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| Photo courtesy of Darlene Cassello |
From our friends at Olivia...
The Gin & Tonic Experience at Olivia
During the month of August, Olivia invites guests to experience gins from different countries
During the month of August, Olivia, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group’s charming and rustic Mediterranean eatery located in the heart of the Penn Quarter at 800 F Street, NW, invites guests to experience The Gin & Tonic Bar. Throughout the month, six gins from different countries will be showcased. Gin, a neutral grain spirit, is distilled in botanicals, such as herbs, citrus peel and roots, resulting in more flavor and aromatics than other clear alcohols. The Gin & Tonic Bar features house-made tonics with unique herbal infusions such as citrus zest, cinchona bark, lavender, clove and thyme. Tonics from Fentimans, Fever Tree and Q will also be available. Guests can select their preferred gin and tonic, creating a perfect combination of the classic cocktail. Bar Manager Tim Hays thoughtfully curated the gin list based on small batch and rarity, mostly from Mediterranean regions.
Spotlighted gins include examples from Italy, France, Spain, Scotland and the USA. Wild Sardinia is a small batch product infused with only juniper, which is native to the island of Sardinia; Hendricks’s Mid-Summer Solstice from Scotland is a small batch, limited release with a “secret selection of flowers” which capture the essence of summer; G'Vine Floraison, from France is distilled from grapes and infused with vine flowers. From Thiene, Italy, Piùcinque (which means “plus five” in Italian), is made from 10 botanicals, five of which have greater intensity; and Gin Mare from Spain is made with arbequina olive, rosemary, thyme, basil and mandarin. From the United States, Barr Hill Gin from Vermont, has juniper-forward botanicals which are brought to a perfect balance by the floral depth of the raw honey. Gin and tonics are priced at $12 (excluding tax and gratuity.)
For a perfect pairing, Chef Matt Kuhn creates a summer Gin Pickled Cucumber Salad with goat feta, jamón serrano, Sun Golds with compressed watermelon and African basil priced at $15. Other standout dishes from Olivia’s Mediterranean inspired menu include Tzatziki Labne, cucumber, basil, dill, trout roe; Spanish Albacore Tuna Rillette, charcuterie salad, niçoise olives, seven-minute egg; Charred Romanesco Cauliflower, squash hummus, pickled carrots, pomegranate, chermoula; Chickpea Ravioli; mushroom ‘Bolognese’, pecorino fonduta; Spiced Merequez Meatballs, couscous, tomato shakshuka; Savory Chicken Bastilla, green harissa, pistachio, phyllo; Galician Style Octopus Carpaccio, paprika poached, pickled potatoes, peri-peri aioli, chicharron and Braised Short Rib Tagine, ancient grains, carrot hummus, rapini, Medjool dates. Dishes are priced from $6-32.
Olivia is located in the heart of Penn Quarter at 800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20004. Hours of operation are Monday through Wednesday, from 11:30 AM to 10 PM; Thursday and Friday, from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM; Saturday, from 5 PM to 11 PM and Sunday, from 11 AM to 9 PM. Brunch is served Sunday, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Valet parking will be available in the evenings. For reservations or additional information, please call (202) 347-4667 or visit http://www.oliviawdc.com.
