Obama And McCain, As Sushi Rolls

The restaurant promos packed with political puns and nods just keep on coming. (Do they do this in other cities?)

If you're so inclined to politicize your drinking and eating, here's a roundup of places dishing up partisan offers:

• For Thursday's VP debate, the Lobby Bar in the Ritz-Carlton on 22nd Street is serving elk burgers ("the other moose meat," pictured at right) for Sarah Palin and mini chicken pot pies for Joe Biden. Sip Palin's Pit Bull, a cocktail made Bacardi Limon, cranberry juice and Red Bull, or the Not-So-Average-Joe with Southern Comfort, Curacao, fresh lemon and lime, and grenadine.

Asia Nine has created sushi rolls ($8) for each candidate. Obama's roll contains asparagus, cucumber, avocado, radish sprout and basil leaves dusted with sesame seeds. Biden's features local crabmeat, cucumber and wasabi cream sauce. McCain's is a mix of lobster guacamole and tortilla chips, and Palin's offers smoked Alaskan salmon with spicy mayo.

Oya wine director Andrew Stover is featuring wines from Illinois (Lynfred Winery and Galena Cellars) and Arizona (Dos Cabezas Wineworks and Callaghan Vineyards) and tallying the sales. Oya is also offering conservative, liberal and battleground wine flights, each featuring three 2-ounce pours from related states. The liberal, for example, offers Brooklyn Oenology Chardonnay 2007 from New York, Galena Cellars Frontenac 2006 from Illinois, and Stuart Cellars Cabernet Franc 2004 from California.

The classic Town & Country bar in the Mayflower hotel is also tallying votes for partisan cocktails. Bartender Sambonn Lek (pictured at right) has concocted an Arizona Sunset (tequila, prickly pear syrup and orange juice) for McCain and Chicago Cocktail (Remy Martin VSOP, bitters and triple sec) for Obama. Both are priced at $11.95.

• The Madison's PostScript bar is pitting shrimp, McCain’s favorite food to eat, against chili, Obama’s favorite dish to prepare. Results will be updated daily and on display in the bar area.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Buzz Bakery in Alexandria is keeping a running tally of their sales of "Elephant Ears" and "Donkey Tails," as well. When we stopped in on Sunday, Donkey Tails had a slight lead.

And the Caucus Room is offering up $11 GOP Cosmos (red) and Dem Margarita-tinis (blue) at the bar.
Anonymous said…
Obama's drink is made with Remy?!! Having tended bar once upon a time in this city, I know very well that this is someone's way of being racist; not a doubt in my mind. Poor judgement indeed.
Amanda said…
I see where you're coming from, but I seriously doubt that drink intends any racism. More like a spin on one of my favorite cognac drinks, the Sidecar.
Anonymous said…
According to Drink of the Week, the Chicago is a classic cocktail made with brandy, bitters, triple sec and (in their recipe) champagne.

If you're going to make a brandy cocktail, why not use a VSOP?
Amanda said…
Nice sleuthing, capitalspice. And here I thought they just made these things up. =)

And to add another promo I forgot:

The Source lounge is serving a Chicago twist on DC's half smoke. No ketchup, but traditional toppings of mustard, sweet pickle relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, dill pickle, and peppers.

From the Southwest for McCain are Arizona-inspired baby back ribs with honey-chipotle sauce. The dueling dishes are $14 each.
David T Fischer said…
Instead of wines, places would be better served to go with beer. Illinois and Arizona (not to mention Del. and Alsaka) are not great wine producing states. But both of them, all four actually, all have some really, really awesome beer.
Anonymous said…
I like the way David's thinking!

I could totally support a beer poll - maybe this is a job for the folks over at Birreria Paradiso?
Amanda said…
But wait, there's more! At the JW Marriott, which has had some rockin' political parties in the past:

Now through November 4, every Tuesday and the presidential and veep debate nights, guests at Bar 1331 can sip on cool election cocktails, such as the red, Grand Old Potable (GOP), the white, On the Fence and the blue, Left of the Isle. The lounge will eventually tally the sales of the GOP and Left of the Isle and post the poll on Tuesdays.

Also, guests can nosh on bi-partisan bites such as Left Wings with spicy Asian dipping sauce, Right Wings with Texas honey barbeque, and Undecide’r Sliders like the “Bay of Pigs” mini Cuban pulled pork sandwich with jicama slaw and chipotle mayo; “Chicken in the Pot” mini chicken sandwiches with spicy chow chow relish; “Cows and Politics” mini Angus beef burger with cheese and sauce; and the “Swimming up Stream” mini salmon burger with melted dilled Harvarti cheese.
Anonymous said…
Apparently California Tortilla is getting in on the election prediction action as well. From their October "Taco Talk" newsletter:

Which burrito is most delectable? You decide.
The McCain-Chilada Burrito: Mexican rice, mesquite chicken, tortilla strips, velvety queso (as opposed to queso with spikes), fresh salsa and shredded lettuce all rolled in a flour tortilla and smothered wtih green enchilada sauce and garnished with sour cream and cilantro.
The O-Chili-Bama Burrito: Mexican rice, turkey chili, tortilla strips, jalapeno peppers, fresh salsa and shredded lettuce all rolled in a flour tortilla and smothered with queso and garnished with cilantro and green onions.

'Voting' will be tallied from October 13th through November 3rd, and they PROMISE that their winner will prevail on the 4th.
Anonymous said…
Got another one for you:

Good Stuff Eatery (Top Chef Spike's burger joint on Capitol Hill) started a head-to-head burger challenge yesterday.

McCain's has chipotle mayo, roasted salsa and pepper jack cheese. Obama's has bacon, blue cheese, sauteed onions and horseradish sauce (not sure why, exactly).

After 1 day, Obama's off to a 32-to-9 lead. Score one for blue cheese and bacon.
Anonymous said…
The Burger Joint in Bethesda is running burger specials and keeping a tally of the winner. The Obama Burger features a hot dog on top, and the McCain burger is a crazy southwestern heap.

At last check in late September, McCain's was on top.

The special runs through Election Day.

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