attended the signing and told the Washington Post's Tim Carman, “It should have some great effects, but I think it’s just a start.”

• A 2,400-year-old pot containing soup has been discovered in a tomb under excavation in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. (Global Times)

• Ingredients and dishes to watch in 2011 (WBJ)

• Decadent holiday cocktails. (The Daily Beast)

From TBD’s Community Network

• Borderstan: Wine giving made easy: red, white and champagne
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Monday Munchies: McRib
• EatMore DrinkMore: Recipe: Homemade Vegetable Broth
• DC Loves Food: Recipe: Grandma Greats’ Ranger Cookies

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

• Dec. 15 -- Wild Games Dinner at AGAINN
• Dec. 15 -- Glassware Giveaway at Rustico
• Dec. 19 -- Ugly Sweater Party at EatBar

Sweet Deals

• Central: Free samples of new dishes at 9:30 p.m. (till Dec. 21)
• Zpizza: Buy one Rustica, get one free (till Jan. 31)

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