Smith Commons

Smith Commons Celebrates the Cherry Blossom Festival

JML — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:15:24 +0000

The cherry blossoms have arrived! To celebrate the unofficial start of spring in the district,we’ve created a Cherry Flan with Cherry Chutney and White Chocolate Crumbs. We are featuring this special spring dessert through April 27, in partnership with the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Cherry Picks program. What better way to say hello to spring?

The Ghosts of 1245 H Street

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:12:47 +0000

Ghosts of DC is a fascinating blog that dives into various and odd pieces of Washington history. In the second installment of its “If Walls Could Talk” series, the site profiled 1245 H St. NE, our home. So what’s happened here during the life of the building? Let’s see … bicycle accidents, retail sales, break-ins, and more. Perhaps the coolest thing Ghosts of DC learned — as far as we’re concerned — is that an immigrant German brewer, Leopold Birkle, once lived here. How dedicated was Leopold to his craft? He was busted for running a “near-beer” saloon during Prohibition. We like Leopold. Check out Ghosts of DC’s mini-history on us here.

Smith Commons Visits Flying Dog

admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:47:37 +0000

Earlier this week the Flying Dog brewery in Frederick, Md., hosted our bartenders Tito and Andy for a tour of the facilities. Check out our Facebook gallery for more pics.

Vote for Smith Commons in Washington City Paper’s 2012 “Best of” Poll

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:38:08 +0000

We know that every time you grace our doors to enjoy a frosty craft brew, nurse a one-of-a-kind cocktail, or savor a succulent morsel from Chef Carlos Delgado, you’re voting for Smith Commons. But now we need you to vote for real. Several times, in fact.

Washington City Paper‘s Best of D.C. 2012 Reader’s Poll has begun and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on March 1. Click on the links below to place your vote for Smith Commons. Cheers!

• Best Chef: Carlos Delgado
• Best Rooftop Bar
• Best Craft Beer Selection
• Best Draft Beer Selection
• Best Neighborhood Bar

Educate Yourself on the History of Beer in America

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:35:01 +0000

Want to learn more about the history of brewing in the U.S.? No need to hit the books or Wikipedia: The data-visualization company Visual.ly has covered the basics for you with this excellent two-minute video that we learned about through Eater. Enjoy!

The American Beer Revival from visually on Vimeo.

2nd Annual DCBeer.com Bootlegger’s Beer Dinner at Smith Commons

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:04:01 +0000

On January 31, Smith Common teamed up with DCBeer.com to present the 2nd Annual Bootlegger’s Beer Dinner. This event showcased five truly out-of-market craft brews that were paired with an inventive menu from Chef Carlos Delgado. In all, 40 lucky souls had the chance to enjoy a one-of-a-kind evening.

Check out On Tap’s online gallery of the dinner, featuring photos by Alfredo Flores.

2nd Annual DCBeer.com Bootlegger’s Beer Dinner Menu

Lime & Orange Macaroons / Foie Gras Mousse
Lost Abbey Inferno Ale — pale ale (8.5% ABV)

Goat Cheese Ravioli / Duo of Raisin Purée & Citrus Pop Rocks
Hair of the Dog Fred — strong ale (10% ABV)

Sous Vide Shrimp Dumplings / Dashi, Quail & Yuzu
Cigar City Guava Grove — saison (8% ABV)

Braised Pork Belly / Coffee Migas, House Smoked Bacon Lardon, Smoked Espuma
Alaskan Smoked Porter — porter (6.5% ABV)

Dish: Coconut Pudding / Lavender Ice Cream, Vanilla, Dried Caramel
Brew: Alchemist Heady Topper — IPA (8% ABV)

2011 Solstice Eve Brings the Winter Cocktails

admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:43:06 +0000

Smith Commons introduced our lineup of winter cocktails at last night’s Winter Solstice Eve gathering. Have you tried one yet? Check out the five new drinks and their recipes, below.

Winter Solstice Eve ↑
Ketel One Oranje, Grand Marnier, fresh lemon juice, club soda, fresh mint

The Snowmageddon of 2010
Whiskey, Frangelico, Bailey’s Irish Cream, hot coffee, house-made Grand Marnier whipped cream

Maple Leaf (Blame Canada) ↑
Bulleit bourbon, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup

A Pear Tree Sans Partridge
Bulleit bourbon, pear purée, sparkling cider, soda water

Cranberry Sauce ↑
Belvedere Grapefruit, simple syrup, Champagne, cranberry juice

The Smith Commons Team Visits Our Local Butchering Co-op

JML — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:43:41 +0000

In our ongoing efforts to offer the best and freshest foods, Smith Commons recently participated in a site visit to our butchering co-op, Capital Meat Company, located in nearby Hyattsville, Md. The co-op delivers fresh, expertly butchered meats from area purveyors, including Piedmont Ridge Farm and Gunpowder Mill Farm. We also have a great relationship with our fresh fish purveyors like J.J. McDonnell, Profish Ltd., Honolulu Hawaii Fish Company. All of the meats and fish we source are delivered fresh – never frozen – so rest assured that the only thing in Smith Commons’ freezer is ice cream.

Our General Manager, Sheldon Robinson, at Capital Meat Co.

Why source locally? In the words of our own Executive Chef Carlos Delgado, “You obtain the best quality food by purchasing the best quality meat and produce available. It feels good to know that we are providing our guests foods that are locally grown and raised.”

Make a reservation today to check out Chef Delgado’s full menu, which changes monthly.

Smith Commons + (Belvedere) Red = Support for Whitman-Walker Health

admin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:30:13 +0000

December 1 was World AIDS Day. In continued support of this annual day of awareness and (Belvedere) Red — as well as to make a donation to D.C.’s own Whitman-Walker Health clinic — Smith Commons is offering the Bono (Red) cocktail. This off-menu item is inspired by the U2 frontman’s tireless efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the international (Red) campaign.

Starting tonight and for the next week, we’ll be offering the Bono (Red) for $8 — and $1 of every cocktail sold will go to Whitman-Walker.

Come help us support Whitman-Walker and their invaluable efforts assisting those who suffer from HIV/AIDS. Cheers!

DC Brau & Stillwater Launch NATAS Beer at Smith Commons

admin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:52:04 +0000

LAUNCH DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2011

“NATAS” Belgian-Style Imperial Porter — 7.5% ABV
Yeast: Wyeast 1762 Belgian Abbey II
Hops: Gr. Perle, Nugget, Fuggles and Columbus

Born of DJs — Brewed in Washington, D.C.

Belgium has long been known for producing strong, dark ales throughout the centuries. In recent years, brewers from around the globe have experimented with Porters and Stouts brewed with traditional Belgian brewing ingredients to create new styles.

DC Brau and Stillwater Artisanal Ales have joined forces to create one of their own. “NATAS” is a Belgian Style Imperial Porter brewed with a traditional high gravity Abbey yeast. At first glance, “NATAS” is pitch black in the glass with wafting aromas of burnt sugar and caramelized fruit. The mouthfeel is silky smooth with hints of cocoa, and a gentle, warming phenolic character that begs for a follow up inquiry. The hops are used to balance this brew and lend a subtle complexity. The dark lord himself would be proud to serve this hellish offering to his legions of demonic minions.

The beer name is a nod to Natas Kapuas, a skateboarder from Southern California in the late ’80s and early ’90s whose super rad thrashing was adored by Brian, Jeff, and me while growing up. Traditionally, there are many Belgian Strong Goldens and Tripels bearing the name of the Evil Spirit — the original — Satan. As this beer is as dark as midnight, it should come as no surprise that it’s name is also that of dark lord, spelled backwards.