Central, Photo Credit: Len DePas

Blue Banana debuts with open bar

The Blue Banana Sports & Rock Bar is opening tonight at 6 p.m.

The opening was originally slated for last Friday, but according to the Washington Post, delivery problems delayed the neighborhood bar, located next to the Looking Glass Lounge at 3632 Georgia Ave. NW, from serving. The sports bar features 10 flat-screen TVs, a dozen microbrews on tap, and a selection of fruit-infused alcoholic drinks. A small menu offering traditional bar food is available to satisfy the munchies. The bar also features an outdoor beer garden and an indoor stage for live cover bands to perform on the weekends. Patrons can sign up for a Blue Banana VIP card to access additional happy hours and special discounts. In honor of its debut, there will be open bar tonight and tomorrow from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Thursday, the bar will be featuring half-price beers all night, and on Friday for Christmas Eve, there will be half-price drinks from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Opening soon: Sabor’a Street

Sabor’a Street may be rolling out as early as next week. The Latin-inspired food truck is working on some final paperwork, and once they’re set, they plan to use the slow week before New Year’s to prepare for the city’s return from the holidays in January. According to a news release, co-owner and chef Jorge Pimentel says he is sourcing as many ingredients from local farms and ranches as possible, and plans to change the menu often, depending on what ingredients are available during the season. The inaugural menu will include arepas ($8), brisket skewers called pinchos ($6), and Cuban-style sliders called frita ($6). All entrees will come with a side of yucca frita and tostones (fried plantains) on the side. If you’re looking to ring in the New Year with some Latin street food, Sabor’a Street is available to cater on New Year’s Eve. Contact Christine Sarapu for more information. 

Delays for Babe’s and Smith Commons

Silver Spring will have to wait just a little bit longer for its sports bar.  Babe’s Sports Bar and Grill was scheduled to open on Dec. 18, but owner Ron Bouchard tells TBD’s Elahe Izadi that he’s now aiming to open by Thursday. The new sports bar, located at 115 East-West Highway in the former Gallery Restaurant & Lounge space, is nearly complete and ready for customers, says Izadi. The furniture is in place and the final inspection has been completed. Bouchard says that if he’s able to open by Thursday, he’ll also be open for business on Christmas Eve.

Smith Commons was expected to debut today, but according to an e-mail, the opening for the three-story bistro on H Street has been delayed because it’s still waiting on final inspections from the city. The team is still planning on being open for New Year’s Eve, but the official opening is expected for mid-January. To ring in the New Year, the restaurant is offering a three-course prix fixe menu that includes a glass of wine, beer, or signature cocktail for $50 dollars.

Chop’t opens, samples at Central, D.C. Restaurant Week returns

Did you get a free salad or sandwich at the new Chop’t yesterday? If not, no worries. The fast-casual eatery officially opens its newest location at 1629 K St. NW today. Although the free hand-outs are no longer available, the lines will probably be a bit shorter. The store will be open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They’re closed on Sundays.

Today is the last day of free food sampling at Central. Owner Michel Richard and chef de cuisine Arthur Cavilere have been giving complimentary samples of a new dish each evening since Dec. 7. The most popular items rated by diners will be included on Central’s new menu. Tonight’s final sampling is at 9: 30 p.m.

It’s back. D.C. Restaurant Week is scheduled next month for Jan. 17 to 23. This winter’s promotion features three-course lunches for $20.11 and three-course dinners for $35.11. A few of the new guys include Barcode, Casa Nonna, and Smith Commons. You can see the full list and make reservations here.

In other food and restaurant news...

• New York-based bakery Magnolia could be distributing goods to the D.C. area. Is there room in the District for more cupcakes? We Love D.C. says no.

• Mad Rose Tavern is hoping to open in mid-January. The gastropub, located at 3100 Clarendon Blvd., will feature two bars, dining space for about 150 people, and an outdoor patio. (ARLnow)

• Inti Peruvian Restaurant is closed. The Dupont Circle eatery, located at 1825 18th St., featured Peruvian and other South American dishes. (PoP)

• Brickskeller finally pulls the plug. (WCP)

• Brickskeller memories: An '80s Sietsema review (Washington Post)

• Virginia-based pork producer Smithfield Foods allegedly abusing animals. (The Atlantic)

•  Urban Spoon now lets you take a picture of your food and rate it. (Mashable)

• An iPhone app that magically translates signs and menus. (Eater)

• Feel like being served on Christmas? Here’s a list of restaurants in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. that will be open on Dec. 25.

From TBD’s Community Network

• Bitches Who Brunch: Christmas Day Brunches
• The Hill is Home: Recipe: Roast pork loin from Zest American Bistro
• DC-Wrapped Dates: Review: Taylor Gourmet
• Fabulous Food Finds: Mangosteen Ambrosia: The fruit of southeast Asia
• ARLnow: Holiday gift ideas: Cajun stocking stuffers from Bayou Bakery

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

• Dec. 1 - 23 -- Celebrate “Festivus” at Old Glory BBQ
• Dec. 21 -- Last day to try free samples at Central
• Dec. 24 -- Feast of the Seven Fishes at Paolo’s Ristorante
• Dec. 24 -- Falafel Frenzy
• Dec. 26 -- Revillion Brunch at Acadiana

Sweet Deals

• Blue Banana: Open bar Dec. 21-22 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• 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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