A Few of My Favorite Things: My Go-To Spot Before Capital One Arena Events

Dirty Habit, a luxe restaurant and bar in Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter neighborhood, is where you’ll find me after work. The spot offers a vivid social scene, a high-end cocktail program, delicious eats, and a beautiful private urban patio. The space is located literally 180 steps from the Capital One Arena - but is tucked away in the perfect spot. 

The restaurant just rolled out with new cocktails this month that will feature beverages with spring ingredients and refreshing flavors for the new season! 

Some New Cocktails: 

The bright and herbaceous Constant Gardner with Botanist Islay gin, English peas, Meyer lemon, mint, mitsuba, and tonic. This drink is delicious and #instaworthy! 

The Black Oleander with Tanqueray gin, Bols Genever, acai, blackberry, fromager ash, and citrus 

The vibrant King Crush is nitro-charged with vodka, Galliano, acid-adjusted clementine, and Nigori sake 

Bittersweet Over the Niagara in a Barrel with such ingredients as Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, Hennessy VS, cacao nibs and dehydrated orange, the rich, serves as a perfect post-dinner beverage. 

My favorite drink from Dirty Habit would have to be incredible Rice ‘N Roses. This Cocktail is soft, floral, and nutty, with vodka, nigori sake, lychee, rose, almonds, and citrus. Yummm! 

But the drinks are just the beginning at Dirty Habit. The food here is awesome! The menu features new American cuisine with Asian inspirations. Every dish was so detailed and thoughtfully plated. I couldn’t get enough of the sophisticated flavors prepared by the incredible Executive Chef Kyoo Eom! 

Some Favorite Dishes: 

Tuna Tataki: lightly seared tuna loin, crispy sushi rice, wasabi mayo, sweet and salty fish sauce 

Roasted Beet Tartine: roasted beet, tomato, basil, frisee, mozzarella mousse 

Softshell Crab: napa cabbage, jalapeno, red pepper, asparagus, celery, scallion, cilantro, hoisin sauce 

Crispy Soy Milk Custard: braised morel, fiddlehead ferns, asparagus, crispy prosciutto, spring herbs 

Crispy Whole Fluke: thai chili, garlic, ginger, scallion, dried shitake, aged black vinegar, steamed rice. **Spicy!!!! 

Braised Pork Belly: scallion, pickled veggie, celery root puree, zhen jiang vinegar, soy sauce 

Chilean Seabass: sautéed spinach, shrimp rice cake, scallion, soy-honey glaze 

Oh – and another thing. Dirty Habit has brunch….everyday. You heard me right! Guests may enjoy the Dirty Habit brunch menu from 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, and from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. This unique format allows DC foodies the opportunity to indulge in brunch favorites any day of the week instead of cramming in a brunch reservation on Sunday morning. New brunch plates include the Pork Fried Rice Omelet with pork belly, shitake mushrooms, and scallion, the Dutch Pancake with fresh berries and powdered sugar, and the French Toast ‘Mich stuffed with Madrange ham and Swiss cheese and served with greens. 

Dirty Habit is kicking off patio season with two outdoor festivities for Washingtonians to properly welcome spring to the city – the annual “Dirty Rabbit” Easter egg hunt on Sunday, April 21 and a courtyard concert with Greg Ward on Wednesday, April 24.

“Dirty Rabbit” Easter – Sunday, April 21 

On Easter Sunday, Dirty Habit will offer 50% off all bourbon cocktails and bourbon pours. From 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the “Bourbon Bunny” will be virtually hopping around the restaurant and outdoor patio. During this special hour, guests have the opportunity to enjoy any bourbon whiskey for half the normal cost. 

Then starting at 4:00 p.m., guests are welcome to partake in Dirty Habit’s annual adult egg hunt in the open-air courtyard. Prizes include sweet treats, vouchers for free drinks and desserts, and gift cards to Dirty Habit. The “Dirty Rabbit” Easter egg hunt is open to the public, and no tickets or advanced booking is required to participate. 

Dirty Habit serves brunch from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Easter Sunday. To make brunch or dinner reservations, visit www.dirtyhabitdc.com or call 202-449-7095. 

The Greg Ward Reggae Explosion – Wednesday, April 24 

From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on April 24, Dirty Habit will bring Caribbean flair to the courtyard with an evening of reggae-infused beats and the eclectic sounds of Greg Ward. Special palm trees will be brought onto the Penn Quarter patio, accenting the comfortable lounge furniture and evening string lights. Guests may groove to the live music while the sun sets. Tiki-style cocktails will be available throughout the night, including a Hurricane made with Diplomatico Reserva, Fassionola, Tiki Bitters, Fino sherry, and salted lime and a Banana Daiquiri featuring Diplomatico white rum, Crème de Banane, Allspice Dram, caramelized pineapple, and lime. 

Dirty Habit’s patio welcomes guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Entrance to the April 24th reggae concert is free and open to all ages. 

Come check this spot out! For more information and to make reservations, go to: Dirty Habit