Restaurant briefs

Celebrity sightings at Mie N Yu

In recent weeks, Mie N Yu in Georgetown has seen the likes of actor Don Cheadle and singer Christina Aguilera. Last week, Curtis Stone from The Learning Channel’s “Take Home Chef” was in the restaurant for dinner with three Australian friends. 

According to a Capital Living informant, they stayed for three hours and had two orders of spicy tuna tartare, Vietnamese lettuce wraps, banana pesto hummus, pulled duck and scallion shumai, chorizo-stuffed medjool dates, Thai red snapper and miso-marinated black cod. They also enjoyed a bottle of Weinbach Pinot Blanc Reserve 2004, while Curtis requested two mojitos specially made with brown sugar rather than the traditional simple syrup.  
Mie N Yu is located at 3125 M St. NW.

Swank, now served over ice

There are new reasons to partake in cocktailing at the Capital Grille, especially if you can afford it (note to low-level staffers: there are no drink specials here). Garnished with dazzling jewelry, the new $1,000 Luxury Martini is mixed with Ciroc Vodka, Crème de Mure and a charitable spirit. No, that’s not code for a pricey liquor. Rather, for each martini sold, the restaurant will donate all the profits to Share Our Strength to end childhood hunger in America.

Other indulgences include the Mojito de Uvas, made with Bacardi Light Rum, fresh-squeezed lime juice and chilled champagne. Or try the Bohemian: Absolut Peach mixed with Mixed Berry Cordial and champagne.
The Capital Grille is located at 601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

Bastille offers warm-weather wine drinks

What better way to temper the heat and humidity of Washington than with a cool cocktail or a glass of light wine — or a little of both?

Michelle Garbee and Christophe Poteaux of Bastille in Old Town Alexandria, with the help of Candace Ford, a server at the restaurant, have added some wine cocktails to their list, which already includes some sparkling favorites. Both include refreshing combinations of mint, fruit and vintages that make them the perfect refresher for cocktail aficionados.

The drinks are Vin de Fruit, made of fresh mint, simple syrup, limes, squeezed berries (blueberries, raspberries and strawberries), Francois Mikulski Pinot Noir Rose and topped with Prosecco. Another is “Reve d’ete”  (translation: “Dreaming of Summer”), made of fresh mint kumquat syrup, lime, and Riesling topped with Prosecco.

Bastille is located at 1201 N. Royal St. in Old Town Alexandria.

Jack’s introduces Dog Days of Summer

It seems fitting for a restaurant named after a German Shepherd to introduce the “Dog Days of Summer,” which means al fresco dining and a tribute of sorts to dog lovers throughout the District. Patrons can stop by for a quick drink at the outdoor patio while their pooches enjoy treats of their own at the entrance of the restaurant on 17th Street NW.

Dogs will be welcomed and refreshed with complimentary large bowls of water, in addition to a tasty milk bone treat, when their human companion orders a Dog Days of Summer cocktail made of Jack Daniel’s, orange juice and a splash of grenadine priced at $7.

Jack’s Restaurant and Bar is located at 1527 17th St. NW in Dupont Circle.