Sunday Booze & Brunch: Quarter & Glory

Quarter & Glory (2017 14th Street NW, D.C.) is a swanky cocktail bar in the U Street corridor with impressive décor and an extensive whiskey catalog. I love happy hour at Quarter & Glory since their Old Fashioned is the best on the block. But I was surprised to learn that they offer a brunch menu on Sundays. If you live in D.C. you know that brunch is a staple, especially if bottomless mimosas are involved.

Booze

Q&G doesn’t have a bottomless option currently (boo!) but their saving grace is the Q&G Mimosa Bowl. Made of triple sec, orange juice, San Pellegrino orange soda and sparkling wine, the bowl is big enough to share amongst 4 adults. The bartenders at Q&G really make drinks with a consistency that I haven’t seen in many establishments.

Mimosa Bowl

Along with the mimosa and rum punch bowl, you can also order the "Call Me" (gin, Giffard pamplemousse Rose, honey, champagne) or the "Affogato Mr. Roboto" (vanilla gelato, nonino amaro, sweet vermouth, cold brew, amaro averna).

If you’re brunching properly, you’ll stick around long enough in time for happy hour to at 4 pm, with more cocktails to choose from like the Moscow Mule and the Whiskey Sour. You read that right. On Sundays, they have happy hour from 4 pm to 12 am. What did we do to deserve such good treatment? Bottom line, the cocktails get an A+. Now on to the food.

Brunch

I’m not a bacon fanatic but Chef Brittany Todd’s PBB&J (grilled slab bacon, peanut butter honey sauce and jalapeño) was the highlight of brunch. The peanut butter honey sauce is made in-house and pairs great with the savory bacon. Other highlights include the Avocado Toast and the Walnut Raisin French Toast.

Photo Credit: Quarter & Glory

Chef Todd also wowed us with her Fried Chicken Sandwich (bacon, lettuce, tomato, on a cheddar jalapeño waffle). She does fried chicken well, which I know firsthand having sampled the sliders and chicken tenders at happy hour.

Photo Credit: Quarter & Glory

Whether it’s happy hour, brunch or dinner, it’s evident that Cheff Todd and the staff at Quarter & Glory ensure their patrons have a great experience. They also have patio seats open now! Visit Quarter & Glory at quarterandglory.com or on 14th Street between U and V streets, and tell them we sent you!

- Nyasha Chikowore

Spirit Spotlight: Kenya's Dawa Cocktail

Kenya is known for its great climate, the amazing Maasai Mara and of course, the Dawa cocktail. Since "Dawa" is Swahili for "medicine", this famous cocktail is said to cure all ailments. I can't vouch for that, but I can vouch for how delicious and potent it is.

History of The Dawa

The recipe is based on famous Brazilian cocktail, the Caipirinha, and was introduced to Kenya in 1980's by the Carnivore Restaurant. Samson Kivelenge, who has worked at The Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi since it opened in 1980, is credited with naming the cocktail. Today he’s more commonly known as Dr. Dawa. He travels from table to table wearing a tray carrying everything needed to make the cocktail. While I was in Kenya, I had the pleasure of enjoying several dawas and none were as good as Dr. Dawa's. Seriously.

Dr. Dawa, Samson Kivelenge

Instead of cachaça (Brazilian rum), the Dawa uses vodka, similar to another famous cocktail, the Caprioska. But what sets the Dawa apart is the African honey that's added and makes a huge difference in the taste. Dr. Dawa uses a short bamboo stick to add the honey in addition to using it as a muddler. Genius. So how can you get a taste of Kenya at home?

Dawa Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp of honey
• 2 shots of vodka
• 1 tsp of brown sugar
• 1 whole lime quarter with skin on
• 1 stick of bamboo for muddling

Instructions:

1. Place lime chunks, honey and sugar in a rocks glass.
2. Muddle slightly with the bamboo just enough to release the lime juice and mix with the honey and sugar.
3. Add vodka and some crushed ice; stir to combine ingredients.
4. Add more ice until the glass is full, then garnish with a lime wheel.

The Dawa has become a Kenyan mainstay and is enjoyed everywhere around the country, and even some surrounding countries. Since it's so refreshing, people usually drink it after a safari expedition or during sundown (happy hour). If you're ever in Kenya, trying the Dawa is a must. And when you head to Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi, be sure to tell Dr. Dawa we sent you. Cheers!